Marishka stifled a yawn. "Where is father?" she asked. "It would seem to me that if he wanted to dine at this odd hour he would…" Her voice trailed off as Baron Janosk entered the room. He was dressed for battle in a thick leather doublet. Mihael, who walked a few steps behind him, was similarly clothed.

"I present my new second in command," Janosk said, moving aside so the boy could walk in front of him to the table.

Lorena frowned. "Do we learn of your plans now, my lord, or must we wait until after the battle is over?"

"First we eat," he replied.

Lorena rang the servants' bell, and the food was carried in-trays of fruit and fresh bread, quail eggs poached in wine and glazed with butter, and a plate of trout pulled fresh from the river that morning.

Only the men seemed able to eat-her father voraciously, Mihael out of necessity. Ilsabet picked at the fish and nibbled a bit of bread and jam, waiting expectantly to hear the news.

After the table was cleared, Janosk ordered the servants to leave. Then, in low tones, he made his announcement. "Today we ride west to annex Sundell," he said.

"Sundell!" Lady Lorena exclaimed. "Janosk, this is madness."

"I will give the jewel of Sundell to my loyal subjects," Janosk said. "I do it as much for Mihael as for myself."

Lorena continued to object. "But Sundell has so much wealth, and the troops…"

"Silence!" he bellowed. "The decision is made. We attack tonight."

Lorena normally respected her husband's temper. Not now. "Tonight! Have you gone to the mountains and consulted Sagesse?" she asked.

"The Seer?" Janosk sneered. "Allied with rebels from the beginning. Why would I trust her advice?"

Ilsabet said nothing then. Jorani had undoubtedly prepared the troops well. Later however, Ilsabet went looking for Jorani. She found him downstairs with the troops, overseeing the loading of burlap bags.