“I mean, I guess it’s better than a stick in the eye,” Rixie said, “but it’s not exactly ‘welcome home.’” “No, it’s not,” Pryvani said. “But the good news is that they want to talk to you, if they figure out how to do it without shattering a few families in the process.” “Would it …

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Forty-four Imperial years before, Kullervo had awoken in an unfamiliar room in the Palace of the Three Shaars. It was, like all bedrooms in the palace, luxurious. But it was less luxurious than his bedroom here; it was a simple guest room, not a room for a member of the House of Throden. He had …

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Two days later, Pryvani was ushered into the Col I Retiring Room in the Palace of the Rising Sun. She was grateful that Tiernan had not redirected her to his office; her message had been terse, but clear in what she needed to discuss. She was not risking their friendship to ask; she knew Tiernan …

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“If I didn’t know better, I would think you were frustrated,” Pryvani said, settling a cup of techou on Rixie’s desk. “Anything I should be concerned about?” “Sorry, boss, no…it’s a personal thing. The issue on Shelius is handled.” “Glad to hear it, and unsurprised. I’ll ask about it later, but what is this personal …

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