A familiar figure entered the hall. It was the rider who helped Reggie before, and right now, he looked like he was in a terrible rush. Glad for the distraction as all the hailing trailed off, Reggie took her seat. Looking at the boy, she tried to gauge what was happening, but he looked just as confused as she when the rider bent over to talk to the elderly man she could only assume was the king. A second later, the rider bowed, then rushed off again.

The king stood, gaining an instant hush. "It seems there is trouble brewing in the south. The Huntsmen have captured a...