Page 44 of Highland Lords of War & Thunder: The Prequel

A faint smile tugged at Eudora's lips. “And I suppose the council sent you to fetch me.”

“Nay. They have more sense.”

That earned him a look.

“Most of them, anyway,” he said, his tone serious.

He had served her grandmother before serving her and had known Eudora since she was a young lass. Few people could read her moods as easily.

That once had comforted her., but these days it made her cautious.

“They grow impatient.”

“Then waiting will do them good.”

A faint smile touched Wilford's face. “Your grandmother used to say the same thing.”

Eudora stopped. For the briefest moment, she heard Eleanor's warning again.

Not even to the person you trust above all others.

“Did she?”

Wilford seemed not to notice the change in her tone.

“Often.”

Eudora walked toward the door. “Then for once, I shall follow her excellent example.”

Wilford stepped aside to let her pass.

Eudora didn't look back at the window. But the question followed her from the room.

Where were they?

The council members were already seated when Eudora entered the chamber.

They rose as one. “Your Majesty.”

Eudora acknowledged them with a slight nod before taking her place at the head of the long table. “Sit.”

Wilford took his usual chair to her right while Commander Bradan remained standing at the opposite end of the table. He was a large man with iron-gray hair and the solid build of a warrior who had spent most of his life carrying a sword. Eudora had known him nearly as long as she'd known Wilford, though Bradan had always been far less inclined to offer an opinion unless asked for one.

The grim set of his face told her she wouldn't need to ask today.

“What happened?” Eudora asked.

Bradan glanced around the table before answering. “Two more villages are refusing to send men for the autumn training.”

Eudora frowned. Every village in Morra Mist was expected to provide able men for regular training so they could be called upon if the kingdom was threatened. Few enjoyed leaving their farms and families to do it, but outright refusal was another matter.

“Which villages?”

“Brennoch and Ardley.”

She knew both. Neither had ever given the crown trouble.

“Did they give a reason⁠—”