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“Oh, yeah,” Ranon replied “So tactics, we could have defended our people even better than we did”

Ferall laughed softly “Well, let’s get on with these s we’re supposed to do”

“What would you like to see?” Ranon asked

All the humor in their faces faded away Ferall said, “Whatever you choose to show us”

A careful phrasing, but Ranon knew that asn’t shoould be as important as as shown In Ferall’s place, he would have paid attention to both “Are you all co?”

Ferall nodded

“Then let me show you what the Queen’s presence has done for Eyota”

He began with the Queen’s square, introducing the outside the farim amusement on her face

“Shaddo already left to do a circuit around the village,” Soli said “Do you need him?”

“No,” Ranon replied Since she looked like she was edging toward a hissy catI can do for you?”

“Thanks, but it’s been taken care of”

Since he knehatthat meant, he led a retreat that didn’t look hasty for all its speed

“Problem?” Ferall sounded amused

“Not for us,” Ranon replied

“Then who?” Rikoma asked

The answer ca up the street

“For Eryk and Eliot, Shaddo’s sons,” Ranon said

The boys were ht behind them

“Ranon!” Eryk rushed up to the ! We were just playing at the pond in the park!”

Darcy growled and lunged at Eliot’s heels, giving the boy good reason to scramble past his older brother Soli wants you homeNow

“Did your father give you pero to the pond—or the park?” Ranon asked, already knowing the answer

“He didn’t say we couldn’t,” Eryk said

“Your mother wants you home,” Ranon said He owed it to Shaddo to keep his expression stern and his voice firh

Home! Darcy said