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s that people call it； upon the demise of her father。 Thus her marriage to Verity ensured not only that we had an ally at our back during those unstable years； but also promised the eventual joining of a 〃seventh duchy〃 to the Kingdom of the Six Duchies。 That the Mountain Kingdom bordered only on the two Inland Duchies of Tilth and Farrow made the prospect of any civil sundering of the Six Duchies of especial concern to Kettricken。 She had been raised to be 〃Sacrifice。 Her duty to her folk was of supreme importance in her life。 When she became Verity's queen…in…waiting； the Six Duchies folk became her own。 But it could never have been far from her heart that on her father's death； her Mountain folk would once more claim her as 〃Sacrifice〃 as well。 How could she fulfill that obligation if Farrow and Tilth stood between her and her folk； not as part of the Six Duchies； but as a hostile nation？
A thick storm set in the next day。 It was a mixed blessing。 No one need fear Raiders anywhere along the coast on a day like that； but it also kept a restless and disparate group of soldiers penned up together。 Up in the Keep itself； Bearns was as visible as Regal was not。 Whenever I ventured into the Great Hall； Duke Brawndy was there； pacing restlessly or staring coldly into one of the blazing hearths。 His daughters flanked him like guardian snowcats。 Celerity and Faith were young yet； and their impatience and anger showed more plainly on their faces。 Brawndy had requested an official audience with the King。 The longer he was kept waiting； the greater the implied insult。 It denied the importance of what had brought him here。 And the Duke's continued presence in our Great Hall was a plain announcement to his followers that； as yet； the King had not consented to see him。 I watched that kettle ing to a slow boil and wondered who would be scalded worst when it spilled over。
I was making my fourth cautious survey of the room when Kettricken appeared。 She was dressed simply； a long straight robe of purple with an overwrap of soft white with voluminous sleeves that overhung her hands。 Her hair was long and loose on her shoulders。 She came in with her usual lack of ceremony； preceded only by Rosemary； her little maid； and acpanied only by Lady Modesty and Lady Hopeful。 Even now that she had bee a bit more popular with the ladies； she did not forget that these two had followed her first； when she was alone； and she often honored them by making them her panions。 I do not believe Duke Brawndy recognized his queen…in…waiting as the simply clad woman who approached him directly。
She smiled and took his hand in greeting。 It was a simple Mountain way of recognizing one's friends。 I doubt she realized how she honored him； or how much that simple gesture did to assuage his hours of waiting。 Only I saw the weariness in her face； I am sure； or the new circles under her eyes。 Faith and Celerity were immediately charmed by this attention to their father。 Kettricken's clear voice carried throughout the Great Hall； so those at any hearth who wished to hear undoubtedly did。 As she had intended。
〃I have called on our king twice this morning。 I regret that he has been 。。。 ill both times。 I hope you have not found this waiting fretful。 I know you will want to speak directly to the King about your tragedy and all that must be done to help our folk。 But； for now； while he rests； I thought perhaps you might wish to join me for some refreshment。〃
〃That would be wele； lady queen；〃 Bearns replied cautiously。 Already she had done much to soothe his rumpled feathers。 But Brawndy was not one to be too easily charmed。
〃I am pleased；〃 Kettricken replied。 She turned and stooped slightly to whisper to Rosemary。 The little maid gave a quick nod and turned and fled like a rabbit。 All marked her exit。 In but moments she was back； this time at the head of a procession of serving folk。 A table was claimed and moved down before the Great Hearth。 A snowy cloth was spread； and then one of Kettricken's bowl gardens set to grace the center of it。 A parade of kitchen folk trooped past； each to deposit platters； or cups of wine or sweetmeats or late…fall apples in a wooden bowl。 So wonderfully was it orchestrated that it seemed almost magical。 In moments the table was set； the guests were seated； and Mellow appeared with his lute； already singing as he entered the Great Hall。 Kettricken beckoned her ladies to join them； and then espying me as well； summoned me with a nod。 She chose others from the other hearths at random； not by their nobility or wealth； but folk I knew she considered interesting。 Fletch with his hunting stories； and Shells； a friendly girl of an age with Brawndy's daughters were among those summoned。 Kettricken seated herself at Brawndy's right hand； and again I do not think she realized all the honor she did him to arrange it so。
When some bit of food and talk had been enjoyed； she signaled Mellow to soften his strumming。 She turned to Brawndy and said simply； 〃We have heard only the bare bones of your news。 Will you share with us what has befallen Ferry？〃
He hesitated briefly。 He had brought his plaint for the King to hear and act on。 But how could he refuse a Queen…in…Waiting who had treated him so graciously？ He lowered his eyes a moment； and when he spoke； his voice was husky with unfeigned emotion。 〃My lady queen； we have taken grievous hurt；〃 he began。 Every voice at the table was quickly stilled。 All eyes turned to him。 I perceived that all of those chosen by the Queen were attentive listeners as well。 From the time he launched into his tale； there was not a sound at the table； save soft exclamations of sympathy or mutters of anger at what the Raiders had done。 He paused once in his tale； then visibly made a decision； and went on to tell how they had sent forth their summons for aid； and waited in vain for any response。 The Queen heard him out； with no objections or denials。 When his tale of woe was done； his burden had visibly lifted simply in the telling of it。 For a few long moments all were silent。
〃Much of what you tell me is new to my ears；〃 Kettricken said quietly at last。 〃And none of it is good。 I do not know what our king will say of all this。 You will have to wait for him to hear his words。 But for myself； for now； I will say that my heart is full of grief for my people。 And anger。 I promise you that； for myself； these wrongs shall not go unredressed。 Nor shall my folk be left shelterless in winter's bite。〃
Duke Brawndy of Bearns looked down at his plate and toyed with the edge of the tablecloth。 He looked up； and there was fire in his eyes； but also regret。 When he spoke； his voice was firm。 〃Words。 These are but words； my lady queen。 The folk of Ferry cannot eat words； nor shelter beneath them at nightfall。〃
Kettricken met his eyes squarely。 Something seemed to tighten inside her。 〃Well do I know the truth of what you say。 But words are all I have to offer you just now。 When the King is well enough to see you； we shall see what can be done for Ferry。〃
Brawndy leaned toward her。 〃I have questions； my queen。 My need for answers is almost as great as my need for money and men。 Why did our summons for help go unheeded？ Why did the ship that should have e to our aid instead set sail for home port？〃
Kettricken's voice trembled very slightly。 〃To these questions； I have no answers； sir。 And that is a shameful thing for me to admit。 No word of your situation reached my ears until your young messenger arrived on horseback。〃
Strong misgivings arose in me as she spoke。 Should the Queen have admitted these things to Brawndy？ Perhaps not； for the sake of political wisdom。 But Kettricken； I knew； served truth before politics。 Brawndy looked long into her face； and the lines around his mouth deepened。 Boldly； he asked； but softly； 〃Are not you queen…in…waiting？〃
Kettricken's eyes went sword gray as she met his gaze。 〃I am。 Do you ask me if I lie to you？〃
It was Brawndy's turn to look aside。 〃No。 No； my queen； that thought was never in my mind。〃
The silence stretched overlong。 I do not know if there was some subtle signal from Kettr