Right now it seemed to be a combination of the simpleton and the child. "But that makes no s Lyam. He has everything he could want."
Lyam replied carefully. "No, Your Majesty, he does not. He doesn't have the throne. Kai was quite correct in saying that assassins were sent to kill him and Alaire; one struck a fatal blow to your son. Alaire raised magic in order to save his life. Kai was not trying to raise an army of wizards to defeat you. These were all clever stories by Sir Jehan to appeal to your fears, and to turn you against your son. I admit Kai has been less than responsible in the last several months, but he is far from being the traitor Sir Jehan would have you believe."
The King went to his son's cell, looked through the bars at him. Naitachal began to hope. There was more intelligence in the Kings eyes than he had seen in a long time.
And he began to remember certain drugs that could befuddle even the wisest man. Had Jehan been drugging the King?
"Is this true, son?" the King said, softly.
Kai swallowed, but looked his father in the eye.
"Yes, Father. Sir Jehan is the traitor. Look at what he's done so far. In a single evening he's assured a war Althea, and discredited me in the process. I'm out of the way now." His voice dropped to a whisper, and he walked as far to his father as the chains would allow.
"Who do you think is next?"
The King looked away, visibly disturbed by his son's words.
Kai continued. "I know that I haven't been much of a son. I am very sorry that I've humiliated you -- this is unforgivable, I know. But please, give me another chance. I can make you proud of me. I know I can!"
The King gazed at his son fondly. Then, gradually, his face broke into a broad, toothy smile. "I know you can, too. This time, I think I believe you. For one thing, you don't reek of ale. That's a start."
The King stepped back from his son's cell, and addressed all three captives. "I don't know tha Jehan is a traitor. But it seems that you are in prison under less than legitimate pretenses. Until we resolve this matter, I think you should all be set free."
At last, he went to Naitachal. "Ambassador, I am embarrassed beyond measure by all of this! I had no idea you were to be imprisoned here. It was Sir Jehan's idea to confine you to the palace -- not mine. I allowed him to persuade me you were plotting a war against us. I have just learned that the information regarding the Althean forces massing on our border is false, and it is beginning to look as if Sir Jehan fabri- cated the whole story. As long as I am King, there will be no war with your fine kingdom. You are free to leave and do as you wish. And I will see to it that your secretary is pardoned immediately."
Naitachal bowed graciously, watching the King's face. Yes, there definitely was more sense in the man's eyes. "I believe Alaire, my secretary, has been taken to the Prison of Souls. I suspect they may be in the proc- ess of incarcerating him as we speak."
The King's face flushed crimson with anger. "And I wasn't notified!" He turned to the guards, milling about by the corridor. "Why wasn't I notified? It is Sui- nomen Law!"
No answer came from the guards, who stared stu- pidly at the King, apparently at a complete loss of words.
"Release these three immediately!" The King roared. "Have them escorted to my chambers. We have a very great deal to talk about!"
At this fine example of royal rage, Naitachal expected the guards to leap into action. But the guards did nothing, averting their eyes; one began slithering towards the corridor.
The King marched over to the largest guard, his face directly in front of his. The guard looked terr "Release these men immediately or I will personally skin you alive with a butter knife!"
The man gulped, looked down at his boots. "I would be most happy to, Your Majesty. But you see, we don't have the key. Sir Jehan does."
"He's lying!" Kai shrieked. "Sir Jehan was never down here. One of them has the key."
"Is this true?" the King said. "Do you have the key?
I believe the rules require the attending jailer to have the key to all the cells. Which one of you has it?"
Naitachal had a sinking feeling that they wouldn't be leaving the cells for a while after all. What kind of game are they playing with the King now? Are they that certain Sir Jehan has complete control of Suino- men, or are they under a spell, cast by Soren and his incompetents? Naitachal studied the guards, now for the first time. Indeed they had a glassy, sort of dazed look, but then so did most of the natives here. He couldn't know for certain without closer observ -- which didn't seem to be forthcoming, since the key was still "missing."
"I'll return with the keys to this horrid place,"
King said. "I think I know where there are some spares kept."
He glared at the guards before leaving, and "You may even live to regret this." His two personal guards followed him out of the dungeon, into the cor- ridor. Naitachal wondered if they would ever again see the King alive; now that he knew what Sir Jehan's intentions probably were, he would soon learn who was still loyal, and who wasn't. Whoever had the most men would win.
Shortly after the King left there was a brief, hushed conference among the remaining guards. Afterwards they all left except one, a small, frail man, who stayed at the table, eying Naitachal and Lyam nervously.
"This doesn't look good," Lyam said from his cell.
"Those men have already turned against the King; one of them I'm sure had the keys. You know, Ambassador, if you wanted to work some magic to make that pitiful little guard over there come up with a way to let us out, I doubt very seriously the King would have you prosecuted."
"Good idea," Naitachal said, turning his eye on the remaining guard. "Come over here, little man. I would like to talk to you."
The guard yelled, "You'll be working no hellish magic on me!" and fled the dungeon. Naitachal heard his running steps fading down the corridor.
"Well, so much for that," Lyam said. "I guess we'll wait until the King returns."
"Or somebody else. I don't particularly like the idea of waiting. It might not be the King who returns first."
Naitachal thought for a long moment. "Captain, are you certain there's no other way out of these cells?
Some kingdoms have secret means of escape, should the rulers be imprisoned in their own dungeon by enemies."
Lyam exhaled his breath in a long, deep sigh. "That is a brilliant idea, but no, I'm afraid we never devel- oped such exits in this dungeon. This palace is, however, over a thousand years old. There just might be -- "
Before Captain Lyam finished the sentence, Nai- tachal became aware of a new presence in the dungeon. Lyam stopped speaking, evidently noticing the newcomer at the same time.
"You won't be going anywhere, traitor," Sir Jehan said as he came closer to their cells. Soren was close behind him, holding a wooden reed of some kind.
Does he know the King was here? Naitachal thought, as Kai looked in his direction. The Dark Elf gave him a warning look. Don't say anything, he mouthed, hoping the boy understood.
Jehan smiled. "With one exception, that is. You, Kai.
You'll be joining your friend in the Association Hall now."