The king summoned another courier and sent him on his way south “with all possible speed.” He turned to Arcolin. “And should we move troops to the south end of the kingdom now, lord Duke?”

“No,” Arcolin said. “There’s much to do—and more to learn—before we move troops. Vaskronin is wily, and he has control not only of the Immer from Immervale down to the sea but of the coastal cities as well. What if this is a feint, meant to make us think he will attack overland? He might instead mount a fleet to sail out of the Immerhoft into the Eastern Ocean and come by boat all the way up to the falls of the Honnorgat with no hindrance. Pargun and Kostandan both traded to the south by sea. He will have heard of at least one river port. If he’s heard that Pargun was defeated, he might plan to land in Pargun and march overland.”

“I will need to talk to Duke Verrakai and you both within the day,” the king said. As Arcolin took his leave and turned away, the king added, “And do not forget to find a wife and get your heir.”

When Arcolin found Dorrin, he showed her Selfer’s letter; she agreed with his advice that no troops be moved yet. “Supplies,” she said. “We should have stockpiles of supplies ready for either invasion route, and right now the stores are full. I’ll see about moving them. When did the king want to meet?”

“After dinner,” Arcolin said. “And in the meantime I’m supposed to find a wife and get an heir.”

Dorrin laughed and shook her head.

Their meeting with the king lasted only two turns of the glass, as he approved moving supplies to the south and east, north of the river.

“We have the winter, at least, to prepare,” Dorrin said. “If Alured—Vaskronin—comes by land, he cannot get an army over the pass before winter closes it, magery or no.”

“Could he melt the snows with it?” the king asked.

“Not over such a space,” Dorrin said.

“And he will face resistance from the Aldonfulk gnomes,” Arcolin said.

“And by sea?”

“If the northern gales have begun, they would never make it around the Eastbight.”

“Then, Duke Verrakai, you and Duke Arcolin organize supplies in those locations; I will give orders for the Royal Guard to assist as needed.”

This year, unlike the last, Arcolin felt perfectly at ease meeting women he might want to marry. None awoke the fire he remembered from his youth and Aesil M’dierra, but Aesil was past childbearing now, even if his passion had not finally worn out. He could not expect to feel the same, he told himself. He must be sensible and look for the qualities his wife would need.