He looked up to find Alix peering through the tent flap with a worried expression. He stood. “What’s the matter?” “Sorry, I didn’t mean to alarm you. It’s just . . .” She blinked and shook her head, as if she couldn’t quite believe what she was about to say. “Albern Highmount is here.” Erik stared at her in astonishment. “What?” “He just arrived, and he wants to see you. I wasn’t sure . . . Shall I admit him?” She sounded as perplexed as Erik felt. We were only just discussing him . . . what, a week ago? No, Erik realised, longer. Three weeks. Three weeks and three battles. An age in wartime. “Did he come alone?” “Not quite. He brought a handful of guards and retainers.” Erik shook his head in disbelief. What in the Nine Domains was Highmount doing here, of all places? The man was too old to be riding halfway across the country, especially a country at war.
