The army of the Blue Countess had made camp upon the soft, sloping fields a good distance from the base of the Lag'ranna Mountains ... a gentle place of gold and green, where the grass swayed in evening wind like the sea itself.
By twilight, their tents stood in immaculate rows, silk canopies of blue and silver glowing softly under floating mage-lights. The whole encampment looked like a city of stars that had fallen gently to the earth.
Music drifted through the air. Someone was playing a harp near the officers' pavilion. Somewhere else, laughter ... cultured, measured, not the coarse mirth of soldiers but the pleasant tone of courtiers.
To a distant observer, the Winters host appeared utterly at peace.
