"What isn't right?" Lyam responded, impatiently.
Naitachal shook his head. "I don't know. A missing piece of this picture. Just a... strong sense that some- thing's not quite right."
Lyam frowned, glanced down the dock, towards the ship, then back to Naitachal. "Would you like me to go on and hail the ship?
Again, the Dark Elf shook his head. "No. Just stand here. Make no noise."
The four of them stood on the dock in perfect silence; Alaire studied the ships, all seemingly empty, aban Captain Lyam was impatient "I don't hear any- thing," he said, clearly anxious to get going. "Our ship is near. I think we should go to it at once."
There is no sound. That's the problem, Alaire sud- denly realized. There should be card playing, there should be drinking, there should be at least a watch.
But all the decks were empty. There was not a sailor in sight. Even the lamps for the nightwatch were dark.
No one. Nothing.
From one of the ships came a low, ominous laugh.
All three drew their swords, on an enemy who hadn't made himself visible yet.
"Did you really think you were going to just sail out of here, without a problem?" came the unmistakable voice of Sir Jehan.
A moment later, Jehan stepped out of the shadows, onto the deck of the nearest ship, alone. "Ah. I see you've done me the favor of finding our young magi- cian, Captain Lyam. Decided to turn traitor, did you?"
Lyam stood firm, his face set in a cold mask of anger. "Did you think you were going to maneuve King into a war with Althea, with no one noticing?"
Sir Jehan didn't answer right away. For a moment he looked doubtful, unsure. The reply must have sur- prised him, because it was some time before he regained his composure.
"Why, war is the last thing I want with Althea," he replied, bowing sardonically to Naitachal. "However, we made it clear to the Ambassador that we would consider any attempt to leave the kingdom an act of war. I suspect this is exactly what the Ambassador has in mind right now."
"You do not consider keeping an Ambassador pris- oner an act of war here?" Naitachal said evenly.
Jehan shrugged. "That was only a formality, until we clarified the situation. You made a big mistake by leav- ing the palace, Ambassador. By doing so you have implicated yourself in this sad state of affairs."
"It's not his fault," Lyam said. "I convinced him that he was in danger. For my own purposes, I assure you."
Alaire blinked, surprised at that answer. The Captain was actually trying to protect them!
Jehan shook his head with mock-sadness. "I wish I believed that. I really do. Clearly, you have betrayed the King. But the Ambassador is responsible for his own actions. And as for you, Lyam, you have neither rank nor friends to protect you. You will hang for this."
Alaire scanned the dock for Sir Jehan's men. No one. If we made a run for it now...
Sir Jehan continued, his tone and posture com- pletely casual, as if they were discussing some trivial matter over tea. "I must admit, Captain, that you have done the kingdom a service by rounding up bot Ambassador and his criminal servant. This will save us a great deal of time. Now, if you would be so kind as to drop your weapons, my men will escort you back to the castle."
"I don't think so," Lyam said, whispering something to his son. The boy took off running, and vanished over the edge of the dock without a sound.
"Where are his men?" Lyam whispered Alaire was looking too -- Sir Jehan wasn't planning to take them alone, was he?
Behind them, two Royal Guardsmen surfaced from the ship's hold. Then two more, from the shi Jehan stood upon.