‘There is something wrong. These people are so angry. Angry and sad.’ Fleya walked away in the direction of a woman who was standing a short distance from them.

‘Good day, mistress,’ Fleya said. ‘Could I ask—’

‘And how, pray, could today ever be considered good?’ the woman responded, shooting her a look.

‘I don’t understand,’ Fleya said. ‘My nephew and I have just arrived by ship and—’

‘My apologies. I did not realise you were new here.’ The woman’s smile disappeared from her face almost as quickly as it had appeared. ‘But I’m afraid you will find Stromgard a poor place to visit right now. King Mirvar’s son has been found guilty of his father’s murder and is to be executed this afternoon.’

Lann saw Fleya’s face whiten. ‘The young queen has decreed this?’ Fleya asked.

The woman nodded. ‘So it seems. At first she insisted on his innocence, but then something changed. Jarl Glaeverssun and the high council put him on trial while she was out hunting. Hunting! Can you imagine that? When her brother is in prison for patricide!’

‘From what I know of the girl, I find it hard to believe the shield maiden would do such a thing. It is said her love for both her brother and father is as deep as the mountain lakes.’

The woman gave a little shake of her head. ‘These are dark days. Many Stromgardians don’t know what to think or believe any more.’

‘Rumours abound that the boy really did kill the king,’ Fleya said, watching the woman’s reaction carefully. ‘Surely the people of Stromgard welcome the verdict.’

‘Many do, it’s true. But there are others, those who know him, who think Prince Erik incapable of such a thing. They believe the true killer is still at large.’ She shrugged, her honest face troubled. ‘I only know my heart is sad that such a thing has happened to our beloved King Mirvar. He was a great ruler.’

They thanked the woman for her news and left the square, seeking out somewhere they could sit and talk quietly.

The inn they found was thin on customers at that time of day. They ordered food but left most of it untouched, their appetites forgotten in light of everything they’d been told.

‘Astrid is still the key,’ Fleya said finally. ‘We have to get an audience with her if we are to stand any chance of reaching Erik.’

‘But she believes her brother guilty – she went out hunting and left him to be sentenced to death.’

‘No. That I do not believe. Despite what we have been told, I think something else is at work here.’

‘Or someone.’

Fleya nodded.

Lann considered what his aunt had said. ‘I’m assuming audiences with queens are not easy to come by. Especially at a time like this.’

‘No. But weak as I am, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.’