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.“Some friends were visiting, and I went along.I’m sorry, Lord.Should I have informed you?”“Tell me what you saw there.”“What I saw-? I don’t understand.We saw the estate and the mines.Governor Igraine’s-”“Do not test my patience!” Teragrym snapped.“I believe you know what I mean.What did you see of Igraine’s behavior? Was there anything you would deem treasonous?” He hesitated, drawing that last word out, almost as if he expected to trap her.“Treason-” The word choked her, got lost in the quickening of her breath.“My lord, I…” An image of Igraine flashed through her mind, of him in the darkness saying, “Perhaps someday you will be in a position to benefit me.” But if she lied to Teragrym and was discovered… “I-”“Did you or did you not discern any treasonous activity?”“My lord, forgive me.You’ve startled me with so strong a word.We saw… I saw Igraine and his holdings.And I met his family.And he showed us his new methods for increasing production among his slaves.”“And did these methods strike you as treasonous?”She made her choice.Her allegiance had to go to Igraine.She took a deep breath.“No.” The word was out of her mouth before she realized it, irretrievable.Teragrym nodded, his expression unreadable.“Lord, about the test.I have something for your consideration.”“Test?”“You said if I could prove myself worthy, you would consider taking me into your household.”“I could not possibly concern myself with that now.” Teragrym stood.“I’m sure you understand.I have simply too much to attend to, with all this going on about Igraine.”“Going on?” She looked at him, stunned, disbelieving.Not interested in the test? How could he say he was not interested?“Yes.Igraine has been charged with treason and heresy.An envoy and guards have been sent to arrest him and bring him before the council.But surely everything will turn out fine, since you’ve been to his estate and seen nothing extraordinary.”* * * * *“Captain.” The envoy of the Ruling Council stood on the slope behind the tree cover, but where he could see Khalever, the estate of the governor of Khal-Theraxian.A blanket was draped over his uniform to keep out the dewy chill of the morning.Not many weeks to go and fall would turn to winter.Already some of the higher mountain passes were impassable.Even at this lower altitude, the mornings and the evenings had grown cold.There were five guards accompanying him, one from each council member, just enough for protection from the dangers of the trail.Even those five had been hotly debated among the council, with Enna arguing that they could simply send a summons to Igraine.In the end, Narran’s report had swayed them.The envoy was glad for the protection.The captain of the guards strode over to him, carrying two cups of steaming tea.She needed no blanket, for the guards had winter uniforms with heavy cloaks.He accepted the tea gratefully and wrapped his cold fingers around the metal cup before sipping.“I think it would be better if you remained out of sight and allowed me to go in alone.After all, Igraine is the governor.We should allow him the dignity of obeying without coercion.”The captain, a female Ogre who was half a hand taller than the envoy, shrugged.“This is your mission.” She said it as if she didn’t envy him a bit.She took the cup back and walked with the envoy to his horse, then stood watching as he rode away into the woods.The sun was visible on the horizon when she spotted him emerging from the woods and heading toward the long drive that led to Igraine’s home.She went back to her troops, to check that they were faring well after another hard night on the trail.Like her, they were unaccustomed to nights spent in the wild, in the cold, but she was proud of the way they had adapted.It was late afternoon when one of the sentries came running to her and announced that he had seen the envoy returning along the same road from the house.“Was Igraine with him?” she asked
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