“When your Grace?” Lord Sumner said. “You seem sure that war will happen.”
“Why would they be amassing soldiers so close to our borders, so close to our capital if they do not plan to attack. Are they sat there throwing dice and drinking wine? No, they mean to attack! And soon, as they know we are weak. That is what I would do.” The King shouted as loud as his broken voice would allow so that no one in the hall could be mistaken, “War is coming! Brace yourselves for it my lords, my ladies. This pretend peace is done; bloodshed will soon be upon us.”
“Conflict is coming, I agree, your Grace, but surely we can find more men rather than get women from Peqkya,” Toby retorted.
“We have no more men. You know this, we have exhausted our people. All boys, men, grandfathers are armed and read
