Perceptive, as always. “Perhaps. I’ll need to speak with the others first. Who’s missing?”

A short growl that might have been laughter. “Who else but that impetuous Borderman. He comes and goes like the weather, never entirely predictable. I think he’s gone to Arishaig to test the political winds.”

Bombax. He would. “Has something happened?” She started for the doorway, taking Garroneck’s arm to keep him close.

The big shoulders dropped slightly and his head inclined until it was close. She was tall enough that it didn’t take much. “Rumor has it the Federation is getting a new Prime Minister.”

“Nothing unusual about that. They have a new Prime Minister almost weekly.”

“Very unstable government. You would think with so much territory to govern and so much responsibility to bear it would be otherwise. But that’s not the way they do things in the city-states.”

They passed into the tower and started down the stairs, still keeping side by side.

“So what does this matter to us?” she asked.

“We might be at risk.”

“That’s old news. We are already at risk.”

“We might be at greater risk.” He shrugged. “Let the others explain. They are better able than a simple Captain of the Druid Guard.”

She smiled in spite of herself. They both knew he was astute enough to appreciate the political situation in any corner of the Four Lands. But he was also deferential toward the members of the Druid order and would never have presumed to tell them what to think.

Garroneck left her at the door to her chambers and walked off to advise the others that she had returned. But she hadn’t gotten much farther than throwing her backpack on the bed and washing her face and hands when Seersha appeared in the door.

“The despised and disinherited Elven girl returns,” she greeted, a welcoming smile spreading over her broad features. “Are you forgiven yet for your poor choice in occupation and friends?”

“Not yet, I’m afraid. I remain a pariah.” She reached out and hugged the other woman, kissed her cheeks, and backed her off for a closer look. “What’s this? You look tired.”

Seersha shrugged. “Working late on elementals. There’s magic waiting to be unlocked if I could just decipher the language.”