She nodded. “I was going to find Jubal, the Captain of the watch and tell him. But my uncle yelled at me and I went to find Mama and forgot. A—a man, a—a beggar, I thought—tried to grab Iomedea’s reins from me about halfway along Parr Road, where it bends south. He looked at me, and I thought he looked familiar, but I couldn’t think of anyone . . . I hit him with my quirt and he jumped back behind the tall oak tree. I thought it was because I hit him, but, maybe it was because I wasn’t who he thought would come?”

“And once I asked about Alex Vinton you remembered who it was?”

Yseult flushed at the skeptical tone in his voice. “It was his eyes . . . That’s all that he couldn’t disguise. He was hunchbacked, dirty and had dreadlocks . . . Alex was always well dressed and clean and he taught us dance, and he was always very upright and picky about posture.”

Yseult leaned back against Romarec, suddenly very tired.

What an awful day! she thought and then had to control the hysterical giggles that threatened to set off the hiccups again at the utter banality of that.

Sir Garrick stood back up and ordered a manhunt along the path.

“Find that landmark and comb—fine-tooth comb—the entire area. We have to find him. Alive and able to talk if at all possible, but don’t let him escape even if you have to shoot.”

She pressed the burning cheekbone into the soft, cool cloth, wiping her face with a sigh.

“I guess that’s really bad? He must have come to talk to Mama?”

Garrick looked down at her. “I wonder just how much you know and don’t know?” he asked thoughtfully.

Yseult shuddered again and sipped more water. Breathe, she ordered herself. Sip. We are in so much trouble. I’d better not ask anything else.

The wrapped, now still body of Lady Mary was carried out, along with the three duffel bags; diligently searched by Sir Garrick before being sent on. Yseult kept an unexpected smile off her face as the much detested white on white altar cloth popped out of the third bag. Yseult heard a thump. Sir Garrick leaned out of the window and waved her over. Romarec helped her up and over to the window. Her mother lay in an oxcart, the duffels holding her in place.

“She’s off to Fen House, where she’ll stay until Lord Gervais returns. You’ll go to Todenangst, yourself. The Lady Regent summons you and your younger brother to await her pleasure. She told me to reassure you that Lady Mary will not be killed out of hand. Once Lord Odard is back she must stand trial for high treason and he must defend himself from the charges of accomplice . . . as must you and Huon.”