Drust smiled back, ignoring the other man’s failure to address him as Prime Minister. “I’ll do my best not to disappoint you.”

The other nodded. “We’re flying a lot of canvas for a simple visit. This feels more like the buildup to an engagement.”

“Does it?”

“Three ships-of-the-line? A transport crammed with soldiers? Yes, it most certainly does. I know you sold the Council on this being a simple courtesy call, but I think you might have something more in mind. Maybe you know something the rest of us don’t about the state of the Druid defenses?”

Drust shook his head. “I just think a show of force doesn’t hurt when dealing with people who don’t much like you. They might come around quicker if they see what they could be calling down on themselves.”

“Especially if you find a reason to use that force. Don’t be too quick to go up against the Druids, friend Drust. They’ve got magic that puts our scientific developments to shame. Including all our diapson-crystal-powered weapons. If you want to subdue them, you need to use cunning.”

Just what I was thinking, Drust mused silently. “If you say so.”

He walked away before Arodian could say anything more. He had an uneasy feeling about the way the other was so bold in challenging his intentions, as if somehow he already knew what they were. Well, he might have guessed, of course. Arodian was no fool. But whatever he was, it wouldn’t matter after tonight.

After tonight, he would be dead.

Aphenglow Elessedil was working in the garden, her walking staff close at hand, damaged leg wrapped in a lightweight splint and carefully stretched out in front of her where she could avoid doing anything that might injure it further. Her healing was progressing rapidly, the exercises and uses of her magic producing noticeable results. She needed the splint now only for protection; she no longer required it in order to move about. Leaning on her staff and taking slow, cautious steps were protection enough. At night, she slept without the splint. And she could get to her feet by herself and wash and dress herself without assistance.

She was well enough, in fact, that she was eager to do something more active. But Arlingfant was insistent that she not rush things, making it a point to monitor her sister’s activities to make sure she didn’t.

Right now, Arling was off fetching lunch and cold drinks for a picnic. But she would be back soon enough, and Aphen was feeling lazy enough in the sun’s warmth, her hands buried in the dirt as she planted flowers and pulled weeds, that she did not feel like arguing the matter.