"But King Staden is a good king!" Berry protested. "At least, that's what everyone says," she added when they looked at her.

"Staden might not have anything to do with it," Vahanian replied, wincing as Carina worked on his shoulder. "Once this general gets us to the city, what he does with us is anyone's guess. Orders are easy enough to fake."

Kiara was on watch near the high slit that was the cell's only window. "Uh oh," she said. "Looks like the general has arrived."

Tris pulled himself into a sitting position and hoped he looked better than he felt. The Principality captain strode in, leading the way for a dark-haired man in a cloak. "These are the foreigners we arrested, general," the captain said as he stepped aside to give the general a look through the bars. "Came across Gibbet Bridge like the demon herself was after them. There are a couple extra, but four of them fit the bill."

Tris heard Carina gasp. Kiara glanced at her cousin, who had gone quite pale and stepped toward the back.

Kiara stepped forward. "Sirs," she said, making a perfunctory bow. "My companions and I were beset by highwaymen, which accounted for our haste last night. Two of my party are injured. We were traveling on business to Principality City. We have harmed no one. Please, let us be on our way."

The general looked them over. He was of medium build, with dark brown hair and intelligent eyes. But for the hard set to his mouth and a tightness around his blue eyes, he might have been considered handsome. That he was likely no older than Vahanian and held the rank of general spoke to his competence, and Tris guessed by his manner that he was accomplished with the sword that hung at his belt.

"I'm afraid that's impossible, m'lady. I have my orders from the king. What he seeks with you, I do not know, nor do I care. We will leave within a candlemark for the city. You can make your case there."

He was about to go when Carina stepped forward. "Gregor," she called softly.

The general turned, and his eyes widened when he saw the healer, as if he had seen a ghost.

"You?" the general breathed. "But I saw you die... with Ric... what magic is this?"

Carina bowed her head and stepped closer to the bars. "No trick, Gregor. Cam took me to the Sisters. They brought me back, from the very arms of the Lady."

Gregor's face hardened. "More than you could do for my brother."

Carina flushed. "Please Gregor, listen to me. Our mission is urgent. Please, let us go."

"I have my orders."

"Then give sanctuary at least for the girl and the old man," Carina begged. "Send them to the Sisters. The king said nothing of them."

"How dare you beg a favor of me?" Gregor demanded. "Why should I?"

Carina looked up at him, and her face was wet with tears. "For Ric's sake," she said quietly, "for what was before. Please, Gregor. Please."

Gregor looked at her in silence for a moment. His face was unreadable. With an oath, he turned away. "Take the child and the old man to the Sisterhood," he commanded the captain. "Make it clear they are to be kept there until the king gives permission for their release." He turned back to Carina, and looked at her coldly.

"All debts are paid," he said. The venom in his voice made Vahanian start toward the bars, but Kiara laid a warning hand on his arm, and he stayed where he was. Tris felt his own anger bristle, and saw fire glint in Carroway's eyes.

Carina looked at the floor. "Thank you," she whispered.

"Most people treat a healer with respect," Vahanian observed acidly from where he stood. His hand fell from habit to where his sword should have rested in his empty scabbard.

Gregor regarded him icily. He glanced at Carina. "Two of a kind, Carina?" he said with an edge, and the healer turned scarlet. Gregor looked back to Vahanian. "I had the utmost respect for my late brother's betrothed, until she failed to save him. To think she died trying made the memory bearable. Knowing she survived and he did not is a different matter entirely." He looked at the group. "I do not know what the king requires of you, but I am a willing instrument of his justice." With that, the general turned on his heel and left.

The cell door opened, and the captain gestured for Royster and Berry. Carina hugged Berry tightly.

"It will be all right, Carina. You'll see," Berry said with a child's certainty. Carina managed a smile.

"You'll be safe with the Sisterhood," she said, her voice tight.

Royster laid a hand on Carina's shoulder. "I'll see to the girl," the librarian said. "Thank you."

Carina nodded as the two were led out of sight. The guards returned to their post, and Carina buried her face in her hands. Kiara knelt next to her cousin and waved the others away, wrapping her arms around Carina as she sobbed. Vahanian turned away from the cell bars with a potent curse, and kicked at a rock. Carroway sat down next to Tris.

"At least we're headed in the right direction," the bard observed, with as much hope as he could muster.

Tris closed his eyes and leaned back against the wall. "The question is—do we get to stay?"

"It's nearly two days' ride into the city," Carroway said quietly. "Do you think... tonight... that Gabriel...?"

Tris shook his head. "Doubtful. Their fight is with Jared, not this king. And the vayash moru decide their own schedule. Technically, we're not in danger—at least, not yet. They won't risk reprisals here killing mortals."

"If the witch biddies are as smart as they look, maybe they'll figure out something's wrong when Royster and Berry show up on their doorstep," Vahanian said, leaning against the wall. "Although they don't ride to the rescue very often." He cursed again. "Which means, we're on our own."

The captain returned in a candlemark with six armed men to lead them to their horses for the ride into the city. He stood before Vahanian, fists on his hips. Vahanian's eyes narrowed and he spat just shy of the captain's boot.

"You will be taken for questioning," the captain announced. "Cooperate, and no harm will come to you," he advised. "Get moving."

They spent the night under heavy guard at another outpost, and woke at dawn for the ride into Principality City. The roadway grew wider, leading to the castle. Merchants and beggars moved aside to let them pass. They reached a heavily gated entrance in the base of the castle, and as they entered, the massive iron portcullis creaked back into place behind them.

"I don't like this," Vahanian muttered.

"For once, I think I agree with you," Carina murmured.

Tris's imagination supplied many possibilities during their march, none of them pleasant. When they reached the castle, he expected to have the party split up, searched for the rest of their weapons, and locked—perhaps chained—in dungeon cells, awaiting an escort to Margolan.

The king's guardsmen met the captain at the inner bailey. "We'll take the prisoners from here," the guardsman said.

"General Gregor gave me orders to deliver them personally," the army captain countered.

"You may give the general the king's thanks. But we will take the prisoners from here."

The army captain's displeasure was clear in his face, but he gave a bow and signaled to his men to retreat.

"You will come with us," the captain of the guard said expressionlessly, as the liveried men-at-arms formed a column on either side of the prisoners. The captain of the guard marched them past the cells, and Vahanian and Tris exchanged puzzled glances as they climbed up a winding stairway toward the higher levels of the palace. They emerged behind a heavy wooden door in a well-appointed room.

"You will wait here," the captain said. He drew a dagger from his belt and split the cords that bound them, then gave a crisp bow and retreated, leaving only enough guards to block each exit. The prisoners looked at each other warily.