So that was to be the story. Neither Queen Marianna nor the Bayars had told Mellony that her sister had been located in Oden’s Ford. They wouldn’t mention that Micah and Fiona had lost Raisa in Tamron while bringing her back to Fellsmarch. It would be easier to set her aside if she hadn’t been seen or heard from since she disappeared nearly a year ago.

Amon looked from father to son, wondering what Micah had told his father about Raisa. Micah lifted his chin and returned Amon’s gaze, as if daring him to say more. He must suspect that Amon had helped Raisa flee to Oden’s Ford, that they’d been together there. But any admission of that would expose them both to charges of treason, and Micah knew it.

“Oh, I miss Raisa!” Mellony said, swiping at her eyes. “Now more than ever, we should be together. We have sent birds and messengers all over the Seven Realms,” she added, her voice trembling. “I know my sister would be here for our mother’s funeral if she could be.” She drew in a shuddering breath. “I do fear the worst.”

The Seven Realms are at war, Amon thought. Communication is disrupted. How could you think that Raisa would receive a message even if you sent it? But he didn’t say that aloud. He knew he was on precarious ground. If he left Raisa’s enemies with the impression that he would not play along, he would never make it out of the city alive.

“How long have you been back, Corporal Byrne?” Lord Bayar asked, fingering the elaborate ring he wore on his right hand.

Amon heard a trap in the question, but wasn’t sure which way to step to avoid it. “I arrived in Fellsmarch a few days ago from the West Wall,” he said. “I was here when word came about my father. I immediately left for Marisa Pines Camp.”

“The Demonai found Captain Byrne’s party in the pass. All dead,” Averill said.

“All dead?” Mellony blurted. “What about the brigands who attacked him? Do we know who they were?”

“No, Your Highness,” Amon said, excruciatingly aware of the Bayars to either side of the princess. He kept his eyes downcast, knowing his limitations as a liar.

“It’s unlikely we will ever know exactly what happened, since his entire party was killed,” Lord Averill said. “His attackers have probably already crossed back into Tamron.”

“I hope that we in the Guard can work with General Klemath to fortify our borders against further encroachments from the south,” Amon said. He looked to the general, and received a chilly nod in return.

“If his murderers are identified, we will show no mercy,” Princess Mellony said fiercely.