Seklis nodded. “Sir king, that is what I’d hoped to do. If Duke Verrakai could provide an escort who knows the ways—”

“Of course,” Dorrin said. “And a pack mule, as well, for supplies.”

“I’ll leave tomorrow, then,” Seklis said. “A night in a real bed will do me no harm.”

Later, Dorrin took the king, Duke Marrakai, and Count Konhalt into her study to show them the maps she had and her plans for the roads.

“What is the best route from here to Konhalt?” the king asked, running his finger along a thin dotted line.

“I’m not sure,” Dorrin said. “There’s an area of damaged trees—trees both Queen Arian and the Kuakgan Ashwind said had been damaged by evil magery, though whether by Verrakaien or by kuaknomi they aren’t sure. My squires have patrolled there without difficulty, barring the ugliness. It’s more open than the deep forest, but there’s no actual road. It extends down to the Konhalt border.”

“Count?”

“I have always gone in from the west,” Count Konhalt said. “Though it’s but a crooked, narrow track.”

“Perhaps the Verrakaien damaged the trees to make travel easier without the work of building a road,” High Marshal Seklis said.

“Perhaps. Do you think it’s safe to travel that way, my lord?” the Count asked Dorrin.

“I would think so,” she said. “The Kuakgan Ashwind came from the south; he said he cleared the evil ahead of him. And the king’s escort is amply large enough to deter any small brigand band.”

“But I’m not going on,” the king said. “That was the plan, but Queen Arian’s visit was delayed—and I’m delighted she came, late or no—and then our progress here was slower than I expected. I must be back in Vérella by Midsummer Court, and my escort will go with me. Do you have no one who could guide the Count to his domain?”

“Only to the border,” Dorrin said. She turned to Count Konhalt. “I’m sorry, Count Konhalt, but I have found none who have traveled into your lands. I would gladly lend you one of my militia, but he would know no more than you.”

Konhalt nodded and turned to the king. “Then, sir king, if you will excuse me from Midsummer Court, I will travel back west and south and enter Konhalt by the only way I know.”

“If you have nothing to bring before me, I excuse you,” Mikeli said. “But you must then attend Autumn Court without fail.”

“Of course, sir king. Thank you.” He turned to Dorrin. “I agree that it would be better to have more access, Duke Verrakai, and I would participate in road building from here south, if it please you.”

“It would indeed please me. We need more communication, not less,” Dorrin said.