"Then I call for adjournment," said Mirigant, "while we consider these matters and wait for the arrival of further news of the Coronal."

Hissune held up a hand. "One other thing, first."

He waited for their attention.

Then he said, "I have for some time wished to travel to the Labyrinth, to visit my family, to see certain friends. I believe also it would be useful for one of us to confer with the officials of the Pontifex, and get first-hand knowledge of the state of Tyeveras's health; for it may be that we will have to choose a Pontifex and a Coronal both, in the months just ahead, and we should be ready for such a unique event if it comes upon us. So I propose the designation of an official embassy from Castle Mount to the Labyrinth, and I offer myself as the ambassador."

"Seconded," said Divvis at once.

There was a business of discussing and voting, and once that was done there was a vote for adjournment, and then the meeting dissolved into a swirl of smaller groups. Hissune stood by himself, wondering when he would awaken from all this. He became aware after a moment of tall fair-haired Stasilaine looming over him, frowning and smiling both at the same time.

Quietly Stasilaine said, "Perhaps it is a mistake to leave the Castle at such a time, Hissune."

"Perhaps. It seemed the right thing for me to do, though. I'll risk it."

"Then proclaim yourself Coronal before you go!"

"Are you serious, Stasilaine? What if Valentine still lives?"

"If he lives, you know how to arrange for his becoming Pontifex. If he is dead, Hissune, you must seize his place while you can."

"I will do no such thing."

"You must! Otherwise you may find Divvis on the throne when you return!"

Hissune grinned. "Easily enough dealt with. If Valentine is dead and Divvis has replaced him, I will see to it that Tyeveras at last is allowed to rest. Divvis immediately becomes Pontifex and must go to the Labyrinth, and still another new Coronal is required, with only one candidate available."

"By the Lady, you are astonishing!"

"Am I? It seems an obvious enough move to me." Hissune took the older man's hand firmly in his. "I thank you for your support, Stasilaine. And I tell you that all will be well, at the end. If I must be Coronal to Divvis's Pontifex, so be it: we can work together, he and I, I do think. But for now let us pray for Lord Valentine's safety and success, and leave off all these speculations. Yes?"

"By all means," said Stasilaine.

They embraced briefly, and Hissune went from the council chamber. In the hallway outside, all was in the same confusion as before, though now perhaps a hundred or more of the lesser lords were gathered, and the looks that he received from them when he appeared were extraordinary. But Hissune said nothing to any of them, nor did he as much as let his eyes meet any of theirs as he moved through the throng. He found Alsimir at the edge of the crowd, gaping at him in a preposterous slack-jawed wide-eyed way.