"Sorry."

"I hope this job pays well. This is a new doublet and I still owe the tailor." Blowing out the candles, he took a seat across from Hadrian.

"How are things up north?" Royce asked.

Albert pursed his lips, thinking. "I'm guessing you know about Medford being taken? Imperial troops hold it and most of the provincial castles except for Drondil Fields."

Royce sat up. "No, we didn't know. How's Gwen?"

"I have no idea. I was here when I heard."

"So, Alric and Arista are at Drondil Fields?" Hadrian asked.

"King Alric is but I don't think the princess was in Medford. I believe she's running Ratibor. They appointed her mayor, or so I've heard."

"No," Hadrian said. "We just came through there. She was governing after the battle but left months ago in the middle of the night. No one knows why. I just assumed she went home."

Albert shrugged. "Maybe, but I never heard anything about her going back. Probably better for her if she didn't. The Imps have Drondil Fields surrounded. Nothing is going in or out. It's only a matter of time before Alric will have to surrender."

"What about the abbey? Has the Empire come knocking?" Royce asked.

Albert shook his head. "Not that I know of. But like I said, I was already here when the Imperialists crossed the Galewyr."

Royce got up and began to pace.

"Anything else?" Hadrian asked.

"Rumor has it that Tur Del Fur was invaded by goblins. But that's only a rumor, as far as I can tell."

"Not a rumor," Hadrian said.

"Oh?"

"We were there. Actually, we were responsible."

"Sounds…interesting," Albert said.

Royce stopped his pacing. "Don't get him started."

"Okay, so what brings you to Aquesta?" Albert asked. "I'm guessing it's not to celebrate Wintertide."

"We're going to break Degan Gaunt out of the palace dungeon, and we'll need you for the usual inside work," Royce said.