The man snatched up his staff and straightened as if a bee had just stung him. It was indeed Antorell, and he did not look at all pleased to see her. He stuffed the linen bag quickly into his sleeve and said, “P-princess Cimorene! What brings you here?”

“I was about to ask you the same thing,” Cimorene said.

“Wizards go where they wish, answering to no one,” Antorell said, waving his free hand in a lofty manner.

“Maybe outside the Mountains of Morning they do, but around here they have to check with the dragons first,” Cimorene said.

“You know nothing of the matter,” Antorell said, looking very put out.

“Cimorene . . .” Alianora’s tone was doubtful. “You know this person?

“I’m sorry; I should have introduced you. This is Antorell, one of the wizards I told you about. Antorell, this is Princess Alianora of the Duchy of Toure-on-Marsh. At the moment, she’s the princess of the dragon Woraug.”

Alianora curtsied, murmuring something polite and inaudible. Antorell, who had stiffened in surprise when he realized that Cimorene was not alone, relaxed visibly. “Woraug’s princess? That’s all right, then. Though he really shouldn’t have sent you.”

“But Woraug didn’t—ow!” said Alianora. The “ow” was because Cimorene had hastily kicked her ankle to keep her from telling Antorell too much.

“Didn’t what?” Antorell asked, frowning suspiciously.

“Didn’t know you were going to be here,” Cimorene said.

“Well, of course he didn’t know!” Antorell said, looking annoyed. “That’s the whole point, after all.”

Cimorene would have very much liked to ask him what the point was, but she was afraid it would make him suspicious again. “I don’t understand,” she said instead, batting her eyes at him.

“Of course not,” Antorell replied in a condescending tone that made Cimorene’s teeth hurt. “But it doesn’t matter. I’m not annoyed with you.”

“I’m so glad,” Cimorene murmured.

Antorell gave her an oily smile. “In fact, there’s no need for you to tell Woraug that you met me here.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Cimorene said with perfect truth.

“Excellent,” Antorell said. “Then may I escort the two of you back to the path?”

Alianora looked hopefully in Cimorene’s direction.

“But we can’t leave yet,” Cimorene said, opening her eyes very wide. “We haven’t picked any cornflowers or daisies.” Behind her, she heard Alianora making a smothered, choking noise, as if she were trying very hard not to laugh.

“Daisies,” Antorell said in a flat, incredulous tone. “You want to stay and pick daisies?”

Cimorene nodded vigorously. “And cornflowers, and flax, and all sorts of things,” she said, waving her hand at the flowers blooming all around. “They’ll look so pretty in a bowl of water in the kitchen.”