26 A Plan Kyle glanced up, breaking off from his conversation with Jess as the doors to the small council room opened. His eyebrow rose as he recognised Janson, Commander of the King’s Guard. The man paused briefly to nod in his direction. “With your permission, Fourth’s Blade?” Kyle frowned before nodding, noticing the large rolled parchment Janson was carrying with him. At his nod, the commander smiled tightly and walked up to the table, where he unceremoniously unrolled what proved to be a map of Vallantia. “I take it there is a reason for this intrusion, Commander?” Jess watched the man, a guarded look in her eyes. “Sorry for the intrusion, my lady, my lords. I thought perhaps the search for the rebels might go smoother with a little coordination.” He glanced around those of them

