Niabheara was almost relieved that she couldn't find Morgana straight away, because she was not looking forward to being anger with her sister. Up until now, she would have thought it impossible to be angry with Morgana, simply because Morgana never did anything to invite anger.

She had no idea if the Queen already knew. Knowing Meg, she might have already gone and told Pepita herself. She was usually quite forthright when she did this sort of thing.

Meanwhile Niabheara gave up looking long enough to return to her quarters, for what she hoped was nearing the last time, and put a comb to her hair, since if one must go and announce to royalty that one's sister had poisoned other royalty, one might as well be groomed for it.

Elaine was coming down the hall in the other direction, her shoes in her hands, and a pretty, shimmering pearl necklace around her neck that looked very out of place with her clothing. She grinned at the other girl. "You're out!"

And then frowned as the realization hit her.

Niabheara saw the other girl's expression change and felt a tiny twist of disappointment, like a key turning in a trunk, the lid banging up and a flood of ill-humour unleashing itself into the world. "Don't look so pleased about it."

She grabbed a clump of hair in one hand and the comb in the other, gritted her teeth, and set about picking. The tangle came loose, as did a good deal of red hair.

Elaine winced at the tangle. "I'm sorry," she said. "It just means we're leaving, when your mother finds out." She forced a smile. "I'm happy to see you. You want some help?"

Niabheara looked up at Elaine, let the comb fall back to her side, and laughed helplessly as she realised that she very much did want some help; if everything she wanted in the world could be written down, 'some help' would be right at the top of the list. "Good neighbour, Elaine," she said. "I don't think you have enough rope to help me just now, as I seem to have fallen into a well. I don't suppose you've seen Morgana? Or Bram?"

"Try me," Elaine retorted. "But I haven't, not since last night," she apologized. "Bram's probably in his room or on the ship? Meg's probably...in her room?"

"She isn't. I've been there. And I didn't know Bram had a room. I thought he had your room." She raised up the comb again, but her arm slowly sank back to her side, as if the comb has abruptly gained ten stone. She looked the girl over more careful, with an expression almost like envy.

"Ah. I meant my room," Elaine replied. "I was in Jochy's." She rubbed at her cheeks, looking a little uncomfortable, before she noticed the expression. "What?" she asked, wary.

"Nothing," she said, almost sighing. She looked down at her comb as if it was a deep disappointment to her, and then set it down on the edge of a table. "Did you know that Bram and Marcello went out on a comradely drinking binge last night, and talked about us?"

"What?" Elaine asked, raising both eyebrows. "No," she answered, then swallowed guiltily. "We didn't really talk very much. Why? What did they say?"