EVEN BEFORE tIOUS ALBERICO FROM OVERseas in Barbadior to rule in Astibar, ty t liked to call itself quot;t Rules t; ain degree of asceticism. In Astibar tes ice in t provinces: sucoo fevered an appeal to emotion.

    to perform in tral courtyard of tcyard, and from terior rooms on te ibar, coins over o pay t t portal of Morian, food in , for no one living could knoo the goddess was.

    doo tyard later, so t all tizens of y and its distrada ed outside—could file past ree in tal vase t stood on a plintyard even now.

    tizens—isans, ss, lesser mercs— er ter. tside noo es. ting into tyard in time  extraordinary collection of petty and y, and of accumulated mercantile  Devin had ever seen in one place.

    Because of tival of Vines, all tibar distrada o tory estates. And being in to be present to see Sandre mourned—for all t many or most of tterly ed y years ago and more in t tes migaken place long since.

    ts and Adaons priestess s, seeming, in to be privy to a mystery t tively sals y of their repose.

    Menicos company ed in a small room off tyard t tomasso  aside for ties   remember seeing blue o performers before. An extravagant gesture, t.  tempted t oo early and oo muco calm o Ego be, on a tabletop.

    Eg ;Its just a performance,quot;  sibilant voice. quot;e do w we always do. e make music. e move on.”

    Devin nodded, and forced a smile in return.   to tables, and one of to pour er in a gold and crystal goblet  later Menico signaled and t