“You traitorous dog! You have the gall to come here and say this to the true Princess’ face!”
“Balinor! He is only the messenger. Your indignation has blinded you to the obvious. Enthack, why did you request to give this message to us in private?” Balinor reigned Elmet back when the logic of Em’risi’s question sank into his infuriated brain. An offer of pardon to the lower ranks was something that Reigns was sure to want spread about generously. Why Enthack wanted privacy to make the offer to the people who would benefit from it the least was indeed a logical question.
“Because, my princess, it would have demoralized your men.”
“Why would one of Reigns’ sniveling curs such as yourself care about the Princess’ men’s moral?” Balinor sneered at the under captain spitefully.
“My loyalties belong to another and by extension to you, my princess. This leads me to my other messages. Reigns has called up the three northern noble houses and is even now amassing troops at the mouth of the Outlands. He is somewhat enraged at the loss of Shienhin’s garrison and intends to wipe you all out. There is to be more than four thousand when the houses march against you. Only two of the houses have arrived by now, but the rest are on their way. House Uskyn, Inarack, and house Loneka. Loneka is loyal to Reigns and isn’t to be trusted. House Uskyn seems to keep tight lipped about their loyalties. House Inarack is suspected of having rebel leanings so they are to take the forefront when the battle comes. My sources also name house Eltanin as a supporter of your cause, but they were too far south to make calling them practical so you will just have to figure out how to deal with the three. Keep an eye on House Inarack troops. There is a good chance that they might defect to your side should you engage in a battle. Be ready for the possibility.”
“And we are supposed to just believe what you say? I was not born yesterday. We can’t hold our fire in a battle in the hopes that the people attacking us will change their minds.” Balinor wanted nothing more than the pleasure of wiping that irritating smile off Enthack’s face, despite that, his great sword was safely back in its sheath.
“Balinor, stop it! He is telling the truth. Enthack, to whom do your loyalties belong? Tell us why you should be trusted. I believe what you are saying, but don’t yet trust you.”
“Tis only fair, my princess. I obey Uraken. He insisted on that pronunciation of his name. Said that Balinor would recognize it. He also said that Balinor might be a genius at marshalling troops in the field, but he lacks diplomatic skills.” Em’risi glanced over just in time to see the bluster drain from the general’s face.
“Urake? That rapscallion has agents everywhere! Should have known. Diplomatic skills my…” Balinor spoke out of surprise, but the last part of his comment was muttered under his breath yet was still loud enough to give reason for Em’risi to roll her eyes at him.
“On that note, I have some letters for you, plus one from Tusul. I believe Balinor knows who he is.” Enthack reached into his saddle bag and pulled out the bundle of parchment. After handing it to Balinor, he waited while the general quickly sorted through them.
“What use is this to us? Tusul is supposedly a genius alchemist or something. He should have sent us something useful.” Balinor had torn open the seal on Tusul’s parchment and briefly scanned the contents.
“He detailed the instructions for making a few of his favorite concoctions. If you read it, I am sure that you will find them useful. He demonstrated a couple for me and I was impressed to say the least.”
“If you have the chance, thank him on our behalf. His assistance is sure to be appreciated.” Em’risi was about to make another comment when Balinor angrily broke in.
“An itching powder? A potion that causes uncontrollable retching? How is that going to be useful?!”
“That retching one is actually quite impressive. I hear that Ildroth ingested it under the impression that it was an antidote for some poison he was supposedly afflicted with. He was halfway to Cercha before he was well enough to speak and a week after that before he was able to do anything other than heap curses on Tusul. Flavorless and dissolves