Chapter 113

　　I was still waiting, I realised, for a king to take over for me.

　　I was going through the motions of raising an army, but reluctantly, waiting for someone to come and assume command. Aurien obviously did not intend to do so. Ruelke’s strengths lay in provisioning. Which left Mariene, as the clever warlock had already deduced. Did I want Mariene to assume command?

　　I know the answer, Aurien told me. What did I know? I was just a princess, raised with the bare minimum of an education. My purpose was not to lead, but to marry a man who would, and then bear him a male heir. All I knew was... Well. I knew the history of Uyan Taesil. I knew the layout and structure of its major strongholds.

　　And I knew that Clareath was at Vienthrey. It was, after all, the hereditary seat of the King of Uyan Taesil.