Morgan turned just as a plump and very out-of-breath young lady-in-waiting came to an undignified stop in front of them and curtsied.

“Oh, Your Highness,” she fluttered, “your Lady Mother sent me to find you. She’s been looking everywhere for you, and you know she doesn’t like for you to wander off alone. It’s very dangerous!”

“Do you hear that, Morgan?” Kelson said, glancing sidelong at his friend. “It’s very dangerous.”

“Indeed,” Morgan said, raising one eyebrow. “I hadn’t noticed.”

As the young lady tried in vain to follow this exchange, Kelson turned back to her. “My dear Lady Esther, would you be so good as to inform my Lady Mother that I’m quite safe with my Lord General Morgan.”

Lady Esther’s eyes grew round as she finally realized the identity of Kelson’s companion, and a plump hand flew to her lips to mask the scarcely breathed, “Oh!”

She curtsied again and whispered, “I did not recognize Your Grace.”

Morgan frowned and half turned to Kelson. “Blast it, Kelson, do I look that different? This is about the twentieth person today who hasn’t recognized me. What good is notoriety if no one knows who you are?”

“Perhaps it’s because you’re not wearing your horns and cloven hooves,” Kelson remarked dryly.

“Hmmm, no doubt. Tell me, Lady Esther, did you also not recognize your king?”

“Beg pardon, Your Grace?”

Morgan sighed and folded his arms across his chest, praying for patience.

“My lady,” he said mildly, “I’m sure you’ve been at court long enough to learn how one addresses one’s king. Your entrance was not, by any stretch of the imagination, a model of decorum. You would do well to show more respect in the future. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Your Grace,” she whispered, swallowing visibly.

Kelson glanced at Morgan as though to ask if he was quite finished, and Morgan nodded slightly. Kelson turned back to the nervous Lady Esther.

“Very well, then. Other than the predictable report that my mother has been worried about me, is there any other message?”

Lady Esther curtsied again. “She commands me to tell you that the Council is convening right away, Your High—Your Majesty. She requests your immediate presence.”

“Morgan?” Kelson glanced at the general.

“Later, my prince. We have urgent business elsewhere first. Lady Esther, you may inform the queen that His Majesty will be delayed.”

“And that I’m quite safe,” Kelson added emphatically. “You may go.”

As the lady bowed and hurried off, Kelson sighed. “You see what I have to put up with? It isn’t just a matter of convincing Mother that I’m not a child anymore. I’ve got to retrain the whole blasted staff of servants!” He grinned. “I will be safe with you, won’t I, Morgan?”