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There was nothing to do in this dung-heap townNothing! She could visit a couple of aristo girls she’d beco conversation, so there wasn’t s they could do during these visits alk around the village or drive around the village And if they did that, the girls wanted to browse in the shops, and as the point of going into shops if you couldn’t buy anything? She’d writtenthree letters to her Steward, Lord Gallard, telling hi autu hie treasury to hold her over

His single answer had been vague about the autu in the required marks

She could sue over the summer in Jhorma’s attitude that made her feel like she was alone in bed even when he was pu inside her

She couldwork That would make Theran happy But she saw no reason to exert herself when her efforts would benefit someone else’s purse instead of her own

So there was nothing, nothing,nothing to do around here until spring when she would rule the whole of Dena Nehele and not be stuck in this town

And she didn’t have the status symbol that had captured the fancy of the Blood in this land

She didn’t have a Sceltie

She’d written to Morghann, the Queen of Scelt, indicating she would be ahann had shown a distinct lack of manners and had not replied

And now Correne’s letter this

I’ve heard Freckledy has a whole pack of Scelties entertaining visitors with their tricks, and even Warlord Princes are is to overlook her flaws Have you gotten a Sceltie yet? I think all the pro to have one as a companion

Why did old Freckledy need a whole pack of the to secure her position Sheknew she couldn’t retain the title of Territory Queen after the year’s contract was done unless she didso to catch the Blood’s interest

Theran had explained about the contract that gave Cassidy and the people of Dena Nehele one year to decide if Cassidy would becoed Queen of Dena Nehele

She didn’t have access to Cassidy’s court here, so she couldn’t use her skills to coax theshe was the better choice That meant she didn’t have an already for to have to entice twelve males here to serve in her First Circle, andthatin any way

Whicha Sceltie

Laska, please attend

He hadn’t been with her when she first arrived in Grayhaven Cassidy’s First Circle wouldn’t recognize him, so Cassidy would be the only person he’d have to avoid He’d be able to slip in and out of that stupid Shalador village, fetching her a special little friend in exchange for being allowed to go ho her First Circle seemed to want to do anymore

And once she had a Sceltie to help her entertain the ht here to meet her,no one would remember old Freckledy’s name

Wrapping hiht shield, Laska dropped fro web in Eyota A handful ofand playing cards Probably a couple of Coach drivers along with the es that served as conveyances for visitors

One of theweb as Laska arrived After a moment’s study of the area, the a h to conment and return to Grayhaven

As he slipped along the village streets, looking for the required prize, he wondered why he couldn’t approach one of Cassidy’s First Circle and just ask for a dog Why had Kermilla emphasized the need for stealth? Had she already asked Cassidy and the request had been refused? Or was Ker contest to prove her court was better than the court Cassidy now ruled? That a member ofher court, a Sue that several Warlord Princes regarded as their personal territory?