“Then—”

“Thum, I must get away, now, before they discover me gone. Gavril means to betray me to King Muncel for a price. I will not fall victim to his plan.” Thum swore viciously. “He is evil through and through. He has hated you from the very beginning and will see no good in you at all. But why attack you here at Thirst? Why not wait until we reached Grov to betray you? It makes no sense.” “Have you ever heard of faith with sight?”

Thum jerked back from him and drew the Circle hastily. “Damne, to talk of that is forbidden by Writ!”

“Cardinal Noncire did it to me,” Dain said, even while Thum shook his head. “I have no reason to lie. You saw my state before the sword revived me.” “But why would he do such a thing?”

“He and Gavril think I know where the Chalice is hidden.” Dain scowled, hating them more than ever. “Sir Polquin is dead, Thum. Killed by Lord Kress while trying to defend me.”

“Great Thod, no!”

Dain stared at the wall, and felt a bitter surge of memory. “My father warned me in a vision that I would be betrayed. I always felt sure it would be Gavril who did so, but I never thought—I didn’t expect this—” He broke off, unable to command his voice.

After a moment of silence, Thum gripped his shoulder. “They are foul to the core,” Thum said angrily. “Gavril has always rammed his piety down our throats, but he is the very worst blasphemer I have ever seen. I suppose he thinks that if he but gives the orders for his evil to be carried out, and takes no action himself, Thod will look the other way.”

“There isn’t much time,” Dain said. “They’ll be looking for me. Somehow we’ve got to warn Sir Terent and—” “They’re looking for you, but I am not suspect,” Thum said. He pointed at the hidden door. “Let me back through.”