"Well? What did he say? How much essence can we have at our disposal?"

"The answer was vague. He said you can have as much as a horse can carry in its water bags, but no more. If you want a more specific answer, you will have to ask him yourself."

Ella looked at Shani. "Do you think it will be enough?" she asked.

"We will need more — perhaps twice as much. And it will only have a chance at working if we wait until after summer," Shani said. "Even then it will be close."

Ella looked up at Jehral. "Tell the prince something for me, Jehral, and this is important. Tell him we will open the way across the lake to Tlaxor, but we will have to wait until the season has changed. Tell Prince Ilathor we need more essence, as much as two horses can carry in their water bags, but that after the end of summer, we will help him take the city."

Jehral nodded, wheeling his horse, and rode away.

26

26

AMBER stuffed three dresses, a coat, and two blankets into a sack. She picked herself up, feeling the weight of her pregnancy pull at her back, and then left the small shelter she'd been given — a canvas tent, walled on three sides — walking around to the back. She dropped the sack on the ground, before once more returning to the tent.

Summer had come and gone, and soon the weather would turn cool again. The blankets and clothing could save someone's life, and most of the things the guards gave her she didn't need for herself. Amber knew the other prisoners distrusted her, and they would never take what she gave them if she offered, but if she left the sack outside, by morning it would be gone.

Life had settled in the prison camp — for Amber, at least. With Moragon believing she carried his child, Amber had received regular meals and been given her own shelter, however basic.

The other prisoners, particularly the women, called her terrible things, but Amber knew there was more to the story than they were aware of, and although she hated what she'd done, she had secured the life of her child. Her thoughts wandered. Could she ever tell Miro? Would he despise her, too? She pushed the thought to the side.

Once Moragon found out she was pregnant, he had made sure she was safe from harm, and then left her to her own devices. Amber knew he wasn't interested in her well-being, it was the son she might give him that was the source of his concern.

Amber felt the baby kick, and sighed. She was lonely, and she knew that with her relaxed conditions she could help her people more, if they would only let her. While she was now safe from being taken away to where dark rumours said they were committing unspeakable deeds, more people vanished every day.