Shalador's Lady

totally ruthless. Saetan watched them, certain that in these few seconds of silence they had reached an agreement of how they would work together to achieve a desired result without crossing that unforgivable line.
    As curious as he was about what had passed between Sabrina and Jaenelle, he was equally certain that he didn’t want to know what the four Queens had decided to do. And maybe, if he was lucky, he wouldn’t have to know. After all, he was supposed to be retired from the living Realms.
    And the sun might shine in Hell tomorrow.
    *Coward,* Daemon said softly on a Black spear thread.
    A hint of humor, of relaxation. The Queen’s weapon would not be needed tonight.
    “The Warlord who acted on Kermilla’s orders came from Dharo?” Sabrina asked thoughtfully.
    “That’s the assumption, since he didn’t come from Dena Nehele,” Jaenelle replied.
    “And the body was brought back to Kaeleer,” Saetan said. When they all stared at him, he lifted an eyebrow. “Draca opened the Gate for them. If you think anyone is more qualified to decide who may use the Gate here at the Keep, then you can take it up with her.”
    Jaenelle was the only person who might be able to challenge Draca’s decision and overrule the Seneschal about who could or couldn’t use the Gate. Since she seemed to have no objection, the rest of them backed away from any criticism they might have had.
    “How many men are in Kermilla’s First Circle?” Karla asked.
    “Twelve.” Sabrina stared at Karla. “She had the same twelve men who had been Cassidy’s First Circle.”
    Karla’s lips curved in a wicked smile. “Then Kermilla’s court is broken, isn’t it?”
    “Technically, yes,” Saetan said. “But no court that’s sound breaks because of a death, even when there aren’t more than twelve males in the First Circle. The court continues for a few days, sometimes even weeks, while the Queen considers the men in the Second Circle and decides who will be invited to fill the opening in the First Circle.”
    “I don’t think she has a Second Circle, Uncle Saetan,” Sabrina said. “The First and Second Circles are paid with the Queen’s tithes. Cassidy didn’t need more than her First Circle to work exclusively on the court’s behalf, so she didn’t have anyone in her Second Circle except youngsters who were with her for training and court polish. I know she paid them because Darlena, the Province Queen who rules that part of Dharo, had been impressed by Cassidy’s generosity as well as by the number of requests she received from youngsters of all castes who were willing to serve in a small village court because of that generosity. Darlena also noticed how many of those youngsters retracted their requests when they learned that Kermilla now ruled Bhak instead of Cassidy. So I don’t think the current Queen of Bhak has anyone who can fill the vacant place in her court.”
    “Which means the court is broken,” Aaron said.
    “Not yet,” Jaenelle said quietly, looking at Sabrina.
    Sabrina tipped her head. “If her court doesn’t tell me, I can pretend not to know.”
    Aaron swore but did nothing else because he, like the rest of them, knew there was a reason Jaenelle wanted some things to be ignored.
    Even if she chose not to tell any of them the reason.
    “There was an interesting miscalculation when the summer tithes for Bhak and Woolskin were sent to Darlena’s Steward,” Sabrina continued. “It was swiftly corrected, but Gallard had never made that kind of miscalculation when he served Cassidy.”
    “Tried to short the Province Queen of her rightful share of the tithes?” Khary asked.
    Sabrina’s smile was sufficient answer. “I think my Steward and Darlena’s should personally collect the autumn tithes from a few of the District Queens and review their court accounts.” She looked at Jaenelle. “Don’t you think? That would be a fair warning to a Queen who had been granted a provisional year to prove herself—especially if she truly wanted to retain those villages as her territory.”
    “Who gives a piss about being fair?” Lucivar growled.
    Saetan felt his temper rise, but before he could respond, Daemon said mildly, “We all give a piss about being fair when it buys needed time.”
    Lucivar stopped prowling and stared at Daemon. “Oh. That kind of being fair. All right, fine. But someone should still go to Dena Nehele and explain to that bitch that a young Warlord can’t be snatched off the