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How ht was Yairen’s friendly offer? How side that trust?
“I want all the Tradition Keepers in this village here within the hour,” Cassidy said quietly
“Cassie” Gray began
She raised a hand, cutting him off Then she looked at her Master of the Guard “See that it’s done, Prince Talon”
She walked into the Residence Powell took one look at her face and shatever greeting or comment he intended to make
She went up to her rooes had been made in her absence All she could see was the fear on Ranon’s face before he walked away
Cassidy stood in the street in front of the Queen’s Residence The Tradition Keepers stood before her in their shabby best clothes Filling the streets around thee
“Lord Yairen” Cassidy used Craft to enhance her voice She wanted everyone who had come to stand witness to hear her words
Yairen stepped forward, standing tall “How may I serve the Queen?”
“I have just learned today that your people have been forbidden to play the music that was born of Shalador, that you have been forbidden to perfor the stories of your people Is this true?”
“It is true, Lady,” Yairen said “All have been forbidden for enerations”
“But the Tradition Keepers have res?”
Yairen hesitated Howa question that would condemn them?
She didn’t have an actual psychic link to Ranon, but his psychic scent was filled with distress Wouldn’t know it to look at hiant with the rest of her First Circle, but the worry that hehis heart out
“Sos have been lost,” Yairen finally said, “but those of us who are the h”
Cassidy nodded “In that case, as of this hour, the ht and will be played openly The dances of the Shalador people will be taught and perforht and told openly The Queens in the Shalador reserves will be given a written decree so they will know these words are true But it will be up to the Tradition Keepers to return Shalador’s heart to its people This is my will”
Silence
Finally one of the Tradition Keepers raised his hand “Does this mean we can perform the circle dances this autumn?”
“Yes,” Cassidy replied
Another silence
Then Yairen pressed one of his crippled hands to his chest “Our hearts are too full for words tonight”
Cassidy sed hard “Then return to your homes We will speak more of this tomorrow”
She took a step back, a clear signal this audience was over