“Indeed. It is a shame to wrest him from a home still under repair, but I need him and his troops. And we’ll need the rangers from the southern borders—and the west as well—but first, we eat.”

Garris grinned, to the obvious surprise of the other Squires. “Aliam’s rules, eh?”

“Right. It’s near enough dawn; the kitchen may have already lit fires, so I suspect we’ll be getting hot food soon.”

“The Council?”

“I expect they’ll arrive on their own while we eat. As will my elven relatives.” Surely they would come, would appear any moment. “I am monitoring the taig now, but would like Orlith or another to do so as well.”

“Is there any chance our river force can throw them back?”

“It might, depending on what force they sent and what their fire weapon is. The Pargunese king’s mention of a ‘forbidden hill’ and ‘dragons’ fire’ worries me. It may be nothing more than a scare-name, but if it’s not—”

“Sir King—” That was the steward, looking both scared and determined. “Bread’s not out yet, but there’s porridge-cakes quickfried and cold meats—hot sib in a few minutes.”

“Excellent,” Kieri said. “Come now—let’s eat. Everyone needs to start this day with a good meal under their belts.”

“My lord—” The steward bowed them into the small dining room.

Kieri and Garris ate heartily, and soon his Squires joined in. Kieri drank down a cup of hot sib in three swallows, finishing just as Orlith arrived.

“Sir King—I’m glad to see you’re awake.”

“The taig woke me, as I’m sure it did you. Have you eaten?”

“Yes,” Orlith said. “Others are coming.”

“The Lady?” Kieri asked. “I haven’t been able to reach her through the taig.”

“I expect so,” Orlith said.

“Good,” Kieri said, applying himself to another porridge-cake. “We will have a busy day. I would like you to monitor the taig, so that I can deal with other things from time to time. I’m staying in contact, but I don’t want to miss anything it might tell us and yet I must attend to purely military matters as well.”

“As you wish, Sir King,” Orlith said, bowing.

“I’m sending couriers to bring in our reserves of rangers,” Kieri said. “And the Halveric with his troops.”

“I thought they were already here—”

“No.” Had Orlith paid no attention earlier? “A cohort and a half are still south, with Aliam.” Servants brought in a steaming basket of hot bread. Kieri broke off an end and slathered it with butter, then dripped honey on it. “Let this stand for the pastry,” he said. “We’re already talking business, and we must continue.”

Garris pushed back his chair. “By your leave, Sir King, I’ll get the couriers started on their way—and yes, I’ll make sure they’ve breakfasted.”

“Good. Whoever’s at the river should already have sent to Tsaia to warn them, as well as to us. Send also to whatever domains you think might not be touched by couriers on their way to and from the river.”