The haunt’s gaze flickered. Elen thought he was purposefully not looking her way, where she sat at the back of the group.

Genia went on. “The man claimed to be an envoy from a northern kingdom, the name of which sounded like Far Land. There is no such place north of here. A search revealed him to be a Sea Wolf, bearing a Sea Wolf’s ancestral chain. Thus, we burned him, according to the dictates of the Magnolia Emperor.”

Elen saw the haunt’s hand drift to touch the pocket where he’d slipped whatever object he’d picked up from the burning ground.

Luviara said, “Your Highness, if I may.”

He waved a hand in agreement.

“Lord Genia, did you inquire at Far Boundary Vigil?”

“I sent a messenger, yes, but the messenger has not yet returned.”

“Is the messenger delayed?”

“Now that you mention it, we did expect the messenger back yesterday, but there’s been no sign yet. Should I be alarmed, Your Highness?”

“I will endeavor to find the messenger and send them back to you,” said the haunt. “To that end, we will sleep now and leave as soon as it is light.”

“All will be in readiness at dawn, Your Highness.”

“Yes. Is there any other private business you have with me before I go?” he asked.

She indicated the steward. “My clerks have just finished preparing the most recent report from the hallow-wood operations that your gracious mother urged you to sponsor on our behalf, which you graciously did despite the disputes your petition caused in the palace.”

“Ah, yes, but for my gracious mother, what would I not attempt?”

Genia smiled indulgently. “You are a famously devoted son. Do you wish to read the report now? A copy has been made for you.”

The steward produced a thick scroll.

The haunt’s look of alarm was not feigned. “I shall peruse the report on the journey. Is there anything else?”

She exchanged a glance with her granddaughter, who rubbed a shoulder as if touching an old bruise. “As it happens, Your Highness, there is. It touches on this matter of hallow-wood plantations.”

“Do you know who is burning and despoiling them?”

“We don’t know for sure, but we have our suspicions about who might be behind it. Lord Duenn can’t like that we are setting up extensive hallow-wood operations that will compete with his once the trees are mature. And there’s more to the matter even than that. On behalf of my son-in-law, who is away from the Manor, I received an overture from Duenn Manor for a marriage alliance between Lord Duenn’s eldest son and our dear Worvua.”

“Refuse it,” said the haunt.

Genia blinked. “I did not expect such a swift and declarative answer.”

“You must refuse it,” he repeated, sounding heated.