"What kind of contest?"

"I don't know."

"There's gonna be a speech in the square tomorrow." 

"What's the prize?"

"I heard there's this contest thing the king is holding, that could make you rich."

"Bull."

"It's just a rumour."

"No, I'm serious. The speech is being held tomorrow. That'll tell you all about it." 

"How do you know?"

"Sister's husband is a palace guard. He heard."

"What are they talking about?" Cameron asked Gabriel as they wove between lunch tables in the acolytes' food hall.

"I don't know," Gabriel replied. "Could be anything. Rumours spread like wildfire."

"Do you think -"

"Look, Cam, it's been nice talking to you, but I've got lunch prayer to make and mass this evening. I'll tell you one thing though, my friend. If anyone knows it'll be Brother Zachary. He makes it his business to know everything. I'll say you wanted to talk to him, send him your way."

"Thanks, Gabriel." Cameron said, subdued, but he was talking to his friend's back. Gabriel was already walking away.