sheLayric persisted in his reasonable tone. “Gren, old friend. We are people of peace. We do not live by the ways of those who have taken our loved ones; it is not our way. The mistress would be saying exactly the same.”
“The mistress is not here, Layric, or hadn"t you noticed,” Gren replied acidly while he dumped the contents of the herb mix into the simmering water. “If we are to be a new caravan, we need a new mistress. Until then, we can go nowhere, and even if we do, our skills are limited. What does the old law say about that?”
Layric thought for a minute, and then nodded. “You are right indeed, old friend; each caravan needs a mistress. Anita is still with us, and I am sure she would be more than happy to assume the role. She has been trained for it.”
“She can"t make decisions wh
