The Pages of the Mind Read Online Free PDF Page B

The Vervaldr had completed a campaign elsewhere when Uorsin sent his offer. We sailed here directly.”
    â€œSo why Ehas?”
    I tapped one of the Dasnarian tomes. “They didn’t know, so they had their scholars research what they could find. Remember when I told you the tale of fair-haired giants landing in here long ago and the sorcerers of Deyrr who likely accompanied them?”
    â€œThey landed at Ehas.” Ursula nodded. “They went with what they knew. That’s old information, however, long predating the unification of the Twelve Kingdoms under Uorsin, and yet by the scouts’ reports they’re heading directly for Mohraya, at least, and the only reasonable explanation for that is they’re coming to Ordnung. But how did they know this is the capital, if their other intelligence is that stale? If that’s indeed why they’re coming this way. If so, perhaps they got wind of Uorsin’s demise and think the High Throne empty for the taking. That could be done with a small, highly trained force. Do you think it could be a coup attempt?”
    â€œI have not been in communication with my brothers, so I can’t know the answer to that.” Harlan’s voice had a rare edge to it.
    â€œI never thought it,” Ursula returned in a mild tone, turning to lean against the map table next to him. She nudged him with her knee. “Give me some credit. I try not to be stupid about the same thing twice.”
    Harlan softened and picked up her hand, his thumb rubbing over her palm. They exchanged a long moment of wordless communication and I focused on my notes, giving them that much privacy. “My guess is that Kral is indeed headed straight for Ordnung and knows it is the capital. He’ll rely on speed and surprise to move his men here with minimum conflict. He’ll know that even the healthiest military cannot be mobilized immediately and likely counts on that to keep his way clear, knowing also that they can clear it themselves of smaller, more mobile forces.”
    â€œAnd would also know that Ordnung itself would be fortified and heavily defended by a standing guard. He can’t be planning to lay siege. Does he plan to ride up and ask admittance?” Ursula laid her hand over Ordnung on the map, as if she could hold it there. “Unless he knows of our recent conflicts and thinks we’re weakened. But that brings us back to how he knows any of this and why he’s come.”
    â€œThis stinks of Illyria and I don’t like it,” Harlan said.
    â€œIt makes the most sense,” she replied. “We still don’t know how Illyria came to be here. If she was working with someone back in Dasnaria, possibly communicating with her superiors at the Temple of Deyrr, it’s possible they know of her demise and are coming in response to that.”
    â€œIf they know that, however, then they’d likely know of my presence and role in your ascension to the High Throne. But how could they have heard any of that news?”
    â€œMaybe she had a way of communicating magically,” I suggested, still looking at my notes; I listed that as a possibility.
    â€œDid you see that somewhere?” Ursula asked, so I met her gaze.
    â€œNo. There’s simply not that much written about the Temple of Deyrr, but it seems possible that magic that includes reanimating the dead could devise a system of long-distance communication.”
    Harlan was already shaking his head. “The temple is powerful, yes, and tolerated because of that. But no one in the royal family or government would openly traffic with them.”
    â€œAnd yet you say this stinks of Illyria,” Ursula returned.
    â€œYes. Because I can think of no other connection.”
    â€œThere’s still you, Captain Harlan,” I pointed out, as neither of them seemed inclined to.
    Ursula shot me an irritated glare. “I know I behaved badly in the past, but I trust