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They called this a craftsmen’s courtyard? Kermilla looked at the half-empty tables and the sullen landen faces They watched her with a look in their eyes that ht Maybe this wasn’t a good part of town for her to be in But giving in noouldorders from a male as supposed to serve her, and no Queen with any pride would do that

She joined Correne, who had been studying a selection of leather belts

“This one would be acceptable,” Correne said “The buckle is almost pretty”

The leather was lusciously soft and meant to accept the sweet curve of a woman’s hips, and the pewter buckle was in the shape of an arbor and bench, a highly suggestive piece iarden—if a woht place

“This is a fine piece, Lady,” the landen said “The price is thirty silver marks”

“Thirty!” Correne said “You think I would pay alanden thirty silver?”

Rage flashed in the landen’s face, quickly h

Brok and Garth stepped up to the table

“You trying to give the Ladies trouble?” Brok snarled

“Gentlemen,” Kermilla said firmly “There is no reason to be uncivil because of a si” She looked at the landen and used the same tone that effectively cowed the landens in sheep-shit Woolskin “I’m sure this man didn’t realize aQueen was interested in the belt, and it is custoiven to her as agift ” She picked up the belt and handed it to Correne “Therefore, haggling over the price isn’t necessary Is it?”

The landen looked at Brok and Garth Then he shook his head “No, it’s not necessary Please accept this belt as a gift, Lady”

“The guards are coo”

So back to their carriage And so in Brok’s voice when he looked at a weaver and said, “Tell your little bitch to keep an eye out for us,” made her shiver

Then the guards rode up and surrounded them—hard men with honed tempers

“What is theof this?” Kermilla demanded

“These two Warlords were forbidden to couard said “The penalty for disobeying the Queen’s command is exile Or death”

“No!” Kermilla’s heart pounded How could thisher boys None! “You can’t do that”

“The Queen’s command—”

“I outrank Cassidy, andI say these o as they please!”

The guard looked at her, and there was no indication he was going to yield

“Your Jewels may outrank Lady Cassidy’s, butshe rules Dena Nehele”

“For now,” Ker,I will be the law here, and I won’t forget who caused trouble for me and mine”

A hu, terrible silence

“Warlord,” Kenjim said politely as he stepped up to stand at her left “The Ladies were not aware of this command when they asked these two Warlords to stand as additional escorts”