Ilse leaned back, staring at him.
“Who is your dispute with?” Ilse finally asked.
“I can’t say,” Winter answered, wincing.
Ilse sat back, his lips thinning. He shook his head.
“Without knowing why? Without knowing with whom you’ve found conflict?”
“Isn’t it better to head off trouble that might be prevented?” Winter said, tense. “Isn’t that the purpose of declaring ban, to give us time if things are complicated, to ensure things can be brought to the Council and aren’t resolved outside with bloodshed? We’re requesting it, Ilse.”
Ilse made a face at him. He looked out the window. He finally turned back.
“You and Isidor have really gotten yourself into something that deep, Winter?”
Winter winced again, nodding. Ilse was trusting his word, trusting their good natures. He and Isidor ha
