Part 1, Chapter 17 Summary

Orual jumps back and reveals her dagger. The tall slender, flirtatious stranger is neither Redival's lover nor a thief, but the King's suppliant. Orual identifies herself as Queen, and he identifies herself as Trunia of Phars, seeking a few nights' lodging and protection. His brother Argan has defeated him in a skirmish and is pursuing him. Trunia will ride on to Essur to rejoin his main army to renew the fight. Orual accepts legally she must accept him, but she cannot afford to go to war with Phars, so she must lodge him as a prisoner. Fleeing such a fate, Trunia trips, sprains his ankle, and cursing fate accepts Orual's offer, which he fears means the hangman's noose. Orual promises to do all she can for him, short of full war, has him cover his face to avoid recognition, leads him...