haharazad knelt and dipped her fingers in the cool water. There was no one else around and so she had the pool to herself. It was one of her favorite places in the palace. She could see the servants bustling in and out of the kitchens, and if she squinted, she could even glimpse a door that opened to the outside, to the market and the wide world beyond.

Each day she hoped she might see something that would reveal what was going on in the city. But she was not allowed to step past the raging bulls on the floor. The guards knew it, too, and kept a close eye on her when she came near. Whenever weepers went by the entrance a guard always went out and moved them away and out of hearing.

However, this day her mind was full and she rarely looked toward the servants’ door. The air was cooler near the pool, and it was the best place to read without interruption in the late afternoon. The pool was also a favorite location for Rawiya, who never missed an opportunity to gossip with friends in the kitchens. Shaharazad and Rawiya had fallen into the comfortable habit of coming to the pool most afternoons. Rawiya visited and Shaharazad read.

On this occasion, however, she had a hard time relaxing. No sooner had she begun to read when she found her mind wandering.

“Yeats,” she murmured. She thought of him standing in the shadows beneath the tree only the night before. “How you stir my memory,” she said. It was the strangest feeling. There were pictures in her mind that were clearer than detailed paintings, of places and people she did not know. They rose up like ghosts every time she thought of Yeats. Since their first meeting she had felt a growing sense of anticipation that something terribly significant was about to happen. She began to believe that his coming to the garden and her finding him was no accident but rather providential.

“And what news will you bring tonight?” she whispered. “What will you tell me? Have you kept your word? Will you tell me why the people weep?”

She laid the book aside and leaned over the water. When her eyes locked with those of her reflection she gasped, for at that very moment she felt a tug, as if her whole body was being pulled forward. She reached out to steady herself against a statue. At the same time she heard a voice, a boy’s voice, echoing across the pool. “I wish! I wish!” it said. The voice rolled over her like a wind. And then it was gone.

She sat up and looked around her, but all was as it had been before the voice had spoken. She took several deep breaths and then leaned over the water again, this time a little more cautiously. She did not let go of the statue’s base.

“‘Mysteries and wonders too great to compare!’” she quoted from a favorite poet. Then she passed a hand over her eyes. What had just happened? A vision? A ghost?

“My lady?”

Scrambling to keep her balance, Shaharazad pulled herself back. “Rawiya!” she said. “You startled me.”

“What were you doing?” asked the older woman.

“I was … I heard …” Her heart was troubled. It suddenly occurred to her that whenever she thought of Yeats strange memories arose. And then the ghostlike voice appeared. She shivered. What if Yeats was not safe? What if he was not good but evil? The thought was disturbing. “I was looking at my reflection,” she said slowly. “I wanted …”

“My lady,” Rawiya interrupted. “Something is amiss. I was not allowed in the kitchen and was told to take you back to your room. Immediately.”

Shaharazad’s head shot up. For a moment she wanted to run into the kitchen and find out what was happening. Then her mind settled. Whether or not Yeats kept his end of their agreement, she at least would keep hers. She felt her confidence returning. Of course Yeats was good. She knew it in her heart. And he was coming at midnight to answer her questions. She would be ready. Aloud, all she said was, “Of course.”

On their way back to her chamber they met a pair of guards running in the direction of the pool. Shaharazad had never seen guards running in the palace before. Back in her chamber, Rawiya closed the door behind them and locked it.