Segna's stomach had felt sour all day. She had tried to rush through her meetings. She had lost her temper with her advisors and argued with them. She had left dinner early, even though doing so had probably offended the Ambassador from Succour.

Not even resting submerged in the pool in the royal bath-house made her feel better. It just made her feel even more alone. Maybe she was despairing for nothing. Maybe Catt would come tonight, with some story of whatever mischief had kept her away last nigh...