‘I didn’t mean to get cross with him,’ said Clariel to Gullaine as they made their way back down the stair, this time without the cat-beast following along. The Charter sending had remained behind, curled up on the King’s feet.

‘You are a royal cousin,’ said Gullaine. ‘So I suppose I can consider it in the light of a minor family dispute, rather than treason.’

‘Treason?’ asked Clariel, suddenly worried that she’d done something that would get her stuck in the city. This time in a prison cell.

‘No, not really,’ sighed Gullaine. ‘I understand your frustration, and I know that you do not plot against the King, nor wish to become the tool of those who do.’

‘Like Governor Kilp.’

‘Yes. I even understand Kilp, to some degree. We are in an odd situation, the King withdrawing from power but not actually abdicating.’

‘He should abdicate,’ said Clariel. She had firm ideas about people not doing their jobs, learned at the shoulder of Sergeant Penreth in the Great Forest.

‘No,’ said Gullaine. ‘It’s both too late and too soon for that.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘He should have abdicated ten years ago, when Tathiel was sixteen, and still here,’ said Gullaine. ‘But he didn’t want to then. Now, he’s let the royal power ebb away, and there is no clear line of succession. Very few people believe Tathiel is still alive. We just have to hope that the King can hang on until she does come back, and try not to let matters get any worse.’

‘Things seem pretty bad already,’ said Clariel. ‘If the day labourers are attacking Guildmembers, and Kilp really is planning to make me or my mother Queen when the King dies …’

‘It won’t be up to Kilp,’ said Gullaine, her face set. ‘Nor will it be soon. The King may be old, and his mind in a dark place, but he is surprisingly strong in body. And he is well protected here.’

‘Good,’ said Clariel. ‘The sooner I’m out of all this, the better.’

Gullaine stopped on the step below and looked back up at Clariel.

‘Are you sure about that?’

‘Why?’ asked Clariel.

Gullaine hesitated, and looked up and down the stairs.

‘It is true that you are one of the closest potential heirs to the throne,’ she said carefully. ‘One way out of our current problem might be if we could convince the King to appoint a regent …’

‘A regent?’ asked Clariel. ‘Like a caretaker?’

‘Yes. A member of the family to hold the throne, until Princess Tathiel returns. Or if not, assume the crown themselves. Someone young and promising to give the people hope.’

She looked meaningfully at Clariel.

‘Me?’ asked Clariel.