The first rays of morning light were creeping round the edges of the curtains as Felit?a stood up and tip-toed across the room. Someone had collected her clothes from the floor. And Maneshka’s.


    Felit?a looked back at Maneshka, still fast asleep in the bed, and smiled. And blushed some more. Held back a laugh. Blushed again.


    And it could be counted as productive as well, since Felit?a had learnt something new about herself, about her telepathy. And it was both exciting and terrifying.


    Felit?a couldn’t help but see into Maneshka’s thoughts. It wasn’t a complete view—there was something there blocking full view—but she got flashes of images, memories. Kindanog. Maneshka’s mother. Her pet rats. For a brief moment, Felit?a even saw herself through Maneshka’s eyes.


    With her physical eyes, Felit?a saw Maneshka’s widen, saw her gasp. She was aware!


    not of her own creation.


    Somehow, for a brief time, she had broken through those walls, but they were back again, just beyond her reach.


    She is here with us.


    The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Zandrue. Rudiger. Borisin. Meleng. Corvinian. Jorvanultumn. Quilla. Kindanog. Nin-Akna...


    She is powerful indeed if she can see us in this place.


    Who are you? she called.


    You are not invulnerable, she said as she tried to push them aside, tried to find a way around them. You fell last night. You can fall again. Get out of my head!


    Felit?a.


    “It’s okay, your Highness. I understand. I think the way you look at her is very sweet. I wish I had someone I wanted to look at like that. But there is a messenger here for you from the Ninifin delegation.” Marna held out the robes. “You may want these. One for you and one for your friend.”


    Marna curtsied, then hurried over and slipped out the door. Felit?a tossed one of the robes to Maneshka and slipped the other on. Marna returned a moment later, made some adjustments to Felit?a’s hair, and helped with the robe.


    A couple minutes later, Marna showed a Ninifin girl into the room. No more than fourteen or fifteen, she carried with her a piece of paper, folded and sealed. The girl knelt and bowed her head. “Your Highness, Princess Felit?a of Arnor?”


    “Yes.”


    My sister,


    A matter of great importance has come to my attention, and I ask that we meet so that we might discuss it. If you are able, please come immediately. The servant who carries this message will bring you before me. If you cannot come at once, then I ask that you delay as short a time as possible.


    I would also ask that you do not inform your family of this meeting at this time. I am aware of your brother’s attempts to speak with me, but this matter is not related to that. Nor is it related in any way to the offences committed by the Arnorin delegation against the Ninifin delegation. I hold you in no way responsible for the actions of your mother and father. The matter I wish to discuss pertains to me and to you only. You may bring an attendant if you wish, but I otherwise ask that you come alone.


    I swear to you that there is no subterfuge in this invitation and that your safety is assured. I swear this in the name of Eleuia, Prophet of the True Gods, and in the name of her disciple, Nin-Papan.


    Your sister,


    Nin-Xoco,


    12th Queen of Ninifin,


    Bearer of the Rod of Nin-Papan,


    Voice of Ninussa


    Felit?a looked up from the letter and at the messenger who was still on her knees. “I’ll come right away. Just give me fifteen minutes to dress. Wait outside until then.”


    Once Felit?a had finished dressing and Marna had hurried off, Felit?a went back over to where Maneshka was still sitting in the bed, and sat beside her. “I’m sorry. I have to go.” She tried to mime herself leaving.