Chapter 14: The Tune at Court

Malchior came into the court hall with two guards and a demand.

The steward of Lord Valerius stopped three paces from Noah and spoke loud enough for the pillars to carry it.

'The priest was seen leaving the prince's rooms with something in his sleeve. I am here to search him.'

Noah had the music box in his sleeve at that moment, cold against his wrist.

He had expected the summons. He had not expected it in front of witnesses.

Adrian stood at the far table, still in yesterday's shirt, no coat, no ring.

Noah looked at the hall: two doors behind him, one stair to the gallery, four guards at the pillars.

He counted them the way he counted everything.

Then he reached into his sleeve.

'You will not need to search me,' Noah said.

He set the silver music box on the table between them.

The latch faced the hall.

The sun-wheel stamp on it caught the torchlight, worn at the rim, cut deep.

Malchior's eyes went to it and stayed a moment too long.

'That is the prince's keepsake,' Malchior said. 'It is crown property, and I will take it.'

He stepped forward with his hand already out.

Adrian crossed the hall in four strides and put his forearm across the steward's wrist.

'It is my box,' Adrian said. 'I bought it from a red-haired trader in the lower market the winter before the raid. I keep it for the tune.'

He had said the market story before. He had said it to Noah in the dark.

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