Galladon was skeptical about everything. Raoden smiled to himself: he was the one who had actually started the meetings. It seemed ironic that he should now be forced to work to regain admittance.
Kaloo's face once again masking his own, Raoden pulled on his green
gloves-articles that held the illusion that made his arms seem non-Elantrian-
then spun and twirled for Galladon. 'And the magnificent Kaloo returns.' 'Please, sule, not in private. I come close enough to strangling you in public.' Raoden chuckled. 'All, what a life. Loved by all women, envied by every man.'
Galladon snorted. loved by all of the women but one. you mean.'
'Well, she did invite me to spar with her any time I wanted.' Raoden said. smiling as he walked over to pull open the drapes.
'Even if it was just to get another chance to impale you.' Galladon said. 'You should be glad she hit you on the face. where the illusion covered the wound. If she'd stabbed through your clothing, it would have been very difficult to explain why your cut didn't bleed. Kolo?'
Raoden slid open the balcony door, walking out to look over Roial's gardens. He sighed as Galladon joined him. 'Tell me this. Why is it rhat every time I meet her. Sarene is determined to hate me?'
'Must be love,' Galladon said.
Raoden laughed wryly. 'Well, at least this time it's Kaloo she hates, rather than the real me. I suppose I can forgive her for that-I've almost gotten to the point where I hate him too.'
A knock came at the door, drawing their attention. Galladon looked at him and he nodded. Their costumes and faces were complete. Galladon, playing the part of a servant, walked over and unlocked the door. Roial stood outside.
— My lord,' Raoden said. approaching with outreached arms and a broad smile. 'I trust your day has been as fine as my own!'
'It has. Citizen Kaloo,' Roial said. 'May I come in?'
'Certainly, certainly,' Raoden said. 'It is, after all, your house. We are so unspeakably indebted to your kindness that I know I shall never manage to repay you.'
'Nonsense, citizen,' Roial said. 'Though, speaking of payments, you will be pleased to know that I made a good trade on those lamp mounts you gave me. I deposited your credit in an account at my bank-it should be enough to see that you live comfortably for several years at least.'
'Excellent!' Raoden proclaimed. 'We shall immediately seek another place to reside.
'No, no.' the old duke said, holding up his hands. 'Stay here as long as you wish. I get so few visitors in my old age that even this small house often seems too large.'
'Then we shall stay as long as you suffer us!' Raoden declared with characteristically Duladen lack of decorum. It was said that the moment you invited a Dula to stay. you would never get rid of him-or his family.
'Tell me, citizen,' Roial said, strolling to the balcony. 'Where did you find a dozen lamp mounts made of solid gold?'
'Family heirlooms,' Raoden said. 'I pried them off our mansion walls even as the people burned it down.'
'It must have been horrible,' Roial said, leaning against the balcony rail.
'Worse than horrible,' Raoden said with somberness. Then he smiled. 'But those times are over now, my lord. I have a new country and new friends! You shall become my family now.'
Roial nodded absently, then shot wary eyes back at Galladon.
'I see something occupies your mind, Lord Roial,' Raoden said. 'Fear not to speak it-good Dendo has been with me since I was born; he is worthy of any man's trust.'
Roial nodded, turning back to look out over his estate. 'I do not mention the harsh times in your homeland indiscriminately, citizen. You said they are over now, but I fear for us the terror is just beginning.'
'Ah, you speak of the problems with the throne,' Raoden said with a click of his tongue.
'Yes, citizen,' Roial said. 'Telrii is not a strong leader. I fear Arelon will soon fall to Duladel's fate. We have Fjordell wolves nipping at us, smelling blood, but our nobility pretends to see nothing more than favored hounds.'
'Oh troubled times,' Raoden said, 'Where can I go to find simple peace?' 'Sometimes we must make our own peace, citizen.'
'What do you mean?' Raoden asked, trying to keep the excitement out of his voice.
'Citizen, I hope I do not injure you when I point out that the others see you as rather frivolous.'
Raoden laughed. 'I hope they see me that way, my lord. I should hate to think I've been playing the fool for nothing.'
Roial smiled. 'I sense a wit in you that is not completely masked by your foppishness, citizen. Tell me, how did you manage to escape from Duladen?'
'I am afraid that is one secret which must remain untold, my lord,' Raoden said. 'There are those who would suffer dearly if their part in my escape became known.'
Roial nodded. 'I understand. The important part is that you survived when your countrymen did not. Do you know how many refugees came up through the border when the Republic fell?'
'I am afraid not, my lord,' Raoden replied. 'I was a little busy at the time.'
'None,' Roial said. 'Not a single one that I know of-yourself excluded. I hear that the republicans were too shocked to even think of escaping.'
'My people are slow to act, my lord,' Raoden said with upraised hands. 'In this case, our lax manner proved our downfall. The revolution rolled over us while we were still discussing what to have for dinner.'
'But you escaped.'
'I escaped,' Raoden agreed.
'You have already been through what we might have to suffer, and that makes your advice valuable-no matter what the others may think.'
'There is a way to escape Duladel's fate, my lord,' Raoden said cautiously.
'Though it could be dangerous. It would involve a… change in leadership.' Roial's eyes narrowed knowingly, and he nodded. Something passed between
them-an understanding of the duke's offer and Raoden's willingness. 'You speak of dangerous things,' Roial warned.
'1 have been though a lot, my lord. I would not be averse to a little more danger if it provided me a means of living the rest of my life in peace.'
'I cannot guarantee that will happen,' Roial said.
'And I cannot guarantee that this balcony won't suddenly collapse, sending us to our doom. All we can do is count on Iuck. and our wits, to protect us.' Roial nodded. 'You know the house of the merchant Kiin?'
'Yes.'
'Meet me there tonight at sunset.'
Raoden nodded, and the duke excused himself. As the door shut, Raoden winked at Galladon. 'And you thought I couldn't do it.'
'I'll never doubt you again,' Galladon said dryly.
'The secret was Roial, my friend,' Raoden said, pulling the balcony door shut as he walked back into the room. 'He sees through most faзades-but, unlike Sarene, his primary question is not 'Why is this man trying to fool me?' but 'How can I make use of what I know?' I gave him hints, and he responded.'
Galladon nodded. 'Well, you're in. Now what will you do?'
'Find a way to put Roial on the throne instead of Telrii,' Raoden said, picking up a cloth and a jar of brown makeup. He smeared some of the makeup on the cloth, then tucked the cloth in his pocket.
Galladon raised an eyebrow. 'And what is that?' he asked, nodding to the cloth.
'Something I hope I won't have to use.'
CHAPTER 53
What is he doing here?' Sarene demanded. standing at the doorway to Kiin's kitchen. The idiot Kaloo sat
