So many thoughts were swirling around in Godwins head then. He had forgotten what the build up to conflict felt like, forgotten all the ways that doubts could creep in. Still, at least he had one way to deal with that. Stalking off across the courtyard, he set off in the direction of his wizards tower.

Of course, he did not get there before Master Grey found him. He was waiting at the second turn of a corridor within the castle, standing there before a statue of one of Godwins ancestors as if studying it.

Why are you not out there, helping me prepare for war? Godwin demanded.

The magus continued to stare at the statue for a moment or two. Do you know the story of King Lorus?

What? Godwin demanded.

Your great-great-great grandfather, I believe.

I know who the man was, Godwin snapped. Why did Master Grey always bring up irrelevancies at times like this? What about him?

He was a man who fought seven times against enemies to the south, allowing them across the bridges so that he could face them, the sorcerer said. He won each time, and yet, when hot summers brought droughts, he could do nothing.

What are you saying? That Ravin will find a way to affect the weather? Godwin asked.

The sorcerer gave him one of those looks he seemed to do so well, which said that the king had misunderstood him, or would never manage to see all that he saw, or both.

I am saying that, sometimes, the conflict we think is important is the smallest of things, compared to all the world might throw our way.

The South stealing my daughter is not unimportant, Godwin snapped back. Lenore is in danger, and Ravin… he wouldnt have done this if he didnt plan to be waiting.

That is one possibility, Master Grey agreed, or was it agreement? It was hard to tell with the man. If he hadnt done so much to assist the kingdom over the years…

Why didnt you see this coming? Godwin demanded. Youre supposed to be the one who can unpick the future. Why didnt you tell me that my daughter was in danger?

The sorcerer raised his shoulders in a shrug. My focus was… elsewhere.

Then bring it back to where it should be! Godwin roared at him, and he wasnt sure if hed ever shouted at his magus like that before. Read your auguries, look at your stars. Do your job, while my daughter is in danger.

If the sorcerer was perturbed by the outburst, he gave no sign of it, but then, he never gave any sign of what he was truly thinking. There were days when Godwin wondered if he was a charlatan, and others when it seemed as if the man might have more power than anyone else alive.

Not anyone, Master Grey murmured, and that made Godwin pause.

What did you say?

The sorcerer seemed to catch himself.