“Where are we going?” I ask, fingers flexing at my sides. We’d already established I wouldn’t be returning to Vos Talwyn except for execution. Prince or no, if he thinks I’ll allow him to lead me to my death, he’s mistaken.

With a glance, I count eight guards in the immediate vicinity, not including Prince Meilek’s two Blades. The nearest weapon is at the waist of the guard to my left, which I could obtain in seconds if necessary. If Eyebrow Tattoos and his friends were an example of what I might expect from the soldiers here, I could tear through them in less than a minute. The Blades would present more of a challenge, but with only two, Saengo and I should be able to handle them.

Prince Meilek, however, is an unknown. At only nineteen, he isn’t captain of the Queen’s Guard without reason. And it’s entirely possible that if I raise my sword to the prince of Evewyn, then it won’t matter what information I bring back to the queen. It would be seen as treason.

Saengo seems to sense my dilemma. When I catch her eye, she looks meaningfully across the courtyard. A bow and quiver rest carelessly alongside a rack of swords. The soldiers must use the courtyard to spar. They’re out of reach of prisoners, but if I create enough of a diversion, Saengo could likely reach the bow.

I don’t know what I did to deserve a friend who would commit treason with me at a moment’s notice. But still, I give a slight shake of my head. Not yet. Not until I know what’s happening.

“I’d barely reached Keistra’s Flight when a messenger from the queen intercepted me,” the prince says. He approaches his dragule and tests the straps on the saddle. “Early this morning, she received a falcon from Ronin of the Dead Wood.”

For an excruciating second, all thoughts of escape are shoved from my mind. The implication of his words pulls me off-kilter. Just to be sure I heard right, I say, “What?”

“Ronin has summoned you to Spinner’s End.” His gaze flicks to Saengo. “Both of you.”

Ronin has a permanent encampment called Sab Hlee at the western border of the Dead Wood, where we’ll begin our journey. Spinner’s End, Ronin’s home, resides a half day’s walk through the woods.

Prince Meilek explains that, as peacekeeper between the kingdoms, Ronin wants a first-person account of what happened at the teahouse. I find it curious, though, that he’s already aware of the attack. For a falcon to have arrived in Vos Talwyn that morning, Ronin would’ve had to have sent the summons immediately after the attack occurred. Is he a seer?