THIRTEEN
Encounters
SPRING 966 MC
Captain Carlson looked back in disbelief. Since last fall, he'd been in command of Tewsbury's garrison, but the news that he would be ordered to march on a Mercerian town seemed incredulous. "You can't be serious?"
"Do I not look serious?" asked Arnim. "The Nobles Council ordered us to Hawksburg."
"What has the queen to say on the matter?"
"I wish I knew, but she remains with the army. In her absence, the council carries the weight of the law."
"I shall follow orders, naturally, but I feel it my duty to inform you there's been some concerning developments here of late."
"Can you be more specific?"
Captain Carlson looked at Albreda.
"Spit it out, man," ordered the Druid. "I'm a trusted agent of the queen, for Saxnor's sake."
"There's been growing
