"Shupansea, I was wondering if... Oh, hello. Storyteller."

"Your Highness," Hakiem responded, bowing as low for the Prince as he did forthe Beysa.

The Prince and his entourage were currently living in the Summer Palace, a half-finished rambling structure out beyond Downwind, having surrendered theGovernor's palace to the Beysa two days after the fleet arrived. Hakiem tried toclose his rumor-sensitive ears to the signs of ever-increasing familiaritybetween the Prince and the Beysa, but it was almost impossible. The Prince wasnever at the Summer Palace and never more than a few moments away fromShupansea; his courtesans had been spirited back to the capital, and MolinTorchholder, who should have been above such things, seemed to be encouragingthe entire affair.

"Just one little matter, then we can be alone," Shupansea told Kadakithis with aradiant smile. "Tell me, you don't care if a few trees are cut down if it willget the townspeople and my people working together, do you?"

"If trees are what you want, take them all," the Prince said with a casual shrugof his shoulders and an equally radiant smile.

"I think, then, that I should withdraw now, 0 Empress. The matter seems to besettled now."

Hakiem paused outside the Presence Chamber, trying to control the irritationand, yes, the dread that had been generated by the exchange. Was the Prince soinfatuated with Shupansea's overly obvious charms that he had thrown away whatlittle judgment and free will he possessed? Was Sanctuary a Beysib property now,completely and without any recourse? The storyteller liked the Beysa and alwaysadvised her honestly, but he was Sanctuary's proudest citizen. It grieved himbeyond speech to see what they were doing to his city.

He was suddenly aware that the room behind him was perfectly quiet now; the