Walking, she led Soulcess and Sikthorn away from the garrison until she was sure that she would not be overheard. Glumly, she supposed that giving them their orders privately could be considered a sign of arrogance. Whatever she said, she would not have to face the consternation of her people when her intentions became known. By her own standards, however, she was protecting the Commander and her Chancellor. She was freeing them to ask their questions, raise their objections, and master their reactions without witnesses.

There was a chill in the air, a foretaste of winter. But the sun shone warmly out of a clear sky, touching Queen Estie’s face with comfort. At this distance, the rush and twist of the Line River made a soothing murmur. Under other circumstances, the weather’s kindness might have eased her task. Now it did not. There was too much at stake.

More out of respect for his years than for his wits, she addressed Thren Soulcess first.

“Thank you for obliging me, Commander,” she said as if he could have done otherwise. “I am grateful for all that you and Chancellor Sikthorn have done for Amika. But our time is short. I will continue my journey in an hour. While I can, I must add to your duties.”

Soulcess was a punctilious man, so clean and polished that he seemed to gleam in the sunlight. His reluctance as a fighting man might have disqualified him to lead the Queen of Amika’s honor guard at a time like this, a time of war. But he had served under King Smegin, Estie’s father. During that fraught time, his proven diligence, his manners, and his inability to draw his own conclusions had protected him from his monarch’s cruelties. The Queen needed his diligence now.

“You are gracious, Majesty.” He performed a fulsome bow. On occasion, he seemed unable to say anything without bowing first. “We have proven ourselves, I think.” He may have meant that he had proven himself. “We can do more.”

In contrast, Sikthorn looked more like an overworked scribe than a man who wielded his Queen’s authority. But he knew when to be cautious and when to take risks. His diligence resembled the Commander’s on a larger and more complex scale. Nothing that Estie required daunted him. And he had a rare gift: he could manage the Commander’s shortcomings.

With a nod rather than a bow, the Chancellor remarked, “This will be an interesting time, Majesty.” His voice sounded like a hinge that had not been tended for years. Still, he used it effectively. “No doubt, it will soon become more so.”

Estie acknowledged him with a wry smile, but she kept her attention on Soulcess.

“I am sure you can, Commander. I will be clear. Any confusion now will cost lives.” Before Soulcess could absorb that ominous statement, she said, “But first I must ask, where is sub-Commander Hellick?”