“I called for the Townmaster,” the swordswoman said in complaining tones.
masterFour days ago, the Council had warned Sparrowsong even while awarding her the post. Most Tanglelands towns of any size were still run by men. Now she said as calmly as she could: “I grant you your choice: the Mistress of Double Towers, or the Second Townmaster.”
Cleancut almost—not quite—snarled. “Can your Second make hanging decisions?”
“Not in Double Towers, no.”
“I can take this trouble to the nearest Reverence.”
“You can,” the Townmistress agreed. “I might even prefer that, myself. Perhaps I should warn you that in hanging cases Reverence Errimor generally groves the accuser more severely than the accused, to be sure of getting at the entire truth.”
The warrior thought about it. “And you don’t?”
“A T
