Cole raised a placatory hand. "I know you are not, general. Forgive me if I seemed to suggest it."
"Let's have wine," Bidgrass said, pushing back his chair. "We'll take it in the parlor and Pia can sing for us."
When General Arscoate said good-night he told Cole not to worry, that he would have reliable guards at the manor gate during Garth Bidgrass' absence in Car Truro.
"I meant to tell you and Pia in the morning, lad," Bidgrass said. "Arscoate and I must go to Car Truro. There's heartburning there over who gets to fight and who must stay behind. It will be only two days."
Cole felt uneasy all day. He spent most of it writing the covering letter for his report and phrasing his resignation from the university field staff. He wrote personal letters to his uncle and a few friends. After dinner he finally signed the official letters and took the completed report to Bidgrass' desk. Then he went to bed and slept soundly.
Pia wakened him with frantic shaking.
"Dress quickly, Flinter. The guard at the gate was just changed and it's not time."
She darted out to the hall window while he struggled with clothing, then back again.
"Quickly, darling! Morgan's crossing the garden, with men. Follow me."