Rodry stood there while Ambassador DEntre walked from his fathers hall unharmed. He stood there because he couldnt believe it was happening. He was already angry that the boy he recognized from the House of Weapons had just been dragged away. Now, this so-called emissary had come into their kingdom, into their castle, into their home, and made threats, yet he was walking away.

Father, Rodry began, approaching his fathers throne as King Godwin resumed his place there.

To his shock, his father held up a restraining hand. Not now, Rodry. Do you think theres anything you can say about this situation that I havent already considered?

But youve let him go alive and unharmed! Rodry said. The terms he offered were an insult!

Keep your voice down, boy, his father snapped back, even though Rodry wasnt a boy but a man, a knight. I have done the best thing for this kingdom. Now, someone fetch me Master Grey. Hes walked out, and we have important matters to discuss.

Important? As if the Southern Kingdom threatening war wasnt important? As if they were simply supposed to let an insult like that go?

Rodry kept from saying that, but only because he knew it wouldnt do any good. His father wasnt going to listen, wasnt going to act. That meant that Rodry had to do it. Rodry had to be the kind of man who would act to defend his kingdom and his sister from these insults.

He stalked from the hall, and a couple of his companions followed, falling into step with him. The ambassador was ahead, with a couple of men who must have been there to guard him on his journey. The southern fighters had curved swords and kite-shaped shields, with deep purple surcoats over chain armor. The ambassador was smiling, and one of them must have made a joke in the southern tongue, because the three of them laughed as they left the castle.

If Rodrys blood hadnt been up enough by then, it was now. He and his companions followed the men out of the castle and down to the stables, where three large, fine southern horses were waiting, ready and saddled as if the ambassador had known he wouldnt be staying. Back in the courtyard, there might have been celebrating people, but here in the stables, there were a few stable hands, but no guards, and no courtiers who might run back to his father.

Youll apologize before you mount those beasts, Rodry said. His friends took up positions to the side, a little way from the guards.

Apologize for obeying my instructions from our king? the ambassador replied.

Ravin is not king of these lands, Rodry snapped back, and every word you said in there was an insult to my father, to my sister, to all of us.