A throat cleared beside him. "I believe everything is in order," Saffra announced. He glanced at her. "If you have no further need of me—?"
"Yes, yes. That is all. Thank you, Lady Saffra. Verath can—"
"No, no. I am perfectly capable of escorting myself back to the keep, Your Majesty. Besides, I would prefer to be alone. I enjoy walking and could use the time to clear my head. All those days in the dark..."
He eyed her a moment longer. There was something more behind her desire, something he had an inkling hunch about, but wouldn't dare voice. He'd seen the way Bedelth hovered in her shadow as of late. Seen the way she either pretended not to notice, or feigned obliviousness at the increase in Bedelth's attentions. 
"Very well." He gave her a nod and turned back to the ships. It was a sort of therapy, watching the industry unfold before them. It wasn't merely their own ships being loaded. This was the busiest port in the kingdom. 
Verath reminded beside him, arms clasped behind his back. "Desaree is still insisting," he said. At that, Talon snorted. Verath continued, saying, "I've told her time and again. War is no place for a handmaiden. That she must remain here where she will be safe."
"Saffra has also insisted several times," he mused. "I simply cannot risk their safety. If anything happened to them Claire would—"
"Have a fit," Verath finished, interrupting. "I know. I told Desaree the same thing."
"And? What did she say?"
Verath chuckled. "That I vastly underestimated her ability to keep herself safe. That I was being unfair. That she had just as much right—if not more—to assemble on the sidelines. That without her and Jocelyn and Saffra, we wouldn't be flying into battle."
Talon nodded. "She's right on all counts."
"I will not risk her, Your Majesty. Not for all the world."
"I never said you should. But I do not think it is your choice to make. And...perhaps it will not be so dangerous as long as she remains within the safety of the camp."
"Would you allow Claire to go?"
"No," he said after a long silence. "I wouldn't want to risk her. And yet..." He hesitated. It wasn't his decision to make. Claire didn't belong to him, just as Desaree didn't belong to Verath. Knowing that didn't suppress the nature of his beast. He sighed. "As a dominant predator, my drive to protect the ones I love is strong. But it will get me into trouble. It will get you into trouble, too, Verath."
"What are you implying?"
He shrugged. "I'm merely saying that we cannot control them."
Verath huffed and shook his head. "Fine, Your Majesty. Why not just post a sign-up sheet then? We can nail it to every tavern door here in the city. Come one, come all. Join us for a bit of pre-battle-fun. Bring your own tent, thought, since nights will get cold." Verath rarely let loose his sense of humor. Talon's mouth twitched, but he smoothed his features. "Your word is law, Talon. You say who goes and who stays. They are not needed—there is no need to risk them."
He knew that saying any more on the matter would only frustrate Verath. "What of Dallin? I assume he is still intent on joining us?"
Verath hesitated. "He is young, but..."
"But you like him."
"I do. He has impressed me, despite his age. He's got so much potential. Room to grow. I hate to say it but, perhaps I was wrong about him, wrong to want so badly to dissuade him from becoming a Shield."