“Close the door, sit down, and let us hear of this trip, Henry. Has the king promised men?”
“He has, Father,” said Henry as they all took places at the table, “though not as many as we had hoped. The king is giving us two hundred men, and some twenty students from the Academy will be marching with them. Barons Meekin and Cavish will be bringing five hundred mercenaries and supplies when they come.”
“I had hoped for twice the number from the king,” said the duke. “They will be enough to bolster our own forces, at any rate.” He looked to George and Eileen. “And why are these two here?”
“They were with us at the beginning of the summer,” said Henry. “They’re here because our actions raised some enmity among the Church of the High Father.”
“I meant in my council chamber,” said the duke, sm
