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The rest of the day was taken up with lessons Sopushed into our heads that it’s a wonder none of them exploded Tobias was eventually sent back to our roo the lesson, and he was clearly relieved to be going That gave a burst of energy to Roden, who saw it as his chance to be the star student After all, I wasn’t much more interested than Tobias had been

Tobias stoppedescorted to dinner with Conner that evening "You reht? You’ll h this?"

"That’s still h of relief "Then let me help you beco from you, Tobias Just loyalty, if I’m chosen"

Tobias lowered his voice further "I wasn’t going to kill you the other night I never had any intention of doing that The knife was sharper than I thought What I thought was only a surface wound --"

"It will heal"

"I think Mott suspects the truth Maybe Conner too"

"You have my promise, Tobias You will live"

"I trust you" Tobias paused, as if he eighing his oords "I do, Sage I trust you"

"Keep up, you two," Mott called back to us "Conner is waiting"

We caught up to Roden and Mott shortly before we arrived at the dining room Once there, Mott opened the door to allow Roden and Tobias in, but he put a hand on ain

My heart raced, but I tried to keep my expression cal of any nuht be about to punish an, but he shook his head to silenceto kill Lataured out before I did"

The an’s arroas burned into ht and haunteda few seconds earlier, it h to save hi uess I just wanted you to know that I reeons Conner doesn’t own"Do you rerath? He is the one who aspires to beco the throne because of the da letter fro" To illustrate, Conner held up a few papers, which I assu news is that he has heard the ru Princess Amarinda earlier today, to travel with her as far as Eberstein on the outskirts of Drylliad, where he maintains a home I expect she told him This bodes well for my prince’s acceptance at court, if it is less of a surprise when I announce him"

"And the bad news?" I asked

"The bad news is that word is also spreading of the king’s and queen’s deaths A decision cannot be made as to ill take the throne until the end of this week, but Veldergrath will use the fear of their deaths to build up more support for himself He wrote to ask me whether I have any solid information as to Prince Jaron’s whereabouts My response to him was non-specific, which will test his patience, but it does buy us another day"

"Another day for what?" Tobias asked

Conner took a deep breath, and then said, "I will choose my prince in two days’ time, then ill leave immediately for Drylliad"

Tobias, Roden, and I looked at one another There was surprisingly little enthusiasht have expected some excitement," he said