The quest to prevent a repeat incident began early, claiming one of the lesser dining halls. The Prince Royal had a seat halfway down one side of the large table, flanked by Sir Richard and Lady Wynn, with Sir Firrin close beside. It was the most intimidating line-up Wynn had seen since she'd been briefed by three Knight-Captains, but she was on the other side of the table now.

The last of the rescued knights walked in, bowed and took the seat indicated. They quizzed him about what had happened and he described the day much as others had. Wynn dismissed him without reward or reprimand.

"Well, I think we have quite a clear picture from those without responsibility." She looked down at the notes she'd made so far, then nodded to one of the door guards. "Lady Thia, please."

Wynn felt for the young knight as she walked in, a professional facade not quite covering her fear and shame. Thia made a very deliberate curtsey to the Prince then saluted the others. Wynn gestured for her to sit down.

"Lady Thia, this is an inquiry. You are not on trial."

She nodded lamely.

"I know."

"Please describe yesterday's events."

Lady Thia took a deep breath before she started her tale.

"We were in Lady Kathri's chambers for the early part of the morning. At around ten the Lady Ayer visited, and suggested that she and Lady Kathri visit the textile market. I objected and suggested that the Ladies see the market another time, but the Lady Ayer insisted that it be that day. She was very abrupt in dismissing whatever I said."

"How did Sir Narte react?"

Thia hesitated. Wynn glanced over to Sir Richard; the senior knight leant forward a little and spoke in a tone that was reassuring without losing his normal resonance of authority.

"Lady Thia, whatever others have done is not your responsibility. You have a duty to give us the truth."

She nodded.

"When Lady Kathri expressed a desire to go to the market, Sir Narte did not do anything to dissuade her."

Sir Richard turned back to Wynn, handing back control with a gesture too subtle for a typical observer.

"Thank you, Lady Thia. What happened after that?"

"Lady Ayer said she was sending servants ahead to make arrangements." She stopped suddenly, realising what could be inferred. "I'm sure the Lady Ayer had no part in what happened."

Wynn nodded slightly. She really wished she could be a little more friendly, but she still felt partly as though the inquiry was a trial of her command ability. There was simply too much scrutiny for anything less than professional detachment.

"So are we. Please continue."

"We went to the market. Sir Narte had the men keep a square about the Ladies and their entourages. Moving through the crowd under those conditions was difficult. Sir Narte pointed out a suspicious figure in the window directly ahead of us, and it was obvious that others were watching from other places around the square. Fearing an ambush, I suggested that I be allowed to take Lady Kathri to safety: Sir Narte agreed."

Knight-Lieutenant Wynn looked along her side of the table, in case anyone had anything to add. The Prince gave her a shallow nod, clearing his throat ready to speak.

"Lady Thia, you are saying that the idea to smuggle Lady Kathri out of the square was yours?"

She nodded.

"Thank you. Carry on, Knight-Lieutenant."

Wynn nodded thanks to him.

"Was the square not guarded? How did you escape?"

"When we first arrived in the square I was concerned by the crowds and the limited routes for escape. I purchased some cloaks from a stall we passed. When the ambush was sprung I put on one of the cloaks, put another on Lady Kathri and took her into the crowd. We took the alley back to the main road, evading a patrol on our way out. Then we went to ground for the afternoon."

Although nobody was smiling, Wynn knew that most of all of the panel were close to it, perhaps straining to avoid it.

"You went to ground?"

Thia nodded.

"I was worried by the scale and apparent organisation of the attack, and also concerned that I didn't know what they intended or why. I decided to avoid places to which they would expect me to run; instead we went to the foot of the hill and hid where I could observe the road to the Palace. Eventually I was satisfied that the search for us would have eased up and the Palace road was safe, so we came back."

She sat in silence for several moments as her superiors alternated between staring at her and passing each other knowing glances.

"Will that be all, your Royal Highness?"

"When Knight-Lieutenant Wynn dismisses you."

She bowed apologetically, turning back to Wynn as though hoping to be let out.

"I have a few things to say, Lady Thia, then perhaps his Highness or the Knight-Captain may wish to add. Firstly, I should caution you against becoming used to action like this. Yesterday was an unusual threat and you took unusual measures to protect your charge, and she is well because of it. It is important that you understand the risk you took, and don't take your success for granted when considering risks in future."

Lady Thia nodded.

"I will not, my Lady."

"Other than that, I cannot fault you and am loathe to try. I am satisfied that you did all you could to keep Lady Kathri in the Palace, I am very impressed with the way you handled the situation outside, and I'm glad I appointed you. Yesterday was terrible, but without you it would likely have been much worse." Wynn paused at Thia finally raised her eyes enough to meet her gaze. There was a glint of pride there, respectfully contained, but raising her spirits nonetheless. "Dismissed."

Lady Thia stood, saluted the knights and curtseyed to the Prince before leaving. Wynn waited a few seconds before turning to the others.

"What do you think?"

Sir Richard nodded.

"Last night wasn't a particularly challenging operation, militarily speaking, but she acquitted herself well enough. From what I can see and what I've heard, she's clever, capable under pressure, and humble."

The Prince was not convinced.

"Does she not strike you as a little fearful?"

"No, your Highness. I did not get the impression last night that she was afraid of a fight, and to contradict Lady Ayer as she did was very brave indeed, especially considering that she's lived so little and has no rank."

Wynn nodded. Sir Ram had once explained that etiquette was ruled by a particular kind of courtly lady; the kind of woman who could destroy a person's name simply by telling of how uncouth they considered them. Likely he was talking about Lady Ayer and those like her.

"I suspect that Sir Narte went along with it through precisely that fear. We'll see."


Sir Narte's account of the day was much like Lady Thia's. They had planned to stay in, they had been persuaded to leave, they were attacked in the square and Narte among others were captured.

"Let us return to the decision to leave. Who authorised the trip?"

His broke under her stern gaze, staring at the table in front of him.

"I did, my Lady. Lady Kathri seemed to eager to go..."

"Look at me, Sir Narte. What were your orders?"

He looked up, slowly.

"I was instructed to keep Lady Kathri in the Palace."

Wynn nodded.

"I know why you didn't do so; Lady Kathri is persuasive, even without the Lady Ayer. I'm sure you meant to do as I instructed, so I'll consider that order unfulfilled rather than disobeyed." She gave him a moment as relief swept across his face. "I need men who can follow orders; the will to obey isn't much use to me if it doesn't get the results I need."

"Of course, Knight-Lieutenant."

They sat in silence for a few moments. The rest of the panel had nothing to say, despite the space Wynn left them.

"Sir Narte, I've been happy with your performance up until now and this is the first mistake I've seen you make. I'm sure you understand how dangerous yesterday was and I'm confident that it will have the proper effect on your future conduct. Your orders do not come from the person under protection, and there's very good reason for that."

"Yes, Knight-Lieutenant."

She let this sink in for several breaths.

"Protection is not the kind of duty that can afford mistakes. Normally we wouldn't leave a man in place after an incident like this, but I want to give you another chance. Knight-Lieutenant Firrin's men are covering Lady Kathri for today and tomorrow: you will return to duty the day after. Any questions?"

He shook his head.

"No, my Lady."

"Good. Dismissed."

He stood and saluted them. At the door he almost bumped into one of the Palace messengers trying to get in. The guards closed the door behind him as the young man bowed deeply.

"Your Highness, good Sirs, my Lady... Knight-Lieutenant Wynn, I am to inform you that his Majesty the King would like to see you in his chambers."

Shock wasn't quite the word. She nodded to the messenger, stood and saluted the others.

"Your Highness, Knight-Captain, Knight-Lieutenant. Thank you for this."

The Prince rose from his chair, brushing the creases from his robes.

"Thank you for letting me watch your inquiry, Lady Wynn. Gentlemen, I will be in my chambers if I'm needed."

Firrin and Richard saluted Wynn, bowed to the Prince then returned to their seats. Sir Richard pulled over a jug of water and poured himself a glass.

"She's doing well."

Sir Firrin nodded.

"Yes, she has a good feel for the job. I wonder if she'd really be so insistent with someone to guard. I know I've let the Prince Royal make some dangerous decisions at times."

"His Highness is quite sensible, but if you think he's anything more to learn, train him now. You'll never change him once he's King..."


"Lady Wynn, come in, sit down. Would you like something to drink?"

"No thank you, your Majesty."

The King let the servant pour a drink for him then waved her away. Wynn noticed that there were no guards in the room; it was the second time in scant weeks that she'd been alone in the room with a head of state.

"How does today find you?"

"Better than yesterday, Majesty. May I say that you are looking well today?"

He shook his head.

"I am looking well only for a sick, old man. I would feel better if you did not mention it."

She bowed her head.

"Of course, your Majesty."

"I never had the chance to thank you properly for the favour you did at Or."

Wynn blushed.

"No thanks is necessary, your Majesty. It was an honour to be able to serve."

"Yes, well, it was very valuable service and performed without hesitation despite any concerns you might have had for my son."

She shook her head.

"As I told the Knights-Captain at the time, no matter what my connection to his Highness the Prince Royal might be, my oath of service is to you, my King."

He smiled softly.

"That is why I like you, Wynn: You are a patriot looking for a country. I hope some day you will find mine."

"I have been here for many years already, Sire. I consider this my home."

The King nodded.

"Of course you do. But you are not a patriot. Not here."

She thought about this for some time before she replied.

"Your Majesty, I have little faith in countries. I much prefer people, and up until recently I didn't think the people in charge were the kind I could support in clear conscience."

"Wynn, I'm going to go straight to the point. Last night the Commander of my Palace guard woke me at an unholy hour, ranting about the state of the nation. He had a flame in him, a passion that he and I used to share, but that the burden of leadership smothered over time. What did you say to Sir Richard?"

Wynn shook her head.

"Nothing, really. We were talking about Pellagania's history of secret violence, and I said that..."

She was afraid to continue.

"Go on."

Wynn met his gaze. He really did give the impression that it was safe to say whatever she might feel needed saying.

"I said that the power struggles up here don't really affect those in the city below. There are still so many people starving in the city, for example. Sir Richard said that you had once been concerned about such things..."

"I still am."

She bowed her head apologetically.

"Of course, my Lord, but, does anything really change?"

"What do you suggest I do?"

Knight-Lieutenant Wynn was speechless. Nobody had any asked her opinion on anything nearly so important.

"Lady Wynn, what would you do?"

"I... I have no idea, your Majesty."

The King almost laughed.

"That's a shame. I was wondering whether you might have some fresh insight."

"I really don't know, my Lord. I suppose I assumed you had a way."

He nodded.

"Of course you did. That's how leadership works, generally. It's only my closest confidants who really understand that I don't have the answers either. Between us we come close, but it's not as close as I'd like."

"As I said to Sir Richard, you are much closer than others."

The King took another sip of his drink. He did not seem to be offended by the conversation as yet, but Wynn had to keep wondering whether she might any moment say something that would constitute treason.

"Well, we try. Perhaps we do our best, perhaps not; perhaps with my right hand's new vigour we will do better. Don't worry, I'm not going to try and involve you: the hour is late for me, and I have something that you can help with in the future."

"Anything you order, your Majesty."

He smiled.

"No orders, Knight-Lieutenant, just an old man asking a favour of the woman who loves his son. There will be a time when I'm gone, and the Prince rules all of this. I don't know how it will change him, but I am sure that it will be better if you are there for him. Keep him in touch with the real people; the city you love and the rest of the country. And the people of Gham, protectees by his promise, and those of Oroneva who but for your intervention would probably be subjugated and resentful by now, or dying by the hundreds in civil war."

Wynn felt her cheeks flush again. She began to voice some complaint but the King made a gesture subtly demanding silence.

"Humour me, please." She bowed her head, but he continued without a mind for her embarrassment. "My son is a good man, but he can be prone to concentrating on small details. I need to know that someone will be there to make him look around every now and then. Can you show him the things he won't see? For me?"

"Your Majesty, you would trust me with this?" He nodded. "I... I don't know, Sire. Your son doesn't love me; I don't know if he will keep me close enough." She looked to the floor for a few moments. When she met the King's gaze again there were tears in her eyes. "I don't know if I will stay with him."

The King nodded thoughtfully.

"Well, it will come to pass, or it will not. Do what you can for him for as long as he deserves it, and the same for my country. I can ask nothing more."

"I will serve as best I can."

He smiled.

"It warms my heart to hear that." He lifted his glass to his lips again, an eye on her all the time. Wynn still wasn't really sure what he thought of her: there was so much more to him than to the Prince. "Well, I think we've spoken at length enough for the time being. Thank you for coming."

She stood, bowing deeply before him. He laughed.

"It amuses me not that the Lady bows, but that she cannot decide whether she bows..."

Wynn came up from the bow, a broad smile on her face. She followed with a curtsey.

"Thank you again for coming, and for the conversation you had with Sir Richard last night. It's as though he's grown a decade younger since you came to the Palace, although I doubt you want to hear such things. And please accept my condolences on the death of your father. A great shame for such a fine man to die in his prime."

Wynn had been nodding along, smiling where appropriate. The last sentence stopped her dead in her tracks.

"My father is dead?"



Next Chapter: Chapter 59