“He said . . .” De Ferre paused and took a breath. “He said he wanted to be sure you knew he was coming, sir. Asked me to be certain to tell you everything I’d seen.”

“Did he?” Maurisk tapped his finger on the desk. Pretty thin. “You are aware, of course, of how it must look from . . . my side of the table? In combination with your complete failure, there is a suggestion of . . . collusion.”

“I am aware, sir.”

“Do you have anything to say about it?”

“Only to assure you that any such suggestion is false, sir. I am the most loyal man in the army. If there is a man who presents any evidence otherwise, I request permission to meet him blade in hand on the field of honor.”

“I see.” Maurisk’s finger tapped again. De Ferre swallowed. “I will consider the matter. You are dismissed, for now, but make sure to keep yourself . . . available.”

De Ferre looked surprised, then terrified and relieved in equal measure. He saluted, heels clicking, and left the office as quickly as decorum would allow. Kellerman opened the door for him, and slipped discreetly inside when the general left.

“Shall I have the papers drawn up for his arrest, sir?”

A corner of Maurisk’s lip curled in what might once have been a smile.

“No,” he said, with a sigh. “No, I think not. I suspect we will find a use for him. After all, he’s the one man in the army I can be absolutely certain won’t go over to Vhalnich.” He sat back in his chair, staring at the empty glass. “Tell Zacaros to begin work on our little contingency plan. He’s to have a free hand.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And draft orders to the colonel in command at Orlan. Tell him he is on no account to allow the Army of the East to pass. Burn the boats, burn the bridges, burn the town, I don’t care. Tell him that if Vhalnich leaves the mountains, I will personally see to it that he and every surviving man in his command will wish they’d died on the battlefield.”

“Yes, sir. Anything else?”

“No.” The sickly half smile returned to Maurisk’s face. “Yes. Send someone to fetch me the printers and pamphleteers. We must be certain the public is well informed.”

Chapter Twenty

RAESINIA

Janus. A week ago, people had argued over the price of bread, the progress of the war, the stupidity of the Deputies-General, or the difficulty of getting coffee and sugar through the blockade. Now there was only one thing anyone wanted to talk about, though always in whispers or behind closed doors. Janus.