“I know you are weary, Sir Kormak, but I hope you will aid us.”

The gentleness of his voice sounded a warning note in Kormak’s ears. “I am not sure what more I can do, your majesty. I have killed the Old One. There is no way to make Vorkhul answer any questions.”

“You can track the sarcophagus the Eldrim came in to its source,” said the king. “You are the person best qualified to investigate this matter.”

“With all due respect, your majesty, you must have a hundred people in your service better qualified than I.” Kormak stressed the words in your service. He wanted to remind the king that he was not his sworn bondsman, not even a citizen of Siderea. “And I have duties to perform for my order.”

The king smiled in his usual beatific fashion. His stringy brown hair and beard made him looked like a particularly mild-mannered mouse. “On the contrary, Guardian, I have no one in my service who knows as much about Old Ones as you. I have no one capable of killing such devils single-handed.”

“I did not kill Vorkhul single-handed, your majesty. As your brother has pointed out, I had the aid of many folk, not least yourself, and for that help I am duly grateful.”

The king shook his head, a patient man showing forbearance at another’s intransigence. “My aid was freely given, Sir Kormak, as it always has been and always should be to members of your order.”

The words hung in the air. Aemon was a patron of great power and influence. He could make life difficult for members of the Order of the Dawn if he wanted to. And not just in Siderea. The threat was all the more effective for not being stated.

“The sarcophagus came from Terra Nova,” Kormak said. “More than a thousand leagues away across the World Ocean.”

“I am the owner of over a hundred galleons,” Aemon said. “Arranging transport is no great obstacle.”

Prince Taran’s predatory smile revealed his gleaming white teeth. He was enjoying Kormak’s discomfiture. Something twisted inside Kormak. He did not like being treated as Aemon’s lackey. He wanted out of this palace, out of this whole country. To have time to grieve for his old friend Gerd, dead at the hands of Vorkhul when he could have prevented it.

“It is a long voyage,” said Kormak. “Two months at least. Maybe three.”

“No more than two weeks at this time of the year, if an Imperial Windcaller is aboard to speed you on your way.”

“That is two weeks in which I will be unavailable for my duties.”

“You are saying that your duties are more important than the preservation of the king’s life,” Taran said.

“We do not know that there is any further danger to the king’s life.”

“We do not know anything,” said King Aemon. “And this is something I would rectify. I trust you, Sir Kormak. You have already been of great service to the crown. I wish to be certain that this matter is settled. Believe me—if I thought there was anyone else who could do this, I would appoint them. But there is no one with your knowledge, your prowess or your courage in the face of these undying monsters.”

He paused to give the flattery time to sink in.