not sure they'd be
comfortable in the capital."

"I'm not sure I'll be comfortable there," Cortin said, then turned to
Bradford. "Brad, all any of us know about life in New Denver comes
from the news and--if we read them, which I sometimes do for
laughs--the society columns. What's it really like?"

"I don't want to disappoint you," Bradford said, "but most of the time
it's actually quite ordinary. You'll wear dress uniform more often,
you'll be expected to attend important Palace functions, and your team
will act as bodyguards any time you leave the Compound; otherwise,
except for taking orders only from His Majesty--no one else can do more
than request--you should find things fairly normal." He grinned.
"You'll find out, starting tomorrow . . . if Your Excellency cares to
join Their Highnesses on the return flight."

Cortin swallowed. That shouldn't have surprised her, but it did--a
flight to New Denver with the Crown Prince and Princess wouldn't be
unusual for a member of the Royal Household, and she would get used to
it, she supposed. Right now, though, it was a shock. She brought
herself under control and said, "I'd be honored. Arrangements will
have to be made, of course, to return our horses and pick up our
personal gear. Oh, and we'll need proper insignia."

"All taken care of," Bradford said. "We had plenty of time while you
were under treatment."

Cortin absorbed that, starting on her dessert. It sounded at first
like Bradford or His Majesty had assumed, even before asking, that she
would accept--and maybe they had, she couldn't know--but a little
thought told her that wasn't necessarily the case. Bradford could
carry all the insignia in a pocket, all of their personal gear wouldn't
strain a single packhorse, and if she refused, they could all be
returned to Middletown with only a slight loss of time. "Thanks--that
was kind of you."

"Call it enlightened self-interest," Bradford said. "And I do have
something to ask, when and if your primary duties permit."

"Of course, if I'm able."

"You are; you've done it. Act as auxiliary confessor and spiritual
advisor to the Detention Center Inquisitors--I heard how much good you
did."

"Gladly--but don't forget Dave; he's a Priest-Inquisitor too."

"I've already said I'd do it," Bain said. "And I'll probably have more
time for that sort of thing than you will. I have a very strong
feeling your primary job isn't going to leave you much time