But there was something more important here. If Vohanna was asking where Valyan was, then it meant she didn’t know that I’d sent him to Nyshphal for help. It meant she wasn’t aware of the fleet that was almost certainly on its way to attack her. For a moment, then, doubt whispered to my ear. What if Valyan had not reached Nyshphal? What if Rannon and her father had refused to listen and no fleet was on its way?
notI shook my head and let Vohanna think it was only in response to her question. I whispered, “they’ll come,” to myself—for I had to believe I did not stand completely alone—but the words I let Vohanna hear were: “As I told you, my friends either died or fled. Valyan fled.”
“Ah,” Vohanna said, nodding. “Adequate servants are so hard to find and maintain. And the Nakscherii were a
