One of the guards was very professional in his grip. The other seemed intent on dislocating my shoulder even if I refused to struggle against him. I carefully memorized his face while trying not to show the pain.

“You need not have troubled yourself, Regal. I will discover the truth or the lie here.” Queen Kettricken had paused to dress. Short white fur jacket, purple trousers and boots. Her long Mountain sword was at her side and Burrich stood in the door, holding a heavy-hooded riding cloak and gloves. She spoke as one would to a spoiled child. “Go back to your guests. I will ride to Neatbay.”

“I forbid it!” Regal’s voice rang out strangely shrill. Stillness suddenly flooded the room.

Queen Kettricken pointed out quietly what everyone in the room already knew. “A Prince does not forbid the Queen-in-Waiting. I ride tonight.”

Regal’s face purpled. “This is a hoax, a plot of the Bastard’s to throw Buckkeep into an uproar, and instill fear in the folk. There has been no word of an attack on Neatbay.”

“Silence!” The King spat out the word. Everyone in the room froze. “FitzChivalry? Damn it, release that man. FitzChivalry, stand before me. Report. Whence came your news?”

I tugged my jerkin square again and smoothed my hair back. As I went to stand before my king I was painfully aware of my bare feet and tousled hair. I took a breath and threw it all away. “In my sleep I had a vision, sire. Of the Pocked Man, scrying in a pool of water. He showed me the Red-Ships at Neatbay.”

I dared emphasize no word. I stood firm before them. One of the guardsmen snorted in disbelief. Burrich’s jaw dropped open and his eyes widened. Kettricken merely looked confused. On the bed, King Shrewd closed his eyes and breathed out slowly.

“He’s drunk,” Regal declared. “Get him out of here.” I had never heard so much satisfaction in Regal’s voice. His guards reacted swiftly to seize me again.

“A …”—the King drew a deep breath in, obviously fighting pain—“I commanded.” He found a bit of strength. “As I commanded. Go now. NOW!”

I jerked my arms free from the astonished guards. “Yes, Your Majesty,” I said into the silence. I spoke clearly for the benefit of all. “That is, all warships dispatched to Neatbay, and as many of the fishing fleet as can be rallied. And all available horse to be sent overland, under Kerfs command.”

“Yes.” The King sighed the word. He swallowed, took a breath, opened his eyes. “Yes, I order it so. Now go.”

“Some wine, my liege?” The Fool had materialized on the other side of the bed. I was the only one who startled. The Fool smiled a secret smile over that. Then he bent over the King, helping him to raise his head and sip at the wine. I bowed deeply, deeply, to my king. I straightened and turned to leave the room.

“You may ride with my guard, if you wish,” Queen Kettricken told me.

Regal’s face was scarlet. “The King did not tell you to go!” he sputtered at her.

“Nor did he ‘forbid’ it.” The Queen looked at him flatly.

“My queen!” One of her guard announced herself at the door. “We are ready to ride.” I looked at her in astonishment. Kettricken merely nodded.

She glanced at me. “You’d best make haste, Fitz. Unless you plan to ride like that.”

Burrich shook out the Queen’s cloak for her. “Is my horse ready?” Kettricken asked her guard.

“Hands promised it at the door by the time you descended.”

“I will need but a moment or two to ready myself,” Burrich said quietly. I noticed he did not phrase it as a request.

“Go then. Both of you. Plan on catching up with us as quickly as you can.”

Burrich nodded. He followed me to my room, where he helped himself to winter garb from my clothing chest while I got dressed. “Brush your hair back and wash your face,” he ordered me tersely. “Warriors have more confidence in a man who looks like he expected to be awake at this hour.”

I did as he advised and then we hastened down the stairs. His lame leg seemed forgotten tonight. Once we were in the courtyard, he started bellowing for stable boys to bring up Sooty and Rud. He sent another boy scrambling to find Kerf and pass on the orders, and another to ready every available horse in the stables. Four men he dispatched to town, one to the warships, three others to make the rounds of the taverns and rally the fleet. I envied his efficiency. He did not realize he had taken command away from me until we were mounting. He looked suddenly uncomfortable. I smiled at him. “Experience counts,” I told him.