So, she explained. She began with the fall of the Duladen Republic and Fjorden's increasing threat. She told him of her engagement to Prince Raoden, and of the Derethi incursions into Arelon. As she spoke, she realized that Spirit understood the political climate of Arelon more soundly than she would have thought possible. He quickly grasped the implications of Iadon's posthumous declaration. He knew a lot about Fjorden, though he didn't have a working knowledge of how dangerous its priests could be; he was more worried about Wyrn-controlled soldiers.
Most impressive was his understanding of the various lords and nobles of Arelon. Sarene didn't need to explain their personalities and temperaments: Spirit already knew them. In fact, he seemed to understand them better than Sarene herself. When she questioned him on the matter, he simply explained that in Arelon it was vital to know of each noble with a rank of baron or higher. Many times a lesser nobleman's only means of advancement was to make deals and take contracts with the more powerful aristocrats, for they controlled the markets.
Only one thing beyond the king's death shocked him.
'You were going to marry Roial?' he asked incredulously.
Sarene smiled. 'I can't believe it either-the plan developed rather quickly.' 'Roial?' Spirit asked again. 'The old rascal! He must have thoroughly enjoyed suggesting that idea.'
'I found the duke to be an unquestionable gentleman,' Sarene said.
Spirit eyed her with a look that said 'And I thought you were a better judge of character.'
'Besides,' she continued, 'he didn't suggest it. Shuden did.'
'Shuden?' Spirit said. Then, after a moment's thought, he nodded. 'Yes, that does sound like a connection he would make, though I can't see him even mentioning the word 'marriage.' The very concept of matrimony frightens him.'
'Not anymore,' Sarene said. 'He and Ahan's daughter are growing very close.'
'Shuden and Torena?' Spirit asked, even more dumbfounded. Then, he
regarded Sarene with narrowed eyes. 'Wait a moment-how were you going to marry Roial? I thought you were already married.'
'To a dead man,' Sarene huffed.
'But your wedding contract said you could never marry again.'
'How did you know that?' Sarene asked with narrowed eyes.
'You explained it just a few minutes ago.'
'I did not.'
'Sure you did-didn't she, Galladon?'
The large Dula, who was flipping through Sarene's political book. didn't even look up. 'Don't look at me, sule. I'm not getting involved.'
'Anyway.' Spirit said, turning away from his friend. 'How is it that you were going to marry Roial?'
'Why not?' Sarene asked. 'I never knew this Raoden. Everyone says he was a fine prince, but what do I owe him? My contract with Arelon dissolved when Iadon died; the only reason I made the treaty in the first place was to provide a link between Arelon and my homeland. Why would I honor a contract with a dead man when I could form a more promising one with the future king of Arelon?'
'So you only agreed to marry the prince for politics.' His tone sounded hurt for some reason, as if her relationship with the crown prince of Arelon reflected directly on its aristocracy.
'Of course,' Sarene said. 'I am a political creature, Spirit. I did what was best for Teod-and for the same reason I was going to marry Roial.'
He nodded, still looking a bit melancholy.
'So, I was in the throne room, ready to marry the duke,' Sarene continued, ignoring Spirit's pique. What right did he have to question her motives? 'And that was exactly when the Shaod took me.'
'Right then?' Spirit asked. 'It happened at your wedding?'
Sarene nodded, suddenly feeling very insecure. It seemed that every time she was about to find acceptance, something disastrous alienated her once again.
Galladon snorted. 'Well, now we know why she didn't want to talk about it. Kolo?'
Spirit's hand found her shoulder. 'I'm sorry.'
'It's over now,' Sarene said with a shake of her head. 'We need to worry about Telrii's coronation. With Fjorden supporting him…
'We can worry about Telrii, but I doubt there's anything we can do. If only there were a way to contact the outside!'
Suddenly ashamed. Sarene's eyes darted up to where Ashe hid in the room's shadows, his Aon nearly invisible. 'There might be a way.' she admitted.
Spirit looked up as Sarene waved to Ashe. Ashe started to glow, the Aon's light expanding into a luminescent ball around him. As the Seon floated down to hover above her desk, Sarene shot Spirit an embarrassed look.
'A Seon?' he said appreciatively.
'You're not angry at me for hiding him?' Sarene asked.
Spirit chuckled. 'In all honesty, Sarene, I expected you to hold some things back from me. You seem like the type of person who needs secrets, if only for the sake of having them.'
Sarene blushed slightly at the astute comment. 'Ashe, go check with Kiin and the others. I want to know the moment Telrii declares himself king.' 'Yes. my lady,' Ashe said, hovering away.
Spirit fell silent. He hadn't commented on Ashe's inexplicabIe lack of Shaod madness-but, of course, Spirit couldn't know that Ashe had been Sarene's own Seon.
They waited in silence, and Sarene didn't interrupt Spirit's thoughts. She had given him an overwhelming mass of information, and she could see his mind picking through it behind his eyes.
He was hiding things from her as well. Not that she mistrusted him. Whatever his secrets were, he probably felt he had a good reason for keeping them. She had been involved with politics far too long to take the holding of secrets as a personal offense.
That didn't, of course, mean she wasn't going to find out what she could. So far, Ashe hadn't been able to discover anything about a second son of Ten Plantation's ruler, but he was very restricted in his movements. She had allowed him to reveal himself only to Kiin and the others: she didn't know why he had survived where other Seons did not, but she didn't want to lose any potential edge his existence might give her.
Apparently realizing they weren't going to go anywhere soon, the Dula Galladon shuffled over to one of the chairs and seated himself. Then he closed his eyes and appeared to fall asleep. He might be unstereotypically pessimistic, but he was still a Dula. It was said that his people were so relaxed that they could fall asleep in any position at any time.
Sarene eyed the large man. Galladon didn't seem to like her. But, then, he was so determinedly grouchy that she couldn't tell. He seemed a well of knowledge at times, but in other areas he was completely ignorant-and totally unconcerned by that fact. He seemed to take everything in stride, but he complained about it at the same time.
By the time Ashe came back, Sarene had returned her attention to the book on political cover-ups. The Seon had to make a throat-clearing sound before she even realized he was there. Spirit looked up as well, though the Dula continued snoring until his friend elbowed him in the stomach. Then all three sets of eyes turned to Ashe.
'Well?' Sarene asked.
'It is done, my lady,' Ashe informed them. 'Telrii is king.'
CHAPTER 45
Hrathen stood in the moonlight atop the Elantris City wall, curiously studying the hole. One of the stairwell barricades was broken and scarred, the boards pulled free. The hole was strikingly similar to one that might have been made by rodents-Elantrian rodents, seeking to escape from their nest. This was one of the sections of the wall kept clean by the Guard, and some slime tracks from the stairwell gave ample proof that those below had been up the wall several times.
Hrathen strolled away from the stairwell. He was probably the only one who knew about the hole; Elantris
