The messenger who appeared at the entrance of my tent stumbled in, breathless. When I saw the red-sealed parchment in his hand, a faint glimmer sparked in my eyes. It was Douglas's seal. So, the fox had finally dared to leave its den.
I broke the seal and skimmed the trembling lines.
"Glorious Count Leonardo," it read, "I accept your terms. I shall send my eldest daughter, Edla, as a pledge of peace. A third of my yearly taxes will be delivered to Argenholt. To prove my sincerity, I have also sent a gift to accompany my daughter to your fair city. May no blood be spilled; it is an honor to remain under your shadow of peace."
When I finished reading, I lifted my head and let out a long laugh. The soldiers outside the tent flinched, staring at me uneasily. To them, it was only a letter. To me, it was one of the most brilliant moves ever made on the board. Barely a week had passed since I defeated Ronald, and already Douglas had sent this message of fear.
