“The point is we’re going to war. The eastern barons are going to combine forces and gather arms and men, and it’s a good bet they’ll be supported by arms and men from Wolfram since that’s where the Inquisitors came from. The barons from Arktos might send even more men against us if the Black Coats have control of them as well. What have we got? Even if we use every guard from every village, it won’t be enough. Not if the eastern barons have Wolfram and Arktos fighting with them. Liam”—Donovan raked his fingers through his hair again—“things can be said on a journey that are confidential, and I’m not asking you to break another man’s trust. What I am asking…There has to be a reason why the other western barons defer to Padrick. If you know why, please tell us. By allying with the west, we’ve placed the welfare of our people in his hands.”

Liam refilled his glass, then took a sip of whiskey, stalling for enough time to think, to consider. There were things he knew about Padrick that he wouldn’t reveal. But there were other things he could say. He just didn’t know if the other men sitting at this table would find those things reassuring.

“He knows the Fae,” Liam said quietly.

Silence filled the room before one of the other barons snorted. “There are plenty of farmers’ daughters who have known the Fae—and there are plenty of young men who have had an encounter with one of the Fair Folk, for good or ill.”

Liam shook his head. “That’s not what I mean. Padrick knows the Fae. He told me the barons weren’t the only ones who ruled in the west, and they weren’t the most powerful.”

Another long silence.

Donovan leaned back in his chair and stared at Liam. “Are you saying he can actually convince the Fae to stand with him against the Inquisitors and their army?”

“I don’t think it’s a matter of convincing them,” Liam said cautiously. “It seemed more like a matter of not getting between them and anyone they decided was an enemy.”

“Mother’s mercy,” Donovan whispered. “If we had that kind of help here…But we don’t, do we?”

Liam shook his head.