“But My Lady….”

“No more arguments. No more stalling. Karl is the last sacrifice to my cousin’s ambitions. I want Trebilcock here within the hour, and you not being able to find him won’t be an acceptable excuse.”

“She gave in,” Michael told Derel. “She’s in a panic. And just in time. Gales is back. He’s in Damhorst, along with another four hundred Itaskians.”

“And still no sign of Haas?”

“None. I’m worried for him. But maybe we don’t need him to learn what we wanted to know. The Duke of Greyfells is Gales’s travelling companion.”

“Greyfells? The Greyfells? The King’s old enemy?”

“Not the same man, but probably of the same philosophy.”

“Then she hasn’t just been acting for herself.”

“I’ve doubted that for some time. But actually, I think if she’d had her way she would’ve been satisfied having Fulk declared crown prince.”

“These little tête-à-têtes you and she are having haven’t softened you, have they?”

Michael chuckled. “Hardly. But I know a little more about her. She isn’t the villain we’ve tried to tell ourselves.”

“Who is? We all like things black or white. Makes it easier on our consciences. How are you going to work this so she don’t get wind of Gales?”

“Thought I’d move her to the old Dalthin manor tonight, then north through Anstokin and Volstokin later. We’ll need to let Volstokin and Anstokin know she’s coming. State trip home to see her family, and such.”

“All right. I’ll contact their ambassadors. You get her out of the castle. Damn, but I wish the King would get back.”

“Better figure it’ll take at least another three weeks. Probably longer. It’ll depend on how much he fools around over there.”

“Three weeks. A month. Can we hang on that long?”

“Credence has everything sewed up. Anybody tries anything, he’ll be all over them. And they know it. Cham says the Thing has gotten as still as death. We get Inger to sign away her rights, the worst will be over.”

“Well, do it, man.”

“Easy, Derel. I’m on your side.”

“Nerves. Lack of rest and nerves, Michael.”

“Back to let you know as soon as I can.”

Inger greeted Trebilcock at the door. He said, “I understand you’ve finally decided.”

“I have. I’m packing now. You convinced me this time.”

“How was that? You were still stalling yesterday.”

“The arrow, Michael. Don’t kid me. Nothing happens without you knowing, without your approval. Not in Vorgreberg.”

“Ah, Inger, if you only knew. Hell, you do know. One whole hell of a lot goes on without me knowing. Wouldn’t you say? What about an arrow?”

“Come here. Look at this and lie to me.” She led him into another room.

A dead man lay on the floor. Michael knelt beside him. “Karl. How the hell…?”

“Through the window. The arrow was meant for me. Karl stepped in the way at the wrong time.”