The White Robe by Clare Smith

that Tarraquin is King Malute’s rightful heir.”
     
    “That’s all under control, isn’t it Jarrul?” asked Tarraquin.
     
    “Our friends are talking quietly to all those who count and Tavlon is travelling the inns in the city with his ballad about the true heir returning to Leersland but if we are not to alert those who are loyal to Sarrat, or the royal guard, we have to be careful. It takes time to start a rebellion and overthrow a tyrant.”
     
    “Time is something we don’t have much of.” snapped Malingar.
     
    “That’s enough.” put in Tarraquin. “It doesn’t help to have the two of you squabbling all the time.”
     
    “Even if the returning army doesn’t support him,” said Jarrul, ignoring Tarraquin’s admonishment, “Sarrat could still go to the Great Lords and raise an army from amongst their retainers.”
     
    Tarraquin gave a cynical laugh. “If I know the Great Lords as well as I think I do they would rather cut Sarrat’s throat than help him to keep his throne. No, the Great Lords are not a problem; they have no power left and will sit on the side lines and do nothing.” She looked up as Tordray and Perro approached carrying a roll of parchment and looking pleased with themselves.
     
    “Your Highness, Captain Malingar sir, I think we’ve found it.” They unrolled the parchment and propped it up on the spare chair. “It’s here,” said Tordray pointing to a thick black line which ran around the edge of the plan. “The track is outside the city walls not inside as we thought.” Tarraquin and Malingar leaned over to get a better view. “This is the entrance which is hidden by a gully so that it cannot be seen by the guards on the city wall. It leads to a passageway that runs inside the wall until it connects with the wall of the fortress just here.”
     
    Perro nodded excitedly. “We always wondered why the two walls met at that spot and nowhere else.”
     
    Tordray continued. “There is another passageway along the inside of the keep and two exits. It looks like one opens onto the courtyard behind this building and the other opens out into the throne room, either behind the throne or a bit further down.”
     
    “The throne room entrance must be hidden by a tapestry and the other comes out behind some drapes and supporting pillars.” concluded Perro triumphantly. “It looks like the passageways are only wide enough for one person to walk at a time, but it means that we should be able to get into the fortress and the throne room without being seen.”
     
    “Are you sure of this?” questioned Tarraquin. “I wish Jonderill were here so he could confirm it.”
     
    “We are sure this is the way Maladran gets into the fortress without being seen,” said Perro firmly.
     
    “If Maladran used the passageway it might be protected by magic.”
     
    “I think I know someone who will be able to help with that.” They all looked at Malingar questioningly.
     
    “And will your friend be able to help with Maladran when Sarrat sets him loose on us? I’ve seen firsthand what that black-hearted bastard can do with his dark magic,” said Jarrul bitterly. “If we can’t deal with Maladran, then none of this will work.”
     
    Malingar started to respond but was stopped by the sound of shouting and boots pounding up the wooden stairs. He drew his sword and pushed Tarraquin behind him just as the door burst open. Captain Dandon rushed in flanked by two of his squad; all three had been riding hard and were covered in dust.
     
    Dandon saluted briefly. “Captain, Your Highness. Sarrat has left the border and is on his way back to Tarmin in a hurry. He’s a day or two at the most behind us.”
     
    “That’s it then.” Malingar sheathed his sword and took Tarraquin’s hands in his own. “We move now or not at all. Tomorrow, Your Highness, you will sit in your rightful place on the throne of Leersland.”
     
    “Or we’ll all be dead.” muttered Jarrul under his