The door opened. Toby turned too quickly to catch the changes in Gales' eyes. He whispered with a woman, became more perplexed. He told the sergeant, „The Queen wants you to hand it over personal."

Gales sighed dramatically. „Do a good deed," he mut­ tered, just loud enough for Toby's ears. „And me with the night-watch. All right."

Toby opened the door. Gales stepped through, followed the woman to the chamber where the Queen awaited him. She sat behind a small writing table, clad in a dressing gown of deep green. Gales thought the color became her.

„Your Majesty." He bowed.

The Queen told the lady, „You may go, Thelma."

The woman's eyes grew huge. „My Lady?"

„Leave us."

„But... ."

„You heard me. Scat. Sergeant, you have a letter for me?"

The woman closed the door behind her. Gales asked, „Is this wise?"

„He doesn't pay attention to what I do anymore. He'd as soon I went back home." She tossed the despatch case into a chest. There was nothing in it.

„I'm Your Ladyship's man, of course, but I think you misjudge His Majesty."

She made a placatory gesture. „Sorry, Josiah. I guess it's the pressure." She gave him one of those melting smiles. „What did you find out?"

„I couldn't make sense of everything, but it looks like the King wants to act against Shinsan."

„How?"

„By helping the woman Mist reclaim her throne."

„That's it? Why was he so sneaky about this meeting, then?"

„There was some discussion of the succession. Then the wizard said he'd performed a divination that guaranteed His Majesty would be around for years. They talked about Hammad al Nakir, too, and where Michael Trebilcock might be."

„I wonder that myself, Josiah. He's a dangerous man. He deserves closer observation."

„All right. When we locate him again."

„This business with the east. It'll complicate things, won't it?"

„Some. It'll probably get them pulling together again. Which might be his plan."

„Then we take it more carefully. We've made some serious mistakes. We've been lucky. Let's don't repeat them and trap ourselves."

„It's too late to stop... ."

„I know. We'll have to live with the risks."

Gales bowed slightly. Reluctantly, he started backing from the room.

That smile crossed Inger's lips. „Was there something else, Josiah?"

Was she daring him to make a fool of himself? „Uh... ." He thought fast. Better to be a small fool than a big one. „When last we spoke, you accused His Majesty of having a mistress. It isn't true. I checked."

Inger laughed. „Oh, thank you, Josiah. Thank you. You're precious. I didn't mean it that way. His mistress is this ridiculous little country, not some tavern slut. You'd better go before Thelma decides we're worth gossiping about. Don't forget Trebilcock."

„I won't, My Lady."

When Josiah Gales used that tone there was no doubt he meant what he said.

Year 1016 AFE; Michael's Journey

After he had viewed the dead assassin and questioned the injured general, Michael went walking in the park surround­ ing Castle Krief. During two long circuits he reviewed everything he knew, thought he knew, and suspected. His memory was virtually perfect. He seldom had to consult the small staff he employed to keep records.

A finger pointed. It was a shadowy finger, and its thrust lay in a strange direction. He had no evidence harder than intuition. He couldn't take that to the King.

He had a good idea where evidence might be found. If it existed at all.

He didn't return to the castle. He thought his best course would be to disappear. He had to handle this personally. It was that touchy. It would be best if nobody knew a thing till he had something concrete.

He walked into the city, to an apartment he seldom used. The owner lived on the premises. He was a veteran and a reliable man. His connection with Michael Trebilcock was a secret shared with no one else. He would gather the neces­ sary resources and equipment. Michael would begin his journey there.

Trebilcock had made up his mind while questioning Liakopulos. There was no point searching for the assassins. There was no cross-contact between his people and their masters. He would have had prior warning if there were.

He was that sure of his organization.

He assumed the guise of a post rider. Two days later he crossed the border into Tamerice. Two days later still he reached the home of a wartime acquaintance, a merchant named Sam Chordine. They traded favors regularly.

Michael's system was based on the trading of favors and his ability to convince people that what he wanted was right and necessary.

Chordine laid on a spread, though it was the heart of the night. He asked no questions till Michael was thoroughly stuffed, and then only, „How long has it been?"

Michael belched. „Sorry. Right after Palmisano?"

„No. Must have been later than that. I remember you in the Gap."

„Then in Ravelin, sure."

„Yeah. I remember. King Bragi's coronation."

Trebilcock grinned. „Don't bring that up. Just remember­ ing makes my head hurt. I'm still finding out things I did that night."

„I'm not too clear after the crowning. I remember you and that chunky friend of yours—Karal, was it?—trying to take me some place called the Fat Man's."

„Aral. Aral Dantice. You didn't go. The King had to have Prataxis bailed out." Michael chuckled at the memory. „You haven't seen scorn till you've seen it on the face of a Rebsamen don."

„What brings you to these parts?"

„Wish I could say just a friendly visit, but that'd be a lie. Put on a few pounds, haven't you?"

„A few too many. I don't get much exercise. Business is too damned good. I can afford to eat stuff I like. And that's what I've been doing. What do you need?"

„You have anything going into Hammad al Nakir? Headed for Al Rhemish?"

„We run a train through the Pylons every week. Luxury goods. You want to send something in, or bring something out?"

„Somebody. Me."

„Uhm!" Chordine closed piggish eyes and pursed thick lips. Michael waited. After a time, Sam asked, „Any point me asking why?"

„You can ask. I won't guarantee I'll answer."

„That's the way of it, eh? All right. I'll see what I can do. I do hire people sometimes. Megelin's men don't take much notice."

„I appreciate it, Sam."

„You'll pay for it, too. Old Sam will come collecting someday."

„Seems to me you're one up on me already."

„That spot of business with the woman? Hardly the same thing, Michael."

„It was a lot of trouble convincing her she should move west instead of having a talk with your wife, Sam. She squealed and squawked all the way. My man nearly ended up getting hung. Not to mention the expense."

„Seems as how I recall footing that bill, Michael." Chordine grinned. „But thanks anyway. I suppose we're even if I help you."

„Till your next girlfriend finds herself in a family way."

Chordine picked through the wreckage atop the table, snatching tidbits overlooked first time around. „Hope you're in a working mood, boy. You'll have to do your share. And you'll have to come back out with the same caravan."

Michael closed one eye and raised the opposite eyebrow. „You've got a heart as black as Hell's gate, Sam."

Chordine responded with mock surprise. „Me? What on earth do you mean?"

„I read you like a book. Right now you're figuring how many weeks pay for a guard you'll save. Once I'm out of sight, you'll wring your hands in glee."

Chordine responded with a huge, deep chuckle. „And run down to my strongroom and worship my sacks of gold. So it goes, friend Michael. So it goes. I'm getting fat in more ways than one. Let me show you your room again. Anything you need? I have a little scullery maid you'd find tasty. Not too bright, but what the hell? She makes up for it with enthusi­ asm."