Zachary shook his head. “The scaffolding. Crowe told me the wall needed repair.”

“Beyond that,” Connly said, “I don’t know what transpired behind the castle gates, except the gates were opened and the prince rode right through.”

“How did you know where to find us?” the king asked.

“Osric had heard of the king’s annual hunt, where it was headed, and of a bunch running off after you. I fled the city before anyone noticed me, hoping to find you alive and well. Osric is still in the city, trying to locate other Riders and regular militia who are still loyal.”

“Well done, Connly,” Captain Mapstone said. She turned to King Zachary and placed a hand on his shoulder. “You cannot blame yourself for this. This is your brother’s doing.”

“There was a time when I would have gladly given him the throne.”

“I know, but you gave up your personal freedom to lead Sacoridia, so your brother would not destroy it.”

“He may still.”

The evening darkened a shade deeper, and the chorus of peepers quickened like a heartbeat.

“Is there anything else, Connly?” Beryl asked.

“Yes.” He settled his gaze on Karigan, and a tremor of fear ran up her spine. “Your father came seeking you.”

“What?” Karigan stood ramrod straight.

“This was our second meeting, as Captain Mapstone can attest. He thought the captain or I would have information about your whereabouts. He must have seen me on the street and followed me to the inn. This was before Prince Amilton and his army came through. Of course, I had heard of your remarkable journey and arrival, but little more than that. He was surprised and more than a little gratified to hear you were even alive. He questioned me as to where he could find you. Last I had heard, you were still at the castle. I sent him there to find you.”

It took a moment for what he had said to sink in. “You sent my father to the castle before Prince Amilton arrived?”

Connly looked at his feet. “I’m sorry. I assume he got caught up in events, but I didn’t know what was about to happen.”

Karigan thought she was going to explode with anger and frustration, but she just turned away with clenched hands, missing the king’s look of sympathy.

“We must think about our next move,” Martel said.

“I think I have an idea,” Beryl Spencer said, “but it means we are going to have to move fast, and it means we need someone to go inside the castle gates to look the situation over.”

“I’ll do it.”

Everyone looked at Karigan in astonishment, and she stepped right up to Beryl, her expression one of sheer determination.

“Karigan—” the king started.

“I said I will do it. I’ll get into the castle.”

Beryl started to protest, but Captain Mapstone motioned her to silence. “Yes. Karigan will do it.”

WOMAN OF THE SHADOWS

The shadows absorbed Karigan.

She darted from the dark side of one building to another. She was like a phantom, fading in and out, and if anyone marked her passage through the streets of Sacor City, they might discount it later as some vision, or a trick of their eyes.

Karigan used her brooch to the full extent of its powers, using it to conceal herself from the armed militia of Prince Amilton Hillander. Some roamed the open streets, others stood on the city walls. But the city was not closed, nor the populace molested. Yet. A wise move on Amilton’s part—the more he left folk to their ordinary lives, the quicker they would accept him as their new king, and the less chance he would face a rebellion.

A few folk still meandered on the streets. Peddlers closed up their hand carts and pushed them away for the night. Others entered inns and pubs. A good portion of the populace was in for the night, and they did not notice if there was a green flicker where the gold light of their lamps spilled out into the dark.

From time to time Karigan rested, sinking to the ground in a darkened close or alley, struggling to catch her breath and relieve herself of the suffocating gray world she submerged herself into every time she used the power of the brooch to fade out. Now she squatted in the narrow close between a Chapel of the Moon and a market, among the stinking refuse that hadn’t sold in the latter. Both buildings were dark and empty, and she felt safe enough that she could drop the invisibility for a few moments.

She mopped sweat from her brow with her sleeve. The headache was coming back and exhaustion made her body tremble. Would the day never end? Or had it become an eternal nightmare?

Black clouds drifted across the nearly halved moon, and she darted into the street again, fading out and avoiding the light pooling about the oil-burning street lamps.

As she trotted along, King Zachary’s short hunting sword slapped her thigh, a constant reminder of him. He had protested her further involvement with his brother’s takeover, but Captain Mapstone convinced him Karigan was the only one to complete this mission. When Karigan demonstrated the power of her brooch, he could not argue.

“I must go,” Karigan had said. “If my father is there, he may be in danger.”

King Zachary smiled. It was a smile saddened by too many things. “I hope he knows how fortunate he is to have a daughter like you.”

“I am fortunate to have him as my father.”

Zachary lifted his sword and baldric over his head and awkwardly, with one hand, placed it over her shoulder.

“You want me to take your sword?” Karigan asked incredulously.