Micah nodded. “I looked for you at the barracks, but it seems you aren’t staying here.” He paused. When Amon said nothing, he said impatiently, “Why aren’t you in the barracks? Where are you staying?”

“It’s crowded in the barracks. Too many new faces. And it’s none of your business where I’m staying.” Amon wanted to mount up, but he knew that would make him vulnerable to a magical attack. “Now, if there’s nothing else…?”

Micah stepped into the gateway leading out of the courtyard, blocking the way. “I want to know if you’ve heard from the Princess Raisa, and if you know where she is.”

“The Princess Raisa?” Amon assumed a perplexed expression. “How would I know where she is? You heard what I said at the Council of Regents meeting. I’ve been at Oden’s Ford all this while, same as you.”

Micah’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t lie to me. I know you took her to Oden’s Ford. I know you had her hidden away there.”

Amon snorted. “Let me get this straight: you think the princess heir of the realm ran away with a fourth-year cadet and has been living at a military academy for nearly a year?” Some devil within him made him add, “Why would she do such a thing…unless she was absolutely desperate to get away?”

Micah scowled at the dig. “I know she was at Oden’s Ford because I saw her,” he said.

“If you say so,” Amon said. “Then maybe she’s still there. Unless you know something I don’t.” He paused, wondering if Micah would actually confess to kidnapping Raisa. When Micah said nothing, Amon added, “Why do you care where she is? Looks to me like you’re…ah…supporting the Princess Mellony.” Amon raised an eyebrow.

“If the Princess Raisa is still alive, she should be crowned queen,” Micah said.

Amon eyed Micah, trying to read his face in the inconsistent light. “Well, now, Bayar,” he said. “You finally hit on something we can agree on.”

“If you know where she is, you need to get word to her,” Micah continued. “She has to be at Queen Marianna’s funeral. Once Mellony is crowned, it will be too late.”

“I didn’t hear you speaking up at the Council of Regents,” Amon said. “Seems to me that’s who you should be talking to. Not a lowly corporal in the guard.”

You don’t fool me, Amon thought. You just want to know where she is so you can finish the job you started. Still keeping one eye on the wizard, he swung up into his saddle and nudged his gelding into a walk, aiming straight at Micah.

Micah Bayar waited until the last possible moment, then stood aside and watched him go by.

C H A P T E R  N I N E T E E N

A CALCULATED
RISK