The Queen gasped and instinctively put a hand to her throat. “How dare you!”

            “I dare your displeasure where the boy is concerned. Laveth, you must face the truth,” In response, Laveth replaced the cover about him, and walked back to the window, opening the shutter for the umpteenth time. The old woman, however, was not put off.

            “Laveth, his star has already appeared in the heavens. It’s only a matter of time before he’s found out. And where is the Shivelite girl? To whom is she talking?”

            “I told Mirella the secret myself. I didn’t make a mistake in trusting her. I know I didn’t,” Yet, even as she spoke, Laveth’s hands plucked nervously at the rope of pearls about her neck. “She loves the boy. I’ve watched her. She handles him with love.”

            “Yes, but she is young and loves life more. Were she taken by the Red Robes and given a choice, would she choose to live or spill the secret that the Queen herself has given birth to the Earth Child.”

            “No, more of this, Nan. You’re making my head hurt,” she leaned out the open window, hoping a breeze would spring up. None did. Her thoughts returned to the tawny-haired girl whose lateness filled her with apprehension. Mirella, the slender girl from the Shivelite settlement, sent by her father, Tallis Taylor, to occupy a place in the Queen’s court.  Or so they’d believed. Mirella had stood in a dress washed free of color and offered up a sealed missive with both hands, looking out of place yet strangely self-possessed. I have felt like that, thought Laveth and reaching over, had taken the letter from her husband’s shaking hands.