The castle yard had more people in it than when they left, and fewer of them were doing anything useful.
Cynthia met them at the gate and started talking before the horses stopped, which was how you could tell she had been holding it in.
"The boy is in the side room. Mesterica gagged him, then he spat the gag out without using his hands, so she gagged him again and sat on a chair where he can see the sword. Father is still Father enough to refuse water. Calden tried to write a sentry count in a grain ledger and broke the quill on purpose. I think that means we still have a civil official. I would like someone to tell me we have more than that."
Rigel threw the reins at a stablehand who did not smile.
That one was still local.
"The well cover's weighted, not sealed. Jorn's on the bench. If anybody from Riverbend comes asking for a lamp, they don't go in. The rider on the north road got off his horse and walked. Erna saw the second mouth."
