The Will of the Empress - By Tamora Pierce Page 0,165

with sweat. "She said you'll think she's conceited if you knew she can do it."

All three young mages traded exasperated looks. "Have you ever known such an annoying girl?" demanded Sandry.

"But she couldn't do it before," Daja said. "She learned? While she was away? But people go mad, trying to see things on the wind! No offense," she told Zhegorz.

He shrugged. "I was born with it."

"Yell at Tris later," said Briar. "Yell at Zhegorz now. Where were you, Zhegorz? You had us all fretting."

"I went to see," Zhegorz said, wiping his face on his sleeve. "They look for Clehame Sandrilene and her escort, so I went to the border crossing to see who is looking. A whitehaired mage who blazes like the sun waits on a platform by the arch. Three mages like stars and soldiers with the gold braid of the palace soldiers guard her on the platform." He held up one of his ear beads. "The white-haired mage will raise the border magic to stop you three. Only you three. She is in charge. She tells her guards that, and she tells the border guards that. She is to deal with you and only you, and all others may pass." Zhegorz rubbed the back of his neck. "She is not happy with her work. Why is she not happy?"

Daja shrugged. "Your guess is as good as ours. Was there anything else?"

Zhegorz reported the gossip of merchants headed south, and of merchants on the far side of the border who waited for the gates to open so they could head north. When she realized that he had told everything he knew of their situation, Sandry kissed his stubbled cheek. "Go eat a good breakfast," she told him affectionately. "And thank you." She watched him walk into the inn, then looked for Gudruny.

"Gudruny, would you come with me, please?" she asked. She led her maid over to the cart and opened one of the trunks. The first thing she pulled out of it was a heavy canvas tarp with shifting patterns on it. Underneath it were four hooded cloaks, two large and two small. "You and Zhegorz each get one, and the children each get one," she told the maid, handing the cloaks to her. "I thought we might need them. With these on, and the cart covered with the tarp, you won't look like the people who travelled with me. Tell them you're joining a merchant caravan in Leen, travelling south."

"Clehame, this is silly," protested Gudruny.

Sandry put her hand on the woman's arm. "It's going to be a mage fight at the border," she explained gently. "If you leave right away, you can pass through long before we get there. We'll meet you at Ratey's Inn on the other side, once we've ... worked things out." When Gudruny opened her mouth to argue again, Sandry shook her head. "Get the little ones and Zhegorz safely out of this, please," she said firmly. "That's Ishabal Ladyhammer who waits for us, Gudruny. You have our purse with you. If we fail, choose what you will do. I'd like you to take Zhegorz to Winding Circle temple in Emelan. They'll be able to help him, and my great-uncle Vedris will look after you and the children. Or you can return to me in Namorn, if I can't escape. I can't choose for you, though I hope you'll regard my wishes."

Gudruny curtsied, a troubled look on her face. "I hope I'll see you on the other side of the border, Clehame," she murmured. "Then neither of us will have to choose."

Sandry patted Gudruny's arm, then went to see how successful Briar had been in explaining their plan to Zhegorz.

"I can't," Zhegorz protested when Sandry found them. "Tris said I must watch and listen for you."

"And you have," Sandry told him. "While we slept, you did. Now I need you to safeguard Gudruny and the children. Please, Zhegorz."

He nodded, without meeting her eyes. Can I ask for anyone braver? she wondered. He's terrified, and yet he has spied on the might of the empire that's here for me. For us. Maybe it takes a coward more courage — not less — to do and not do things. Perhaps cowards understand the world so much better than brave folk.

Once Gudruny, Zhegorz, and the children had left with the cart, Sandry, Briar, and Daja settled into the common room to give them a couple of hours' head start. As Briar drew strength from his shakkan and