"Convenient," said Dorain.
"How so?" said Julina.
"Don't you see? It is as though they were deliberately concealed from us. And we from them."
"I wonder," said Julina, slowly. "I suspect that there was more than us to consider."
Dorain considered the young elf-woman with amusement.
"What?" Julina exclaimed, feeling self-conscious.
"I can't imagine you as a dragon's sacrifice."
Julina flushed scarlet, and spluttering with anger, jumped to her feet, fists clenched.
"That is nothing to joke about," said Rhia, trying not to laugh.
"I thought you said they only take vir- . . . oh." said Lily, embarrassed for Julina. "I didn't mean . . ."
"Julina," Rhia said candidly, "you're not the only one."
"Nor the only two, I suspect," said Lily thoughtfully.
Julina raised an eyebrow in comprehension and turned to consider Dorain, who flushed scarlet.
There was a knock at the door. "Hello? Lily?"
It was Anest.
"Yes?" said Lily.
"I have a few things to do. If you need me, just ask one of Baldric's aides."
They listened to Anest's receding footfalls a moment as he left.
"Who was that?" Rhia asked.
"That was Anest, my husband," said Lily.
"The one sitting next to you at the meeting?" smiled Julina.
"Oh, yes," Lily answered with a shy smile.