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Cassidy’s smile widened until her muscles ached “That’s an excellent idea”

“The guards who have faes within the Queen’s square,” Archerr said “Frohters within that ground is better for all of us”

“Agreed,” Talon said

“So we should pick a couple of cottages?” Powell asked

“You will not,” Cassidy and Shira said

Powell blinked

“The women will choose their own homes,” Cassidy said firmly

Powell blinked again, apparently not sure if there was any safe ground at the e rent?”

Cassidy started to deny it, but Ranon said, “That’s fair The village is giving the land and buildings to the court to do with as you please That doesn’tanyone beyond the First Circle live here free Cassie, if you don’t want to keep the rent as incoe treasury Or you can offer the cottages as part of the wages the guards receive froe treasury or the tithes”

Cassidy chewed on her lower lip Too much to think about

“Why don’t ork out those kinds of details later?” Powell suggested

Gray looked up fros “Ranon, what’s this place beyond the village?”

Ranon braced his hands on the table and leaned to see the sketch better “Used to be a kind of tradesht remember when it was last inhabited”

“Would it work for craftsmen?” Gray asked “It looks like a walled community that has a considerable bit of open land attached to it And it’s a couple of e”

Ranon nodded “It was far enough out to be vulnerable to attack I think that’s why it was abandoned”

“We don’t have to worry about attacks now,” Gray said “How about offering this place to the landens?”

Cassidy saw so flicker in Ranon’s eyes when Gray said they didn’t have to worry about attacks “You think the landens would be at risk if they lived so close to us?”

“No,” Ranon said quickly “In fact, this ht be a fair compromise They’ll have a place that is their own, but it’s close enough for thee for h land attached to the place for therow so barn, but it was built to hold all the aniht do for them for this year at least”

“So we’re agreed on e can offer?” Cassidy asked, looking at her First Circle and waiting for their nods of agreeo back and talk to them”

“I’ll draft letters of passage,” Powell said “That way if the landens are stopped along the way, the Blood will know they’re traveling at the Queen’s command”

“Good idea,” Talon said “Ranon, see if the guards who don’t have fa to ride escort for the landens”

“I’ll ask,” Ranon said

“Gray, get a couple of horses saddled,” Talon said “I want to take a look at these places, and I want you to cos more than the rest of us”