The necromancer bit her lip, shook her head. She went over to discuss the matter with him in low, urgent undertones.
Jera took advantage of the chancellor’s distraction to hasten to Haplo’s side. She was solicitous of the Patryn, attentive to him, but the green eyes fixed in silent questioning on the stammering Alfred.
“I — I don’t know!” he answered, as confused as anyone there. “Truly, I don’t know. It all happened so fast. And … I was terrified! That sword — ” He shuddered, shivering from cold and reaction. “I’m not very brave, you see. Most of the time I … I faint. Ask him.” He pointed a shaking finger at Edmund. “When his men captured us, I passed out cold! I wanted to faint this time, but I wouldn’t let myself. When I saw the sword … I spoke the first words that came to me! I can’t recall, for the life of me, what I said!”
“For the life of you!” The necromancer turned, glared at Alfred from the depths of her black hood. “No, but you’ll recall them swiftly enough after death. The dead, you see, never lie, never keep anything concealed!”
“I’m telling you the truth,” said Alfred meekly, “and I doubt if even my corpse would have very much to add.”
Haplo groaned again, almost, it seemed, as if he were responding to Alfred’s statement.
“How is he?” Jonathan asked his wife.
Jera’s hand reached out to trace the runes on Haplo’s skin. “I think he’ll be all right. The sigla appear to have absorbed most of the shock. His heartbeat is strong and — ”
Haplo’s hand closed suddenly and firmly over hers. “Don’t ever touch me again!” he whispered, voice hoarse.
Jera flushed, bit her lip. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—” She flinched, tried to move her arm. “You’re hurting me . . .”
Haplo flung her from him, regained his feet by his own power, though he was forced to lean for support against the carriage. Jonathan hastened to his wife’s side.
“How dare you treat her like that?” the duke demanded savagely, swinging around on Haplo. “She was only trying to help — ”
“Don’t, my dear,” Jera interrupted. “I deserve his reproach. I had no right. Forgive me, sir.”
Haplo grunted, muttered something in ungracious acceptance. He was obviously still not feeling well, but he understood that danger had not lessened.
If anything, thought Alfred, it has increased.
The chancellor was giving new instructions to his troops. Soldiers massed themselves around the prince and his companions, herding them close together.
“What in the name of the Labyrinth did you do?” Haplo hissed, edging nearer the wretched Alfred.
“He fulfilled the prophecy!” said Jera in a low voice.
“Prophecy?” Haplo looked from one to the other. “What prophecy?”
But Jera only shook her head. Rubbing her bruised flesh, she turned away. Her husband put his arm around her protectively.
“What prophecy?” Haplo demanded, turning his accusing stare to Alfred. “What the hell did you do to that corpse?”
“I killed him,” said Alfred, adding by way of explanation. “He was going to kill you—”
“So you saved my life by killing a dead man. That figures. Only you—” Haplo stopped talking, stared at the corpse, then looked back at the Sartan. “You say you ‘killed’ him.”
“Yes. He’s dead. Quite dead.”
The Patryn’s gaze switched from Alfred to the infuriated necromancer to the sharp-eyed duchess to the watchful, suspicious prince.
“I really didn’t mean to,” Alfred pleaded unhappily. “I… I was frightened.”
“Guards! Keep them apart!” The chancellor gestured, and two cadavers hastened to separate Alfred and Haplo. “No talking among yourselves! Any of you! Your Graces.” He turned to the duke and duchess. “I’m afraid that this . . . incident changes matters. His Majesty will want to interview all of you. Guards, bring them!”
The chancellor and the necromancer strode on, heading toward the gate in the city walls. The cadavers closed ranks around their captives, separated them one from the other, and ordered them forward.
Alfred saw the Patryn cast one glance at the mud hole into which his faithful dog had disappeared. Haplo’s mouth tightened, stern eyes blinked rapidly. Then the guards took him away, blocking him from Alfred’s sight.