"His Majesty sent you all the way here for a briefing?"

The King's Champion nodded.

"Something like that. The war looks to be going well, but in practice both sides have problems."

Wynn was confused.

"Problems?"

Again Richard nodded, the joy of seeing Wynn after so long quickly draining from his face.

"The King is concerned by the state of Oroneva at this time. When I left the Palace he was predicting that some of the Emir's nobles and generals would be close to rebellion; it has begun. Our most recent victory was a landslide because most of the troops in the area marched for their homelands rather than take to the field. Thousands of men are going back to the provinces to reinforce there."

She shrugged.

"Is that so bad? With so few troops around, we can take the capital."

Sir Richard shook his head.

"To put it bluntly, his Majesty does not much want the capital. All manner of factions are preparing to claim and defend their own territories; we do not want to encourage that any further. This invasion was a punitive response to a petty show of force, and the King wishes that it not go so far as to destroy a nation with which we were once on very good terms."

Wynn could see the logic, but she could see no way of stopping their advance.

"The Prince wants to take Or."

"I know. That is why this is being kept within the King's Order. Four people know the details of what is planned, and you will be the first who wasn't at least a Knight-Captain in the Order."

Wynn looked toward the shrouded figure who had remained in the dark, and smiled slightly. The man gave no reaction, but Sir Richard's surprise was telling indeed. His discipline caught up with him straight away though.

"Even if I cannot succeed, I will keep the secret. What is the mission?"


It wasn't long before she grew tired of hearing their instructions. Most of what the General and the Champion suggested simply would not work.

"With respect, Sirs, I understand the objectives and I have the intelligence; I think we all agree that I'm the best person to decide how it's done."

Sir Richard nodded.

"Yes, perhaps you are. Do you have any other questions?"

"Just one. The Prince Royal is commander in chief of both armies and he has specific plans for taking the city. Are you asking me to betray him?"

Sir Richard shook his head.

"'Betray' is a strong word, my Lady."

She glared at him. His honesty and honour were in the way of even the simplest act of misdirection.

"Are you asking me to bring about something I know is contrary to my love's ambitions?"

After a moment, he nodded.

"Yes, if that's the definition you want, I'm asking you to betray the Prince. Is that a problem?" She though about this, but was not given the opportunity to answer. "Because if you prefer, it's also the case that his Majesty the King, to whom you have sworn service, is ordering you to 'betray' the Prince. You have to see that this is the best thing."

Wynn hung her head, then finally looked up and nodded.

"Yes, I suppose it is. I will perform my duties as normal today and leave at nightfall. General, if I have not returned before the muster the day after, assume the worst."

Lord Grav nodded. They all sat in silence for some time, before Sir Richard stood.

"I hope to see you again soon, Knight-Lieutenant."

"I hope so too, Sir."

Sir Richard left, followed at some distance by Lord Grav.

"Please wait a few minutes here, Colonel. We cannot afford to risk being seen together out here."

Wynn nodded, relishing the chance finally to confront the cloaked one. She started by moving the lamp closer to him; he did not react.

"Do you know who I am?"

She nodded.

"I can hazard a guess."

"Go ahead."

Wynn took a deep breath.

"There's a legend on the streets in Pellagania. Talk of a shadowy enforcer who does the King's will; assassinations and such. They call him the Grey Knight. Although perhaps you'd be better called Knight-Captain Grey."

He nodded, the light from the lamp flickering on the lower part of his face.

"That's exactly how you can address me. I am the Master of Spies. You'll find that I am no legend though; I am as real as you."

Wynn shrugged.

"The vampire lord of Kaliers was a legend; that didn't stop me killing him."

Sir Grey bowed his head a little.

"A fair point. You have a certain way of piercing such veils."

"I doubt it. It's probably just that you aren't as good a Wizard as you expect."

Grey's mouth smiled. Without the rest of his expression it was a little hard to tell, but she suspected that he was more defensive than genuinely amused.

"What makes you think I am a Wizard?"

"Both the General and Sir Richard were surprised that I could see you. I'd venture that so were you. You are subtle, but I doubt you believe you have the stealth to be invisible. So I assume you have something else."

He nodded.

"Perhaps, perhaps. Regardless, the appointed time is done, Knight-Lieutenant. Good luck with your mission; we will not meet again."


"Good evening, your Majesty."

The Emir of Oroneva did not look up. He remained at his desk, his head down, fearing what his visitor might do.

"Ah, I had wondered when you would come. I had my best men guarding my tower: I suppose there is no use calling for them?"

"No. They were good, but not good enough."

He nodded, resigned to his fate.

"I had not expected the Prince's Assassin to have such a delicate voice; perhaps it's the Ennovian in you."

"I am not the Prince's Assassin. We need to talk."



Next Chapter: Chapter 53