The enormous room was otherwise empty and seemed overly large for their meeting. Makarria found herself running an awkwardly long distance to reach Siegbjorn and throw her arms around his chest. Siegbjorn guffawed and ruffled her hair. “A good deal of trouble you’ve gotten yourself into, I hear. Can I not leave you for a moment?” “I’m glad you’re back,” was all she said and sat down beside him. Talitha sat, too, and regarded them all silently for a moment. Taera’s face was bruised and swollen, but she sat erect and proud. Caile slouched forward with his arms on the table, again annoyed that he had no idea why they were meeting or what was going on. Talitha sighed, then turned to Siegbjorn. “Tell them what you’ve learned.” “Yes,” Siegbjorn said and cleared his throat before continuing. “At the bidding of Roanna, I traveled south to Weordan to gather news of what events have befallen the empire.
