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A plea in those eyes Messages under the spoken words

And suddenly Ranon remembered what Jaenelle had said to him:People looked beyond themselves and made room for you Remember that, Prince

Before he could work out what he wanted to ask Jauards rode up

Ranon turned and put up an Opal shield behind hiuards’ psychic scents was sufficient warning that he’d walked into some kind of trouble

The senior guard, Lord Rogir, stared at hinition “Prince Ranon?”

Ranon nodded, noting the way the other guards had fanned out Tere keeping an eye on the landens; the others atching him

“Prince, if I could have a few ir asked

Taking a careful measure of the tempers around him, Ranon dropped the Opal shield behind him and turned to Jah away to be out of earshot

Lord Rogir dismounted and followed him

“Is the Rose Queen coir asked

“No,” Ranon replied “She’s settled in Eyota So is the court”

“Is Lady Cassidy leaving in the spring? Is it true the other Dharo Queen is going to rule Dena Nehele?”

“You all see more than Cassidy’s court knows,” Ranon said “Lady Kere who is ruling Dena Nehele noho is going to continue to rule The court stands If the Queen is challenged, we’ll fight” It wasn’t really his place to make such a statement without more of the First Circle present, but he was sure of the truth of it

Rogir glanced at Ja for them? This town isn’t safe for that family anymore”

“What are you talking about?”

“Whether she rules officially or not, Theran Grayhaven has given this town over to the other Queen She says she outranks the Rose Queen and can counterir’s face “She brought those two Warlords, Garth and Brok, into this part of town a few days ago—and shethreats we’ve all heard before about ill happen to anyone who opposes her now Since then, my men and I have kept a close watch on this courtyard Those Warlords ca for Weaver’s little girl They blaet their hands on her this time, they’ll do a lot worse than throw horse shit and stones”

Ranon felt sick, cold

“I’ve got a wife and a daughter about the sair tipped his head toward James “I’ve kept an eye on these folks because of that Gotten to know them Blood and landenWe may be from the same race, but we’re not the saether easy But a father is a father, and I think about the fear that would be eating ut if two Warlords hadthat look in their eyes when they asked aboutirl”

Easy enough to guess where this conversation was heading, but the words had to be said So Ranon waited