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"Oh, that," Dani sighed, ot rid of them I know better than to poach on your turf, Guildmistress Karya"

Karya looked startled, then burst into laughter

"You'll never get far in the Guild hierarchy with a blunt attitude like that, child," she said, wiping tears of ht-forward, but oodness!"

Dani laughed with her

"Well, that may be, but I've never had htly "Besides, I've decided to retire, as you well know I'ht now When I find someplace I like, I plan to settle down, perhaps buy a little house and live off my pension"

Karya raised one eyebrow questioningly

"I have trouble seeing you settled in 'a little house' as you call it," she said with a s where the action is I heard you broke hearts all over Saurellian space before you returned to the Empire Don't tellbackwater, because I simply won't believe it"

"Well, believe what you like," Dani said, still s "I'm ready to relax and enjoy life Too irl, you know”

"That's what I wanted to speak to you about, actually," Karya said, her s clients, so I completely understand because I've been retired myself for nearly 20 years But our Lord Von'hot is apparently rather taken with you It would be helpful to me if you would reconsider your decision to meet with him"

"Why is that?" Dani asked, startled "It's totally against Guild protocol for me to meet with a client in your district, especially one like Lord Von'hot Even if I wasn't retired, I know Guildmistresses ould haveit"

Karya chewed her lower lip gently, seeht for a second

"May I come to your room, child?" she finally asked "I'd feel more comfortable if we could discuss this in person Do you mind?"

"Not at all," Dani said, truly confused "Please, I would be happy to visit with you"

"Thank you," Karya said, s kindly I'll be there in about half an hour"

Dani nodded, then switched off the terminal

Karya swept into Dani's suite of roo woe