Engel. Engel had been the name the Vuldrock chieftain had used when he told his thanes about his plan to raid the Hawkwood domains. Annika cast a side long glance at Ragnar but the barbarian did not appear to have made the same connection. Of course anyone could use the name, it would be an elegant set up to lure the Vuldrock here and then produce evidence that 'Engel' had provided the information. Certainly in al-Malik courts such subtly would be appreciated and celebrated, but was it too sophisticated for Hawkwoods? There was one way to find out. As Orion pressed Engel regarding what the Duke planned to do about the the impending attack she closed her eyes and opened her mind and sensed... nothing. Orion's mind was clear and bright, as was Ragnar's in its own way but from Engel it was as though she were touching a panel of stone rather than clear glass. She withdrew her psychic inquiry immediately. Engel didn't appear to have noticed the intrusion, which meant he was not, himself, psychic but how else could he be keeping her out. There were certain thuergies that could be used, Annika knew several herself, but at best that should have made his thoughts garbled nonsense, not a blank nothingness.

"You said we should take the map with us?" Annika asked suddenly, breaking into the conversation unexpectedly. Both Orion and Engel paused to glance at her.

"Take it where exactly?" she clarified. Engel ran a hand through his hair and smiled apologetically.

"I'm afraid the Duke has ordered me to do nothing without his express consent," the chamberlain explained. He laid a slight emphasis on 'me' but to an ear used to deciphering every nuance in the Graceful Tongue it was as obvious as a slap in the face.

"You mean he hasn't even gathered warriors?" Ragnar asked incredulously. Orion shot the pagan a warning look that quelled him only somewhat.

"I fear I have said to much already," Engel said, finishing his own drinks.

"If you make yourself comfortable, I am sure the Duke will send for you within the hour, I take my leave," the Chamberlain concluded already heading for the door with a backward gait, pausing to bow before slipping through the door and locking it. Annika narrowed her eyes.

"Something is very wrong here," she commented, glancing at the map as Orion swept it up off the table.

"Truly," he replied dryly, "such wisdom can only come from God."