The editorial process took 170,000 words to xxxx – how did that feel to you? How did it feel to have your work edited?

I estimate the final total will be less than 155,000 words. Wonderful.  It reads much better. Claire Wingfield has a special talent. There are small changes which make a world of difference.

My favourite improvement Is the way that you linked Jaques de Bourbon’s visit to Montmuran with the performance of the trebuchet. It improved the credibility of the whole of the first chapter.