Dorrin repressed a sigh. She wanted—they needed—the accurate, annotated maps Kieri Phelan had used. They belonged to Arcolin now. “Sir king, your librarian must find them—I can look at them and add what information I remember. Arcolin has good maps; ask him to have a current one copied and sent to you. The point is that there are two routes from eastern to western Aarenis.” She began to trace them out on the table. “The southern route, along the west-leading branch, is the main trade route and a Guild League road that will take heavy traffic in any weather: stone-flagged, drains to either side. The northern route is not as traveled nor as well built. It connects the east coast, then Sorkill on the west of the Copper Hills, and on through Merinath to Sorellin and Ambela. Most trade turns south from Ambela to Pler Vonja, but there’s a usable track along the foothills all the way west to Valdaire.”

The others stared at the tabletop as if trying to make it a map. “So—you are saying Vaskronin could move west by either route?”

“Exactly. Or both, if he has enough troops. If he has Lûn and Immervale, he can ignore the eastern branch of the Immer, take Koury, and then strike Sorellin or Ambela, cutting off any reinforcements from the east—if any are left—to command the north road. Once past Ambela and on the lesser-used track, no cities impede him and he could bypass opposition. Up the main trade road, he needs to take Cortes Cilwan—” She paused. The Count of Cilwan was still Andressat’s ward, his father having been killed in Siniava’s War and his elder sister married to one of Andressat’s sons, who had taken over as regent. How solid was his support in the city?

“Then surely he will take the northern route,” High Marshal Seklis said. “It is much to his advantage.”

“What about supply?” the king asked.

Dorrin nodded. “Yes. If he moves on the northern track, he must take all his supplies with him; the foothill farms aren’t rich, though he can eat mutton until it comes out his nose. If he takes Cilwan and Vonja, he will have food, arms, treasure in plenty.”

“Which do you think he’ll do?”

“I don’t know. He is clever; he learned from us that last year in Siniava’s War. He will try for surprise, and he will do something we do not expect. Without knowing his resources—how many troops he has, what supplies he has stocked—and whatever powers of magery he has, with or without the necklace, I cannot hazard a guess. That Pargunese commander used Achrya’s powers to ensorcel his troops and push them past what men will do on their own. If Vaskronin has that ability, he could do more with a smaller army.”