"Most terrible," Samuel said. He dipped his head to Oliver now that he was afforded the opportunity to speak. "You made a gamble with me, a short while ago, to make it through to the Fourth Boundary. That you have achieved that aim so shortly after is a matter worthy of praise. Congratulations, Ser Patrick. Even in the centuries to come, I am sure that few will be able to emulate that feat."
"Thanks," Oliver said. The words rang hollow in his ears. The Fourth Boundary he might have been, but the weight of recent burdens kept him from being able to truly celebrate that.
"Speaking of which, I'd hear the news from our good Queen," Karstly said. "A terrible thing. Now of all times, for the Yarmdon to descend upon your little village. What was it called, Solgrim?"
Oliver turned to him then, more violently than he'd intended. "You've news?"
