“I’ve been meaning to speak to you about that; that Shrewd sometimes now repeats an order already given or a comment already made.”
“I’m aware enough of that, Fitz. What can be done, is. But the King’s health is another topic for another time. For now, I myself assure you that his repetition was not the rattling of a sickly mind. No. The King made this request again today as he was preparing himself to descend to dinner. He repeats it to make sure your efforts will be redoubled. He sees, as I do, that by arousing folk to follow her, the Queen puts herself more at risk. Though he would not speak it so plain. Be on your guard for her safety.”
“Regal,” I snorted.
“Prince Regal?” Chade queried.
“He is who we have to fear, especially now that the Queen has taken a place of power.”
“I said nothing of the kind. Nor should you,” Chade observed quietly. His voice was calm but his face was severe.
“Why not?” I challenged him. “Why may not we, at least once, speak plain to one another?”
“To one another, we might, if we were entirely alone and it concerned only you and me. But such is not the case. We are King’s Men sworn, and King’s Men do not entertain even thoughts of treason, let alone …”
There was a gagging noise, and Slink disgorged himself. On the table, beside the food basket. He snorted, spraying drops of moisture.
“Greedy little wretch! Choked yourself, did you?” Chade rebuked him unconcernedly.
I found a rag to clean up the mess. But when I got there, Slink was lying on his side, panting, while Chade poked at the vomit with a skewer. I nearly retched myself. He waved my rag aside, picking up Slink instead and handing me the shivering creature. “Calm him, and get water down him,” he directed me tersely. “Go on, old man, go to Fitz, he’ll see to you.” This to the weasel.