Shalador's Lady

table who can help.”
    “Yes,” Ferall said softly, “I think maybe there are.”

CHAPTER 23
    TERREILLE
    R anon gave his horse its head and caught up to Burle before the man reached the landen community.
    Something had surprised Lord Rogir when he stopped at the community to see how the cleanup and repairs were coming along, and anything that would surprise a senior guard was something Ranon wanted to check out for himself—especially when Cassidy’s father was about to ride into that community.
    Ranon rode through the arched gateway ahead of Burle, then reined in, understanding Rogir’s surprise.
    Lilly Weaver and JuliDee had been staying with Rogir’s family since the flight from Grayhaven. Lilly and Rogir’s wife had worked together to clean up the senior guard’s household. Other women in the village had also pitched in to give two other cottages a good scrubbing. One cottage went to Lord Brandon and his wife, and the other was to be a general residence for the unmarried guards. After that, the women had been driving out to the community to start cleaning up the attached row houses.
    Now there were several wagons parked close to the houses and many unfamiliar faces—and there was James Weaver, hugging his wife.
    Rogir stood off to one side with a couple of his men, watching the reunion. Deciding that was the best choice for an explanation, Ranon guided his horse over to the men and dismounted. James, spotting him, gave Lilly one more hug and joined them.
    “You made good time,” Ranon said. “I don’t think all the houses are ready to be occupied.”
    “Lilly says they have three that are clean and in good order,” James said. “Mostly good order. Lilly wanted to know about—”
    *Puppies!*
    Ranon stiffened. So did Rogir. Burle just climbed off the wagon and headed over to them as Wynne, a Sceltie with a pure white head, and black-f aced Duffy jumped out of the wagon.
    Burle looked at Ranon and shrugged. “They wanted to come.”
    *Puppies!* Wynne wagged her tail at the smaller landen children.
    Then Duffy froze for a moment before shooting straight up into the air to hover well above the buildings. His tail began wagging so hard the motion knocked him sideways as he shouted, * Sheep! *
    Oh, shit, Ranon thought.
    “You outrank the rest of us,” Rogir said.
    The man didn’t have to sound so damned cheerful—and relieved—about it. Of course, Keely had taken up residence with Rogir’s family. Having enough experience now trying to deal with just one, the man could be somewhat forgiven for not wanting to deal with a pair of Scelties.
    “Duffy, come down now,” Ranon said.
    *They have sheep !*
    And may the Darkness have mercy on them . “Duffy,” he said firmly.
    Duffy dropped out of the air so fast, Ranon was sure the dog would hit the ground. But he came to a stop an arm’s length from the ground and gently floated down the rest of the way.
    “What did your lady want to know?” Burle asked.
    Looking a little apprehensive, James pulled his attention away from the Scelties. “There isn’t an ice chest that she could find in the kitchen area.” He sounded apologetic. “It would help our food last longer if we could purchase some ice.”
    Burle frowned. “There are cold boxes, and each of them have a small freezer inside the main box. I checked them out, and they’re all in good working order. Need a good scrubbing, of course, but if that’s been done, they’re ready for a cold spell.”
    Seeing James’s discomfort, Ranon said, “I think that’s the problem, Burle. The cold boxes don’t work without Craft, and landens can’t do Craft.”
    “There aren’t any youths in your village who are interested in earning some pocket money?” Burle asked. Then he huffed. “Look. I know things have been hard here. You just need to look around to see it. And I know there have been bad troubles here between the Blood and landens. But the fighting is over, and from what I understand there wasn’t any of that kind of fighting in Eyota. These people are here because you all decided you were willing to work together to build a new life. Isn’t that so?”
    “Yes,” Ranon said.
    “So.” Burle looked at James. “Cold box is more dependable than ice. The spell needs to be renewed on a weekly basis.” Now he looked at Ranon and Rogir. “Around Weavers Field, where I come from, a couple of enterprising young Warlords go to the neighboring landen village where some of the people have