The council arrived at Haven on the first day of autumn.
Greer led the delegation—a dozen representatives from Veridias, chosen by lot from the five hundred citizens. They had come to see the eastern village, to meet the Empress, to understand what William had built.
William met them at the gate.
"Welcome to Haven."
Greer dismounted and looked around. The village had grown since her last visit. New houses. New fields. New faces. Children played in the streets. Smoke rose from chimneys. The air smelled of bread and wood smoke.
"This is not what I expected," she said.
"What did you expect?"
"A fortress. A camp. A gathering of warriors."
"It's a village. Just a village."
Greer looked at him. "You really have changed."
"I've learned to live."
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The Empress met the council in the
