Page 190 (1/2)

Then three days up the river to arrive hereThe ould be well under way by then ‘Sire, may I ask a question of you?’

‘Of course, Brys’

‘Where is the Queen’s Battalion?’

A momentary silence, then the Preda cleared her throat ‘If Inodded

‘Finadd, the queen has taken personal coade She insists on independence in thisthose assets into our discussion’

‘My dear wife has always held theara Diskanar said ‘So be it Better to have the her ambitions in the field than here in Letheras’

‘That being said,’ Unnutal Hebaz added, ‘we believe they are less than a league south of High Fort,northward to meet the Edur in the pass Her doctrine see hard She will set herthe wraiths froh to eli them in person?’

‘She and her retinue departed four days ago,’ the king said

Brys thought back to that time ‘The royal visit to her keep at Dissent?’

‘That was the pretext’

‘Then will Prince Quillas make an effort to join her?’

‘My son has separated his ship froation and now makes for Trate’

‘To what extent,’ Brys asked, ‘has her battalionher,’ the king snapped, ‘she’s da to replace the depleted stocks,’ Unnutal Hebaz said ‘Obviously, we are forced to adjust our tactics as a consequence We will fight defensively, in keeping with our doctrine, and, yes, the Edur will be expecting that But ill not roll back We will not retreat Once engaged, we intend to maintain that contact This will be, I believe, a brutal war – perhaps theBluerose’s League of Duchies’