Page 33 (1/2)

Isana shook her head "You had to stop to consider whether or not your own uncleto you"

"My uncle the Senator," Veradis said, her serious eyes sparkling for a moment "Yes, my lady I love him And I know hi that concern," Isana said "They ardless of today's outcoreat many people to whom you will always be the true First Lady of Alera"

Isana held up a hand "No, Veradis Toocertain to destroy us is division Despite recent history, I believe that Alera is a Realm of law If its lawmakers so decide" She shook her head "To attempt to hold on, to defy them openly, would only hurt the Real one another instead of keeping it where it should be"

There was nothing to betray it in her face, but Isana sensed the sudden sharpening of Veradis's interest "If Valerius has his way, you will be nothing but a Steadholder again Your son would be but one more bastard child of the Citizenry And Aquitainus Attis, the man responsible for the Second Battle of Calderon, and the deaths of your friends and neighbors, will rule the Realm"

"Exactly," Isana replied "The Realhed "I haven't forgotten what he's done But on't survive what's coether If that ed "If I must accept that I will return to my home, the richer by many enemies, and that Aquitaine will never need to answer for what he did to the Calderon Valley, so be it"

Veradis nodded slowly Then she asked, "And Octavian Will he see it the same way?"

Isana considered the question for a h," Veradis said, "you know that should Alera prevail against the vord, Aquitaine could not possibly afford to leave Octavian alive and at liberty, after"

Isana gri face appearing in her mind's eye, and told Veradis, "Should Aquitaine become First Lord, he would be well-advised to choose his battles - and his enereat care"

Veradis stared at her intently, then slowly shook her head

Isana tilted her chin to one side, frowning inquisitively

"My father used to speak to me often of the nature of power," Veradis said "One of the things he often lamented was that the only folk truly worthy to hold it were those who did not seek it"

Isana frowned "I don't understand"

Veradis s sole woman's delicate beauty "I know you don't," she said "Thus proving esture, and said, "I will abide by your wishes, my lady"

Isana was about to reply when there was a quick rap at the door, and Araris leaned inside "My lady," hehis head, "you have a visitor"

Isana arched an eyebrow as she turned toward the door and smoothed her dress Whatever the Senate decided, they would send a representative to bring her before them - but her senses told her that Araris's usual steady calree or another The Senate's choice in escorts would say much about the outcome of the debate

"Thank you, Araris Please send hi, but Aquitainus Attis hadn't been featured on her h Lord entered, resplendent in scarlet and black, though he had affixed the official Crown heraldry for the House of Gaius, the scarlet-and-azure eagle, to his tunic's breast His dark golden hair was ihted down by the slender steel circlet of the Aleran crown, and his dark eyes were as intense and focused as every other time Isana had seen the htly "Lady," heher tone to neutrality "What an unexpected" She s was important With all the Senators in cha their duties I would speak with you alone if you are willing"