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Ce'Nedra's chin lifted arrogantly "The orders ca to do with it" Jeebers went deathly pale and he nearly collapsed

"What idiocy made you decide to run away froirl "All Tolnedra's probably looking for you, and we're caught right in theCherek "She hten her"

"The question's to the point, though," Hettar observed "If we're caught with an Imperial Princess in our coeon" He turned to Ce'Nedra "Do you have an answer, or were you just playing gahtily "I'to have to clear up a few , I see," Wolf said

"Just answer the question, dear," Aunt Pol told the girl "Never mind who asked it"

"My father had imprisoned me in the palace," Ce'Nedra said in a rather offhand way, as if that explained everything "It was intolerable, so I left There's another matter, too, but that's a matter of politics You wouldn't understand"

"You'd probably be surprised at e'd understand, Ce'Nedra," Mister Wolf told her

"I' addressed as hness"

"And I'ht you were in charge," Ce'Nedra said to Silk

"Appearances are deceiving," Silk observed blandly "I'd answer the question"

"It's an old treaty," she said "I didn't sign it, so I don't see why I should be bound by it I'm supposed to present myself in the throne room at Riva on my sixteenth birthday"

"We know that," Barak said i, that's all," Ce'Nedra announced "I won't go to Riva, and no one can o The queen in the Wood of the Dryads is ive me sanctuary"

Jeebers had partially recovered "What have you done?" he de that I'd be rewarded - even promoted You've put my head on the block, you little idiot!"

"Jeebers!" she cried, shocked at his words

"Let's get off the road a ways," Silk suggested "We've obviously got quite a bit to discuss, and we're likely to be interrupted here on the reed "Let's find soht We'll decide e're going to do and then we can start out fresh in thefields toward a line of trees thatcountry lane about aat a broad oak which stood beside the lane, its branches beginning to leaf out in the late afternoon sunlight

"That should do," Wolf said

It was pleasant in the dappled shade beneath the spreading limbs of the oak The lane was lined with low stone walls, mossy and cool A stile stepped up over one of the walls just there, and a path meandered across the field fro in the sun