Chapter Seven
The court of Parvania was a hive of activity. It had been decided that a rescue squad be organised, under the command of Seraphina. It would number a hundred soldiers only. Rather than an invasion, it was to be a fast covert raid, which would travel in secret through the Deep, Dark Wood and then surprise the garrison of Prince Igor’s castle, breaking in and rescuing Yolande before the defenders had time to resist. It was a risky strategy, but there seem no other with any chance of success. Parvania on its own did not have the strength to mount a full-scale invasion of Breconia, which would take a long time to organise, even if Hrothgar could be brought to a decision. And it was already evident that this would take time; Ingeborg had no skills in the arts of flirting and cour
