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“What are we looking at?” Cassidy asked
“The do in the two southernmost Provinces have sent in a proposed division of those Provinces into districts that would be ruled by a Warlord Prince if a Queen wasn’t available”
“There aren’t more than a hundred adult Warlord Princes left in Dena Nehele,” Shira said “Could so few actually rule effectively?”
Cassidy wiped her hands on a napkin and reached for the papers “Let me see those” Her heart pounded and her hands trembled No indication of which districts would be ruled by Queens Not that she’d expected them to offerthat much trust yet She’d come to realize that the Queens who had met with her had been prepared to be sacrificed if the new Territory Queen turned out to be as twisted as the one who had ruled before This was evidence that the Warlord Princes who had been disappointed when they had first seen her were now reconsidering what her knowledge ive their people
“Maybe” Reyhana began She immediately hunched her shoulders and toyed with her scras
“Maybe?” Cassidy said
“It’s not my place to speak”
“Reyhana, I enjoy your company and I value you as a friend, but you’re also here to learn how to be a Queen I can’t offer guidance if you don’t tell me what you think”
The girl straightened up “Are any of the Warlord Princes taking responsibility for a whole Province?”
“That would be a bit too aggressive,” Powell said gently “It’s one thing to rule what the available Queens can’t handle themselves; it’s quite another to rule over a Queen”
“Although it is done,” Cassidy said “Daemon Sadi is the Warlord Prince of Dhemlan Herules that Territory, and every Queen in Dhemlan answers to him He is the exception, that is true, but Queens do sometimes rule within a Warlord Prince’s Territory and not the other way around Lucivar Yaslana is another exas to the Keep The Queens who rule the villages there answer to him”
“I stand corrected,” Powell said with a smile
“Someone needs to rule each Province, isn’t that true?” Reyhana said
“Just getting the Warlord Princes to step up to the line and agree to rule a district is a victory,” Shira said “At least half of these ue camps in the Ta in a village with the families they left behind is a new experience for them”
“This is a good start, but it’s just a start,” Cassidy said
“Why can’t your First Circle act as Province liaisons between the districts and the court?” Reyhana asked “The same way Prince Ranon does for the Shalador reserves?”
“The way Ranon does?” Cassidy asked, glancing at Shira—as frowning thoughtfully
“May I?” Powell asked, indicating an empty chair
“Yes, of course,” Cassidy replied “Here, it’s probably best if we look at these papers more carefully in your office”
Powell vanished the papers Moments later, Birdie came in with a pot of fresh coffee, another cup and saucer, and more toast
Cassidy wondered who had told Maydra that Poas joining her for breakfast Then she noticed Vae in the doorway The Sceltie wagged her tail once and left, no doubt to herd a few more of her humans
“Please explain about Ranon,” Powell said