I don’t remember riding through the gates or arriving at the house. I do remember being met at the door by Oreg, who picked me up and carried me up the stairs as if I didn’t weigh half again what he did.

They fussed over me for a while, my brother, cousin, and uncle, while I scrubbed in an oaken tub, then sat while Oreg went through my hair with a comb to rid me of lice and nits—which the king’s men hadn’t bothered to do.

“Ciarra and I have a daughter,” said Beckram, leaning back on his stool to keep out of Oreg’s way. “Three days ago. I just found out today.”

I looked out from under the clean wet hair Oreg had thrown over my eyes. For a minute we grinned at each other.

“Does she have a name yet?” I asked, stammering a bit.

“Leehan,” he answered. “After the spirit of the woods.”

“There are a lot of your men here. Is she at Hurog?” Surely they wouldn’t have brought her all the way to Hurog when she was so near to delivering.

“No. We left half the guard there—she said she was fine. The king’s men left as soon as Mother convinced them that Father and I were on our way to Hurog.”

I rubbed my face tiredly. It was so hard to gather my thoughts, harder still to order my tongue.

“I think it’s dangerous,” I said. “You need to get her to Hurog.”

“Ward,” Duraugh said, “she’s just given birth. She’s not up to the ride to Hurog. What makes you think she’s in danger?”

“Jakoven,” I said. “Get all of our blood out of Iftahar—it’s not a fortress. Hurog is better defended even now.”

“I would think Jakoven more likely to lick his wounds and try again,” said my uncle.

“No,” I said, rubbing my forehead. “It’s important to him now. He’ll act immediately. We need to get Ciarra and the baby to Hurog.”

“I’ll go,” said Beckram, hearing the urgency in my voice. He stood up as his father started to argue. “If Ward says they’re in danger, I’ll move them to safety.”

Duraugh shook his head at both of us, but said only, “Sleep the night, then, and leave at first light. It won’t help her if you break your neck galloping off in the darkness.”

Oreg helped me stand and poured warm water over my head as Duraugh and Beckram worked out the details. Shivering even in the warm room, I huddled in the toweling Oreg brought me and wished I felt clean. Tosten handed me fresh clothes and I struggled into them.

They managed me into another room, complete with fire and bed, and Oreg bullied everyone else out. He stayed, a silent sentinel. But even his presence couldn’t make me feel safe.