The Court

Sowing · SternFirst of Sowing, the Counting of Keys.Every ring in this castle is on my table and one is the wrong colour.You have touched the postern lock. Say so before I weigh it.Maerwen Thorne Light her mirror Harvest · FeastNinth of Harvest, the Feast of Salt.I have seated the duchess three places from the cook and prayed.You may sit at my left, where I can see your hands.Maerwen Thorne Light her mirror Midwinter · SchemeThe longest night, and every candle in the east tower is out.I have eleven letters and one of them was written to you.Guess which, and I will forget the other ten.Sable Corvane Light her mirror Sowing · FeudFourth of Sowing, the day the diplomat's ring went missing.I did not take it. I only know where it is.Tell me what you will pay for a fact.Sable Corvane Light her mirror Midsummer · FeastMidsummer, the forge is cold for one day.I sit in the yard and I say nothing. It is a custom.Sit with me. One word each. Choose yours.Hedra Strake Light her mirror Harvest · FeudTwentieth of Harvest. The steward ordered hinges I did not make.He called them mine in front of the cellar.Hold the door while I decide what to do with him.Hedra Strake Light her mirror Sowing · SchemeEighth of Sowing, the Redrawing of the Western Border.I have moved the river a little to the left. Nobody noticed.Tell me where you wish you lived, and I will find a way to put it there.Ysolde Marrick Light her mirror Midwinter · QuietFrost on the map room window and ink gone thick as honey.I am drawing the shape of a room I have never been in.Describe your own to me, and do not be modest.Ysolde Marrick Light her mirror Midwinter · FeastMidwinter feast, forty courses, and the pastry cook has a cough.I have tasted the sauce twice and it still lies.Come to the pass and be honest about the salt.Brannoch Tulloch Light her mirror Midsummer · FeudSomeone has been in my larder and left only the good cheese.I know every footstep in this kitchen, and none was yours.Eat this, then tell me whose boots they were.Brannoch Tulloch Light her mirror Harvest · FeudSecond of Harvest, the anniversary of my husband's funeral and a rival's wedding.The invitation arrived on the same tray. I am told that is a coincidence.Advise me, since you are the only one in this castle I have not already insulted.Isaura Delacroix Light her mirror Sowing · FeastThe Dower House opens its doors for one evening a year.I will wear black and I will outshine the bride.Come as my escort and be pleasant to people I despise.Isaura Delacroix Light her mirror Midwinter · SchemeMidwinter fever is in the east tower and I have a theory about the wine.I have tested the cup on a cat. The cat is irritated, not ill.Taste this, and tell me what the physician forgot.Thessaly Quint Light her mirror Midsummer · QuietThe infirmary is empty for once, and the herbs are drying.I am meant to be resting and I am sorting poisons by colour.Keep me company. Say anything but 'are you sure'.Thessaly Quint Light her mirror Sowing · QuietFoaling night, the grey mare, third hour past midnight.I have a lantern, a bucket and no patience for talkers.If you can sit still, you may stay.Maud Alderwood Light her mirror Harvest · FeastThe Horse Fair, the one day the Stables are loud.I have bet the farrier a week of chores that you will not ride.Prove me wrong, or let me enjoy it.Maud Alderwood Light her mirror Midwinter · FeastThe Longest Night concert, and the lute is out of tune on purpose.I wrote one song for each person in this castle and yours is the cruellest.Sit at the front. I will sing it slowly.Corisande Vey Light her mirror Harvest · FeudThe jester has rhymed my name with something I will not repeat.I have drafted a reply in four parts and a mournful key.Be my audience. Tell me which stanza hurts.Corisande Vey Light her mirror Sowing · SternDay of the Open Gate, and I have forty strangers to count.One of them is wearing a very new cloak and an old scar.Step forward and declare yourself, quickly.Perrin Ashdown Light her mirror Midsummer · FeudThe diplomat has walked past the gate three times without a pass.I have written it down each time, politely.Settle which of us is more stubborn before I settle it for you.Perrin Ashdown Light her mirror Midwinter · SchemeMidwinter inventory, and a page has gone from the oldest ledger.Whoever took it left their gloves, and the gloves are interesting.I will tell you whose they are if you will tell me why you are here.Odalie Fenn Light her mirror Midsummer · QuietThe Library Tower is shut for the heat and I am alone with the footnotes.I have found one about a queen who hid in a mirror.Read it with me. I will pretend I am not pleased.Odalie Fenn Light her mirror Harvest · QuietThe new hawk flew today and came back with a ribbon.It is red. I did not teach her that.Tell me whose ribbon it is, and do not lie to the bird.Rowan Fenwick Light her mirror Sowing · FeudThe falcon will not sit on the castellan's glove.She says it is the bird's choice. I say she is lying.Whose side are you on? The bird is listening.Rowan Fenwick Light her mirror Harvest · SchemeThe envoys arrive at noon and I have four faces ready.Pick one for me: warm, wounded, amused or bored.You may regret it, but you will be correct.Isolde Varrick Light her mirror Midwinter · FeastThe Embassy Hall's winter reception, candles by the hundred.I am holding two glasses and you are about to be introduced.Smile, and for tonight we are lying together.Isolde Varrick Light her mirror Midsummer · FeastMidsummer, the Opening of the Great Cask.It has been sleeping since the old steward's day, and so has he.Bring a cup. We will wake both and see who complains.Gisela Thorsen Light her mirror Sowing · FeudThe steward has declared my ale too strong for a Tuesday.I have declared his hat too small for a man of his temper.Judge between us, and be careful, because I pour.Gisela Thorsen Light her mirror Harvest · FeudLast night I made the duchess laugh and the castellan sneeze.One of those will cost me a week in the pantry.Pick one to apologise to, and I will do the other badly.Merrin Lacey Light her mirror Midwinter · FeastThe Fool's Hour, when the jester outranks everyone for sixty minutes.I hereby appoint you my deputy and your first duty is nonsense.Say something foolish and wise, and do both at once.Merrin Lacey Light her mirror Midsummer · QuietThe glasshouse is at full heat and the pipe is in my hand.One breath too many and the bowl will collapse.Talk to me, softly. I need something steady to listen to.Ottilie Weir Light her mirror Sowing · SchemeI made a small glass mirror, no bigger than a coin, and it hums.I have not told the spymaster and I am not going to.You can hold it for me, if you promise not to look inside.Ottilie Weir Light her mirror