For a little while I was afraid that it would become a very long night. Usually I wouldn't have been opposed to the idea but then and there I didn't quite feel up to the challenge. I needn't have worried though. Once Raetho and Tero had sated their initial curiosity others had picked up the slack. In a way it was a marvel. I could only watch in astonishment as my brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces as well as some of father's other wives took to organizing things. Information was spread and arrangements were made without much of a hustle. Everyone seemed to know what to do.

I even felt a little lost amidst this bustle of activity where everyone but me seemed to know what their exact purpose was. Then I realized that there was exactly one other person present who didn't add much to the bustling activity all around. Our great king only sat there for the better part, looking on as everyone did their part. Every once in a while one of the other queens would exchange whispered words with him but for the better part he seemed content with everyone working out the details for tomorrow or some other plans I wasn't even aware of.

Then his eyes settled upon me and he flashed me a little smile before nodding once and returning his attention to his wives. At the same time Anthis and Vastha hooked their arms under mine, pulling me to my feet.

It was the older of the two who spoke up. “It can be a little overwhelming the first time but you'll get used to it eventually as you get to know everyone and how they run things.”

Then the younger of the two sisters spoke up. “Our great king doesn't believe in managing everything by himself. He made his will known and now everyone will do their part to make it happen. Most have been at it for so long he doesn't even have to actively delegate most things anymore.”

I could only nod as the duo carefully maneuvered me away from the center of activity towards the compartment where they and their mother had taken care of me and my injuries. We passed some guards and some cloth dividers and calm and quiet surrounded us once more as we left the royal court behind us.

Finally I sank onto the cot next to the stands bearing my weapon and my suit of armor. Someone must have been here while I was away. My things had been cleaned and a thick blanket as well as a pillow awaited me. I finally lost the fight and yawned in a most unladylike way. It really had been a long few days.

The retreating girls closed the curtain of my compartment but before it could close for good Anthis spoke up one last time. “Get some sleep. We will get you when it is time for the morning meal. I suspect you will receive more detailed orders at that time as well but don't worry about that now. Good night.”

And just like that she and her sister where gone and I was left alone. I yawned again. They were right. I really needed to rest my tired legs and catch some sleep. I shrugged out of my tunic and draped it across one of the stands before dropping back on my cot. By that point I had trouble keeping my eyes open. I slipped under the blanket and barely managed to adjust the pillow a little before sleep finally claimed me.

When I woke again next morning it was not in the presence of either of the two girls though. Instead it was Tero'thaa who was shaking my shoulder. I blinked up at him confused for a moment. “What?” I was not yet awake enough for anything more elaborate.

He stopped shaking me and straightened back up. “The girls thought that it would be best to let you catch a little extra sleep.” He grinned. “But now we really have to get moving.” He tapped a little tablet with a bowl of steaming and sweet smelling mashed ashroot and cup that probably contained some watered won wine. “I brought you something to eat. But don't dawdle. I will be waiting outside.” With those words he turned and left, the curtain closing behind him again.

He had sounded urgent and I could hear some activity from outside the great tent as well. It was hard to make out details but if I had to guess I would put my money on the camp already being broken down. Which would mean that I really had to hurry if I didn't want them to take down the tent around me.

I swung my feet off the cot and got up, stretching thoroughly first. To my relief the bruises did not hurt nearly as much as I had expected. That ointment really must have helped. Good! Then I turned my attention to the meal. I quickly wolfed down the sweet mush, barely taking any time to actually taste it before emptying the cup with the wine in one big gulp. Well, that probably was not the best or healthiest way to eat a meal but it couldn't be helped. We were in a hurry after all.

With that out of the way I slipped into the tunic I had worn when coming here. I eyed the other one the girls had provided for a moment but decided against it in the end. This one fit better. My scale mail was next. I donned it before calling out to my half brother. “Tero? A little help, please?”

He peeked through a gap in the curtain, as if he was afraid that I might not yet be presentable before stepping into my compartment. I just grinned. “Help me fastening everything properly while I put on the belt, yes?” He nodded and got to work. Thus I was ready to go only a little later when I picked up my glaive at last.

As we stepped out of my tent compartment I looked left and right first before turning towards Tero. There really was a lot more activity than last night. “Our orders?”

He pointed left towards the exit and proceeded to lead the way. “First we get your harpy retainers. Then we get my banner. And finally we head out towards your army's encampment where we collect them and any loot they may have gathered to retreat towards Caer'rath. We will properly make camp there. We should have some days to recover and maybe gather reinforcement.” He paused briefly as we walked. “I really hope we can get some reinforcement. Some more siege and logistic experts especially. Father wants us to head through the Gap again and then north towards Gothol'gathrak as soon as we can.”

We left the royal tent behind and headed to a much smaller flying the banner of my domain, past the royal guards and some of the bustle. It wasn't far and my harpy companions were already ready to move as we got there. Quu'za greeted us with a happy wave. I waved back but my thoughts were in turmoil. “Gothol'gathrak? The dwarves?” We hadn't encountered any of the short, stout people living under the mountains so far. There had not been any number worth mentioning encountered by the others as well as far as I could tell.

My brother nodded as we headed towards another part of the camp with Quu'za and her friend in tow. “We haven't encountered them in force so far but we have recovered a lot of good steel that must have come from their forges.” He laughed. “So much in fact that father and some of the others are worried about it. They are afraid that it might destabilize our economy in some way if it all were to be minted into coin at the royal treasury.”

I missed a step and the harpies almost bumped into me. “That … that is a disturbingly plausible possibility. Worse, if we don't various lords and especially the mercenary captains who are owed a share of the spoils might protest.”

Now he stopped as well, blinking at me as I caught up again. “Damn, you might just be right. It would be just like these troublesome buggers to cause us trouble in such a roundabout way without spilling a single drop of their own blood.”

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