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The envoy’s mouth flattens.
“If Lord Varrus intended another meaning,” I add, “you have failed to deliver it.”
His position leaves him two choices. He can accept my interpretation, or admit before my household that he mishandled his lord’s message.
“I will report your words exactly,” he says.
“That is why I chose them carefully.”
I hand the axe to Joran.
“Place Lord Varrus’s tithe above the hall entrance,” I order. “Crimson leather facing outward. Visitors should see which houses contribute to Morwen’thir’s defense.”
Joran takes the weapon. “At once.”
The envoy bows again. This time, the movement is rigid.
He leaves without accepting refreshment.
When the great doors close behind his party, Sarveth releases the hall servants and follows me toward the war room.
“Varrus will be furious,” she says.
“He selected the battlefield.”
“He may claim his envoy exceeded his authority.”
“Then he sacrifices the envoy’s standing and appears careless.”
“And if he embraces the insult?”
“Then he must explain why he sent tribute north.”
Sarveth glances toward the axe now carried above us by two guards. “It will look impressive over the entrance.”
“It will look expensive.”
“That may be more offensive.”
“It is meant to be.”
The war room holds less satisfying news.
Three reports wait beside the neptherium table. The first bears Joran’s seal. The second comes from the mining post north of Simimuese Bluff. The third was carried by karasu from a patrol commander before dawn.
I open the patrol report first.
Another ore sledge has been attacked on the northern road. The driver survived, but two guards are missing. Tracks vanish near the crimson boundary marking waira territory. The creatures have grown bolder since the first snow, striking closer to settled ground and withdrawing before mounted patrols arrive.
The mining-post report describes damage to a storage shed, poisoned pack animals, and a worker found unconscious near an outer fence.
I read every line twice.
“These attacks are changing,” I say.
Sarveth stands across the table. “They no longer strike only isolated travelers.”
“They are testing guarded positions.”
