The High Lady Krissa sat down on the small couch, a thoughtful expression sliding across her features.
"Yes, I am the Daughter of Azril. An inconvenient fact for those who run the Palace." she said looking up at Cord.
"I thought Azril had killed all the closest claimants to the throne? Everybody thinks so. Why are you still alive?" said Cord.
"My father has not sanctioned any killing!" her voice was heated, but her tone softened. "He is no longer the man he once was."
"What do you mean?" asked Cord.
"Many years ago, a distant relative of my father's moved to the Palace. He was a liaison for the Southern Duchies. At least that was what he said. You will know his name. Jabin Felgorn."
"The Captain of the Royal Guard?" said Cord, incredulous. "Why would a nobleman become a Guardsman?"
"That is only a title. He actually has almost complete control."
Krissa explained that Jabin had started out as a liaison, but had slowly spread his influence over the Palace staff, carefully maneuvering matters so that his associates and friends were promoted over others. Anyone who spoke against him was swiftly replaced by a more agreeable person. The entire Palace Guard was slowly replaced by soldiers loyal to Jabin. The only reason that Krissa was still alive is that not all the soldiers were loyal to Jabin, and some had already lost their lives preventing assassination attempts. The fact that the assassin had made it through her door tonight without raising an alarm showed that the balance had finally swung in Jabin's favour. It would only be a matter of time now.
Cord cut in, "Well, then there is only one option. You must leave the Palace. Tonight."
Krissa shook her head, "I cannot. He will kill my father if I leave. He gave me his word."
Cord shook his head. "No, he won't. He can only kill your father when he has everything in place to have the king replaced. If he kills the king, you must be dead so that he avoids a Succession. If you stay until he has everything ready, your father will be killed and you will follow him within the hour."
"How could I not see this?" she said "I have been a fool. Moping around here instead of doing my duty."
"Sometimes you need to be on the outside of an issue in order to see clearly." said Cord.
"You are a forthright and courageous man, Cord Caldragin. I find I have need of such a man right now. Will you assist me?" She had regained her regal bearing now that Cord had shown her the truth of the situation. Cord could see that she was a woman of great courage, but had been trapped in a situation that she could not see a way to escape.
"I will" said Cord, and found to his own surprise, that he was completely devoted to the task of keeping the beautiful princess from harm...
