‘You are surrounded by your father’s men. Jarls and elders whom Mirvar Rivengeld hand-picked for their advice and counsel. At a time such as this, maybe it would be an idea to use their knowledge and expertise?’ He looked around at the others gathered in the room. ‘Why not allow us, on your behalf, to make decisions on some of these more wearisome matters?’ When Astrid shot a sceptical look back at the jarl, he continued, ‘We all swore oaths to the Volken king. Blood oaths that bound us to him. We swore to defend his realm and do everything we could to keep law and order in this kingdom. Let us take some of this burden from your shoulders, as we did for your father.’

The sudden wave of emotion Astrid felt at hearing this offer took the young queen by surprise, and it was all she could do to hold back the tears that began to well up. She imagined what her father would have said at hearing that the ruler of his kingdom had openly cried while sat upon the ancient River Throne, and she forced herself to sit up straight, lifting her chin and fixing Jarl Glaeverssun in the eye.

‘Let it be so. You and the other jarls here will pass judgement on those matters you deem fit. You will, of course, include me in anything that represents a threat to the people of Stromgard or the Volken lands that fall under this city’s protection.’ She studied the faces of the men around her. These men were loyal to Mirvar, and she believed they would prove to be the same to her. ‘Most importantly, you will ensure all of our efforts are directed towards finding the Neshian expert on poisons. He alone might be the key to proving my brother’s innocence.’

‘Of course, my Queen.’

‘Good. That will be all.’

As he turned away, Astrid thought she saw a look of triumph cross Glaeverssun’s face. She dismissed it, though; since her father’s murder she’d had trouble sleeping and she must be seeing things. Only that morning she’d woken to the vision of an old woman, a snake draped around her shoulders, standing at the bottom of her bed; a mere blink of Astrid’s eyes had made the old crone disappear. She watched the men file out until only she and her shield maidens were left.

A cough a short distance from the throne made her turn in that direction. ‘Was that wise?’ Maarika said, stepping forward. Astrid and the girl were the closest of friends. They had grown up together, cried and laughed and stuck together through the best and worst of times. Astrid had been overjoyed when Maarika had become a shield maiden at almost the same time as her. ‘Jarl Glaeverssun is already a powerful man. You have just made him more so.’