The summons arrived before Teclos had finished sleeping off the previous night.
Someone hammered on the tavern door until the hinges rattled.
Teclos opened one eye.
Serenna was still seated in the booth across from him, one arm folded beneath her head. Empty bottles crowded the table between them. At some point, the innkeeper had stopped bringing cups and simply left the last bottle within reach.
The pounding came again.
"Teclos," a man called from the other side. "Count Veyron wants you at the fortress."
Serenna lifted her head and looked toward the door.
"Tell him you died."
"He saw me survive Selrik."
"Then tell him it happened afterward."
Teclos pushed himself upright. His mouth tasted of stale ale, and one side of his neck had gone stiff from sleeping against the wall.
He opened the door.
A fortress servant stood outside with two guards behind him.
"The count said immediately."
"Did he say why?"
