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Jizell nodded, escorting the in a fresh pot of tea," she said, and returned to the kitchen

Prince Thamos offered Leesha his arm on the way, and she took it with a bemused look on her face Gared hovered near them protectively, but if Leesha or the prince took any notice of hin

Pawl took his father’s paper case and scurried to Mistress Jizell’s desk, laying out a sheaf of notes and soes He set a quill and inkwell at the ready with a blotter, then pulled out the chair for his father, who sat and dipped the pen

He looked up suddenly "No oneour discussion for the duke?" Janson asked "I will, of course, strike anything you consider inaccurate or indiscreet"

"It’s fine," the Painted Man said Janson nodded, looking back to his paper

"Well then," he said "As I told Mistress Jizell, the duke is eager for an audience with the representatives of…ahem, Deliverer’s Hollow, but he is concerned about the authenticity of that representation May I ask why Mr Smitt, the Town Speaker, has not coal duty of the Speaker to represent the town in instances such as these?" As he spoke, his hand was al down even his oords in an indecipherable shorthand, his quill flicking back to the inkwell every few seconds, with never a drop spilled

Leesha snorted "Anyone who thinks that has never spent any time in the hamlets, minister The people look to their Speaker in a crisis, and with refugees fro even basic necessities, he couldn’t pull away He sent me in his stead"

"You?" Thamos asked, incredulous "A woman?"

Leesha scowled, but Janson cleared his throat loudly before she could retort "I believe what His Highness means is that proper succession should have had your Tender, Jona, co with refugees seeking succor," Leesha said "Jona could no more come than Smitt"

"But the Hollow can spare its Herb Gatherer in this time of need?" Thamos asked

"This presents a proble up at Leesha even as his hand continued to take down their words "Hoould it look at court if he received a delegation froh of the ivy throne to even send their proper Speaker? It would be seen as an insult"

"I assure you, no insult was ardless of crisis, your Speaker could have cohts hence," he looked to the Painted Man, "but it appears that this Deliverer’s Hollow has hness?" Leesha asked "Spend a fortnight fetching Smitt when there’s an army at our doorstep?"

Prince Thaerate, Miss Paper," Janson said, still writing "The royal family knows all about the Krasian raids on Rizon, but the threat to Angierian lands is minimal"

"For now," the Painted Man said "But those were no sirain belt of all Thesa, are now under Krasian control They will dig in for a year at least, levying troops fro them Then they will move on to s Lakton and its hamlets It may be years before they turn north and head for your city, but I assure you, they will, and you will need allies if you hope to stand against theiers isn’t afraid of a handful of desert rats, even if your tahness, please!" Janson squeaked When the prince fell silent again, Janson looked back to the Painted Man "May I ask how is it you know so much of the Krasians’ plans, Mr Flinn?"

"Do you have a copy of the Krasian holy book in your archives, minister?" the Painted Man asked

Janson’s eyes flicked away for aan invisible list "The Evejah, yes"

"I suggest you read it," the Painted Man said "The Krasians believe their leader is the reincarnation of Kaji, the Deliverer They are fighting the Daylight War"

"The Daylight War?" Janson asked