of us in time. But the very thought of that brazen little wench Madia as queen—well, to me, this lacks any appeal.”
“You know her reputation, but you do not know her,” Hoke said, ready for this. All three of the other great Lords had already expressed a similar concern, and he had expected this from Jurdef as well. “She is no longer the same girl. Her journey from Kamrit has had a great effect on her, as did her long stay with me, I can assure you.”
“Oh, well, of course!” Lord Ivran snorted, looking to the other lords around the table. “I failed to consider the certain effect a stay with the great Hoke would have on the girl. Surely, every woman you have known is fit to rule this realm!” Ivran's muffled laughter was joined by the others at the table. Hoke waited for the noise to die down, then he looked at Lord Ivran with a steady, crucial eye. “Most,” he said.
Laughter broke out at this. Hoke waited again, watching faces, especially that of his host. Jurdef was the greatest of the northern lords and would hold sway over many, both here and in Ariman. His support was necessary, Hoke thought, there s
“You know her reputation, but you do not know her,” Hoke said, ready for this. All three of the other great Lords had already expressed a similar concern, and he had expected this from Jurdef as well. “She is no longer the same girl. Her journey from Kamrit has had a great effect on her, as did her long stay with me, I can assure you.”
“Oh, well, of course!” Lord Ivran snorted, looking to the other lords around the table. “I failed to consider the certain effect a stay with the great Hoke would have on the girl. Surely, every woman you have known is fit to rule this realm!” Ivran's muffled laughter was joined by the others at the table. Hoke waited for the noise to die down, then he looked at Lord Ivran with a steady, crucial eye. “Most,” he said.
Laughter broke out at this. Hoke waited again, watching faces, especially that of his host. Jurdef was the greatest of the northern lords and would hold sway over many, both here and in Ariman. His support was necessary, Hoke thought, there s