‘Does he realise that the Land has been changed forever by his appointment?’ I asked.

Zarak nodded, his expression becoming serious. ‘He knows it well and I think it troubled him a good deal to start with. He feared that if he failed, he would be used as an example of why Misfits ought not to rule. But as far as I can see, the people of Saithwold are more than content.’

‘No doubt,’ I said, tasting a spoonful of sweetened porridge.

‘I think he will feel less burdened when the master of Obernewtyn becomes chieftain of Obernewtyn Shire.’

‘Obernewtyn Shire,’ I repeated. ‘So that is how it will be styled. I like it.’

‘Powyrs suggested it,’ Zarak said with a smile. ‘He said it had a cosier ring than the word province, and being smaller it ought to have a name to fit.’

‘All those years at sea have given Powyrs a song-maker’s soul,’ I said. ‘But what is The Cutter doing in Sutrium at this time of year?’

‘He brought th’ message from Jakoby,’ Zarak said. Seeing my blank expression his eyes widened. ‘But surely ye ken it?’

‘Ken what?’ I asked, as premonition trailed a cold finger down my spine.

‘Th’ overguardian of th’ Earthtemple has commanded that th’ Sadorian ships must leave for the Red Land five days after darkmoon. The message Powyrs brought says Sadorian greatships will dock in Sutrium by darkmoon and that they will set off five days later, with or without the other ships. Apparently Jakoby was readying the two Sadorian greatships to depart even as Powyrs left Templeport.’

‘But Maryon only said that th’ ships mun leave afore th’ end of the Days of Rain!’ Ceirwan protested.

Zarak shrugged. ‘A day from now could be said to be afore th’ end of the Days of Rain. Rushton thinks the overguardian must have foreseen some harm coming to one of the Sadorian ships if they didn’t leave when she said they must. But he says even if th’ other ships are in no danger, they will have to leave at th’ same time as th’ Sadorians’ ships because Maryon saw all four leavin’ together.’

I drew in a long slow breath, understanding all at once why the Stormdancer had to return to the Norselands so soon. Indeed, Oma would be cutting it very fine to cross to Herder Isle, make final preparations for the journey and then return in so few days, especially given the weather. The news also explained why Brydda had ridden up in such haste. Aside from letting me know about the change in timing of the expedition, he would want to spend some time with his mother and father before departing on what would be a long and perilous journey. The only puzzling thing was why he had not told me about the overguardian’s pronouncement at once. Of course he had no idea I meant to go along on the journey, but there was still an immense amount to be done in a very short time if all of the supplies we had promised were to be readied for transport to the coast. And we had yet to make a final list of those who would travel with the ships, and then outfit them.