Desdira was as upset as Oron when she heard what had happened. “Oron, what can we do?”
“I don’t know. I can’t—” He turned to the wine jug. “Where is Abadu?”
“I’m not sure.”
“My king.” Abadu bowed as he entered the chamber and quietly closed the door behind him.
Oron sat beside Desdira and drank the wine. “You know what’s happened?” he asked Abadu.
“Yes, of course.”
“These men are going to abandon the army. I could have them imprisoned, but I understand their anger. They intend to march back into Salasal to free their families.” Oron sipped and set down the goblet. “I would be tempted to do the same. But when we act in rage, we give the enemy the tool he can use to defeat us. It’s too easy to bait the headstrong. I have learned this. But Renfew and the others won’t wait until they kno
