Summer 964 MC
King Leofric of Weldwyn looked out the carriage window to see the looming walls of Wincaster.
"Impressive, isn"t it," said his Queen, Igraine.
"It is, indeed, a sight to behold," said the king as he sat back, looking at her in affection. "Whoever thought we"d be here, deep in the belly of our enemy."
"They"re not our enemy anymore," she chided. "In fact, they"re our allies now."
"Allies," said Leofric, "I like the sound of that."
"How many soldiers do they have?" interjected a child"s voice.
The king turned to his youngest daughter. "More than us, Edwina," he said, "so be sure to mind your manners."
"Will Alric be there?" asked Althea, the older sister. She was almost the same age as Anna, but Leofric always thought of the Mercerian Queen as being much older.
"Of cou
