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wrong?”
    “Damasco–” Estrada began.
    I realised then that, though Alvantes and Mounteban might not have had any intention of involving me, Estrada truly had. It was there in the gentle cajoling with which she spoke my name. Why couldn’t the woman just leave me alone?
    And even more infuriatingly, why, when I knew she was manipulating me, could I not stop myself from talking?
    “Spare me,” I said. “We’ve danced this dance enough times. Sooner or later, whatever I say, you’ll talk me into it, so just this once let’s get it over with. You want me to break into the palace? Fine! I’ll do it.”

CHAPTER TWO

    It didn’t take long for the cracks to start showing in our new alliance.
    We were leaving the Dancing Cat, with Mounteban in tow and Navare and another guardsman hovering awkwardly behind, no one having bothered to inform them about the fragile coalition. “I have a few men in mind to send north,” said Mounteban, offhandedly. “Men with some nautical background.”
    “Freebooters, you mean?” retorted Alvantes – and the way Mounteban tensed suggested the dig had struck its mark. “Not a chance. For all we know, this treaty with Kalyxis is intended to serve you and you only.”
    “Then go with them, Guard-Captain,” said Mounteban. “I’m sure they’d be grateful for your guidance.”
    “And hand you back Altapasaeda? Never.”
    “I’ll go,” put in Estrada.
    “That’s absurd.” Alvantes’s reply had the abruptness of a reflex, and it was clear he’d realised his mistake almost before he’d closed his mouth.
    It would take more than belated regret to make Estrada go easy on him. “Are we really having this conversation again?” she snapped. “Do I need to list the qualifications that make me every bit as suitable for this as you?”
    “It isn’t that,” Alvantes said hastily. “But you’re needed here, and given the dangers involved–”
    “For whatever it’s worth,” put in Mounteban, “I think Marina would be an excellent choice. From what I’ve heard, Kalyxis has little affection for men, to say the least. Sending a female leader would show respect, and understanding of her position.”
    “Her position as a professional rabble-rouser?” said Alvantes. “I hardly think–”
    “I’ll take some guardsmen with me, if you can spare them,” Estrada interrupted. “And one of the giants, if Saltlick agrees. They have a way of ensuring people pay attention.”
    “Marina...”
    Estrada rounded on Alvantes, throwing our small parade into chaos. On any other day such drama would have drawn attention on the streets of Altapasaeda, where gossip was a currency second only to gold, but amidst those still-chaotic streets it passed unheeded. “Listen to me,” she said. “If we’re agreed that this is our best option then one of us has to go. It can’t be Castilio. It can’t be you. Who does that leave?”
    I didn’t even try to make out Alvantes’s mumbled reply. Estrada’s comment had struck so perfectly with the muddle in my head that everything else had fallen into background noise. She hadn’t suggested me as a possibility for the trip north, probably hadn’t so much as considered me – and where once that might have caused offence, now I realised I was glad. This foolhardy expedition was none of my concern, and that was exactly how I wanted it.
    Of course, my own brush with death would arrive much sooner. Since my outburst in the Dancing Cat, one half of my mind had been gazing in horror at the other, the part that had so blithely thrust me once again into harm’s way. Yet, having had time to analyse my brash-seeming decision, I’d come to realise that inspiration had hit me as I’d listened to Mounteban – struck with all the jolting clarity of a lightning bolt. And it had much to do with my depleted money bag and the events that had filled it to brimming not so long ago.
    I could see now that ever since Ludovoco had arrived, bearing the message from