“What’s more, tomorrow I’m going to tell everyone that anyone who wants to go back and reclaim their home is welcome to,” Kordas continued. “I think some of them are going to stay, some to stay here at the lake, and some to go on with me to find a new home.” The Squire, for one. I think that little village is the kind of place he’s been wanting for a long time. “But I think a lot of them are going to want to go back. The ones who are going to stay here probably will because they don’t trust that someone isn’t going to turn up to strip Valdemar bare—and no matter how hard you try, Merrin, you probably aren’t going to be able to stop that if someone turns up with a hungry army. But some only came because staying was worse than leaving, so they’ll want to go back with you, now that I’ve vouched for you.”

Merrin didn’t look unhappy about this, as the light from the mage-lights hovering over them all reflected on his face. “You’ve got a point. Several of them, actually. You’re right about all of it. So you really don’t want the Duchy anymore?”

Kordas hugged the two boys next to him. “I think I’m ill-suited to navigate the waters that are coming,” he admitted. “I am many things, but I am not as skilled at—all of that—” he waved his right hand vaguely at the Gate “—as you are. Star, I would like you and the other Dolls to spread the word in the morning that it is safe to return to Valdemar and everyone who wants to can, and that their new Duke is the former Count Merrin and I trust him completely to keep them as safe as anyone can in the troubled times that will come.”

“And if troubled times don’t come?” Merrin said, voice still full of disbelief.

“Then you’ll help them prosper.” He laughed. “Actually, the fact that you aren’t going to be breeding famous horses anymore should keep things quiet for you.”

“You’re keeping the horses?” Merrin replied. “Well—damn! That’s low of you, Valdemar!”

“They’re my horses, not the Duchy’s,” Kordas reminded him. “Find something else to do with all those meadows. Try sheep. Or cows. Become famous for cheese.”

“Huh. Actually, that’s not a bad notion,” Merrin mused. “I do have a capital strain of cattle on my land . . .”

“Star, make sure we give Merrin’s cows back to him,” said Kordas.

“You cad! You stole my cattle?” Merrin tried to sound indignant, but the laughter in his voice gave him away.