“No, Mom, the guys definitely decided to go to their city on their own business for the New Year holidays—and, while they’re at it, to ride out on the way to the Ancient Ones.”
“And what about the girls?” asks the old duchess Tirou.
“They stay with Azel,” says Mila. “Where would a girl in a position go on such trips? She’s due to give birth in May—then recovery and again troops to command. In that planned mess, our guys can’t be in the troops in any way. They’ll have to be at the throne’s lickspittle to pinch and thin out there hard. I’m sure: the moment we announce their leadership in our clans, and once they complete the recognition ritual, they simply won’t be allowed any passage. There are fools enough, and in the head clan of Tirou there are also enemies. And as for your relatives—not all of them are glad about this setup either. What can you say.”