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Krelis’s athered in his are for the western a Coach out of Raej, but when the Coach finally reached the station, it was several hours overdue and there was no one in it except the drivers Neither of them could explain the lost hours nor what had happened to the Gray Lady and the slaves she’d purchased at the auction"

"I see," Dorothea said "Has she crossed theTamanaraMountains?"

"No, Priestess"

"Are you sure?"

He wasn’t sure, but he wasn’t about to admitthat"We’ll find her, Priestess I swear it I should have her location soon"

Dorothea said nothing for a moment Then, with a hint of distaste, "From your pet?"

"Yes, Priestess"

Pet slaves had their uses, especially when it ca his status as Dorothea’s Master of the Guard, he had gone to Raej early to inspect the available slaves, and found one who had been ain whatever favors Hayll rant

Dorothea hadn’t been enthusiastic about his plan, but she had woven the spells he had requested, including the spells that would ensure that his pet was a those the Gray Lady purchased at Raej

There was a lot of land between Hayll and theTamanaraMountains, but those Territories now stood in Hayll’s shadow and would offer no safety There were also plenty ofto hunt down a Queen if they were offered enough gold marks and a pronal from his pet and he’d have the Gray bitch

Dorothea let a heavy silence build while she led hih the hallways Finally, she said, "Do you still havethe white feather, Krelis shuddered "Yes, Priestess"

"She alas a cunning bitch," Dorothea said softly "She ht have anticipated an ambush at a station since that’s where the attack happened the last ti for her at any of those stations?"

"Yes They were elio to that station and whatever had changed her plans was unexpected--

whichrong"

"She could have sent the escort to the station as a decoy"

"She wouldn’t have sent them there just to die Grizelle isn’t that practical"

Unlike you? Krelis thought--then hastily buried that thought "If she buys passage on another Coach"

"There aren’t that many passes over theTamanaraMountains She’ll have to reach a station located near one of them and travel overland for some of the journey, no matter what she does"

"She could ride the Winds"

Dorothea shook her head "She’s thwarted herself in that as much as she’s thwarted me There’s some kind of spell that acts as a barrier across the Winds, preventing anyone froet into Dena Nehele from this side of the Tamanara Mountainshas to use one of passes"

She smoothed her coiled black hair "Find out where the slaves she purchased caht try bartering with their kin for assistance"

Krelis’s shoulders sagged in relief At least he’d done this right "I’ve already sent soave him a smile of approval "I’m sure, once you have it, you’ll be able to offset your e the threat beneath the words

Dorothea’s smile sharpened He couldn’t tell if it indicated approval or displeasure

They finally stopped walking when they reached a Red-locked door

"Since you have a little ti for your pet to prove useful," Dorothea purred, "I’d like you to do a favor for , Priestess," Krelis said quickly

A pleased, vicious light filled Dorothea’s gold eyes as she opened the door and gestured for him to enter the room ahead of her

The darkened room stank of sweat and fear to the point where it almost overwhelht canize a bedchamber, but the bed was still too shadowed for him to see the occupant

Dorothea raised her hand The candle-lights on the bed tables brightened, softly lighting the rooestured for Krelis to stand at the foot of the bed<ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>