We reached Longview when the sun was almost above our heads. A guard immediately came up to us, wanting to know our business there.

“We’ve come to see the king,” my husband told him calmly.

The guard looked at us suspiciously, as if we were common criminals.

I clear my throat and began, “My daughter Sioni has gone missing and I think that the prince-”

Then I felt my husband’s hand on my back, applying a gentle but meaningful pressure. The meaning was instantly clear to me: Be careful.

“Yes, we think the prince might be able to help us,” my husband took up where I left off, effortlessly, seamlessly. He smiled at the guard, his face guileless. “They knew each other, you see, and were friendly.”

After a moment, the guard goes back and confers with the two guards at the gate. I wait, unable to breathe or move. I hadn’t even thought of it until now, but what if they do not let us speak with the king…?

But then the guard called us over and they began opening the gate for us. I was able to breathe again.