It was a different task, of course, to be king's niece and navigate the intrigues of a court and to be the king's seer and know the true hearts of men. Hild did not find that men had changed overmuch in the span between her time and this. Their trappings, their words, their manners, yes, but their desires were always the same.

"I think it is like learning a new horse," Hild said. "At first you do not know how hard or fast you can ride him, how he will respond to commands. But the longer you stay with him, the better you know his ways. Eventually, the ways of people here will become second nature to you."