“I’m afraid, O wise and just regent, I do not think it would be prudent for Prince Ahmad to leave Ravan at this time. Plans for his coronation have already begun. To take him to a foreign land now would disrupt….”
“The preparations can easily go on without him, O priest,” abu Saar interrupted rudely. “The wedding is something that cannot be done by proxy.”
The chamberlain—a man widely known to be in Shammara’s pay—stepped forward and leaned over to catch the regent’s ear. “He’s right, Your Eminence. The preparations for the prince’s coronation are elaborate, it’s true, but most of them—such as invitations, protocol, entertainments, and so forth—can be done without the prince being present. If the decision is made today and he leaves at once, there’ll still be enough time when he returns
