Chapter 7Late in the afternoon, while Iola took another petitioner, Darna was waiting in the garden. The ambassadress’s bell rang three times, a short gap, then two more rings. That was the signal she’d arranged with Gallia, who had told her a little more about the ruling of Tiadun while they waited for Gallia’s “girl at the palace” to come for her instructions.
The elder priestess who was officially in charge of watching the gate jumped up to scold the messenger who’d tried to disturb the Most Blessed One while she was with a petitioner.
“I’m sorry,” the young priestess said. “I didn’t realize. I only brought a message.”
“Come back with it later.”
Darna heard no more as she closed the door of the secret passage behind her. She was plunged into total darkness. She’d forgotten to bring
