“Accept my regret, Majesty. It is as your monk said. I lost my way. The Great God’s love enables us to be aware of each other. We are linked by his glory. When I lost my way—” He paused to swallow a pang. “You cannot imagine the hurt of that severance. But my faith did not waver. I did not go to Maloresse because I knew that my fellow servants were lost as well. They did not need the Archpriest’s warning. They would know what to do. While I waited for the Great God Rile to show my path to me again, I chose to wander in your realm.”

Abruptly, a subtle change came over Knout’s companions. They did not turn their heads, not even to glance at the priest. They betrayed no interest in Queen Estie or her escort. They may not have understood what was being said. Nevertheless they now seemed to be paying attention.

Estie tightened her grip on herself. “I am not persuaded. Do you think I cannot imagine your hurt?” She was King Bifalt’s lonely wife, untouched and unloved. “Perhaps not. But I can imagine what you might gain by misleading me.

“You were watching my road. You wanted to know who passed. Do you call that wandering? I call it scouting.”

He must have seen Set Ungabwey’s caravan. The library’s enemy would know how to benefit from such tidings.

“No, Majesty.” The priest began to sound frightened. “Do you think I am a spy? I am as lost as I say. I came here by chance. For safety, I took shelter in the woods, waiting for the Great God to reach out to me. When your men came, I did not resist. I have never harmed anyone. The Great God Rile desires peace. He does not countenance harm.”

He wanted Estie to believe him: that was obvious. For that very reason, she distrusted him. Never harmed anyone? she thought. No one except Lome, who had no defense.

Still, his growing alarm gave her an advantage. She softened her manner, spoke more gently.

“Your plight must have been difficult, Father. You have lost your way. Your only path is to wander and wait, as you say, until your god reaches out to you. And you believe your fellow priests in Maloresse are lost as well. Yet they are not as lost as you. They still have purpose.” He had just said so. “It seems a cruel thing, Father, that your god has singled you out for uncertainty while he gives them clear tasks to perform.”

Knout tried to protest, “No, Majesty—” but she did not let him continue. Suddenly as harsh as her father, she demanded, “Be honest, sir. What use does your god have for his servants in my city? What instructions have they been given?”