Contents
Chapter Eight: Sefa
Overview
Sefa barges into Sultana Vaida’s chambers during an attack, hides Vaida from an assassin, and cons the intruder into leaving. Impressed, Vaida offers Sefa a post as personal attendant and court informant. Sefa accepts on the condition of funds to search for her missing companions, noting Vaida’s possession of a powerful ring.
Summary
Sefa slips into Sultana Vaida’s chambers amid palace chaos and warns Vaida of imminent danger. When an assassin enters, Sefa hides Vaida in a wardrobe and stages a convincing performance as a lowly servant caught trying on furs. She deceives the intruder into searching elsewhere, then barricades the door.
With the threat gone, Vaida praises Sefa’s quick thinking and asks her name. Sefa gives the alias “Zahra” and claims to be escorting a guest, eventually identifying him by nickname as “Corpse Walker,” prompting Vaida to recognize Heilan. Assessing Sefa, Vaida unexpectedly offers her a position as personal attendant.
Sefa initially refuses, doubting her qualifications and wary of court games. Vaida deduces Sefa is searching for someone and proposes a deal: serve one month as her eyes and ears and provide nightly reports, and Vaida will help find the person.
Weighing her need to find her companions against the risks, Sefa counters: provide her with funds to conduct the search herself, and she will accept the role and report palace whispers. As Sefa decides, she notices a ring on Vaida’s finger—the same perilous ring Sefa and Sylvia once tried to steal—signaling Vaida’s dangerous reach.
Vaida agrees to Sefa’s terms. Sefa, determined not to be the perpetual weak link, commits to the role, gaining access and leverage inside the Ivory Palace.
Who Appears
- SefaUndercover at the Ivory Palace; saves Vaida from an assassin, adopts alias “Zahra,” and bargains into becoming Vaida’s attendant-spy.
- Sultana VaidaLukub’s ruler; hidden by Sefa during an assassination attempt, tests and recruits Sefa, and wears the perilous ring.
- Assassin (posing as guard)Searches Vaida’s chambers; deceived by Sefa’s servant act and lured away from the room.