Darion read the letter again.
The language was still formal and courteous the second time. It didn't improve on closer inspection.
He folded it and held it out to Garren, who took it.
The man had been expecting something like this, more like dreading it. He knew a day like this would come, where one of the kingdoms who lended them money would ask for it back.
What he had not expected was that it would be so soon.
"Valdenmoor," Darion said. "Tell me about them."
Garren read through the letter once, folded it back along its creases, and handed it back.
"Valdenmoor is the largest territory within two days' ride of here," he said. "Their leader calls himself King Aldric the Second, though that title isn't recognized by the Emperor or anyone with the authority to grant it formally. He declared it himself about fifteen years ago and nobody in this region had the strength to tell him otherwise, so it stuck."
He paused.
