would fall out of their sockets. He could not safely enthuse in front of The Terafin of course, but indicated that he wished to waste no more of her precious time, and all but ushered her out of his interior office.
Avandar was amused, but he was grave as they once again walked the halls that led back to Teller’s office. “You will, of course, have a new gardener on your staff before the day is done.”
“I know.”
“You accepted her.”
“In part, because Duvari didn’t like it.” Jewel glanced back over her shoulder. “And frankly, I’m relieved that I did; I cannot imagine what the Master Gardener would have said—or done—had I dismissed her and word reached his ears.”
Avandar raised a brow.
“And in part, yes, because I liked her. I believed her; she wanted to work on our grounds and in our gardens, and she wanted it the way—the way makers want to make. I personally don’t care for plants I can’t eat; I have learned, at some expense, to appreciate some of their names and their finer qualities because it’s expected. But something about Birgide makes me want to learn about them from her. They’re not about status, to her, and not even just about beauty. She sees something in them that I don’t.”
“That can be said about many people, and many things.”
“Yes. Hopefully, one of them won’t be politics.”
* * *
The meeting with The Ten was to occur two hours after the start of the meeting with the Kings. Jewel was certain that the Exalted, Sigurne Mellifas, and possibly the Bardmaster of Senniel College would also be in attendance. She glanced at a message delivered from House Araven and grimaced.
“How long do you feel the Council meeting will last?”
“Given The Kalakar’s letter? It may well last until the following morning. It won’t be the first time The Ten have met, recessed, and reconvened the following day. I’m slightly more concerned that the audience granted me by the Kings—”
Teller gestured in colorful den-sign.
Jewel laughed, although it was grim. “I know. But I don’t want to clash with Duvari about the timing of the Council meeting.”
“If the gods are called,” Avandar interjected, “time is less of an issue for anyone who is not otherwise involved in their discussions.”
“You think it likely?” As he raised a brow, she nodded. “I’m concerned about the rooms.”
“That was deftly done,” Avandar said, surprising her. “While I feel your role as Terafin requires a rigid formality, your instincts are good. Birgide’s information was useful. Why are the rooms of concern to you?”
“I’m . . . not certain. But they are. I have no intention of contesting the Kings’ sovereignty,” she added, as if it were necessary. Given Avandar, it probably was.
“You will take Teller with you to the Council meeting.”
“He is right-kin. Yes.”
“Will you consider the inclusion of Lord Celleriant?”
“No. You’ll be there, and I may second Meralonne APhaniel as House Mage, if only to keep him from Sigurne’s side.”
“I do not consider that wise.”
“He’ll worm his way in regardless. I may have some say over his behavior, this way.”
“Your natural optimism is not, in this case, commendable.”
“Thank you, Avandar.”
They left the right-kin’s office and entered the external office. Barston, seated behind his desk, rose instantly, which was never a good sign. He tendered a perfect, but brief bow. “Terafin. A possible difficulty in the Household Staff has arisen—”
Jewel turned immediately to see the white hair and grim expression of the Master of the Household Staff. She was, to Jewel’s surprise, seated, although she rose the minute Jewel caught sight of her. She instantly regretted the absence of Duvari, the Exalted, or any other crisis, because nothing stood between them. The Master of the Household Staff performed as exquisite a bow as “a woman of her advanced years”—a phrase which struck terror in the heart of anyone else who lived in the manse when she used it—could.
“Terafin,” she said, in clipped, very formal syllables.
“Master of the Household Staff.” Jewel had once—only once—responded “ATerafin.” “Has there been some difficulty which requires my immediate attention?”
“There has apparently been some difficulty which required mine,” was the even chillier response. “The Household Staff was, of course, informed of your change of residence within the manse.”
Jewel froze. Of all the difficulties she anticipated would be caused by the severe transformation of The Terafin’s personal quarters, this one had entirely escaped her.
“It is customary to inform me of extensive renovations or reconstruction undertaken in the manse. Given your unexpected illness, it is possible