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“Hell’s fire,” Shaddo said, breaking the silence that followed Powell’s words “I’d be ashaainst men anted that”

“I hope you remeoing to need so”

“I’ll draft so,” Powell said “With the Lady’s permission”

Feeling a bit battered—and wondering why they were bothering to ask her per forith a speed that left her breathless—Cassidy nodded

“If Jared Blaed and Ranon are agreeable, I’d like theet his opinion,” Powell said “In confidence He has a ords, and we’re trying to avoid a war, not start one”

“We can do that,” Gray said, glancing at Ranon “Once we’ve declared ourselves independent of Dena Nehele, I’d like Lucivar to coive his opinion about what kind of defenses we need and where No offense to you or your ability, Talon, but”

“No offense taken,” Talon said “Lucivar Yaslana has been feared for centuries for what he does on a killing field We’d be fools not to take advantage of his experience and listen to any suggestions or advice he wants to give”

“I think Jared Blaed and Ranon should meet with the Warlord Princes in the five southern Provinces,” Shaddo said

“Why?” Ranon asked

“First Escort and the Master of the Guard’s second-in-coht with the other Warlord Princes You, Ranon, have always stood for the Shalador people Jared’s people And Jared Blaed is descended fro the Grayhaven na Lia’s last descendant, I’d say that evens the field”

“So we move fast,” Powell said “Cassie sends the letter to Theran, stripping hi his failure to honorably perforh Lord suggested”

“He’ll start recruiting openly in response,” Archerr said

“In the northern Provinces,” Talon said “He doesn’t know Ker to the Warlord Princes farthest away fro thoseback to Dharo in the spring, leaving Kermilla a clear field, and that there won’t be an established Queen and court to challenge the upstart Unless a ning on to serve in her court when he realizes itQueen and her court”

“I think those of us who have been acting as court liaisons for the southern Provinces should head out tos,” Haele said “Make it an official request to meet with the new First Escort and the Master’s second-in-coood if we told them the Queens would be welcome to have an audience with Cassidy”

“They’re alelcoht not end up being a war, but they were still preparing for a kind of battle

“One last thing,” Powell said “What are we going to call this new Territory?”

Cassidy looked at Ranon, who kept his eyes fixed on the table “Ranon?” she said softly

Obeying the sound of her voice, he looked at her

Hope The fulfillment of a drea back, acting with fierce restraint

“You and your people have dreaain,” she said “That you would live in a land called Shalador”

Ranon looked around the table Cassidy’s heart ached with pride as everyto the name