When the word finally rang out, the gravity of their predicament dawned on everyone at the table. Even Edric, who moments ago had seemed nearly jovial at the prospect of adding Kakunian banners to their tally, felt the air in the tent turn stagnant.
The Prince of Yarzat had made a shadowed deal with Merelao, reassured him of the sanctity of trust , and then thrusted a dagger at his back.
"Does he know?" asked the Legate of the Crown's Hounds.
Basil had heard the whispers of that mission from Jarza.
He had led the specialized unit that snatched the Bastard of Kakunia in plain view of his own army,a masterstroke of an ambush that had effectively decapitated the snake, leaving the rank-and-file to watch powerlessly as their prize was spirited away. It was the abduction that had, in many ways, won the majority of the war before the final blow was even struck.
And yet as grand as that victory was , Basil wondered if they had left a trail.
