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‘Dear sir!’ Tehol called out ‘Please, come in!’

The half-blood hesitated His pale eyes flitted a Shand, Rissarh and Hejun ‘There’s… three of them,’ he said

‘Three of what?’

‘Women’

‘Yes, indeed,’ said Tehol ‘And…?’

Ublala frowned, lips drawing together into so a pout

‘Don’t worry,’ Tehol invited with a wave of a hand, ‘I promise to protect you from them’

‘Really?’

‘Absolutely Coe ed inside

Ublala’s belongings did not, it was clear, include trousers or loincloth He was as naked as he had been down at the canal Not that clothing would have uised his attributes, Tehol concluded after a ry? Thirsty? Relax, friend Set your bag down… yes, there is just fine Sit down – no, the bench, not the chair – you’d end up wearing it, which, now that I think on it… no, probably not Ublala, these wouard I assuht it was just her’

‘And that makes a difference?’

‘Makes it harder’

‘Granted But, most of the time you’ll be here…’ Tehol’s voice trailed away, as he finally noticed that Shand, Rissarh and Hejun had neither moved since Ublala’s arrival, nor said a word Oh, now really…

Nisall had been the King’s First Concubine for three years No official poas accorded the title, barring what the personality of the woman in question could achieve There had been considerable variation throughout history, often dependent upon the fortitude of the king at the time, as well as that of the queen and the chancellor

At present, there were six concubines in all, the others young, hters of powerful families Potential investments in the future there as ’s Like the queen’s four consorts, they were housed in a private, isolated quarter of the palace Only the First Consort, Turudal Brizad, and the First Concubine were peres themselves

Brys Beddict bowed to Nisall, then saluted Preda Unnutal Hebaz He was not surprised to find the First Concubine in the Preda’s office Nisall had decided her loyalties long ago