Chapter 31 - The Councils of the Prince

After spending couple of days recovering from his long journey in Aldheorte, Simon is taken to Prince Josua's chambers by Towser. Simon is excited to see the familiar face of Towser who explains that he took the last wagon caravan up the Wealdhelm Road, fighting off bandits north of Flett. In his chamber, Josua is intently studying the writings of Dendinis, Aeswides' military architect, and tells Simon that Naglimund had never been broken by a siege before and that Fingil of Rimmersgard had to detach two thousand men to keep the castle bottled up to protect his flank.

Josua looks tired and worried about defending the castle, as even if it can't be stormed easily, the tasks of maintaining supply lines, gathering troops, shoring up the walls, bringing people and their stock into the castle, and waiting for some allied army to fight at Elias' back, all these overwhelm him. He instructs Simon to meet the captain of the guards and get trained in sword fight, contending that they will need every able man to defend the castle. Before he leaves, Simon inquires the whereabouts of his fellow traveler and the princess' servant girl Marya but Josua refuses to say anything.

The next morning Binabik and Qantaqa visit Simon in his room where Binabik casts his bones thrice and examines their position - Clouds in the Pass, Wingless Bird and Black Crevice, explaining to Simon the meanings as well - hard to see far, helplessness turning into an advantage, and treachery or something related to the other side, the mysteries of the Norns and dreams. Binabik then produces, to Simon's surprise, a scroll from Marya which compliments his bravery during the journey, wishes him good luck and ends with addressing Simon as a friend. Simon is angry and confused, wondering why she hadn't come to see him if she was at Naglimund. He wonders if this is how it feels to be in love, which he feels is actually irritating than uplifting as was sung in the ballads.