“Then it is done.” I leaned forward grasping a rope for balance as the words fell across the room. Heavy and light smothering noise. No more would the Virand impose their will. Our land would be ours again. Giles Bardolf would lead us.

Bendalia stopped in front of the uneven row of brightly painted boxes. Box 11 was only mostly closed. Not even enough to hide the presence of a letter shoved where none belonged. Scowling she glanced down the cross streets. If Diel and Kedilalia thought they’d joke at her expense . . . She harrumphed annoyed.

She snatched the letter from the box and ripped it open impatiently.