“It can’t be the first or last time they’ve done it, either,” added Ash.
Colonel Traysden put a finger on the map where the Kaz River ran southeast. “This is where you will set up your training camp. From here you can send scouting parties all along the border. Find where the Casmuni have been crossing, when, and how many.”
“Pardon my asking, sir, Your Majesty,” said Alex, “but why not put a full army battalion in the area now? Why only a company-sized unit, and a training one at that?”
“Several reasons,” said the king, sitting back and ticking off his fingers. “First, I want the Norsari back. I’ve wanted it for years, but I was restricted by that damn treaty until Kimisara broke the terms. Even after last spring, I had to fight the council because many said it was only a rebellion, not an invasion, and the Kimisar in Tasmet had technically been invited in by Demoran nobility. It wasn’t until Lord Farthingham’s son was killed in action last autumn that the tide turned in my favor. Second, you’re starting with two hundred fifty of the best soldiers in the realm. That makes you worth at least twice that number. Third, the flexibility and speed of a Norsari unit makes them ideal for this kind of reconnaissance.”
Once they’re trained, Alex wanted to say, but plainly they were expected to operate from day one.
“Lastly, Norsari don’t need support; they live mostly off the land. You know how many supplies a regular unit requires and how much attention that attracts. I can’t spare the numbers, I can’t spare the supplies, and I certainly don’t want the attention.”
Alex furrowed his brow. Since when was Demora short on resources?
“Father,” Ash interrupted. “I don’t think the captain understands how thinly we’re stretched.”
“I know the army had to occupy much of Crescera to ensure D’Amiran’s allies there didn’t try anything foolish,” said Alex. In the years before his attempted coup, the duke had bound half of his nobles to the richest families of Crescera through marriages. It was Sage who had realized why.
“It’s not just that,” said Ambassador Gramwell, speaking for the first time. “Almost no grain has come from Crescera in over a year. Now the bulk of it goes to the army or travels by the Northern Road. Once wagons reach Mondelea, they’re faced with three more weeks of a rough journey south or selling their loads to coastal merchants, and most choose the latter. Between that and the valley and capital absorbing refugees from Tasmet, food stores on this side of the mountains are nearly exhausted. How do you think people would react to news we’re expecting a Casmuni invasion?”
“Which we are not expecting,” the king insisted. “But people will assume the worst, and I won’t have panic. Meanwhile, I want a diplomatic solution, and that starts with a show of strength. Whatever Casmun’s intentions, the Norsari’s presence will make them think twice. Your job, Captain, is to find out what those intentions are.”
Ambassador Gramwell indicated the Vinova Fortress in the southeast corner of Demora. “I’ll be setting up an embassy of sorts here, though it’s going to take time to gather what I need. Vinova hasn’t been properly manned in years. As a consequence, I must gather a great deal more supplies and personnel.” He turned to address the king. “My actions haven’t been noticed yet, sire, and in retrospect, bringing Lady Clare with me was most fortuitous. The queen has invited her to stay through the summer, so now I have a public reason to have come to the capital.”
Alex was glad for Sage’s sake. He’d be gone soon, but Clare would be here.
Colonel Traysden focused on the map. “How long before you’ll be ready to leave, sir?”
“If we want to maintain our level of quiet, I need time. Not to mention everything is in shortage.”
Traysden grunted. “What about your connections in Reyan? Could they help?”
“I’ve already contacted them, sir. They’ll come through, but it’ll be weeks.” Lord Gramwell stroked his short beard. “I also suggest assembling the traveling party somewhere outside Tennegol to attract as little attention as possible.”
“Cambria can serve your purpose,” volunteered Alex. His family home lay less than two days south of the capital. “It’s off the main road, but still close, and large enough to store what you need and accommodate your retinue.”
Lord Gramwell smiled. “Thank you, Captain. I was hoping for just that offer.” Alex made a mental note to warn his mother as the ambassador continued. “I should be on my way before the end of April.”
“Very well,” said Colonel Traysden, though he didn’t look pleased, as he studied a calendar. “Captain, in approximately eight weeks Ambassador Gramwell will pass through your area on his way to Vinova. In that time you must fully train the Norsari and find out exactly what the Casmuni are up to.”
It would take two weeks to get to the border, leaving only six for everything else—completely on his own and with more work than he’d ever had before. “When can I tell my officers about our secondary mission?” Alex asked.
“Scouting out the Casmuni situation is your primary mission, Captain,” said Traysden. “And the answer is, not until you have solid evidence. As far as the men with you will know, this is all for training, until it isn’t.”
Until it isn’t?
During the Concordium escort reconnaissance, Alex’s lieutenants had known everything he did, and they’d been there to check his impulses, even if he didn’t always listen. If Alex couldn’t tell them anything during this mission, the burden of judgment fell completely on him.
11
SAGE WAS ON her way to the royal library when Alex appeared and caught her around the waist with one arm. He whirled her off her feet, eyes alight, then pulled her to the side and out of sight. His kiss was brief, but it reignited the fire he’d left smoldering in her last night. “I have my assignment,” he whispered.
She couldn’t help catching his excitement. “I can tell it agrees with you. Will you be staying here?”
His smile faltered. “Well, no.”
Sage had known that idea was too good to be true, so she smiled and slipped her arms around him. “Must be amazing. You look ready to burst.”
“You have no idea.” Alex paused as they heard someone passing their secluded spot, and he pulled her deeper into the alcove. “Let’s go somewhere private. Your hair is far too tidy.” He nuzzled her neck.
Spirit above, she wanted to go with him. “I can’t,” she whispered. “I have lessons in the library. Clare and the girls will already be there.”
“Damn. You’d better go, then,” he said. “We can talk later, but it’ll have to be tonight. Lots of planning to start. See you in the garden? About the eight o’clock hour? I should have some free time before meeting with Colonel Traysden.”
Her disappointment must have shown. Alex tilted her chin up and looked her in the eye. “I only have a few days, but every spare minute is yours. I promise.”
“I know. I’ll be there.”
He planted one last kiss behind her ear before hurrying off. Sage straightened her dress and patted down her hair before continuing on her way, an ache in her chest. Alex’s duties were already taking over his time. She’d known this was coming—knew this was the way it would always be—but that didn’t make it any easier.
She’d also been so distracted by his kisses and excitement she’d gotten exactly nothing useful for the queen.