oning reputation as a genial, uncomplicated seducer of e and illegitimate. to maintain modest y as part of Albericos overall policy to be as discreet a ruler as possible—except ened him.

    At ly stered, empty and dusty. A useful, potent symbol of t resist tyrant. titious claimed to see gly lig nig, or on tumn Ember Nigo walk abroad.

    try Sandre old tomasso,   o die on tival of Vines tumns o name t it ime to tell taeri, t son, .  stupid, and migain t Gianno  illegitimate, and

    t y-one by t and ambition— ion s Sandre o create just after time of his dying.

    It , in fact, a question of ed: family er all, family. t o mind.

    It irely dispassionate conversation, tomasso remembered, leading  betrees t flanked tions ; t. Aftero fall asleep, te of tival to e omasso a co try again, a different way.

    te t  tibar to omasso made a ure to avert evil at t t. Bees to ligorc greinted a somber s upomasso t of souls, hers and his own. he shivered.

    te moon, Vidomni, rose, and t long after, came blue Ilarion to c torc, so brigorc suited task and omasso let t off to to come at lengto ting lodge her had loved.

    ts laid trestles ing in ter of t room. Candles  and t up at opposite ends of t up earlier t day. It o air t the breeze.

    At a nod from tomasso tes ao t and return at daybreak. At vigils end.

    And so t alone, finally. tomasso and two years before.

    quot;ine, my lords?quot; tomasso asked. quot;e will ly.”

    , deliberately, i