Frost and Doyle watched Barinthus go back into the
Mound.   "We need to get to Brownie's Inn,"  Frost 
said as he pulled Doyle back to his feet.  They made 
their way to the begining of the woods that grew 
around the Mound.  "Let me look at your back,"
Frost continued.  Doyle shot him a look, but grabbed 
the tree.
 
Doyle's back was a mass of oozing green slime. 
Frost swore.  "It's alright, Frost,"  Doyle said.  
"I know that Kevames' whip is as deadly as Mortal Dread.
If we don't get to Gran in time, then that is my fate.
Where is Laurella?"
 
"At the Inn."  They began to walk agian, Frost
supporting Doyle.
 
"She's pregnant, Frost."
 
"I know.  Cel's?"
 
"Yes.  If her baby lives, and can be declared a
heir, then Cel will rule.  All we have hoped for will 
never happen, Frost.  Because of me."
 
"What do you mean, Doyle?"
 
"Laurella slept with Cel to try to save me from
the duels.  Andais thought it would be good for me to 
see it.  Her newest hobby is video cameras."
 
Frost's face hardened as he helped his friend
through the woods to the car he had left at the side 
of the road for back up.  "What are you thinking, Doyle?"
 
"That I love Laurella.  And that now, she is tied
to Cel forever.  And he will be king.  If I didn't love 
her, the solution would be obvious.  But how can I kill 
her, Frost?  Then I would be the monster the others have 
always thought me."
 
Frost stopped, and grabbed Doyle by the shoulders.
"You can't, Doyle.  None of us can.  We want Merry to be
Queen to bring back some of the good of the dark court.  
To start her reign in such a way would only twist the 
court worse than Cel being king would."
 
Doyle nodded, and offered his best friend a weak
smile.  Doyle stumbled as they continued on.  Frost 
stopped and picked his friend up, one arm under his knees,
the other carefully around his back.
 
"Don't,"  Doyle protested weakly.
 
"The car is just over that second hill.  What," 
Frost continued, "if no one found out she was pregnant?"
 
"What are you thinking, Frost?"  Doyle barely
whispered.
 
"If we keep her with us, then who will be able to
prove she is pregnant?"
 
"The Geas.  Sooner or later, Andais will know."
 
"Damn, Doyle.  What do we do?"
 
"I don't know, Frost.  I just don't know.  Is that
your car?"
 
"I am going to kill Kevames, if you don't."  Frost
stated this calmly as he lowered Doyle to the ground.  
"That was my 'Vette."
 
Smoke still rose from the blackened hulk where it
had been set on fire.