Chapter 5: The Chancellor Rides In

Torren listened to every word she said that night, and in the morning he did not laugh.

He did not believe her either.

He sent two riders to watch the southern road and told her to eat her breakfast.

On the fourth day the riders came back at a gallop.

"A column from Lowmarch, Majesty. Thirty horse, flying King Edric's banner."

"Who leads?"

"A man in black with a lord's chain."

Torren looked at Marit across the high table.

She set down her cup.

"Casimir," she said. "He will want an audience in the great hall, with your clans watching. He wants witnesses."

"Why?"

"Because what he is about to do only works in front of a crowd."

The king stood.

"Then he will have his crowd," Torren said.

Casimir walked into the great hall at noon.

He was freshly shaved, and his black coat was spotless.

Two Lowmarch lords flanked him, red-faced from the ride.

Casimir bowed to the king exactly as deep as courtesy required.

Then his pale eyes found Marit on the dais, in the queen's chair, and a smile touched his mouth.

It was the smile from the dress room.

Every muscle in her back went tight.

"King Torren," he said. "I speak for King Edric of Lowmarch. A crime has been done against both our crowns."

"Speak, then."

"The woman beside you is not the bride the treaty promised."

"She stole Princess Odile's veil and forced her way across the border under a false name."

Murmurs ran down the hall.

"King Edric demands the impostor be returned in chains," Casimir said. "And he asks that you honor your treaty by waiting for the true bride."

"My wife," said Torren, "is Edric's daughter, by his own word."

"She is a runaway, and a liar, and she is promised to me."

The word fell into the room.

Marit rose slowly from her chair.

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