Last Battle of the Icemark by Stuart Hill Page B

and the dreaded House of Bellorum wiped out. All of that planned in meetings and forged in alliances that were steeped in alcohol and buried under an avalanche of food. If you think we’re bad, you should have experienced your grandfather’s gatherings. King Redrought firmly believed that he’d failed as a host if most of the delegates to his meetings weren’t carried out at the end of the day.”
    â€œBut . . . but that was in the olden days!” Cressida spluttered. “It’s the modern world now. The empire’s dying, and a new order is emerging, where efficiency and discipline willreign supreme—”
    â€œAnd where people will still be people, no matter how many times you tell them they’re simply cogs in a beautiful machine,” Thirrin interrupted. She really would have to have a quiet talk with Cressida once the meeting was finished. Crown Princess or not, she really had to accept that populations only ever really consented to be ruled. Any monarchs that made themselves unpopular could expect to lose their throne in double-quick time.
    â€œGrishmak, see if you can find a chamberlain. I’d like a beer myself, and a cheese sandwich,” Thirrin said firmly as Cressida subsided into an affronted silence.
    â€œAnd don’t forget the pickle,” Oskan suddenly added.
    â€œAbsolutely,” she agreed. “Now, where had we got to?”
    â€œâ€˜And don’t forget the pickle’,” the clerk, who been busily scribbling notes, informed her helpfully as he read back through his papers.
    â€œFine. Grishmak, you have some news for us, I believe.”
    The Werewolf King finished muttering to the chamberlain who’d answered his call, and sent him on his way before turning back to the room. “Ah, yes! You mean the information we’ve gathered about the south?”
    â€œInformation from the south? Very exciting! But how exactly did you come by this intelligence?” Maggie asked, his interest revived by the promise of food.
    â€œFrom the werewolf relay. The southernmost links have been talking to the migrating birds and animals that have been coming north over the last few months, and we’ve built up a fascinating picture.”
    â€œAbout the empire, you mean?”
    â€œYes, and basically everything points to it being finished.The Desert Kingdom in its southernmost regions has been completely victorious, the Venettians and Hellenes have taken control of the Central Ocean and all coastal areas; in the north the Imperial Legions got a good kicking from us, and in the east and west . . . well, that’s what we’re here to discuss, isn’t it?”
    â€œIt is indeed,” Thirrin agreed. “And I believe it’s the news from the east that’s the most . . . disturbing.”
    â€œVery,” Grishmak said.
    â€œIs it still as bad?”
    â€œThe last reports from the relay suggested that it’s getting worse. Unless we act soon, we could all be in danger.”
    â€œI suppose it all depends on how we react to the information we have.”
    â€œWell, if you shared it with us all, there might be a chance that something could be done!” Maggie said exasperatedly. “I’m too old for dark hints and riddles – I might be dead before they’re answered!”
    â€œNonsense, Maggie,” said Krisafitsa warmly. “You’ll outlive us all.”
    â€œHah, only if you all die tomorrow! Now, will somebody please explain what’s happening?”
    â€œYes. I will, Maggie,” said Oskan, sitting forward in his chair. “There’s a movement of people in the east of the old Imperial Lands. Now that the Legions have been defeated, there’s a greater freedom in the world than has been seen for many generations, and entire populations seem to be migrating.”
    The Witchfather stood, and paced backwards and forwards as he