Aramus felt his lips thin.

He had received the ravens that shared Ophelia had taken a turn, and that Cassius and Elena were riding to her.

He could not help but think, after his meeting with the seer, with issues finding resolution—right or wrong, onerous or easy—this simply paved the way to the need to confront new ones.

Ophelia was thoughtful, decisive, honorable and stalwart, and her loss would be a grave one at any time.

In times like these, Aramus was concerned it would be a cataclysmic one.

“True has shared he’s growing concerned,” Bondi continued. “Ophelia, Serena and Elena all on enemy soil as Ophelia slips into the veil. This with Cassius distracted by Elena’s impending loss. He does not foresee good things. He is considering leaving the Rising situation in the hands of Alfie and riding to Cassius’s aid.”

“Alfie?” Aramus inquired with open surprise.

“He has made Alfie his royal counsel.”

Aramus almost smiled.

His friend True was a good man.

He was also a smart one.

“And Mars?” Aramus queried.

“We’ve had no word from Mars. Though, as far as we know, his men continue to be at the Airenzian border in case they are needed.”

“Our ships still sit in Sky Bay?” Aramus asked.

“Yes. But there are only three,” Bondi answered.

Aramus nodded decisively. “Send seven to Sky Bay, ten to Abhainn Mouth and ten to Dunlyn. We shall start there.” He looked about his men. “Tint, you command the ships in the Bay. Ore, the ships at the Mouth. And Nav, the ones sent to Dunlyn. If aggression starts in Airen, send word to me, and until I can engage, take orders from Cassius.”

“You wish for us to go now?” Ore asked.

Aramus nodded.

Those men headed out.

The others gathered closer.

“I am assuming the wedding is postponed indefinitely,” Nis remarked.

“Ophelia would not make it known she is not long for this world if she was not actually long for this world,” Aramus replied, his tone grave. “And Cass and Elena know they are the final couple to ally to fulfill the prophecy, thus they will not delay. With the change afoot in Mar-el, we need to bolster here as best we can, men. Thus, Ha-Lah and I will not leave until we must. But my gut tells me we cannot be too far from the others. Not for much longer.”

The men nodded.

Aramus looked to the door, unable to shake the thought that, his best seamen headed to the Mystics and uprisings, no matter how puny and easily quelled, would be the kind of problems he very soon would long to have.

Aramus heard his queen’s pleasured mew as he tasted her climax in his mouth, this before Aramus slid out from under her, positioned behind her and took a moment to enjoy her beauty as she gripped the tall, wide half-helm that formed the headboard of their bed.