The Fall of Ventaris by Neil McGarry, Daniel Ravipinto, Amy Houser Page A

words, she wondered if she meant them. But no, that door to her that life had closed a long time ago.
    Hadn’t it?
    He made to leave, then turned back, his face unreadable. “Terence — hells, all the other scholars — came through the War of the Quills without disgrace, you know. He’s at court now, working for the empress herself. In Rodaas, a man doesn’t find himself in high position unless he stepped on a few of his fellows on the way up. One of those was no doubt your father.” He gave her a look. “Stay away from him, child. As far as he knows you’re dead, and if you want my advice, you should stay that way.”
    *   *   *
    She stood alone amidst the hedges for some time, frustrated and uncertain. For a moment she wished for her candle again. Perhaps it would light her way forward. A close friend to her father, and one who could likely tell her much, yet she dare not ignore the possibility that Terence had had some part in her father’s death. Revealing herself might spur him to finish what the fire had started. Still, she decided as she stepped from behind the hedges, she could be both cautious and curious...
    “I was wondering where you’d gotten to,” said Dorian Eusbius. She froze. Had he seen her speaking with Ahmed? A quick glance around did not reveal any of the other members of his House. As if reading her mind, Dorian said, “The baron’s already gone. He and my lady mother took their leave while I was looking for you.”
    That was a relief. “So you were looking for me, then?” she teased. She shouldn’t be doing this, but something had hold of her.  
    “Caught by my own words,” he allowed, grinning. His teeth were straighter than Lysander’s, she noticed, and they seemed almost to shine when he smiled. “I was looking for you, but feared I might have to venture — how did you put it? — further down the hill.”
    She smiled ruefully. “In case you hadn’t noticed I was a bit clumsy in there. I didn’t know the steps to the dance.” He laughed, not unkindly. “How did you learn all that?”
    He shrugged. “I don’t remember ever learning the motions; I imagine I was taught as a child. Evidently you weren’t.” He leaned close. “As far as I’m concerned, you were lucky. The mysteries are tedious to say the least, as are the radiants who conduct them. The baron has them to dinner from time to time, and they make the napkins seem interesting.” She giggled. She really shouldn’t be talking with Dorian Eusbius, but there was something engaging about him. Besides, it was not as if handsome young men ordinarily gave her a great deal of time or attention, so she decided to get it while it was going.
    Her laughter seemed to encourage him. “Duchess,” he mused. “An unusual name. Some day you must tell me how you came by it.”
    She blinked. “That would be quite a story, my lo- Dorian.” Before she could say any more, a voice from behind interrupted.
    “Dorian, I believe the baron and your lady mother were looking for you.” Turning, she saw a tall man in radiant’s garb, and her heart sank. It was the same priest who’d eyed her during the mysteries. “They await you on the Godswalk. You can catch them if you hurry.”
    A look of annoyance flashed across Dorian’s face and was gone almost as quickly. “Thank you, Preceptor Amabilis, I’d better do just that.” He nodded to Duchess, his eyes meeting hers and lingering for a moment before he turned away. “A most excellent day to you.”
    “Praised be His light,” Amabilis replied, and the young man moved off, disappearing around the hedges. The radiant, an almost cadaverously thin man with white hair and deep-set eyes, turned back to Duchess. Those eyes were colorless, she noted, neither blue nor gray nor green. Unsettling, to be sure. “And a good day to you, my little mote.”
    “Mote, sir?” She didn’t know why any radiant, particularly one so highly ranked, would take an interest in her. Perhaps her