What she did not want to do (until perhaps later), was be summoned to the king’s informal study to receive True’s gratitude for recovering what was left of Wodell’s treasury that Carrington had stolen (and it was not all that had been stolen, obviously, but it was quite a lot and came with large tomes in which an accounting of the expenditures had been made, with coded notes, which, decoded, could lead to evidence of treason and more arrests).

But this, it would seem, was what she had no choice but to do when she, Gal, Brix and Tor arrived at the castle after half a battalion had appeared in the Shanty to transport the coin back where it belonged.

They had not only been summoned.

They were told to attend him immediately.

Thus, Serena revised her plans.

She would hear True’s words, these words likely of gratitude, however, the moment he got a whiff of her, she had no doubt he’d make them short. She would then have a very long bath. After, she would put on her tunic and casings. Then she would find Gal and Brix.

And they would go out and get extremely drunk.

While doing so, she would hope there were gnome wenches they could find with whom her boys could celebrate properly.

And maybe, she would be drunk enough to drown her memories of Chu in the taking of another man’s cock.

She did not hold hope for that last.

Once she sobered and had a good meal, she would pack and journey to meet up with Heloise, Genia and Darma, grab her squad in The Enchantments then ride out to assist her mother.

And, finally…

Even though she would not want it, Serena would give it…

Do what she could to make Airen safe for her sister.

These were her plans. These were the only thoughts on her mind.

That was, these were the only thoughts on her mind until she walked through the door to True’s study, saw True resting his arse at the front of his desk, arms crossed on his chest, gaze on Farah who sat before him at the edge of a chair, leaned forward, her hand curled around his forearm.

The moment they entered, however, True’s gaze jumped to her, and Farah rose from the chair, turning toward the newcomers.

But her eyes were only for Serena.

And at seeing what was in them, an arrow pierced her heart.

“Serena—” True began.

“Is she dead?” Serena croaked.

“Not yet,” he said gently. “Not that we know. We just received the bird but an hour ago.”

“I must go,” she stated.

“What’s happening?” Tor asked.

“Queen Ophelia. She has been ill,” Farah said quietly. “And she is…” She clearly could not say the words, so she finished, “Now much more ill.”

“We go with you.”

These words came from around her thighs.

She looked down to Galdor and Welbrix standing in front of her.

“I ride alone.”

“We go with you,” Brix declared firmly.