Antius took a bite of the apple, and looked at Hendac who was busy plopping apple seeds onto the snow and stamping them down. Elysa let his hand drop away and leaned toward Jenavere.
"Don't look at me, I told you not to do it," he chuckled.
"I've been given a report by one of my guards that there was a rumbling felt heading south beneath Lytelthrope. We know with absolute certainty that Nuhmudira failed to kill the Olthoi Queen. We've got to find out if the Queen is still here on Dereth. If she is, then I need to organize an assault and we have to kill her." Elysa reached toward Antius. He produced a small scrap of parchment and handed it to her. "This is the location." She handed the map to Hendac. He popped the apple between his teeth and wiped his hands on his leather pants. "I've dispatched one guard to the area for the moment. No need to arouse anyone's suspicion. Besides, the longer I can go without too many people knowing that I am awake the better my chances are at finding out who tried to kill me."
The guards let them pass without trouble. They knew them on sight now and were under orders to allow them passage into the castle. Hendac wore a bright beaming smile upon his face, and the cold winter air had made his nose and cheeks turn a rosy red. Jenavere, while sharing her companion's elation, wore her ever-present scowl.