After dressing, I tugged on my socks and pushed my feet into my boots. Next I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and dashed some water in my face. Jenny was still lying wrapped in her blankets, sleeping deeply. I envied her.

Finally I took a deep breath and stepped outside.

There were five armed men facing Grimalkin; four were on horseback, one had dismounted. The latter was dressed in expensive armor, with a chain-mail coat that came down to his knees and a metal breastplate in which I could see my own reflection. He was very tall and had a dark moustache that obscured his mouth. His dark eyebrows met in the middle, reminding me of my brother Jack.

Grimalkin spoke to the soldier in Losta. Then she turned, bowed to me, and translated.

“I’ve told him that you are Prince Thomas, the youngest son of the King of Caster.” She gave me a smile. “I thought that was better than admitting you were a farmer’s lad!”

It was only with great difficulty that I prevented my mouth from falling open. The man stared at me hard for a moment, as if measuring me for a coffin, and then he too gave a bow. Remembering Grimalkin’s warning, I responded with the merest nod of my head.

The soldier spoke very quickly, directing his words at me. I couldn’t understand what he said, but I could read his tone and attitude by the flickering of his eyes and the way his heavy brows contorted as he spoke. He began with an air of haughty arrogance, but as his conversation with Grimalkin went on, I detected a note of surprise in his voice.

“He says that his name is Majcher, and he is high steward to Prince Stanislaw of Polyznia. All who gather here, on this southern riverbank, must apparently pay tax for the privilege. That’s why we have the honor of his visit. But now that he knows who you are, that is forgotten: all royals and their retinue are exempt.” Grimalkin lowered her voice a little. “Now we come to our first problem—he is surprised that you travel with such a small escort. I suspect he doubts you are who you claim to be.”

I opened my mouth, but Grimalkin was already speaking, so I closed it again. She had a lot to say.

Once again she turned to give me a translation of what she’d said to Majcher.

“I told him that you are the seventh and youngest son of your father; a favorite who is well loved and held on a short leash lest he come to harm. I said that this has made you impatient, as you have a natural love of adventure. Thus, when you heard of the events on the bank of the Shanna River, you rode off in the night to come here and challenge the Shaiksa assassin. I said that your father, the king, was concerned by your departure; he dispatched me and one servant girl to ride after you and keep you safe. Your retinue follows and should arrive any day.”