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“Lady Kermilla, who is also from Dharo in the Realm of Kaeleer,” Theran replied

Silence

Hikaeda looked at his friend Elendill, then back at Theran “What is it you want from us, Prince?”

“Lady Ker a court here out of courtesy for Lady Cassidy, allowing Cassidy to finish her rule here uncontested Because of that courtesy, Dena Nehele is left without a Queen or a ruling court Our situation is a little better than it was a year ago, but the need for a Queen to rule our land re I asked a year ago—that all of you offer yourselves for the Queen’s consideration, and if chosen, serve in her First Circle”

“And Kermilla is the Queen you intend to have rule over us?” Hikaeda asked

Howto have to say it? “Yes, because Kerht Queen for us”

Another silence

“Thank you for your words, Theran,” Hikaeda said politely “Elendill and I will return to our Province and convey your e to the District Queens and the Warlord Princes ere unable to answer your su for an answer”

What in the name of Hell did that mean?

Hikaeda and Elendill turned away from the platform and headed for the door The other Warlord Princes turned and followed, not even glancing at hi was over

He wanted to call them back, wanted to de he could say to the they wanted to say to him

CHAPTER 42

TERREILLE

“Library, library, library” Ranon set those three letters on the stack marked for Gray to handle Only a week had passed since the official creation of Shalador Nehele, and thein for Queen and court had tripled

The day had turned cold and snoith a wind that cut like a mean-tempered bitch Cassie was tucked in for the afternoon and he was the escort on duty, so he’d offered to sort the ht now It wasn’t a job he enjoyed, but he didn’tproductive for the courtwarm and comfortable today while other members of the First Circle were out in that white nments

“Request for a loan to repair a printing press and open a print shop and bookbindery” He frowned at that letter for a moment, then put it in Gray’s stack “Request for lessons with the Protocol instructors Well, Gray can deal with that too”

Then he hesitated and wondered if they were du too much on Gray, especially since hewas the First Escort and his first priority was taking care of the Queen

“We really need a Second Circle to assist the First Circle,” he h Powellhad hinted they could afford to bring in a few , they would do the best they could hat they had

Could a Sceltie learn to sort mail?

While he pondered what the dogsskills they had, Dryden tapped on the door and said, “Prince Ferall is asking to see you”