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archers, only awaiting the order to let fly.
    â€œLord Joshua,” he called, seizing the initiative by heading directly for the captain of the Custodes force. “My thanks for the honor you do me by turning out an additional escort. However, these good knights who accompanied Sir Charlan on his royal errand are well qualified to accompany me back to Rhemuth.”
    The Custodes captain glanced uncertainly at the abbot, but at least he made no move toward the sword at his belt.
    â€œFather Abbot was concerned that these men might attempt to take you from the abbey against your will, Brother Javan,” the man said.
    Javan allowed the man a forbearing hint of a smile. “My will is not a factor in this discussion, Captain,” he said easily. “It is the king’s will that I accompany these gentlemen back to Rhemuth. Do you intend to question him ?”
    The captain’s jaw tightened, but before he could reply, the abbot set his hand on the man’s steel-clad arm and moved a step closer. “My information is that the king is too ill to issue orders, Brother Javan. Now I beg you to return to your cell and await further official word from Rhemuth.”
    â€œHow official must it be?” Javan retorted, thrusting Rhys Michael’s ring under the abbot’s nose. “My brother, Prince Rhys Michael Haldane, commands me to come, in the name of my brother the king, who is dying. If some have their way, then that same Rhys Michael shall be the next king—in which case, he will not look kindly upon those who have defied his commands. And if the proper succession is allowed to occur, then I shall be king—and I assure you, I shall not forget those who obstruct me.
    â€œNow, will you stand your men down, or must blood be shed in these hallowed grounds?”
    â€œYou would not dare to raise steel here,” the abbot muttered.
    â€œNot I, my lord, for I am unarmed, as you see,” Javan replied, raising his hands away from the empty belt around his waist. “But the king’s men have their orders, as have I. If, by defying the king’s wishes, you compel them to draw steel to enforce the royal command, then be it upon your head, not mine.” He drew deep breath, praying that he could pull this off.
    â€œWith respect, then, I bid you good morrow, my Lord Abbot, and take my leave of you.”
    So saying, he gathered Charlan to his side with a glance and turned to press past the Custodes captain and down the abbey steps, heading both of them toward the waiting knights. The men holding the two extra horses came forward into the center of the yard, several more moving their mounts behind Javan and Charlan to shield them, turning their backs on the Custodes knights with utter disdain—for any show of weakness now could prove fatal.
    Only the hollow clip-clop of hooves on cobbles and the soft creak and jingle of the horses’ harnesses intruded on the taut, sullen silence. Javan could feel himself trembling as Charlan gave him a leg up onto a tall, well-made chestnut, but he allowed himself no show of fear or even apprehension as he gathered the reins in his hands and turned the horse’s head toward the gate, even as the others finished mounting up around him.
    His knees continued to tremble as he urged the horse forward, Charlan and another knight falling in on either side of him—Bertrand, who had been his squire before Charlan. To his unmitigated relief, no one tried to stop them. But not until they were through the gates and heading down the hill slope toward the main road, picking up a canter, did he allow himself to relax even a little.
    Three hours’ ride and a change of horses saw them trotting up the final incline toward the city gates of Rhemuth, just as the first fingers of dawn were thrusting upward from behind the eastern horizon. Even the new horses were spent by then, for they had pushed on at a steady gallop for most of the way. One of