Hadrian’s irritation would be veiled—but only just. A deep sigh whistled through his nose before he sat up in his seat and got down to it. The sad fact was it didn’t seem like you could get good help these days. Couldn’t count on anyone…not even a Delaney.

“Grant Delaney has left the service.” Hadrian gave the statement a moment to settle in without elaboration before moving on. “I need someone I can trust in Cambria to see the instillation of Governor Ellis goes smoothly. So, I’m sending you.”

He paused, waiting for an acknowledgment before he carried on.

He expected nothing other than unquestioning acceptance of the task from Warren and was not disappointed. It was comforting to know that amid so much uncertainty there were a few things that he could depend on (Aldrich and Warren among them).

“The king has ordered Miss Lassiter and Othello Allemeade to retrieve a…person of interest. Perhaps Mis Lassiter has learned her lesson since the fiasco in Coheed but,” Hadrian realized that his disdain for Regan was starting to show, so he reigned it in, “You must be ready for if things go south. Since Isolde took the helm, Cambria’s leadership has been openly hostile to Nevermere’s assistance. If she were to be given reason to kick up a fuss…” Hadrian sighed, shaking his head. “Who knows.”

These were the kinds of things that put the gray in Hadiran’s beard.

“Offer Miss Lassiter assistance when asked, but ultimately your focus must be on Governor Ellis. I will give you the roster of soldiers who will be joining you in the transition.”

“However is necessary.” Hadrian let the words sit for a moment. Isolde was a ticking time bomb that needed to be diffused. Once he was sure that the message had been received, he’d move on with a sigh.

“The war with the Eldouir will be delayed,” He rubbed his temple, “For how long, that is for the king to say. But at present there are more than a few fires to be put out in our own backyard. Cambria among them.” He scratched his beard, trying to focus but finding the strain of the last few weeks making that difficult.

“As for Zulu Carr, you will travel there once you are confident that the political situation in Cambria is acceptably stable. Hopefully, you’ll be able to thread one needle as well as the other.” For surely both of these accomplishments would be quite the feathers in Warren’s cap. Though, on the flip side, failure would prove extremely problematic.

“There’s another element to this as well you should be aware of,” Hadrian would continue unless Warren had other questions.

“The Cambrian’s restlessness is a symptom of a disease—an infection we must kill before it spreads,” Hadrian said, finding no problem in using such terminology describing the daughters of Cambria. Their barbarism was a disease; on that they needed ot be cured of.

“The Cambrians have failed to embrace Nevermerean ways and to instruct their daughters to do the same. So, it would seem we must do it for them. Once Odina has been installed, we will begin the process of transferring Cambrian girls who have not yet had first blood into Nevermerean custody to receive an…education.” It was a pleasant word for kidnapping. For forced assimilation. But the Nevermereans had been left with no other alternatives.

“Not yet,” Hadrian answered matter-of-factly, “She will be briefed on the plan before it is implemented. I’ll have you as part of that conversation, of course.”

Hadrian waited for further questions.

“No, nothing else,” Hadrian sighed, a weary sigh that seemed to emanate from his protesting bones. He was getting to old for this. Maybe, he thought, it was time to retire.

Hadrian chuckled a little as he laughed the thought off. Who was he without this? What life did he have?

“Thank you, captain. You’re an invaluable asset, I hope you realize that.”