Damien followed, with Taegis beside him. Inside the next room stood a long wooden table, benches, and another fire pit built into the stone floor. Along the top of the table was a map etched out in ink across cream-colored vellum. “I’ve taken the liberty of bringing a map of the lands here so we could speak first.”

Damien stopped in front of the map and peered down. It was detailed, with every location labeled down to the last stream and trail.

“Do you know what the other Great Houses have planned?” Admiral Gerault came to stand beside Damien.

“I don’t. I hope with the break between storms that another set of carrier birds can be sent out. But this is what I have in mind: First, every house mobilizes their military and readies their forces to move at a moment’s notice. Second, the Great Houses meet again at the end of winter. I am proposing the meeting to take place at Lux Casta.”

“Lux Casta?” Admiral Gerault tugged on his chin. “Wouldn’t the capital city of House Vivek be a better choice since it’s near the wall and border?”

Damien shook his head. “I’m not sure yet where the new grand lord’s alliances lie.”

“So they found a replacement for Lord Rune and Lady Runa amongst the lesser houses?”

“No. Lord Rune’s son is the new grand lord.”

“Lord Rune’s son?”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t realize he had a son.”

“Very few did.” Apparently he would be having more of these discussions as the knowledge of Lord Renlar spread. Damien continued on. “And it is better for the Great Houses to meet farther, not closer, to the wall and the lands of House Friere.”

Admiral Gerault frowned. “Then I take it House Friere is not an ally.”

Damien sighed. “No. Not only did Lord Ivulf refuse to sign the treaty, I was made aware later that both House Friere and House Ravenwood are working with the empire.”

The admiral’s head shot up. “What do you mean?”

Damien glanced around. “It means the Great Houses are divided, and Friere and Ravenwood are our enemies.”

“And what about your new wife? Isn’t she from House Ravenwood?”

New wife. His heart gave a strange warble at the words. “She’s the reason I even know of such matters, as she’s defected from her own house.”

His eyes widened. “I see. That’s quite a risk she took.”

“Indeed.” Damien smiled softly down at the map. “The more I come to know her, the more I am convinced she will be a capable ally in the upcoming conflict.”

“That is high praise coming from you, my lord.”

Across the table, Taegis smiled.

Yes, Damien missed Selene. But now was not the time to dwell on her. He needed to focus. “Going back to the map, here is what I need from you, Admiral Gerault: I will be bringing the sea barrier down. It has been siphoning my strength, and I will need my power elsewhere in the coming months. I also require the barrier down in order to travel to Lux Casta. So I will need the naval fleet to start patrolling our shores. I will also need our forces to be ready to move inland when the empire invades.”