#maledictes

Jupiter got the impression she was being directed, and that whatever Maledictes wanted to say, he would not do so on the courtyard of Kalique's alcazar. She took his hand and they walked, arm in arm, out through the arched door of the east tower. A long, dusky staircase spiraled up in repeating circles of stone. On several stories there were ledges that opened out onto cliffside windows; Maledictes hurried her past these, up the stair, plunging into a dark leg that twisted pointlessly away from any doors or outlets. When they reached the top, Maledictes withdrew a key from his robes and unlocked a little wooden door. A dramatic yank rendered it open. He ducked through; Jupiter followed.

Then they were outdoors again, gazing down on the meticulously-kept, ruby-colored jungles of Cerise. Maledictes fluttered over a path paved along the top of a high wall--possibly a dam. They were facing the rear of the palace and could not see the colonnade or the landing strip. Running water thundered afar; Jupiter's eyes followed the noise toward a mighty congregation of aqueducts.

"Where are we going?" she shouted. Maledictes put his finger to his lips, shushing her. He leaned into her ear.

"What do you know about the gene plagues?" he asked.