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"Eh?" Janson said, his eyes widening "I’ood herald and served the duke well, not only for his heroise It’s a shame about the brothel incident"

"Brothel incident?" Leesha asked, half aht red, and he turned to Leesha, bowing deeply

"Ah…Ah…Forgiveup such indelicate matters in the presence of a lady I meant no disrespect"

"None taken, Minister," Leesha said "I’m an Herb Gatherer, and used to indelicate matters Leesha Paper," she extended a hand for him to take, "Herb Gatherer to Deliverer’s Hollow"

The prince’s nostrils flared and the clerk’s nose twitched again at the new name the people of Cutter’s Hollow had chosen, but Janson only nodded, saying, "I’ve watched your career with some interest since you apprenticed to Mistress Bruna"

"Oh?" Leesha said, surprised

Janson gave her that same curious look "It should come as no surprise I review the duke’s censuses every year, and take special note of prominent citizens in the duchy, especially ones like Bruna, a woistered every year since the first census, taken by Rhinebeck the First o I’ve kept watch over all her apprentices, wondering which would inherit her reat loss when she passed last year"

Leesha nodded sadly

Minister Janson gave a respectful pause for the deceased, then cleared his throat "While we’re on the subject, Mistress Leesha," he looked down his glasses and affixed her with the saiven Rojer, "your annual census report is months late"

Leesha blushed as Rojer snickered behind her

"I…Ah…We’ve been a bit…"

"Preoccupied with the flux," Janson nodded, "and," he glanced at the Painted Man, "other concerns, of course, I understand But as I’ine of state run"

"Yes, minister," Leesha nodded

"Please, Janson," Prince Tha the first minister to the side His sharp eyes took in Leesha’s body with a predatory seeh of late Spare them a moment of your endless paperwork!"

Janson frowned, but he bowed "Of course, Highness"

"Prince Tha low and kissing her hand Rojer scowled as Leesha’s cheeks colored

Janson cleared his throat and turned to the Painted Man "Enough shuffling the papers Shall we address the duke’s business?"

When the Painted Man nodded, Janson turned to Jizell "Mistress, if there were a place we could speak quietly…"