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The courier pushed his scarf down his face and bobbed forward in a quick bow "I apologize, Your Highness I have an important communication fro as he held out a sealed letter

Severin took the letter and inspected the seal before ripping it open, glancing at the courier when he retreated several feet down the hallway before reading the letter

My Dear Brother,

I fear I have bad news to share Two of ers captured another spy froe addressed to the assassins’ guild of Verglas

The guild has been hired to eliht--and e confront Arcainia I have no doubt they will claim they intercepted the orders and would have informed us if we had not detained their spy

We do not know the date or time the assassins will attack, but I expect it will be soon I a an army squad to Chanceux Chateau They will arrive a few hours after you receive this letter

Severin crumpled the letter, unable to read the rest Severin knew the co the defenses of the chateau, warning the servants, preparing for the arhts and concerns focused on one thing: Elle

He had to get her out

"Burke, take this thing to the kitchens, see that he is warhtened courier "Alert E today and needs to be dressed for riding in this weather Now Send Marc tome the treasury accounts, and have Oliver saddle Fidele and a fresh horse for the rowled before he holed himself up in his study

He worked quickly, recognizing that he may as well take care of Elle first so he could concentrate on the re tasks He needed to see that everyone in his household would be safe He had no doubts the assassins would leave his servants alone--if they didto off Severin and disappear before anyone noticed Severin knew his servants would support him, and he welcomed their help But Elle… he would take no chances with Elle Elle would have to leave

Marc arrived immediately Severin explained the situation to hirounds, deter where to station the soldiers when they arrived

Heloise entered and left after arguing via a slate with Severin for so a leather pack and a sour expression, but Severin ignored it and took the pack before he swept off to the chateau h clothes to comfortably ride out a blizzard--stood with her hands on her hips in theon?" Elle asked "I was in the htful book--anyone who tells you I was sleeping is mistaken--when Emele wrenched "