Apologies for the scorn. Apologies for anything said in the Assembly. Apologies to Hildi for the shove. Sorry Hildi! They have to think I am against you.

I am in touch with Forest. Most of the Crown Prince’s Division stayed loyal, along with the rugged country in the east of Midderland. I also had word from Princess Carlot. Her husband Chancellor Sotorius is ready to help. And Bremer dan Gorst has his steels handy.

You still have friends, Your Majesty. When the time is right, I will have your standard ready.

With best wishes,

(always) Your Friend and Servant, (always) Corporal Tunny

“By the Fates.” Orso wondered for a moment if it could be some elaborate ruse, but to what end? No. He knew the truth. The notoriously faithless Corporal Tunny was the one truly loyal man in Adua.

“How the hell could I ever have doubted him?” he whispered, tears brimming in his eyes. Halder was frowning over, and Orso took a long sniff and waved at his plate with his fork.

“It’s these peas,” he said, in a quavering voice. “They’ve been absolutely murdered.”

The man gave a snort. Orso would have liked to see him absolutely murdered. And thanks to Corporal Tunny, not to mention Lord Marshal Forest, his sister Carlot and Bremer dan Gorst, it seemed there was the glimmer of a chance that it might happen. Not today, perhaps, and not tomorrow, but the weather was turning cold. Soon enough, people would turn against Risinau. The man had simply promised too much and delivered too little.

As far as Orso could tell, he was incapable of delivering anything.

He laid down his cutlery, and carefully tore the note up into strips, and slipped them into his mouth, and chewed with relish. Without doubt, the most enjoyable part of the meal.

“Good news,” murmured Hildi, under her breath.

“Very good news,” said Orso, around his papery mouthful, and he chinked his glass against hers.

He was not rescued and the world was not set to rights. Not by any means. But he could see a path to it. He was not alone. He was not forgotten.

And he remembered how it felt, to have hope.

Different This Time

Leo sat, fussing at a loose thread in the sleeve on his useless arm. A year ago, he would’ve been pacing up and down. But pacing was another thing that wasn’t worth the pain these days.

“Are you sure about this house?” he grumbled. A fire crackled in the grate, and it was warm and welcoming, and Savine would never have permitted a detail that wasn’t in the best taste, but you couldn’t have called it a grand room.

“If I was not sure we would not be here. It sends the right message.”

“That we’re of no account?”

“That we are humble, responsible Citizens who have put the excess of the past behind us and accepted that we are all equal.”

Leo snorted. “Have you seen that bloody palace Selest dan Heugen’s having built? Or that town house of Isher’s? There are plenty of people still living well.”