Except for Kem, the wardens in their own party had taken the arrival in stride. The haunt tried to hide his curiosity, but Elen could see the way his gaze took in the position of every person in the plaza, how he held one hand slightly forward, palm open, as if to feel something through the air. He waited by the carriage as the Vigil captain and her people descended from the ramp and knelt to greet him.

“I, Cweles, captain of this Vigil, greet you with my loyal wardens. You honor us with your presence, Your Highness. We are amazed and gratified by your swift arrival, considering the Five Bridges region is blocked. If you wish to cross Flat Pall today there is still time before sundown. We can have the horses changed out, or our own travel carriages made ready immediately.”

The haunt’s outstretched hand twitched. He took in a deep breath, let it out slowly. “No need. We will remain here for the night and depart at dawn.”

The words surprised Elen. Weren’t they in a hurry? Why linger? His expression gave nothing away.

The Vigil captain bowed. “As you wish, Your Highness.”

“Arise,” he said. “No need for you to stay on your knees.”

Cweles was not as spry as she must once have been, as was obvious when she took the hand of her chief menial to help her back to her feet. A Vigil was a good posting for a warden who was still competent but not as physically capable of long journeying. “Your Highness, you are gracious and generous.”

“So everyone assures me, time and again,” he said drily. By now, his wardens no longer looked startled at these odd asides. The Vigil wardens didn’t know him, so they bowed to indicate agreement.

Cweles indicated the open doors on the terrace above. “May it please you to enter, the comfort of the imperial suite awaits you, Your Highness. Once you have settled your things and bathed, if that is your wish, a supper will be ready in the hall. We can discuss the latest information I have received.”

“Ah, indeed. Yes. It will be best if all my people hear the news.”

Fulmo and the wardens took only the gear they’d brought overland, leaving the carriages and the intendant’s luxuries to be driven away by the Farledder coachmen. As they headed up the ramp into the tower, Elen was taken aside by the Vigil’s chief menial and escorted to the kitchen building. Inside, menials were bustling to put together a meal acceptable for an imperial palate. The cook was shouting, and there didn’t seem to be enough hands to get all the necessary jobs done.

One young person was sobbing in a corner, overwhelmed at the thought of having to enter the same room as an exalted prince. “I’ll drop something, I just know it!”