Royce shook his head. “She comes along.”
“Must you speak about me as if I’m not in the room?” Arista asked, but only with feigned irritation. She sensed the seriousness of the situation from the look on Royce’s face and was not about to interfere. She was behind enemy lines. If she was caught, it was not certain what would happen. If she tried to claim a diplomatic status, it was doubtful the New Empire would honor it. Ransoming Arista for Alric’s compliance was not out of the question—nor was a public execution.
“We’re just going to walk in?” Hadrian asked skeptically.
“Yes, we need their help, and when one goes begging, it’s best to knock on the front door.”
They lodged in room nineteen, so it was a short trip down the hall and around a corner to room twenty-three. It was conveniently isolated. There were no other doors off this hall, only a stair, which likely led to the street. Royce rapped twice, paused, then added three more.
The door opened.
“Come in, Duster.”
The room was a larger, more luxurious suite with a chandelier brightly lighting the interior. No beds were visible as they entered a parlor. Against the far wall were two doors, which no doubt led to sleeping quarters. Dark green damask fabric adorned the walls, and carpet covered the entire floor except for the area around the marble fireplace. Four tall windows, each shrouded with thick velvet curtains, decorated the outside wall. Several ornate pieces of furniture lined the room. In the center stood a gaunt man with sunken cheeks and accusing eyes. Two more men stood slightly behind him, while another two waited near the door.
“Everyone, please take a seat,” the thin man told them. He remained standing until they all had sat. “Duster, let me get right to the point. I made it clear on your last visit that you are not welcome here, didn’t I?”
Royce was silent.
“I was unusually patient then, but seeing as how you’ve returned, perhaps politeness is not the proper tack to take with you. Personally, I hold you in the highest regard, but as First Officer, I simply cannot allow you to blatantly walk into this city after having been warned.” He paused, but when no reaction came from Royce, he continued. “Hadrian and the princess are welcome to leave. Point of fact, I must insist the lady leave, as the death of a noblewoman would make things awkward. Shall I assume Hadrian will refuse?”
Hadrian glanced at Royce, who did not return his look, and then Hadrian shrugged. “I would hate to miss whatever show is about to start.”
“In that case, Your Highness …” The man made a sweeping hand motion toward the door. “If you’ll please return to your room.”
“I’m staying,” Arista said. It was only two words, but spoken with all the confidence of a princess accustomed to getting her way.
He narrowed his eyes at her.
“Shall I escort her, sir?” one of the men near the door offered with a menacing tone.
“Touch her and this meeting will end badly,” Royce said barely above a whisper.
“Meeting?” The thin man laughed. “This is no meeting. This is retribution, and it’ll most assuredly end very badly.”
He looked back at Arista. “I’ve heard about you. I’m pleased to see the rumors are true.”
Arista had no idea what he meant, but did not like a thug knowing about her. She was even more disturbed by his approval.
“Nevertheless, my men will escort you.” He clapped his hands and the two doors to the adjoining rooms opened, as did the one behind them, leading to the hallway. Many well-armed men poured in.
“We’re here to see the Jewel,” Royce quietly said.
Immediately the thin man’s expression changed. Arista watched as, in an instant, his face followed a path from confidence to confusion, then suspicion, and finally curiosity. He ran a bony hand through his thin blond hair. “What makes you think the Jewel will see you?”
“Because there’s profit in it for him.”
“The Jewel is already very wealthy.”
“It’s not that kind of profit. Tell me, Price, how long have you had the new gate guards? The ones in the imperial uniforms. For that matter, when did Colnora get a gate? How many others like them are roaming the city?” Royce sat back and folded his hands across his lap. “I should have been stopped the moment I entered Colnora, and under farmer Oslow’s field over two hours ago. Why the delay? Why are there no watches posted on the Arch or Bernum Bridge? Are you really getting that sloppy, Price? Or are the Imps running the show?”
Now it was the thin man’s turn to remain silent.