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Frida found herself taken slightly aback. <span class="mu-i">“...I beg pardon, my lord?”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“You are a guest in my house, and Ardenrise is upon us. I cannot allow you to leave the safety of this castle with such a meagre escort.”</span> Lord Andrei’s tone brooked no argument, Frida could see something of his younger son's more serious moments in him just then. <span class="mu-i">“We have already received reports from the border forts of sizeable incursions crossing the frontier, nevermind the stirring of whatever rot we might have missed from last winter. Frankly, it’s nothing short of a miracle that you and your men weren’t already attacked on the way here.”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“Praise be.”</span> Roselyn Andrei deadpanned from the sidelines. That bitch. Frida was already beginning to think fondly of her.
<span class="mu-i">“My lord…”</span> Frida said with an attempt to regain some of the initiative from this unexpected turn of events, although she now did recall that every village and town they had stopped at had the gates and windows barred before answering to the knock from outside. <span class="mu-i">“Sir Ballestram and his men are quite adept in their duties. I am sure they can see their Lord’s daughter safely through to Grenoble within a day or two.”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“I deem them insufficient.”</span> Lord Andrei did not spare a glance for the bristling of the Vancewell honour guard at his insulting assessment. Later, Frida would learn that sometimes the riskiest period of time in Romani winters was just before the snows set in. When travellers and caravans felt they could still risk short trips before the deadmen presence essentially throttled all trade on the roads. <span class="mu-i">“In a week’s time, we have a long range patrol planned that will take us close enough to Norveski lands to serve as sufficient escort to Grenoble. Fifty capable men should be enough of an escort, but I cannot spare a single soul before then.”</span>
<span class="mu-i">“Although need it be said that if your aim is to travel to the Duchess’ winter court from Grenoble, Lord Norveski might find himself faced with similar difficulties in sparing his own men.”</span> Lady Andrei wasn’t so crass as to say that decrepit vulture Lord Norveski was highly unlikely to lift a finger aiding the sister of a man he had tried and had executed for murder, expected wedding invitation or no. But the comment may as well have been a slap in Frida's face. <span class="mu-i">“Please, stay as long as you need.”</span>
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