Chapter 21Arwain looked up into the grey sky, then down at the damp grey stones of the palace courtyard, then he yawned monstrously and with complete disregard for any propriety.
In answer to his father’s question, could he get a platoon of his guards ready to ride to Whendrak first thing the following day, he had answered, ‘Probably.’
It had proved optimistic.
‘Is it an emergency, sir?’ Ryllans had asked, when Arwain had entered his private quarters a little more unceremoniously than he had intended, and blurted out his instructions, rather than calmly issued his orders.
‘No,’ Arwain conceded. ‘But it’s urgent, and it is my father’s express command.’
Ryllans nodded sagely, his expression gently nudging Arwain into a fuller explanation of the Duke’s decision.
‘First thing?’ he asked,
