“Lord Demonai, with all due respect, I cannot send the princess heir into the Fens unprotected,” Captain Byrne said. “The queen would be right to demand my head.”

Amon cleared his throat. “Da. Sir. We could escort Raisa to Oden’s Ford,” Amon said. “The Gray Wolves, I mean. It’s nearly time for us to return to Wien House anyway. All of the fourth-year cadets will be expected to travel together—that won’t draw any attention. I know the Fens; you know Lord Cadri’s family, and I’ve stayed with them before. The princess can travel with my triple as a first-year plebe.”

“You’re just fourth-years,” Byrne said, shaking his head. “Hardly more than boys. It’s too dangerous for everyone involved.”

Averill put his hand on Captain Byrne’s arm. “Edon, I think maybe the boy’s idea is a good one—for two reasons. First, my daughter’s best protection is to go unnoticed. I’ve traveled in the south as a trader, remember. We could send a whole salvo of guards with her, but they could still be overwhelmed by a larger force. There are armies of mercenaries, hundreds strong, roaming the countryside.

“Secondly, the queen can’t know we’ve had a hand in this, especially you. If you send any of the Queen’s Guard with the princess, Marianna will know you were involved. That’s treason, in her eyes. You can’t offer much protection to Marianna if you’re in jail. And she needs your protection more than ever.”

Byrne turned to Raisa as if she might be an ally. “What happens to your marriage prospects, Your Highness, if you’re discovered traveling with a triple of soldiers?” he said bluntly.

“If I stay here, I’ll end up married to a wizard,” Raisa said, equally bluntly. “What happens to my prospects then?”

Captain Byrne turned back to Averill, seeming to prefer to debate him than the princess heir. “Where would she stay at Oden’s Ford? She can’t live in the barracks. She needs someplace safe to lodge until we can get this sorted out.”

“Why couldn’t I stay in the barracks?” Raisa interjected. “Why couldn’t I lodge there as a new cadet?”

Captain Byrne made a pained face. “Your Highness, that’s impossible! The princess heir living with pack of soldiers?”

“Hanalea was a warrior queen,” Raisa said. “She killed the Demon King and led an army against the usurper when she wasn’t much older than me.”

“That was a long time ago,” Byrne said. “Queens these days are less…warlike,” he said. He looked at Amon. “Do you really think nine cadets could keep a secret like this, all the way to Oden’s Ford?”