"Queen Marri seems to be a mouse, a pawn, nothing more. And they were horrified by being seen by any men at all! The servants told me. I knew that the desert people kept their women out of sight, but this is absurd." King Jothan sat silently, watching his wife pace the room agitatedly. "And the little princesses that we have with us now?”
Queen Ora frowned. "It isn't natural, how they act. I suppose the little one was more normal, but they both sat perfectly still, eyes down and not talking. Queen Marri seems to intimidate them, but I can't imagine her being terrifying to anyone-she's like a little mouse. Maybe just not in the privacy of her own chambers," Queen Ora grimaced. "I did see a bruise on the older girl's face through her veil.
"She didn't seem to notice me looking at her, though. Just sat there like a perfect miniature china doll. Princess. . .Laisa, is it? We'll have to kick some spunk back into those two. I'm worried about the younger one. She wanted to explore, but her attempts were only half-hearted and cowish, like she knew she would be refused and she was afraid of being punished!" "Calm down, Ora, calm down." King Jothan said, unperturbed. "They're here now. There isn't anything you can do without offending our esteemed desert neighbors, and perhaps the children are just naturally quiet."
"-however," he continued, cutting off her protest, "At the feast tonight, do not feel the need to overly restrain your tongue with our visiting queen. Child abuse may be common in the desert, but by the Seven it will not be tolertaed in the K'mani Isle."
Queen Ora grinned wickedly. "Thank you, my king," she answered demurely. "I will certainly take your advice in mind."
