Her father sat at the desk, but because it was a fair distance from the fire, it lay outside the reach of its warmth. He wore a thick coat and kept his left hand inside his glove, while writing with his right. He was writing a letter in Perian on the family’s official stationary. Tamerane had seen some of his correspondence. It mostly begged other nobles to join them, because “you’ll be free of the restrictions by the new Knight Council.”
“Did you see the general?” he asked without looking up.
“Briefly.” Tamerane thought of the stern figure of General Pakori of the garrison that was stationed just inland from the town. He would sometimes visit her in her little office, and tell her of his demands. Bigger machines, more powerful icefire strands. He didn’t let her come to the garrison, and
