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Just don't let go of me.'
‘I won't.'
‘And promise me you'll be careful.'
‘I will. You too.'
‘Of course.'


‘Seventeen new cases,' Buran reported as they breakfasted the next morning, ‘fourteen in the seventh ward, and three in the fourth.'
‘Damn,' Aravir said.
‘Deaths?' Sedeth asked.
‘Five, all in the seventh ward.'
‘Merrell, is that more or less than you'd expect?'
‘I don't know. That's the sort of information an ordinary healer is never taught. It doesn't sound good, though.'
‘We're keeping the curfew in place all day,' Buran said. ‘When you need to go out there's a captain at the gate who will give you a pass. Don't lose it. You'll have to show it a lot.'
‘What if people need food?' Keron asked.
‘They make a mark on their door with a bit of chalk. There's plenty of patrols and they'll spot it.' He paused. ‘The first couple of days of rations aren't very nice. Just to give anyone who decides to hoard their own food second thoughts.'
‘We've decided on a simple code,' Aravir said. ‘A circle means the household is well. A circle inside a circle means they are well, but need supplies of some kind. Two lines mean someone is sick. A cross means there is a body to be collected. Before anyone asks, yes, we're getting carts organised this morning.
Coffira dropped her bread into her lap with a gasp. Keron reached across and held her hand.
‘A cat now sells for the same price as a horse,' Aravir added. ‘However, a kitten's only half as much. If you're interested.'
‘How much for a Ketten?' Jaycet asked. There was a collective groan.
Aravir put his arm around his wife. ‘Beyond price,' he said.
Sedeth cleared his throat.
‘Rordan will be going into the city this afternoon,' he said. ‘Before you all start telling me what a bad idea that is, just let me reassure you that I spent the best part of an hour arguing with him about it before he went to bed this morning.'
‘It will help,' Buran said. ‘There's already a rumour that he's fled the city.'
‘No,' Jaycet said sharply.
Buran looked at him for several seconds. ‘Rumour outruns a galloping horse, your highness. You can only stop it by showing it to be wrong. I don't want him to leave the palace, but as his captain I know it's the right thing to do.'
‘But one of us could—'
‘Not the same. The people need to know that their king stands with them. There are some situations where no one but the king will do.'
Rordan sent for Merrell, Caedun and Sedeth as soon as he awoke. He was pulling on his boots as they arrived, and he waved at them to sit.
‘I'm not going to listen to any more arguments,' he said. ‘I know the risks, and I've made my decision. What I need is to be sure that everything is settled, should—should Jaycet succeed me. I'm not interested in discussing the likelihood. I want to know that you will follow my wishes. If I were more certain of peace, then I would be happy to see Jaycet take the throne. This, though, is not a good time. I fear for the future of the north, and for any inexperienced young man that takes any throne in the next few years. Jaycet will need a great deal of help.