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He walks through the candlelit Sarelik Temple.

It is hushed and mostly empty before the evening rites. Snow falling softly outside the great windows of coloured glass, but the weather seems to be calming.

Already there are preparations being made for the ascension. There are rows of seating on the dais and two ornate golden thrones in the centre, the larger of the two is the great fine Chair of Kings dating back to the first days of the Hevelikar. The presence of a second throne means it must be true that Atticul plans to marry the Lady Inez as part of the ceremony. Arcing over both thrones is a beautiful jewelled carving of glittering pink stone, before them a plinth with a red velvet cushion to hold the Heart of Zai. Further back the richly jewelled panel throws coloured light down onto the dais, reflected sunlight from the high, glazed dome, scattering in rich colours.

And are they to anoint a demon in that throne three days from now?

The ascension seems to have come so soon. Many are saying the mourning for Selim has been too swift. Not even a single turn of the moon has passed. Atticul has claimed it was necessary because of the shock of Selim's death at the hands of Lukas Darekul and his Plumian woman.

But is he rushing because that demon demands it? Because he needs an Azurian Emperor and the Imperial Army?

Jemel turns down the steps to the inner shrines. All along a narrow, wood-panelled corridor are low archways, with curved lintels carved from pink stone. Jemel steps through the entrance to the Shrine of Nebis.

Nebis is the Sidu devoted to mist. She is associated with the unknown, the great mysteries of the world. And, in some fringe schools of the Faith, magic. Her shrine is a small simple room meant for private contemplation, but Jemel knows well it is often used for clandestine meetings. There are wooden benches all around the edge of the chamber, and a centrepiece with a statue of Nebis, depicted as a wise old woman in a cloak with an oil lamp in her hands. The statue is old, from the time of the Hevelikar. Nebis’s hands are worn smooth of their carved details by the touch of penitents asking for blessings. Jemel sits down to wait, facing her.

If Zai is a demon, does that mean the Sidusia are true Gods?

“Help me, wise Nebis,” Jemel says quietly, feeling a small stab of shame at the heresy.

Nebis only gazes back at him with wooden eyes.

He does not wait long.

“Hare. I did not think you would come.”

Jemel looks up. A bride appears through the chamber door. She is dressed in grey robes and a grey veil similar to Jemel’s own.

She stands before him and removes the veil, revealing her face beneath. Jemel expects to know her, but he does not. The woman has a plain look. Dark hair pulled back from tightly placed features. Her skin is a pale brown colour that is common enough, unlike Jemel’s ghostly paleness or Xan’s archenwud dark.

“Honoured of Zai,” Jemel says. “Do I know you?”

She shakes her head. “No. But I know of you, acolyte. I have a message for you. From Lukas Darekul. And your other brothers.”

Jemel swallows, “You know I am…” He dare not say it.

“I know,” the woman says. “I know you work for the same cause as your brothers. “

“I see.”

“Your brothers need you. You must leave the Rose Palace and find them. There is a safehouse. Rooms above a pot shop in Ragspit called The Happy Swineherd. If you can get there, you will be safe. You must say you are a friend of Inga. After the ascension they will seek you there. Ur-Durik walks the halls of the palace. And he plans to destroy you.”

Jemel reels. He was right. All he deduced about Ur-Durik was right. He must find his brothers and read those runes.

But he cannot go to the safehouse. He would lose his position here if he defied the rules.

“But I am bound not to leave. I cannot leave the Rose Palace.”

“You must. You are not safe here.”

“I would never be able to return.“

“Then do not return.”

“You say this message is from Lukas Darekul. I have a plan to free him,” Jemel says quickly, wishing he had done more sooner. “In three nights time,” he stops. He is saying too much to this person. She may not be who she claims. But if she is not. It is already too late.

“Lukas can take care of himself,” the woman says bluntly, “but you cannot. You must go. You are in danger here. From Ur-Durik.”

Hearing that name spoken by this strange woman, in this strange place, Jemel’s blood is hot with fear. Never return to the Rose Palace. The only home he has ever known. The place he has never left. To leave and go into the streets of Attar. But if Atticul is truly Ur-Durik then he knows who Jemel is. Who he really is. He will be trying to find a way to destroy him. He is not safe here. He nods. “I understand,” he says. “I will find this place. The Happy Swineherd.”