Worried someone would interrupt her, she raced on in a voice too loud and with words tumbling too fast for people to easily break in.

“In Orledder Halt, from which we so recently departed, just yesterday afternoon, the intendant established that this detour through the Moonrise Hills is necessary. That’s because of the avalanche that blocks the imperial road through Grinder’s Cut. Of course, I hope His Exalted Highness will discover the new route to be pleasing, since I am tasked with guiding him to the only other place where we can cross the deep canyon we call the Cut. I understand the exalted prince requires our journey to be as swift as possible, because his schedule requires urgency. To that end, I ask you, I implore you, to suggest to the exalted prince that he send the carriages and beasts back to Orledder Halt. They will only slow us down in the hills. They cannot cross the Cut, not by any means nor magic, except on the imperial road via Five Bridges. Also, as one who knows this route through the Moonrise Hills, I would suggest the exalted prince reduce the numbers of his retinue.”

Captain Simo stepped forward as if to object. Elen rushed on before he could break in.

“First of all, we will move faster by taking only the strongest who can maintain a steady pace. Second, we will pass through hill country villages and hamlets. Such communities will be honored to provide shelter and food for such an exalted visitor. However, these are small communities who struggle to have enough to eat from season to season. I must humbly suggest that a smaller party will place less of a burden on the locals. There is no need to use up food the locals will desperately need come early spring. The palace does not wish its subjects to starve. As it is said, the emperor stands as the Shield of Peace and Prosperity. Let the exalted prince tread lightly on his journey into the north.”

The words had rushed out with such force and at such speed that, when she paused, there was a gap of silence as if no one was sure if she had finished, or were shocked she had the temerity to say so much. Simo appeared confounded, while Luviara blinked. Elen wasn’t sure if it was a signal meant for her or merely the theurgist gathering her thoughts.

No need to wonder what Chief Menial Hemerlin thought of her speech. Anger reddened his face. “How dare you! A mere deputy courier, to speak with such insolence—”

“I say,” said the prince, raising a hand. The gesture halted Hemerlin in his tracks. “I say, this sounds like a pragmatic suggestion that will allow my urgent mission to succeed. Unless there is some unspoken desire among some of you for my mission not to succeed? Would it not be best to tell me now, if that were true?”