The villages on the way to Elderwoods Fortress saw an inexplicable rise in travelers this year over any other. A Knight-Errant and her retinue passed back and forth, a strange little traveler and her tall companion, and now a procession of two carriages and their accompanying carts pulled by teams of oxen passed down the road escorted by Knights and soldiers in formation. Most assumed it was March Lostlakes come to tour his lands, but those were the assumptions of ignorant peasant villagers who rarely saw processions. The southwest Midlands were a quiet place, and so the Marches rarely marched their march.

  Three men, one wizened and old, another the minstrel's depiction of the aged scholar, and the last a chubby man who looked like a god of the feast sat within one cart. They had little to say, and while they had tried their hands at amusements, the two weeks travel to this far corner of the march had exhausted their limited enthusiasm for travel.

  In the other, a man traveled with his wife, while admitting to himself that he should have left her at home. She was a lovely woman, he loved her dearly, but there was something about investigating a report about sacrifices, including a noble, that left him thinking that, perhaps, it was not the place to take his wife away on holiday.

  They reached the end of the road, and he felt disgust as he looked at the village of this… fortress. His wife beside him was staring with wide eyes. "Are we going to need to build a place to live?"

  "Look there, they do have a manor, odd as it is. They should have room enough for us and the Ministries' agents."

  She glanced at him. "Yes Jeffery, but, should it be this… like this?"

  He considered. "It is one of the newest holds in the domain. Perhaps it has not yet been able to prosper?"

  They were allowed into the stockade by a pimple faced youth who knew how to hold a spear, at least. Their carriages were arranged in an empty lot and their oxen brought to pasture back out the gate. The three agents from the Ministries waited for him and his wife to present themselves to the family, who were awaiting them politely out front of their manor.

  They were a rather mixed bag. The older man, his father's brother and the local family head, looked a bit like his father and grandfather taken to a grindstone and made sharp. His wife had exotic northern features that were in vogue in the Southlands. Personally he found the diminutive features, often described as fairy like, far too unsubstantial for his own tastes. The eldest son obviously took after his father, while the younger was a small boy who blended the features of mother and father in such a way he barely looked related to either. He knew they had three daughters, but the eldest had been married off, the second was the reason he was here, and the youngest was a blossoming young woman who would be introduced at court in a few more years. He hoped a god of beauty would see fit to bless her when she bloomed.

  Their arrival had been announced, but their purpose traveling here was passed off as an annual inspection tour. Crossroads Lostlakes's South was supposed to perform tours of the nobles he oversaw, but it appeared he had been lax in his duties. He was likely satisfied with mere reports and taxes. That would have to be remedied in the future, and he was already deciding on how harshly his letter to his father on the matter would be worded.

  "Greetings, Uncle," Jeffery said, as they came to stand before him. "I am Jeffery Kimmel Lostlakes, and this is my wife Violet Joseph Deepwells. My companions are agents of the Ministries. This is Lord Divine, Lord Justice, and Lord Affairs." Lord Divine was a crusty old man, but he had a generous smile. Lord Justice had a bookish air to him, like he was made in the mold of the story scholar who has just the right information for the hero when he was at a loss of what to do next. Lord Affair was a rotund man with an affable face and clever eyes. Much like a wise pig.

  His uncle frowned at that. "I apologize, but I thought this was just a tour?"

  Lord Divine, who was excited to soon be speaking with a Sacred Beast, was the one to reply. "We have been passed a rumor that your second daughter, Lady Biyu? The exile. That she was sacrificed to the nearby Sacred Beast. We have come to investigate the rumors."

  The whole family reacted to the news. Father, mother, and eldest son all went pale, and their expressions were nervous. The son became stone faced, and sidled away from his family. Pouting, the daughter looked up at her mother with an accusatory expression of all things. Jeffery was pleased he had the sense to bring a food taster with him for this trip, along with more adequate supplies. He should have brought a healer of some kind too, but he had half-expected the accusation to be speculation based on coincidence.

  The youngest daughter, between ten and fourteen if he had to guess (and he did not), spoke to her mother. "Too bad she didn't—" The mother's hand snapped over her daughter's mouth.

  Lady Lìhuá gave a hesitant smile. "Sorry, she had a bad relationship with her older sister. Don't mind what she says."

  The girl pouted, but didn't speak when her mother withdrew her hand.

  The youngest son kept a small distance from his family. He scoffed, and said rebelliously, "How could they have a bad relationship? You kept her locked up in her room all her whole life. I don't even know what she looks like!"

  The agents all watched the exchange with interest.

  "She was cursed," Lady Lìhuá said, preempting the growing curiosity. "She was our daughter, so of course we took care of her." She winced at the unintentional turn of phrase. "I mean, we took good care of her, as our daughter. But, we had to keep her away from people."

  "What kind of curse?" Lord Divine asked. Being from the Ministry of Gods, his remit was the affairs with Sacred Beasts, gods, and demons. Information about curses and blessings were zealously archived, along with the gods who originated them.

  The mother opened her mouth to speak, but with a gesture Lord Divine silenced her. He lowered himself to the girl's eye level, and winced at his bad back. "I want to hear from the children. You there, what is your name?" he asked the girl.

  "Cassia," the girl said, playing at being coy now that she was the center of attention.

  Before they could go much further, Defender Elderwoods stepped in. "My apologies, I was so surprised by the agents of our illustrious Empire that I forgot to give you the names of my family. I am Gerald Kimmel Lostlakes Elderwoods, and my wife is Lìhuá Liu Waderpool, from the Northlands. This is my eldest son, Christopher, my second son Feng, and you have met my youngest daughter, Cassia."

  "That's a pretty name. Lady Cassia, do you know what the curse did?"

  The girl screwed up her face, as if thinking about it. "I think it made people crazy? The servants were afraid of her, and I think daddy had to kill some of them?"

  Lord Justice frowned severely.

  Feng scoffed. "No, no. It made men and pervert women lay hands on her, and women and pervert men hate her."

  "Is that so?" asked Lord Divine. "Would you mind if I talked to some of her personal servants?" This was directed to Defender Elderwoods.

  "Of course. Be my guest. Indeed, I assume you will be staying with me? Let me make arrangements for your stay. We can do the formal greeting at your convenience tomorrow."

  "Very good. And we would appreciate a guide to speak with the Sacred Beast tomorrow afternoon."

  That was the whole game given away. Once again the three eldest looked nervous. Jeffery would make arrangements to procure their own food, just in case. Also, the Knights and soldiers would be instructed to keep an eye out for knives in the night.

  The Knights and officials were all walking the dirt path early in the morning. The older men and Jeffery's wife were given palanquins carried by Knights. He walked alongside her, listening as she played music and sang to help pass the time. For that alone, he was glad to have brought her. Her insistence in meeting a man-eating serpent was perhaps not as endearing just now, but he had always been weak to her entreaties.

  They came to a flat topped rock that jutted into the black pool of the swamp. The agents left their palanquins, and all of them, following Lord Divine's lead, began worship of the Sacred Beast, the Great Ruby Eyed Serpent. They had brought an offering of two fine pigs, led here by a harangued Knight that looked like he was rethinking his choices in life.

  Expecting the splash of water as a serpent broke the surface, they were surprised to meet an albino woman with red eyes wearing a snakeskin dress. She stood upon the water, making no effort to hide her sudden appearance by appearing from behind a tree or some other sleight of hand. "Greetings, Imperials. Welcome to my domain. I offer guest rights, though I ask you pass no further into my realm."

  "Greetings, Lady Serpent. We thank you for the show of hospitality. I am from the Ministry of Gods. Please, call me Stan. It is a pleasure to meet you."

  She ducked her head. "May I inquire as to why you have come to my realm?"

  Lord Divine gave her an apologetic smile as he replied, "It is a matter of the annual deaths of villagers. It has been suggested that they were sacrifices to you."

  Nodding, Lady Serpent waited.

  "Have you accepted sacrifices from the village?"

  "Yes."

  "Have you a pact with the village, or Defender Elderwoods, or the Kimmel Elderwoods family?"

  "No, nor may I. I am already bound to another pact that such a pact would conflict with. However, I do offer them consideration."

  Lord Divine sighed, and shook his head, disappointed even though he was expecting this result. "That is against our laws."

  "I am a sovereign god within my own domain."

  "Your lands are in the bounds of March Lostlakes's domain, but you are correct that your lands are your own," Lord Affairs said. Lord Divine shot him an acid look, and Lord Affairs returned a smirk.

  "Thank you for acknowledging my sovereignty," Lady Serpent said wryly.

  "You are not at fault by our laws in any case," Lord Divine said. "The sacrificing of people, and especially nobles, without a pact in place is illegal to give, not receive. I must ask you, then, do you remember a woman from three years ago about yay high?" He indicated a rather short height.

  "You mean my adorable disciple, Biyu?" Lady Serpent asked curiously.

  All the Knights were captured by that, their eyes looking on with keen interest.

  "So that part of the report was true as well. Still, I must be thorough. What do you mean by 'your disciple'?"

  "I Awakened and taught her for three years."

  The Knights showed envy as they took that in. Violet leaned over to whisper a question to Jeffery. "Was any of the Elderwoods nobles Awakened?"

  "No, love. Uncle Gerald was a poor mix of foolish and ambitious, so he was denied. He won his hold in the northern war, and Grandfather was impressed enough to set him up with Elderwoods." He considered whether or not to say more, but she was his wife. "Well, it sounds like a reward, but he did it to keep him from making a fool of himself and our family in some other march. Basically, tucking the embarrassment of the family away."

  Violet patted his arm gently.

  "Do you keep in touch with Lady Biyu?" Lord Divine asked.

  "She is near West Pass right now, at the Order of Ruthless Sundering." Lady Serpent managed a smile despite her face being passive until now. "She lost a leg killing a Wizard. I must admit, I am proud of her." Her smile slid off. "It was an ogre that took her leg."

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  While the officials had performed an initial investigation and checked dossier's prior to heading south, none of them had heard about this. Which must mean it occurred recently. They all pondered this new tidbit. "Lady Biyu… killed a powerful Wizard and an ogre?"

  "Ah, no, just the Wizard. A Knight of the Flaming Axes slew the ogre. So, as you can guess, yes, we are still in contact."

  Lord Divine gave Lady Serpent an appreciative smile, and turned to one of his scribes. "We'll need to send a message to West Pass, have her meet up with an agent there."

  Lord Justice spoke up for the first time. "There were sacrifices after Lady Biyu became your disciple? She didn't try to stop you?"

  "She came with me to see the sacrifices. They were villagers who showed… joy at her predicament when she was sent to me. I… understand… she was not well liked in her village. Nor was she well liked among my people. Except my children."

  Violet, bless her, spoke out loud, "I would like to meet them."

  Lady Serpent, an eyebrow raised, turned to look at her. "Truly? The children I speak of are Kin, Lady of the Empire. You would name them Monsters."

  Violet gave a nod. "So long as you believe it's safe, Lady Serpent."

  Jeffery was not particularly thrilled with this turn of events, but he had to admit that if Lady Biyu was able to survive, then surely his wife would be fine.

  Turning to the swamp behind her, Lady Serpent asked, "What do you say, Indu? Will you meet the Human woman?"

  A head, naked and scaled, peered around a tree at them. The Knights touched their weapons nervously, even though they had not broken their discipline when the god appeared. Slipping into martial stances, they faced the Monster. Squeaking, it disappeared back behind a tree.

  Hissing loudly, Lady Serpent stared at the Knights. "You are in my domain, whelps, and that is my daughter. Put away your weapons, or leave."

  Jeffery reached out to hold his wife's hand for support, but she was too busy trying to look behind the tree. "She was so cute," she whispered to her husband. Well, she did have a soft spot for reptiles. She fed the alligators in Lost Lakes as well, although she at least had the sense to send a Knight from the Order of Deep Waters while she watched with an expensive Southland spyglass.

  "Knights, do as the god demands. My apologies, Lady Serpent, but the word Monster holds a connotation of danger that makes my Knights wary. Please, accept my sincere apology." Jeffery bowed low. He paused, reconsidering what he was about to say. "If you offer your surety of my wife's safety, may I place her into your care to meet your daughter?"

  The Knights were predictably unhappy, and the Imperial agents were surprised he would entrust his wife's safety to a Sacred Beast. Lord Divine put in, "I would be honored to meet her, as well."

  "I offer no surety, for I have already invoked guest rights." There was a note of disapproval in her voice. She tapped her toes onto the water. "Step out onto the water."

  Violet glanced at him, seeking approval. He nodded, and gently shooed her forward. Lord Divine followed her, both walking on water. A Knight moved to follow, and the water broke under his feet. He disappeared beneath the black water until Lady Serpent gestured, and the dark water spat him back onto the shore.

  They were all able to clearly see the scaly 'woman' as she left cover and approached. She had a Human torso, head, and arms, but was otherwise a serpent with no noteworthy feminine features. She was three yards long from the tip of her head to her tail. Her back was blue-black, and her belly was a gray-blue. His eyes were drawn to the way she slithered over the surface of the water as she came to speak to his wife. His anxiety matched the serpent woman's, Indu's, own as she fidgeted with her hands as they interacted.

  "Hello," Indu said, her hands twisting in front of her.

  "You are so cute!" his wife said. She reached out to touch Indu, and the serpent flinched. "Oh, sorry. I shouldn't just touch you."

  "It's okay," Indu replied. "Um, you can touch my arm if you like?"

  His wife showed clear elation while touching Indu.

  "It is impolite to ask, but, may I touch as well?" Lord Divine asked. At Indu's proffered arm, he touched her. He looked similarly delighted.

  "You are so warm," Violet said in surprise.

  Indu gave a nod. "Biyu told me that too. She grumbled about it being too hot when I hugged her on hot summer nights."

  "You were close with her?" Lord Divine asked.

  "Yes," Indu said. Both of them noticed her sad tone.

  "There was a lot of meaning in that 'yes'," Violet prodded.

  "I wished to go with her." She glanced at the Knights. "But that's how everyone would act, isn't it? Wanting to kill me just for being seen?"

  "You look like a snake, and snakes are dangerous," Violet said, trying to soothe the woman. "To them. Not to me."

  "So do… Well, I shouldn't talk about that." She cheered up. "Biyu would ride my back though!"

  "Is that—" began Lord Divine, but he was cut off as Violet turned to the shore, wild eyed, and shouted at her husband, "Can I?"

  Indu glowed with delight, Jeffery noted, as he told his wife, "That would be improper."

  Lord Divine glanced at Violet with a shrewd expression. "It would be improper for you to bathe before so many men. I think we have asked the important questions for now, so we'll head back before you." He turned to Indu, and gave a polite bow. "I'm sorry, Miss Indu, that you cannot travel with your fiend. Lady Serpent, thank you for allowing us here. Oh, before I forget, as you are in contact with Lady Biyu, could you pass along the Empire's desire to have her contact us? I would be indebted to you."

  "We like bronze," Lady Serpent said.

  "Oh? You are open to trade?" Lord Divine asked.

  "So long as those under my protection are not attacked."

  "So long as your concern goes both way, I am sure the Empire would be happy to trade with you."

  "In fact, I will come by later to discuss trade if you are amenable. Do know that the Empire offers some protection for agents of Sacred Beasts, though I would recommend any business conducted take place within your own demesne," Lord Affair said. He was not from the Ministry of Trade, but there was overlap. Similarly, Lord Divine could negotiate a preliminary deal that would have to pass through the Ministry of trade as well, if he was given to such pursuits.

  The Imperial agents took their palanquins and an escort and left, leaving an honor guard with a few to spare to hoist Violet's palanquin. The men would wait for them out of sight, while he, a female Knight, and his wife remained behind. Once the men had left, his wife doffed everything except her shift on the stone before returning to the water.

  "Can you swim?" Indu asked.

  Laughing, Violet said, "Yes! I'm a very good swimmer, too."

  "Good!" and then they were in the water with a splash. Lady Serpent joined Jeffery on the shore while Indu sped through the water at speeds that shocked Jeffery. He never knew that snakes could swim.

  Lady Serpent began eating the offerings left staked to the ground for her. It was odd watching a woman swallow whole pigs with a body too small to accomplish the feat. He couldn't tell if her mouth grew big enough to fit the pig, or if the pig shrunk enough for her to swallow whole. He suspected it might be something in between. Whatever it was, it was a thing of a god within their domain.

  When Indu had tired herself, and his wife was exhausted and happy, Lady Serpent dried his wife with a flick of her wrist. He could have done so himself, he was Awakened in the arts of the Order of Deep Waters, but he appreciated the gesture. Indu hugged his wife, to her delighted surprise, and he began mentally authoring a proclamation that Indu was not to be hunted in the waters of Lost Lake. Maybe he could get her permission to enter the palace? It was not unheard of for Elves and Monsters to be guests. Still, while though the people crowded at the spectacle it always led to civil unrest.

  With thanks from both sides, and a promise to visit again, they met the Knights, and they returned to Elderwoods by early evening. On the walk back, he listened to the female Knight admit her envy of Violet's adventure.

  That night his wife was exhausted, but enthusiastic. He was glad he brought her.

  Jeffery was with his wife, uncle, his cousin Lord Christopher, and Lady Lìhuá. They were to have a conversation, and it began with him asking, "Why is this village so… dilapidated?"

  His uncle looked at him coldly before he sighed. "I was saving money, so I could buy a proper estate in Lost Lakes. I want to improve our standing in court. The wood from the elder trees here may be coveted, but not much is ordered. There are closer and cheaper options for fine lumber along the east road. Our biggest export is charcoal to the Lost Lakes region. Flatwoods doesn't need it, and trying to ship further would cost more than we'd make. Even Lost Lakes is a bit of a loss, since we're competing with Flatwoods and the rest of the march."

  "Of course," Jeffery sighed. "So, shall we talk about your daughter?"

  "Did Cassia do something?" Lady Lìhuá asked, intentionally obtuse.

  "No, he means Biyu," Violet said, displeased with the disingenious flippancy.

  "I would rather not," Defender Elderwoods said.

  "She is currently out east. West Pass."

  "Is she well?" Lord Christopher asked. Jeffery noted real concern in his voice.

  "She lost a leg to an ogre while killing a Wizard."

  Once more, shocked faces looked at him. He felt grim joy seeing it.

  "Did that little bitch snitch on us?" Lady Lìhuá asked, all pretense dropped.

  "No. We were tipped off by Lady Chelsea. The report says that Lady Biyu calls herself an exile. Is that true?"

  "Of course—!" began the woman, but her husband shushed her with a hand on her arm.

  "Yes, she's exiled. My son will inherit, not that little girl. She has no place here."

  "You met your daughter after she left the swamp?" Jeffery asked.

  "Why would she come back?" Violet mused after they agreed she had.

  "To meet us for the first, and maybe last, time," Lord Christopher said.

  Violet's expression darkened.

  "Explain," Jeffery said.

  "Her face was special, as you heard. We kept her in her room, and forbade the rest of the family to meet her. We have had constant problems with servants and tutors."

  "Her face was cursed with beauty," Lady Lìhuá said. Her scowl wrinkled her face grotesquely.

  "I would like to see this room," Violet said.

  "I escort you to see it," Lady Lìhuá said. She stood up to escort his wife.

  "I'll stay and explain where things stand at present with my uncle," Jeffery told his wife, giving her a smile.

  First they talked about the fact that Defender Elderwoods was to be indicted by the Imperial government, and his family was likely to lose their status as nobles. Defender Elderwoods listened with a stony expression, while his son sat back in his seat. He looked as though he had been sentenced to execution.

  "Will you ward my son and daughter—" Defender Elderwoods was saying when there was a ruckus.

  There were shouted words, and servants darted past in agitation. His wife stomped into the room, her eyes blazing, while Lady Lìhuá followed, her hand nursing a red mark on her cheek. Had his wife…?

  Violet gripped his hand. "Come," she demanded. He followed her, while an outraged Defender Elderwoods held a whispered conversation with his wife.

  He came to a plain door that locked from this side. When it was opened, he saw a small room bordered with shelves, a bed, and wardrobe. It was a dismal room with no windows, only a light formation above. He could see a chamber pot in a corner. It was nicer than a prison cell, but that was what made his wife angry. It was a cell for holding a child.

  He put a hand onto his wife's shoulder while Defender Elderwoods, his temper settled, came after them

  "Did it never occur to you to give her a mask instead of locking her up like this?" he asked.

  "Masks are for the grotesque and actors," he said. "Of course I wouldn't put my daughter into something so disgraceful."

  "Veils and scarfs?" Violet demanded.

  "My Lady, I…" Defender Elderwoods turned to his wife for help.

  "It's not the fashion," she said.

  "It's not—" his wife screeched, her pitch shrill. He gave his wife's arm a painful squeeze before she did something unfortunate. His wife gave him an angry glare, but she took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly. "How old is Lady Biyu?"

  Frowning, Defender Elderwoods was obviously trying to figure it out. Lady Lìhuá also frowned as she tried to remember. He could feel his wife's back getting up again, and he turned to a servant. "You, go find someone who knows how old Lady Biyu is."

  The servant ran at the command. In moments, a young woman, quaking in fear, came to them. "La-lady B-biyu was sixteen when they sent her to the Great Ruby Eyed Serpent. Sh-she would be nineteen now."

  "Did you know her?" Violet asked.

  The woman nodded her head up and down quickly.

  "What was your job?"

  "I helped her dress and do her makeup, Ladyship."

  "Have you ever looked into her face?"

  The girl colored then, and she fidgeted. "We aren't—"

  "You did. What did you think?"

  "I-I w-wouldn—"

  "Answer the question."

  "I never wanted a woman before, but… I…" Tears formed in her eyes. "Please don't make me say it."

  "You wanted to push her down and ravish her?" Violet asked, her eyebrow raised. The girl turned red with her blushed, her eyes glancing to her masters as though fearing punishment for the thought.

  "We were protecting her," Defender Elderwoods asserted.

  "Do you still want her?" Violet asked.

  "Sometimes, in the dark of night, when I remember her face," the girl said. Almost like she had rehearsed the line.

  "Sometimes?" his wife challenged.

  "Nightly," the girl said, the threatened tears falling. "I didn't touch her that much! Just a little, when I had to."

  "You aren't going to be punished," Defender Elderwoods said tiredly.

  "I've met beautiful women, but this does sound like a curse," Jeffery told his wife.

  She sighed. "A veil or mask would have been better, but I can… accept that you were protecting her. Until you chose to sacrifice her."

  "The girl was useless. If we showed her to a suitor, they'd rape her and maybe take her away. The tutors who met her lied out of envy and jealousy. So we had a woman we couldn't marry, or even let out of her room. I said we should have sold her to the Temple of Gillas, but my husband was against it," Lady Lìhuá said.

  Violet smacked Lady Lìhuá again. The women were staring at each other viciously, and Defender Elderwoods was reaching for a weapon. His son grabbed his wrist to stop him.

  "As I was going to say, Lady Biyu will likely take over Elderwoods. She will also be given charge of your punishment," Jeffery said. The color drained from the faces of the Elderwoods. Violet could have a nasty smile, when she was feeling vindictive. He was happy to never be on the receiving end of it.

  "I take it you will not take in my son and daughter as wards?" the former Defender Elderwoods asked.

  "Give me a good reason to."

  "They are blameless, and they are your blood. Or would you see them mistreated as you seem to think we mistreated Biyu?"

  Violet's anger guttered out. Jeffery gave her an encouraging smile, and patted her hand. "I will split the difference. I will have them sent to the Order of Deep Waters. They will receive an education, an opportunity to join the Order, and the opportunity to marry into a good Knight family, if nothing else."

  Defender Elderwoods gave a nod. It was what he had asked for, except without the Kimmel Lostlakes backing. "Thank you, Lord Jeffery."

  Lord Christopher was deep in thought. "Well, I guess now I can try to be a good brother. Should I head off to assist her?" He looked at the representatives from the Ministry. "Or am I under house arrest?"

  "You could exile yourselves," Jeffery pointed out. It was cruel to say, but it was also an option that guaranteed they would live.

  "I'm too proud to do that," Defender Elderwoods said. "If my daughter exiles me, then that's that. However, I'll face my punishment."

  Lady Lìhuá didn't look convinced, but she did take her son's hand and patted it gently. "You should leave soon, if you want to catch up to her. She's in West Pass? That's hundreds of miles away." She frowned. "And she might move on. You might have to winter there, and follow after her in the spring."

  "I'll get the funds," Lord Gerald said. He stopped. "I suppose they're not ours anymore. Lord Jeffery, Lady Violet, may I give my son traveling funds to go to his sister?"

  "We will discuss it tomorrow. I'll be acting as steward until the inquiry, and, if it applies, resulting judgment reach a conclusion. The representatives of the Imperial Ministries shall act as my advisors and my oversight. We still need to sort the fortress's coffers, but I'm sure we can come up with funds for your son as well as a purse for Lady Biyu while she's traveling."

  Defender Elderwoods, Lady Lìhuá, and Lord Christopher all bowed or curtsied at the decision.