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'Then we'll get a repair job done' Thunder grinned 'I know a cobbler who can do very clever stitches We'll kill the ots and let him have the head'

The queen nodded

'Very well That's the first thing The next is to find out how the ot into the box You had occasion to question the loyalty of our Head Master '

'I warned you not to raise Red Hand son of Red Cloud into that esteemed position, Majesty'

'Aye So you did And I explained that I did it at the insistence of my clan chieftains Anyway, your doubts were based on ruh' the old wohter, The Princess Adrina, has supplied useful information'

'That black-haired vixen'

'The princess has a young friend who encounters Lord Morgon when he visits Gor boys What's new about that?'

'What's new is the company he keeps when he likes theon in these little get-togethers'

'My daughter is claioes into the cah treason'

'It is, Majesty'

The old woman sat in silence for a while Thunder stood beside her, staring at the crawlingfor her to speak When she did, her voice was hushed

'Do you thinkthe truth?'

'Aye, Majesty'

She nodded thoughtfully

'Adrina is sparing with the truth Have you any idea why sheit now?'

'There can be only one reason'

'And what is that?'

'It is in her interests to tell the truth'

The old woman's face wrinkled into a smile

'Aye, Thunder son of Stor the truth because it serves her purpose When we knohy it serves her purpose, we shall know so'