‘Now we can only wait,’ the leader of the Castellans said as the gallopers left. He reached into a pocket, unearthed a large flask and took a long drink from it.
* * * *
The gallopers reached Bredill without mishap and not all that long after the Felden envoy and his escort had finally found their way back. They were brought before the officer commanding the company, to whom they handed a personal letter from their government together with sealed letters which were to be carried to the Felden authorities. The officer read the letter carefully, then smiled and stood up.
‘A storm in a pot then, gentlemen,’ he said to the gallopers. ‘I can’t say I’m unhappy that it’s blown itself out before blows were struck. My men and I will have to remain here until I hear from my own government, of cou
