“I did not kill the King,” I said quietly. “Justin and Serene did. That was why I killed them, with the King’s own knife.”
“The guards are coming back!” A hiss from Lacey. Patience ignored it.
“But Justin and Serene weren’t even-”
“I don’t have time to explain. It was done with Skill. But they did, Patience. I swear it.” I paused. “What do they plan to do with me?”
“It isn’t decided, really.”
“We’ve no time for polite lies.”
I actually heard her swallow. “Regal wants to hang you. He’d have had you killed right there that night, in the Great Hall, save that Blade held off his guards until the riot was quelled. Then the Coastal Dukes stood up for you. Lady Grace of Rippon reminded Regal that no carrier of the Farseer blood can be put to death by sword or hanging. He did not wish to concede you were of royal blood, but too many raised a shout when he denied it. Now he swears he can show you have the Wit, and hanging is what must be done for one that uses Beast magic.”
“Lady Patience! You must leave now, you must, or I’m not the one that will be hanging!” The guard was back, with Chester evidently, for there was more than one set of footsteps. They were hurrying down to the cell. Patience let go of my fingers.
“I will do what I can for you,” she whispered. She had tried so hard not to let any fear come into her voice, but now it broke on those words.
And then she was gone, scolding at the guard like a jaybird all the way as Chester or whoever escorted her from the cells. The moment she was gone, I laboriously stooped down to gather up my apples. They were not large, and they were withered from being winter-stored, but I found them delicious. I ate even the stems. The little moisture they contained did nothing to quench my thirst. I sat on my bench for a bit, holding my head in my hands, forcing myself to stay alert. I knew I had to think, but it was terribly hard. My mind would not focus. I was tempted to pick my shirt free of the cuts on my arm, but forced myself to leave it alone. As long as they were not festering, I would not bother them. I could not afford to bleed. It took all my strength to hobble back to my door. “Guards!” I croaked.