Sneaking into the camp

You ride Steelheart only as far as the edge of where the visiting lords are camped, and let him free to wander the meadow where he can nibble at the dew-dampened grass; if anyone sees him, it is probable that they will assume he is Subhi's horse, who could be Steelheart's twin. The blue band at the eastern horizon has expanded to fill the sky, with only the brightest stars still shining, and the first hint of red precedes the rising Sun; you have less than an hour. Quickly and carefully, you make your way through the tall grass toward the Sultan's camp.

It is very much on your mind that Subhi is not just an ally, but also a true friend, and you cannot help but feel a pang of guilt for abusing his trust in this way. But you do this for Lady Trina, and it may be the only way to find justice and clear her name.

Of course, there are guards at the perimeter of the Sultan's camp, but they have been on duty all through the night and by now are sleepy and their attention is not what it might have been (you have heard Captain Navarre tell the Kingsguard and the City Watch that they must make an extra effort to be alert in the pre-dawn hour, as this is when their own bodies and eyes will betray them most). You are able to make your way to the low wall which surrounds one side of the camp, and then roll over the top of it without being seen. The ground is trampled grass, wet with the dew, and so your footsteps make no sound as you move from shadow to shadow toward the large tent at the center. The sound of men snoring and the gentle breeze is all that breaks the silence; the crickets have ceased their chirping, and the birds have not yet arisen.

You had noticed when you came to greet the Sultan upon his arrival that there was a smaller tent attached to his own, with no other means of entrance. Surely, this must be where he keeps the women of his harem (it is fortunate indeed that Subhi elected to stay another night in the castle, or he would certainly be sleeping there as well!). Two tall men stand outside Subhi's tent, and another walks in circles around it; they all seem to be more alert than the guards at the perimeter. There is no way you will be able to go through the large tent to get to the smaller one.

You watch the sentry walk a full circle, and see that it takes him perhaps a full minute to make the round. It does not give you much time to get into the smaller tent! To complicate matters further, there are torches lit all around which rob you of shadows to hide in. You begin to wonder if this will be impossible; perhaps you should give up on the idea and approach Subhi openly to ask if you may question the women.