Raisa couldn’t help wondering what would happen now that her father was home; how much her father knew about Marianna’s relationship with Gavan Bayar.

How much did she know about it herself?

She took Averill’s hand. “Are you coming back with me to court, Father? Does Mother know you’re back?”

Averill nodded. “Aye. I’ve sent word to the queen.” He hesitated for a heartbeat, then added, “I’m to be at Kendall House until space can be found in the keep.”

Kendall House was within the castle close, but at some distance from Fellsmarch Castle itself.

Raisa blinked at him. “Until space can be…What about your old apartments? What’s wrong with them?”

“Apparently they are being redecorated and are, for the present, uninhabitable.” Her father had his trader face on, signaling that now was not the time for this discussion.

But Raisa couldn’t help herself. “Then they should make somebody else leave,” she said. “This is unacceptable. I’m going to speak with Mother as soon as I…”

“I will speak to Queen Marianna on my own behalf, daughter,” Averill said. “Give me some credit, will you? I am a trader, after all.” And he smiled, looking into her eyes. “Briar Rose. Your mother needs to get used to having me home again.”

He knows more than he’s saying, she thought. My father was never a fool.

“All right,” Raisa said, nodding and forcing a smile of her own. “But any time you need a place to stay within the keep, you can stay with me. And come to supper tomorrow night.”

She embraced her father, reluctant to let him go after his long absence.

She glanced over at Amon, who shifted his weight, looking eager to be on his way. “I guess that’s it for now,” she said. “Corporal Byrne will let you know when I have more, um, things to go to market.

They turned toward the door, but before they could reach it, somebody barreled through. It was a young man, Raisa’s age, or a little older, with muddy red-brown hair, dressed in clan leggings and shirt.

“Jemson! Three of the Raggers have been nabbed by the bluejackets. Seems they mean to make an example of…” His voice trailed off when he saw the people gathered in the room. “Oh. Sorry, sir. I didn’t know you had company.”

His eyes flicked to Averill, then Amon, and widened in alarm.

He recognizes them, Raisa thought.

“Let’s discuss this later, Hanson,” Jemson said quickly, jerking his head toward the door.

Hanson began backing from the room, but Amon said, “Wait! What’s that about Raggers?”

The boy blinked at him, blank-faced. “Raggers? I didn’t say nothing about Raggers.”

“Yes, you did,” Amon said, walking purposefully toward Hanson. “Have we met? You look familiar.”