“Well, I just remembered something from the Logistics class I’m taking—that currently we—the Crown that is—are running a little short of both horse farms for the Guard and Guard training posts. And when I asked the teacher what the Guard looks for in a place, he said that right now they were looking for properties within a two candlemark cart distance of Haven. Lady Sussena’s manor farm is three candlemarks, which is not too far, and it’s got just enough land still attached to it to serve as either, at least according to this map.”

“What—” Abi began, then “Oh!” she said. “So if she was willing to rent the place out to the Crown, the Crown would be putting in all the improvements on anything other than the manor itself, at no expense to her!”

“And she’d be getting regular rent regardless of how harvests in that area are,” Kat replied, nodding vigorously. “So she gets the best of both situations, she can stay in her family home and get a regular income without actually having to do any additional labor.”

“I am going to send a note to the Lord Marshal and the Seneschal right now and arrange for them to meet with you, Kat, before your first class tomorrow,” King Sedric replied, as seriously as he would have to an adult making the recommendations. “I’m pleased that you’re taking the welfare of our subjects so much to heart, and I’m equally pleased you’ve thought of something that benefits the Crown as well as milady.” Then he smiled broadly. “Well done, my love!”

Kat made a little bow to her father. “Thank you!” she beamed.

This was clearly a dismissal, and Kat took her map and left the King to whatever business she had interrupted. Abi went with her. Kat was back to her usual leisurely pace as they returned to Mags’ suite. Kat returned the map to its labeled cubby and curled up on a cushion on the floor of the central room, looking unspeakably pleased with herself.

Well, she should be!

“I think I just figured out what I want to do with myself,” Kat said as Abi joined her on the floor. “I want to go all over the Kingdom looking for problems like Lady Sussena’s and fixing them.”

“Don’t Heralds do that anyway?” Abi asked.

“Well, they do, but people have to wait for their Herald to get to them on his Circuit, and they don’t always want their problems made public,” Kat pointed out. “The only reason we knew about this one was because Wrenmarsh has a connection to your father and decided to say something. You know what I like best about this solution?”

“That you came up with it?” Abi teased.