ANXIETY NIGGLED AT IGNATIUS WHILE he waited for the girls to arrive for training. He couldn't decide if a headache threatened, or if perhaps something he ate caused it. Rashid and Patel selected various weapons for the training session as he paced the floor. The door opened and Sian, Kassandra, and Laura entered, but no Catherine.

'Where is the Princess?' Ignatius demanded.

'In a Council meeting,' replied Sian, walking past to greet the other ...