study. Raibert arrived first, still buttoning his doublet, and Alix caught a glimpse of the marriage chain at his throat: three gold links signifying man, woman, and child. It was only then she remembered that Raibert had been married almost a decade ago, before losing his wife and infant daughter in childbirth. Heâd never remarried, and the fact that he still wore the chain hinted at why. He caught Alix looking, but offered no comment. Instead, he said, âI pray itâs good news, my lady.â Pray it he might, but Alix could tell from his eyes that he didnât believe it.
His doubt proved well founded: Arran Green entered the study alone. It was all Alix could do not to sag against the desk in disappointment.
âGreetings, Your Majesty,â the commander general said, bowing.
Erik sighed. âYou didnât find him.â
âWe did not.â Arran Greenâs pale gaze shifted to Alix. âI am sorry, Captain.â
âDid you find anything?â the king asked.
âYes. I am convinced beyond any doubt that a host of Blackswords passed through the marshlands, and the fact that they remain together and in the field suggests that Lord Black is among them.â
âThatâs wonderful news,â Raibert said, mustering a smile for Alixâs benefit. Bless the man, Farika was truly his sign.
âIf you found evidence of their passing, why could you not track them?â
âWe had not time, Your Majesty. As it was, we had to ride well out of our way to avoid the enemy. The host that attacked Blackhold is moving east, burning and pillaging along the way.â
Alix fought down a wave of nausea. Those were Rigâs people. Her people.
Gods-cursed Oridian swine.
Erik swore quietly. âMeaning theyâre headed straight for the Brownlands. Did you send word, as I asked?â
âWe did, sire,â Raibert said, âbut no matter how well prepared they are, the garrison at Brownhold will not be enough.â
His cousin shook his head. âNot unless Lord Brown withheld more swords than the other Banner Houses, but that is unlikely. At best, they can survive a siege.â
âAnd what of the main host, the army we faced at Boswyck?â
âOur scouts report theyâre still holding along the border,â Raibert said, âand they have been reinforced.â
âWhat are they waiting for?â
Alix wondered the same. With fifty thousand soldiers, they could smash Greenhold and Brownhold both, or at least besiege them into irrelevance.
âIt is hard to say, Your Majesty,â Raibert said. âMy guess is they will wait until Brownhold falls, then regroup with the rest and make for the Greylands. The Greys have not yet mustered, so theyâll be stronger than the rest of us.â
âBut not strong enough,â said Arran Green. âThe Greyswords number around ten thousand, but that is nothing compared to the host we faced at Boswyck. They will be little more than a nuisance, and once they are defeated, the enemy will be free to attack Erroman itself.â
âTom will never let the Greylands fall,â Erik said with surprising conviction.
âGods willing, Your Majesty,â Arran Green said.
The king took up his customary pacing, this time without his crutch. âWe cannot simply give the Brownlands over without a fight. That would allow the enemy free passage.â
âI agree, Your Majesty,â the commander general said.
âThe force that took Blackholdâhow many are they?â
âFrom what we saw, we judged them at five thousand. They appear to have picked up the remnants of the host we defeated here a fortnight ago.â
âVery well. Then we will take five of ours, and keep them busy before they reach the Brownlands. The remaining two are more than enough to defend Greenhold in the event of a siege.â
âAs you command, Your Majesty. I can have the men re-equipped and
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