Torrance returned to the Frisky Badger wearing his mail vest under his clothes and a sword at his side, confident Lalith and the other Queen's women were watching. He pulled a bag from his belt and dropped it with a clank on the table. A thousand gold might seem like a fortune to those in the room who stared entranced at the bag, but he'd spent as much on a gown for Marriette. The money wasn't the reason for this charade, only the excuse to bring Torrance to this place.

A cloaked ...