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Once the queen was gone, the princess guided Vangerdahast into a quiet corner where they would not be overheard as dragoneers bustled about making final preparations.

"While we're waiting, there was something I wanted to ask you about."

Vangerdahast's stomach filled with butterflies. He had a good idea what she intended to ask, and his promise to Rowen prevented him from giving an honest answer. Ordinarily, he would not have been troubled by the prospect of a little prevarication, but this was a different Tanalasta than the one he had left behind. She would not be easily deceived.

He folded his hands behind his back. "Of course, Highness," he said. "Ask me anything."

Tanalasta hesitated, then said, "When I contacted you, I was trying to reach Rowen."

"So I gathered."

She fingered the silver amulet that hung from her neck. "We were using Rowen's holy symbol as a focus."

Vangerdahast raised his brow. "How very unusual that you contacted me, then."

"Yes, isn't it? And both times before I saw you, there was a shadowy face first-a shadowy face that resembled Rowen, but with white eyes."

Vangerdahast put on a concerned frown. "And what did Owden say about this face?"

"That he didn't know what to make of it," said Tanalasta. "Any more than why Rowen's symbol should have led me to you."

"And so you are asking me?" Vangerdahast shook his head sagely. "Souls are Owden's concern, not mine."

Tanalasta sighed. "Of course they are, but I was wondering if you might not have been there alone."

"I was hardly alone, Highness." Vangerdahast tapped his iron crown. "There were plenty of Grodd. They made me their king, if you'll recall."

"I'm not talking about goblins."

"Then I guess I don't know what you're talking about." Vangerdahast shrugged. "I can assure you, I was the only man there. My, er, subjects would certainly have brought it to my attention if there were others."

"The thing is, if Rowen was there, he might not have looked like a man." Tanalasta looked at the corner, then continued with a catch in her throat. "Before I destroyed Xanthon, he said something cruel."

"That's hardly surprising. I hope you made him suffer for it."

"Nothing I could have done would have been enough," she said. "He claimed that Rowen had betrayed Cormyr."

"Rowen?" Vangerdahast tried to sound surprised.

Tanalasta raised a hand. "He said that Rowen was one of them."

"What? A ghazneth?" Vangerdahast shook his head in mock disappointment. "Princess, I'm surprised at you. I'd have thought you understood by now how evil feeds on doubt."

"I know," said Tanalasta, "but there was that face. It looked so much like Ro-"

"Because that is what you wanted to see," Vangerdahast interrupted. He took the princess by the shoulders and turned her to face him. "Rowen would never betray Cormyr, or you. I know that, even if you do not."

Tanalasta's face softened. "Thank you, Vangerdahast." She wiped the tears from her eyes, then said, "You're right. I do know it."

"Good." The sigh under Vangerdahast's breath was not quite one of relief. The princess had given up a little too easily, perhaps because she really did not want to know the truth. He took her hand and started toward the center of the room. "We should see to our ghazneth."

Tanalasta looped her arm through Vangerdahast's elbow. "By all means. And, Vangerdahast, why did you never ask me who fathered my child?"

"I didn't?"

Tanalasta shook her head. "You didn't seem curious at all."

Vangerdahast assumed a gruff voice. "I assumed it to be Rowen. It would be too much to hope you had married somebody appropriate."

"Really. And who said I was married?"

Vangerdahast cursed under his breath. The girl was too smart for her own good. "You'd better be," he said. "The last thing Cormyr needs now is a succession war."

He stopped in the center of the room and took the Scepter of Lords from the nervous guard, then pointed the man to the balcony. "Young man, in a handful of moments I'm going to come streaking through