The Element of Fire, page 207 by Martha Wells
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r something else. I should have listened to her but the woman never gave any sign she could think before." If they somehow escaped the current situation, that might save Falaise's neck. He could say she had confided to him early suspicions of Denzil but had been unable to give him anything definite. That would keep Roland or some ambitious courtier from charging her with treason along with Denzil. If they got out of this. Damned optimist. Then he realized the full implication of what Kade had said and looked down at her in surprise. "Doesn't think you could protect her? That's ridiculous. You're not a supporter of Ravenna, Roland, or Denzil; you're the only one who could protect her with impunity."
Kade considered that. "Maybe she just can't trust anyone anymore."
Slipping his baldric over his head, Thomas thought, That's an idea we could all have sympathy with.
The door opened and Lucas entered, then stopped abruptly as he saw Thomas. "You're alive," he said, smiling. "And I thought I was about to be promoted."
"Careful, I might take you up on that." Thomas gritted his teeth as he put his weight on his bad leg.
"Oh, I'd have to decline under these circumstances."
"Typical of you. How many are we?"
"Eighteen. Not as bad as I thought it would be for a moment there, but bad. Commander Vivan's dead, and Baserat..."
As he listed the familiar names Thomas shook his head. He would have to deal with it later. Worse that he didn't know if their sacrifice had accomplished anything, if Ravenna and Roland had been able to get out of the city. Lucas finished with, "...and hard as it is to believe, Denzil's here with..."
"I know. I'm about to go and give him the good news about my premature survival. Do you know where Falaise is?"
"Yes, Martin found where they're keeping her. Gideon and some of the others are hanging about outside her rooms, making sure no one makes off with her."
The Queen was ensconced in a suite in the opposite w