“The Holy City? I thought that was part of Halvaria?”
“It is now,” agreed Cordelia, “but back then, it was one of the states along the seacoast.”
“I’m not sure I understand,” said Danica. “Are you saying they invaded Herani?”
“No,” replied Cordelia, “the Kingdom of Heran, as it’s called, fell into civil unrest following food shortages.”
“Like back in the time of the Saints,” noted Charlaine.
“Very similar to that, yes, but there were no Saints to save them a second time. The Church sent in troops to try and maintain the peace.”
“What happened?” asked Danica.
“It was an unmitigated disaster. You have to understand, the Holy Army was in its infancy in those days, with no clear objectives and no higher command structure. Lacking the discipline that we now take for granted, each company
