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But he hesitated at the door and turned to look at the ested he talk to you”
“Thank you, Prince”
As he rode back to the Coaching station to return the horse, he kept his eyes on the street, aware of how many people noticed him and half raised a hand to catch his attention He’d had enough for one day—too much for one day—so he pretended he didn’t see them
But he couldn’t ignore the four Warlord Princes alked out of the Coaching station just as he rode up
He hadn’t ridden with any of thes, and didn’t know any of them as friends But when there were only a hundred of your caste left to defend your land, you knew the names and faces—and reputations—of those men
“Ranon,” Ferall said, sounding cordial—and surprised Since Ferall’s Opal Jewel outranked the other three, he stood as their leader while they were together
“Ferall,” Ranon said Then he nodded to the other men “Gentlemen”
“You were up to the mansion?” Ferall asked
He shook his head “Had some personal business in the town I offered to pick up a couple of things for the Ladies that weren’t available in Eyota”
“We have some personal business here ourselves,” Ferall said
Like awith Theran?But it wasn’t a question to ask, because silence was being offered They wouldn’t mention his presence in the town to Theran and he wouldn’t mention them to the court by name
He nodded and led the horse to the stables Then he caught the Opal Wind and headed back to Eyota
He’s dancing on the knife’s edge,Cassidy thought as she listened to Ranon’s too carefully thought-out report He was skilled enough at offering this kind of infor, only that he wasn’t telling her everything
She glanced at her Master of the Guard Whatever reason Ranon had for te
Easy enough to guess though He’d been in Grayhaven If he’d had awith Theran—or Kerain, Shira had said thatshe had sent Ranon to Grayhaven because of a vision
Did the reason reallymatter? There were people anted to leave Grayhaven and begin a new life, and had asked a me that soht not haveany life if she didn’t support the tentative offers Ranon had made on behalf of Queen and court
And in truth, he had acted as a Warlord Prince in Kaeleer would have acted He had acted because he believed in her and the Old Ways her presence was bringing back to the Blood in Dena Nehele
When Ranon finished his report, a heavy silence filled the room as all the First Circle who had returned fro waited for her response
She stood up and walked over to Ranon, who tensed but showed no other sign of nerves
“Since the day I ued so their concerns wouldn’t be ignored Today you are standing for a people who are not your own but needed so so, you honor the justice I want for all the people of Dena Nehele I’m so proud of you and—” Her throat suddenly closed Tears filled her eyes and spilled over She sed hard, put a hand on her chest, and said, “My heart is too full for words”
Suddenly she was in his ared breathless Then he released her and stepped back
Wiping tears off her cheeks, Cassidy looked at Gray and Powell “We need to consider land and buildings Any suggestions?”
“If the er rather than own a shop, I think he’ll be a good choice for one of Prince Sadi’s shops,” Powell said “However, I suggest that a condition of his e is that he hire one or two Shaladorans ant to learn the merchant trade and teach them the skills needed to run their own shops one day”