Cassian questioned several locals about the situation in Karmen, and their responses were filled with curses aimed at the earl's three children, especially the eldest daughter, a formidable Fifth Circle Warrior, who led the army. She was widely blamed for the heavy losses the Karmen family had suffered.
No one clarified the underlying issues, but it led Cassian to wonder if she might be a clone replacement.
"So, if this princess is causing all the trouble, why doesn't the earl take command himself? Even if he's arrogant, he wouldn't be so reckless as to lose capable soldiers to the point where his earldom starts to crumble. I even saw people in the city packing up to leave," Cassian said as he entered the inn room he'd booked for the night with Lumine. They weren't due to head to the battlefield until tomorrow.
