Crossed Lines - Part 4

He closed the carriage door, and bid them on their way. All the soldiers continued to salute until they were well past the checkpoint.

"Now those are proper soldiers," Lombard said, nodding seriously. "That is immensely heartening. Queen Asabel might very well have saved this country if she is keeping our borders secured with that level of discipline."

"Have you not fought alongside her men yet?" Oliver asked, curious.

Lombard shook his head. "No. Not for lack of her offering, either. She came to power after the campaign had started, but it has taken her a good couple of years to amass the sort of forces that she now wields. She offered again, not even a year ago, but Lord Blackwell was forced to decline out of formality. With that many men in need of moving, the High King would have needed to get involved. It would have been disadvantageous for a House that was still in the midst of being built."