Darksong Rising by L. E. Modesitt Jr. Page A

She’d had all the fosterlings tutored with weapons, but she and Jecks had decided
    that in the beginning, the young women would only practice with other women or with the
    armsmen or officers designated as instructors. Anna had informed all the lords of daughters that
    she was requiring that the young women understood arms in the unlikely event that they were
    required to defend their lands in the absence of   their consorts. Then she’d told Jecks to make
    sure that the girls got as tough a course of training as they could handle.
     
    Some, like Cataryzna, whose father had been crippled in battle years before, understood
    immediately. Others, like the shy Ytrude, had had to be coaxed through everything in the
    beginning.
     
    “Well,” Anna reflected, “I will talk to Lady Essan, but Hoede still has more ability with a blade
    than a quill or a book."
     
    “Best you tell his sire that, then, since it is the truth. And since you think so poorly of northern
    lords."
     
    “Oh, my dear lord Jecks, I’m not angry at you. I’m angry at the situation. Lord Birfels’ consort
    Fylena wants Lysara consorted out immediately, and that knothead Hoede is the only one
    available..."
     
    “What about Tiersen?"
     
    “Even that would be better, but I have no idea whether the two would even talk to each other. Or
    whether Nelmor would consider it.” Anna wondered why she hadn’t thought of Tiersen. Is it
    because you’ve disliked Nelmor’s attitude toward women and the Regency?
     
    “Nelmor needs a consort for Tiersen. That is true—save he would set his lance on Geansor’s
    daughter."
     
    “Cataryzna? She’s off-limits.”
     
    Jecks’ eyes twinkled. “I know that. You have plans for young Skent. Perhaps you should bring
    him with you to Fussen.”
     
    “That’s not a bad idea. What about Jimbob?”
     
    “He should remain here.”
     
    “You don’t want his name tied up in the succession mess?”
     
    Jecks shrugged. “Is there reason for him to be so immersed?”
     
    “No,” Anna admitted.
     
    “When would you leave for Fussen, my lady?"
     
    “How about the day after tomorrow? This isn’t going to go away, and it will only get worse if we
    don’t do something." Anna sighed. “Do you think we should take a few more days and visit Lord
    Nelmor?"
     
    “That could not hurt.” Jecks flashed the warm smile that crept into Anna’s heart.
     
    Why do you lash out at him? He’s always stood by you. “You are coming, you know, High Lord
    Advisor?”
     
    “I had hoped so.” The second smile was even warmer, then faded. “I know you do not have a
    high opinion of Lord Jearle... but it would not hurt to stop there as well, and his keep is but a few
    deks off the road from Fussen to Dubaria.”
     
    Anna nodded reluctantly. “And it will help make the western lords feel better.”
     
    “It will not harm you.”
     
    “What do I tell him about being Lord of the Western Marches? Or not tell him?”
     
    “Say there is much to be considered, and that is why you are planning to visit his keep.” Jecks
    smiled. “Besides, if you dislike him, you can ask for more grain and supplies for your travels.
    Supplying such is his duty to the Regency."
     
    “We’ll consider that part. Will you have Menares wnte some flowery scrolls to Ustal, Jearle, and
    Nelmor, announcing that we will be visiting them?”
     
    “I will so instruct Menares.”
     
    “Good. He writes flowery scrolls well.” Anna took a sip of the spell-cleaned water. “Then there’s
    the problem in Ebra. Hadrenn is practically begging for more coins we don’t have, or armsmen."
    She took a deep breath. “I wonder if Ebra will always be a problem?”
     
    “What would you do?”
     
    Anna frowned. “I can’t do anything about it, except for sending him a few more golds, but I
    worry about the mess in Ebra. Menares said something about Bertmynn sending troops to
    Elahwa to take over the city from the people. I tried to find out