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I barely heard hien caught rateful and sympathetic smile At least she was safe

Conner turned to Roden "Can you tell the lie, Roden, for the rest of your life?"

He sat up straighter "I can, sir"

Connerthe boys a supper here in their roo will come early Roden, you are my prince You and I depart for Drylliad after breakfast"

Once I’, I’ll ask Conner not to kill either of you," Roden said as we lay on our beds that night "Maybe I can get hi and make you promise not to return"

"By the tian will already have carried out his orders," Tobias said "He’ll be quick withbut quick with an had made that clear

I arose frooing?" Roden asked

"If you’re running away, letaway and it’s none of your business where I’," I snapped "But I won’t lie here while we all talk about our deaths"

Roden was still ahen I ca forward but seeing little "Why didn’t you run?" he asked His tone was flat and lifeless "You had your chance"

I pulled off arlin in oing to have Tobias and ?"

Softly, Roden said, "It’s not personal, Sage, but I’ve decided not to ask hi surprise, but I still asked him why

Finally, he looked at me Deep creases lined his forehead "You know my answer You and Tobias are threats to uarantee you’ll never come back to expose me"

"We’re also the only protection you have froer-coainst the wall "I’ll have to deal with that eventually, but until then, I’ve got to do what’s in my own best interest, and Carthya’s best interest I hope you till forgive arlin at hiiveness, Roden Pay it to the gods or devils, or to Conner, whatever altar you bow to But don’t ask it from me"

Errol and the other two servants awoke us shortly before dawn It was clear as we looked at one another that none of us had slept well, but the bags under Roden’s eyes were so dark I wondered if he’d slept at all

Particular care was taken with Roden’s bath and dressing thatall three servants to help Tobias and I were leftaway from Roden’s care to check my back

"In another day or two, you can rees," he said

"I’ll be as healthy as any other dead htly

Errol frowned and lowered his eyes Obviously, he didn’t thinkdeath was very funny

Once ere ready, Errol pronounced me as siht before, but then loudly told Roden that he also had many features that re at Roden, I hoped he planned on eating only a little He didn’t appear to be in a state to handle a full stomach

Mott came to collect Roden for breakfast "You understand that the master may wish to reserve some conversations for himself and the prince alone," he said to Tobias and me "Your breakfast will be served in here, and I will coood-byes"

"We’re tired of eating in here," I complained, but Mott only frowned at me as he led Roden out of the room