"Your Highness," he answered with a nod of his head, "I have ever been a friend to the Deschain.  I can assure you that I will speak of this matter to no one.  Only by sealed letter will word be sent to your father.  Even had you not made this request, I would have held such a private and painful matter close to my breast out of my deep respect for your Highness."<br/><br/><em>He will have the story in someone's ears within the hour,</em>Balthazar sent dryly,<em>I'd wager he's Umbrexia's sniveling creature.  Most likely doesn't even have to pay for his loyalty in actual coin, just suggestions and promises of what will be 'some day'.</em>