Shady

Rana snorted. “I don’t have syphilis.” Though it was hard to say what diseases her suitors might have. So who knew, maybe that was just as risky as the military.

Rana smiled a little. Then sobered again. “…I think I may die soon.”

Rana glanced at them, then away. She didn’t agree. But no point in saying that. “…I’m glad you didn’t.”

“…probably Ash and Loquitur, if I had to speculate,” she said thoughtfully. “The general told him that was the best option and he said he wanted to keep his options ...

“He doesn’t tell me things.” She shrugged, glancing away. “You’d probably have better luck asking Lia.”

“I suppose we will.” Rana nodded. Depending on how things went. She may be dead in a few months. She didn’t know what Father’s timeline was.

Rana nodded. Then, “…is she backing anyone in the North?”

Rana nodded with a little sigh. “That makes sense.” It was beyond her why anyone thought her father was a good addition to those seven, though.

Rana nodded. “I don’t see why we need to visit him to know that? That seems like common knowledge. Couldn’t we just visit Ash and Loquitur and offer allyship and ...

Rana nodded, glad to hear that, though her demeanor didn’t brighten any. “That’s good… I’m more worried about Tarr. He sounds awful.”

“That’s good.” Rana relaxed a little… unlike her own father. She got somber at the thought. Loquitur would treat a slave girl better than father treated his own flesh and ...

Rana nodded. “…so you don’t think he adopted her just to use her? Since slavery isn’t legal in his fiefdom?” Gods, she hoped not.

“Oh?” Rana considered it for a moment, an uneasy feeling in her gut. “…was she… a valuable slave? Do you know?”

“…I can’t imagine he’d give it to an adopted child,” Rana said thoughtfully. “She’s not been groomed for it.”

“Yes. I think it was a formal adoption.” Rana nodded, watching Shea to see how they seemed to feel about it.