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“The chair was comfortable.”

“I’ll include that in my report.”

“I haven’t taken the job.”

He looks up properly. “Daurek will be glad to hear it.”

I picture Daurek in the northern room, trying to read while he waits.

I want to give him something easy to hear.

“Tell him I’m not going to Karath. I’m staying.”

Ziku rises with one boot still muddy.

“Are you certain?”

The leather sleeve is warm beneath my arm. I could correct myself before he takes a step.

“Yes. Tell him.”

His smile makes it harder to stop him. He goes ahead at a run, leaving me with the guards and a sentence I wish I had kept in my mouth.

I haven’t decided. I know that as clearly as I know which path leads to the Heartwood.

Daurek is waiting outside the northern meeting room when I reach the courtyard. Ziku stands beside him, talking too quickly for me to hear the words.

Daurek sees me and comes down the steps.

The relief on his face makes me want to put the offer behind my back.

“Vai.”

He touches my cheek. I lean into his palm because I want him, because I missed him, because I have just made him believe I have answered more than that.

“Come inside,” I say. “I need to show you something.”

His hand falls away. He follows me into the room.

Reivaka is at the table, sorting the hearing papers. I put the leather sleeve beside her map.

“Karev wrote down what we agreed. I read it before I left. Would you read it too?”

She takes out the sheet. Daurek stands beside me while she reads.

“The offer stays open for a week after the hearing,” she says. “You’ll speak to the senior factor before deciding.”

“Yes.”

Daurek turns toward Ziku.

“Those were her words,” Ziku says. “‘I’m not going to Karath. I’m staying.’ I asked if she was certain.”

“I said yes,” I tell Daurek. “He gave you the message I asked him to.”

Reivaka puts down the note.

“We’ll give you the room.” She collects her papers and takes Ziku with her.