“Rhoshamandes’s people have already searched Garekyn Brovotkin’s house in London,” said Teskhamen. “They frightened off his staff. They are no doubt tracking any and all banking connections they can find for this woman Kapetria.”

Enough. I looked at Arion.

“I’m going to go on the air and invite them here,” I said. I rose. “But before I do, I must talk to Arion here. It’s about a personal matter. And then I need to go down to the village and make sure everything is done to protect the village and the Château, that the sprinkling systems are functioning in case Rhoshamandes does attack.”

“That’s all done, taken care of,” said Marius. He too was on his feet. “But think what he could do if he sought to burn us out.”

Thorne spoke up for the first time. “If Rhoshamandes attacks, we have to be able to attack back,” he said. I knew how thoroughly he hated Rhoshamandes for killing Maharet.

There was a murmur of assent from those at the table.

“Of course,” I said. “If he attacks, if he attempts to burn the Château, or the village, yes, of course, but he likely knows full well this will bring down the wrath of everyone on him. Yes, if he dares do any of this, burn him. Burn him with everything you’ve got. But he won’t be so stupid.”

“He can attack and withdraw very fast,” said Gregory. “All of us, we must be on alert from the time you go on the air until morning.” They were rising to their feet, pushing back their chairs. “We must make a plan for guarding the grounds.”

A long miserable sigh came from Sevraine. She’d risen to her feet. “I’ll stand guard with you,” she said.

This was what they wanted, obviously, and they were right and there was no stopping them anyway. I hoped and prayed Rhoshamandes would stay away, but then if he were foolish enough to attack, well, he would get what he deserved.

I looked to Arion again. He was already moving towards me. And we went out of the Council Chamber together.

14

Rhoshamandes

HE HAD NEVER been in such a rage, not ever in his entire existence. Not even the night Benedict had left him did he know a rage such as this. His beloved Benedicta had just been found drifting off the coast of Northern Ireland with one life raft missing, and his poor feeble mortal caretakers had been in tears for having been duped by the supposed “guests” right after daybreak. Who had rescued that miserable Derek? How had the rescuer found him!

And what was the meaning of the strange description of the pair on the part of the old people, that they looked like twins except for the hair of one being filled with rampant streaks of gold? Otherwise they’d been identical!

“It’s inconceivable, what you’re thinking,” said Roland.