“But you have been in Vérella before,” the prince said.

“Yes, with Kieri Phelan’s company, as his captain, guiding troops through the city. My dealings were with merchants, on occasion, or on Duke Phelan’s business with his banker. Not with my family, and not here, where I might have met them.”

“Your family’s property was forfeit to the Crown as a result of the bill of attainder,” the prince said. “I exempted the Verrakai lands, for the time, but the house here—we would have seized it, but that we could not. I grant you the use of it while you are here on court business, but nothing more, for the time being. Is that clear?”

“Yes, my lord prince,” Dorrin said.

“Funds in the bank your predecessor used have been confiscated—that banker, we found, was involved in the Thieves’ Guild, to the great embarrassment of the Moneychangers’ Guild where he held an office of distinction. The Crown will release such funds to you as you require for attending us at our command, but the rest will remain in our control until such time as we are satisfied.”

“I understand, Lord Prince,” Dorrin said. She understood, but she did not like the thought of applying to the prince’s clerks for money to buy every butt of water, every stick of firewood.

“We do not enjoy being harsh, but events—events have forced us to more caution than we otherwise would choose.”

“Of course,” Dorrin said.

“Then sit down with us. This is not a Council meeting, you perceive, but I wanted these men to meet you, and you to meet them. Two others will join us later.” The others took off their swords and put them in a rack to one side; Dorrin did the same. The prince waved to the table, and Dorrin sat where he bade her. Duke Mahieran went to the door and called for a servant to bring refreshments, then came and sat beside her.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

“When did you join Phelan’s Company?” asked Duke Mahieran. “Was he then a duke?”

“He is some years older than me,” Dorrin said. “I had met him at the Falkian Hall, where we both took training—he being already a veteran, having fought with Halveric Company a season or two in Aarenis. I was one of the youngest accepted, as he was one of the oldest, so it was years before I saw him again. I needed work, and the Captain-General of Falk sent me to Aliam Halveric. He knew Phelan was looking for a junior captain, and recommended me. It was his first independent command.”

“I know about that,” Kirgan Marrakai said. “My grandfather gave him a horse.”

“I didn’t know a Verrakai was in his service until he told us, the day the sword proclaimed him,” Duke Mahieran said. “And yet I’ve seen Phelan’s troops coming through Vérella spring after spring, and you were sometimes with them. To my shame, I saw only the mercenary captain.”