Eventually, the serving boy came back, blinking in surprise when he saw the enormous bird on my shoulder.
“Is that the bird that was at his window?” the serving boy whispered. “Nohe, did he take in a wild bird? Are the stories about the Northern Kingdom true?”
“Hush.” Nohe smiled, although it looked tense. She helped the boy set out the tea, pouring a cup for me.
I felt even more awkward with both of them along the wall, watching me eat, but I forced myself to grow used to it. WhenI finished, I sat back, remembering to use the hand motion that indicated I was done.
After the boy cleared away the table, she bowed low. “Is there anything else you need today, Your Highness?”
“No,” I said. “I will be exploring today and will let you know if I need any direction.”
The servants took it as a dismissal, even without the hand gesture I knew they were expecting. Nohe directed the serving boy, and the two of them left with all the plates and utensils. The room was quiet when they left, the only sound was the birds outside, still making noisy work of the insects they ate.
I stood, and Terror fluffed his feathers in irritation.
Carefully avoiding dislodging him, I went into the empty room that looked designed for practice of various sorts. “Now. Tell me who else you talk to.”
“People.” Terror fluffed his feathers again. “People who know the value of my words.”
“What people?” I asked sharply. “Where are they?”
Were there northerners in the Imperial Capital? Why hadn’t Mother told me? Why hadn’t she given me and Eonaî the benefit of that information?
“They are not always here. They move frequently.” Terror began to preen, muttering his next words into the feathers under his wing. “Often on ships not docked in the harbor.”
“Smugglers and criminals,” I said, my words sharper when I realized that there were no other northerners here, just criminals with enough north in their blood to do a bit of magic. They probably didn’t even have enough to fully understand Terror. “You wanted me to give up two whole fish for thepossibilitythat some smuggler would care that Eonaî and I… what? What secret do you think you know?”
Because if the bird had heard what I was really doing here, it wouldn’t be bargaining for fish. Even birds knew the value of an emperor’s assassination.
“She gave you a dragon egg.” The raven lifted its beak. “You have a dragon egg!”
“I do not.” My words were cold, my gaze fixed on him. Killing a raven would hurt. Their claws and beak would break my skin, tear my new clothes, but I could do it. “My sister gifted me coins and a family heirloom. And that is it.”
Terror tossed up his head. “Pah. Perhaps I did not see correctly. Perhaps it was just a northern carving. Perhaps, for my dear friend, Prince Airón, I will forget what I know.”
“Are we friends, Terror?” I watched the bird, unsure if I trusted it. “My friends do not threaten me with made-up lies.”
“I deal honestly, unlikesomeof my brethren.” Terror shrieked again. “Do you deal honestly with yourfriends?”
“Do you know anything that will help me learn the intricacies of the court?” I pressed. “Or any details about the emperor I should know as his spouse?”
“Well”—Terror fluffed his feathers—“I can begin watching. He’s not the most interesting person in the palace.”
“Who is?” I asked.
“The cooks. The servants. They’re always gossiping, and sometimes they leave out food when they’re distracted.” Terror spread his wings and fluttered to one of the pegs on the wall that had been intended to hang something but served him perfectly as a perch. “A few of the lords plotting to get more power.”
“So, the same as everywhere else,” I said.
“Not everywhere. I have been to many places, and few are as frightened of their master. Even the bread shop in town where the owner beats his servants. They do not fear his rage as the people here fear the emperor.” Terror pulled a feather free from under his wing.
“Interesting,” I said slowly. “This emperor or the last one as well?”
“This one. And they feared him more when he was a prince and had his father’s ear.” He screeched loud. “See? See? I can be useful. Now. Fish.”
“Alright,” I sighed. “Fish.”
I stopped in my room to collect the rabbit skin pouch and the precious egg inside. I tied it to the long strips of fabric that formed a sash at my waist. In the mirror, the jacket didn’t fall as cleanly as a true Imperial would wear it, but it looked good enough.
