Free Intrigues by Sharon Green Page A

be assigning strong Middles to teach people how to make the most of their talents, and those who do well will be put to immediate use. Those who don’t do well through no fault of their own will have other positions offered to them, but those who don’t care to be bothered won’t be catered to.”
    “And I have a question about your group aims regarding women,” Jovvi said at once, giving Zokill time to do no more than open her mouth in response to what Lorand had told her. “Have any of your people looked into the situation of courtesans? I happen to know that a certain number of them aren’t working as courtesans by choice. What provision have you made to free the unwilling ones from what amounts to outright slavery?”
    “If we’re discussing women in difficulty, I have a question of my own,” a new voice added, Tamrissa’s, as she and Vallant had come up to join the group a moment earlier. “There are any number of women who were forced into marriage with men who are beasts. If someone is doing something about women’s problems in general, shouldn’t something be done about that ?”
    “I – never expected any of you to be really interested,” Zokill blurted, trying not to look at Tamrissa with awe. “You’re Fire magic, I know, but you’re so strong … I never knew there could be such a difference… Are you really willing to support my group…?”
    Tamrissa took over the discussion, so Jovvi used the opportunity to move a few steps away from the cluster. The Zokill woman had been filled with frustrated hostility when she first joined them, probably from having her cause constantly dismissed by the men around her. Now that the proposed new rulers were showing more than a slight interest she was ecstatic, not to mention well on the way to regarding Tamrissa with hero worship. Jovvi needed a break from all those intense emotions coming from a large number of people in the room, but standing alone for a moment or two was the best she could do. Returning to the peace and quiet of her wing was entirely out of the question…
    “How about something to drink?” Lorand murmured as he came up to put an arm around her. “You look like you could use something fortifying.”
    “You know me much too well,” Jovvi returned with the smile that was his alone, putting a hand to his chest. “Yes, I certainly could use something to drink, but just fruit punch or tea. This isn’t the time for any of us to be even the least bit out of balance.”
    “Don’t I know it,” Lorand returned wryly, his own smile matching. “I never knew how easy it was to fall into the habit of fortifying yourself against constant stress on too often a basis. That means I’ll be joining you in the punch or tea idea, and I’ll also be right back.”
    Jovvi watched him move away toward the refreshment tables, now smiling to herself. Lorand wasn’t aware of the fact that every servant in their immediate vicinity was watching to see if the new rulers needed or wanted anything, so his going after drinks was unnecessary. One gesture on his part would have had the drinks brought to them , but that was all right. Lorand – and the rest of them – would get used to constant pampering eventually, which would probably be a shame…
    “Excuse me, Jovvi, but I must speak to you for a moment,” a male voice said, and Jovvi turned to see a man she didn’t really know. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and very handsome, and the agitation inside him shouted itself to her senses.
    “I’m Hargan Royd, a member of one of the Air magic link groups,” the man went on in a rush. “I’m also terribly nervous, but I can’t wait any longer to say what I need to. I think you’re the most wonderful woman I’ve ever seen, and I really admire you.” Then he took her hand with a soulful look. “And I’m also terribly in love with you.”
    The man Royd then kissed her hand before backing off with a bow and hurrying away. Jovvi stared after him with