“You accuse me of lying?” Borenson said, using his own gift of Voice as best he could, trying to sound righteous and indignant. “You know the truth of it. As proof, you may search your own feelings. This morning at dawn, King Orden put to death all in Longmot who had given you endowments. You felt the attack. You felt his retribution. You cannot deny it!

“And now I shall tell you how it was done: We began our march three and a half weeks ago,” Borenson said honestly, naming the time since he’d left Mystarria, then calculated when Raj Ahten’s own troops would have set march, “shortly after we received word of your departure from the South.

“At the time, my lord King Orden sent word to the far corners of Rofehavan, setting his snare for a pup of a Wolf Lord. Now, Raj Ahten, the noose has your neck, and shortly you shall find yourself choking, choking on your greed!”

The men on the walls began talking, looking about in dismay, and Borenson guessed at their question. “You wonder how my lord knew that you would attack Heredon?” Borenson shrugged. “My lord knows many things. He heard of your plans from the spies who serve at your side.” Borenson glanced meaningfully at the counselors and magicians who stood beside Raj Ahten, barely suppressing his smile. He held his gaze on the imperious-looking Days at Raj Ahten’s side. Perhaps Raj Ahten might still trust these men, but from now on, Borenson suspected none of them would trust each other.

Raj Ahten chuckled at Borenson’s ploy, countered with words that struck terror in Borenson’s heart. “So, King Orden has sent you to get word of his son. Don’t worry, the young man is for ransom. What does Orden propose to offer?”

Borenson took a deep breath, glanced at the castle walls in desperation. He’d been told to offer a ransom for a nameless friend, so that Raj Ahten would betray the names of those he held captive. But Raj Ahten had guessed his ploy. Now, Borenson hoped the words he spoke next might dishearten the Wolf Lord even further. “I was told to offer nothing—until I have inspected the Prince.”

Raj Ahten smiled playfully. “If King Orden cannot keep track of his own son, I shall not oblige him. Besides, you would not like what you saw.”

Borenson wondered. This game was becoming complex, more complex than he liked. If Raj Ahten really had Gaborn prisoner, then he should not have hesitated to show the young man. Unless, indeed, he had killed the Prince.

Yet, if Raj Ahten had not captured the Prince, then by Borenson admitting that he needed to inspect the merchandise, Borenson had revealed to the Wolf Lord that he, too, did not know Gaborn’s whereabouts.