"Nothing to say he is not well," Eneas quickly assured her. "Your pardon, my lady-I did not mean to frighten you. There is no direct mention of your father at all. But I do not like the other things Jino has to tell me."

Briony took the letter from him. A frowning moment passed before she could make anything of the Marquis of Athnia's hand-he had the ornate Tessian style, all filigree and curlicue, so that his words were almost more ornament than information-but after a moment she began to get the feel of it. Also, ornate hand or not, she had to admit that after the customary greetings and salutations Jino did not waste time on needless fripperies.

"Highness, I have done all that you asked me to do," she read out,

"In other matters, though, things are not so satisfactory. Many at court do not even acknowledge that we are at war despite the events to the south and the attack on Hierosol. This will change when it is their own lands being snapped up by the autarch, of course, but by then it will be too late for many of them, if not for all of us."

"But it is of the autarch himself I wish to speak, because I am in receipt of many strange pieces of news about him and can make nothing in the way of a larger picture from them. I beg your Highness to set your greater tactical understanding to this task, where my poor wits have failed."

"Isn't the marquis rather full of himself?" asked Briony. "Even when he's trying to be unctuous, he can't quite do it."

"He's a good man, Princess." Eneas sounded offended. "He is my right arm at the court-a place I avoid when I can, and where I desperately need men I can trust."

"Certainly, I didn't mean…" She turned back to the letter.

"Numerous strange reports have come from Hierosol, and not just from the refugees that clutter our cities along the southern border. Equally surprising rumors are coming from the garrison commanders and even some of the nobles, survivors of the old gentry, who are mostly now in hiding or out of Hierosol.