“Excellent,” the king said. He shuffled some papers on his desk, then looked up. “I must thank you, Count Arcolin, for your advice in the matter of my cousin Beclan. Even though it did not turn out as I hoped—your advice was sound. He is not invaded, but after the High Marshal’s relic proved that, we—I—chose to use him as bait for those who might hope he was. It was a bad decision, and many died as a result. In short … he has some mage powers, and it was necessary to alienate him from the royal family. He is now with Duke Verrakai, adopted by her as her heir.”

“I gathered something like that from the page who brought me,” Arcolin said.

“I cannot stop that gossip,” the king said. “It had to be publicly done to preserve the Crown. With my aunt Celbrin in house arrest now, there’s less new gossip about Duke Verrakai; I’m hoping the Duke will be more accepted. You should know that although I’m still not comfortable with her magery, I chose to trust her with my cousin. And she is still Constable for this realm and will be until … unless…”

Arcolin said nothing, waiting the king out.

“It is possible,” the king said, “that the regalia she found and gave to me may create such a danger for this realm that it must be taken away. And if so, she is the only one who can move it. It answers to her will, not mine or the High Marshal’s or even a paladin’s.”

“I think,” Arcolin said carefully, “that she will not go until you command her, sir king.”

“You may be right. In that case, I hope I choose the right time.” The king sighed. “You must be on your way; you know what I want from you in the South. Go with Gird and send me word as you can.”

“Yes, sir king.” Arcolin bowed and withdrew.

Within the hour he had ridden through the city and out the south gate, and spotted his troops ahead, having their noon meal under Cracolnya’s watchful eye. Cracolnya saluted. “Leave now, my lord?”

“No. I didn’t eat in the palace. Any extras?”

Cracolnya grinned. “I thought you might miss lunch. Ham or beef?”

“Beef,” Arcolin said. Cracolnya handed him a fat beef roll, and he ate it standing up beside his mount. They were on the way shortly, this time with Cracolnya’s cohort in front.