CHAPTER THIRTEEN
MIRA
Astrina looked at each of us in turn as we approached. At the bottom of the short steps at the base of the throne, Neelu motioned for us to stop. She continued on to stand next to her mother.
“This is Bavrana and Gralbast,” she said. “He’s the merchant we’ve heard so much about, and she is the leader of the Pokorah-Vo Merchant Guild.” Neelu then indicated Astrina, “This is Queen Astrina Ulané Poloso nya Su Lariano.”
Both Gralbast and Bavrana performed bows accompanied by a “Your Majesty.”
“Welcome to Su Lariano,” Astrina said. She looked us over again. “I would make a wager, knowing my daughter as I do, that she brought you straight to me from the road without a pause for rest, refreshment, or preparation. And I’d add that she said anything but coming directly he
