Old Allies

Cressida caught her crossing the outer courtyard that morning, before Isolde had so much as decided which direction to walk in search of the scribes’ wing. She fell into step beside her with the easy familiarity of a woman who had never once considered that her company might not be wanted.

“You look like you didn’t sleep, cousin. I’d ask if married life disagrees with you, but I hear from Petra it’s a rather more chaste arrangement than the court’s imagining.” Cressida’s tone stayed light, teasing, and her eyes, as ever, found the nearest door before settling back on Isolde’s face. “I wanted to say again how glad I am you’ve come home. And to offer, properly this time, whatever help I can give with this business of the thornwood. I still have my father’s old maps of the border holdings. If the curse is moving the way the General…