Henry was stunned by James' order. “James, do you really want me to come with you? That hardly seems appropriate. My command over the Red Flame Army is not yet stable, and some of the older soldiers aren’t listening to me yet. Who’ll be in command of the Red Flame Army if I leave now?”

“I already have a plan. Things in the Capital are extremely tenuous now and it’s on the verge of descending into chaos. Since it’s come to this, let’s spur things on a little more and leave together. When we get back, we can give the Red Flame Army some much-needed spring cleaning,” James said with a knowing smile.

James wanted to use this as an opportunity to see who from the Red Flame Army would step out and incite conflict while he and Henry were away.

He had a suspicion that someone would attempt to allow Halvor to escape during their absence.

Fortunately, Halvor had outlived his usefulness.

He would just be a means for James to take action against the army’s dissidents.

It would mean that Jame