Harold has taken overall command of them, and we believe he’s somewhere in the south of Brigant. I don’t know if all the boys are with him, but that would make sense.”
Tzsayn nodded. “With Thornlees moving south, it looks like the Brigantines are intent on beginning an offensive, spearheaded by the boys’ brigades. If so, the attack has probably already begun—our information is days old.”
“And yet the conquest of Calidor is so personal to Aloysius,” Darby said, “I can’t believe they would launch a serious offensive without him.”
“Which is another reason why we must not delay our attack,” Catherine said. “We want my father trapped in the north. This is our chance. His forces are weaker for the loss of Thornlees and the boy army. But if they are able to con-quer Calidor and then reunite, we will be outnumbered again.”
“You haven’t mentioned the mission to the demon world,” Hanov said.
Catherine held her breath. It had been a week since Ambrose had set out. Every day she asked for news but so far there had been nothing.
Davyon replied, “We didn’t expect to hear from them, but I have confidence that Sir Ambrose and his men will be doing whatever they can to stop production of the demon smoke.”
Catherine’s mind went back to the demon world and her time there with Ambrose. He’d hated it. He’d have much preferred to be in the battle aboveground. Tzsayn took her hand and leaned into her, whispering, “Sir Ambrose has more lives than twenty cats. He’ll be back.”
Catherine nodded and smiled. She thought again of how Ambrose had talked of lives being held by thread. Each of the men in his Demon Troop was another thread that was supporting him. And, somehow, she still felt bound to him herself. That thread would never break—they were always going to be connected.
“Anything else?” Tzsayn looked around the group, but no one spoke. “Then the army will move out to their forward positions tomorrow morning. The scullers will attack tomor-row night, the land army at dawn the following day.”
Once the others had left, Tzsayn said, “I wish I could be with my men. It doesn’t feel right to be sending them into battle while I lounge here in my tent.”
“I doubt you’ll be lounging. And it wouldn’t be safe,” Catherine replied, refraining from adding that it was practically impossible. Tzsayn was improving every day, but he wouldn’t be fully fit for weeks, and even then would have to relearn how to ride with only one leg.
He took her hand again. “The queen needs to be safe too. I know you want to ride out with your men but I’m still not happy about it.”
“I’ll remain well back, don’t worry. I can’t fight, but perhaps I can inspire.”
“You won’t be tempted to throw a spear again?”
Catherine shook her head. “I confess I’ve tried the smoke, but it no longer works for me. I must be getting old.”
Tzsayn smiled. “You’re not old. Though I’m glad you’re not going to be tempted to use it. I’m still frightened of losing you.”
Catherine kissed him. “I’ll be careful. My future with you is too bright to risk.”
* * *
• • •
In bed that night Catherine clung to her husband and hardly slept. She wanted to savor every moment with Tzsayn, feeling his body next to hers. But all too soon it was morning and Tanya was helping her to dress.
Catherine wore a simple white silk shift, over which was her skirt of chain mail. Then came the breastplate, which still contained the small bottle of demon smoke secured inside. She considered removing it but decided against it. The smoke had always brought her good luck. Maybe it would again. She held the breastplate firmly to her body as Tanya positioned the backplate and strapped the two tightly together.
“I don’t see why I have to stay in camp,” Tanya complained, tugging on a strap. “You should have a maid with you.”
“I’m not out for a pleasant jaunt through the countryside, Tanya. I’m leading an army.”
But in truth, Catherine was thinking back to how she had lost Sarah in Tornia and Jane outside Rossarb. Maids didn’t fare well in battles and she couldn’t bear to lose Tanya.
Outside, the men were ready. Tzsayn made a short appearance before the troops to much cheering and shouting. Catherine was delighted to see how just the sight of her husband lifted the spirits of the Pitorian army.
Tzsayn turned to her and said, “Don’t do anything rash. If you