The boy gave the old woman a look that betrayed his extreme misgivings. Grishen gave him much the same look.

“You’re looking rather plump, Culin. Haven’t you had the lad apprenticed yet, Lantal? Sasi too—get them a few years with the Hunter’s Guild or some [Knight] order. Make them proper [Lord] and [Lady]

for Afiele.”

“Grishen, you are a delight. But Culin and Sasi are too young for that!”

Risel smiled and went over to hug Grishen. The [Duchess] snorted.

“Sasi’s nine. She could have been training with a [Knight] order as a [Squire] a year ago. But I won’t tell you what to do with your children. Never had time for them myself.”

Her eyes said she was going to order everyone about. Seraphel smiled and gestured at her

[Handmaidens] covertly. They formed a shield in front of her. Mariel squeaked as the [Duchess] swung her iron-gaze back towards Seraphel.

“It is an honor to meet you, Duchess Grishen. I can see we will be fine neighbors for years to come.

Will…the Earl and Countess of Ovela be joining us, do you know?”

I hope you die this winter.

The [Duchess] smiled. She had excellent teeth. She could probably chew through a steel helmet.

“I don’t doubt it, Princess Seraphel. And no, the Twins are staying put. They’re still clashing with that damned Ailendamus brat. The Baron’s been raiding Noelictus so the Twins are raiding him back. I should have bashed his brains out the last time we went to war.”

“Grishen, this isn’t the perfect time for politics.”

Risel murmured through her smile. Grishen looked at Seraphel and then at the [Lady] blankly.

“Why not? Princess Seraphel’s going to be one of us. Ties between Noelictus and Calanfer and all that.

But very well. Where am I staying? And when is the banquet? Do we have music?”

“I’ve asked some of the best musicians to perform, Grishen. I think you’ll enjoy it. Culin and Sasi have been quite taken with a [Singer] who’s also come.”

“A foreigner? She had better not be a singing Gnoll or Naga or something. I hate those strange songs.

Give me a proper working melody. Now, about your Necromancer problem. I want that fellow dead. Tell me all about it, Lantal, and how you lost a [Necromancer]. I thought you were fast enough. No—give me the battle, blow by blow. How good are those fancy Thronebearers?”

The Duchess swept past everyone, leaving even Seraphel behind. The [Princess] eyed the meek retainers as they unloaded her sparse luggage.

“Horrible woman. Remind me never to entertain her. I rather think I’ll stay in the capital if I can. Mariel, a healing potion. I think she actually cracked a bone.”

——