Captain McCammon, wearing his royal guard uniform with a maroon beret atop his platinum-blond hair, moved carefully around the room with two guards, scanning for listening devices. 'We've been through it three times, Mr Chairman. The room is clear. No eavesdropping apparatus. I guarantee no one will be able to hear what's said in this meeting.'

There are no guarantees.' Basil's shoulders slumped wearily. 'But I will accept your assurances for now.'

Lanyan poured himself a cup of strong coffee from a dispenser in the wall and took a seat near the Deputy Chairman. As the guards completed their sweep, Cain said in a gentle, reasonable voice, 'Mr Chairman, who exactly are we worried about? We're deep in the heart of Hansa HQ.'

'Spies.'

'Yes, sir, but spies for whom?'

Basil's face darkened. 'Someone helped King Peter and Queen Estarra escape. Someone leaked news reports to the media about her pregnancy. Someone stole Prince Daniel so that our Hansa is without a King.' He glanced up at McCammon. 'Take your guards and go. Be sure the door seals behind you.'

The man hesitated for a moment, perhaps thinking he should be included in the discussions, then nodded briskly and retreated. When the heavy door closed, Sarein felt even more claustrophobic. She glanced at Cain, and the pallid man met her gaze. Clearly, both of them thought Basil was overreacting, but neither said as much out loud.

Basil glanced at his notes. 'Peter has gone into exile on Theroc and set up an illegal government. Though I fail to see any logical reason for it, he seems to be gaining followers among the Roamers, breakaway Hansa colonies, and the Therons. Sarein, you are the ambassador from Theroc. Is there nothing you can do to bring them under control again?'

Although she should have expected this, Sarein was flustered. 'Since the King renounced the Hansa, I've had no official contact with Theroc.'

The Chairman rose halfway out of his seat. 'It is your traitorous family! Father Idriss and Mother Alexa were never strong leaders. They would have done whatever you told them. You should insist on it.'

'My parents are no longer the leaders of Theroc,' she said in a brittle voice. 'And it seems clear that King Peter and Queen Estarra are making their own decisions.'

'And how can I be certain of you, Sarein?' Basil swept his gaze toward Cain and Lanyan. 'How can I be certain of any of you?'

'Perhaps we could focus the discussion on more productive topics,' Cain suggested. 'Our lack of green priests is a severe handicap. How are we to resolve this problem if the two sides never talk? As Theron ambassador, perhaps Sarein could convince Nahton to deliver a few important diplomatic communiqués.'

She shook her head. 'I've already spoken with him, and he won't change his stance. Until the Chairman abdicates and the Hansa recognizes the new Confederation, no green priest will serve us.'