The False Prince

When Sage and Mott return to Farthenwood, “the aromas of spiced meat and fresh-baked bread [are] inescapable” (93). Errol leads Sage to the bath, and Sage changes into his pajamas. Errol informs him that someone will bring his dinner to him momentarily.

A knock comes at the door, and when Sage turns around, Imogen is there, holding a tray with Sage’s dinner. She sets down the tray; Sage apologizes for having caused her any trouble. Imogen goes to leave, but Sage asks her if she might be able to give him a needle and thread so that he can repair one of the shirts that was ripped during the horse ride. Imogen initially refuses, but she eventually agrees to try. Suddenly, Tobias’s servant comes into the room and chastises Imogen for being too familiar with Sage; he hurls a book at her, which hits her in the back. Sage react vehemently: He grabs a knife that he had been hiding under his pillow, steps in front of Imogen to protect her, and angrily tells the servant to step back.

Before the conflict escalates further, Mott runs into the room. He takes the knife, which he recognizes as his own, from Sage.