Shalador's Lady

and out of buildings.
    “Mother Night,” Elendill said.
    Calling in the watch his grandfather had given him for his twentieth birthday, Ranon opened the cover and checked the time. Then he vanished the watch. “This will quiet down right about . . . now.”
    Sure enough, Burle stepped out of one of the buildings. In a Craft-enhanced voice, he hollered, “Break!”
    All the pounding, sawing, clattering noises stopped. People came out of various buildings and headed up the street.
    “Elders’ Park is being used as a rest station,” Ranon said. “There is food and water there, and one or two of the elders are there each day to listen to the people or answer questions.”
    “Hell’s fire, Ranon,” Hikaeda said. “How are your people able to do this?”
    Ranon took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He heard the envy in Hikaeda’s voice—and worried about Ferall’s silence. But they needed to know why this prosperity was starting here.
    “This is the Queen’s home village, and it is because of her that we have been able to make certain business connections that will be able to benefit all of Dena Nehele in time.” He paused. “Gray has become friends with Daemon Sadi and made a deal with him: in exchange for Prince Sadi owning a few businesses here in Eyota, the court was given a loan for supplies the people in Dena Nehele will need, especially this coming winter.”
    A shocked gasp from all four men—and a hint of fear. Just hearing Sadi’s name had that effect on most men.
    “ Gray has become friends with Sadi ?” Elendill asked.
    “Yes.” Not a surprising question considering the shape Gray had been in for the past ten years. “We’ll be able to purchase things like blankets, clothes, and shoes—things that are in short supply here,” Ranon continued. “A weavers guild in the southern Province was burned out during the uprisings. By borrowing from the loan, they will be able to purchase looms and wool, fix up a couple of empty houses as a new workplace, and begin to make a living again.”
    “How does a village ask for such help?” Rikoma asked with extreme courtesy.
    “Whoever rules the village submits a request to Lady Cassidy, telling her what is needed—and the cost.” Ranon sighed. “Our land was destroyed over generations. It will take more than one season to fix all the wrongs. But we have the means now of buying feed for livestock and food for our people if the harvest falls short this year. We have connections we wouldn’t have dreamed possible a year ago.”
    “If you’re worried about envy, don’t be,” Ferall said. “It’s right and fitting that the Queen’s home village receive the first benefit of her efforts. And like her court, it should be an example of what is possible.”
    Before he could think of what to say, a voice called his name.
    Rainier pulled up next to them.
    What had Ferall said about no envy? Hell’s fire! He felt envy. That pony cart Rainier was driving practically screamed aristo. Not because it was fancy, but because of the quality and craftsmanship that had gone into the making of it. And the bay gelding pulling the cart was a gorgeous piece of horseflesh.
    “Glad I found you since no one seems to know where Gray is working today,” Rainier said.
    “He’ll be at the Queen’s Residence for the midday meal,” Ranon replied.
    “Can’t stay. I swung by to see if Marcus needed anything, and then put this lad through his paces to make sure there wouldn’t be any problems. Now I’m heading back to Kaeleer. Prince Yaslana’s wife is indisposed, so I’m going to stay in Ebon Rih for a while and help out with administrative tasks. Lucivar is too short-tempered right now to deal with paperwork—or the people who bring it.”
    Rainier smiled when he said it, but Ranon saw the concern in the other man’s eyes. “Is there anything we can do to help?”
    “No, but he’ll appreciate the offer.”
    Rainier continued to smile as he looked at the other men, but Ranon had the feeling the Kaeleer Warlord Prince had just completed a very quick—and thorough—assessment of his guests.
    “Well,” Rainier said, “I’ll get this boy to the stables and be on my way.”
    “Stables?”
    Rainier made a gesture that included the horse and cart. “Ladies Morghann and Jaenelle sent this to Ladies Shira and Cassidy. Queens and Healers in Scelt like this cart’s design because there are storage compartments under the benches in the back, and it’s