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War Regent. The wanton destruction in Yhaunn will further incite the populace against Selgaunt and Saerb. You should announce the attack to the people, embellishing as needed. Then any response you make, any response at all, will be seen as justified.”
    Mirabeta picked up a dried currant, eyed it, chewed it thoughtfully. “What do you make of the freeing of Endren Corrinthal? It troubles me. The nobility in and around Saerb will rally to him.”
    Elyril leaned back and made a dismissive gesture. “I make nothing of it. The nobility around Saerb are merely a collection of rich merchants who decided they’d rather run their holdings from the countryside than the cities. Saerb’s army, such as it is, will be little more than a collection of house guards, hireswords, and a few adventuring companies.”
    “But a skilled leader, a man like Endren Corrinthal, could transform them into an effective fighting force.”
    Elyril said,’ “I think you overestimate him, but if you are correct, then that is all the more reason to act quickly. Selgaunt and Saerb expect you to wait until spring to begin a campaign, but you need not delay. Ordulin is secured and you can already field an army of several thousand. Saerloon’s muster proceeds
    apace. You could strike the rebels unprepared, seize the initiative before Endren can rally anyone, separate their forces by putting your armies between them. You could raze Saerb to the ground. The people would thank you for it and name you the avenger of Yhaunn. After that, Selgaunt. Lady Merelith has informed us of her ability to deploy rapidly. She could be before Selgaunt s gates within days of your order.”
    “Merelith wishes to expand her reach to include Saerloon and a conquered Selgaunt.”
    Elyril nodded. “And so long as she answers to Ordulin, what care you?”
    Mirabeta looked across the table, thoughtful. She drove her thumbnail into a currant and said, “I am intrigued.”
    Elyril licked her lips, imagining the deaths. She said, “An immediate attack on Saerb has the added virtue of drawing Abelar Corrinthal into the open, if he dares.”
    They knew Abelar Corrinthal was riding through Sembia, gathering forces as he went. By all accounts, he’d had little success.
    “He will dare,” Mirabeta said, and looked across the table at Elyril. “He has a young son, born dumb. He will not abandon the boy to our forces, not if half of what I’ve heard of him is true.”
    A thrill of delight ran through Elyril. She imagined murdering Abelar’s idiot son herself and offering the Lathanderian’s despair and grief to Shar and Volumvax as sacrifice. She could not keep excitement from her tone.
    “An attack on Saerb can end the Corrinthals in one stroke, War Regent. If we make examples of a few members of the northern nobility, the rest will quail. Selgaunt can be taken at your leisure.”
    Mirabeta pushed away her plate and toasted Elyril with her wine goblet. “I like this course, Elyril. I like it very much.”
    Elyril sat back in her chair, satisfied, and looked out over the city. In the distance, the dome of the High Council glimmered in the sunlight.
    “Let us set things in motion,” Mirabeta said, and rang the magical bell on the table to summon the chamberlain. He arrived within a twenty count.
    “Overmistress?”
    “Malkur Forrin can be reached through Ostrim Heem at The Dented Kettle inn. Send word that he is to attend me immediately. Also, send Rynon to me. He is to prepare a sending for Lady Merelith. Saerloon needs to be warned of the kraken and given the order to speed its muster.”
    Turest’s bug-eyes widened, but he said only, “Yes, Overmistress. And I shall have the table cleared apace.”
    After Turest left, Elyril said, “Malkur Forrin?”
    “If Saerb is to be an example to Selgaunt and the rest of Sembia, Forrin is exactly the type of man we want heading the attack. I will have words with him over allowing the Hulorn to escape. But war, like politics, is