That was a courtesy to which she wasn’t accustomed, but she did her best to let him assist her. Geraden swung down and came to her side; at once, he bowed formally to Prince Kragen.
“My lord Prince, I haven’t been properly presented, but you’ve named me. I’m Geraden, the seventh son of the Domne, an Apt of the Congery of Imagers.
“As you say, we have a remarkable story to tell.” Somehow, he contrived to sound like he couldn’t think of a single reason to distrust the Prince. “And there must be a lot you could tell us, if we can persuade you to do it.”
“Geraden.” Elega had come forward while Terisa was focused on Prince Kragen. Her face and form were in shadow now, with the paradoxical result that she looked brighter, keener; more capable. “What does this mean?” she demanded. “Why are you here? And how? Surely you will not ask us to believe that this is nothing more than another of your colossal mishaps?”
“No,” Geraden replied. “On the other hand, I do expect you to believe that it’s hard for me to trust you enough to tell you anything.”
There: he had given the first hint of his loyalties; therefore of his intentions. Terisa held her breath, afraid that he might be risking too much too soon.
Fortunately, Kragen wasn’t surprised enough to react badly. He knew what had happened to Nyle’s attempt to reach the Perdon: he was probably able to take Geraden’s loyalties for granted. Before Elega could respond to Geraden’s gibe, Prince Kragen stepped between them and took Terisa’s arm.
“We will discuss such things thoroughly, I assure you,” he remarked, “but I can see no reason why we should not discuss them in comfort – and in private.” With his hand on her arm, he urged Terisa into motion, steering her toward the largest of the surrounding tents. “In addition, I have offered you the Alend Monarch’s hospitality, and he does not like to be refused.” As if she weren’t already moving – as if she had a choice – he asked, “Will you come with me?”
Terisa nodded. But she didn’t let out her breath until she saw that both Geraden and Elega were following.
The Prince took her into what she realized after a moment was a fore-tent. It was lit only by the braziers which warmed it, with the result that its furnishings were obscure, vaguely ominous; the chairs seemed to crouch in the dimness, as unpredictable as beasts. Prince Kragen clapped his hands, however, and called for lamps as well as wine. The servants responded almost instantly; soon warm yellow light filled the fore-tent, and the danger crept away, hiding in the darkness at the tops of the tentpoles, or in the shadows behind the chairs.
“The Alend Monarch has gone to his bed,” Prince Kragen said casually. “Otherwise he would welcome you himself. This tent serves as his council chamber, and I doubt” – he smiled – “that there is a man in all the camp who would dare eavesdrop on what is said here. We will speak freely.”
Briskly, he got Terisa, Geraden, and Elega seated. When the wine had been served, he took a chair himself. Terisa drank a gulp of the fine vintage, trying to control her nervousness; but Elega watched her and Geraden, while Geraden faced the Prince.
Prince Kragen toyed with his goblet. “My lady Terisa, Geraden, these are complex times. I suspect that all stories are remarkable. Nevertheless your arrival here suggests questions to which I must have answers.”
“Forgive me, my lord Prince,” Geraden put it as if he hadn’t heard Kragen. “So much has happened—The last we knew, Cadwal was marching. A vast army. Where is it? What’s happened to the Perdon? How has Orison been able to hold you back so long?”
“Geraden, I am in command of this siege.” The Prince’s voice became a soft purr, a threat. “This army is mine. I wish to understand how you come to be here.”
“Of course” – Geraden allowed himself a slight, suggestive pause – “my lord Prince. On the other hand, I wish to be able to measure the consequences of what I tell you. I’m talking to an honorable enemy and a dishonorable friend.” He ignored the way Elega stiffened, the violet flare of her gaze. “Knowledge is power. I don’t want to place a weapon in the wrong hands.”
“You will not.” Prince Kragen might have been a cat pretending that he wasn’t about to spring. “You will place it in my hands.”
Geraden didn’t blink. “Or else?”
The Prince shrugged delicately. “There is no ‘or else.’ I simply state a fact. You will tell me your remarkable story.”
His tone left Terisa’s stomach in knots. When she looked in her goblet, she found that it was already empty.
“Geraden,” Elega put in, “why did you come here? You have never been stupid. You knew that this situation would arise. You knew that both the Prince and I desire the defeat of Orison. And you knew” – she seemed to falter, but only for an instant – “that we cannot afford to let you keep your knowledge secret. We are too much at risk. My life is perhaps a little thing, but the Prince is responsible for the whole Alend army. In the end, he is responsible for the survival of all his father’s realm.
“And for that,” Elega added firmly, “I have my own responsibility. Like the King, I have brought us to this place.
“Why did you put yourself and the lady Terisa in our hands, if you do not intend to tell us what you know?”
“Because we are unable to reenter Orison without your consent.” Geraden didn’t elaborate.
“That is what you want?” demanded Prince Kragen softly. “You wish to be allowed to enter Orison, so that you can tell King Joyse the story you mean to withhold from me?”
Geraden contemplated this view of the situation. “That’s essentially true, my lord Prince.”
“I suspected as much.” The Prince held his hands together on his thighs, the tips of his fingers touching each other lightly as if his self-command had become perfect. “My mind is not like my lady Elega’s. When you entered my camp, I did not say, Here are Imagers. I said, Here are scouts who wish to report to their lord.
“If you believe that I will let you pass my siege in order to take assistance or information of any kind to King Joyse, you are seriously deranged.”
Geraden shrugged. Judging by the blandness of his expression, he had no idea how seriously he was being threatened.
Terisa was too full of anxiety to sit still. Without asking permission, she stood up and went to the wine decanter. “Why don’t we trade?” she said impulsively. Fatigue and the first effects of the wine might have been speaking for her. She had played the game of trading information with King Joyse: she knew it was dangerous. But it was the best she had to offer. Her goblet full, she returned to her seat. “You tell us something. We’ll tell you something. Fair exchange. That way we don’t have to trust each other.”
“Who will speak first?” asked Elega in a carefully neutral tone.
“You will.” Terisa didn’t hesitate. “We’re in your power. You can do anything you want to us anytime you want. What have you got to lose?”
She sat down.
Geraden kept his reaction hidden. The lady Elega looked at Prince Kragen.
The Prince thought for a while; he didn’t appear to be aware that he was chewing his moustache. Two of his fingertips tapped soundlessly against each other, measuring the menace in the fore-tent. Then he said with steady nonchalance, “I think not.
“My lady Elega,” he continued before Terisa was sure that she had heard him right, “you have not heard the details of our guests’ arrival. You will be interested, I am sure.
“Geraden and the lady Terisa made no attempt at stealth. They confronted one of my patrols” – he paused ominously – “but they did not request an audience with me. They did not request permission to approach Orison. No, my lady, they demanded the right to speak with you.”
Involuntarily, Elega caught her breath.
While she stared at Geraden and Terisa, Prince Kragen added, “It is clear that whatever device or policy they have prepared to get them into Orison is directed at you. They believe that they have the means to persuade you.” Again, he paused; then he remarked cryptically, “It is even conceivable that they are aware of the existence of a precedent.”