Chapters Twenty-Six and Twenty-Seven Summary

Janine crosses the Great Hall ignoring the barbs being sent by the Queen and introduces herself to Orielle, then Uldemar and Xenos. Uldemar reveals that Janine brought the ghosts in and Janine deflects the issue, telling her she has a plan for them later. Deming returns and shortly afterward, Sister Mary Ursula and King Grimbold make an entrance. Janine brings some sense of order to the meeting, and with contributions from Xenos, who offers the use of his seven-league boots, and Orielle, who offers a potion to increase stamina and strength, Janine is beginning to believe she might be able to accomplish this quest. She has little choice as Grimbold will accept nothing less than his crown returned.

Janine declares that she will depart as soon as Orielle is finished making the potion. After Grimbold leaves, Deming...