Charlaine bowed as the king entered the room.
“Ah, Commander,” he said. “I wondered when you might put in an appearance. I hear you’ve been down in Braunfel?”
“I have, Your Majesty.”
“What have you to report?”
“I fear the invasion will soon be upon us.”
Stefan raised an eyebrow. “So soon? I thought we had till summer, though, it is, admittedly, almost here.”
“So did I, sire, but their numbers grow daily.”
“What kind of numbers?”
“It is as I feared,” she replied. “An entire legion waits across from Braunfel.”
“And you know this, how?”
“I took it upon myself to cross the border, Majesty. They are still awaiting more companies, including elite warriors, but I suspect the attack will begin in earnest, as soon as they arrive.”
“It appears we have little time to act.”
“Might I enquir
