“That’s too long.” Raesinia bit her lip. “I think we should go to the Deputies in the morning.”

“With just the arrest list?” That was all they’d gotten out of the night’s disaster, and that only because Raesinia had had the presence of mind to stuff it in her pocket. “It’s hardly proof.”

“The warehouse is still there. The Deputies could send investigators. Maurisk can’t move all that equipment overnight.”

“Are you certain? Maybe he has someone who can make cannon get up and dance.”

Raesinia shook her head, smiling slightly. “That would be something to see, at least.”

“I’ll think about it.” Marcus squeezed his eyes shut for a moment. “Sleep on it.”

This time Raesinia’s smile was more genuine. “Get some rest.”

She, Marcus noted, didn’t seem tired at all. He wondered if she slept, and if her condition prevented it how she occupied herself all night. The thought of his own bed, so sinfully large and soft compared to the camp beds he’d spent his campaigns on, was extremely attractive. Just a little more to take care of first.

Marcus got up, stumbling a bit over his chair, and excused himself to go in search of Uhlan. He found the Mierantai lieutenant by the back stairs, talking in a low voice to one of the serving women. Her eyes were full of tears, an uncharacteristic display of emotion for the stoic mountain people. One of the men had meant something to her. Sweetheart? Brother? Whatever it was, he hadn’t come back.

“Sir.” Uhlan patted the woman on the shoulder and she hurried away, ducking her head perfunctorily in Marcus’ direction. Marcus cleared his throat, uncomfortably.

“Is she . . . going to be all right?”

“Yes, sir,” Uhlan said.

Marcus couldn’t bring himself to ask for details. He shook his head. “I’m sorry about your men.”

“Thank you, sir,” Uhlan said. “We volunteered for this. It was a risky assignment.”

I didn’t know their names. The Mierantai had been happy keeping themselves to themselves, and Marcus had always left it that way. I ought to have at least known their names.

“If there’s anything I can do, for the families, or anything . . . ,” he managed.

“It will be taken care of,” Uhlan said. “But thank you.”

What is Mieran County like, if it breeds people like this? Marcus shook his head. “All right.”

“Our security here is poor, sir, now that it’s only Ranker Dracht and myself,” Uhlan said. “In my opinion, we ought to relocate to somewhere more defensible and request reinforcements.”

“I’ve sent to Willowbrook.” There was at least a company of Mierantai there, Marcus knew. “In the meantime, all we can do is be ready. Make sure everyone knows we may have to leave in a hurry.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Have you seen Andy?”

“I believe she’s in the kitchen, sir.”