A knock at the door to the private chambers startled the Princess. Quickly, she rolled up the long intelligence report on Venger's army she was reading and tried to steady her pounding heart. _It matters not that Lady Reskya's murderer is still free,_ she reminded herself. _There are double guards posted at my door._Nonetheless, her level of confidence in the newly-hired guards made her reach for a jeweled dagger and call out in a steady but forced voice, "Who seeks audience?"
" 'Tis I, Lord Tolan," came the reply through the closed door.
The Princess relaxed at the sound of the familar voice. "Enter, my friend," she said, unlatching the door from the inside. The Elder of the High Council quickly slipped inside and shut the door behind him.
"My Lady," he said with a formal bow, pitching his voice low so that the guards outside could not hear. "I have spoken to the prison guard but a few minutes ago. It would seem that the Outworld prisoners have escaped."
Princess Diana could not suppress a small smile. "Indeed?" she said, and eyebrow arched in feigned concern. "Oh, I do hope dear Alec did not drop his keys."
"And how terrible it would be if the young lad let slip the rumored location of the entrance to the catacombs," Tolan agreed, with the same, conspiratorial smile. "Worse yet, the lovely illusionist cast images of themselves still locked in their cells. How the guards might be fooled!"
Diana blinked in surprise. She hadn't quite been expecting that one. "Oh," she said, not quite able to stop a giggle. "How terrible! We must alert the guards first thing tomorrow! After breakfast, of course."
"Of course," Tolan bowed again. "However," he said, and this time sounded utterly amused, "we do have one cell door to repair."
"A small price," the Princess replied. "With luck and the help of the Outworlders, our city will be standing long enough to make the repair necessary." Both of them sobered up at the comment. Venger was still expecting the city to be handed over in less than a week.
"You know I wish I had gone with them," Tolan said.
"I do," the Princess replied. "But I need you here." Unrolling the scroll again, she spread it out on the small table and weighted the edges down with silver candlesticks. "If this is what you saw of Venger's army, then pray that those Outworlders are miracle workers."
