their anxiety to spare the Queen her birth pangs, gave her too much of those herbs that dull pain. But as only two of her stillborn children had been carried more than seven months in her womb, most midwives say the Queen's use of intoxicants was at fault, as well as her evil habit of carrying her belt knife with the blade toward her belly, as all know this is bad luck for a woman of childbearing years.
I did not sleep. Whenever I pushed my worries about King Shrewd from my mind, Molly stood there instead, beside someone else. My mind shuttled between them, weaving me a coat of misery and worry. I promised myself that as soon as King Shrewd and Kettricken were safe, I would find a way to win Molly back from whoever had stolen her from me. That decided, I turned over and stared into the dark some more.
Night's reign was still solid when I rolled from my bed. I ghosted past empty stalls and sleeping animals to go silently up Burrich's stairs. He heard me out, then asked gently, 'Are you sure you've not had a bad dream?'
'If I have, it's lasted most of my life,' I pointed out quietly.
'I begin to feel that way myself,' he agreed. We were talking in the dark. He was still in bed and I was sitting on the floor beside it, whispering. I would not suffer Burrich to build up his fire, or even light a candle, for I did not desire anyone to wonder about a sudden departure from his routine. 'For us to accomplish all he is asking in two days means that every task must be done perfectly the first time. I have come to you first. Can you do it?'
He was silent and in the darkness I could not see his face. 'Three sturdy horses, a mule, a litter, and supplies for three. All without anyone noticing it.' Another silence. 'I can't very well just load up the King and Queen and ride out through the gates of Buckkeep, either.'
'You know that copse of alder where the big dog fox used to den? Have the horses waiting there. The King and Kettricken will meet you there.' Reluctantly I added, 'The wolf will guide them to you.'
'Must they know, as well as I, what you do?' He was aghast at the thought.
'I use what tools I have. And I do not perceive it as you do.
'How long can you share minds with one who scratches and licks himself, who will roll in carrion, who goes mad when a female is in season, who thinks no further than his next meal, before you accept his values as your own? Then what will you be?'
'A guardsman?' I hazarded.
Despite himself, Burrich gave a snort of laughter. 'I was serious,' he said after a moment.
'So am I, about the King and Queen. We must put our minds to how we will accomplish this. I no longer care what I sacrifice to accomplish it.'
He was quiet a moment. 'So somehow I'm to get four animals and a litter out of Buckkeep without exciting any interest?'
I nodded in the dark, then 'Can it be done?'
Grudgingly he said, 'There's a stable hand or two left that I trust. It's not a favor I like to ask of anyone. I don't want a lad swinging over something I asked him to do. But I suppose it could be made to look as if they were part of a coffle being taken upriver. But my lads are not stupid; I won't have a stupid hand in the stable. Once the news is out that the King is missing, they'll figure it out quickly.'
'Choose one who loves the King.'
Burrich sighed. 'Food supplies. It won't be sumptuous rations. More like marching fare. Am I to supply winter clothing as well?'
'No. Only for yourself. Kettricken can wear and carry what she'll need. And Chade can see to the King's needs.'
'Chade. The name is almost familiar, as if I heard it before, long ago.'
'He is supposed to have died, long ago. Before that, he was seen about the Keep.'
'To live all these years as a shadow.' He marveled.
'And he plans to go on living as a shadow.'
'You need not fear I'll betray him.' Burrich sounded hurt.
'I know. I am just so—'
'I know. Go on, then. You've told me enough for me to do my part. I'll be there with the horses and supplies. What time?'
'Sometime in the night, when the feasting is still lively. I don't know. I'll get word to you somehow.'
He shrugged. 'As soon as it gets dark, I'll go out there and wait.'
'Burrich. Thank you.'
'He is my king. She is my queen. I need no thanks from you to do my duty.'
I left Burrich to creep down his staircase. I kept to the shadows and extended every sense I had to try to be sure no one was spying on me. Once I was clear of the stables, I flitted from warehouse to sty to pen, from shadow to shadow until I came to the old hut. Nighteyes came panting to meet me. What is it? Why am I called back from my hunting?
Tomorrow night, when it gets dark. I may need you. Will you stay here, within the Keep, to come quickly if I send for you?
Of course. But why summon me here for this? You need not be this close to me to ask such a simple favor.
I crouched down in the snow and he came to me, to rest his throat on my shoulder. I hugged him hard.
Foolishness, he told me gruffly. Go on, now. I will be here in case you need me.
My thanks.
My brother.
Stealth and haste battled as I made my way back to the Keep and up to my room. I fastened my door shut and lay down on my bed. Excitement thundered through me. I would know no real rest until all had been accomplished.
At midmorning I was admitted to the Queen's chamber. I brought with me a number of scrolls on herbs. Kettricken was reclining on a couch before the hearth, playing the part of both bereaved wife and anxious mother- to-be. I could see that it wore on her, and that her fall had caused her more pain in truth than she cared to admit. She looked little better than she had the night before, but I greeted her warmly and proceeded to work my way through every herb listed, one after the other, with much discussion as to the benefits of each. I succeeded in boring most of her ladies away, and she finally dismissed the last three to bring tea, find her more pillows, and look for another scroll on herbs that Kettricken said was in Verity's study. Little Rosemary had long since dozed off in a warm corner by the hearth. As soon as the rustle of their skirts had faded, I spoke quickly, knowing I had little time.
'You will be leaving tomorrow night, after the King-in-Waiting ceremony,' I told her, and spoke on although she had parted her lips to ask a question. 'Dress warmly and take winter things. Not many. Go to your bedchamber alone, as early as you decently can. Plead that the ceremony and your grief have exhausted you. Send your attendants away, say you must sleep, and tell them not to come back until you summon them. Bar your door. No. Only listen. There is little time. Ready yourself to leave, and then stay in your room. One will come for you. Trust the Pocked Man. The King is going with you. Trust me,' I told her desperately as we heard returning footsteps. 'All else will be arranged. Trust me.'
Trust. I did not trust that any of it would come to pass. Daffodil was back with the pillows, and shortly after that, the tea arrived. We chatted amiably, and one of Kettricken's younger ladies even flirted with me. Queen Kettricken asked me to leave the herbal scrolls with her, as her back still pained her. She had decided she would retire early this evening, and perhaps the scrolls would help her while away the time before she slept. I made my gracious farewells and escaped.
Chade had said he would handle the Fool. I had made my pathetic attempts at planning the escape. Now all that remained was for me somehow to arrange for the King to be alone after the ceremony. A few minutes were all Chade had asked for. I wondered if I would have to give my life for them. I put the notion aside. Just a few minutes. The two broken doors would be a hindrance or a help. I wasn't sure which. I considered all the obvious ploys. I could feign drunkenness and bait the guards out to fight. Unless I had an ax, it wouldn't take them more than a few minutes to deal with me. Plain fisticuffs had never worked very well for me. No. I wanted to remain functional. I considered and rejected a dozen schemes. Too much depended on factors I couldn't control. How
