Tristan fell silent. He knew those men and women. He could not imagine them betraying the King, betraying his father, betraying him. But, after all that had happened, he was sure of nothing anymore.
“It’s still a good idea,” said the King. “You have Arthur’s optimism and, though I fear the Brathadair have spread much more deeply through our ranks than I care to admit, we should still try it. I don’t like our chances in open battle.”
“We are not helpless Brandr,” said Falkor.
“No,” said the King, “but even your command of the runes may not be enough if we are surrounded. Many in the Palace Guard can use the runes well too.”
Falkor made no reply as he moved off through the trees, roughly following the line of the path away from the north gate. He stopped. “We’ll make a run for it across
