That was short, Borisin complained.


    Sorry buddy. The Queen could be here any moment. She didn’t give much warning. Rudiger lifted the saddle off the wall and carried it over to Borisin.


    It’s all right. This is my second cleaning today anyway, so I’m good.


    “Give me a minute,” Rudiger said, placing the saddle over Borisin’s back.


    Izel rolled her eyes. “Rudiger, I’ve been doing this sort of thing my whole life. I know what I’m doing. Both Fra-Mecatl and Fra-Tepeu know the code.”


    He finished bridling Borisin, and she took his arm and pulled him round to face her. “Look, you’ll be fine, okay?”


    Rudiger waited a moment, then led Borisin out of the stables just in time to see Queen Nin-Xoco and a half dozen Queen’s Guards coming in his direction. Ses-Zeltzin was not among them, thankfully.


    “I will ride Buluc there then.” She took the reins from him and mounted. Within moments of starting off, all signs of tears were gone from her face and she appeared stoic.


    Rudiger walked to the side of Nin-Xoco and Borisin as they crossed the field. They said little, although Rudiger offered an occasional comment on her posture and handling of the reins. The Jaguar Falls rumbled ever louder as they neared the river. Nin-Xoco brought Borisin to a stop just as the misty spray from the falls began to drizzle over them.


    “Zeltzin would say the same thing, but I would have you know, I’ve been to the edge many times. The current is not strong at the base of the falls. It’s even safe for swimming as long as you don’t get too close to the falls.” She looked away from him. “Or so I’m told. I, of course, have never engaged in such uncouth activities.”


    Rudiger hadn’t been this close to the base of the falls. The Jaguar’s current didn’t look extreme here, not like it was closer to Fra-Tepeu and Fra-Mecatl’s ranch. The falls themselves were majestic and beautiful. Their height was the most inspiring thing. It had to be well over a hundred feet to the top. The water poured down in a thick sheet, throwing up a cloud of spray at the bottom.


    Should I? Borisin asked.


    A little closer should be fine.


    “I used to love coming here as a girl,” the Queen said, staring out at the river and the falls. “It is very relaxing and helps me forget my tensions.”


    Once they were away from the worst of the spray, Rudiger reached inside his tunic to check the letter. It still felt dry.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    “No, that’s fine, Holiness. I understand.”


    “She might intercept it,” Nin-Xoco said, dismounting. “Zeltzin is loyal, but over-protective at times. It’s part of her job. But once she’d read the letter and found nothing wrong, she would send it on its way.” She looked up at him now. “She would find nothing wrong, right?”


    He nodded.


    Ahem. That was me, not you.


    and stay alive in the process.”


    Don’t suppose you could talk to her, buddy, like you did with Izel? he asked Borisin.


    What good would that do?


    Don’t know. Maybe she’ll be more likely to believe me if she’s in awe of your ability to talk.


    Why would that work?


    Worked with Izel.


    Yeah, because we needed to convince her that I was important. My ability to speak says nothing about Ses-Zeltzin’s loyalty.


    I suppose you’re right.