“No pretender,” Inger mused. She turned to Gales. “Josiah, that brings us to my cousin.” Her expression soured.

Gales’s crisis of conscience had been solved for him. He was now Inger’s creature heart and soul. She had accomplished the transition through the timeless expedient of seduction. He was now her agent in her cousin’s camp.

Gales said, “Your Majesty, any restlessness in Kavelin is nothing to that in the Duke’s camp. He’s very bitter. He’s carrying on like you’ve robbed him of his birthright. It won’t be long before he and the sorcerer Norath hatch something. I expect they’ll turn to me when they do. His Lordship thinks I’m his agent still.”

Inger nodded. “I imagine you haven’t seen a tenth of Dane’s fury. He had hopes of making Kavelin a base from which he could establish a western empire. I’ve been a severe disappointment. Tell me more about Norath. He worries me.”

“I can’t, Your Majesty. No one sees him. He stays sequestered. What’s he doing here? What’s his relationship with your cousin? Colonel Trebilcock and I have discussed this repeatedly without reaching any conclusions.”

“Michael?”

“I sent queries to Al Rhemish. There’s been no response. I doubt we’ll learn much anyway. Norath was Megelin’s chief adviser. Suddenly, he’s here. That may be all we’ll ever know.”

“My cousin has the answer. Perhaps I can pry it out…. What’s that?”

Someone was tapping at the door. The guard there opened it. “Messenger for Colonel Trebilcock,” he said.

“Go ahead, Michael. Maybe they found the money.” Sarcastic smile.

Michael went, curious and a bit nervous. He had been out of touch with his people since yesterday. What had happened? He listened to several minutes of urgent whispers. He returned to the meeting, interrupting continued speculation about Magden Norath. “Your Majesty, there is a rebel movement after all.”

“Michael?”

“Can’t really give you anything hard right now. I’m told messages are pouring in. Credence Abaca apparently launched a nationwide offensive at dawn, cadred by Marena Dimura troops. Several smaller garrisons have declared for him. So have the city fathers of Sedlmayr. So far Credence has limited his attacks to your friends of the Estates. The odd thing is, he claims to be Marshall, acting on behalf of King Bragi the Second.” That had shaken Michael when he had heard it. He had expected Kristen to remain in hiding.

Inger turned pale. “Kristen’s brat? I thought…” She stopped before it became apparent she possessed guilty knowledge. “How strong are they? Why didn’t you warn us this was coming?”

“I told you, there’s nothing hard yet. I didn’t warn you because I didn’t know. I haven’t been able to penetrate the Marena Dimura community. They won’t have anything to do with outsiders. Numberwise, Credence can’t have much, though. The Marena Dimura aren’t numerous, nor are they well-armed. He’s trying a coup. It’ll fall apart in a few days.”

“General?”

“I’d agree, Your Majesty.”

“You and Michael go deal with it. Now. I’ll expect a report before I turn in.”