The Mord-Sith considered Jennsen's words. What she could be thinking, Jennsen had no idea, but that very notion-thought-was one Jennsen had never ascribed to the Mord-Sith. She had always considered them to be mindless killers. In this woman's eyes, Jennsen could see cognition.

Finally, the Mord-Sith reached down and with a hand under Sebastian's arm, helped him to his feet. When he was standing steadily, she turned back to Jennsen.

"I'd gladly suffer the horsewhipping-and far worse-if it would help protect this Lord Rahl. Get going-and be quick about it." She gave Jennsen a small but warm smile and then a firm clap on the side of the shoulder. "May the good spirits be with you." She hesitated. "But, I need to know how it is that you don't feel the power of an Agiel. Such a thing is simply not possible."

Jennsen was taken aback that a person this evil dared to invoke the name of the good spirits. Jennsen's mother was a good spirit, now. "I'm sorry, but that's part of what I have no time to begin to tell you, and besides, Lord Rahl's safety hinges on me keeping it secret."

The woman stared long and hard. "I am Nyda," she said at last. "Swear to me, personally, that you will do as you say, and protect him."

"I swear, Nyda. Now, I have to go. I can't spare any more time-not for anything."

Before Jennsen could move, the Mord-Sith seized a fistful of her dress and cloak at her shoulder. "This is one Lord Rahl we cannot afford to lose, or we all lose everything. If I ever find out you're lying to me, I promise you two things. First, there will never be a hole deep enough for you to hide in that I won't find you, and, second, your death will be beyond anyone's worst nightmare. Do I make myself clear?"

Jennsen could only nod dumbly at the look of fierce resolve in Nyda's eyes.

The woman turned and started up the steps. "Get going, then."

"Are you all right?" the captain asked Sebastian.

Sebastian brushed dirt off his knees as he headed for the steps. "I'd have rather had the horsewhipping than that, but I guess I'll live."

The captain grimaced his sympathy as he comforted his own arm. "I have your things up there, locked away. Your weapons and your money."

"Lord Rahl's money," Sebastian corrected.

Jennsen wanted nothing so much as to be out of the palace. She hurried up the steps, forcing herself not to break into a dead run.

"Oh," the Mord-Sith called back down the steps. She had paused, her hand on the rusty rail as they rushed up after her. "I forgot to tell you."

"Forgot to tell us what?" Jennsen asked. "We're in a hurry."

"That official who came to get me? The one in white robes?"

"Yes?" Jennsen asked as she reached the woman.

"After he came for me, he was going to go looking for Wizard Rahl, to bring him down to see you, too."

Jennsen felt the blood drain from her face.

"Lord Rahl is far to the south," the captain scoffed as he came up the stairs behind them.

"Not Lord Rahl," Nyda said. "Wizard Rahl. Wizard Nathan Rahl."