Chloe watched, amazed, as a transformation came over Finn before he’d even reached the palace. Suddenly he was walking with long strides, despite the fact that he wasn’t a tall man. He lifted his chin and put a disdainful, self-important expression on his face. Remembering her part, Chloe scurried after him, head down and shoulders slightly hunched. She furrowed her brow, trying to make herself appear obsequious, and slightly worried, which wasn’t difficult at all given the circumstances.

Her heart was racing. Even if all went well, she would soon be face to face with the people who’d killed Isobel. She would see Dion, and if she was lucky, speak to him. It already weighed down on her to think of the pain he must have endured. She was frightened at the thought of seeing it written across his face.

Finn slowed to allow her to catch up. ‘Do you have any acting experience?’ he asked under his breath. He threw up his hands. ‘Of course you don’t. Why did I ever agree to this?’

‘I can read and write.’ Chloe frowned. ‘We won’t be caught.’

She held a roll of papyrus in one hand and clutched a satchel over her shoulder. The satchel and papyrus had both cost a fortune, but Finn insisted on procuring only the best.

‘That remains to be seen,’ Finn muttered. He glanced ahead, before meeting her eyes. ‘We’re almost there. Remember, you are my scribe and I am your master. I will act accordingly, and I expect you to do the same. Follow behind me at all times, and keep your head down. Write what I tell you to write. Never question. Speak as little as possible. Understood?’

‘Yes.’ Chloe scowled. ‘I understand.’

‘Good. This is no game, Chloe.’

Finn increased his stride once more, forcing Chloe to walk with quick steps to keep up with him as she followed from a distance. They were now skirting a long fence of iron spikes, and soon came to an open set of gates, where half a dozen pale-skinned warriors stood guard.

Making a dramatic entrance, Finn didn’t slow in the slightest as he swirled his cloak and imperiously swept through with nothing more than a slight nod. ‘Fustalonious, king’s chronicler,’ he called without slowing, as if far too busy to give them more than an instant of his time.

‘Let him through.’ The guards stood aside to let them past, but as they crossed a central courtyard Chloe saw another pair of guards standing at the base of a set of steps. These two were watching them intently as they approached.

Finn gave a broad smile, coming to a halt. ‘I am Fustalonious, king’s chronicler’—he bowed—‘and this is my scribe.’ When Finn nodded at her, Chloe kept her eyes on the ground.