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'Remind me again how you convinced me to chaperon.' The wagon tumbled on down the road despite Master Chendra's grumbling. 'Like a common coachman. This was not part of my contract.'

'Admit it, old man. You miss the road.' Isla nudged the back of his box seat.

'No more than I missed that mouth of yours.' He took his frustration out on the mare, whipping her to a faster sprint.

It was several hours' ride to the Water Palace. They had set off early in the morning; a good portion of their journey now lay behind them, along with the fading shadow of Kathedra.

For all his pretences, Master Chendra was not as irritated as he would have them believe. It had not taken Isla long to talk him into escorting them to the Water Palace. I didn't even need to use my theurgy. 'You know as well as I that this is a good idea.'

'The only reason I'm doing this is to motivate you girls into performing better.' Another resounding lash of the whip. Isla winced.

'Tran has been beside herself with worry, it's affecting her studies. If she can only see that it isn't so bad at the Water Palace ...' She looked behind at the two girls. Tran sat at the back, her feet dangling off the wagon, while Phrae was more interested in the book she had brought with her.

'It is bad.' Master Chendra's gaze never left the undulating terrain before them. 'You won't be able to go on these little excursions, for one. You'll be spending every last second of your free time cleaning and cooking and attending to your betters, hoping one of them will like you enough to take you home.'

Isla thought better than to argue. 'Do you have a daughter?'

'Not if I can help it.'

'But if you did. Would you be glad to see her wed one of these better lords?'

The look on Master Chendra's face was unreadable. 'I'll be glad for the life they could give her.' But his words were empty of conviction.

The road carried them further south where a chill rose with the breeze. The rolling lands flattened. Grass gave way to shrubs, shrubs receded into trees, and soon they were passing through a lightly forested path hidden under a rising mist.

'Do you hear that?' Phrae closed her book. 'There – just beneath the wind.'

'Wolves, no doubt,' came Tran's sobering answer.

'There are wolves in these woods?'

'Wolves are nothing compared to what you'll get further into the forest.' Master Chendra mustered his theatrical voice. 'The Water Palace lies in the heart of the nameless woods; over a pool so deep and vast, they say water-beasts that once reigned in the Age of Abandon now sleeps in its pits.'

'This makes me feel so much better about being sent here,' Tran whispered to Isla, ice in her voice.

'But it's not the water-beasts you need fear.' Master Chendra had let the horse to a tediously slow trot.

Wicked man, keeping us lingering in these woods.

Isla was not half as afraid as Phrae, who was eyeing the trees as though their vines might at any moment hiss and spring upon them. But it would be a lie to say she was completely unaffected. The trees had condensed into a forest around them, the mist into a thick fog, and Wise Father only knew what they hid. Against men she may stand a chance – but beasts? Her theurgy would do her no good against their fangs and impenetrable minds.

'It's the surrounding forests,' continued Master Chendra. He lit a lantern and hung it by the wagon, for all the good it did them. 'The oldest in all the land; so old its true name is now forgotten. Therein the oldest creatures still endure. Beasts you'll find nowhere else. Sheltered, protected; only to stir from their rest when the Maha Rama comes for his seasonal hunts.'

'The Maha Rama has just returned from his Blooming Season Hunt,' added Tran unhelpfully.

Isla frowned at the back of Master Chendra's head. 'Do you get a rise of frightening young girls? There's nothing but wolves out there. The Maha Rama and his convoy returned bearing nothing but wolves and boars.'

Their tutor laughed. 'The fiercer beasts aren't conquered by the hunt. So you saw his party return. Did you see how many of them did not? How many of them were lost to the woods? To its creatures? I'm not here to frighten you, girl, I'm here to show you the real world!'

It was another hour before the real world unfolded before them. They had driven through the fog, and just like that, the Water Palace appeared in all its majesty.

The trees peeled back, skirting around a rim of dark blue water, out of which sprouted grand, stone statues. The lake itself was eerie still but for blue and red fireflies drifting like dustmotes in the air.

The forest trail gave way to a bridge that stretched over the expanse, lit upon both ends by needle-thin lanterns, and the palace standing proud beyond. Hundreds of arches decorated its perimeter, bridging one structure to another. Marble domes glittered from above, dark windows peering as ever-watchful eyes.

'Who goes there?' A man stood at the edge of the bridge, armed with a pike. Master Chendra presented their papers before they continued on foot.

It was harder to breathe, though the air was cool and fresh. Like breathing through a veil. Isla followed the others in silence, the only sound their sandals scraping wood. The bridge took them into a tower; empty but for a rope hanging in its centre.

'This place smells of dead leaves and earthworms.' Phrae's voice bounced off the walls, and she had the sense to look abashed. 'Where is everyone?'

Master Chendra took the rope and pulled. A bell tolled; deep and rumbling. 'The girls here do not wander the halls. You'll be wise not to, either. There's more than just the forest and water you need be wary of.'

'Ilmer!' a voice called from the adjoining antechamber. It belonged to a man who could not be much older than Master Chendra himself. He had a round face and a gut that spilled over his thick leather belt, upon which dangled many keys. 'To what honour do we owe? You've brought me new girls? But it isn't time for relocation just yet. I believe we still have, ah, another month? two? Mind you, I'd never decline an early gift.'

'I've come to show my pupils what lies in their future should they fail in their pursuits.'

'How ... instructive of you. Though mind you,' he smiled toothlessly at the girls, 'the Water Palace is nowhere near the horrible establishment your palatial instructors would have you think. This may be your biggest mistake yet, Ilmer. They may just like it here.'

Doubtfully. He unsettled Isla, the way his eyes roved and lingered on Phrae. He may as well lick his lips. No wonder the girls keep to their chambers.

'Girls, this is Master Khan. He has been warden here for forty years.' Master Chendra stepped between his students and the old man. He turned to him and said, 'We won't be long. I'd like to head back to Kathedra before sundown.'

'As is prudent.' Master Khan nodded sagely, leading them towards the antechamber. 'Though you are most welcome to stay the night and leave come morrow.'

'That will be unnecessary.'

'Well. We don't normally do tours, but for your students, I'll make an exception. We have a royal guest present, so there will be places restricted to you for the time. But Mabel here will be happy to show your girls our display room.'

A middle aged woman looked up at the mention of her name. A cowl covered much of her face and torso, but Isla could still make out a grim smile under the shadows.

The warden pulled Master Chendra aside. 'Mind you, I've a message I'd like passed on to the academy council. We'll talk in my study.'

'I'd prefer to stay with my students –'

'Mabel is more than capable of taking care of them. She's been a sister here for twenty long years ... there was a time ... many winters ago ... out of nowhere ...' His voice trailed as he took Master Chendra through an arch in the wall and down a darkening hallway.

Isla silenced her misgivings for Tran's sake. The girl was in awe with every nook and cranny of the place; studying tapestries covering one side of the wall.

'There's not much here to see,' said Mabel. 'But if you follow me, I'll show you where our greatest achievements are kept.'

They were first shown the library. Small, but comfortable. Even with two guards, the room already felt crowded. It seemed more a cabinet to Isla, with its sturdy desk in its centre, walled in by full-length shelves. Candles glimmered at the back of the room, hanging astride a portrait of the Maha Rama.

The laboratorium was larger; a long chamber with a long table filled with bubbling pots and simmering phials. Herbs hung from the ceiling, filling the air with a bittersweet scent. Tran reached for a bud before Mabel stopped her. 'Our girls need every bit of ingredient in this chamber.'

'What are they making?'

'Many things. Oils, balms, salves ... where the academy has a more conceptual structure in its instruction, we aim to be more applied. Come, now. We have time for one last thing.'

She led them through a stone passage and out to a courtyard. A faded sky stretched above them, subdued in the colours of the mist. They passed more guards as they crossed the yard; not few of them looking askance at the girls.

'I don't like this place,' Phrae hissed. 'Too many men with too much power.'

Mabel overheard. 'The men will not touch you.' Her voice was cold, almost accusative. 'Most of you, anyway. Soiled, you'll be of no value, and our noble patrons have been known to hunt down any man who dares ruin his chosen girl.'

Isla did not feel any better, and judging by the look of horror on Phrae's face, neither did she.

'We have rules in this place,' Mabel continued, 'and so long as you adhere to them, you'll be fine.'

The girls were not to leave their chambers except in pairs, she told them, or at all after sundown. They were not to step foot out of the main doors. Not to touch or throw stones into the water ... not to speak to the guards ... the list went on, only interrupted when Mabel stopped before a dome tower.

'Where are they? The girls?' Phrae asked as they stepped inside.

That's right. Isla took in her surroundings. We haven't seen a single one.

'On their morning duties,' said Mabel. 'Breakfast starts at seven, lessons last for the next three hours. At ten they begin their morning duties and break for luncheon. Afternoon lessons are between two to five, and then they retreat for the day.'

What a dreary existence. Isla tired simply listening to it, though she refrained from commenting, not wishing to further discourage Tran from the establishment. At least she looks to be enjoying herself.

Tran was flitting ahead of them, studying the display cabinets and -tables that lined the dome by the hundreds. The level above them held more yet.

'This is where we honour our more successful students.' A thick book laid open upon a pedestal; the very first object that greeted them into the chamber.

A register. It was written in alphabetic order. Isla allowed the others ahead of her before flipping through the pages, feigning interest in more than but one of the names. But many girls were registered under Haana's name, and several yet had been crossed out. Haana Andien. Haana Atsura. Haana Ayanor ...

The last one caught her eye. A family name given to children of unknown paternity. But is this the same girl I'm looking for?

'Lilja?'

'One second.' There was one more name she needed to find. Tam Mai ... though none bearing our family name.

'What are you looking for?'

Isla looked up to see Mabel. 'You said this is where you honour your students?'

'That is where we honour all girls, but only their names.' She led her towards the centre of the chamber, where the other girls waited. 'This is how we honour our prized dhayang.'

Mabel smiled into the rosewood cabinet before them. Portraits were arranged behind the glass. The artist had captured his subjects' colours remarkably, mixing them into his inks to create images so breathtaking in their precision.

There was something familiar about the portraits; the way the ink brushed against its canvas. The rough strokes, the calculated smudges, and the way the artist focused on his subjects' eyes.

'This one went on to take the exams and taught for many years at the academy. Now she holds a prominent position in its council.' They tailed Mabel as she pointed from one portrait to another. 'This one married the governor of the district of Ros. A blessed union.'

'What about this one?' Tran pointed at a sketch of a stern-faced girl.

'She is a translator for His Honourable Maha Rama's envoy to Napoa.'

'You know all their stories.'

'Not all,' Mabel admitted. 'A lot. Certainly the girls who had been here during my time.'

'And her?' Isla had wandered away from the others. A glass display had caught her attention, for it was lined with a sheen of gold. The portraits inside were framed in more intricate patterns of polished wood, but Isla only had eyes for one in particular. 'Do you know this one?'

There were at least two dozen portraits inside, but one stood out from the others. A stunning girl with a hint of copper in her dark hair and a fierceness in her eyes.

'Couldn't forget her if I tried,' said Mabel. 'A strange one, that girl. But clever. A great artist, and mighty strong. None of the guards did ever touch her, though not for lack of trying. This one was taken in as a silver-servant three, four years ago.'

Tran fogged up the glass with her gasp. But Isla had already known Mabel's answer, and her mind was elsewhere, racing along with her heart. 'She's beautiful. What was her name?'

'Haana.'