“I heard whispers in the barracks,” said Ipis in a low, enthralled tone. “That Crown Prince Minaylin—may the High Heavens forgive me for speaking with such disrespect—is rumored to be spoiled and indulged and spends his days gambling and drinking instead of studying the classics and learning how to administer the empire, as is his duty. That some ministers have begun grumbling that the crown prince is not fit to become emperor. That a different prince should be raised to the Second Estate.”

“Yes. That’s why Gevulin and Astaylin have become rivals. Because they each see an opening.”

“So the way this mission has played out, the prince not being told of the avalanche and the blocked road, and maybe even the death of the griffin scout, has to do with their rivalry?” Elen asked.

“I’d hate to think of Astaylin agreeing to the murder of a griffin and scout. But her concealing the blocked road to make her brother look bad, yes, that is definitely the kind of play Astaylin would make in this game.” She cast an assaying look at Elen. “Your knowledge of this back-door route gives Gevulin a chance to pike Astaylin in the eye and gain advantage. I suppose that might be explanation enough for why he favors you.”

Yet her considering frown suggested she wasn’t convinced.

Elen felt it time to dramatically change the subject so it couldn’t possibly slide back to her and the haunt. She chose her words with particular care. “Who is the mysterious envoy mentioned in the messages from Far Boundary Vigil? The one from a far land, speaking for a lady-king? Whatever that might be.”

“I have no idea,” said Xilsi. “It surprised me, I’ll tell you that.”

“His Exalted Highness did not fill you in on the specifics of the mission?”

“No. I’m just an ordinary warden, not one of his inner circle.”

“Who are his inner circle?”

“Of those of us here? Only Simo. Besides Simo, Gevulin’s mother, the Elegant Consort. Her, more than anyone. Her most trusted kinfolk, who benefit from her status as the mother of a Prince of the Third Estate, and their confidantes. Hemerlin, obviously. Fulmo, possibly, since Hemerlin is the one who brought the gagast into the prince’s service, which he’d never have done if he didn’t have reason to trust Fulmo.”

“Why Simo?” Elen asked. “Meaning nothing against Simo! I’m just trying to sort it out.”