"My lady."
Rylene ignored his tone. She could see for herself, standing outside the tower, how the stones could not blacken. The livestock were slaughtered. Her people were hungry and scared.
The man-at-arms walked forth, and she felt an involuntary shudder and drew herself up.
I am head of the House, but who could stop them?
"There is Hayford," said the man-at-arms.
Rylene shook her head.
"I rode back because they did not permit me."
I should not have spoken out against the match with Ermesande. But who better to know her, than who raised her?
Rylene turned. "We need more than turnips. They cannot deny a neighbor in need."
"What of the people? No horses - "
Rylene held up a hand.
"That is an order . I will not sit and do nothing."
The man-at-arms nodded, but when she turned her back, she knew he glared, and spoke with his men.
It is all or nothing , Rylene glanced south. Come back to me. It is already too late.