‘What about the girl? Isn’t she awfully giddy?’

“That’s a pose, father. Asrana’s very clever, and she’s got at least as much to gain as Mangaran has.’

‘I didn’t exactly follow that, Pol.’

‘A part of the Arendish problem is the fact that women are little more than domestic animals here. Asrana’s going to help take over the government, and when Mangaran’s elevated to the throne, she’ll be right next to the seat of power. She’ll be someone to reckon with here in Asturia after tonight. This is her only opportunity to seize any kind of power, and she won’t do anything to spoil that chance.’

He squinted. ‘Maybe,’ he conceded dubiously.

‘Trust me, father. Will you do it?’

‘Do what?’

‘Make that speech tomorrow morning?’

‘Why don’t you do it?’

‘You remember what I just said about domestic animals? This is Arendia, father. No Arendish man’s going to listen to anybody wearing a skirt. I’ve got to move on to Vo Mimbre, so I don’t have time to convince a crowd of half-drunk Asturian males that I’m not a poodle or a common house-cat. Look at it this way, father. If you make the speech, you get all the credit for what I’ve done – and you didn’t have to do any of the dirty work.’

‘I’ll think about it. Why do you let that silly girl call you “Polly”? If I tried that, you’d set fire to my beard.’

‘Yes, I would, so don’t even think about it. Actually, I wasn’t entirely sure of Asrana’s commitment until she called me “Polly”. Once she did that, I knew I had her in my pocket.’

‘Could you trot that past me again?’

‘She’s pushing, father. Asrana always pushes. I let her get away with it in order to keep her right where I want her.’

‘I will never understand women.’

‘Probably not, no. Oh, before you start composing your speech for tomorrow, would you do me a favor?’

‘More than likely. What did you need?’

‘Oldoran’s bodyguards are at supper right now. Do something to their wine. I want them all to be falling-down drunk before they go on duty.’

‘I thought you didn’t approve of drinking.’

This is a special occasion, father, and special occasions allow us to bend the rules just a little bit. I want to hold down the bloodshed as much as possible this evening. It’s important that Oldoran’s removal from his throne appears to be administrative rather than military.’

‘You’re very good at this, Pol.’

‘Thank you, father. Now, go to the guardroom and incapacitate the duke’s bodyguards. Then start working on your speech while I get on with overthrowing the government.’

Just after supper, a sturdy peasant with a diffident air about him approached me. ‘Lord Mangaran asked me to speak with you, my Lady,’ he said politely. ‘He said you wanted to send somebody a message. I’m supposed to deliver it for you. My name’s Lammer.’

It was a bit obscure – this was a conspiracy, after all – but I got his point. ‘Are you a good messenger?’ I asked him.

‘There’s none better in all Asturia, my Lady. Did you want a demonstration?’

‘I’ll take your word for it, Lammer. I want my message to reach his brain at a specific moment.’

‘I can manage that, my Lady.’ He squinted. ‘I’ll be up in the gallery on the right side of the throne-room,’ he advised me. ‘I’ll send the message on its way and be halfway back down the stairs that lead up to the gallery before it even arrives in his brain.’

‘Excellent fellow. I’m going to go change clothes now, and then I’ll go to the throne-room. Deliver my message as soon as I enter the room.’

‘Yes, my Lady.’ He paused. ‘Urn – ’ he said, ‘who? Who’s supposed to get the message, I mean?’

I told him and a flicker of a smile touched his lips. Then I went to Asrana’s set of rooms to change. I used the gown I’d worn at Beldaran’s wedding. It was striking enough to get everyone’s attention, certainly, and I was very familiar with it, since I’d watched Arell put in every stitch.

No, of course I hadn’t carried it to Arendia with me. It was still hanging in my wardrobe back in father’s tower. I do have certain advantages, after all.

Asrana came in just as I was touching up my hair. ‘My goodness, Polly!’ she said. ‘What a stupendous gown! But isn’t it just a trifle daring?’

‘It’s intended to be, Asrana,’ I told her. ‘All manner of things are going to happen when I walk into the throne-room, and I want to be certain that everybody notices me.’

‘Oh, you can be sure that they will, Polly. It might disrupt the plan, though. Everybody’ll be so busy looking at you that they’ll forget to overthrow the government.’

‘Something’s going to happen that’ll remind them, dear,’ I assured her. ‘Now go get Mangaran for me. Send him here and then go to the throne-room. Circulate around and tell our people to get ready. Things are going to happen rather quickly once I enter the room.’

‘Could you be a little more specific?’

‘No, I don’t think so. I want to surprise everybody. Don’t you like surprises?’

‘Not when I’m in the middle of a plot, I don’t.’ She looked at the sideboard where several decanters stood.

‘No!’ I told her quite firmly. ‘Don’t even think about it! I want your head on straight tonight.’

‘My nerves are strung a little tight, Polly.’

‘Good. I want them to be. Don’t dull your edge, Asrana. Now scoot.’

She left, and Mangaran rapped on the door a few moments later. ‘You wanted to see me, my Lady?’

‘Yes. Come in and close the door.’

He did that.

‘Go directly to the throne-room from here, my Lord,’ I instructed. ‘Ease your way through the crowd until you’re about five feet from the throne. Oldoran is there, isn’t he?’

He nodded. ‘He sort of regained consciousness after supper, and his servants helped him to the throne. His eyes are open, but I doubt that very much is registering on his brain.’

‘Good. As soon as I enter the throne-room, something rather startling is going to happen. I’ll shout some instructions, and you’ll follow them. We’ll hustle the duke out of the throne-room. It’ll look as if it’s for his protection, but it’s really an excuse to get him on his way to that monastery. I’ll come into the room where you take him and give him a quick medical examination, and then we’ll come out to make the announcement that he’s going into seclusion “for reasons of health”. You’ll be taking over the government at that point. Try to sound regretful about it.’