Brother Odd was working in the gardens when the call went out around the monastery. Ships! one of those meditating on the walls called out, echoed seconds later by more of the brothers, and still more. The sheer number of those calling out told him that this wasnt some cluster of merchant ships come to bargain, or a noble aiming to give a grand farewell to a son offered up to the monastic life.

Even so, he had to see it for himself, had to hope that everything he suspected in that moment was wrong. Still clinging to the rake hed been using to gather leaves, he climbed the stairs to the walls, looking out.

A trio of ships stood there on the horizon, enough to be called a fleet, enough to carry a whole company of men. They were surging forward from the sea, and by now they were already close enough that Brother Odd could make out the banners of the Southern Kingdom.

Whats happening? one of the brothers asked, even though it must have been obvious.

Another beside him looked hopeful. Maybe it is a procession, or a royal expedition.

Brother Odd couldnt help laughing bitterly, and caught himself. That was the kind of thing the man he had been did. He gripped the rake tighter. This was the man he was now.

Those are not trading ships, brothers, he said softly. That is an attack.

An attack? the first brother said. But why would they attack us? This is a holy place, a place of peace!

Perhaps that is why they have sent so few ships, Brother Odd said. They know that they can take the island easily.

But why would they? the second brother demanded.

Brother Odd shook his head. Because that would give Ravin easy access to the Northern Kingdom? No, dont say anything else. I have no time to explain the evils of the world to you, brother. I need to find the abbot, and you need to get out of the monastery. Tell everyone who will listen that they need to run, now!

He didnt wait for a reply, but hurried instead down from the walls, seeking out the abbot and hoping he wouldnt be too late. It was too easy to imagine the progress of the ships in toward the shore, the lowering of small boats or the throwing of ropes over to the docks. Brother Odd found himself imagining how he would organize the capture of a place like the monastery, and it was all too easy. Maybe if theyd had a company of soldiers here to defend those solid walls that cut them off from the world, it would have been different, but as it was…