“Because it could be a danger,” Arcolin said. “And because my soldiers talked about it where others could hear. If an enemy locates it—”

“They will not,” the gnome said. “The rock is closed except when we are using it.”

“My thought was that since my soldiers might have made it possible for others to find, it was my responsibility to inform your prince.”

The gnome said nothing for a moment, then nodded. “It is a reason. It is right that you tell Aldonfulk, but Aldonfulk will guard its own. Tell your soldiers who remember they must not try to pass that way; it will not be safe.”

“They will not,” Arcolin said.

“I will tell the prince,” the gnome said.

At that moment, Dattur came into the tent carrying several packages. The Aldonfulk gnome stared at him, then back at Arcolin.

“Kteknik,” said the gnome.

“No longer,” Dattur said.

“It is not right dress,” the gnome said in gnomish; Arcolin understood enough now.

“It is now,” Dattur said, “while I am with this army.”

“It is not soldier!” the gnome said. “What prince allowed?”

“My prince stands here,” Dattur said. He nodded toward Arcolin. The other gnome turned to Arcolin, then back to Dattur.

“No. Not possible. That is human. It is not human to be prince. It is not human speak Law. Gnome lies is kteknik.”

Arcolin said, in gnomish, “He does not lie. Stone-right makes a prince; my rockfolk hold my stone.”

“Not! Not Law!” The Aldonfulk gnome had turned a peculiar bluish gray. “Must be lie.”

“A dragon came,” Arcolin said. He used what Dattur had taught him was the gnomish word, one that incorporated Eldest of Elders and Flame-Being.

The Aldonfulk gnome took a step toward him. “No dragon come human!”

“A dragon came,” Arcolin repeated. “A dragon sent away gnomes from their stone. I took them in. I gave them stone-right. Dragon made contract with me; he touched my tongue.”

Again the Aldonfulk gnome looked from Arcolin to Dattur and back again. “Kteknik … does he lie?”

“No,” Dattur said. “He is my prince. We are his people. He has heart for Law.”

“Not right dress.”

“It is—had been no time,” Arcolin said, struggling with gnomish. “Dragon came in winter; gnomes came to me in winter. The stone has no yielded right…”

“Bternos,” Dattur said. “And this one was far from that stone. It is long story.”

“It is strange story. It is difficult story. The prince will not like this story.”

“It is true story,” Arcolin said.

When Arcolin arrived in Valdaire, his banker handed him an intricately wrapped package. “A gnome gave me this,” he said. “I was to give it to you the day you arrived in the city.”

“It’s heavy,” Arcolin said. It felt heavy as stone; he realized it probably was stone.

“I know you have a gnome in the Company now—”

“Not for long; he’s going north with me to join others.”