“I asked my father to send his response here instead of Spinner’s End. She’s probably been waiting for me.” She coos at the falcon before retrieving the message attached to her leg. Since Millie only allows Saengo and her parents to handle her, they don’t have to worry about anyone else getting a hold of their correspondence.

As Saengo reads the message, her joy at seeing Millie quickly fades. After a moment, she silently hands me the slip of paper.

I read quickly, my stomach in knots. According to her father, nearly the whole of the Royal Army stationed at Falcons Ridge marched east over a week ago with the queen. He remained behind, citing the queen’s orders that her own generals would lead the troops. The lords and ladies of neighboring properties all report the same. He ends his letter with a request that Saengo prepare for whatever might happen.

I close the note, my thoughts buzzing with questions. If it’s been well over a week since the army left Falcons Ridge, then they should have arrived by now. Even slowed by their numbers, an army of that size marching through the grasslands wouldn’t go unnoticed.

So where are they?

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Saengo says. What color the bath gave her has faded into a slightly green pallor. Even with the high collar of her shirt, I glimpse the lines of infection that have spread beneath her jaw.

Urgency presses around my lungs, making it hard to draw a full breath. She’s running out of time. “We have to get you a healer.”

I turn for the door, but she grabs my wrist. Even though she looks like a slight breeze might knock her over, her grip is strong.

“Promise me you’ll do something about this news,” she says. “This is more important, Sirscha.”

“As soon as I find you a healer or five.” The shamanborn called me Suryali. If the shamans here share the sentiment, then they won’t hesitate to help me. And if they refuse, then I don’t have to ask nicely. I’ll—

“Stop it,” Saengo chides softly, pulling me from my dark thoughts. “I think we need to tell Ronin. The people here have to be prepared in case …”

In case Queen Meilyr turns a gathering to discuss peace into a battlefield. But I shake my head. “Ronin’s first priority is his own power. I don’t trust that he won’t twist the information to his advantage, especially to avoid admitting he can’t keep the peace. I have a different idea.”

Out in the hall, Phaut awaits us, looking freshly washed. Her short hair is only partly dry, black and gray curling around her ears. Her dusty uniform has been changed for a clean one.

“Can you find Ronin and ask him to send a healer for Saengo? Please.”