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"Actually, he can’t," Janson interrupted, "if he is representing the Tenders of the Creator in Angiers, he owes his loyalty to His Grace the Shepherd and the Council of Tenders If he is preaching heresy…"

"That’s a fair point, Janson," Pether said "We’ll have to look into that"

"You could perhaps have the Council of Tenders suested

"Hear, hear," Mickael said He looked to his brother "You should do that with all haste, brother" Pether nodded

"Your former mentor, Tender Hayes, would be fit to replace hiees, Your Grace," Janson suggested "He has experience working with the poor, and is loyal to the ivy throne Perhaps you can convince the council to send him?"

"Convince them?!" Pether demanded "Janson, I am their Shepherd! You tell them I said to send Tender Hayes!"

Janson bowed "As you say, Your Grace"

"As for you," Pether said, turning back to the Painted Man, "why did the Hollowers rename their hamlet Deliverer’s Hollow if you have no sway there?"

"I never wanted the change," the Painted Man said "They did it against my wishes"

Mickael snorted "Save that ale story for a taprooe"

"To what end, Highness?" the Painted Man asked "It does nothing but further a notion I would rather quash"

"If that is so, you will have no argument if His Grace sends the town council a royal decree coe it back, of course," Janson said

The Painted Man shrugged

Rhinebeck nodded "Do it"

"As you wish, Your Grace," Janson said

"All this is neither East nor West," Prince Tha his spear butt on the floor He looked at the Painted Man "We tested your wards I killed a wood demon myself with that arroantwith training for e?"

"It matters not what he wants," Rhinebeck said "The Hollowers are my subjects, and I won’t pay for what they owe the ivy throne regardless"

"As I told Prince Thamos and the Lord Janson, Your Grace," the Painted Man said, "the corelings are the real enemy I won’t withhold warded weapons frorunted, and Thaht

"I can consult with the Warders’ Guild to select Warders to send to the Hollow, if Your Grace wishes," Janson said "Perhaps with a contingent of Wooden Soldiers to guard them?"

"I’ll lead the to look at the duke

Rhinebeck nodded "Very well," he said

"What of the refugees from Rizon?" the Painted Man asked "Will you take theees," Rhinebeck said "Let theain, Janson?" Rhinebeck asked

"Royal asylum," Janson said, "and the protection of the crown to any ear an oath of loyalty to Angiers" Rhinebeck nodded

The Painted Man bowed "That is very generous, Your Grace, but these people are starved and penniless, lacking basic necessities of survival Surely, in your mercy, you can offer more than that"

"Very well," Rhinebeck said "I’m not heartless Janson, what can we spare?"