Perrin was silent for a long moment, considering. "Were you to address our King so, I have no doubt but that he would do as you ask. And you well know that I respect your word. But we have trusted others in friendly guise upon the road, and now many of our soldiers lie dead. Beyond being the wife of Belloc's apprentice, I must know who and what she is."
"Very well," replied Dorain in a flat voice, "we will stand before the gates in full view of the enemy and utter words meant only for the secrecy of the wise and the privacy of the innocent. This suspicion serves the enemy well if it means our secrets can only be spoken where they should not be heard."
"Then you alone shall speak them privately to me!" replied Perrin in affronted anger. They withdrew to stand beside the river, out of earshot, Dorain leaning close to the Bridgemaster's ear. When she had finished, he regarded Lily with an unfriendly eye for some time. But he waved them towards the door.
As they moved through the gates, looking back Lily saw that there were many archers atop the battlements, and they eyed her coldly, as did the elves who led away their mounts. Absently, she noted the courtyard they crossed, another gate opening to admit them to the Fortress proper, the sudden quiet as the gates shut out the tumult of the White River, the narrow passageways dimly lighted by torches.