The Prince had shut the door behind him and picked the wax off the scroll. Then he frowned as he unrolled it to reveal a second, sealed scroll within it. ‘I think this must be for you,’ he said uneasily. In a script I would never have recognized as Chade’s the word ’teacher’ was written on the outside of the scroll. At the sight of my own charging Farseer buck impressed in the wax, I took the scroll from Dutiful’s hand.

‘It is,’ I agreed shortly. I turned aside from him, broke the wax, and read the single sentence. Then as he watched, I consigned it to the fire.

‘What was it?’ the Prince demanded.

‘A summons,’ I said shortly. ‘I must go now. But I expect to see you on time tomorrow, and ready to learn. Good day, my prince.’

His stunned silence followed me as I squeezed behind the fireplace mantel and shut and latched the little door behind me. Once within the narrow passageway, I hurried as much as I could. Silently I cursed the low ceilings, the corners I must squeeze past and the labyrinthine wandering of the burrows when I wished to run as fast as I could in the straightest possible line.

When I arrived at my peephole outside the Queen’s private audience chamber, my mouth was parched and I was panting like a hound. I took several deep breaths, forced myself to stand still until my breathing was steady and silent again. Then I flung myself down on the little stool and applied my eye to the tiny peephole. I was late. Chade and Queen Kettricken were already there, the Queen seated while the councillor stood at her shoulder. Their backs were to me. A gangly boy of perhaps ten years stood before them. His dark curls were sweated to his skull, and the hem of his cloak dripped muddy snow-water on the floor. The low shoes he wore had never been intended for winter travel. Caked snow was still melting on his leggings and feet. Wherever he had come from, he must have walked all night. His dark eyes were immense but he met his Queen’s gaze steadily. ‘I see,’ she said

Her answer seemed to embolden him. I wished I had heard the entire conversation. ‘Yes, ma’am,’ he agreed. ‘And so, hearing that you would not tolerate what was being done to the Witted, I came to you. Maybe here in Buckkeep I can just be what I am and not get beaten for it. I promise I’ll never use it to any low end. I will vow myself to the Farseers and serve you well in any way you ask of me.’ He lifted his eyes to meet the Queen’s, not a bold stare but an honest, direct look from a boy confident that he had chosen the right path. I stared at Burrich’s son, seeing Molly mingled in the boy’s cheekbones and lashes. ‘And your father approved of this?’ Chade asked, stern but gentle.

The boy looked away. When he spoke, his voice was softer. ‘My father doesn’t know, sir. I just left when I knew that I couldn’t take it any more. I won’t be missed. You saw our home. He has other sons, good sons who are not Witted.’

‘That does not mean he won’t miss you, Nim.’

For the first time, the boy looked annoyed. ‘I’m not Nim. Nimble doesn’t have the Wit. I’m Swift, the other twin. See, that’s another reason that my father won’t miss me. He already has one of me that’s perfect.’

A shocked silence followed his words. I am sure he mistook the cause of it. When Kettricken spoke, she tried to mend it.

‘I knew Burrich, years ago. However much he may have changed, I am still certain that, Witted or no, he will miss you.’ Chade added, ‘When I spoke with Burrich, he seemed very fond and proud of all his children.’

For a moment, I thought the boy would break. Then he took a breath and said matter-of-factly, ‘Well, yes, but that was before.’ Chade must have looked at him blankly, for the boy elaborated painfully. ‘Before the taint came out in me. Before he knew I had the Wit.’

I saw Chade and Queen turn to one another and confer silently. After a moment Kettricken said softly, ‘Then, Swift, Burrich’s son, I say this to you. I am willing to take you into my service. But I think it best that I do so with your father’s consent. He must be told of your whereabouts. It is unfair to let your parents fear that you have come to a bad end.’

Even as she spoke, we all became aware of raised voices in the corridor outside the chamber. There was a light knock at the door and before they could respond, a hasty and heavier one. Kettricken nodded to a little page at her side, who went to answer it. When the door was opened, a guard stood before it, ready to relay a message. Behind him hulked Burrich, dark and scowling, and despite all the years that had passed, I quailed before that look. His black eyes glowered as he peered past the sentry into the room. Plainly dismissing the man as inconsequential, Burrich called out, ‘Chade. A word with you, please.’

It was Queen Kettricken who replied. ‘Burrich. Please, come in. Page, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you. No, Guardsmen Senna, I assure you, all is well. We have no need of your service just now. Close the door.’

Even as Burrich strode angrily into the chamber, the quiet courtesy of her words and her calm air as she received him took much of the wind from his sails. He walked with a swing to one leg where that joint did not bend well.

He went down on one knee before her, despite her, ‘Oh, Burrich, that is hardly necessary. Please. Get up.’

It cost him to haul himself back to his feet, yet he did. When he lifted his eyes to hers, I saw something that smote me. The palest of cataracts, the barest beginning of a creeping cloud, hazed his dark glance. ‘My queen. Lord Chade,’ he greeted them formally. Then, as if there was no more to say to them, he turned to Swift and said, ‘Boy. Get home. Now.’ When the lad dared to glance at the Queen for confirmation, Burrich growled, ‘I said, get home! Do you forget who your father is?’

‘No, sir. I do not. But how… how did you find me?’ Swift demanded in dismay.

Burrich snorted contemptuously. ‘Easily enough. You asked the smith in Trura which road led to Buckkeep. Now I’ve had a long, cold ride and you’ve annoyed these people enough. I’m taking you home now.’

I admired Swift then, for he stood his ground gamely before his father’s rising wrath. ‘I have asked asylum of the Queen. And if she grants it to me, I intend to stay.’

‘You’re talking nonsense. You need no asylum. You’ve worried your mother to hysteria and had your sister in tears for two nights. Now you’ll come home, and settle back into your place and do your duties. Without complaint.’

‘Sir,’ Swift replied. It was not assent, only a confirmation that he had heard Burrich’s words. Silently he lifted his dark eyes to the Queen. It was a strange sight, Burrich, older and grayer, and beside him, his son mirroring the stubborn gaze of his father.

‘If I might offer a suggestion — ’ Chade began, but Kettricken cut in with, ‘Swift, you have come far and quickly. I know you are wet, cold and tired. Tell the guardsman at the door to take you down to the kitchens and see you are fed, and then to let you stand before the hearth and get warm and dry. I wish to speak to your father.’

The boy hesitated, and Burrich’s scowl deepened. ‘Obey her, boy!’ he snapped at the lad. ‘That is your queen. If you cannot show the filial piety to obey your father, at least show you’ve the upbringing to obey your rightful queen. Make your bow, and then go as you were told.’

I saw the boy’s hopes die. He bowed stiffly but correctly and left. Even then, Swift did not scuttle from the room, but strode out, with dignity, as if to his own execution. When the door had closed behind him, Burrich swung his glance back to Kettricken. ‘I beg my queen’s pardon that you have been troubled with this. He’s a good enough lad, ordinarily. He’s just at… a difficult age.’

‘He has not troubled us. Truth to tell, I would willingly be so troubled, if that is what it takes to bring you to visit us. Will you sit down, Burrich?’ She gestured at an empty chair, one of several in a row before her.