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Hurst was chafing at facing some consequences.

The look he gave Tuart was as vicious and full of murderous intent as the one he’d given Luc.

Luc let the silence settle around them all for a moment. “I will let you take your people. Make your way back to Jatan, without molesting any other Kassian citizens along the way.”

“We have no supplies.” Hurst ground the words out.

“Funny that. When the Rising Wave was running low on supplies, we purchased what we needed from the towns and villages we passed. You might like to try that approach as you leave, as it is the only one acceptable to the new queen and I.”

“You seem to speak very easily for the new queen.” Tuart’s attention had fastened on Luc again.

“That’s right. The queen and I are very much aligned in our thinking. And you would do well to remember that.” Luc pulled out the missive Ava had written just before he’d left and handed it over to Tuart.

He also had Ava’s magic squares in the inside of his cloak pocket. His fingers had brushed over the little bags as he’d taken out the missive, and he’d considered using one of them, but Tuart seemed reasonable. No use wasting them when he didn’t need to.

The general took the thin scroll, read it, and then carefully slid it into an inside pocket on his cloak.

Silence stretched again.

Luc gave a whistle, and waited for Rafe and the others to make their way back through the woods to join them.

Revek gave a signal, and the guards around Hurst and his soldiers moved out of the way so the small group could move forward.

“Where are you going?” Tuart watched them turn to face east.

“To Cervantes. I trust the Jatan haven’t been foolish enough to try there what has been tried in north Kassia.” He watched Tuart’s face as he spoke and wondered if he was imagining the flicker of fear.

He had a sinking feeling he was not.

“In case there has been a misunderstanding of a similar nature, I think my unit should accompany you.” Tuart watched Hurst and the others move past him and make their way toward the Jatan camp.

Now that he was free, Hurst moved slowly, clearly trying to overhear what was being said.

“I give you no leave to do so. Go home, General. And be glad I’m letting you go at all.”

“The thing is . . .” Tuart looked off toward the horizon, avoiding Luc’s eyes. “There may have been a few Jatan units who broke off and headed toward Cervantes. And it would be of use to you if I came along to command them back home.”

Luc moved closer to him, and at last the general met his gaze. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that there have been a few promotions of junior officers who are not experienced enough to control their forces and if anything has gotten out of hand in Cervantes, then I have the authority over them to shut it down without bloodshed.”

“Don’t you mean, without more bloodshed?” Luc asked softly. “Because that’s what you’re afraid of, aren’t you? That the Jatan have simply decided to follow in Kassia’s footsteps when it comes to Cervantes.”

“To be honest, I don’t know, Commander. But I do know the Jatan cannot afford another war, certainly not with you. I also heard the Venyatux rode with you to Fernwell, and now I see Jatan’s neighbour state, Skäddar, seems to have representatives embedded in your units, as well.” His gaze flicked over Kikir, who tipped his head in acknowledgement.

“It would be very, very upsetting to me to find any harm has been done to my people.” Luc let the spark of fury that had been growing in him since the general started speaking shine through his eyes.

“Then accept my company, Commander. And hopefully, we will be able to resolve this peacefully.”

Tuart turned his horse and galloped away, his two guards following behind him.

“What do you think he’s really up to?” Massi pulled up beside him.

“I think he knows full well his fellow generals are raiding Cervantes, and he’s trying to work out what to do. He’ll try to stall us. Try to cover up what he can.”

“Then why let him come?” Rev asked.

Luc sighed. “Because I’m afraid he’s also right. If there are Jatan forces attacking Cervantes, then he might be able to pull them back.” He looked around at his unit. Everyone had pulled in as close as they could to hear him. “We are only eighty. We don’t know how many we’re going to face, and if Tuart is being honest, he’ll be more of a help than a hindrance.”