After the third straight day of fighting Imprid had arranged another group dinner for all of us, but this time it was in one of the palace dining rooms. “Are you ready to go?” I asked Delik Slin. “Because we need to leave now if we don’t want to be late. You know how Imprid is.”

He grinned. “I sure do. However, I need to drop my sword off at the armorer’s and grab a replacement. I will be there later. Please offer my apologies.”

I shrugged. “It’s your funeral.” Two of my guards accompanied me. The door to the dining room was closed and a waiting warder opened it for me. “Please go right in, Lord S’Vig.”

I did so but stopped just inside the door. It was a small dining room, with only a single, small table that was set for four. How were we all going to eat in here? My confusion must have showed on my face because Imprid was smiling as she, Thilos, and a very attractive elven woman all rose. “I am afraid our dinner plans have been altered slightly, Dirk, but do please come in and join us.”

I walked to the table and sat when they all did. “This is my dear friend Elsina. She has been here in Ansdron for only a short while and has not had the chance to meet very many people here so I prevailed upon Thilos to host a much smaller dinner for just the four of us. Elsina, this is Dirk S’Vig, my dear husband’s oldest friend.”

Elsina smiled and her big, blue eyes sparkled. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Dirk. I am afraid I do not like crowds, so I requested a more private dinner party. I hope you do not mind too much.”

“Not at all.” I tried to give her a warm smile but I’m sure I still looked puzzled.

Thilos was grinning at me. “Are you wondering why we invited you to fill out the table?” I nodded. “Lord Tarin asked me to tell you that he would like to speak with you after dinner, at the campaign room.”

I nodded. “Of course.”

Servants entered and began serving the first course, which was a soup of some sort. Elsina tasted hers and smiled. “This is quite good, Imprid. Is it pumpkin?”

“Indeed it is. You still have an excellent sense of taste, my dear.” Imprid turned to me. “What do you think of the soup, Dirk?”

“It’s good.” Imprid used her head to motion toward Elsina, which I took to mean I was supposed to talk to her. “What do you do?” That seemed appropriate, and safe.

She finished another spoonful of her soup before smiling at me. “I work in the Elvandran embassy as a secretary and analyst. Imprid tells me you are the spymaster here in Ansdron. That must be exciting, especially now.”

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I shrugged. “I’m pretty new.”

Thilos laughed. “Do not let him fool you, Elsina, Dirk has been instrumental in the fight against the Kathaldi.”

“Is that so?” She asked, taking another spoonful of soup.

“I don’t know about that. I mean, I’ve done my part, but so have a lot of people, living and dead.”

“If what Thilos says is true then you are quite humble, as well.”

Thilos laughed again. How much had he drank before I got here? “I do not believe I have ever heard you described that way before, Dirk. Have you?”

“I’m too humble to say.” I had some more soup.

Imprid took a sip of her wine. “Elsina has not seen much of the city since she has been here, Dirk, do you think you could spare some time to show her the sights? I cannot think of anyone who knows Ansdron better than you do.”

Ah, so that’s what this was. They were setting me up with Elsina. This was a blind date! But I was the only blind one. I lowered my spoon. “I wish that was possible, but my days are spent manning the walls and my nights are usually spent planning the campaign against the Kathaldi. I can certainly find someone to assist her. Unfortunately, I have early morning guard duty and I have to meet with Lord Tarin, so I had best be going.” I rose from my seat. “Imprid, thank you for the soup and the company. Elsina, it was nice to meet you. Have a good night.” I headed for the door.

“I will accompany you.” Thilos announced as he also stood. “Ladies, if you will excuse me.”

As soon as the door closed I pointed a finger in Thilos’ face. “You set me up on a blind date? What were you thinking?”

Thilos held his hands up in surrender. “I was thinking you were lonely.”

I knew my anger was unreasonable to I held my tongue and turned toward the campaign room. Thilos caught up with me. “I am sorry. We just wanted to take your mind off of your troubles.’

“Hah! I guess I’m not done wallowing in them yet.”

He chuckled. “Apparently not.” We walked in silence for a few moments. “It was Imprid’s idea. She worries about you, and so do I. We figured it was worth a try.”

I thought about that for a moment. “I appreciate the sentiment, but I’m just not there yet.”

Thilos nodded and nothing more was said as we finished walking to the campaign room. I invited Thilos in and the guards didn’t stop him, so we went in together. Lord Tarin was alone, staring at the map tables. He looked up as we approached. “Gentlemen. Thank you for coming.” We bowed. “I have an assignment for you, Lord S’Vig.”