“It should be another two days before the Odalians reach Mithra’s Wall. Armies can’t move quickly over that terrain. Why?”

“Because we need to stop by Istera. I want to have a talk with the Gorvekai. The symbol on Sakmeet’s notes—I knew I’d seen it before.” I placed my hands against the wall, where Lord Aden had showed me the faint Gorvekan symbols the night before. “I think the Gorvekai are the missing link in all of this, Kalen.”

“I cannot join you,” Lord Garindor said regretfully as I secured my meager belongings. “There is little I can do in a war that I can do better in its aftermath, and you already serve as royal chronicler.”

“I was commissioned by the bone witch, not by Empress Alyx.” I saw Lord Fox astride Chief, already deep in discussion with Lord Knox and the Kion generals. Lady Zoya was present, attending to their own preparations. Lady Shadi, who was to remain behind and oversee the salvaging of the Willows, flew to the latter’s side to give her a sweet kiss, oblivious to the faint wolf whistles of the men. Lady Altaecia had already left with a smaller party to scout ahead of the main army.

“Yet you call her the slur they use to brand those of her profession. You are the closest thing to her defender among these Kions after Princess Inessa, and yet you bear a grudge,” he said.

“She left me to my own devices and broke her promise, and she has never once called me by my own name. I don’t see why I cannot do the same,” I replied.

“Would you have preferred it if she called you by your name? Not the one you call yourself nowadays, at any rate.”

I glanced sharply down at him.

“I will keep your secret, milord. We are very good at that. I wish you peace and good blessings, my esteemed brother, and when the long day is done, may you find your way back home.” Lord Garindor bowed—not in the royal Odalian or Kion way, but in the Drychta manner—his head pressed close to the ground and his hands upturned before it, then rose to leave, ignoring the curious stares after him.

Lord Khalad had reappeared, pale and wan and uncommunicative. He ignored the others and saddled his horse.

“You don’t need to come with us, Khalad,” Lord Fox told him, sympathy laced through his words.

“I will see this through with Tea, Fox. I have a feeling I will be needed where you are going. What do you think Tea’s doing?”

The other man scowled. “She’s luring us there. And she knows we can’t afford to ignore her. Do you know her reasons?”