I halted obediently. “Yes?”
He cleared his throat, then suddenly went scarlet all the way to his hairline. He took a breath, then stood silent.
“Did you need something from me?” I asked.
“Please to wait a moment, sir,” the boy blurted.
The lad disappeared back into the guardhouse, and a moment later an older watch officer emerged. She regarded me gravely, took a breath as if to steel herself, then said quietly; “You are denied passage out of the Keep.”
“What?” I could not believe my ears.
She drew herself up. When she spoke, her voice was firmer. “You are denied passage out of the Keep.”
A surge of anger heated me. I forced it down. “By whose command?”
She stood firm before me. “My commands come from the captain of the watch, sir. That is all I know of it.”
“I would speak to that captain.” I kept my voice courteous.
“He is not in the guardroom. Sir.”
“I see.” But I did not, quite. I could perceive all the nooses tightening about me, but could not understand why just now. The other obvious question to ask, however, was “why not?” With Shrewd’s enfeeblement, Verity had become my protector. But he was away. I could turn to Kettricken, but only if I were willing to bring her into open conflict with Regal. I was not. Chade was, as always, a shadow power. All of this passed through my mind quickly. I was turning away from the gate when I heard my name called. I turned back.
Coming up the hill from town was Molly. Her servant’s blue dress flapped around her calves as she ran. And she ran heavily, unevenly, unlike her usual graceful stride. She was exhausted, or nearly so. “Fitz!” she cried out again, and there was fear in her voice.