Marinah is working with Ruth, who's making incredible progress. There hasn't been a complaint about the child in weeks. She follows Marinah around like she's her personal guard. The sword Marinah gave her always on her hip and her hand on the pommel daring anyone to threaten her instructor.

"King," Beck calls. "We have urgent news from the northern outpost."

Here we go. It's been too quiet. "I'll grab Marinah. Have the men join us in the conference room in five." I ...