Prince of Thorns

Contrary to Jorg’s instincts, Jorg and the brothers continue onwards to Tall Castle. They are intercepted by a garrison and told that the King hires mercenaries elsewhere. Jorg calls Gomst forward, and the priest identifies him as Prince Jorg.

The guard captain, Coddin, leads the brothers to the Tall Castle. News of Jorg’s return runs ahead of them so that Jorg is mobbed by progressively larger groups of townsfolk. Lord Nossar comes out to see Jorg and tries to get the Prince to stay with him for the night. Jorg is tempted but will not be turned from his course.

At the city gate, a guard captain informs Jorg that the brothers must stay in the Low City; only Jorg, Gomst, and Bortha are summoned to the court. 

Four years earlier, Jorg is leaving the city with the brothers. Rike and his brother, Price, suggest that the brothers get away from the Keep as quickly as possible. Jorg, however, suggests that they all sneak into a tavern, mix in with the crowd, and wait for the patrols to die down. Jorg and the Nuban, who are the only two likely to be identified, set out into the fields.

Jorg asks the Nuban how he was captured.