Erik and his men met Gherald and another Hunter in the palace courtyard. Knight-Lieutenant Conrad was a tall, lean man with blonde hair and blue eyes. He looked visibly shaken. “Knight-Lieutenant Hod delivered the news,” Conrad informed Erik.

“I take it that her majesty did not receive the news well, Knight-Lieutenant,” Rolph quipped as they dismounted.

Erik cast a hard look over his shoulder, and the young knight snapped to attention.

“She’s furious,” Gherald grated. “A duel with Branheim? What were you thinking, Erik?”

Erik’s eyes hardened, and he glared at Gherald. The old knight had to be shaken as well to let such a formality slip in front of men who weren’t part of the Order.

“Forgive me, Lord-Captain,” Gherald apologized.

Erik nodded.

Conrad sighed. “I don’t think she’s angry with you, Lord-Captain,” he remarked. “She’s furious with Branheim, though. Patryk had to quietly remind her that having a lord, even a lesser one, hung, drawn, and quartered is generally considered bad form, especially when a formal challenge has already been issued.”

Erik winced.

Conrad shook his head. “Her majesty wants you to wait for Duchess Ileana Thallion of Dunlain and Sir Yewn Aldris to arrive before you go in,” he told Erik. “She wants to see the three of you immediately. She’s decided to formalize an arrangement in private.”

Erik felt a sting he’d thought long past when the blonde Hunter named Ileana as duchess. He masked his reaction quickly and nodded. “I’ll see you inside,” he told the two Hunters.

The two Hunters strode into the palace, leaving Erik to wait for Ileana. He paced the courtyard and turned at the sound of horses. Ileana rode in through the gate, accompanied by Yewn and several guards. Erik strode over to her and helped her dismount. She looked at him for a moment, then seemed to remember that she was angry with him. “What am I walking into,” she asked coolly.

“I’ll be escorting you and Sir Yewn to her majesty’s council chamber,” Erik replied.

Ileana nodded as if she’d been expecting the decision.

Erik motioned for them to follow and led them into the palace. Gaebril Brandt stopped them as they crossed the great hall. “Going somewhere, Lord-Captain,” he drawled.

Erik shook his head while Ileana quietly stepped behind him. “I have business with the queen, Lord Gaebril,” he replied.

Gaebril shook his head. “When don’t you,” he snorted and motioned with his head toward Ileana. “Be careful. A few of the others are noticing her.”

Erik shook his head. “Just let it go for now, Gaebril,” he said mildly.

Gaebril shook his head. “You’re getting in over your head this time,” he chuckled, then looked at Ileana. “Oh, I almost didn’t see you there, your grace.”

Ileana said nothing.

“What? No fast comebacks this time,” Gaebril continued relentlessly.

“That’s enough, Gaebril,” Erik growled.

“What are you going to do,” Gaebril demanded. “Hit me again? Well there aren’t any stairs around this time.”

Erik shook his head. “You’d think a man would get past something like that after sixteen years,” he drawled.

Gaebril scoffed. “Maybe you would,” he growled. “But, then you’ve always been like that.”

“That’s unfair,” Ileana snapped.

“And, look at you,” Gaebril chuckled. “You have to get involved even when you have no idea what you’re getting into. My mother was right. You two really are a matched pair.”

Erik felt a warm rush run up his spine and smelled roses. “Walk away, Gaebril,” he said quietly.

Gaebril’s voice dropped to a harsh whisper. “Read between the lines for once, dammit,” he grated. “I don’t want my sister on the throne, but I can’t say no.”

“I don’t particularly care at the moment.”

Gaebril motioned with his head toward Ileana. “Are you trying to get her killed,” he growled. “The seneschal moves a piece, the queen moves another, but somebody is moving other pieces. We all know that Seneschal Klein is savvy enough to take a loss with at least an air of dignity, but what about that third player?”

Ileana shook her head. “We’re not teenagers here, anymore,” she reminded Gaebril. “We’re all adults. Don’t you think we should start acting like it?”

“You’ll really want to be walking away now, lad,” Yewn told Gaebril. “We have business with the queen, and we’re already late. You wouldn’t want us to be dropping your name when she asks us why, now, would you?”

Gaebril laughed. “I’ll be seeing you,” he growled at Erik and strode off.

Erik turned to look over his shoulder as the warmth and scent of roses faded. Yewn’s shook his head, and Ileana was looking away from Erik. “Are you all right,” Erik asked Ileana in Elvish.

Ileana nodded. “I’m fine,” she replied quietly.

Erik watched Ileana for a moment. Then, he nodded and turned to Yewn. “Thank you for that, Sir Yewn,” he told the red-haired elf sincerely.

Yewn shrugged. “Well, you may be a good commander on the battlefield, but diplomacy doesn’t seem to be your strong suit,” he replied lightly. “Looked to me like he just needed a nudge in the right direction.”

Ileana rounded on Yewn. “That’s enough, Sir Yewn,” she snapped.

“I meant no offense, your grace. It’s not an uncommon thing. Men like Lord Vespin have a lot on their minds. They can’t always spare the time to play nice.”

“I’m sorry, Yewn.”

Yewn looked briefly between Erik and Ileana, then grinned. “It’s all right, your grace,” he said lightly. “I understand where you’re coming from.”

Ileana blinked at that.

Erik cleared his throat. “We really are running behind,” he reminded the two elves.

Yewn nodded.

Erik led the way through the corridors toward the main council chamber. Ileana walked next to him, and Yewn Aldris followed a few feet behind, his hands clasped behind his back. After a short distance, Erik looked at Ileana. He felt the renewed sting when he looked at her, even though she was angry with him. “I am sorry for your loss,” he told her sincerely.

Ileana gave Erik a questioning look.

Erik looked back ahead. “Knight-Lieutenant Conrad mentioned that you’re the Duchess of Dunlain now,” he explained.

Ileana shook her head and sighed. “My parents are still living, Erik,” she told him. “They’re taking a hiatus and left me in charge. I’ve let them know what’s going on and appointed a steward. They’ll be picking the household back up as soon as they get back to Dunlain from visiting family in Eire.”

Erik shook his head. “I thought,” he began sheepishly and trailed off.

“I know what you thought,” Ileana replied gravely and laid a hand on Erik’s shoulder. “Just as I know that you are a touch more sensitive to such things than you would prefer to let on. I do appreciate your concern, though.”

Erik nodded. “Why did they bring a priestess to the meeting of the Baronial Court,” he asked.

Ileana sighed. “They didn’t really see fit to explain to me what was going on,” she replied.

Erik grimaced.

“It’s unusual, but it does happen from time to time. Although, she did say something troubling to me. She told me that failure is not an option.”

Erik looked at Ileana. She stared ahead, making that serious face she did when she was trying to figure something out. Erik shook his head and knocked on the council chamber door when they arrived. The door swung open and Gherald curtly motioned for them to enter.

Conrad sat at the end of the table across from Patryk, and both men looked concerned. Estrid stood at the far end of the table between them, her palms on the table. Two packets sat on the table in front of her. Erik could only guess what they had been saying as Gherald took a seat next to Conrad. Erik and Yewn bowed to Estrid while Ileana dropped a deep curtsy. Estrid motioned curtly to the table. “Can we dispense with the formalities,” she asked icily.

Yewn took a seat next to Ileana while Erik sat across from her, next to Gherald.

Estrid looked at them and stood up from the table with her hands on her hips. “Ileana, what, exactly, did the Lord of Branheim say to Erik,” she asked.

Ileana repeated the conversation between Erik and Folkher verbatim.

Estrid nodded.

“Erik offered the man a chance to rescind his remarks, your majesty,” Ileana added quickly.

Estrid turned to Erik. “And,” she asked.

“I cannot allow his comments to stand,” Erik replied.

Patryk leaned back in his chair. “A majority of the high lords could technically compel Branheim to apologize to stave off a duel,” he pointed out.

Estrid nodded. “Exactly,” she agreed, then turned to Erik. “A courier arrived from the Baron of the Westmark. He’ll be here tomorrow. You’re sure there’s no way to convince Wilhelm Keller to hold off for two days?”

Erik shook his head. “I don’t think so,” he replied. “We gave Wilhelm a pass on certain formalities to return home tomorrow.”

Patryk shook his head. “Is allowing the duel to continue a wise decision given present circumstances,” he asked the room.

Ileana said “no” at the same time that Erik and Conrad said “yes.”

Ileana turned a glare at Erik that he found more pretty than intimidating. “It’s not worth the risk,” she insisted, slipping into her native Elvish as she became angry. “Yes, I heard what Branheim said. Everyone did. He’s a windbag that needs deflating, but I–we need you alive right now. I don’t want to take that risk!”

“Ileana,” Erik sighed. “I’m not really in a position to back down here.”

“That’s just stupid on its face! Have you thought that, maybe, I don’t want to see you get hurt,” Ileana yelled.

“That’s enough,” Estrid shouted.

Ileana nodded.

“Lord-Captain Vespin,” Estrid grated.

“Yes, my queen,” Erik replied mildly.

“We need you to deflate that windbag. We find his behavior of late intolerable and offensive.”

Erik grimaced and leaned back in his chair, propping his jaw against his fist. “Am I to take this as a matter of personal offense to your majesty,” he asked.

Estrid nodded. “Yes, you are, Lord-Captain,” she replied.

Erik nodded. “Yes, your majesty,” he replied simply.

“Good,” Estrid said flatly. “I had half a mind to hang the man myself until Patryk reminded me that it would be impolite.”

“Your majesty,” Ileana began to object.

“And, you,” Estrid snapped, leveling a finger at Ileana. “You met with Erik yesterday. I explicitly requested that you not do so. I would like to know if there is a good reason that you chose to disregard that request.”

Ileana looked down at the table. “I’m sorry, your majesty, there was no good reason for it,” she replied contritely.

Estrid looked at Ileana for a long moment and sighed. She stood and touched her fingertips to her forehead. “Did any good come out of it at all,” she asked.

“We came to an agreement,” Erik told Estrid.

Estrid heaved a weary sigh, then turned back to Ileana. “This is my kingdom,” she told Ileana. “You are a guest in my kingdom, and you will obey my laws. Do I make myself clear?”

“Don’t you think this is a private matter,” Erik asked.

Estrid turned to Erik. For a moment, the two’s eyes locked. Erik realized that he hadn’t mollified the queen’s anger, but he’d at least managed to redirect it. “What,” Estrid asked in a dangerous tone.

Erik held up a placating hand. “This seems to be a private matter unless you want everyone’s opinion,” he told Estrid calmly. “She seems to have meant well.”

“I’ll take your advice into consideration, Lord-Captain,” Estrid replied acidly.

Patryk saw the unstoppable force going headlong toward the immovable object and cleared his throat. “We’re getting a bit far afield here, I believe,” the sage remarked.

Estrid turned her icy gaze to Patryk, then sighed and shook her head. “Yes, we are,” she admitted.

Patryk leaned back in his chair and winked at Erik once Estrid had turned her head.

Erik mouthed a “thank you” while the queen still wasn’t looking.

Estrid sat down. She leaned back in her chair, resting her chin against her palm and idly drumming her fingers on the arm of her chair. “How much did Ileana tell you last night,” she asked Erik.

Erik shrugged. “Only that there might be a cure for Anna,” he replied. “She wants to follow up at the university here.”

Estrid nodded. “That is about all we know right now,” she told Erik, then turned to Ileana. “Is there anything that you need to add to all of this?”

Ileana shook her head. “No,” she replied quietly. “I haven’t been able to go to the university yet.”

Estrid turned back to Erik. “I take it that you’ve agreed to guard her,” she surmised.

Erik nodded. “I have,” he replied.

“Good,” Estrid said as she slid one of the packets on the table to Erik and the other to Ileana. “Your order is this: you will protect and defend Ileana Thallion, the Duchess and Sage of Dunlain, as you would our own person. You are to go wherever she needs to go and make sure that she has access to whatever she needs.”

Erik picked up the packet the queen had given him and put it in his belt pouch. He knew that the packet and its contents were warded to protect them even without the familiar warmth and smell of black tea that always accompanied Patryk’s use of magic. He inclined his head. “Yes, your majesty,” he replied.

Estrid nodded. “This is the hard part,” she sighed. “You are to tell nobody what Ileana is doing, not even immediate companions. I want this done with the utmost secrecy.”

Erik looked at Estrid flatly. “With all due respect, your majesty, you have never asked that I hide my intent from my men before,” he reminded her. “Why now?”

Estrid met Erik’s eyes. “That is not a request,” she told him firmly. “I am ordering my Lord-Captain of the Hunters to obey his queen. Do I make myself clear?”

“As crystal,” Erik replied in an icy tone. “Though, I do so only under protest.”

“Your protest is noted, Lord-Captain,” Estrid replied dismissively and turned to Ileana. “You are not to mention that you are doing this for me to anyone, except as I have already allowed. That is not a request.”

Ileana nodded. “Yes, your majesty,” she agreed.

Estrid breathed a sigh of relief. “Good,” she said, leaning back and resting her temple against her fingertips. “We need to figure out how we’re going to accomplish that. Do we know where they’ll be staying?”

Yewn Aldris cleared his throat. “A suggestion, if I may, your majesty,” he said.

Estrid nodded. “I’m open to suggestions,” she replied.

“There is a guard barracks on the embassy grounds,” Yewn told everyone. “Lord Vespin could remain there with a few retainers. It would, at least, allow us to avoid any rumors of impropriety, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Estrid grimaced at that.

Gherald shook his head. “It won’t do,” he remarked.

Yewn raised an eyebrow.

“Erik has problems with the Baronial Court right now,” Patryk supplied. “Appointments at the embassy are too strict to manage the availability that the other high lords will want until after he’s done rendering Branheim down to dog-meat.”

Ileana’s brow knit briefly in thought. “There is an inn not far from Erik’s home,” she suggested. “It’s on the way to the university, so he could meet me there.”

Erik shook his head. “It’s too high risk,” he told her. “If this were the countryside then it would be a different matter. Inns in Raine receive too much anonymous traffic and are often difficult to secure.”

“And, the university dormitories?”

Gherald shook his head. “Those are even harder to secure,” he rumbled. “We’re not taking the risk.”

Erik looked at Ileana. “Are you traveling with anyone,” he asked her. “Or, did you come alone?”

Ileana nodded. “I’m traveling with a bodyguard and a lady-in-waiting,” she replied.

Erik thought for a moment and turned to Estrid. “You could extend your hospitality to Ileana and her companions,” he pointed out. “It would avoid any appearance of impropriety and my presence here never raises eyebrows.”

Estrid shook her head. “It won’t do,” she told Erik.

“It’s too far from the university,” Ileana explained. “There’s so many people that it would take me hours to get there from here.”

Patryk leaned back in his chair and looked between Erik and Ileana. A knowing smile crossed his face, but he quickly masked it. “You know,” he told the room, “if there are going to be any rumors about the two’s relationship, then they likely kicked back up the moment Ileana set foot in his house yesterday. A lot of people know where they stood six years ago, but not many people know what happened before she left. If she stays with him, then we can guarantee her safety. That, and his house is close to the Winter Gate.”

Gherald snorted. “Besides, we’ve all seen the place. It would take hours to get in the gate, even with a battering ram, and I’m sure Erik has a good cache of weapons in there,” the old Hunter noted. “The only servants in his household who don’t carry themselves like fighting men are the stable hands and scullery maids. I’m betting that the ones who stay out of sight are patrolling, and I wouldn’t be surprised to find a maille shirt under his steward’s tunic.”

“My household does have its quirks,” Erik admitted.

“That’s one way of putting it,” the old Hunter replied and turned to Estrid. “It’s probably one of the most secure places in the city, and I don’t trust leaving the two of them with a third party.”

Estrid nodded. “It’s settled then,” she told everyone as she casually adjusted her skirts. “Ileana and her two companions will stay with Erik as long as they remain in the city.”

Ileana grimaced. “Do I get a say in this matter,” she asked.

Estrid shook her head. “Not this time,” she replied.

Ileana blushed.

Erik had his own objections, but he held his tongue. He knew better than to say anything at the moment.

Estrid looked around the table. “That is all,” she told everyone curtly.

Erik stopped Ileana by the door as they were all filing out of the room. “Would you mind waiting just outside,” he asked her.

Ileana gave Erik a questioning look. “Sure,” she replied.

Erik nodded and remained behind. Estrid was standing, and Gherald was draping a shawl around her shoulders. “Your majesty, I would like to have a word with you,” Erik told her.

Estrid nodded and sat back down.

Erik gave Gherald a meaningful look. “In private if you will, Knight-Commander,” he said flatly.

Estrid motioned to the door. Gherald bowed and left the room. “What is it, Erik,” she asked primly.

Erik sighed and turned to Estrid. “Your majesty, I believe you were being too hard on Ileana back there,” he replied.

Estrid shook her head. “Ileana needs to understand that she is a guest in my kingdom,” she replied. “I will speak with her to clear the air. However, don’t think I’m going to let you get out of this that easy, wolf. I know that’s not what’s really on your mind.”

Erik looked at Estrid gravely and crossed his arms. “Permission to speak plainly, your majesty,” he asked.

“I believe you already are, Lord-Captain.”

“I do not appreciate you and Gherald involving her like this. I certainly don’t appreciate the two of you deciding not to tell me that she’d returned to the city.”

Estrid simply watched Erik.

“I have half a mind to take Gherald out in the yard and beat some sense into him. I don’t have that option with you, but you should not have put her in danger like this. We should have worked this matter out on our own. You didn’t need to risk her neck as well.”

“Bringing Ileana into this was not our idea, Erik. It was hers.”

“You didn’t need to go along with it.”

“I didn’t at first, but I don’t see any other choice. The university either truly can’t work with us, or they simply won’t. The only person I can trust on my council is Patryk, but I need him here to keep the Royal Council in check. They’re afraid of him, and that has given me a leg up in keeping them in line. I lose that if he isn’t here.”

Erik shook his head.

“It’s my daughter, Erik. Would you really expect a mother not to seize any chance for her child?”

“No,” Erik admitted quietly.

“What would you have had me do, then?”

Erik heaved a sigh. “I don’t want to lose Anna, either,” he said, “but I’m afraid I might lose both of them, now.”

“I know, Erik.”

Erik shook his head.

“You understand why I allowed this, then?”

Erik nodded. “I understand,” he assured Estrid and leaned against the wall by the door. “I would like to explain my protest.”

Estrid drummed her fingers on the table. “I thought you would,” she sighed. “My order to keep things secret isn’t without cause. Do you know how few should have known where that courier was?”

Erik shook his head. “Ileana hasn’t said anything about it, and Gherald didn’t elaborate much,” he replied.

“Ileana wouldn’t have known about it. The only ones who were privy to that meeting were Gherald, Patryk, the courier, and me.”

Erik grimaced. “I can’t really see anyone on that list being involved right now,” he pointed out.

Estrid shrugged. “Nor can I,” she agreed. “Someone had to know, though. Thankfully, we were able to get word to Ileana before she left Dunlain. Otherwise, she’d have sailed to Norburg instead of straight here.”

Erik pinched the bridge of his nose. “Let me guess,” he sighed. “You were going to have me meet her in Norburg or Drassen.”

“Yes. That’s why I had to recruit Marie. The courier I sent was carrying your orders. Patryk had warded the letter so that he would know when it was opened. We had to change everything.”

Erik grimaced. “How much does Marie know,” he asked.

“She was supposed to take a fast ship to Dunlain and then take the road from Norburg to the Hold to make sure that she caught up with you. I didn’t tell her anything, but she seems to have a sharp mind. She’ll figure it out soon, if she hasn’t already.”

Erik pinched the bridge of his nose.

“Is there a problem?”

“No,” Erik sighed. “Marie knows when to keep her mouth shut. She knows about my history with Ileana, but that’s a personal matter.”

“I see.”

“Either way, it looks like your concern is mainly in the city.”

“It is, especially the palace. It’s why I’ve only discussed matters in this room. If you have to leave the city, then I’m willing to negotiate secrecy. Why? Do you intend to be drawing knights from your personal retinue?”

Erik nodded. “I can’t exactly do everything on my own,” he pointed out. “I’m going to need some help.”

“You really think it’s that important?”

“If my men are putting their lives on the line, they’re going to need to know what they’re doing. At the very least, it will allow them to carry on if anything happens to me.”

“Who do you plan on taking with you?”

“The captains of my personal retinue: Siegler, Rolph, Manfred, Bernhard, Armin, Killian, Sigmund, Heinrich, Wilfred, and Alexander.”

“Siegler and Manfred are good choices. Most of the others have good reputations. I don’t think I’ve met Rolph, though.”

Erik raised an eyebrow, “I’m pretty sure that you have,” he said. “He’s the boy that I rescued at Henden.”

“The one with the smart mouth?”

Erik shrugged. “He’s learned to keep a better rein on it,” he assured Estrid. “I have high hopes for the lad.”

Estrid leaned back in her chair and drummed her fingers idly on the table. “Not in the city, unless the situation becomes dire,” she conceded. “I will leave it to Ileana’s discretion if you have to leave the city. I would prefer that you only divulge what his going on if you perceive significant risk to you and your men.”

“And, the Hunters?”

“We’ll see. If you’re able to do everything here without them, then there’s little point to it. I know that you and Gherald have a lot of them running about right now, though. I think you have Jachin running around somewhere loose. The Hunters outside of Raine will need to know what’s happening, at least in a general sense. If you encounter Alois, then just tell him I need him back here quickly. Do you know where Jachin is?”

“He’s in Verania somewhere.”

“Then you would probably encounter him somewhere between Coswig and Norburg. Have him accompany you and tell him everything.”

“Johannes?”

Estrid sighed. “Erik, if you have to go to Ravensburg, then something has gone terribly wrong,” she pointed out. Then, she shook her head. “Consider my order to brief the Hunters a general order. Gherald and I will see to it if you have to leave the city.”

Erik bowed and started to leave. He stopped at the door and sighed. “I almost forgot,” he admitted. “Wilhelm Keller would like for you to send more men his way. He thinks that the situation in Ravensburg is about to take a turn for the worse.”

Estrid sighed and shook her head. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Erik,” she replied. “It’s not that I don’t want to send men with you or help Baron Keller. I need the Hunters here. As a matter of fact, I am seriously considering recalling the Order.”

Erik leaned on the table. “Your majesty,” he said. “I’ve known Wilhelm since I was a boy. In all that time, I have never known his instincts to be wrong. If he tells me that he needs reinforcements, then he needs them.”

Estrid stared out the window. “You think it’s really that bad,” she asked.

Erik nodded. “Gherald has told me that the people Wilhelm is facing are unusually well-trained and disciplined,” he assured Estrid.

Estrid sighed. “I’ve sent envoys to Frederich,” she told Erik. “I don’t think they’re any of his, though.”

Erik shrugged. “Does it matter whose they are,” he asked.

“All right, Erik. I will give you Jachin’s company for this. They may take a half compliment of Guardsmen with them.”

“Thank you, your majesty. I’ll send orders and let Wilhelm know. I’m sure he’ll be relieved.”

“However.”

Erik raised an eyebrow.

“You will have fast horses ready with a recall order. They will be back in the city as soon as you can manage it if I tell you to do so.”

“Your majesty,” Erik began to object, but Estrid stopped him with a raised hand.

“The matter is not up for discussion, Erik,” Estrid said firmly.

“As you wish, my queen,” Erik grumbled.

Estrid glared at Erik. “Now, I know you have Ileana waiting outside the door,” she told him. “Tell her I would like to speak with her. I’ll have Sir Yewn bring her and her companions to you.”

Erik nodded.

Estrid looked shrewdly at Erik. “You still feel for her, don’t you,” she asked.

“With all due respect, your majesty, that is none of your business,” Erik growled.

Estrid shook her head. “You have no idea how tempting it is to order the two of you to be married before you leave my city,” she told Erik flatly. “Since neither of you is able to be mature about this, maybe I should make the decision for you.”

“That would crush her, and you know it,” Erik snapped back.

Estrid raised an eyebrow. “Really, Erik,” she scoffed. “She’s not as delicate as she was when she was a child. She’s grown quite a bit, in case you haven’t noticed. Tell me this: if you truly harbor nothing more for her then why, aside from your tawdry adventures with that Yatsheliarrin horse mistress, have you hardly looked at a woman since she left?”

Erik didn’t reply. He left and slammed the door behind himself.

Ileana watched Erik with an unreadable expression on her face as he turned to her.

“Her majesty wishes to speak with you,” Erik told Ileana.

Ileana nodded and went in.

Erik waited until the door was closed to turn to Yewn. “Her majesty asks that you bring Ileana and her companions to my home, Sir Yewn,” he told him. “I’ll go on ahead and make sure that they have rooms and dinner prepared for them.”

Yewn nodded. “I’ll see that she arrives safely, my lord,” he replied.

“Thank you.”

“It’s no trouble at all.”

Erik turned to Gherald. “Knight-Commander,” he said. “Get orders to Jachin’s company. They are to gather a half contingent of Guardsmen and make for Ravensburg with all possible haste to reinforce Johannes. Find a way to get word to Jachin. Make it clear to the men that they are expecting trouble.”

Gherald saluted. “Yes, Lord-Captain,” he replied.

Erik started to walk away, then snapped his fingers. “And, Knight-Commander,” he said over his shoulder.

“Lord-Captain?”

“Remember that Jachin sometimes tends to get a bit ahead of himself. Make sure that your missives to him make it clear that I expect him to use caution.”

Gherald raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure he knows what that word means, lad,” he quipped.

Erik sighed. “You know what I mean, Knight-Commander,” he drawled. “Just make sure he understands that I don’t want him taking risks. I’ll need him if things go poorly.”

Gherald nodded. “Don’t worry, Lord-Captain,” he replied. “I’ll send word to Johannes, too. I’ll make sure someone keeps the Dimyr Leopard on a short leash.”

“Good luck with that,” Erik chuckled as he turned to leave.

Erik made his way through the administrative buildings toward the residence. As he walked, he broke the seal on the packet the queen had given him. It contained a written copy of his orders and a brief warrant giving him carte blanche. He returned the packet to his belt pouch as he passed the guards at the residential wing. He stopped at Anna’s door and knocked. He was turning away when the door swung open.

Anna looked at Erik. Her face turned sad, and she motioned inside. She left the door open as Erik followed her into her sitting room. “You knew Ileana was here,” he accused.

“I’m sorry, Erik,” Anna said quietly as she sat on the divan. “I wanted to tell you that Ileana was here. Patryk was right. I should have told you, no matter what my mother wanted.”

Erik heaved a sigh. “It’s forgiven, Anna,” he said.

Anna nodded. “So, what brought you here,” she asked.

Erik shrugged. “I’m not quite sure,” he admitted.

Anna chuckled. “I suppose I have an idea after yesterday,” she replied. “You probably wanted to make sure I was still alive. Well, I’m alive and about as well as can be expected.”

Erik nodded.

“So, I heard that she visited you yesterday.”

“Does everyone know?”

“I think the whole city knows.”

Erik shook his head. “People need to learn to keep their noses out of other peoples’ business,” he growled.

Anna shrugged. “It’s just the way people are, I suppose,” she replied. “I hope you didn’t shout at her too much. Even my mother gets nervous when you’re angry sometimes.”

Erik sighed. “I wouldn’t exactly say that the conversation went well,” he grumbled.

Anna shook her head. “You know she asks about you every time she writes,” she asked.

“She could ask me.”

“I think she was afraid.”

“That seems unlikely.”

Anna shook her head. “It seems so easy, yes,” she told Erik. “It isn’t, though. Don’t think I’ll let you get away that easy, though.”

Erik stood and removed a small, silver bowl and rod from his belt pouch. “I meant to give this to you yesterday, but I didn’t get the chance,” he said.

Anna’s face lit up. “What did you bring this time,” she asked.

Erik quietly sat the bowl on a side table by the divan, filled it from a pitcher, and dragged the small rod around the rim. The surface of the water rippled, and the bowl rang as though singing.

“That’s amazing,” Anna breathed.

“I stole it from a Selarian captain.”

Anna playfully punched Erik’s arm. “It’s mean to steal from people,” she chided him.

“He was dead.”

Anna sighed.

“Don’t worry,” Erik assured Anna as he held the small rod out for her. “I cleaned and polished it.”

Anna copied what Erik did, and her eyes were transfixed on the bowl. “Soooo,” she mused. “When is the wedding?”

“Wedding?”

Anna heaved a sigh. “You and Ileana,” she told Erik as if stating the obvious.

Erik stood. “I should get going,” he said. “I’ve got a lot to set in motion.”

Anna looked up at Erik. “Please, take care of yourself,” she replied.

Erik smiled weakly and patted Anna on the head. Then, he went to the door.

“Erik?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll see you when you get back.”