It was always uncomfortably hot at Grimkeep. Cerissa stood sweating and shuffling under the thinnest of shifts as Pippy rummaged through the travel boxes for her best blue, white, dagged dress. It had managed to survive the betrothal party in one piece, and Cerissa was certain-sure getting her wear out of it this time. Normally, she grew out of her fancy dresses afore she had a chance to wear them thin. This one she’d practically lived in, it seemed. It was going to be much too hot to wear in this horrid, close heat. The air clung to her, prickling her with sweat and she longed to dart out in nothing but her silk shift and plunge into the salt-moat beyond. Though it was still early, there was scarcely any shade to be found and Cerissa found herself dripping already.
Pippy told her to sto
