It was my kinsman, Lord Garindor, who offered the most logical solution. “You know two things,” he pointed out. “The first, you must find Lady Tea to learn what you have lost. It’s not an easy task, but I have faith.”

“And what is the second?”

“There is someone here in Ankyo who seeks to sow discord and spread chaos. Perhaps an enemy of Lady Tea, one responsible for her imprisonment—perhaps even the murderer of her sibling or a catalyst of her murder. Did not her letters say that the young Likh had been poisoned by the Blight, despite the great pains taken to monitor their food and drink? There was a traitor among them there, and there may still be one now.”

Lord Fox and Princess Inessa took his words as seriously as I did. “We’re at a disadvantage,” the former muttered darkly. “We don’t have a Dark asha on hand to compel people or scry into their minds. I’ll talk to Zoya and Shadi and see what they can come up with.”

For now, there was little else to do but welcome the Yadoshans, who had just arrived at Ankyo. A score of regiments surrounded the city, camping out on the plains, their banners of crimson and navy flapping in the wind, while their representatives rode into the city to greet Empress Alyx. Yadoshans had never been formal, and from the roll of their shoulders and raised weapons, it was clear they were eager for a fight.

“First Minister Stefan says we are yours to command, pretty queen,” one of the men spoke, which was about as ceremonious as they managed. “I look forward to fighting the… Well, I’m not entirely sure if we’ll be fighting Drychta or the Faceless or both, but we’ll give either one as good as we got!”

The empress shot him a wan smile. “I appreciate your enthusiasm, Lord Knox. The enemy, for now, shall be the Drychta. King Kance has already left for the Hollow Mountains, and if we hurry, we can catch him before he knocks down the range.”

Lord Knox whistled. “We had a tussle or two with the Drychta a few months back at Mithra’s Wall, and King Kance was in the thick of it there as well. Doesn’t look like he’d be at home in a fight, that king, but the lad does a good enough job in battle despite his green blood. If I may be frank, I’m relieved. We’ve heard stories about what little Tea has been up to these days, and we’re not keen on facing her in battle—not just because she’s a friend, but also because we’ve seen the damage she can do on her lonesome.”

“I hope that day doesn’t come, Lord Knox. Lady Tea’s motivations are…unclear at the moment.”