"Siban got to Karakorum nine days before I left the eastern post," Orda said. He felt no need to bridge the subjects, and moved along with them.
"What's his opinion."
"Guyuk's visible operation is exactly what you'd expect, he's holding informal gatherings in his camp. The minor princes rotate through. Nobody who attends commits to anything formally, but the direction of those gatherings is clear."
Orda reached for the cup.
"The Toluid camp is the interesting one. Siban says it has the look of preparation running under an ordinary surface. Sorghaghtani's household has been receiving visitors on a schedule that doesn't match the social calendar."
He looked at Batu steadily.
"Whatever she's doing, she's doing it fast. She didn't arrive at the assembly without a plan."
"That's useful."
"Siban is useful," Orda said, without inflection, "He has an eye for the difference between an army that's steady and one that's actively building."
He set the cup down.
"Now. The Jochid line."
