She was too much outside the world, he thought. Of course she was also in it, of it, shaping it, because—they were all here! Because she’d summoned them.

“Why,” the queen had just asked.

And was answered, quietly, a country girl’s voice, but very clear.

“I am here to awaken the king,” Jeanette de Broché said. “And then we must prepare to go fight the invaders and destroy them.”

A murmur, oddly like the sound of the sea, in a crowded room. Too crowded, Medor had muttered. His eyes kept scanning the chamber for danger. His uncle was standing alone, not far from the queen, dressed in a sober, dark-blue travelling robe. His face seemed strained, Thierry thought.

Queen Bianca was now looking to Gauvard, as if for help. The two dukes behind the throne were silent. They seemed frightened, almost amusingly uncertain. Except nothing here was amusing, Thierry thought.

Gauvard Colle, with the queen’s eyes on him, said to Jeanette, “How will you do that? Awaken him.”

“By praying,” she said without hesitation. “With Jad’s intercession. But not here. We need to be alone in a quiet room.”

“You will not be alone with the king!” snapped the Duke de Regnault, shaken out of uncertainty. “It is not to be considered!”

“Then the queen can be with us,” the small woman in armour said calmly. “She can pray too.”

Queen Bianca turned again to Gauvard Colle. He said, “We send two guards with you. She removes her armour and sword and is searched for weapons. There is…there is nothing to be lost, your grace. If she fails and you wish to kill her for this disruption of the court, you can do that.”

“She summoned the storm that smashed the fleet,” the queen said, a quaver in her voice.

“We don’t know if—” Gauvard began.

“I didn’t do that!” said Jeanette de Broché. “I would not do that. I prayed to Jad for shelter for Ferrieres and the king. I always do.”

It was so strange, Thierry Villar thought, when a large number of people became entirely still. He could hear birds from the garden.

“Two guards,” said the queen. She had taught herself to sound decisive during the king’s many periods of incapacity, however she was really feeling. “And you, Messire Colle.”

—

Gauvard Colle, famously, liked gossip, new tidings, being the one to share such things. He didn’t keep a wide circle of friends, was too easily irked by people, but he did have intimates, and was known to tell a good story.

He spoke only twice of what happened in that room, and did so cryptically.

The queen never did.

The guards remained at the back of the chamber after searching the girl, and since one of them was Gauvard’s nephew and the other was the commander of the royal guard, they remained circumspect all their lives.