Questionable Queen: Misfit Monarchs, #2

Chapter I

Every author will tell you that while writing is a solitary profession, none of us can do it alone. I've been fortunate enough to be surrounded by people who indulge my love of all things whimsical and fantastical.

Of course, my first Thank You is to God for reminding me regularly that writing is what He's called me to do. I know there's a 2 x 4 in heaven with my name on it for when I'm not listening and am wallowing in self-doubt.

Thank you to the Rowdy Girls:  Wendy Russo and Josephine Templeton, both wonderful writers in their own rights. (Check them out!) Sometimes the only thing that gets me through the week is knowing the Thursday is coming!

To Leah Marie Brown, a dear friend, both in real life and online, thank you for always being there to pick me up with a virtual hug and real encouragement. You are MY It! Girl!

To Stephanie Taylor, you never let me forget that I made the right decision to go with Clean Reads, but more than that, I found a sister I never knew I had in you.

Thank you and all my love to my kids, Noah, Juliette, and the newest one, Andrew. You are the joys of my life, and you make me smile every day.

Last but Never, EVER least, thank you a bazillion times to the love of my life, Steven! Without your constant love and support (and threats of despair spirals), I wouldn't have this crazy, wonderful, hectic roller coaster life living in a fantasy world sending my words out there to see if anyone wants to read them. I love you with all that I am!

Last but not least, the cover art was composed with the following image:

Photo 78939809 © Akinshin | Dreamstime.com

Photo 157260306 / Castle © Nonneljohnvilbar | Dreamstime.com

Photo 96979491 © Bblood | Dreamstime.com

Chapter II

Prince Gideon, nephew of King Killian of Heyton, stepped into his parents' sitting room in the East Wing of the Sapphire Palace. All four walls were painted a rich emerald, accented in a white so stark as to be almost blinding even in the wan early morning light. The wall opposite the door held an immense painting of a group picnicking in an apple orchard, surrounded by lush strawberry plants.

Memories of his fraternal grandmother spending hours sitting under this painting, looking at it silently, filled Gideon. Not all memories, he knew, were from his own remembrances. He had never seen Lady Millicent sleeping on the sofa under the painting, her head on a pillow made of his mother's gray velvet draperies.

This particular memory was strong and happy, and it had a rosewater aftertaste. That meant it belonged to Harriet, his twin sister.

Other memories filled this room, but Gideon had learned how to feel them and set them aside as a kind of background noise, as he was able to do in most of the palace. As the only one of the royal family who was able to feel emotional memories, he'd learned early in his life that no one wanted to be reminded of things that had happened in any given room. He kept what he felt to himself most of the time.

Duke Thomas, Gideon's father, sat on a black sofa, his rich brown hair falling over his forehead as he bent over a worn book. The family pet, a large blue kikserine, was curled up next to him. The animal resembled her ferocious ancestors, but Hex was more house cat than wild predator. Generations of magical breeding had taken nearly all the fight out of her.

Gideon took a step closer to the sofa, and his father looked up the instant the younger man's cane hit the floor.

Son. Duke Thomas smiled. Is that the report? He stood, reaching for the parchment in his son's hands.

It is. I did it. Gideon sat down on the other side of Hex and stroked the cat's soft pastel blue fur. Master Cutonus Falco said if I can be back at the university by the beginning of the winter term, he'll take me on as an assistant to the junior professor of Theoretical Magical Experimentation.

Theoretical Magical Experimentation? His father grinned and raised an eyebrow. Isn't that a bit contradictory? He returned to his seat.

Gideon sighed. No one else in his family had ever attended a university. They couldn't possibly be expected to understand how detailed the courses were. We can't allow people to experiment with magic without understanding the possible consequences. This was one of my favorite courses there. I took levels one through six in the five years I was there.

Duke Thomas shook his head. It's amazing you understand it all. It's far above me. He slapped his hand on his knee. It's wonderful, Gid. I'm so proud. I'm sure your mother and sister will be. You haven't told them yet, have you?

Gideon shook his head. I wanted to tell you first. Mother has always been...

I know, Son. Duke Thomas folded the parchment and handed it back. She worries about you. I think she still feels...responsible for...everything.

With a frustrated sigh, Gideon stood and limped to the huge bay window that looked out over the East Gardens that held the royal strawberry fields. How can she blame herself for a birth defect? It's not rational.

She's a woman, Gideon, and a mother. You can't expect her to be rational about something like this. His father came to stand next to him. With a hand on his shoulder, Duke Thomas said, She would never say this out loud, but you are her favorite.

Father. Gideon faced the older man. That's not true. She loves Harriet as much as she loves me.

The older man sighed. Of course she does. All parents love their children equally, but in different ways. When you were a baby, she sat by your bedside for days on end, afraid you would die. That affects a person's heart, son. She will always worry about you.

Gideon knew his father was right. He was twenty-seven years old, and for his whole life, his mother had hovered around him like a kikserine mother with her kits. The only reason he had been able to attend the King Breccan the Fourth University at all was because his father's cousin Caspian was a Professor of Lower Sensitivities there.

I'm not a child, Father. Before Harriet got married, Mother let her move into a house in the city with her friends. I couldn't even have one roommate at Breccan.

Let's not get into that whirlpool again, shall we? Your mother is your mother, and she worries. That hasn't changed in twenty-seven years, and I doubt if it will any time soon. How about we have a family dinner here in the apartment? Harriet has been looking forward to seeing you.

Won't we have to eat with the King? I probably should tell him about the report. I'll need to make arrangements if I'm going to go back before the winter term.

"That's not for several months. You can take one night to have dinner with just your family before we let the rest of the palace in on the secret.

This is a proud moment for our family. The first member of the royal family to attend a university and the first one to graduate. He embraced his son, and Gideon felt his frustration and bitterness subside.

His father could always make him feel calmer and more relaxed, no matter what brought him to this place.

All his classes and intense study told him that this was a result of his father's Water Sensitivity. Most people with this Ability could feel emotions in a general, big-picture kind of way, but his father was unusual because he could even out emotions in other people. Smooth off the tops of emotional spikes, so to speak. Thanks, Father. Gideon pulled out of the embrace. I appreciate it.

Thomas searched Gideon's face. You weren't...bothered while in school, were you?

Gideon laughed. Quite the opposite. I was treated just like any other student. I was expected to find my way around the campus and figure out how to get where I needed to be.

Now his father scowled. You had to walk up stairs without help?

Of course. It was actually quite refreshing to not have anyone treat me like an invalid.

And you didn't have any trouble?

Of course I did at first, but eventually I figured out which classes were the most difficult to get to and how long it took me to get there. By the time I finished all my requirements, I could get around as easily as anyone else.

Before his father could say anything more, someone knocked on the library door. Duke Thomas glanced at his son, then called, Come in.

A young man wearing the livery of King Killian, a dark blue and silver gray tabard over a pair of short black trousers, stood in the doorway. Prince Gideon, King Killian requests your presence in the Blue Drawing room in the Royal apartments. Without waiting for a response, the man bowed and left.

Gideon sighed. I wonder what this is about.

Do you want me to go with you? Josiah is bound to be there.

No. I'm not afraid of Uncle Killian, and I'm certainly not afraid of his shadow. Gideon patted his father's shoulder and left the library.

ONE DIDN'T IGNORE A summons from the King, as much as Gideon wanted to use his pain as an excuse.

The King's Blue Drawing room was on the same floor of the extensive Sapphire palace as Gideon's family's apartment, though on the other side. The two residences were far apart, and Gideon's left leg hurt.

The carriage ride from the school had been a long one last night. Most reasonable people would take two days to travel that distance, and a brisk trade in lodgings had sprung up along the King's Road to serve travelers.

However, Gideon had been eager to get home and had insisted his driver only stop the carriage long enough for meals and to change horses. Sleeping in the carriage wasn't one of the brightest ideas he'd ever had, given the stiffness of his hip and knees now.

After five years at the university, where no one paid any attention to his family connections or his disability, the last thing he wanted was to be the center of attention at an inn or tavern along the King's Road.

His companions hadn't been thrilled with his decisions, but now they were sleeping comfortably in their own beds.

Gideon wished he could be in his own room as well, but he felt he owed this to Uncle Killian. Five months ago, when Uncle Killian was crowned King, Gideon had been in the middle of exams, and while the university would have been thrilled to make accommodations for the King's nephew, Gideon had chosen not to press the issue.

Life in the Sapphire Palace had never been easy for him. Given his inability to sit on a horse, participation in hunts became impossible. The birth complications that had given him a deformed leg also did the same to his arm, so he couldn't hold a sword or bow.

At least, no one had been able to teach him those skills as a child or adolescent.

This wouldn't be the first time since the coronation that Gideon had seen his uncle, but this was the first time he'd been officially summoned, and he felt he owed his uncle some sign of respect now that he was King.

Gideon's leg was throbbing by the time he arrived at the King's residence, but it was the kind of pain he'd lived with his whole life, so he ignored it. The door to the King's Blue Drawing Room stood open, indicating he was expected.

The Drawing Room was much larger than the sitting room in his parents' apartment, but the style was similar. Here the walls were a deep blue color and all seven paintings on display were of Queen Verity and King Lucius, Gideon's grandparents.

King Killian stood behind a large desk made of a light colored wood. Gideon braced himself for the onslaught of emotions that always filled this room, regardless of who wore the crown.

The King's face showed more age than the last time Gideon had seen him. Silver peeked through the otherwise chocolate brown hair, and there were lines around his eyes Gideon hadn't seen before.

Still, the man was an imposing figure. Raised knowing he would be King one day, he carried himself with a confidence that was apparent even with Gideon's Ability muted.

Josiah and Damien, Gideon's only male cousins, were also watching. Josiah was, officially, Exarch of the Realm, Killian's heir, and he rolled his eyes when he saw Gideon.

With a sneer, he said, It's about time you arrived. Some of us have better things to do than wait on you.

Like what? Damien said. I'm sure the kingdom can survive a few hours without you glowering at the people.

Knight Prince Damien was Josiah's younger brother, and his presence here surprised Gideon. While Josiah stayed as close to the throne and the King as he could, Damien went out of his way to find reasons to be away from the palace.

He had been raised as a backup heir to the throne. His mother hadn't paid him the same attention, nor made him attend the King's meetings and audiences from the time he was about ten years old.

Because he was given a freedom Josiah never had, Damien had grown up less concerned with protocol and warfare. Instead, he'd turned his attention to women and drink.

Gideon bit the inside of his cheek and forced himself to limp as little as possible. He couldn't afford to show any weakness, at least no more than what he'd shown them his whole life.

Since childhood, these two had let him know his deformities made him unfit to be with them, especially when they went out to learn to hunt and ride.

Few people in the palace considered intellectual pursuits appropriate for a Prince of Heyton, a kingdom that prided itself on military might. Even now, he knew he was being judged as inferior.

Gideon, my boy, King Killian said, smiling and motioning for him to come into the room. We're glad you're here.

As he looked from his uncle to his cousins and back, Gideon felt like a timid winter cuscus approaching a possible trap.

The small, nocturnal animals had good eyesight but their other senses were lacking to the point where they had no visible ears. Whenever they came upon an unknown object, they let out a high-pitched squeal that impaired the hearing of most predators.

Gideon wondered, like the cuscus, if he was walking into a trap but, unfortunately, he had no polite way of fending off his enemies.

The last time a monarch had sent for him without his parents was when he was fourteen and had been caught kissing one of the kitchen wenches in the throne room twenty minutes before the Queen was to receive a delegation from some faraway country.

Grandmother Verity was not pleased, and Gideon hadn't been allowed to attend the subsequent dinner.

Remembering the pretty girl, who'd been fired without notice, and how she seemed to think he was as capable of some things as any other man, Gideon couldn't hold back a small smile. Josiah's eyes narrowed. Something funny, Gideon?

Perhaps he's just happy to be back in the bosom of his family. Damien leaned against the wall by a window, his arms crossed over his chest as he pretended to study the toes of his boots.

Gideon bowed to the King, ignoring his cousins. You sent for me, Your Majesty?

Please, Gid. It's just family here. Come in and close the door.

Gideon did as he was told, stifling the urge to wince every time he put weight on his left leg.

The limp must have been more noticeable than he realized because his uncle waved toward one of the blue velvet chairs in front of the desk. Please sit. Oh, of course, you too, Josiah. Damien.

Sitting in the presence the King of Heyton was against protocol. Queen Verity never even allowed her grandchildren above the age of five years to do so. Gideon had always hated spending too much time with her because of this.

Josiah's jaw clenched as he moved around the desk to a chair. Resentment and annoyance poured off him like water over rocks, in such force that Gideon was glad his Ability was muted. The Exarch believed Gideon got preferential treatment because of his disabilities, and Gideon was tired of feeling his cousin's anger.

Uncle Killian was trying to be kind, but allowing Gideon to sit made his physical challenges more obvious. After spending five years at the University, where no one treated him any differently, he wished he could stand tall and refuse the chair.

However, he wasn't stupid enough to cause himself more pain and give Josiah something else to sneer about. He sat.

We have been meeting with a delegation from Valborough, the King said, and we believe it's time to put some of the unfortunate incidents of the past behind us. He reached for a fresh strawberry from the bowl that always sat on the desk.

The Council of Ministers believes this, Josiah said. The new Valborough Queen is a Chaos Sensitive, and those querulous old men want to roll over and show her our underbelly.

That's not precisely the case, Killian said, but it would be sensible for us to make peace with our neighbors.

Make peace? Gideon asked, scowling. So, we're just ignoring how they burned the entire village of Clearlea, killing women and children?

Damien chuckled from the other side of the room. Explain that one, Josie.

Josiah glared at Damien. I don't need to explain anything, brother. I am the Exarch, charged with commanding the King's forces.

He turned to Gideon. Hostilities with Valborough are over, Gideon. Clearlea was but one battle. Heyton won the war. However, I don't expect a scholar to understand how warfare and negotiation works.

Gideon shifted in his seat to look at his cousin. Then explain it to me, and be sure to speak slowly. Otherwise, I might be too stupid to follow you. After all, we all know the size of your... He grinned. ...sword is directly proportional to the size of your brain.

I suppose that would mean something if you had ever touched a sword, Josiah snapped back.

Gideon couldn't stop the chuckle that burst out of him. I can assure you I have no interest in touching those kinds of swords.

Of course not. Josiah sneered. You're a cripple and a coward.

Gideon shook his head as Damien joined in the laughter. Once again, you missed the joke, brother.

Boys, the King said. There's no need for this. We have more important things to talk about.

He still held the small red fruit in his fingers, rolling it around as he spoke. Gideon's eyes followed the almost hypnotic movement. Josiah, your cousin is attending the University, so let's give him credit for being intelligent enough to understand the ways of the world.

Gideon snapped his gaze back to his uncle's face. Did no one outside of his immediate family pay attention to him at all? I'm finished at the university, Your Majesty.

Oh, Gideon. I knew you arrived home last night. We had hoped you'd be able to see this through. A university degree would have been a selling point to any of our allies. King Killian took a bite of strawberry, ignoring the juice that burst out and splattered on the desktop.

As though I were a prized bull to be sold. Gideon sighed. I did see it through. I received the official rank of Third Degree Elite Sensitive. I have also been offered a junior professorship, starting in a few months.

A few months? Josiah said, scowling. That's impossible. He faced the King. That won't be enough time. You'll have to send someone else. Damien can go.

I've already offered, his brother said. I'm more than happy to step in for Uncle Killian.

Not enough time for what? Go where? Gideon glanced from one man to the other. What are you talking about?

The King took a deep breath and threw the remains of his strawberry in a small barrel next to the desk. He brushed his hands together and said, First of all, let us congratulate you on finishing your studies. We're quite proud of what you've accomplished. As you know, we've told your mother we always knew you'd be able to do great things.

Thank you, sire. Gideon forced himself to smile. No doubt Killian believed what he said, but Gideon knew, in reality, few people in the Palace thought he'd turn out to be anything more than a simpering courtier in the employ of some minor Princeling somewhere, shuffling papers back and forth on a desk.

His grandmother had told his parents it was foolish to send him to the university because, as she said, Noble women want a charming husband if they can't have a warrior. No one wants to marry a boring scholar who spends his time thinking about lofty ideas instead of about her.

King Killian spoke again, bringing Gideon's attention back to the present. Your cousin is correct about one thing. Diplomacy and warcraft are complicated things, but for the good of our kingdom, we believe it is time to put the past aside. We want you to accompany the delegation when they return to Valborough.

To what purpose? Why him? He had no real authority.

As Josiah pointed out, the King said. King Jonathan is no longer in power. His daughter, Mariana, has taken the throne. She is, indeed, a Chaos Sensitive.

Gideon watched his uncle's face and saw a sheen of sweat on the older man's forehead. Given the room was cool and damp from the stone walls and high water table in this region, there was no reason for Killian to be overheated.

The King was nervous, which Gideon could tell even without his Ability.

Uncle Killian was afraid he wasn't strong enough to deal with Queen Mariana.

A Chaos Sensitive, Gideon said, nodding in understanding. You want an alliance with Valborough because she could be a dangerous enemy.

The calm, pleasant expression on the King's face faltered for just a moment. Then he took a deep breath and smiled again, but tight lines formed around his eyes.

It is always better to befriend your neighbors, King Killian said. The war has been over for five years. It is long past time we were allies.

This is all commendable, Gideon said, noting how his uncle was careful not to disparage his mother's reign, but I don't see what it has to do with me. I am not a diplomat, and, as Josiah has pointed out so eloquently, I'm not a warrior.

He shrugged. Send the Valborough delegation back with a treaty, and let me go back to the university.

It's not quite as simple as that. Killian stood and turned his back on his nephews, pretending to study the shelves of books that were, as far as Gideon knew, more for decoration than reading. There's more to this than just a peace and trade treaty. Something that needs to be handled with delicacy.

Which is? Gideon glanced at Josiah, who was annoyed about whatever Killian was talking about. His brow was so furrowed, Gideon wondered if it pained him.

Well. To his surprise, Uncle Killian was blushing when he faced the young men again. Obviously, there's something missing from our kingdom and our palace.

Something missing? Gideon frowned, thinking. The place seemed just as crowded as ever, not just with his extended family, but with all the young nobles who used the palace as a marriage market and the older men who wanted to be included in the King's innermost circle of advisors.

He means a Queen. He's planning to marry Princess Ursula of Valborough, Damien said, and Gideon understood Josiah's sour expression. If Uncle Killian married again and had a son, Josiah would lose his title as Exarch, which would go to the new heir.

Suddenly, Gideon wanted to laugh. When they'd been boys in the schoolroom together, Josiah made it clear he was not only the oldest of the boys but one day he might be King. This fact kept the tutors from scolding him on more than one occasion.

Now, with just a word from a Princess in Valborough, all of that status was in danger of being dissolved, like sugar in water.

I think it's wonderful you want to marry again, Uncle, Gideon said, but why do I have to be the one to go? Wouldn't it be better if you presented your suit to the woman in question yourself?

Until this treaty is finalized and signed, our life could be forfeit should we cross the border.

Fine, Gideon said. Send Josiah. He's to be your heir, isn't he? At least for now. It would show them how seriously you take this proposal.

I can't go to Valborough, Josiah snapped. The Anamii are coming onto our shores and raiding the fishing villages. We've had reports of four boats being vandalized in the last month. I'm taking a company of soldiers to see if we can put an end to this unrest.

And, that's not all, the King said. If the Queen of Valborough and the Princess agree to this marriage, it would have to take place as quickly as possible. Until the kingdoms are united, it could be dangerous for her to travel here as well. Josiah is, well, there are those who would be happy to destroy any peace between our two nations. If they were to kill the Exarch... The King's voice trailed off.

I understand. Gideon sighed. Then what about Damien? Couldn't he go to Valborough and bring your bride? As brother of the Exarch, he would have more authority than I do.

King Killian smirked. Damien is an attractive young man and has a way with the ladies. It wouldn't do to have the Princess fall in love with the Proxy Groom instead of me. He blushed again.

Proxy Groom. Gideon stared at his uncle. You're asking me to stand in for you at a proxy wedding?

Of course. Didn't I make that clear?

No. No, you didn't. Gideon struggled to his feet. You want me to go because you don't think I'm attractive enough to get her attention. You aren't worried I'll run off with the Princess myself.

Think of it like this, Gideon. Now the King stood. It's not that I don't think you could be attractive to a woman. It's that I trust you not to try to steal her away.

I see. What Gideon saw was that the King was, once again, saying the opposite of what he meant. He didn't think any woman would want to be with a Prince who had no chance of inheriting the throne or even being a Knight when she could marry a King.

He dropped his eyes to study his shoes as thoughts whirled through his head. Suddenly, Uncle Killian clapped a hand on his shoulder.

I'm trusting you to bring my bride and our future Queen home. This is an honor, Gid. This isn't a task we can give just anyone, family or no. Our representative has to be someone we can trust to handle this mission with the delicacy it deserves. We can't afford to offend someone who could become a dangerous enemy. When you return with Princess Ursula, an estate and the title Duke of the Lakes will be yours.

Duke of the Lakes? Josiah asked. But that was to have been... His voice trailed off, probably because he realized how it sounded.

Uncle Killian scowled at him. My titles are mine to give as I see fit, Josiah. You don't have to be in such a hurry to inherit everything that is mine. I have given you three of my titles and lands from my mother's family. Even should I have a son with the Princess, they are yours. Be careful that you and your mother don't put me in the ground too soon.

Of course, Your Majesty. Josiah bowed but he glared at Gideon.

Killian spoke. Do this for me, Gid. I need you.

In spite of his annoyance at being seen as less than the others once again, Gideon heard sincerity in his uncle's voice. There was no substantial reason for him to refuse to do this for his uncle and his King.

If he were successful, never again would his cousins be able to say he wasn't good enough or not a man. He'd hoped his university degree would bring the respect he so desired, but clearly, that was not going to happen. At least, he would have his own estate he could escape to when he wasn't at the university.

One more thing, Gideon. His uncle drew his attention and gaze back to himself. Your ability to communicate through water will mean you can keep us apprised of every part of the discussions.

And there it was. Gideon's hope disappeared. He hadn't been chosen because he could be trusted or because his wisdom and knowledge were respected. A parlor trick had been the deciding factor.

He took a deep breath. What could he do?

I'll go to Valborough, I'll do the best I can for Heyton, but I still plan to leave before the winter term to teach at the university.

We have every faith in you, the King said, and Gideon left the Drawing Room.

Chapter III

O h, Princess Ursula said as the building came into view around the corner, the royal carpenters did an excellent job fixing up the barn. It looks like a proper school.

The structure, which a few weeks before had been on the verge of collapse, now looked as though it was brand new. Metal Sensitives had reinforced the rafters, and Flora Sensitives had rejuvenated the wood to repair the rotting timbers.

A fresh coat of white paint made the new school practically sparkle in the early autumn sunlight.

However, it didn't matter how many Sensitives had worked on the school nor how pretty it was when they were finished. What mattered was what went on inside the building.

While the whole kingdom had suffered during the war with Heyton which ended five years ago, this place, Aebrishire, being the closest city to the palace, had lost more men to Heyton's prisons than any other village or city in Valborough. Men who had never come home and whose fates, in most cases, were unknown.

This school was Ursula's way of helping the families. She couldn't bring the men home, but she could provide an education for their children, and that would improve their lives.

Her companion, Traren of Talla, First Advisor to Grand Prince Orlando, spoke. I understand the Earth Sensitives helped with stabilizing the foundation. It had extensive damage.

The Princess scowled and turned to him. I wasn't aware of damage. She inspected the school.

Why hadn't anyone told her about this? She couldn't expect the people to send their children to a school that could collapse. Hadn't they lost enough?

The Sensitives didn't know about it until the men started work, Traren said. Don't worry, Highness. Everything's fine now.

I hope so. I want everything to be perfect. These children need something good in their lives.

Traren put his hand on hers. Let's hope they see it that way.

She ignored his touch, even though she could feel his warmth through her glove. It was an improper action on his part. She was the Royal Princess, heir to the throne, at least until her sister gave birth. No one was allowed to touch her without her permission.

What do you mean? she asked. Why wouldn't they see it as a good thing?

Her heart began to pound. This was what she'd worked toward for the last six months. It had to go well, because she had no other ideas to help the prisoners' families.

Before Traren could respond, the large brass bell hanging near the front door began to ring. Ursula saw Lady Elodie, the minor noblewoman she'd hired as the schoolteacher, pulling on the rope.

Elodie was Ursula's mother's age, with brown hair that was beginning to turn gray and eyes so dark they were nearly black. Her short stature showed she enjoyed cooking and eating.

The woman had never had any children of her own, but all her neighbors in the village outside the palace told Ursula every child who knew her accepted Elodie as a faux grandmother.

As she rang the bell now, a small crowd of children rushed toward the building. Most were dressed in ragged but clean clothing, probably the only ones they owned.

One boy with red hair and freckles wore a shirt that might have belonged to an older brother or perhaps his father. The sleeves were rolled up past his wrists, but his hands still were lost in the folds of fabric. His pant legs were also rolled up, but the bottoms still dragged in the mud.

Ursula watched him, wondering which of his male relatives was still in a Heyton prison. Whoever it was, would he be surprised at how much time the little boy had taken with his hair?

It was wet and combed with a part on the side. Did this child have occasion to spare so much attention to his appearance or was this unusual?

Ursula