"Of course, me lord. I will leave at first light."

"Good, me friend," Kroydon said and clapped a weak hand on the thick shoulder of the other warrior. "Tell no one of yer journey, except those who must need accompany ye."

"Aye, sire," Garish told him, nodding his bearded head. "I understand."

"Good, good," Kroydon mumbled, turning back to the casket. "Get ye some rest and see to the comfort of the other men. I will stay on here a while longer."

"Aye, me lord," Garish said, rising to his feet and backing away from the alter. He gave quiet orders to the remaining knights to watch over the king, then left the chapel to prepare for his journey.

Theobold was feeling almost unnaturally good. Valyrae was safely beneath the ground just a day previous and Kroydon was now rested and preparing to return to his little war on the morrow. The king had called for an audience with him for this after noon and Theobold was sure that Kroydon was going to leave the kingdom in his capable hands while he went out to do battle, once again. Theobold dressed in his best robes for the audience and made his way to the receiving room with his head held high.

When he was ushered into the audience chamber, Theobold strode forward with dignity, assured of his own importance. He stopped just short of the dais and dipped his head. "Majesty," he said, noting to himself how different this meeting was from the last time he had been in this room. Kroydon looked rested and strong, but still old and battle weary as he sat on his throne and stared down at Theobold.

"Priest," the king began, his voice harsh with emotion. "I understand that on the day he died, Valyrae had banished ye and the Panel of Six from this chamber. What say ye to that?"

Theobold had anticipated the king would bring up this question and was prepared to answer. "Sire," he said, with a weak smile, "banished be such a harsh word. The young prince was but experimenting with his new power and wished for a chance to make decisions on his own. I took his words not seriously," the priest lied, his smile broadening.

"And his statement that he no longer wished to belong to the One Faith, nor to follow yer religious teachings--how did this find ye?" the king asked, leaning forward and glaring at the priest.

Not liking the direction these questions were taking, Theobold replied, "Me lord, I recall not such a statement from the prince."

"Do not lie to me, priest," Kroydon said softly, but his words carried a wealth of menace.