[Amanaduial the archer]

Having bid those guests she was closer to a goodnight, until the next morning when she would see some in the temple, Zamara picked up her staff and rose, and asked one of the servants if he would be able to see to Tayfar and Sedaar. The man bowed respectfully and Zamara smiled her thanks, making her way to great doorway of the palace. Standing in the porch, the priestess hesitated, looking down the cool, stone corridor towards one of the private courtyards where she had talked to Siamak earlier.

"I do not trust this Emissary, and even less the Lord Annatar who sent him. I have no proof on which to base my opinion; it is only a feeling. He has been nothing but courteous and generous since arriving, and my father is certainly taken with him - I found out recently that the two have spent the entire afternoon in each other’s company." The prince had told Zamara something interesting with that, although he might not have noted it at the time. The king certainly was very taken with the Emissary then - but Siamak was right. Maybe they were both judging too quickly, but there was something 'sinister' about the man.

Zamara shivered, rubbing her dark upper arms with her hands and finding them suddenly goose-pimply. Not thinking anything of it, she bid her thanks to the servant as Tayfar and Sedaar greeted her, and together they passed out of the palace. The night air was cool and fresh, with hints of jasmine and sleep dozing lazily in it, and as they passed the palace walls, Zamara took a moment to close her eyes and breath deeply the flowery scent of the night that Rhais blessed the air with. Tipping her head back, she looked up at the stars. The night was clear, as was usual near the desert at this time of year, and the stars, like jewels studding the clothes of Rea, shone and winked down at the Priestess. She smiled lazily, and her gaze drifted up above the palace walls to the apartments of the king and queen. She had not been able to say goodnight to them before she left, as both Bekah and, shortly afterwards, Faroz, had retired from the banquet, taking away the Emissary at the same time. For some reason, Zamara's eyes lingered on the windows of the palace that clear night, and as she watched she saw something extraordinary-

Giving a cry, Zamara took a step sharply backwards, her hands over her mouth and her tinted eyes wide and bewildered. The two acolytes immediately stepped towards her, Tayfar steadying her arm as Sedaar stepped protectively in front of her, looking around for what had caused their Priestess to take fright so. Tayfar hushed her quietly, patting Zamara's bare arm comfortingly as she stared, concerned into the woman's dark eyes, before she followed their path with her own. Zamara immediately looked away, changing the direction of her gaze to the ground before Tayfar could focus on her eyes' target: King Faroz balcony.

"What is wrong, High Priestess? What has stung you?"

'Stung'? The scorpion of my sight, Tayfar, the wasp that bites through the use of tired eyes to confuse the weary wanderer... Zamara blinked several times, hard, and glanced across at Tayfar, laying her own hand on the girl's as she steadied herself and took a deep breath. "Stung? I..I do not know, Tayfar. Some...I do not know, the insects of the night..." She shook her head and winced a little as she put weight on her foot. She hated the pretence, but it worked. Tayfar gave a small concerned noise and glanced sympathetically at the Priestess's feet. "Oh, High Priestess - I will bathe the sting in oil when we return to the temple, to prevent any inflammation. It would hardly do to have your feet swelled up when you visit Her Majesty Queen Bekah tomorrow..."

Zamara remembered the appointment with a start and wondered how this chance sight could affect her - the Queen was a stunningly astute woman especially for an older woman. Surely she would notice if anything came of this by tomorrow - no, it was probably just Zamara's own tired eyes...surely... "No, thank you Tayfar, but I...I think it will be fine. It merely startled me - I am tired."

Tayfar nodded, relief showing in her young eyes and with a few more words, the trio started off once more towards the temple, this time the two acolytes notably staying closer to Zamara's side. But the High Priestess could not help letting her eyes dart fleetingly up to Faroz's balcony for a split second, trying to re-affirm what she had seen: but it was empty now.

To all mortal eyes.