Titans of Chaos

I rubbed my nose. How unladylike. I wish they had come up with a better signal system. I was glad(for once) that the boys had decided to spy on us while we changed: I assume Colin was behindthis.

Of course, had I been a good leader, I would have set this all up ahead of time, signals and all.

Archer's eyes narrowed. If he had sense impressions like mine, which could detect the nature anduse of objects and events, he might have seen my nose glow just now, and might know what itmeant.

Quentin, in my ear, whispered, "Leader, we sign our death warrants if we back one faction overanother, in a civil war where we don't know the identities, issues, or the strengths of the sides. Wecannot agree to those terms. You have to find another common ground."

Archer said carefully, "I think you have consulted with your crew sufficiently, Lady Phaethusa ofMyriagon. Your choices are clear, but narrow."

I nodded, agreeing with what both Archer and Quentin said.

Now that it was time to talk seriously, a sense of dread surprised me. Suddenly my mouth felt dry.

I think I kept licking my lips, because Archer kept staring at them.

I drew a breath and straightened my spine. I reminded myself that I was not a schoolgirl talking toa teacher I was an independent and equal player in some terrible game of war, with the lives ofmy four friends, and many more lives than that, depending on what I said next.

Okay. It was no harder than walking a tightrope over a pit, was it?

I said, "I am not sure any of us can swear fealty to you. I mean, no offense, but we cannot reallyafford to take sides in your civil cold war, cold civil war, whatever. We'd just get crushed. Used,then crushed. Because why would you trust us, once we were no longer necessary?"

He said smoothly, "You must weigh the comparative dangers. Mavors' curse will drive you intothis island, where you will serve as bait for his ambuscade, if I do nothing. If we come to anagreement, and you support my claim to kingship, there is a danger I will not keep faith. Whichdanger seems more immediate, likelier, deadlier?"

No harder than walking a tightrope over a pit. A deep pit. Filled with sharks. Radioactive sharks.

I said, "But surely, milord..."

"You're demoting me. I'm a 'Your Imperial Majesty.'"