habit for Ullsaard, and he was pleased to see that his exit from the city was not barred. The general called for his men to slow to a march.
'We're an escort of the Blood, not fugitives,' he growled to the legionnaires. 'Let's bloody act like it.'
Keeping step, Ullsaard and his soldiers marched out of the gate with straight backs and shouldered spears. The guards on the towers to either side looked down with surprise as the entourage passed beneath them, but no challenge was called. A dozen paces later Ullsaard was out of Askh and on the road duskwards.
He called the group to a halt half a mile from the gate, where he waited anxiously until he saw the shields of Rondin's men emerge from the city. They pulled a handcart on which Luia, Meliu and Allenya were sitting, amongst piles of hurriedly bundled clothes and small boxes. The legionnaires slowed and the cart trundled to a stop next to Ullsaard.
'Hello, husband,' said Allenya. Though her expression was stern, Ullsaard could see amusement glittering in her eyes. 'It is a good time to get some country air.'
'Yes, it is. The country in autumn can be beautiful.
'You have caused quite a fuss.'
'Sorry, my love,' Ullsaard replied, eyes downcast. 'I didn't mean for this to happen.'
'Of course you did not, husband,' Allenya said softly. 'I am sure you will sort everything out for the best.'
'I will.'
VI
Ullsaard said nothing as he heartily attacked the venison on his plate. It had been a terrible day and he was happy to occupy his mouth with eating rather than talking. Ullsaard had donated his pavilion to Prince Aalun, and had taken Rondin's tent instead. The First Captain had moved his gear in with Anasind without complaint, though Ullsaard would find some way to reward them both for the sacrifice.
Allenya did her best to keep the mood around the table congenial, talking about everything and nothing: the prices of clothes in the market; hiring a new kitchen maid; the unseasonal warm weather; the embroidery on the walls of the pavilion; the quality of the meat. She did not chatter, but spoke quietly and calmly about these things, as if they were back in their palace apartment.
Meliu picked idly at her food, avoiding Ullsaard's gaze. Her eyes were still rimmed red from crying. Luia stared daggers at her husband throughout the meal, and did not eat. Ullsaard was not sure what she was more annoyed by — their eviction from the city, or the fact that Ullsaard had ordered his legionnaires to escort her tame wrestler from the camp. He had also instructed Anasind to quietly pass the word around the army that any man found consorting with Luia would be flogged and beheaded; the last thing he needed was to waste time worrying about the disruption that would be caused by his wayward wife's sexual appetites.
When they were done, the Maasrites silently entered and cleared the table, bringing wine and water in earthenware jugs. At this, Meliu brightened slightly and insisted on pouring Ullsaard's drink. He noticed her measure of wine to water was very generous and suspected that she was trying to get him drunk.
He drank sparingly, wanting to keep his head clear, and said nothing, until even Allenya's supply of gossip and observations ran dry. The tent walls flapped in the wind and ropes creaked outside. The call of the sentries split the night air and the bell sounded the third hour of Duskwatch.
'This is ridiculous!' snapped Luia, standing.
'Sit down,' Ullsaard said. She stopped, sneered and was about to turn away when Ullsaard growled. 'Sit down!'
She locked eyes with him, and he stared back, daring her to speak out of turn. She broke from his unflinching glare and sat down with a pout, thudding her fists on the table. Ullsaard took a moment to calm before he spoke.
'I did not intend for this to happen,' he said. 'I thought that a campaign in Salphoria would be the best way to guarantee the future of this family. The new lands, th-'
'Liar,' said Luia. 'You were not thinking about this family at all. You were thinking about the glory and prestige you would have.'
'Glory and prestige that would be a legacy for my sons,' Ullsaard answered coolly, forcing himself to keep his temper in the face of his wife's scorn. 'The name Ullsaard kon Salphoria would carry more weight than Ullsaard ad Enair.'
'A title?' Luia laughed. 'You think you can battle your way into the nobility?'
'Why not? Every noble family name in Askhor was once just a normal family name. Wealth, prestige, these things can be grown over generations. History does not forget the names of great men. Perhaps your ambitions for your granddaughter would not be so far-fetched if her grandfather was known as the conqueror of Salphoria. That's a claim that could entice even the Blood into a union.'
Luia opened her mouth to argue and stopped. She bit her lip and tapped her fingers together as she considered this. Then her expression darkened again.
'That would have been well and good, but all you have managed to achieve is shame, and your name will be remembered with ignominy. What sort of legacy is that?'
'All is not yet lost,' said Ullsaard. He took another sip of the strong wine. 'When we have found out what Noran can tell us, I will ask him to take a message to the king. I will offer my deepest apologies and regret for the turn of events, and ask for his forgiveness. In my experience, the Blood find humility hard to resist. I'll swear my oaths of loyalty again, at his feet if necessary, and vow to uphold Kalmud's right to become king.'
'You would distance yourself from Aalun?' asked Allenya. 'He has been your ally and patron for a long time. He will not take such a move kindly.'
'Sister, you are right,' said Luia, and her eyes were distant, narrowed in calculation. 'The king is your enemy for the moment, but he will not live forever. When he is gone, what power will Kalmud have to protect his succession against Aalun? It is more likely that Aalun will become the next king, and you would be better to have him as a friend than an enemy.'
Ullsaard lowered his head into his hands and massaged his temples.
'I feel like I've opened a box of snakes and I don't know which one to grab,' he muttered. 'What was I thinking?'
'It does not matter,' said Allenya. She walked around the table and laid an arm across Ullsaard's shoulders. 'What has happened cannot be changed. Right or wrong, we are where we are.'
He put an arm around her waist and pulled her closer, planting a kiss on her belly, feeling her soft woollen dress on his lips. Allenya stroked his hair.
'Nothing can be done until the morning,' she said. 'Why not get some rest?'
This seemed like a good idea. Ullsaard took Allenya's hand in his and stood up.
'I have a few duties around camp,' he said. 'I'll be back soon.'
At that moment, a captain from the guard company announced his presence outside the tent. Ullsaard told the man to enter.
'General, Noran the herald is at the camp gates,' the soldier announced.
'So soon? Let him into the camp and send word to Prince Aalun of his arrival.'
'Yes, General,' the captain said with a brief salute before hurrying out of the tent.
'This cannot be good,' Ullsaard said, sitting at the table.
Allenya summoned a servant and instructed him to prepare hot tea.
'I am sure Noran would like something to drink,' she said, sitting opposite Ullsaard.
'Always the perfect hostess,' the general replied. 'Perhaps I should have you with me all the time.'
'You are not dragging us around on your campaigns like common camp followers,' said Luia. 'You may choose to live in ditches, but I will not.'
Meliu gave a sob and buried her hands in her arms.
'This is so awful,' she moaned. She lifted her tear-streaked face. 'Where will we go? What about my darling Ullnaar? He'll be all alone! You've made us the mockery of all Askh.'
Ullsaard had no time to reply. The tent door swirled open and Noran strode in. Behind came two women, one
