The pulse of fear beat heavily in my throat. I didn’t have much time. “Tisala—go to my room now and stay there. It’ll be death for everyone if the king’s men find you here. I’ll make certain they don’t search the keep, but I’m not sure I can keep them out of here altogether.”

Blessed woman turned on her heel and made quick time up the stairs without argument. I waited until she was out of hearing and turned to the others.

“Stala, you keep the Guard from fighting, do you understand? They, and you, must stay here to protect Hurog. Keep Tisala safe as long as you can. As long as the troops say nothing about her—we don’t, either. I don’t think the king will try and force the issue—it would leave him with too much to explain.”

Grim-faced, Stala nodded.

“Tosten, stay out of sight, too. As soon as we are gone, ride for Uncle Duraugh. Make certain he knows that Beckram is in trouble. I would have expected to hear from him sooner than this—maybe something happened to our message.”

“You’re going with them?”

“Yes, I have to. Don’t worry, I’ll get out of it. Oreg, can you find your way to Estian and to me in secret?”

Of us all, only Oreg didn’t look worried. “Of course.”

The sound of hoof on tile made us all jump. But it was only the guardsman’s horse. He hadn’t taken time to secure her and she’d wandered through the open doors and come to see what the fuss was about.

I ignored the man’s embarrassed apology and set my foot in the stirrup. His stirrups were too short. From the mare’s back I said, “Luck to you all,” and rode out of the great hall without a backward glance, afraid that I’d lose my nerve if I didn’t go.

I dismounted at the gates and tried to send the armsmen there to their quarters, but I made the mistake of letting them know just what I thought the king’s troops wanted. They were reluctant to leave me alone.

“Begging your pardon, my lord,” said Soren, dropping to his knees on the cold ground. “But you took my family and me in when we would have starved to death last winter. I’ll not leave you alone with an unfriendly troop of men.”

There was a murmur of agreement; the man who’d stayed on the wall called out as the king’s troop approached. They were making good time, I thought, if they followed so close on the heels of my lookout.

“If I’m here alone,” I explained, “they’ll see no need for violence. But they’ve come looking for a fight—and they’ll find reason for it if they can.”