Chapter 25

Amidal approached the guards posted at Toame's chambers. "Is the young prince inside as directed?" she questioned them.

"Aye, ma'am."

"He should need no guarding while I converse with him. I will call when I have finished my interrogation. I bid you leave us now." She waved them off and they obeyed. She entered the room with the authority expected of one so close to the queen. She locked the door behind her. "Master Toame, due to your confessed allegiance, I trust I can be assured of your silence in what I am about to do?'" She queried.

"Indeed."

She led him to a secret passage way behind the large tapestry hanging on the north wall. They walked down a small corridor to a narrow stairwell. "This is secret even to the queen. I learned of it from Bayla herself, before she was taken from us. It will lead to the stable house in the rear of the castle grounds. Philip will meet us there if he has completed his task with the king."

"How do I know we can trust you?" Toame asked. He was nervous around her even at the old elf's assurances.

"You don't," she stated simply. "My loyalties are with the true heir to the throne as you have also claimed, though I am bound by oaths I have been forced to make to your mother. It would seem we are both risking our lives in this intrigue."

"So it would seem," he agreed. "I apologize for my ill-manner, my lady. I realize you have truly been in a difficult station. One of which I do not believe I could have excelled at."

"The queen mistrusts you as it is. That is why you became my student. The old one was Queen Bayla's instructor and was deeply in love with her. Your mother thought that your infatuation with Queen Bayla was somehow his doing."

"Is it true the king is your brother?"

"Aye, he is my brother indeed. It has been most difficult for me to be in the castle and not help him. I was glad to hear of Philip's plan to heal him. I only pray he is able to succeed."

"As do I."

"I am most happy to hear of Lily. I had thought she was killed along with her mother. To know she is alive will revive hope in those loyal to Queen Bayla as it has for me. She is the rightful heir to the throne and Amri cannot be allowed to stop her claim."

"She can try to kill her. I believe she wants to."

"She will try. But the rebels are large in number and stand ready to fight for their true Queen and their freedom. They will defend her with their lives once they know of her."

"Do you have many friends working with you in the palace?" Toame needed to know whom he could trust in the coming days.

"I have many friends in many places. There are many ears listening."

"I am to find the plan we are to pursue and deliver instructions to the Rose Bed."

"And so you shall." They reached their destination where Philip was waiting for them. She introduced them to two of her guards who would see to their safe return to the garden. A meeting had been scheduled for them to meet with the rebel alliances just after midnight in the northern plains above the forest on the west side. It was the one area never visited by the queen which made it a safe place to conduct their business. "The skunk knows a secret way to get there, follow him. I shall see you there unless the queen discovers my deceit."

"May the Great Spirit protect you, Amidal." Toame said bowing respectfully to show his allegiance.

"And you as well," she offered. "Thank you." She left them in the care of her guards and returned to the castle.