It's been a year since Niari was stabbed and almost ‎killed. The New Elithimites have disappeared, and ‎nothing more can be done until they are located.‎In Nebreth City, Carlitha is preparing for her second ‎marriage to Boladan, since the first, Navan, ceremony ‎isn't legal in Nebrethian law. Niari, on the other hand, ‎although recovered physically, is still struggling with the ‎emotional repercussions of the attack.‎Meanwhile, in Atriosa, capital of Falodirian, 15-year-‎old Tassatina works happily as the housekeeper in ‎Madame Wennara's brothel. On her own since the age of ‎‎11, she knows she's fortunate to have found such a good ‎employer. She works hard, and hopes, when she comes ‎of age, to enter the real business of the place. It would be ‎a good career. In the Atriosine religion, prostitutes are ‎honoured as the priestesses of Atrios as god of love.‎In her spare time, Tassi loves to listen to the town's ‎minstrels. Her especial favourites are the songs about ‎Niari and Carlitha and the adventures they have had.‎Then, a sighting of the New Elithimite leaders is ‎reported near Atriosa. Niari, Carlitha, and the rest of the ‎Company prepare to head there in the hope of ‎confronting their enemies. Tassi's idols are actually ‎coming to town, and the King has organised a parade so ‎the people can see them. She'll be able to see them all up ‎close. All her dreams are coming true! ‎But, sometimes, you really should be careful what ‎you wish for.‎Niari moved around the table so she could kneel and ‎take the weeping girl in her arms. "It's all right," she ‎said, stroking her hair. "It's all right."‎‎"No, it's not! I've been so awful, and after ‎everything you did for me. And Carlitha gave me my ‎horse, and..."‎‎"Am I to take it that you've decided to let us teach ‎you how to use your power?" Niari asked gently.‎Wordlessly, Tassi nodded.‎‎"And do we have Irhanai to thank for this change of ‎heart?"‎Tassi nodded again. "She told me all about her life, ‎and how she went to prison and everything, and she ‎sounded like she didn't even mind."‎‎"No, I don't think she did, not really," Niari said. ‎‎"When she saved those men, she did what was ‎necessary, and that's all there was to it as far as she was ‎concerned. She believes that her power lays certain ‎responsibilities and obligations on her."‎‎"That's what she told me."‎‎"She's right, of course. Any kind of power carries ‎responsibility with it. My brother, for instance, is the ‎king of Nebreth, but he can't just do as he pleases. He ‎has to do what's best for the country and the people, and ‎he has to obey the law. If he didn't, he'd be a very bad ‎king and everyone would suffer."‎‎"After I ran away from my father, I swore I'd never ‎use the power again. I don't want to be a sorceress, ‎Niari."‎‎"You don't get a choice, I'm afraid, Tassi. You are ‎what you are. You can't make it go away any more than ‎you can make yourself taller or decide to be someone ‎else. What you can do is learn to use it properly so you ‎can make it into a positive thing."‎Tassi nodded, a little glumly, it was true, but ‎sincerely.‎‎"Why don't we go and find Carlitha, then?" Niari ‎suggested.‎‎"Now?"‎Niari shrugged. "I thought perhaps we should make ‎a start before you have time to change your mind again," ‎she smiled gently.‎Tassi grinned through her tears and got up to put her ‎plate away.‎