Keren is in a tight spot but there is help at hand... with the immediate danger over Garia begins to make plans for the future. And so do the people of Blackstone, much to everyone's surprise.

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2011-2012 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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"Stay there! Stay where you are or I'll spit this little lordling!"

Garia wasted no time, pushing immediately between the men. Brydas put out a hand to restrain her, thinking to protect her, but when he saw the two swords and the expression on her face he stepped aside. She strode into the dormitory, her swords held out straight in front of her.

Keep moving. Don't let the situation stabilize because it will be harder to succeed from an entrenched position. Keep him off-balance.

The plaster-covered man saw her and turned, astonished by what he saw. Automatically, his sword-point moved as well to cover the new threat. Garia kept walking and the man was forced to back away into the room. As soon as he was able Keren slid away to join the others, now entering the doorway.

The man waved his point around in a circle and then suddenly thrust forward to test his new opponent. Garia immediately flicked her swords up into an X, trapping the man's blade and deflecting it to the left with a twist of her wrists. He pulled his blade back and tried an overhead cut, to be met the same way.

This isn't a training exercise, this is for real! I gotta be real careful here.

The man tried a cut from Garia's left, the expression on his face one of uncertainty. Garia met it with her X and then swept the blade down to her left. This freed her right-hand blade and she twisted her trunk while thrusting with the blade, scoring a hit on his left thigh. The man winced and then pulled back, staring at his opponent in fear.

He doesn't know what to do! He has no idea how to deal with a female opponent and my unconventional swords confuse him as well. He probably can't use a sword that well in any case. It's fine for looking macho and intimidating townspeople but...

The man tried another cut from the left but pulled his sword away as Garia swept it down, hoping to expose her right side but she was too quick for him. She moved forward a step, pushing him back around the room. He tried a cut from the right then, while Garia was still moving, using his longer reach to lean forward and prick her chest with his point before retreating. There was a gasp from the others but Garia merely moved another step forward, her blades out again, forcing him backward.

He tried an undercut, hoping to get his blade between her hilts but discovered why that wasn't a good idea. Garia slid a blade so that his was trapped in the curl of her cross-guard and twisted. With difficulty he pulled his own free and stepped back again. Desperately he lunged again and again she trapped his blade, freeing her right hand to thrust forward. He leaned back to avoid the point - and tripped on the pile of material he had dislodged when he fell through the ceiling. As he went backwards he automatically put down both hands to break his fall... and the sword came flying out of his hand and went spinning across the bare floor.

"I yield! I yield!"

The others rushed forward, blades at the ready, to ensure that the man stayed down. Brydas came to Garia.

"Milady, you are injured!"

"No, Master Brydas," she said, breathing heavily, "only my clothing. He didn't get deep enough to draw blood."

"But I saw - " He looked at the expression on her face. "Never mind."

Keren came forward with the man's sword, which he had retrieved, in his hand. He examined it briefly before sliding into his scabbard. Garia's eyes widened in disbelief.

"That was your sword?"

"Aye," he agreed, giving her an embarrassed smile. "We collided at the doorway and I dropped my sword as we both fell. It was my misfortune he discovered it first."

"Highness," Brydas said, "that was a rash move, but you already realize that."

"Aye, master smith." Another embarrassed smile. "Blame my youth and inexperience for that."

"Highness?" The man on the floor blurted. "You are the King's son?"

"Aye," Keren said shortly, turning to him. "What of it?"

"I did not know... we did not expect..." He shook his head. "This day has turned from disaster to calamity. Master Trogan is taken?"

"Yesterday, when we arrived. You did not know?"

"Highness, I was bringing the beasts in from pasture. I did not know what had happened. My fellows told me that we were hunted in the town by armed men, I knew not who."

"My presence here in Blackstone is circumstance. I am escorting the new Baroness of Blackstone to view her newly allotted lands."

The man's face drained until it was completely bloodless. He stared at Garia.

"She is... Highness, we were told nothing. We thought the Lord Gilbanar still ruled these lands."

"Trogan did not tell you? Surely there must have been letters announcing the change?"

"I know not, Highness. Only one or two besides Master Trogan can read. He tells us only what he wishes us to do."

Brydas asked, "You call him Master Trogan. Do you believe him to be legally appointed as Tax Assessor?"

"Why, yes, master smith." He looked at the faces surrounding him in horror. "You mean he is not?" His eyes fell. "I am a dead man."

"Almost certainly," Keren said, which made the man look up at him. "Can you stand? What of those who were here with you? How many?"

"Highness, we were three last night." His tone became bitter. "When I awoke this morning they had gone, taking my beast with them. I am left to face the consequences."

Keren stared at the man as Brydas and Brazan helped him to his feet. Blood trickled down the man's thigh but it did not look like a serious wound. He came to a decision.

"I may not prejudge your trial, but if the outcome be death, and you have told us what you can about this business, I will promise that it shall be quick and clean. What say you?"

"Highness, I will take whatever you offer. I must throw myself on your mercy, there is no other way."

"Your name?"

"Sethan, Highness."

Keren turned. "Let's go. We will complete our search of this building since we may not yet trust what this man tells us. Brazan, Dennard, take this man to join the others."

"Aye, Highness."

The two guardsmen took the man out, limping between them. Brydas turned to Garia.

"Milady, I was sure I saw him stick you. Are you sure there is no wound?"

She smiled at the smith.

"Brydas, you may know of the King's Armorer, a smith named Haflin." Brydas nodded in recognition. "Inside this tabard he hid plates of steel for just an event such as this, although he did not expect them to stop a sword thrust. I have a tear in the cloth which can easily be repaired, that's all."

Brydas came closer and searched the cloth, noting the bright glint through a small ragged tear. He also noticed her badges and his eyes widened in shock.

"Milady, you wear a guild badge! How is this possible?"

Garia tried and failed to hide a glow of pride. "Look closely, Master Smith, and read it."

"Guildmistress... number one! This is amazing! You are also a warrior... I cannot believe it of any woman, that such may be possible! Yet you are not even old enough to be a prentice. Tell me, milady, how this is done."

"There will be time for all this, master smith," Keren interrupted. "We have a building to clear. Hmmm. If that man speaks the truth, then the others have fled before us. Still, we must make sure that none remain lurking nearby. Come."

The front of the building held the men's dormitory and two smaller bedrooms, all bare. At the top of the stairs Garia sagged against Keren.

"You are injured, milady!" Brydas exclaimed.

"No, Master Brydas," Garia said as Keren put his arm around her. "Just coming down from the high of fighting, is all." She smiled at the smith. "That wasn't a long fight but it was my first with swords and it involved a great deal of concentration. It can be done but you pay for it afterward. I'll be okay in a moment or two."

Brydas stared at the young girl. Her first fight? With swords? Whatever else had she done?

Downstairs they entered the common room, which took up the whole width of the building apart from the carriage entrance. In one back corner was an empty cubicle where the inn-keeper usually sat. There was no furniture except a single broken bench. Garia turned to the smith.

"What happened here, Master Brydas?"

"Years ago, milady, the town was more prosperous from the sale of wool and this inn was built to accommodate merchants who came to buy. A disease of the foot reduced the flocks and the trade collapsed. This inn was too big to survive the loss of business. The Bell Inn, where you reside, barely manages with the tavern trade, milady. Without the wool we are no better than a poor mountain village."

"The owners gave up and went, then? So, who owns this property now?"

Brydas shrugged. "I know not, milady. I guess... it returns to the owner of the land, who is the Duke. Ah, perhaps that means that you own it now, milady. As you may know, all properties are held by title from the liege of the land and ultimately the King."

Garia turned to Keren. "What do you think, Keren? This building is vacant and available and we need somewhere to make a headquarters." Brydas frowned at the strange word but Keren nodded. "When Jaxen gets sent off to start a link to Tranidor we'll lose most of the accommodation up at the camp site so we'll need somewhere to put the men up and they can't all stay at the Bell. Why not here?"

"It's a good idea, Garia. This place is big enough it ought to be able to take everyone we brought with us, and we'll need somewhere in town until we return south. This room," he gestured, "is big enough for us to exercise in, to hold meetings, even perhaps to hold trials. There's plenty of room out back for our wagons and beasts. The only concern is the state of the building. Master Brydas, you walked the building with us, your professional opinion?"

The smith considered. "It's not all my specialty, Highness, but in such remote regions we must perforce learn of each other's trade. Let me see... We are mostly weather tight, there are broken windows and some woodwork needs repair. I know not of the roof." He grinned. "Of course there is a new hole in the ceiling of the women's dormitory to repair. There is also a complete lack of furniture to remedy. If you will permit, I will ask those of the proper trade to come to assess the work needed and bring a report to you and milady this evening at the Bell."

"As you wish, Master Smith. Consider this your authorization to begin immediately any works you deem urgent."

"Thank you, Highness."

When they regained the street they found groups of people waiting. A man came to them, bowing to Keren.

"Highness, we have searched the whole town and found no other living. The body has been taken and placed with those who died yesterday."

"Thank you. It seems that two have escaped with three beasts. We captured the third within."

Jaxen walked across the street from the Bell Inn, people making way for him.

"Highness, it seems the town is clear. I hear you flushed one yourself."

Keren gave a rueful grin. "Aye, Jaxen, I did, although I was almost spitted by my own sword for my trouble." Some in the crowd gasped. "Milady here took him on and bested him."

Jaxen grinned. "I would expect no less of milady." The grin faded. "Two here report food and fodder to be missing this morning, Highness."

"Aye. It seems that two got away with three frayen, leaving their fellow to his fate. No doubt they took provisions for their flight."

"What are your commands, Highness?"

"We must spread the search more widely, I think, though it will not involve all the townspeople. Most have their lives to resume, although a watch will need keeping in case those men return. As for yourself, I think milady has plans for you."

"Ah? Milady, at your service."

"Carry on this morning, Jaxen," Garia said. "We'll talk over and after lunch."

"Now," Keren added, his eyes hard, "we have to face those men. Garia, are you prepared?"

"As ever I'll be," she replied. "Let's do this."

"Master Smith, shall you join us?"

"Aye, Highness."

The three entered the watch office and made their way through to the back. Trogan was sitting in a cell while his men were in the other two.

"So, Trogan," Keren began, "you have some explaining to do."

"You are the son of the King?" Trogan said, not bothering to rise.

"I am," Keren replied evenly. "The question I ask is, are you a properly appointed Tax Assessor, and if so, who appointed you? By what right do you leech these people?"

"I have a letter of appointment, if you would permit me leave to show you."

"Anyone may wave a letter of appointment about," Keren countered, "especially if it was taken from its rightful owner. Or," he added as an afterthought, "taken from a messenger. Give me the name of he who appointed you."

"It was... I forget now, it was some time ago. Who is she? What manner of woman wears swords and kicks her elders and betters?"

"This is Milady Garia, Baroness Blackstone, come to inspect her lands."

Two of the men in the other cells jumped to their feet.

"You never told us about no baroness!" one accused Trogan hotly. The other added, "What else have you kept from us?"

"You didn't need to know that," Trogan said sulkily. "You just had to do what you were told. Besides, we only have this boy's word of who they are. We will be freed once the mistake is discovered."

"Trogan," Keren said, "you are a fool." He turned to the other men. "I am Prince Keren, son of King Robanar of Palarand. Beside me is the Baroness of Blackstone, created at this year's Harvest Festival. Since that day she has been liege over this town and all Blackstone Vale although it is only recently that we have been able to visit these lands. Whether Trogan is who he claims to be or no, let it be understood that he stands accused of opening without authority packets carried by the Valley Messenger Service, which crime carries an automatic death sentence for him and all associated with him." The two men abruptly sat down.

"In addition," Keren continued, "he will have to answer for his conduct in the office he assumed in this town. If he is who he claims to be then he will be transported to Palarand to answer for his conduct. If he is not, then the real Tax Assessor, should one have existed at all, must be dead and therefore he is guilty of murder. If no Tax Assessor did exist, then he is guilty of impersonating an appointed official. Do I make myself clear?"

"Aye, Highness," the first one said heavily.

Trogan curled his lip. "If you kill us you will have murder on your own hands."

Garia spoke. "Not so. You shall be brought to trial in the town, before all your accusers, and we shall find the truth of this matter. We will do this strictly by the book."

"Book? What means she?"

"She means," Keren explained, "that all will be according to the laws of Palarand. Her expressions are sometimes... unusual." His gaze hardened. "Do not be misled by this seeming young girl. You have time, ask Sethan how she handled those swords you see. And she does not need swords. In Castle Dekarran she killed a man with a single kick."

Trogan sneered, "Fanciful tales of the young!"

One of the men muttered, "She kicked you hard enough," which wiped the expression from Trogan's face.

"Will you tell me the name of he who appointed you?" Keren asked again.

Trogan gave Keren a sullen look but did not reply.

Keren turned. "Milady, Master Smith, we have wasted enough time here. Let us go somewhere less noxious."

In the outer office, with the internal door shut, Keren asked Brydas in a low voice, "Can we separate Trogan from those others? I begin to wonder if we may find out more were he not present to overawe them."

Brydas thought. "I think so, Highness. I will need to check the place, and the security of the doors and locks, before I name the place. Did you notice how one did not appear so surprised when milady's name was mentioned? The man Sethan would already know but the others should not."

Keren nodded. "A good thought. Perhaps we may split them all up? I am not versed in the ways of extracting information from criminals."

Brydas grinned. "Nor are any of us, Highness. Most hope never to need that knowledge. Is there anything else we need do this morning, Highness? It will not be long before lunch, and while we rude tradesmen may eat attired as we are, I do not doubt that milady will want to refresh herself."

Keren nodded. "Aye, Brydas, let us make ready for lunch. Afterward... Garia, you had some plan?"

"I think I want to get everyone who came with the caravan together afterward, Keren. We need to go over what happened yesterday and this morning while the events are still fresh. And I have plans for Jaxen, yes, and others." She smiled at the smith. "Master Brydas, can I leave you to organize the townspeople? I don't think there will be much danger from the two who escaped. We'll leave guards at the Sheriff's Office, of course."

"My Lady?"

"Uh, I mean the watch office. I'm sorry, where I come from we'd have a man called a Sheriff looking after the law in a town like this. I just forgot, is all."

"As you wish, milady."

Keren and Garia walked across the road into the common room of the Bell Inn. The place was busy, with servants already serving beer and food to some of the locals, no doubt hungry after scouring the town. Unlike the previous occasion there was no hush when they entered but rather a muted applause with everyone standing briefly before resuming their meals. Keren responded with a wave before guiding Garia out the rear entrance into the courtyard. They were followed by Jenet, Sukhana and Brazan.

"Oh! We forgot." Garia turned. "Sookie, would you mind going across the road and fetching Merry? She's still in that big building reading documents. We're back here to get ready for lunch."

Sukhana smiled. "As you wish, milady."

As she went back into the common room Keren looked at Garia with a raised eyebrow. "You are not, by any chance, about to gain another retainer, I take it?"

She smiled. "I don't think so. Sookie's too independant for the kind of life we lead." She looked around. "Jenet and I will leave you now, Keren. See you in a few moments. We won't be long."

She turned to go up the women's stairs but Keren caught her arm.

"Jenet, Brazan, will you let us speak in private a moment?"

He led Garia into the middle of the courtyard where they could be seen but not heard. She looked up at him with a question in her eyes.

"You took a big risk this morning," he said, "with both our lives. What made you decide to come straight in like that with your swords out? One or both of us could have been injured - or worse."

She shook her head. "No, Keren. On Earth we are taught how to deal with a position like that which would have turned into a hostage situation. The men all round the door had frozen which was the very last thing we needed so I had to go in by myself. If we had waited even a few breaths Sethan would have had time to think about his circumstances and make changes which would have made your release much more difficult. The idea is to keep moving, keep changing things, positions, so that the other guy has no time to think out what he wants to do to get the result he needs. I knew he would never have faced an armed woman before, knew he would never have even seen anyone using swords like mine. The worst that could have happened is that one of us might have gotten cut. You and I both know he was never getting out of that room, was he?"

"Aye." He nodded. "But, even so -"

"Keren," she added, "I could no more have stood by in that situation than I could have stopped breathing." My love. "You mean so much to me that I will do anything to fight by your side or for your life. There was no way I would have stopped outside that door with you in danger."

Keren stared down at Garia, his heart singing. Did she know how much her own impulses reflected his own? Probably. His arms twitched, he wanted to crush her to his body and kiss her - but this was not the time, not with chaperones watching.

Instead, he replied tenderly, "And I would do no less for you, as you know very well." He sighed. "Garia, what are we to do? My parents have set us a riddle I doubt can ever be resolved."

Her eyes flared. "There will be a way, Keren. We will find it." She paused, thoughtful. "I wonder, I do not think the Queen is as opposed as you might imagine. For that matter, I wonder if your father's objections are as much to do with what others might think rather than his own choice."

"Hmm. Rather like the riding of frayen in public, you mean?" He nodded slowly. "Perhaps you are right, but in truth we do not know. All we can be sure of is that we must resolve this by the time we return to the palace."

"Agreed. And now, if you don't mind, I have a pressing previous appointment in the bath house. Jenet!"

~o~O~o~

"Milady, you said you had plans," Jaxen said, reaching for his tankard.

"Yes, I did. I've been thinking about what needs doing and while it will take me some time to figure out the mess we've landed in, certain things are fairly straightforward. You see, Keren and I will have a lot of letters to write and I've no doubt there will be a whole lot of correspondance going back and fore while we're in Blackstone. Can you imagine what the King and the Duke are going to say when they find out what's happened?"

Jaxen grinned. "Oh, yes, milady. I already imagined that."

"I'm assuming you have some discretion from Master Tanon what you can do while you're out here with us?"

Jaxen shrugged. "I'm technically on contract to the Crown, milady, but these are your lands and the Prince is here anyway, so aye, whatever you need I'll consider."

"Then I want you to start up a shuttle service between here and Tranidor."

"Shuttle service..? Oh! Yes, I see! Very good, milady!"

"To begin with you'll just be the mailman, I guess, but this town is going to need lots of everything soon and they'll need a transport link to bring it from Tranidor. Can you do that?"

"Easy, milady. If I just run a wagon or two between here and Tranidor that will be two days each way..." Jaxen calculated, finally nodding. "Aye, I can do that. Blackstone ought to have been one of Master Tanon's routes in any case. We'll have to stop overnight, milady..."

"I was coming to that. Bezan, I want you to accompany Jaxen's wagons on the first trip."

"Milady." The mason sat up straighter.

"Stop at that campsite and do some survey work. I'll want the two burnt-out blocks rebuilt and you can draw up plans for a permanent road house there, with plenty of parking space for wagons. Aim to have accommodation for staff and guests and somewhere for messenger riders to get remounts. You can begin hiring whoever you need for the work once you reach Tranidor. Jaxen, you'll allow him time to survey the site?"

"Of course, milady. He may require my knowledge of such places in any event. We'll stay as long as he decides is necessary."

"Milady," Bezan said, "I understand the need to rebuild what was destroyed but a road house? Will there be the need?"

"I haven't finished yet, Bezan. Think about the future. I want you to start building, now, what I just described to you." Bezan nodded. "But also plan out the site so that it can be expanded as and when it becomes necessary. Say, in stages, up to maybe... two hundred wagons overnight."

"Milady! You are not serious!"

Garia grinned. "Ask your fellow guildsman just how much coal is up that mountain behind the town. How are we going to get it to the foundries?" She added, "It won't just be coal going down into Tranidor. There will be tools, materials, supplies, people and food coming the other way to support the mines we are going to have here by the end of next year. All that traffic will need somewhere to rest overnight. I've assumed a hundred wagons a day going each way, so plan on that basis once the work picks up."

"Milady, this sounds..."

She grinned again. "Crazy? I've barely begun, Bezan. Oh, and when you get to Tranidor, I'll want you to come back as soon as you can after finding people and contracting them for the construction work. We - or rather you - are going to have to look at exactly how this town runs and what might happen if another five thousand people suddenly turn up. I told the townspeople I wasn't going to let there be disorganized development and that means we - you - get to do the organizing."

Bezan looked stunned. "As you command, milady," he eventually said. "But, what you ask cannot be done without money."

"Don't worry about money just yet. One of the packets I received when we arrived at Tranidor was from the Queen, a letter of credit for four thousand crowns." She smiled. "I have no idea how much that is, but it should be enough to get you started?"

Bezan looked wilted. "As you say, milady," he agreed faintly. "It should."

"Oh! One final thing," she added. "When you get to the camp site, and you're wandering around laying out lines or whatever it is you do, keep an eye open for graves. I can't imagine that place was burned to the ground without somebody paying for it."

Bezan nodded as Jaxen stirred. "Milady, you raise an interesting point. I'll ask my men to do a search while we are there."

Yarling put his tankard down. "Milady, five thousand? How can you know how many might be needed?"

"Oh, that was just a figure I picked out of the air, Master Miner. You're the expert, after all. We might end up with..." she shrugged. "Two thousand, twenty thousand, who knows? All I do know is that it will be a heck of a lot more people than lives here now."

"As you say, milady. Any of those numbers might be right in time. And... do you have a task for me, milady?"

"Yes, I do, but it is not quite so urgent as those of Jaxen and Bezan. Have you talked to any of the townsfolk since you arrived?"

"No, milady. I was out with a search party this morning, that is all."

"Then see if you can find someone who knows the area and is willing to help you make up a small surveying party. I want to get an idea of what is around Blackstone and the end of Bray Vale at first. Don't bother with Blackstone Vale, we can do that later. Bring back samples of the different rocks you come across, with the emphasis on coal, naturally. Did you tell me you'd been here before?"

"Yes, milady. We found little of interest, but then we ignored coal completely. I still find it difficult to understand how it is used, milady."

"Two things, then. After lunch we are all going up to the caravan to have a talk with the whole crew. I'd like both of you to come, if you wouldn't mind. Once we are back down here, Master Yarling, go into the kitchen and you will see coal being used to cook your food and heat your water. That's the basic way that coal is used as a heating fuel."

Yarling nodded.

"Coal has another trick for us, though, and it is this trick the ironmasters will pay good money for. If you heat wood in an enclosed vessel you end up with charcoal, right? In the same way if you heat coal you end up with something called coke which can be used for ironmaking. It allows a hotter fire and a purer iron or steel, so I am told."

"If you say so, milady." Yarling looked sceptical.

Garia shrugged. "Write Guildmaster Parrel if you don't believe me. With coke providing better steel the guildmasters expect iron and steel production to increase greatly in the next few years."

"Increase production greatly?" Yarling echoed Garia's words cautiously. "How much do you anticipate, milady?"

"I'm thinking of..." She stopped and grinned. "You won't believe me if I tell you, Master Miner. Let's just suggest you think of the biggest quantity you possibly can, then multiply it by a hundred. A thousand. Ten thousand. But that level of output won't happen for fifty years or so, it will take Palarand that long to think up uses for all that steel."

"So much, milady? Why, most steel now is used for swords and armor. You cannot intend to arm and armor every man, woman and child in Alaesia, surely?"

"Master Yarling, we have not time to go into this now." She smiled to defuse her words. "Perhaps this evening, I may tell you what it's like where I came from and then you might understand."

Yarling stared at Garia, puzzled by both her knowledge and the apparent power she seemed to have. Why, even the Prince listened to her! He had been given certain instructions, it was true, but it seemed that those who issued those instructions failed to understand the nature of what was happening. Perhaps it would be best to wait and see what more this young woman had to say.

He looked at her, sitting across the dining table from him, saw her curious attire with the sash of office over a quilted tabard. She had removed the swords now so that she could eat, as they interfered with her comfort while seated. On the sash - his eyes narrowed - two badges, one he recognized as an indicator of baronial rank, the other -

"Milady, forgive me," he found himself saying. "I note that you bear two badges of rank on your sash. One I recognize as your mark of nobility, but how came you by the other? Surely that is not a Guild badge I see?"

He was not comforted by the smile on Bezan's face.

"It is a Guild badge, Master Miner. It was lawfully award to me by a convocation at the Hall of the Guilds in Palarand by Master Hurdin himself."

"But, but, how is this possible? You are a woman..."

Garia frowned. "How else did you think it got there, Yarling? Do you think I stole a lump of gold, hammered it into a sheet, cut out the shape, filed it down, polished it and then engraved it myself? I'll show you a document sent by Master Hurdin himself, if you wish, giving me the right to wear this badge."

Now Yarling was at a complete loss. "Milady, how is it you know so much about the jeweler's art? For one so young, and yet a woman, you cannot possibly have had time to learn of such matters!"

"Actually, there you are quite wrong, Master Miner. But - Keren, this will take too long, we have places to be, meetings to attend."

"As you say, Garia. Master Yarling, will you heed my words? Milady Garia is not from Alaesia but from somewhere else entirely. Her life until she arrived here has been completely different than you may imagine and she does, indeed know of what she speaks. If you will take my assurance, all will be answered - but not at this table, we are too busy."

"Highness, your words assure me. I look forward to learning more of this mystery."

"Then let us all rise. Brazan, shall you collect all who came with our caravan and conduct them up to the camp site? There are matters which need the attention of everyone."

"As you command, Highness. But what of the criminals? Who shall guard their cells?"

"We'll find some townspeople to guard them the bell or two necessary, I think. Go, find all the Baroness's men."

Keren led the party out onto the covered sidewalk in front of the inn where all stopped in astonishment. Across the road, people swarmed over the Ptuvil's Claw. There were two men on the roof, one hammering back loose tiles while the other crawled along the ridge with a pot in one hand and a brush in the other. On the balcony, one man was mending a damaged siding slat, another was removing a broken pane of glass while two more were trying to fix a twelve-foot pole so it hung out over the street. On the covered sidewalk in front of the inn the front doors were now open, two men examining the hinges of one door while a third, apparently a carpenter, was mending the other.

Their party was soon noticed and one of the men inspecting the front door turned towards them, waved and then came across the road. It was Brydas.

"Highness, Milady. Apart from the hole in the dormitory ceiling," he smiled, "the building is essentially sound. One or two of our tradesmen have thought to show their appreciation for your efforts by hastening the work needed to ready the building for your use. I trust this meets with your approval?"

When Garia had recovered she replied, "Uh, yes, Master Brydas. I didn't think that you would start work so quickly. I thought you were going to come by this evening with a report?"

He smiled and bowed. "Milady, after watching you fence that man, and after hearing of your fight yesterday which another witnessed, we soon realized that you were indeed the right person for this town, to do, what did you say? Your 'job'. We recognize your youth and inexperience but also your determination to serve your people - and your Prince. If you would permit us, we will make you one of our own, guide you in the decisions you must take on our behalf. We know that there are many in your party and that not all may be accommodated in the Bell so we decided to begin the necessary repairs as soon as we could, for your benefit." His expression grew hesitant. "I trust we do right?"

Garia was overcome. "Master Brydas, you just carry on. It was not absolutely necessary to begin right now but since you have begun, you'd better finish what you started. Is there anything you cannot fix?"

"Furniture, milady, to begin with. We can find enough to seat you all for meals, but bedding and other fixtures must await the turn of the days. It takes time to make such items. Paint, also. You can see by looking along the street how much we lack paint, since we were not able to send to Tranidor to replenish our supplies."

Jaxen stepped forward. "Paint I can arrange, Master Smith. Tell me what you need and I'll bring back a wagon-load."

"My thanks to you, Wagonmaster. Milady, there is also the matter of plates, utensils and such for eating and drinking. Oh, and for cooking, of course. The kitchen has been empty these two years."

"We can use what we brought with us," Keren said. "But of course the establishment will need to be set up anew. Perhaps we can ask Mistress Yanda to advise us."

Jaxen grinned. "Suddenly I'm beginning to see why milady spoke of so many wagons. I will do what I can in Tranidor, perhaps while Master Bezan meets his contacts." He thought. "Master Smith, do you think the building is sound enough for us to move in immediately? While we can manage up the street the shelter of a building is always preferable to a night under canvas."

"I do not see why not, Wagonmaster. Certainly you may bring your wagons and beasts to the stables. There are only four of the ladies, is that not so? Therefore, you should be able to use the smaller rooms, the dormitory is not yet fit for use. The men's dormitory is already available, although, as I said, there are yet no beds."

Keren turned to Garia. "What do you think? I hadn't thought we could use the building this soon, but if we can..."

"We'll stay over here for the time being, I think," she said after a little thought. "But there's no reason why the others shouldn't move down from the camp site. The nights are not as warm as they once were and I noticed we had the odd rain shower last night. Jaxen, if you want to move, you have my permission."

"As you wish, milady."

Garia turned to Brydas. "One thing that is puzzling me. What is that pole for?"

Brydas looked surprised that she should ask. "Why, for your standard, milady! Do you not yet have one? It will identify the building as your residence while you are with us."

"Actually, I do have a standard. I'm not sure where it is, but we'll dig it out. Hmm. That gives me an idea. Master Brydas, can you arrange to gather all the townspeople together in front of the Ptuvil's Claw tomorrow morning? Maybe send out runners to the nearby farms? I won't want to keep everybody for very long but perhaps I should formally introduce myself to... all my people."

Garia wasn't sure she should have phrased it quite that way but Brydas smiled broadly.

"As you command, My Lady! It is fitting that the person who released us from this evil should be properly displayed to her people. I know there are many in the town who have heard about you but not yet seen you and such a gathering as you propose will satisfy many unanswered questions." He thought, then nodded to himself. "Milady, if all gather perhaps a bell before lunch, that will allow time for those farmers you mentioned to arrive, then to return home while it is yet daylight."

"Whatever works best, Master Brydas. You'll organize that?"

"Aye, milady." He looked at the group of people outside the inn door properly for the first time. "My apologies, Highness, Milady. Were you about some business?"

Keren answered. "We were, Master Brydas, until we were arrested by the sight of so many working on yonder building. All who came with our caravan are going to have a meeting up at the camp site. Can you find some reliable men to stand guard over the watch office while we are away?"

"Aye, Highness, that will be easy. If you will permit, I shall go and find those men to allow your own to accompany you."

Brydas bowed, turned and walked back to the inn, going in through the carriage arch. They heard some shouting, then four men came out and went along the sidewalk to take the place of Garia's and Keren's men. Now assembled, the whole party walked up the slope to the camp site, where Keren asked them to form a circle as they had done before.

"Milady Garia has reminded me of a useful habit the palace guard and her own men have gotten into. This is something that we do as soon as possible after every incident while the details are still fresh. You all know that every person sees something different than his fellows and so only by everyone describing their own part can the whole picture be seen and all lessons learned. We call this process 'debriefing'. I don't know if you of the wagons have a similar custom but I commend it to you. Now, we shall first speak of the fight yesterday because few who took part saw what most others did. I certainly didn't see much and I would welcome the tale of how the other men were dispatched. After that, we may describe what happened earlier this morning at the Ptuvil's Claw." He flushed. "My own actions were questionable and I would welcome the advice of those more experienced in such matters."

"Highness?"

Keren looked embarrassed. "You'll all hear later. First let us deal with yesterday's fight."

Each member of the caravan, including the women, then described one by one where they were and what they saw and did during the encounter. For Keren and Garia, since they were the only two who experienced personal combat, the assistance of a guardsman or armsman was used to demonstrate exactly what had happened. Most of Jaxen's men had heard rumors of what those two were capable of but hearing it described and seeing it demonstrated merely made them wonder if they had ever understood the young woman at all.

The only really interesting description, from Garia's point of view, came from Stott.

"I knew something was going on, but I was the wrong side of the wagons to see all that happened. I was riding beside the first wagon, on the left. I could see that man come to stand in front of the dranakh with a crossbow but that was all. As I was out of sight I thought it best to stay that way, until something started, if you know what I mean. I looked at all the buildings on my side but there wasn't nobody threatening that I could see.

"Then I heard D'Kenik call out in some funny language. I know he's foreign, I guessed it was his own tongue. Anyhow I heard milady answer! I didn't know she spoke that foreign talk and I couldn't hear that clearly from where I was, I just knew it was her voice. I turned round in the saddle to see what was happening and there was D'Janik giving everybody hand signals! So I thought, what could I do, and I thought about the man in the front with the crossbow. I quietly pulled my bow out and looped the string, at the same time guiding my beast with my knees and legs to where I could take aim.

"Milady, I never realized just how much control those new saddles give the rider! I could get right up close to the side of the front wagon without being seen, all without using the reins. Milady, I'll apologize now for what I said when you first came to learn about frayen. I didn't know you could do things like that! Anyhow, I set my arrow and pulled back but the dranakh was in the way. If I moved away from the wagon to get a clear sight he'd-a seen me so I didn't know what to do. Then the dranakh moved to one side to give me a clear aim. When I heard the sounds of fighting he looked up, I let fly and got him in the chest. Once things settled down I dismounted and went to make sure he was dead."

"A fine piece of work, Stott," Keren told him warmly. "You have earned your place in the guard with that arrow. You thought quickly and carefully in an unexpected situation, you have my thanks."

"Thank you, Highness."

"That dranakh," Garia mused. "Do you think that was coincidence, Stott?"

"Milady, after some of what I've seen recently I'm not making any guesses at all about what happened." He thought briefly. "I do wonder, it seemed to happen just when I needed it to."

"I have a theory," she said. "It's a pretty wild theory, even for me, and I'll say no more about it today. Perhaps we'd better move on. Anyone anything to add to what we've all said?"

They all talked over the action to the point of diminishing returns and then moved on to what happened in the Ptuvil's Claw. First Keren and then Garia led them through the search and the fight in the dormitory, with Brazan acting the part of Sethan. There was a certain muttering among the guardsmen about young Princes who went off without sufficient cover which resolved Keren to be more careful in the future. Once that had been settled talk moved on to Garia's plans.

"I probably won't want Jaxen to leave tomorrow or possibly even the following day. It depends on how fast Keren and I can write the letters we need. Personally I have to write the King, the Queen, Duke Gilbanar and Guildmasters Hurdin and Parrel and I'd like to write some others as well. That being the case Master Brydas the local smith has suggested the wagons and your effects move down to occupy the Ptuvil's Claw. There's very little furniture yet but at least it will be a roof over your heads and there's a sizeable kitchen and bath house out back. The stables look in good condition too so the beasts and wagons will be out of the weather.

"While I'm in Blackstone Keren and I will make the Ptuvil's Claw our base of operations although for a day or two we'll still sleep at the Bell Inn. Tomorrow morning I've asked for all the townspeople to gather outside the Claw a bell before lunch so I can properly introduce myself to them and tell them what I expect will happen here in the future. One thing I can say is that it isn't going to stay a sleepy end-of-nowhere town for very much longer. I'll have to decide what to do with those who aren't going to like the changes. I've explained what Masters Bezan and Yarling are going to be doing so I guess, Jaxen, it's time to pack up the -"

Garia's last words were cut off as a huge head thrust itself into the circle, scattering those nearest.

Beth. Now how do I know that?

"Beth," she said to the dranakh, startling the wagoneers. "We're about to pack up camp and move to a big building at the lower end of town. Will you call your friends? We'll be moving the wagons. There's a stable where you can have some shelter and somewhere dry to sleep."

The dranakh gave a single bleat, turned and ambled off into the scrub behind the buildings.

"Milady," Jaxen asked her, "is there something you know of dranakh that we do not?"

"Not really," she replied. "Just a hunch, is all."

"Right," Jaxen said, turning and clapping his hands. "Let's get this camp packed up for the move. Come on, all of you! As you're all here, you can all help."

Just as everything was secure the four dranakh reappeared and backed themselves between the wagon shafts. The wagoneers fixed the harness and the procession rattled down the street to their new home. Garia led the way through the carriage arch into the courtyard.

"Let me see this kitchen you spoke of," Sukhana said. "Is that it?"

She strode off and Garia turned to Merizel. "Oh, dear. If you can remember what happened in Dekarran I know what's coming. That place hasn't been touched for two years or so."

"Oh, really?" Merizel said. She smiled. "I know where the soap is," she said, looking back for the chuck wagon.

Sukhana came out of the kitchen and went straight into the bath house before emerging again and walking across the courtyard to join them.

"Huh! At least this time I can't blame the conditions on ignorant warehouse managers. Still, it don't look too bad, with a little cleaning up -" She stared at Garia. "I don't suppose you'll have time to help, will you? You did good the other time but you're going to be too busy."

"Ah, I'm sorry, Sookie. Like I said, I have letters to write. Merry has some too, so she won't be able to help either. Why don't you go and find Master Brydas? I think he's in the common room at the moment. The townspeople seem eager to help right now, you might get some assistance from them."

"As you say, milady. There's another thing. How am I supposed to cook? I can use our pots and such but there's no wood for the fire, just a few bundles of kindling."

"You'll use coal like everyone else does, Sookie. Master Brydas will show you how that works as well."

"That filthy black stuff? Don't seem natural. Very well, milady, where did you say this Brydas was?"

~o~O~o~

Keren joined Garia at the foot of the women's stair just before they retired for the night.

"I was wrong," she said immediately. "What I did this morning was stupid. I could have gotten you killed."

"But you didn't," he replied, "and for all the reasons you said then. I don't think either of us was in any real danger once you entered the room. And... I love you all the more for it."

"Oh, Keren, this is crazy. It's just as well we are too busy to think about... that because I think I'd just go mad. I know what I want and I know what you want and the whole world is conspiring to keep us apart. How fair is that?"

"But we're not apart, are we?" he said softly. "We're stuck together and somehow that makes it seem worse. You are right but I can see no answer to our problem."

She put her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. In the almost-darkness few could have made them out. At a respectful distance Jenet and Brazan stood, keeping watch on the pair but not interfering.

"I know what answer I'd like," she muttered.

"Tell me," he said, trying to change the subject, "what do you think of Blackstone now? It seems you have stolen their hearts as you have stolen those of the palace guard."

"It just gets worse and worse," she said. "It was hard enough to come to terms with having Jenet follow me everywhere but then there was Merizel and Bursila and now I have my own armsmen as well! I'm not sure I can cope with an entire town on top of that."

"Just think how I feel," he said. "In time I'll have a whole country to look after! It seems to me you adjust well to your new responsibilities. There are many who will not have started so well as you at such a task. You have the knack of command, milady."

"So you tell me. Well, I don't feel like I do. There's very little I feel certain about but one thing I am certain of is you."

She looked up at him and he naturally tilted his head down. Their lips met and they were once again lost. Eventually they broke apart.

"Oh, Keren. Whatever are we going to do?"