Fuuhhh... assuming Broken Blade is one of the black network, then they really are a formidable enemy. Also, it's always fun to see a haughty character fall to despair or fear when their darkest secrets were revealed.

Shouldn't it be the least conspicuous instead of most conspicuous path? Since she wants to travel in secrecy...

I have this thought that maybe Duke Cray2 thought Riftan would like to pledge geas to his 2nd daughter. Which is good, in a way cos knowing that Duke, he'd probably use Maxi to manipulate Riftan. Well it's a guess only though