Chapter 13 A Crowded Road"And Erthaufein has not returned?"
"No, Matron Mother."
Li'Neerqualyn sat back on her throne of webs. "I should have sent a smarter son."
The Dark Priest did not say anything.
"But how can I tell which is smarter? Males are such a useless commodity."
The Matron Mother of the first house of Necliatara did not want to send another son. She thought of them more as pawns in the grand scheme of things. Yet still, beyond bearing age, any son lost would not be replaced.
"And house Phrondieth?"
"Our spies tell us they do not have the orb."
"Excellent." The Matron Mother would have smiled, but she had no idea how to complete such a movement.
"There is more, Matron Mother." The Dark Priest took a step back in case the woman lashed out at the news she would deliver.
