“And yet,” the prince added with an expression of sour contemplation, “who is to say my sister is wrong? For I am stymied. I have no choice but to retrace my steps to Ilvewind Cross and take the longer route around to the west.” He shook his head with disgust, braids swishing at the movement. “And on top of all that, such a detour will cause me to miss the emperor’s naming anniversary. My blessed mother will understand, even if everyone else censures me for disrespect. My blessed mother’s good opinion must content me once my fall from imperial grace condemns me to a life of exile or imprisonment.”

After an anxious pause, the intendant cleared his throat. He cast a meaningful look at Luviara, to whom he addressed his remark. “There is another way, if His Highness will allow me to explain.”

“I need an explanation of how I have been hung out to dry by these false reports!” cried the prince, pacing again, as restless as a caged beast walking round and round in an angry, infinite circle. “Why did no one warn me? How did my wardens not know, Simo?”

Simo cleared his throat, as if struggling to find appropriate words.

The prince sallied on. “Has the Imperial Order of Wardens become so toothless that we are toys for the other prince generals to play with? What say you, Intendant?”

“Your Highness, I am intendant and justiciar of Orledder Intendancy. I am not an official in the palace. However, there is a route through the Moonrise Hills, a footpath that can bring you to a smugglers’ bridge across Grinder’s Cut. It’s the only crossing point, except for the imperial road. You would honor me if you allowed me to lend you a deputy courier and her assistant. She knows the route well and can guide you. It will take ten or more days to get across the Cut, instead of the usual three, because you must go on foot through rugged hills. But compared to taking the detour to the west, it will save weeks of travel time.”

“Is this possible?” the prince demanded of his wardens. “Why have you not informed me of this route?”

Simo said, “Your Highness, we are not couriers or surveyors to know the countryside beyond the roads. The intendant surely has surveyors who can accompany you.”

“Intendant?”

“All my surveyors are out on patrol. However, the deputy courier I speak of happens to be available.” He indicated Elen.

The prince did not even glance at her. She was too lowly a person for an exalted imperial scion to acknowledge. “You could guide me yourself, Intendant.”