Adare took a deep breath, held it a moment, then let it out, trying to order her thoughts.

“The Mizran Councillor,” Fulton ground out. “Tarik Adiv. Part of the delegation to retrieve Kaden.”

She nodded grimly. “Looks like he’s back.”

Fulton and Lehav positioned themselves between Adare and the approaching horsemen. She glanced over her shoulder, reminding herself that an army stood at her back, then tried to keep her back straight and her hands steady on the reins as she watched the men approach.

When Adiv was still ten paces distant, he dismounted. Then, to her shock, he bowed low, lower than he ever had when she was merely a princess. It was hard to interpret that bow—something short of the obeisance owed to an emperor, and yet more than her own collection of titles warranted, certainly more than Adare had expected. Adiv was il Tornja’s man. He had no reason to bow to her.

“Keep your distance,” Fulton said, stepping in front of Adare, broadblade naked in the morning light.

Adiv simply smiled. “Your loyalty does you credit, Aedolian, but I have no desire to harm the princess. Quite the opposite, actually.” He cocked his head to the side in that way he had, as though he were studying her through that heavy blindfold. “The regent has asked that I escort you to the Dawn Palace with all due respect.”

Fulton shook his head. “Not a chance.”

Adare put her hand on the Aedolian’s arm, moving the sword from her path.

“I’m sure the regent is clever enough to know,” she said, careful to keep her voice low, level, “that I am here, we are here because of him. Where is Kaden? The last I saw you, you were bound north to retrieve him.”

Adiv winced. “I beg you, my lady, let us discuss these matters in the privacy of the palace. There is much you do not know. Events have outpaced you during your sojourn in the south.”

“Is my father still dead?” Adare demanded. “Has Kaden claimed his throne? Does Ran il Tornja still make a mockery of the Dawn Palace?”

Adiv shook his head gravely. “The Emperor, bright were the days of his life, is dead, of course. Kaden has not returned. The regent himself is gone.”

“Gone where?”

“Raalte. Marching hard with the Army of the North.”

“Raalte?” Adare frowned. It all made less than no sense. “To what end? Against whom?”

Adiv’s lips tightened, and he took a step forward, approaching until the point of Fulton’s sword lay against his chest. “We should not speak of this here, my lady,” he said, lowering his voice. “While you were away, the Urghul moved, attacking in force against our northern border. Il Tornja goes to turn them back.”

“An opportunity,” Lehav observed quietly. “If it is true.”

The Mizran Councillor turned his unseeing gaze on the soldier. “An opportunity to see Annur destroyed.”