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"Indeed, Your Majesty," Lorstru forward The short man folded his arth and stability"

Elayne eyed hiing, wondering if Elayne would declare herself a candidate for the Sun Throne Her intentions should have been obvious by now--sending some of the Band to the city had been an obvious move, nearly too obvious for the subtle Cairhienin

"Would that Cairhien had similar stability," Elayne said carefully

Several of the she intended to offer one of them the throne If she threw Andor’s support behind one of these, it would guarantee hi or Queen

Another ht have made that ploy Not her That throne would be hers

"The taking of a throne is a very delicate business," Lorstruerous in the past And so many are hesitant"

"Indeed," Elayne said "I do not envy Cairhien the uncertainty that it has known these last months" And now the th in Andor, onealliances In fact, the throne recently acquired several estates of no small means It occurs to rew quiet The whispers in the other room stopped Had they heard correctly? Had Elayne offered estates in Andor to foreign nobility?

She hid her save a sly shtly

"Cairhien and Andor have long shared fellowship," Elayne continued, as if the idea were only now occurring to her "Our lords have married your ladies, our ladies your lords, and we share many common bonds of blood and affection I should think the wisdoreat addition to e on my father’s side"

She locked eyes with Lorstrum Would he bite? His lands in Cairhien were sreat for a time--but that could tip The estates she’d seized fro the most enviable in her country

He had to see it If she took the throne of Cairhien by force, the people and the nobility would rebel against her That was partially Lorstruave lands within Andor to some of the Cairhienin nobility? What if she created multiple bonds between their countries? What if she proved that she would not steal their titles--but would instead be willing to give soh to prove that she didn’t intend to steal the lands of the Cairhien nobility and give them to her own people? Would that ease their worries?

Lorstrureat potential for alliances"

Berto in appreciation "I too, think this could be arranged" Neither would give up their lands, of course They siain estates in Andor Wealthy ones

The others shared glances Lady Osiellin and Lord Mavabere the first two to figure it out They spoke at the sa alliances

Elayne stilled her anxious heart, sitting back in the throne "I have but one ive," she said "But I believe it could be divided" She would give some to Ailil also, to curry favor and reward her support Now for the second part of the ploy "Lady Sarand," Elayne called toward the back of the roos