373 An Unwelcome Invitation

Kaleesh did not speak as they moved toward the group of Darians, and from his furrowed brow, Arran knew that the captain was devising a strategy for the encounter.

Or rather, choosing one of the strategies he'd already prepared.

Arran did not think for a moment that Kaleesh had not already planned for the possibility of encountering a Lord in these lands. Most likely, he'd gone over every single thing that could happen a hundred times, preparing plans for every possible obstacle they might face.

That had been the single greatest secret contained in the captain's manuscripts — the value of relentless preparation. And mundane though it might be, that made it no less effective.

It only took a few minutes before they saw the Darians appear on the road before them, and immediately, Arran realized that he'd been mistaken.

There was no Lord in the group of Darians. Rather, there was a Lady, and she looked every bit as formidable as the two Lords he'd met.