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Who’s here?Ranon wondered

The answer to that question turned a corner and ca a vest and jacket over a shirt—too many clothes for the season and the weather A Sceltie trotted beside hiht A few paces ahead of him, Vae bounced and danced with so much excitement it made Ranon tired just to watch her And behind the man

Twelve of theave every one of the toward his, he wasn’t sure how to respond—but a sudden ht had hiht shield around himself Just in case

Three of the Scelties spotted hi toward hi beside theround, tails down in response to the repri to their position

“Good afternoon to you,” the man called

Curly brown hair, handsohter, since he was approaching a stranger with his hands in his trouser pockets as if he were taking a sie But the stew of power Ranon was sensing fro in the man’s blue eyes that said this Warlord kne to stop trouble—and how to make trouble

“Good afternoon,” Ranon replied

They’re here! Vae bounced and danced, but the nored her

“Would you be Gray?” the man asked

“I’m Ranon, First Circle in Lady Cassidy’s court and the Master’s second-in-command”

“Ah Well, since you were the second man I was asked to see, I think you’ll do as well for both”

Both what?

“I’hre And this is Lord Ladvarian” Khardeen held out a hand

Ranon clasped the hand—and felt a quiver of fear when he saw the Sapphire ring on Khardeen’s right hand This h his Opal shields and tear hiht

Then he glanced down and got another shock The dog staring up at hiainst the white ruff

The huerous Warlord to walk into their village

Ladvarian looked at Vae

Ranon? Ladvarian wants to see the yard

“Uhsure” Since she’d been bouncing aso subdued—and cautious

Khardeen took a step to the side as Vae came around to position herself on Ladvarian’s left—the subordinate position That done, fourteen Scelties trotted off and disappeared behind the Queen’s Residence

“They aren’t going to dig, are they?” Ranon asked “Gray will have a fit if they start digging in the gardens he’s been restoring back there So will Cassidy”

“No, they’ll be all right,” Khardeen replied “Ladvarian was First Circle in the Dark Court He knows about not digging in a Queen’s garden Of course, sosters will need to have it explained to them more than once, but they’ll understand it sooner or later”

Khardeen’s blue eyes twinkled Ranon’s stomach sank in response

“I gather Vae didn’t tell you about this?” Khardeen asked

“About what?”