Chapter 7

           "I’mgoingtotellyousomething,"saidIolatheSecondsuddenly,restingthebasketofgrainonherhip."There’sgoingtobeawar.That’swhattheduke’sgreevewhocametofetchthecheesessaid."

           "Awar?"Cirishovedherhairbackfromherforehead."Withwho?Nilfgaard?"

           "Ididn’thear,"thenoviceadmitted."ButthegreevesaidourdukehadreceivedordersfromKingFoltesthimself.He’ssendingoutacalltoarmsandalltheroadsareswarmingwithsoldiers.Ohdear!What’sgoingtohappen?"

           "Ifthere’sgoingtobeawar,"saidEurneid,"thenit’llmostcertainlybewithNilfgaard.Whoelse?Again!Ohgods,that’sterrible!"

           "Aren’tyouexaggeratingabitwiththiswar,Iola?"Ciriscatteredsomegrainsforthechickensandguinea-henscrowdingaroundtheminabusy,noisywhirl."Maybeit’sonlyanotherraidontheScoia’tael?"

           "MotherNennekeaskedthegreevethesamething,"declaredIolatheSecond."Andthegreevesaidthatno,thistimeitwasn’tabouttheSquirrels.Castlesandcitadelshaveapparentlybeenorderedtostoresuppliesincaseofasiege.Butelvesattackinforests,theydon’tlaysiegetocastles!ThegreeveaskedwhethertheTemplecouldgivemorecheeseandotherthings.Forthecastlestores.Andhedemandedgoosefeathers.Theyneedalotofgoosefeathers,hesaid.Forarrows.