As per the terms of Zaria's arrangement with the new coalition of kings, she was immediately provided a private chamber in the palace, as was Tanzu Han. She found the room accommodating and not as Spartan as her former living quarters. Zaria wanted to waste no time exploring where in the palace or greater settlement Tsudros and her sister might be. The idea that they were still alive was a hope she would not let die.

As several slaves came in to make ready and provide Zaria's quarters with comforts befitting a princess, she heard a voice she immediately recognized. Turning to the open-door way, she saw Mila, her former confidant and the personal slave assigned to her before, enter the room running and with arms open for a hug. The two women embraced strongly and Zaria could see tears of joy in the older Slavic woman's eyes from their reunion.

"Mila, you are here!"

"Yes. And Zaria, I never thought I would see you again."

"I know it is a surprise. But between us my friend," Zaria looked around and whispered. "I have come here for news of my beloved Tsudros. I had been captured by the Amazons on the way here with others to rescue Svetlana. Tsudros and seven others of our men were allowed to go free. But when I escaped the Daughters of the Moon, I heard on the journey that Tsudros had been captured in an attack of Pazyryk warriors. Only three of our men escaped alive, I was told. Perhaps one was Andrik, Svetlana's brother. Tsudros must have been brought here many days ago."

"I only know there were many prisoners taken . . . most supporters of Sharvur. But there are no hostages here in the palace now. Only relatives and friends of the new leaders."

"But Tsudros was not connected to the king. He only was allowed to work his magic  in the palace, with my tattoos."

"I'm sorry. I do not know anything about your Tsudros, Zaria. Most the prisoners have been kept out in the settlement. Inside tents which were abandoned during the revolt . . . and killings. The chaos here has been terrible without a new king. But most agree we are better off without the insane tyrant who tortured you and your sisters so cruelly here."

"And Svetlana?  Have you heard of her since the revolt?"

"Yes. She suffered badly when Sharvur was allowed back. When they took him out of his cell to become king again. She was brought here . . . for his pleasures. She had to spend most nights in his bedchamber . . . like Branka had done."

Zaria's hands went up to her face in disgust and anger. She realized what she had heard on her journey had been true.

"And what of her child?"

"The baby girl, Gretta. I cared for her here in the palace while Sharvur spent time with Svetlana. The mother and child were allowed to live here in the palace. It was Sharvur's payment to Svetlana for her . . . services to him."

Zaria just lowered her head in more sadness.

"And are they here, now?"

"No I was able to help Svetlana and Gretta escape before the terror here. I had heard Murka, her lover, was in hiding. He was believed to be someone once loyal to the king. I do not know if they are together. I am not allowed to leave the palace. Or are any of the new slaves."

"I will be able to move as I please . . . though it may take several days," Zaria said confidently. "The new leaders, Mesru and Loran, have assured my freedom here . . . in payment for my . . . false powers."

"Zaria. Your powers are real. For I have seen them."

"Loving Mila. I'm so glad to see you."

"Did you know that Krido was killed?" Mila asked sadly. "Here in the palace by the angry men who captured it."

"Yes. I learned of this. And Sharvur?  Was he also . . ."

"If he was, his body was never found. Some say he lives. Hiding out in the settlement somewhere."

Zaria was silent. An old familiar chill ran down her spine.

"I have only come here to find the two that I love, Mila. You must help me."

"You know I will do what I can."

"You must know I have brought into the kingdom a wise man, whom you learn of.  He will bring a change to the violence and cruelty here. Tanzu Han has a power that is real."

"Let's hope he is as good a counselor for the kingdom as Krido was."

"I see him as even better. For he looks into the spirit of all of us."

"You must now take a hot bath and rest, princess." Mila smiled. "I remember how you loved your baths."

"It is a luxury I have not had for many moons. I just bathed in the cold river when I could."

"I will bring you new clothes and prepare your bath up in the rock bathing pool. Your search for Tsudros and Svetlana must not begin until you are rested. Fed, and clean once more."

"Thank you, my loyal friend. But I would gladly give up all those pleasures just to see my Tsudros' laughing eyes once more. To feel his strong, tattooed arms around me."

"We cannot be sure of anything, dear Zaria. But I will do all I can to help you find him."

The two embraced again and Mila went out to provide the pleasantries she had promised.

* * *

After two days and nights of meetings between the new kings and their generals in the great hall—where Zaria was paraded in front of them and confirmed as their returned protectoress, the new princess felt it was time to venture out.

Mila had provided her information that many of the tented homes, now vacant from the loss of men and their families, were being used to keep prisoners. Could it be that Tsudros was being held somewhere out in the settlement a one of them? She still refused to believe the worst for him—for something in her hopeful heart confirmed that  he was still alive.

As for Svetlana and her baby girl, one of the new slaves who entertained the new kings in their bedchambers shared something of her whereabouts with Mila. She had heard that the former king's pleasure slave was now reunited with her man. Far away in another settlement to the north, and away from the Pazyryk peoples. Zaria could only hope this was true for Svetlana, Murka and their little Gretta—and she had every intention of seeking them out to confirm this when her search for Tsudros had come to some conclusion.

The morning was bright and warm when Zaria had arranged with Mila to be let out, disguised as a peasant woman and to make her search of Moshtok's former house. For that was the logical place Tsudros would have hid were he to have escaped the warriors. She remembered well what Gema, the woman from the tent nearby, had told her of seeing cooking smoke rising from the roof of Moshtok's former home on some occasions. Zaria was prepared to explore every tent which had been abandoned in her search.

As the new kings were meeting that day with their generals once again on the topic of defense strategies, Zaria was shown to the back gate of the palace where Mila would distract the guard. As she prepared to depart from the older woman and leave the labyrinth of stone passageways,  Mila took Zaria aside.

"You must not put yourself in danger, princess. But just in case of any threats to you . . . keep this close and ready under your cloak."

Mila handed Zaria a small but sharp dagger. The handle was decorated with ivory with a serpentine design and embedded with small turquoise stones.

"It was taken from the Aella, the Amazon," she whispered to her. "When she and her two sisters were kept here as prisoners. I stole it out of Sharvur's chamber when he was imprisoned. It could be the very knife which caused him the greatest loss of his manhood."

Zaria held the dagger and looked its beauty in the dim light.

"I hope you will not have to use it, my princess."

As instructed, she held the weapon tightly under her cloak, and when the signal was given she walked freely out of the palace back gate, toward the many-tented settlement.

* * *