‘Roban, like all of us, is trying to make sense of what is happening, and what might happen,’ said Kargrin. ‘But he did not then know what we know now.’

‘Who is “we”?’ asked Clariel.

‘An informal society,’ said Kargrin. ‘Intent on the preservation of the Kingdom. We were all formerly employed by the King, either in the Guard or some other capacity. I myself was once Castellan of the Palace.’

‘Why aren’t you still?’ asked Clariel. ‘I just don’t understand why the King got rid of everybody.’

‘The King is … ill,’ said Kargrin. ‘A darkness is on his mind, and he sees no joy in anything, and no relief. It is a consequence of a long life bearing the great burden of kingship, until the weight of it grew too heavy. He wished to pass that burden on, but his daughters were dead, and his grandchild lost to him, so he simply set it aside, refusing to make decisions. Part of that was a belief that if he did so, Tathiel would return and take the throne. But that has not happened yet. For want of any other authority, the Guilds – under Kilp’s leadership – have usurped much of what was the royal prerogative and power.’

‘Why does he think Tathiel will return?’ asked Clariel. She had always been interested in the story of the missing princess, though there was no definitive version of the tale. Some said she had deliberately run away, others that she had died in an accident, or even that she was imprisoned beneath the Palace. The only thing the various stories agreed on was that Tathiel had not been seen for almost a decade.

‘The Clayr have Seen her, back in Belisaere, upon the Palace walls, in enough visions to make it very likely it will happen,’ said Kargrin. ‘She is clad as if for war. But as is common, they do not know when, save that she looks to be of an age somewhere between twenty and thirty-five. That is to say, anytime from now up to the next ten or fifteen years. Or more probably twenty, given the difficulty of determining any woman’s age, let alone one wearing a helmet. They could also have mistaken someone who merely looks like Tathiel.’

‘I’m supposed to be seeing the King the day after tomorrow,’ said Clariel. ‘To give him a kin-gift. If I can find a bright fish on the Islet, that is.’

‘Yes … Roban mentioned you would be going to the Islet. This is also of interest to us.’

‘What? Why?’

‘There is a man called Marral in Kilp’s service, who has come to our attention these past few months. Indeed, it is he who first led us to suspect that there is a Free Magic creature within the city.’

‘How?’