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Rue h the station The tea-shop was closed andtheir way through the wreckage Not wishing to attract unwelcome official attention, Rue decided it was best not to present herself

Quesnel and Primrose were nowhere to be found Rue was not particularly concerned Nor did she feel abandoned If Quesnel was a gentlemen, which Rue suspected he was – deep down, duck ponds notwithstanding – he would take pains to see Pri with reinforceton – that woman could scare the willies out of anyone Even a lioness

Disorientated, Rue set out to walk around the circle, figuring she’d eventually recognise so The station was no less crowded, but Rue felt less of a spectacle alone and accompanied only by her parasol Still, she ell aware of the danger of being without a chaperone in a strange station She cocked an ear No one was even speaking English! Shockingly, the coe seemed to be souard when a whisper of a presence sidled up next to her

She was profoundly relieved to find it was only a smallish, thinnish fe pace The wo her head Unlike Miss Sekhht she was merely pressed close by the crowd except that she said, quite distinctly, "Puggle?"

At first Rue thought she misheard – it was such an out-of-place word to cofisher with a diplo but not so strong that Rue couldvisible, her dark eyes, were intent and serious

Only Da what thisto have a clandestine encounter with e and codes and such?" She almost clapped her hands "Oh, please tell e?"

"Ah, I see you are much as family lore described"

Rue was taken aback "Have we ht remember My na at all Clearly the nah it was very pretty

At Rue’s obvious confusion Anitra added, "My people," she paused, soft and delicate, "float"

Rue shook her head

"Ah well, we do like to be forgotten" Anitra shrugged under the swathes of fabric "I have so for you from Goldenrod"

This confused Rue further "Pardon?" Was Goldenrod one of the fated specialist tea contacts?

"You left precipitously – he was not best pleased" Anitra tutted in disgust and then reached into the folds of her robes and produced a sliive you this, should he need to communicate with you"