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"That doesn’t explain why it should be the Painted Man and not a Royal Messenger," Leesha said "I assure you, if he even agrees to go--and you o with his own agenda, and not yours"

"Of course he will," Araine said, "which is precisely why I want that man as far from my city as possible Whether he means it or not, his very presence will incite people to o and cause a stir in Miln; Euchor ree to whatever ant, just to be rid of him"

"And what, exactly, do ‘ant?" Leesha asked

Araine eyed, her, and Leesha could not tell if she was ainst the Krasians, of course," the duchessto bicker over some carts of wood andat one another when there are wolves at the pen"

Leesha looked at the wo Part of her felt so safe when Arlen was around, she never wanted hirowing part, that found his presence…stifling Just as he had feared, the Hollowers and refugees were looking to hi themselves, and hadn’t Leesha done the sao for a short while

When the moment for Leesha to reply had passed with no word spoken, Araine nodded and turned back to her tea "I have yet to decide what to do with Arrick’s boy His so-called fiddle ns on it as yet"

"It’s not ic," Leesha said "Not as we know it, anyway He just…charleur works a crowd’sas he continues to play, and he hasn’t been able to teach the trick to others"

"He ood herald," Araine h that says little"

"I would prefer that Rojer stay with me, Your Grace," Leesha said

"Oho! Would you?" Araine asked, amused She reached over the table and pinched Leesha’s cheek "I like you, girl Not afraid to speak yourat Leesha a enerous," she said, refilling their teacups "Keep him Now, for this ‘Deliverer’ business"

"The Painted Man does not claim to be the Deliverer, Your Grace," Leesha said She snorted "Night, he’ll bite the head froest it"

"Whatever he claims, folk believe it," Araine said, "as evidenced by the sudden change of your haht add"

Leesha shrugged "That was the town council’s decision and none of mine"

"But you did not oppose it," Araine noted

Leesha shrugged again

"Do you believe it?" Araine asked, ain?"

Leesha looked at the duchess asped out loud, and Leesha scowled

"It appears your bodyguard does not agree," Araine said

"It’s not my place to tell people what or what not to believe," Leesha said

Araine nodded "Just so Nor is it your town council’s Janson has already penned a royal condee If your council is wise, they will repaint their signs in a hurry"

"I’ll inform them, Your Grace," Leesha said Araine narrowed her eyes at the vague response, but said nothing

"And the refugees?" Leesha asked

"What about them?" Araine asked