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But the alternative, revealing the child’s parentage when it was still vulnerable in her woerous Inevera and Araine would wish the child dead, and be happy to send Leesha off with it

Leesha felt thesickness had faded, but the headaches orse than ever as the pregnancy progressed, and it only took a little stress to trigger one

"Mistress Leesha!" Darsy aiting at the pillars by thewoman fumbled with her papers as she dipped an aard curtsy Leesha had nearly cured her and the other Gatherers of such needless formality when the count came to the Hollow, but Thamos, accustomed to palace life, expected such treatment, and it was a hard habit to break Now Leesha left a trail of bows and curtsies wherever she went

"Looked in the garden," Darsy said "Guess I missed you"

Leesha breathed deeply, her sood care of my hospit?"

"Doin’ my best, s"

She began handing Leesha papers as they walked, and one dozen turned into two before they made their way to the council chamber Leesha made notations on patient cases, approved shift rotations and allocations of resource, signed correspondences, and anything else Darsy could shove in front of her

"Can’t wait till Vika gets back froone forbones and settling fights between the apprentices than planning shift rotations and recruiting volunteers to give blood and help with the wounded"

"Nonsense," Leesha said "There’s no one better for setting bones, it’s true, but you do yourself a disservice if you think your worth ends there I wouldn’t have made it this last year without you, Darsy You’re the only one I trust to tell hed, her face reddening Leesha pretended not to notice, giving her time to collect herself The reaction told Leesha she didn’t coh Darsy vexed her at times, but every word she’d said was true, and Darsy deserved to hear it

As they reached the council cha is set?"

Darsy nodded "Every hospit will have apprentices covering the day Al to attend"

Leesha smiled "Not a word of it inside"

Darsy nodded "Gatherers’ business"

The other council members were already in attendance when they opened the door Lord Arther led the way as thefor Leesha to sit before doing the same Such formalities seemed out of place in the Hollow, but Thamos expected no less in his council chambers, and Arther had browbeat even the iers one always knehere they stood with a host by the chair they were given There were twelve seats around the great table Rojer, Lord Arther, Captain Gamon, Hary Roller, Ss and hard backs carved of fine goldwood in the ivy scrollwork of the Angierian royal fareen silk eold