Magister Bleak paused to sip more wine and consider his description. His sketch of events made no sense to Estie, but she did not try to understand it. Instead, she concentrated on absorbing whatever the Farsighted could tell her.

When Bleak was satisfied, he continued.

“There is more. When the King’s forces and Master Ungabwey reached the Open Hand, they were not the only arrivals. Elgart appeared as well.”

Elgart! Hearing his half-sung name, Estie lost herself for a moment. After all this time? Like Bifalt, she had assumed that the former spy was dead, killed by the Archpriest.

Listening unnoticed, Crayn breathed a soft curse.

Their surprise seemed to please the Farsighted. “Magister Facile told us that Elgart disappeared and perhaps died. Yet he lives. And”—Bleak enjoyed the memory—“he did not return alone. He brought an army of the el-Algreb with him.”

At once, Oblique demanded, “How? Magister Marrow offered them every inducement we possess. How did King Bifalt’s spy win an alliance that eluded us?”

“We know only what we see.” Bleak’s melody sounded smug. “We saw the el-Algreb arrive. The next day, we saw them train with rifles. And early this morning, we saw them ride south. More than that is speculation.”

Magister Oblique stared for a moment, thinking hard. Then she blurted, “King Bifalt offered them rifles.” There was awe in her voice. “They have joined him—they have gone to oppose the raiders for him—because he offered them rifles.”

More steadily, she added, “Whenever we imagine that we have King Bifalt’s measure, he surpasses our expectations.”

Again, Queen Estie did not try to understand. She did not know enough to speculate. For her, early this morning was the most important detail. The Repository’s enemies were converging. The attack on the Open Hand would begin soon.

The Farsighted shrugged at Oblique’s reaction. He did not turn aside from his tidings.

“There is more. After the el-Algreb rode away, General Klamath and his army also departed. But they headed east rather than south, leaving the Open Hand undefended. Perhaps they are preparing for a later battle. We have no other explanation. If they mean to forsake us, they would not ride east.”

Some of that did not surprise Estie. Bifalt had always considered the Hand indefensible. But she did not know how he could bear abandoning his city. Her heart seemed to pause in her chest as she asked, “What of the King? Does he ride with General Klamath?”

Briefly, Magister Bleak focused on her again. “That is a curious detail.” Then his gaze slipped away. “We saw him reenter the Open Hand when the army was gone. He had Elgart with him, and a number of riflemen. Some of them passed into the old city. Later, Prince Jaspid did the same with perhaps eight Magisters. That is all we know.”