“But on the road through Amika, they encountered a company of Queen Estie’s honor guardsmen. From those men, they learned of her father’s treachery, her father’s use of Nuuri slaves. Then they knew that events were moving faster than they had supposed. They left the caravan to travel more swiftly.

“On the outskirts of the Open Hand, other devotees of Flesh shared what they knew of the Church and its doings. And soon Amandis and Flamora heard that I had gone to the Church alone. They came to my aid as quickly as they could.”

Elgart sighed. “In the Last Repository twenty years ago, Majesty, they declared that they would stand surety for me. Now they have done so.”

The King was not entirely convinced. The timing seemed unnaturally fortuitous. But he did not contest his friend’s account. It was enough that Amandis and Flamora had found Elgart before the Archpriest broke him.

He had one last question.

“Then I confess I am in the most holy assassin’s debt. Again.” Long ago, Amandis had gone against Magister Marrow’s wishes by telling Bifalt that the library had enemies. “Where is she now?”

Had she returned to the Repository? Would she be there for Estie?

“With her people,” replied Elgart. “She trusted you to honor my word.” He sounded sure. “Majesty, she believes in you. She does not say so. Her actions show it.”

Well. To that, King Bifalt had no response. Tugging on his mount’s reins, he turned his descent from the ridge to pass around the training-fields instead of heading into the camp.

“Come, Elgart. We will leave all those men to Klamath.” He gestured at the crowds below him. “He will tell the horse-warriors whatever they wish to know. We cannot ask them to fight if they do not understand our straits.

“I must return to the Fist. If we take the long way around, I will have time to relieve your ignorance.”

At that, Elgart grinned with his whole face. “That will please me, Majesty.” He brought his horse to King Bifalt’s side. “I am starved for tidings.”

Belatedly, Bifalt noticed that his headache was gone. Somehow, Elgart’s return had banished it. He found himself sitting straighter. His friend’s attitude seemed to make him taller. That unconflicted grin was new, but the man’s curiosity was familiar of old.

“Three armies, Elgart,” he began. “Not one or two. We face three.” Then he spent their ride around the fields into the city answering the questions that Elgart would have asked if he had known to ask them.

But the King said nothing about Estie.