[ Istredd would never be so crazy as to take food from Lucifer and give it to anyone else. If he's bringing his compatriots food, it'll be from Sam or someone who can truly make something. He loves his boyfriend very much, so he'll eat some of it, but Yennefer would literally strangle him if he tried to bring them bad food. ]

I'm one of those who forgets to eat or sleep while focused on a project. There are a few of us involved. I'll bring them something, we can't really afford to make mistakes.

[ And being hungry can lead to mistakes. They do have people to correct any flaws, but it's smart in general. As for Borrel, he nods. ]

Yes, the Hydra Gulf. The Queen's uncle Rodolph Sidwell was recently promoted to Admiral, they take the navy very seriously.

[ Which should entail some deeply concerning possibilities for all of them. Istredd truly doesn't know what the Free Cities would go for in a direct attack. Nott was an easy shot, it barely can sustain itself most of the time, but they have more land to travel than most. Thorne can zip around the ocean. ]

I think you should assume they are prepared. If I were them, and I wanted to attack the Free Cities, I would go up north around to Andromeda Bay rather than taking the chance in Solvunn's waters. That entire coast is nothing but mountains and the Singularity.

[ Istredd may not be a military person but he is very, very smart and he knows how to look at a map and see weaknesses. Going around Solvunn would up the chance that they wouldn't like it or they would warn the Free Cities. If they go from the north at sea, they could surprise them. He has no way of knowing if that's the plan, obviously, but it's a guess. ]

The Admiral is a formidable man from what I've heard, feared and respected. If anything military is happening, it's probably him planning it.