It’s a rather jarring change in topic. “I’ve seen them from a distance,” I say carefully. “They stay hidden mostly.”

“Are they really as dangerous as they say?” she says.

“They do have a fierce reputation, but I wouldn’t know.”

She nods, as if that was the best she could have expected, and then she stands abruptly. “Well, I should get to bed.” She smiles apologetically. “It’s been a long day.”

Later in my room, I think about her cryptic question about the Shidadi. It could have been simply idle curiosity, but that combined with her worry about her father…A frightening possibility occurs to me. Could Dineas have been wrong about where Neju’s Guard was headed? Perhaps they mean to cross the strait after all. I have nothing to back up my suspicions, but Mehtap’s discomfiture stays with me.

What would happen if they crossed the strait? What would Gatha’s forces do if they knew that the emperor’s heir was with them? Would they attack the Amparan forces, knowing Dineas was in their ranks?

I pace the length of my room until Diadem starts to get restless. It’s only a suspicion, but what if it’s true? Finally, I whistle for the crows and write a brief message to Gatha and Tal, emphasizing that I have no evidence to back it up, but suggesting that they should keep an eye out. I pause once or twice in my writing, well aware that if I’m right, I could well be handing Arxa and Dineas right over to their enemies.

“Forgive me,” I whisper, and I’m not sure whether I’m speaking to Dineas or Mehtap. It saddens me how often I say those words now that I’m here.

Chapter Thirty

The ride north with Neju’s Guard is exhilarating. The scenery’s always changing, and I can’t get enough of it. First we ride across desert, our horses kicking up dust and pebbles, flattening patches of brown grasses as we go up and down the hills. Gradually the air gets cooler and the grass gets longer and greener. The hills flatten out. All along the way, we stop at outposts and strongholds so Kiran can meet with the local rulers. I’m always glad for those stops, because it means we can sleep in the great hall instead of our tents.

I keep an eye out for the prince during the early days of our trip, mostly because I’m curious about royalty. Kiran is older than me but younger than Arxa, with sharp eyes and a fighter’s build. He doesn’t pay us common soldiers much mind, but he gets along well with the commander. They confer often as they ride, and whenever we visit an outpost or stronghold, the commander goes with the prince as he tours the grounds. Kiran’s two bodyguards are also always at his side.