Things in Little Elfhame had changed in the year or so since Jewell moved into the neighborhood. The catalyst for these changes had been the ousting of the Wolf Lord in October. It had not been long after the fight--her throat still healing, her voice scratchy and raw--when the first denizen of the small neighborhood, Nephila the seamstress, showed up at her door.

?Jewell, there is someone here to see you,? Ishmerai had introduce their guest after a knock on the study?s door. Rather than some formal affair, with a wide mahogany desk separating her from her neighbor and straight back leather chairs, the bruised socialite invited the seamstress to share a cup of tea with her in the bright breakfast room.

?Thank you for stopping by to inquire after my health, Nephila. I greatly appreciate the gesture,? Jewell added an extra dollop of honey to her tea to soothe her still scratchy throat.

The fae woman?s four arms shifted nervously, trading the tea cup from hand to hand to hand, as she was unsure how to address the lady before her. She had not expected to be invited to share a cup of tea, and in the lady?s own breakfast room! ?Of course, m?lady. I am sorry if I disturbed you at all, but I.. well I did not wish to be late with this month?s payment is all.?

?Payment??

?Yes,? one of those hands, so deft with a needle, took the small bag of coins from her belt and set it on the table between them. ?Lord Conri?s men always collected at the start of the month, and when you did not come by or send your knight, I thought it best to come see you myself.?

Jewell stared a moment before laughing. The normally light and pleasant sound was somewhat marred by the roughness smoke inhalation leant it, but it was still a sound that set the seamstress at ease as there was nothing mocking about it. ?Oh my dear lady! You do not owe me a coin.?

Confusion ran rampant over her sharp features, ?But we all assumed when you defeated the Wolf Lord..?

The Empress smiled pleasantly, waving her explanation away. ?I did that for nothing more than to satisfy myself and to free the neighborhood of his unwanted presence. It did not even cross my mind to set myself up in his place. Oh dear.. not even once.? The surprise and shock on Nephila?s face was worth another bright smile and a repetition of her reassurance: ?Neither you nor anyone in this neighborhood owes me a single thing.?

?But.. you have done us such a great service!?

?Perhaps I have,? Jewell did not disagree. ?And I am thankful for your gratitude, but I will not set myself up as lord over anyone. The only payment I would ever think of accepting is your hand in friendship, dear lady.? The shock at the good fortune Little Elfhame had experienced did not wholly dissipate from her face, prompting Jewell to add, ?And perhaps assistance in picking out some new fabric for winter?? The allusion to her craft finally put Nephila at ease, and the rest of the morning was spent discussing fads and fashions that would best suit the blue-haired Faerie.

Despite protesting that afternoon that she did not intend to set herself up as some figurehead, that she had no intention of forming her own little gang or group to run the neighborhood, Jewell had slowly become a guardian angel for the little slice of Elfhame in the midst of the bustling metropolis. She insisted that becoming protectorate of the neighborhood had not been her goal, but that the people had little-by-little thrust such a position upon her in their need. And if, despite her protestations, she had actually planned it all, things were coming along brilliantly.

In November, after the Wolf Lord?s death created a power vacuum in the area, a spat of crimes--break-ins, muggings, vandalism--prompted a group from the neighborhood to come to Jewell with an appeal, ?Will you do something to help us as you helped us before?? Defenseless and beaten down from their subjugation, The Empress could not turn a blind eye to their suffering even if she wasn?t planning on following the premise of, ?What is bad for the neighborhood is bad for me.? Ishmerai had been volunteered, and he easily caught the young group of teens in their delinquent acts. The scraggly street kids were the only ones desperate enough to prey on a neighborhood so run-down and depressed. Most were sent on their way after being roughed up a little, spreading the tale that Little Elfhame was no longer the best neighborhood to ply their trade. Jewell was pleased with the outcome, but Ishmerai had cornered her later: ?If you are going to start policing this neighborhood, then you must find someone else to act as your muscle. This is not my job.?

When heavy snow buried the area in January, the roof of Onni and Otto?s building collapsed, sending water trickling down from the ceiling of their shoe shop. When they humbly came to her door, explaining that they were short the several hundred silver needed to make repairs, Jewell gave them the extra money, accepting nothing but a new pair of winter boots in return.

March had given her a real problem to solve: There was a building of tenements down the street. One of the families, five people crammed into a one-bedroom apartment, finally approached Jewell with their troubles. They were upset because the landlord kept raising rent and there was just no way they could afford to stay in the neighborhood even though both the mother and father worked days and nights in Dockside. Jewell attempted to speak with the landlord, but when no amicable solution could be reached, she met instead with the local barrister, Lamont. With some loopholes in the city?s many contradictory land-use laws and a few bags of money changing hands, Jewell had the deed to the building transferred to her name. When the landlord came to check on his property, he found his possessions out on the stoop, an eviction notice, and a glowering Ishmerai to send him on his way. Jewell placed the family that had originally came to her with their troubles in charge of the building, giving them a larger apartment. Their thanks and praise were welcome, but she didn?t object to the rent money being sent her way either.

As spring budded and bloomed in the neighborhood and the grocer?s store, ravaged by fire during Jewell?s fight with the Wolf Lord, re-opened, the poor Grocer encountered another stumbling block. Many of the local restaurants that formerly bought their fresh produce from him had given up and gone elsewhere when he was closed. Distraught, Basil presumed he would have to contact his family on the farm and return to the stall they had once used in the marketplace during the years they had struggled to save up enough money to purchase their store. With a honeyed tongue, Jewell re-established some of Basil?s old agreements and even procured him a few more clients.

And in return for such aid, for keeping their homes and businesses safe, the people did not pay her dues and taxes. Jewell would not allow it. Rather, they did everything they could to show their gratitude and loyalty to their Faerie Godmother. Aemildil kept the freshest blooms on her table. Basil made sure a pint of his sweetest strawberries went her way. The baker and his wife fed her sweet tooth while their teenage daughter kept her up-to-date on the latest gossip, lingo, and trends: Yes, Jewell could wear her dress shorter. No, that did not make her a slut. The shoe-makers weren?t keen on the high heels she enjoyed wearing, but she would never need to look far for a pair of supple, leather boots. Nephila spun her gorgeous clothes. ?imh?n was ready to run any errand her little heart was set on.

Once more, Jewell had shown people a kindness and had been blessed with loyalty in return. Why be a cruel and exacting despot when she could be a loving and benevolent Empress?

Her real reward was seeing the neighborhood come alive. Once empty shops were slowly filling with people straggling from over the border or flocking from Elsewhere to this little fey sanctuary in the midst of an increasingly modern city. Not a week went by without someone knocking on her door: Could the lady possibly help relocate her sister-in-law?s niece?s cousin who was having trouble in the Lands? Did she know anyone who might need an apprentice because a friend?s second son or unmarriageable daughter was looking for work? Any advice and assistance for someone needing a new start in life? Wanting to open their own business? Looking to get out of some debt owed to some rather dangerous people? In trouble with the courts in Faerie?

Each morning was spent inviting people into her home and answering their questions, soothing their concerns, and providing assistance when needed. Afterwards, as she walked to the site of her soon-to-open shop, Jewell stopped to have a word with Calla, who had spent five years struggling to make a living in the WestEnd with her daughters. The Empress made sure that the three were settling in without too much trouble. At the recently opened apothecary shop, she chatted with Rosemary (mostly about the handsome ?imh?n) while her father, Meric, whipped the Empress up a salve that would soothe the sore muscles she earned from training with Jake Thrash. She nibbled on a pastry from the bakery, smiling at the gentle hum of life all around her.

Certainly the neighborhood was growing and thriving, and Jewell Ravenlock thrived with it.

Jewell adjusted one of the buttons on the front of her dress as she strolled up the stairs and tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. Stepping inside, she quickly looked around for a familiar shock of white hair, moving for the row of booths even as she searched the True Blood out.

Three booths down, a velvet curtain twitched open. "Took ya long enough, schway?"

She actually jumped a touch as her hand moved for that curtain just before it opened. ?Mother of Nature! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?? There was no venom in the question. Jewell just slid into the booth opposite Lain. ?I apologize for being late. I needed to take care of some other business.?

She didn't look upset. She looked bored, actually, slouched against the seat low enough to prop sandaled feet on the opposite side. When Jewell sat, she hauled up with a groan. "S'schway, dun worry about it. What'd ya want? I ain't got you a drink." There's an ale nearby, and a candle, that's it.

?An ale would work..? She glanced towards the bar before turning to eye Lain's ale. The June heat persisted into the late evening hours and a drink was just what she needed to cool down. Logic said it would be easier just to nab the True Blood?s drink, but she knew better, ?We can just get right down to business if you'd rather.?

Scoff. "Ale always works." Pianist's fingers undulated a simple motion through the air in the direction of the bar. Don't mind the tankard that's tapping itself.

She grinned at what seemed like Lain's favorite trick. ?See. This is why I actually needed to talk to you. You,? she pointed to Lain, ?have some fancy abilities. I am.. rather lacking in some of my more.. powerful ones at the moment.? Her glamour was powerful but in a very different way.

"S'ain't muh fanciest." She opened her palm and guided the second tankard to the table between them. It skidded towards Jewell with a motion of two fingers. "But keep talkin'."

A smile of thanks as she wrapped her hands around the tankard. ?I know it's not. Remember, I've been on the receiving end of some of your more impressive tricks.? Jewell took a well-timed sip before going about introducing her proposition. ?About a year ago, I moved into a new neighborhood. Since then, I have found it.. convenient to establish a little bit of a loyal following amongst my neighbors. I believe you have heard enough about my family to know that I do not want to go up against them again, if the occasion should ever present itself, without some type of support system in place.? She certainly didn?t tell Lain that she was basically planning to make herself a target in order that her family comes after her again on purpose this time. ?I need some type of power base here.? She released her ale with one hand, tapping on the table. ?And I've already started the process rolling.?

Gunmetal grey eyes darkened like stormclouds. Some of that had been her, but most of it hadn't. Sadly, she hadn't been allowed to forget. "People givin' ya a hard time 'bout takin' over?"

?Not yet but it's bound to happen at some point, especially since I'm setting up a business in the area too. Just some imports.. nothing special.? She grinned, happy enough to leave the past behind in life and in conversation. The possession of Lain and Alex had been painful enough--physically, mentally, emotionally--the first time around; there was no need to really rehash it. ?But Ishmerai has objected to some of my tasks for him lately.?

"What, an' ya think I won't?" Nothing to do but guess. She'd never been good at small talk.

?No. I don't.? She sat back, relaxing her posture although it didn?t come close to matching Lain?s slouch. ?I think you'd be right there next to me, ready to rough up whoever needs it and keep people in line. For the right price, of course.?

"Ya know me so well, what's my price?" Even less than small talk, she and orders didn't get along. Insolently slouching, she crossed her arms.

?Figured I'd leave that up to you, honestly. But you'd basically be getting paid to keep a bunch of Faerie, Fae, Elves, and Halfies in line and kick anyone out of the neighborhood who you think doesn't belong.? She paused a moment, trying to gauge Lain's reaction so far before tacking on, ?Think of it as a collaborative effort to make Little Elfhame a safer place.?

"PAAAAAA-hahaha!!!!!!" This could take a while. The table kept her from doubling over with laughter, but she did tip over and kick her feet so hard one neon flip-flop flew off.

Jewell shifted to the side to avoid getting hit by the flying neon flip-flop. While Lain got her laughter out, she took a sip of her ale. This was not going exactly as she had planned, but since the True Blood hadn't threatened her life yet, things were still not too bad. ?I think you're missing how much fun this could be,? she commented with a sigh.

Finger in the air. "Oh no, no no. Dude, this is tha funniest crap I've heard in years!!!" Jewell waited for the laughter to peter out. "AAAHHHH, ookay," Lain dragged herself up like she was fighting for her life. "Ya know what I used ta do with my spare time, schway?"

That brought The Empress up a bit short. Her brow wrinkled as she frowned just a touch. She didn't see what about her request was really that amusing, ?No, I actually don't.?

"Ya wouldn't. Ain't like we gave a crap 'bout each other back then." They still kind of didn't now, they just didn't talk about it as much. "All that crap. Enforcin', fightin', whatever'n. 'Cept I did it to Roundies. I ain't got much beef with Faeries'r Elves, schway? But yer sayin' I'ma get paid ta rough peeps up?" She said peeps like it was an acceptable word.

She rolled her eyes a touch at Lain's use of "roundies". ?So basically what you're saying is you?re more perfect for this job than I even knew? And yes, you will get paid to rough people up if anyone dares to act out and disturb the little.. business I am building.? Empire would have been a better term. After all, The Empress needed something to rule over.

"Course that's what I'm sayin'. S'kinda insulting ya thought otherwise, schway? Just thought it was funny YOU were the one what's askin' me ta help you, s'all." She assumed her earlier posture, slouched with folded arms. She didn?t seem to care she only had one sandal. "Ain't you got other friends who wanna help you? Why me?"

She tilted her head a moment as if she had to consider her answer. Really, what she was considering was how much to share with Lain. ?I am sure I could find someone else to do the job, some dumb muscle or other. But you're sharp and you have experience and.. well, I trust you more than most anyone else I know.? There. She said it. Then she took a long drink of her ale, allowing Lain to decide what she wanted to do with this information. It was pretty gound-breaking for them.

Death had a way of changing a body. Three deaths, well, it's remarkable that she's still Lain. As opposed to stuttering her shock, flapping her hands, denying vehemently, she just shifted in her seat like she had the right. "Yanno, some people might think yer cray fer trustin' me. I DID try ta kill you a few times."

Jewell shrugged casually, like she hadn't just taken some weird step in their odd relationship. ?Some people are stupid. I'm not. I would be stupid to trust one of my supposed friends with this task. You think I'm fooled by all those people who make love and court my favor??

Big ol' smile. "I do tell ya ta piss off when I feel like it."

?After a couple hundred years of playing nice in Faerie, I appreciate it when you tell me to piss off.? She admitted honestly but not without a wry smile. ?I don't need to play those sorts of games with someone I need to work with. I'll save that for everyone else.? Jewell had already decided how this needed to work weeks ago: surround herself with people she can trust and who will be straightforward and honest with her because everyone else will be out to get her in the end.

"They're boring, anyway. Games. S'always been somethin' I've wanted to have, schway? Ability ta see inta people's heads. Fricken skip all that." She sliced her hand through the air. "Too bad, m'stuck with simple telekinesis."

?Your simple telekinesis will be more than useful, I think. Most people have nothing going on in their heads anyway. Just a waste of space.? Jewell knew because if she really wanted to, if she really tried, she could get in there and mess with their heads. It was not an aspect of glamour that she regularly practiced.

Lain had another ability, one she didn't talk much about. Now was no different. "So. How much?"

Jewell couldn?t keep back that little smile of victory because talking money meant progress. ?I was serious about you naming your own price. I might reject it but..? she trailed off with another shrug, indicating that it really was open to negotiation.

"I want a guitar," Lain rattled off.

Uh..? she covered her momentary surprise and confusion with a thoughtful nod as if considering if that was doable. ?Sure. I think we can get you a guitar..?

"Not just A guitar." She pulled a card out of one of the three camisoles she had layered and slapped it down on the table for Jewell. The image was cloudy, but it was red, the telltale backward F denoting a Fender was the only clear detail. "THAT one."

Jewell leaned forward to look at it better in the dim light of the booth. ?Okay..? Since the Faerie didn?t know a single thing about such instruments and their purchase, at least not outside of The Lands themselves, she just picked up the card. This was a job for Ishmerai.. or maybe the teen girl that lived across the street whose family owned the bakery. ?Can I keep this to make the purchase easier??

"Sure, whatever." She flapped her hand. "But I want it. As a down payment. An' I wanna play it somewhere."

The Empress tucked the card away in her bosom. ?A place to play it? Like a studio? Or a bar where we can force our underlings to listen to you??

"Both. I had both in B-Town. I kinda miss it a lil'. Wonder if'n I fergot how ta even play." Lain cracked her knuckles. Something she had said didn't sit right with her. She took a hefty gulp of her own ale.

?Okay. You can have both. There's plenty of room for a studio and I was actually thinking of eventually opening a bar.. might take a while if that's okay.? Apparently she was willing to go to some lengths to secure Lain's help.

"I've always wanted ta work in one. Fer full time, schway? Brothers had a bar with live tunes. I helped. Was pretty schway."

?Yeah?? It was the first she heard of Lain's brothers, or at least the first time she was actually paying attention. ?When I was on Earth I had one. I liked it.?

The burned out candle on the table began to dance. She silenced it with a look, slinging it back to Jewell. "I ain't need a ton o' money. Specially if I'ma get my own bar. Cuz then, like, I'ma get all the ale I want, schway? No crap," pointed at Jewell.

She held her hands up defensively. ?Only the finest ale, I swear it.?

"Damn skippy." Apparently the True Blood had at least one more request for now: "This place o' yers got a dude'r chick who ain't suck at weapons?"

?The neighborhood?? Jewell thought through the list of the different people she had gotten to know. ?I haven't really checked their skill sets yet, honestly. Ishmerai is good at weapons.. and I could dig someone up if needed??

"He good at makin' them'r just shoppin' fer them? I ain't opposed to shoppin'. Bri-man and Jen've got some chick at their compound who does'm but," raspberries.

Jewell smirked. ?Good at shopping. Kal could probably be helpful with that too. But weapons aren't the most useful thing in this kind of neighborhood, you know.?

"I ain't need spellstaves ta whack people 'round, schway? I just like'em. Four." She had four, but what was four more?

?You are so going to need to write this all down for me at some point.? She took a sip of ale because obviously that would help keep it all straight in her head.

"You suck at bein' a boss. Can't fricken disregard yer employee's wants an' needs like that. 'Sides, I ain't got enough memory fer squat. Yer gonna have to do it. Don't mess up, schway?"

?I object! I am an awesome boss. I'll remember everything.. bar.. guitar.. fancy staffs,? she ticked each item off on her fingers.

"Ain't what Isshy said." Sluuuurp.

?What?? Jewell huffed because she totally believed that her knight would probably say something like that, at least in jest. ?Well.. he's just mad because I keep running off to hang out with Kalamere and leaving him behind.?

"He ain't likin' ya that way, is he?" squinted. She couldn't believe that. She couldn't believe anyone liked Jewell, though.

?No.? She said it firmly maybe to convince herself more than Lain. ?Knights.. it doesn't work like that. They devote themselves to their lord or lady. We become their lives. There isn't supposed to be room for anything else.?

"So he's bored," deadpan.

?Somewhat.? Shrugged a little, trying to pretend it didn?t bother her. ?Maybe frustrated because I make his job harder when we're here.?

"Sucks ta be him then, schway?"

?Sometimes.? She frowned a little as the subject was a bit of a sour one. ?I warned him not to join himself to me, though. Not my fault he did it anyway.?

"Can't ya just order'm ta take a load off or whatever?" She finished her ale, a flick of a single digit sends the empty tankard back to the bar.

?Well yeah.. I can certainly try at least. But he's basically convinced I'm going to get myself killed or something when he's not around, and that's kind of against his code and all that.? She actually covered a yawn because that's how boring she found this particular line of conversation.

"Prove'm wrong." Lain slid to her feet to search for her flip-flop. "Definitely could've had an uglier dude attached ta yer ass."

?I would not an accept an ugly knight.? Jewell scoffed. ?Really Lain, you should know me better than that.

"Then quit yer bitchin', schway? Yer a Faerie. Faeries'r weird." Hand flap. Hey, there was her flip-flop.

Her mouth was agape for a moment because she honestly hadn't thought she was bitching. To occupy herself, she finished off her ale. ?Not weirder than Elves and you know it.?

"We ain't waste our time with all yer politics an' games and whatnot. 'Sides, Elves'r always pretty." Another hand flap.

She did think one particular half-elf was very good looking, so she didn?t argue with that. ?The games are a waste of time but someone has to play them, no? Might as well be me. At least I'll win.? There?s neither modesty nor pride in what she says, just a statement of truth as she believed it. She scooted out of the booth and stretched, her legs cramped from sitting so long.

"I'll leave that crap ta you." Turned to face her. "We ain't gotta do some sort of secret handshake, do we?"

She eyed her hand a moment before looking back up at her face and shrugging. ?Not unless you like.. want to for some reason.?

Lain eyed Jewell's hand in much the same way, narrow nose wrinkling up. "Ew."

Yeah.? She laughed. ?Kind of what I was thinking.?

"Tell me where ta show up, I'll be there, schway? We'll do that instead."

?Maybe tomorrow? Come by the house and we can settle the final details. Make sure Ishmerai knows where to get your guitar. Stuff like that.?

That was the happiest she'd looked the whole talk. "Verreh schway."

?You know,? Jewell couldn?t help but adding as they started for the door, ?if I knew how cheap employing you was going to be, I would have done it ages ago.?

"Tch. Ya coudn't have bought me fer tha world and you know it." Following, slapslaps for the Faerie's heel clicks. "Yer just lucky I'm bored an' I ain't already got this stuff."

She laughed again, ?Yeah, I know it. At least I got lucky this time no??

"Pathetic enough fer me ta wanna teach ya how ta do things too. Dun ferget that." Hopskipped into place at her side. Chrome chains danced along her pointed and marred ear, white gold ponytail swaying at her nape.

They made an odd pair walking out the door, the Faerie in her pressed, button-up dress and heels besides the more casual True Blood. ?Hey. I'm supposed to be the brains in this operation. You're the muscle.? Jewell affected indignation, covering up the satisfaction she felt at having secured Lain?s assistance. It brought her one step closer to setting the right foundation for the organization she was willing to build from the ground up.

"Yeach, tch, right." Plaid, denim and flip-flops. She didn?t do dresses.

Jewell could see Ishmerai in the reflection of the floor-length mirror she stood before, his image mostly blocked by her body as she twisted and turned, appraising her outfit. He looked bemused at best, displeased at worst, with his arms crossed over his chest. As usual, he was more interested in giving advice than commenting on what she was wearing. ?I would not rely on just your glamour. This arrangement has to last once you are gone.?

The arrangement he referred to was that which she was planning to set up with the harbor master this evening. He would overlook the fact that she was importing goods from Faerie without paying the necessary taxes there and here, as well as ignoring some very clear directions on the list of goods banned in RhyDin, in exchange for a small cut of the profit she expected to make. A very small cut. ?And you do not think my magic can last that long? My friend, you clearly underestimate me. I do not even need magic to charm a man. Really, Ishmerai, who do you think you are dealing with here?? she sounded somewhat miffed.

The knight smirked, ?There are many lovely ladies in this city, my dear. To stand out, I suggest you pull your dress down a bit and show your assets off a little more.?

?I want people to take me seriously, fear me if need be, not do what I want because they think they can get me kneeling in front of them later for it.? He just laughed, leaving the remaining preparations to her as he left the room. She scowled at his retreating form, outwardly dismissing the idea. However, the second his feet hit the stairs, she reached into the top of her dress to draw her breasts closer together and up before pulling the dress down just a touch. A glance in the mirror and she had to give a little nod: that did look better. She tucked an errant piece of blue hair behind her ear, blew herself a kiss, and followed her knight out the door. In the foyer, she ignored his knowing, I-told-you-so smile as she adjusted the string of pearls around her neck; clearly he noticed that his advice had been heeded. ?All right. Let?s do this.?

She found it fortunate that the current harbor master was relatively new to the job. Jewell had dreaded having to deal with someone who knew her as Mrs. Captain Kidd. Such close ties to the well-known pirate could certainly ruin any credibility she had accrued after dropping what she considered to be her maiden name these days: Ravenlock. It was the name she would always come back to in RhyDin, and the name which the harbor master addressed her by as she sat across from him in his office down by the docks. Upon being shown into the room, Jewell had quickly surmised that this was someone she could definitely strike a deal with. While the walls of the building were gray, weathered by salt and the harsh winds that came off the water in the winter, the office itself was nicely appointed: a rich oak desk and well-made leather chairs; a plush area rug, out of place on the well-worn floors; Brandy in a sparkling decanter and matching crystal glasses. Even the harbor master himself, the former Captain Brant, showed that he was a man to be reasoned with in his dress coat and silk shirt.

?While I certainly don?t mind the pleasantries, Ms. Ravenlock,? and the leer which she accepted without objection said he actually wouldn?t mind continuing such pleasantries with her, ?I am a busy man. Perhaps you can get to the point and tell me how I can be best assisting you??

?Oh it is such a little thing, really,? she laughed. ?I almost didn?t even want to bother you with it as I am sure one of your subordinates could have easily handled this for me, but I have heard that you are a man to be trusted. Actually,? Jewell added with a smile as if this was just an afterthought, ?someone just the other day told me that if I had any issues, you were the most capable harbor master RhyDin had seen in years so there was nothing to worry about.? Flattery, The Empress well knew, could get you anywhere. She certainly had Mr. Brant?s undivided attention now if she didn?t before. ?I have been missing my home in Faerie so much these days. You know I absolutely love RhyDin, but it just isn?t quite the same. So I decided why not open a business? Nothing big you know, just a small little shop selling a few things from home. The problem is, shipping from the Lands is so expensive! Really, they?ll just steal even the tiniest profit away from you in taxes and fees. And there may be a problem with a few items here or there that for some reason,? she rolled her eyes, ?someone decided shouldn?t be brought into the city. Now if only there was a way around these problems, I?d be all ready to set up shop in a few weeks.?

?Now Ms. Ravenlock, I?m a man of the law here??

Before he could erect that roadblock to her plans, Jewell flashed a smile made for such an occasion and leaned forward just a little as if it was just the two of them sharing an intimate conversation. ?Mr. Brant, I respect that you are a man of the law, but I am more than willing to make it very much worth your while for you to say.. overlook a few things for me??

Ishmerai?s threatening glower in the corner wasn?t even needed.

?At times, I really do not know how you do it,? the knight said with a shake of his head. Jewell just laughed, lounging comfortably in the chaise-and-four that bumped over the cobblestone streets, carrying them back to Old Market. The meeting had taken even less time than she originally planned, and she only had to discourage the idea that Brant would be getting anything other than money from her one time. Captain Strand would be welcomed into port without any problems, and she would even be notified immediately upon his arrival so she could be present when the first shipment was inspected. ?If I did not know better, I would swear you had used your glamour.?

?Not even a touch, dear Merai. Who needs it when the right amount of money, supplemented by a few pretty smiles, can get you everything you want and more in this city??

?I cannot believe that we have everything ready, that we have come this far, and we are being delayed because you cannot think of a name for this business venture. You have had months now, Mira.?

?I?m sorry!? she cried out defensively. ?I just.. nothing seems to fit right.?

The afternoon sunlight poured in through the large front window of the newly renovated shop in Little Elfhame. The glass was untouched, the painter awaiting Jewell?s decision on a name before he could create the design for her. Everything else was in a perfect state of readiness. The deep floor plan had been drastically reduced by a newly erected wall. What was left was a tastefully decorated room more akin to a business lounge than a storefront. The room?s most distinguishing feature was an L-shaped counter that ran along three-fourths of the back wall and at least half of the right. ?Repurposing the old bar from the tavern next door was a good idea,? Ishmerai commented as he ran his hand along the smooth surface, willing to let go of the name discussion for the moment. What little shelf space there was existed behind the counter, providing more than enough room for different bottles of liquor and liqueur as well as pieces of beautiful glassware: wine glasses, brandy snifters, and old fashions.

?It was too beautiful and perfect not to use. Imagine finding a bar made from the silver mallorn wood in RhyDin, just sitting unused in that old tavern?? A desk that matched the silver wood counter was set along the left wall, two comfortable looking leather chairs situated in front of it. ?I was lucky there was enough of it remaining to make the desk to match.?

?And that the tables had not all been completely destroyed,? the knight agreed with their good fortune in the matter. They had salvaged as much of the tavern?s furniture as they could, saving several low tables, now paired with those comfortable looking chairs and scattered here and there, perfect for enjoying a sample of fine wine. The warm glow of mage-lighting added to the atmosphere. The black and silver damask wallpaper on the back wall was a nice contrast to the plum colored side walls. Going around the former bar and through the door set in the back wall brought them into the extended back room filled currently with a stock of alcohol and plenty of room for further offerings. It also held access to the a small ante-room that lead to the back entrance and the river beyond as well as the expansive cellar below.

?Are prices are all set??

?Yes. I think going with ones aimed at wholesale buying was a good idea. It?s not that I don?t want people just walking in off the street to buy a bottle of wine for their dinner this evening, but I want to encourage more.. enduring business deals??

?Right.?

Jewell paced up and down through the mostly empty aisles. ?And most everything right now will be available to any customer, except for a few select items I want to keep on reserve strictly for use in the bar when we get that up and running.?

Ishmerai followed behind, ?Do not get ahead of yourself. You still need a name for this store before thinking of future bars and boutique hotels.?

She glared over her shoulder at him, pushing through the two sets of double doors and walking out to the small concrete slab and adjoining dock. Barges floated by them as they stood in silence for some time. ?What about Empress Imports??

?Eh..?

?Yeah.? She worked at the inside of her cheek with her teeth. ?Empress Incorporated??

He shook his head, ?You are really stuck on this fake title of yours.?

?I like the way it sounds.? And she did. Ever since Tara had dubbed Jewell ?The Empress?, the name had stuck. ?Everything Empress??

Ishmerai snorted at that, ?No.?

?Ugh!? she took up pacing over the concrete slab. ?Empress Enterprises, Faerie Finds.. no no..?

?You realize that you do not need to use alliteration??

Jewell ignored him. ?Pieces of Faerie? Parts and Pieces?? Crap. She was back to the alliteration again. ?Ish-mer-ai! I just can?t think of a good one. You know I?m terrible with naming things. Tara and I called every new person we met ?Fred? for years because we couldn?t bother thinking of better names for them!? In re-telling that curious bit of history, Jewell ignored the fact that the people they were naming already had names of their own. The point was still being made: She could be creative in many ways except for with names.

?Better try harder,? the knight responded unsympathetically. ?We are opening next week whether the store has a name or not.?

?I know,? she claimed but she sounded distracted, eyes narrowed as she stared at the water.

Ishmerai waited a moment, giving her space to think, but when her eyes just grew more distance, he tried to recall her to the here and now, ?Mira??

He had to repeat her name a few more times before she turned her face to look at him, grinning. ?I think I got it.?

Faerie and Fae sat together in Beyond the Veil late on the night of Friday, September 5th. The lights were off to discourage anyone from thinking the shop was still open as the knight and his lady shared a drink and discussed the neighborhood meeting that they had held earlier in the evening.

?I think it went pretty well,? Jewell swirled her drink around in her glass, adoring the way the moonlight turned it to silver.

?Giving the people a voice, or at least the illusion of a voice, is rarely a bad thing.? Ishmerai drained his glass, setting it down on the floor. ?Looking back, I agree that it may have been a mistake to discontinue the payment of protection fees when you first moved into the neighborhood.?

The Empress slouched in her seat, bare legs stretched out long before her with modesty kept in-tact by a short, navy dress. ?I thought about that as well, but I think I managed to avoid most of the problems of re-instituting taxes in a pretty ingenious way, if I do say so myself.?

Ishmerai grinned a touch, ?Yes. Allowing them to state their grievances and then making them think of the solution was brilliant.?

?Well, I knew my suggestion of volunteering wasn?t going to jibe with most of them,? she shrugged. ?Giving up an afternoon to weed and paint is one thing. Spending hours monitoring the streets is completely different. Most of these people aren?t natural-born fighters. They have little to no training. What use would they be against any threat, even a common robber??

?So rather than have you demand it, they willingly offer to give up a little bit of their hard-earned money for safety, and if we can use some of it for the beautification of their neighborhood, even better,? Ishmerai finished the thought. ?Safer, nicer looking streets and buildings means more money they can make in the end.?

?Exactly.?

Ishmerai mulled over the subject a little. How very far he had come from loyal knight in the court of Oleanda. A chance meeting in a prison, which had surely saved his life, had flung him far from home and well beyond his comfort zone. ?We will need to start a search for some other people to hire. We need more muscle.?

?That one is up to you.? She grinned at his obvious dismay. ?Fine fine. Lain and I will help. We may want to look into people employed by the other organizations though. See if they have any disgruntled workers we could lift.?

?Seems like that might stir up some trouble.?

Jewell shrugged. ?It?ll come eventually either way. The Sidhe Syndicate and Fae Dynasty have already been sending out feelers. They won?t be ignoring us forever, you know. They can?t afford to.?

?Certainly not with your name and face known all over RhyDin,? the knight pointed out astutely. He shook his head, ?You know, from what I understand about these matters, most people who head such organizations as these at least attempt to keep a discrete profile.?

The Empress grinned wide. ?What can I say? I was born to be different.?

Metronome in its procession the large grandfather clock in the corner of the study assaulted the silence in a way only it could. Papers upon papers lay before her atop the token calendar that she gave up trying to navigate a month prior. Her paperweight was a finely aging bottle of Cognac, a drink she didn't even like, but kept around due to its amber hue and how it soothed her by candlelight. Overhead, a brilliant chandelier was keeping watch with its jewells (hah) distorting the light from the centerpiece.

Hope didn't often enjoy spending time at the mahogany desk that was far too cumbersome, or the leather chair that had a broken wheel so she could not spin it and roll around as she once had. With an absent-minded glance at the hour hand then the minute, she felt a stroke of panic strike as she remembered she had a meeting in negative two minutes! Quickly she scrambled to clear her desk and ease it all into place.

Perhaps Jewell had impeccable timing, knocking on the study's door and inviting herself in three minutes later than originally planned and really allowing just enough time for Hope to get her desk somewhat clean. Not that Jewell would have minded; her own desk served as a wonderful foot rest and collector of documents. She had dressed for the occasion in a slate blue dress a little more discrete and professional than her normal wear simply because it had all the buttons done up. "Hope! I apologize for being late. I took a wrong turn. Even after all these years, I still get a bit lost in different parts of the city." The truth was that she had been lazing around the house, a little nervous about the meeting, and she was only three minutes late because Ishmerai had practically shoved her out the door.

"That's okay I was day dreaming and just managed to scrape this all together to look half-assed, at least as professionalism goes." Blunt and to the point, Hope scooted her chair out and rose to walk around the desk and greet Jewell with a handshake. "Have a seat, if you want I'll pour you a glass." She had the horrendous trophy scar of a drink on top but her desk had many, many secrets.

Jewell's handshake was firm without being crushing. It wouldn't due to appear as a threat or a challenge, not in this situation. So she smiled and laughed after Hope's joke regarding her desk, taking a seat and smoothing out her skirt. She declined the offer of a drink. "A little too early in the day even for me," she quipped. It probably wasn't true.

"So the thought occurred to me while I was ripping my hair out over nonsensical clauses in fine print and the absurd scrutiny that has to be held with in relation to district boundaries- I see you more often than not, but I don't really know what you're about." She took her seat and held her hands in her lap. "What can I do for you Jewell Ravenlock?"

This question required a little more serious consideration and delicacy in the answer. "I know we don't really know each other well, Hope. Really just in passing. I'm coming to you today more as a concerned citizen in this district than as an acquaintance. I've lived in Old Market for well over a year now, and I've noticed some disturbing trends." Here was the sell: "I'm not really one just to sit around, letting others do the dirty work, but I'm also not some secret vigilante. I want to make Old Market a safer place to live and a better place to work, and I need your help to do that."

Oddly enough when it came to matters outside of dueling, which she considered her actual state of being a baroness, she handled things with a more finesseful tact. She didn't like to be the Diamond when she was not about to fight, she didn't like to be the hot-headed Fire Keeper and in these walls, she was more of a thinker and strategist. So when Jewell got straight to the point, or at least the purpose behind the visit, Hope rose and walked to the door to shut it with a lock.

"I'm not blind to the fact." A slight tone of irritation flooded Hope's voice as she walked over to the windows and pulled the curtains shut before taking her seat in the chair and setting her elbows on the desk, resting both hands curled inside their fists against her forehead. She let out a deep sigh, filled with apparent frustration. "Day in and out I see criminals getting away with murder because of the rampant corruption and nepotism in the streets. The Watch is non-existent and only matters when the public eye is to be had. Look around us.. this isn't a booming thoroughfare, we're not the busiest trade and some of us are damn near struggling to make end's meat." Jewell, being as sharp as she was, knew all of this already. However it wasn't something Hope would leave left unsaid. "There's so many rules that keep me from being able to help the damn people they entrusted to me!" She pounded her fist on the desk, sending the chandelier above in a stir. "You have my attention. What would you ask of me?"

This was better than The Empress could have asked for, but her conscience (yes, she has one) gave her a little prick! Hope was so genuine in her frustration, and Jewell felt just the tinsy bit deceitful in her own. She did want to better the community though, even if it also meant bettering her position in life. The Faerie just told herself it would all work out in the end. "I think there might be a way to clean up at least some of the corruption, honestly. I really don't like this any more than you do. My neighbors look up to me. They ask me for help. But alone? I just can't do it." Real frustration made the line of her jaw hard. "But with my name and reputation plus your current position? I think we can make some kind of difference."

A poker face had no place within Hope's arsenal. It had been painted all over her face while she leaned back and listened to Jewell's words. Winning was one thing, it was winning that had gotten her in the seat but day in and day out, looking out these windows, she began to grow on the people, and the people began to grow onto her. "But a name and reputation won't survive a bullet fight right?" She smiled, a little sharper than some as she looked to the chandelier once more. "I know how that feels. I can parade all of the prizes in the world and it doesn't make a single one of these lives any more bearable. And if I can't do that, what was the point? I got the ring for winning and for sport but I inherited the will of a city district with it..." Growing pains, no doubt. "I'd like to make a difference, a real one."

"I think you'd be surprised what a name and reputation can do in this town." Jewell's smile was genuine but not sweet. It was calculating and knowing; the smile of a woman who enjoyed the game. "Corruption is the problem, but I've found it can also be used, if necessary, to clean up more.. disruptive corruption."

She thought Hope might need a more concrete explanation than that. "Take for example these two," she paused for a moment, "oh I guess the best word is gangs? They're a bunch of hooligans, and they basically rule and run the neighborhoods near mine. They torture the people, stealing their money in the name of protection and then robbing them blind. With a little of the right pressure from the correct people, I believe we can clean the streets of groups like that. Topple their leadership, and the rest fall apart."

She leaned back and followed what Jewell was putting down. In the beginning, of course, there was a metaphor that came to mind. "You're speaking of something akin to fighting fire with fire." She chose her words well, meaningful even as she prodded the hypothetical scenario within her brain. Chopping the head off a snake will typically leave the body to rot and decay away. She didn't have many reasons to question Jewell's incentives on the matter, seeing as how it was a dilemma that Hope wasn't completely blind to. The way she was expressing it though, the fire in her eyes, that is what spoke to Hope the most. "If I help you and this goes south.. they'll do everything in my power to take me down. Does anyone know you're here right now?"

Jewell, the once water-aligned Faerie, was not a big fan of fire metaphors, but it worked well enough in this scenario. "Basically. I think together we have some major pull. Either we get what little authority there is in this town to mop up the mess, or we figure out another way to do it ourselves." She was as cold as ice now, no messing around. This was not the Jewell who normally visited the duels. Hope's questions about possible Plan B's made her smile. "Only my knight knows I'm here. But I don't know how much I'd worry. There's a reason I came to you, Hope. You're in a position to make all of this look so.. clean. A baron, concerned about her district and willing to do anything she can to set things right. How could anyone trouble you about that? And as for me?" Jewell sat back, apparently relaxing for the first time during this conversation. "I'm just a concerned citizen. Right?"

"I don't disagree with anything you've said up to this point." Not including, merely in its entirety Jewell was pitching a sale that Hope could buy. "Do you plan on threats? Or are we going to take this a bit higher?" She did have the fire at her disposal and nothing scared rats like a fire. "Or were you thinking.. whatever the cost, get these people their safety back?" This was arguably the most important question of the night. "I believe in justice more than I do just about anything else. Hence why I believe my time is limited in this Barony. The whole.. Renegade thing and all." She shrugged. "I want to do something that will help shape this district and its people for years to come. I want to free them from this bondage they suffer in. What would you ask of me?" Her question was quite specific with the look she gave Jewell. "What would be the price I would pay?"

Jewell laced her fingers together. This did require some thought, especially since she hadn't exactly expected Hope to join the cause quite so easily. "Fire.. is a possibility that I won't discount. I was hoping neither of us would have to get our hands truly dirty in any of this. There should be plenty of evidence to prove that crimes have been committed. More than enough witnesses to support our cause." What was she asking from Hope then? She needed to spell it out. "I need your help in preparing a case for the Watch to get these people locked up for good. If they should happen to suffer some sort of accident within the deplorable RhyDin prison system, well.. they'll be just another casualty of the corruption they've created."

"Alright." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Decision making was something she didn't pride herself upon, but it wasn't something she was going to take lightly with this distinct nature. "I care about these people. Day in and day out I see them struggle and the people who claim to be representing them.. do nothing but enjoy absurd wealth." Her own cabinet was stocked with the bare minimum of appointed trusted members. She didn't do vacation time. She was either in the Inn or in her Tower.

"I will be honest, I'm not about to bank the safety of these people and their livelihoods on the watch. They are about as competent as they are threatening. Neither of which exceed the amount to get anything done, ever." She opened her eyes and leaned forward. "But I'll give that a shot first before pushing things to something more drastic."

Apparently, all Hope had needed was a spark to get her started, and Jewell was more than happy to provide the match. "There's a chance it won't work, but I've given this a lot of thought. If someone were to just take out these people, there would be plenty of others to try and step into their shoes. Then we'd be back with the same problem again, just different faces." She chewed at the inside of her cheek a moment. It was really a habit she needed to keep better in check. "I have the money, and there are... other ways to bend the ears of those in charge." Jewell wasn't ready to admit that she would just magick the pants off of anyone that stood in her way. "I'm sure these people have paid off members of the Watch and others, but it's not like we can't do the same. Money, favors.. whatever it takes."

It wasn't as though she didn't have a plan for the problems being risen to the surface, it was something about the answer that had Hope a little hesitant. "I'd say it's more than likely the case really, in both. You force them out, someone's going to come and take their place. It's the devil you know argument- however knowing our current devil isn't really helping us in the least bit." At the other point, Hope had to ask a simple question. "Who watches the watchers?" She was for change and giving what was right to those who deserved it. The thought had to loom over her head though.

"Not if we get them all. I don't want just their leaders. I want all of them locked away. Everyone above the lackey on the street corner that doesn't know how to tie his own shoe or the enforcer at the door who could care less where his money is coming from. Anyone with plans. Anyone with half a brain? Gone." This policy had served the self-proclaimed Empress well enough before. The Watch was the trickier part. "No one watches the Watch except those who need to, right? So I agree they're the weak point of this plan. But unless you have some small militia hiding around here," Jewell gave a look around the room, "I don't have a better idea. Unless you do."

"You're a bold woman, Ms. Ravenlock." Taking out two syndicates from the head to the tail that rattled and planning on extorting the city's corrupt policing sector to do it? Balls, sheer balls of steel. "With them dismantled it would bring even petty theft to a screeching halt. They get a cut of everything that goes on around here. Without the proper distribution, it'll lose guidance, lose its sentience."

At her second question she chose her words rather poorly. "Forgive my ambiguous phrasing, it wasn't intended. What is the safeguard against someone far worse following in their footsteps?" That would most likely determine how things would play out. Taking out an established force was difficult enough but successfully placing a replacement infrastructure? Far more difficult a task. It takes more energy to create than to destroy.

Now Jewell really had to tread carefully although this line of inquiry wasn't completely unexpected. She smiled easily at the compliment before proceeding. "I would love to have you come visit my neighborhood sometime, Hope. Have you ever been to Little Elfhame? It's rather small, but the progress we've made there in just the last year is astounding."

"I learned something important in that neighborhood. When you remove the head, you do run the risk of someone far worse stepping into their shoes. But if the people are given some direction and maybe a little nudge, they can display an astounding amount of agency." Now add a touch of modesty, "I'm not saying I can set things right in all of Old Market on my own any means! But I certainly intend to make sure it isn't easy for someone else to just waltz in and seize power." Mostly because The Empress intended to do so herself.

RhyDin?s Quick News
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Headline: Jewell Ravenlock Vows Aid to Baroness Hope

In a meeting with the press today, well-known socialite and local business owner Jewell Ravenlock vowed to assist Old Market?s Baroness Hope in her crusade against organized crime.

?No one should have to stand alone against these monsters! As someone who lives and works in Old Market, I will stand alongside Baroness Hope, offering her all the resources at my disposal,? the woman more popularly known as ?The Empress? stated.

When asked to clarify what sort of resources Ms. Ravenlock was alluding to and whether she would resort to vigilante justice, the lady just laughed and reassured the city, ?Just like Baroness Hope, I?m interested in justice, not vengeance. Everything we do will be within the limits of the law.?

When Jewell arrived in Little Elfhame around 1am, she was surprisingly relieved that she had not lingered in the Iron Fists Garden long after the Powerhouse Party in an attempt to grab Kal?s attention. There was quite the crisis going on, and it required her immediate presence and undivided attention.

Charlie Nine had killed a number of pixies and nailed them to the outside wall of Beyond the Veil.

?Explain it to me again please?? Jewell pinched the bridge of her nose and tried to keep her voice down. Despite the late hour, the scene had drawn quite a crowd. ?Why didn?t the wards in place stop him?? The ?him? in question was not a mystery. No one else had taunted her with FireStar or placed a bloody kiss upon her bruised cheek this evening.

?Because he used iron, apparently.? The knight flexed his hands, horribly burnt from the cold touch of the iron. Arriving before Jewell, he had made sure to help remove the pixies from the wall as gently and quickly as he could, but he had not been quick enough; people had seen what had been done. ?The wards would have kept him from entering the shop, but not from touching the outside wall with the iron.?

The Empress tried to take a deep breath to calm herself, but the attempt was falling short tonight. She was upset to see the injuries Ishmerai had sustained but still too angry at the moment to restrain herself from asking him accusingly: ?And why didn?t you stop him? Why didn?t you catch him? Where was everyone??

?If everything you have told me about the man is true, Mira, then he is very good. He did not intend to be seen or caught.? Ishmerai looked around, ?We just do not have enough people under our employment to patrol every street anymore.?

?Then get them!? she snapped at him before turning away from the store to check out the crowd. Families full of fear, lingering in the late-night cold, wondering what their chosen leader was going to do. ?Little (censored)!? she cursed under her breath. ?I didn?t do (censored) to him and he does this?? She had let Charlie?s brutality during the Overlord Tournament slide, but even Jewell?s twisted sense of righteousness was highly offended by this act, especially after she had attempted to smooth things over between herself and Nine by helping him with Jin Chae?s birthday. This just proved to her that Charlie Nine was a ticking time bomb, waiting to explode. She had been afraid from day one that when and if he did explode, people she cared about would be caught by the shrapnel. She should have never let her guard down. ?This means war between him and I, you know that right?? she glanced aside to Ishmerai. The knight just nodded, stony faced. ?Clearly he is seriously disturbed. Him and his little pack of whores need to pay for this.?

As always, the knight just had one question: ?What are you going to do about it??

?First things first.? She stepped away from Ishmerai and approached the crowd, focusing on the ambitious journalist or two who had chosen this grisly act to report on rather than the dozens of others also going on in the city at any given moment. What good was a crisis if she couldn?t twist it to her advantage?

?Ms. Ravenlock! Who do you think is responsible for this act??

Show time. ?Clearly this is the work of the Sidhe Syndicate. Their thugs have been running rampant in Old Market for far too long, and they are clearly getting bolder. Who else would despise Faerie and Fae living peacefully together as they do in this neighborhood? It?s speciesism, plain and simple, and it?s disgusting.?

?How can you be sure it was the Syndicate??

?Just two weeks ago, one of their representatives met with me in my shop, threatening to bring down the peace and harmony we have managed to find in Little Elfhame.? She took a deep breath as if extremely remorseful, her tone dropping appropriately, ?I just didn?t think they would really do it. Clearly that was my mistake, and we all have paid for it tonight. Innocent lives have paid for it.? Step one: admit the mistake.

?Doesn?t this seem like more of a personal attack? You can?t say that you don?t have a list of enemies. Are you sure the perpetrator wasn?t targeting you personally??

Step two: profit from the mistake! Jewell shook her head. ?No. This is just a general warning; there?s nothing personal about it. I didn?t know the poor victims,? she gestured to the blanket covering the tiny bodies of the departed. ?The Syndicate targeted my shop because I am the heart and glue of this neighborhood, frantically trying to keep us all working together here while criminals like the Syndicate seek to tear us apart and turn us against each other.? Now she turned to face the flock of scared little birds, raising her voice, ?But we won?t let them, will we? We will stand together, united against those poisoned and blinded by ignorance and hatred! We are not bound and will not be bound by the archaic rules of Faerie that separate our kin beyond the veil and create enmity between them. This is our city and we live by our rules! Crimes against our Fae friends will not go unpunished or overlooked.?

RhyDin?s Quick News
Sunday, 25 January 2015
Headline: Outbreak of Gang Violence in Old Market

Late last night, violence broke out on the streets of Old Market between the Fae Dynasty and the Sidhe Syndicate, prompted by the latter?s slaying of a dozen pixies on Thursday evening.

Several leading members of the Sidhe Syndicate have been reported as dead and several civilians have been caught in the crossfire. A source within the Fae Dynasty, who wishes to remain anonymous, told RyDin?s Quick News: ?Although the neighborhood of Little Elfhame is outside of our territory, we refuse to stand for any violence against our Fae brethren. Those uppity Faerie bastards have to learn that they don?t own the world! At least not this one.?

The local Watch is preparing for another evening of violence between the two gangs, calling in members from other divisions in preparation for expected reprisal killings. Members of the public have been encouraged to stay indoors after dark and report any suspicious behavior to the local Watch station.

?What are you going to do if Hope loses Old Market tonight?? Ishmerai asked as his lady shoveled pancakes into her mouth, looking for all the world like a chipmunk.

?Mmm,? she was about to speak until she saw Ishmerai?s look of disgust. Rolling her eyes, she finished chewing the delicious carb cakes and washed it down with chocolate milk (could RhyDin provide any yummier foods!?) before starting again: ?Anubis might be an even better partner, although with a less than savory reputation.?

?How so??

Jewell stabbed a few more pieces of pancake, soaking up as much syrup as she could with it. ?He?s certainly a lot more intimidating. Who is going to dare to cross me if I?m aligned with him??

The knight nodded a little, raising his mug of coffee to his lips for a sip. He was eating his own plate of pancakes at a much more leisurely and less voracious pace. ?Have you considered that working with Anubis might harm your sparkling reputation??

?I did.? Reaching with her fork, she stabbed one of the strawberries that remained on Ishmerai?s plate. She had already eaten all of her own. He wacked her hand with his fork. ?Hey!? she cried indignantly, but she still managed to snag the strawberry and shove it in her mouth before he could object further. ?I think any damage an alliance with Anubis might have will be mitigated by my taking Evelyn down or stopping whatever it is she is up to.?

?Uhuh..? he didn?t seem full convinced.

She shrugged, ?Look. It?ll just show that I can work with different people, right? They need to know that all I?m really interested in is the good of the district, and that?ll be clear if I?m willing to work with a slaver if it means getting the job done.?

?A slaver who is the significant other of your best friend.?

?Yeaaah,? Jewell dragged it out. She nibbled on her final piece of pancake thoughtfully. ?I guess we?ll just have to see how it goes. I?d rather work with him than against him if I can. But really, figuring that out is not top priority. I need to strike out at the Fae Dynasty while the Syndicate is down, you know?? Ishmerai nodded. ?And I?m waiting to hear more from Mordin before I move on stupid Evelyn. I guess she really comes first, then the Fae Dynasty??

?Then the world?? Ishmerai asked with a smile.

?Now what?? Ishmerai asked, trying to return his lady?s attention to their conversation.

Jewell was in her typical work position, high heels scattered somewhere on the office floor, bare feet up on the desk, and grey eyes cast out the window at the slushy, cobblestone streets. ?I took care of Evelyn. The Syndicate is in ruins.?

?Yes, we discussed that already. What needs to be done next?? Sometimes Jewell was so sharp, and other times her attention was fragmented on the wind.

She rolled her eyes, head thunking against the back of her leather chair. It was hard working, building an empire, and Ishmerai kept pushing pushing pushing her when all she wanted to do was take another vacation. ?Fiiiiine,? she drew the word out in exasperation. ?I have to visit the prison, figure out who is workable there. Evelyn might be able to help with that if she knows I took care of Evangeline, right?? The knight shrugged. ?Yeah. I better do that soon. And also make sure Sal and Canaan aren?t going to knock down my prison too.? Her expression soured a touch, ?Maybe that should be number one on the list, talking to those two again.? Now she groaned, sinking down further in her seat. That was not what she wanted to do even if they were attractive.

?Is there someone else you can send to speak with them?? Ishmerai asked, noting her reluctance. He had also been encouraging her to start finding people to handle some of the workload for her.

?No,? she sighed. ?They are men, and I know them so I?ll just do it myself.?

He smiled, figuring that was going to be the result. Men were sort of her speciality. ?Is there anything I can do??

?Yes! I want to see that group of new recruits we talked about by the end of the week.? He nodded as she nibbled on her cheek, thinking of what else needed to be done. ?I have to figure out the Watch situation too. Nudge them to make the arrests. They should be eager after the fumble with Evelyn to set things right, so that shouldn?t be too hard.?

?Do not forget about the neighborhoods then. I know you have already spoken to many people, but once the Fae Dynasty is locked up, things may become messy.? Now she grinned in that way that told him she had already figured out the solution to that particular problem at least. ?What do you have in mind??

She scooted her butt back further into the chair, dropping her bare feet to the cold floor and straightening her posture. ?I am going to hold neighborhood meetings, just like we did here in Little Elfhame. Let the people decide who they want to work with.?

?And if they choose to go it alone??

Jewell folded her hands together on the edge of her desk, grin widening. ?A rather unfortunate decision on their part, to be sure. I am sure anyone who makes such a mistake will come to see the folly of their ways in time.?

?Don?t forget we have that neighborhood meeting for the Bridge Street area tomorrow morning.?

?I will not forget.?

?Because they are the ones who are most eager to join our cause.?

?I know.?

?And you?re going to be speaking to Guiscard about the portal move for next week, right??

?Yes,? Ishmerai replied patiently.

?Good. I want to make sure that moves ahead in time for Fashion Week if we need it. It?ll be the perfect grand opening if Koy wants to use it, or maybe even just have the after party there if not the actual show? But the portal will have to be stabilized and the place will need to be cleaned up and re-stocked. He also promised to tweak everything to make sure non-Fae can definitely get in, so make sure he remembers that part?

?Of course.?

?Okay.? She turned for the door and hesitated again, feeling like she had forgotten something. She turned back to the knight, ?I guess I?ll go over to the precinct then, make sure everything went okay with the arrests this morning.?

He smiled since this was only the fifth time she had attempted to leave before remembering something. ?Will you be stopping by the prison to make sure everyone understands the arrangement there as well??

?Mmhmm eventually,? Jewell nodded, working a the inside of her cheek with her teeth. ?Mother of Nature, there is a lot to do.?

?And you said not a single prisoner is unaccounted for?? Jewell asked as she re-entered Captain Ciaran Primantine?s office after a brief tour of the Tower of Gulshan. The Empress had insisted on the brief part. She had a lot of preparations to make for the imminent arrival of her children, but a trip to the prison had been her first item of business this morning. She had received news about the rioting as soon as it had started last night but had wisely declined to interfere at the time. She had placed trusted guards within the prison for a reason.

?Not one, ma?am.? The captain responded carefully to Jewell as she walked around her desk to take her seat behind it.

Jewell paused and their eyes met for a moment longer than necessary before she nodded and took a seat opposite the captain. ?Perfect.?

?Unfortunately, as I mentioned earlier, we did lose a number of guards in the rioting.?

?That is unfortunate,? Jewell conceded, ?but I can promise you new guards by the end of the week. There are plenty of good, upstanding citizens in this area who are eager to work hard for a living wage to support their families.? Citizens who were more than happy to work in conjunction with The Empress.

Captain Primantine smiled, her mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. ?That would be very much appreciated, ma?am. Now my only concern is the families of the guards.? She looked around a moment, but at least she knew her brand new office was secure. ?There aren?t any bodies to be returned to the families.?

Jewell waved the concern off. ?The unfortunate perils of wading into a magic fight unprepared, of course. Bodies are easily vaporized, burnt to ash, or transported to inhospitable worlds.? Or turn to pieces by a Skid-monster. Although she easily dismissed the lack of bodies, she did not want distraught families to come poking around the prison. ?I noticed that the main gates had been turned from iron to gold last night??

?Correct.? The captain confirmed, unsure about the change of subject. ?I imagine it would make it easier for Fae to escape without the iron.?

Or to enter, Jewell thought. ?Naturally,? she stated instead with a nod. ?We will have to have those taken down and replaced by iron again. Some of the gold should be turned into medals of honor for the fallen. The rest can be used to keep the families quiet and content,? she cleared her throat, ?I mean to help them through their time of need. Understood??

?Perfectly,? Ciaran confirmed.

?Yes, I think things have been much better since your return, Lord Ishmerai.? Lamont shuffled through his papers. ?There have been fewer disputes, and I believe we are caught up on all the business that was backlogged since??

?The Empress was busy,? Ishmerai supplied for him. ?Good. I apologize that our new recruits were not as helpful as they were meant to be during my absence.?

Lamont waved the apology away, ?They are young, Ishmerai. I am sure there will be no further trouble after they have more training.?

?That is on my list for the week.? It was a rather lengthy list, unfortunately. With Jewell indisposed by her current personal troubles, the knight found himself trying to drag his mistress out of the depths of her despair all while juggling her growing empire. ?It should be easier to gain more recruits when the organization is more... legitimized.?

?Ah yes, about that.? Lamont pushed a stack of papers across his desk to Ishmerai. ?Everything is done. The House of Summer has been officially incorporated according to the convoluted laws of the land.?

Ishmerai flipped through the papers casually, not really interested in reading any of them at the moment. ?Perfect. So all of the businesses will fall under the House of Summer now??

?Without getting into too many details that will surely bore you, yes. The House of Summer is technically the parent company with the different businesses beneath it: the security force, I?Yulna, Beyond the Veil, even the Royal Pains in a way since they will be sponsored by us. It is not required by any means, but most of these businesses will then be used to work towards our lady?s goal of uh?? the barrister looked for a piece of paper to see how Jewell had worded it, ?urban development and renewal.?

The knight shook his head, ?She will love this. I assure you. It all seems so nice, tidy, and well within the law.?

?Oh it is my lord!? Lamont rushed to reassure him. ?Very legitimate or at least as legitimate as any business can be in RhyDin.?

?You know, I?m getting really tired of these people you?ve trained, Ishmerai.? She was flipping through paperwork, scowling at each new complaint. ?They aren?t doing their jobs!?

The knight rubbed at his temple. There was a downside to Jewell taking an interest in her business assets again. ?Some of them are.?

?Not enough of them!? she tossed the papers onto her desk. ?They aren?t supposed to be bullying our people. They?re supposed to be helping them.?

?What do you want, Mira? Half of them are thugs you took in when the Fae Dynasty collapsed. You need to find me better people if you want better results; I cannot reform and train them.?

She huffed, ?Then I?ll find you better people.? It was as simple as that apparently. ?Oh and the next group that acts up? Send them to the tower.?

Jewell poured herself a drink before collapsing into her cushy office chair. Onto the desk went her strappy, black highheels. Ishmerai declined a silent offer for a drink as well, taking the seat across from her. ?Some of the girls sound promising.?

?Yeah..?

He smiled a little at her unenthusiastic answer. ?What did you think of the girl tonight??

The Empress shrugged, ?She was okay. Said she?s had some formal training before she landed in the brothel, so I guess that should be good.?

?Magic abilities??

She shook her head, ?Undeveloped.?

He nodded. ?We can work with that. At least it is better than the girl last night. I am still upset that the report we received was so wrong.?

?Eh.? Jewell shrugged. ?What are we going to do? Most of our information has been right.?

?True.? He watched her as she swirled the amber colored liquid around in her glass, apparently mesmerized by it. ?So.. eight girls. That should be enough to start, right??

?It?s nine with the twins,? she corrected without looking at him.

?Nine then. Nine is good.?

She shook her head. ?No. I want a finder.?

The two blue-haired ladies poured over the blueprints together.

?I love the layout of the rooms for them!?

?I know! I think we could have the construction start as soon as next week if we clear everything out.?

?But you still need a place to live,? Sapphire pointed out.

?Unnggh,? Jewell groaned. ?This is so annoying! I don?t want to put the girls off any longer. I promised them I would buy their contracts as soon as possible. I don?t want to leave them in that position any longer than I need to.?

?Maybe set up temporary housing??

?I could do that,? she didn?t sound sold on the idea however.

?Or you could just make a decision already about which place you like best.? Sapphire added archly.

Jewell pursed her lips. That sounded even worse! It involved all sorts of decisions she wasn?t ready to make.

?What about putting them up in the hotel??

?It?s not ready yet,? she replied, chewing on the inside of her cheek as she stared through the blueprints, mentally grasping for the solution. Sapphire poked her arm right on one of her dueling acquired bruises. ?Ow!?

The teen rolled her eyes. ?Come on. Don?t make me get Merai in here to help you decide.?

They both looked down the hall to see if the knight would appear at the mention of his name. When he didn?t, they turned their attention back to the blueprints. ?Which place did you like best??

?Weeellll,? Sapphire drew out, leaning forward onto her elbows. ?The brownstone is nice and wouldn?t take a lot of work, but I think the old mill building has a lot more potential.?

The Empress nodded slowly, ?Yeah. I guess the question is: potential for what, exactly??

?We are going to live in the hotel??

?Uhuh..? Jewell nodded as she breezed about her office, picking up a book here and there and looking at the cover before setting it aside.

?For how long??

?Until the mill complex is ready.? Picking up another book, she used her thumb to flip through the pages quickly.

?That could take months!? He objected before attempting to relax his clenched jaw and speak calmly, ?I do not care for this idea, Mira. Why not just rent an apartment for a time if you are so eager for work on the house to begin??

She slammed the book cover shut and finally looked over at him. ?It won?t take months!? She grabbed another book, grumbling to herself as she practically tore through the pages, mumbling, ?And I?ll think about it.?

The joy of the ladies was infectious. Jewell?s grin was still in place hours later as she accepted a glass of whiskey from Ishmerai before he sat down across from her.

?Wow.? She said not for the first time. ?I just.. I mean, did you see the tears in Lavanya?s eyes??

?I did.? He admitted dispassionately. ?You should be very pleased, Mira. I think it went well.?

?So tame, Merai!? she groaned out. ?It was better than well! It was fantastic. Didn?t you see how happy they were? A house of their own with rooms that belong solely to them. Locks on the doors to keep unwanted visitors out. Any amenities they could ever want or need. I think we covered all the bases and then some.?

?Yes, I am sure they appreciate the deep soaking tubs you insisted on.? He teased her relentlessly. ?More important is that, perhaps for the first time in their lives, they are safe. They have all their needs met and you have given them a level of security unimagined previously. You have saved them. They will never forget this, Mira.?

The Empress smiled. ?As they shouldn?t.?

After all, she hadn?t done all of this out of the pure goodness of her heart!

Grand Opening of The Mill at Little Elfhame

Old Market?s hottest new urban development project opened today. The Mill at Little Elfhame is a delightfully chic commercial and residential space with industrial flairs and the right touch of fey influence.

Several new business ventures--including boutique shops and restaurants--are also opening their doors today as part of the grand opening celebration. Generating the most buzz is Feygarten, a beer hall and garden. With indoor and outdoor seating (the latter maintained by localized air-warming spells, fire pits, and heating spell lamps) year round, Feygarten is sure to become one of RhyDin?s favorite watering holes.

The old mill building, previously an eyesore in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Little Elfhame, has been completely renovated by Seed to Sprout Co. The project was financed by House of Summer Inc., a local enterprise run by Jewell Ravenlock and operating out of Little Elfhame.

Commercial space is still available in the building. Several available suites on the second floor boast views of the river. Interested parties should contact Barrister Lamont at xxxxxxx Little Elfhame; Old Market.

The rate at which her right high heel was tapping the floor had increased exponentially over the last twenty minutes. Ishmerai kept shooting her disapproving looks, and Jewell kept choosing to ignore them.

Finally, she interrupted the gentlemen. ?Let?s get back to the Lirssa thing, shall we? I don?t really feel like quibbling any further over who gets what when I die.?

?Will you stop saying that!? The knight begged in exasperation.

Jewell ignored him. ?If we forgot something, use your discretion Lamont. You have the list of beneficiaries. It?s not long. And you know who has priority and who I trust.?

?Of course!? The barrister made a hasty note on his growing mountain of paperwork.

?So Lirssa.?

?As I told you earlier, my lady,? Lamont explained calmly, ?someone already put a bid on the house.?

In contrast, her tone was becoming sharper as the evening wore on. ?I know. And I said I didn?t care. Offer them more money.?

?With all due respect, Jewell, I am just not sure if that will do it. I doubt they will accept the offer you outlined earlier.?

The Empress rolled her eyes. ?Then make them an offer they can?t refuse. I don?t care how it gets done. Just do it. It?s that simple.?

?But Mira--? Ishmerai stepped in to play the voice of reason.

She held up her hand to stop him. ?No. Just do it.? Jewell started ticking her points off on her hand, ?Purchase the property, find out what needs to be done there and make it happen, allocate whatever other funds are needed at the other properties, and get Lirssa officially listed as an employee of House of Summer. She can even have an office at The Mill if she wants.? She sat back in her seat. ?Oh and I want it all done by tonight.?

Lamont checked his watch, ?Jewell, it?s already--?

She threw her hands up. ?What do I pay you for? Get it done! I am not going to Faerie tomorrow still worrying about this ****, so make it happen. You both said you wanted to know what my next project is, so here it is.?

?Mmhm,? Jewell nodded as she listened to the woes of Ms. Nisbit.

?I am very sorry to hear that.?

?Yes, these are troubling times.?

?I suppose it is the price we pay for living in a city free from court rule.?

The Empress didn?t show a sign or even a hint of impatience as Ms. Nisbit talked her ear off for well over half an hour. She didn?t interrupt her even though the lady was making her late for the lunch date she wanted to steal Kal away on. She accepted the awful, hard-as-rock cookies Ms. Nisbit baked every Sunday night (it was Thursday and they did not improve with time) and ate it with lots of mmmm?ing.

?Again, my darling Ms. Nisbit, I can only offer my sincerest apologies that this wanton vandalism and theft happened to you. It really is inexcusable.? Before the old woman could start reiterating her woes once more, Jewell asked, ?How much was it that they took from your till??

?Oh dear, oh my,? Ms. Nisbit pushed her glasses back up her nose. ?About 500 silver. You see, I only go to the bank on Wednesdays and this happened on Tuesday night so--?

Jewell gestured aside and Lavanya stepped forward, handing her a bag which The Empress then extended to the shop owner. ?This should more than cover your loss, Ms. Nisbit. Also, I will be sending the boys over later today to fix your window and clean the graffiti off your storefront, all right??

The woman was so flabbergasted by this gesture, she was actually speechless.

?They will also be planting some new flowers in your window box.? Ms. Nisbit just nodded numbly. ?Unfortunately, I must be going now. Please make a note of any further trouble you encounter or if the boys do not clean up very well. Ishmerai will be by later tonight to make sure everything is to your satisfaction.?

The mention of the knight seemed to wake her up. ?Oh yes! Yes of course! Thank you Lady Empress!? The petite woman grabbed the Faerie?s hand and kissed it. ?You are a blessing to us.?

Jewell had to accept a whole bag of cookies before she was allowed to finally depart. Once outside, she handed off the bag of inedible treats to Lavanya.

?Maybe Spartacus will eat them,? the freckled blonde offered with a grin.

?Maybe.? Jewell agreed. ?I want you to work with Janel tonight. Find out who did this,? she gestured at the graffiti marring the storefront. ?Feel free to make them cry.?

The calendar on her desk featured a sun soaked beach during the month of June. Jewell studiously avoided looking at it. Instead, she shuffled through a tall stack of paperwork.

Initial numbers from the gala.

Requests for purchases from Beyond the Veil.

Foundation projects that wanted a signature of approval from a board member.

Contracts for Hydra and a list of possible team names.

A report about someone not paying their ?community association fee?.

Ideas for participation in the Midsummer Festival.

A list of names of girls who might be a good fit for House of Summer.

A note from Faerie clearing her family of any blame in the attack on Sapphire.

She crumpled that last bit of paper in her fist as she sunk back into her chair, high heeled feet swinging up to rest on top of a letter of complaint someone had sent her. Grey eyes flitted over to the calendar. It was marked up with appointments and meetings. Running an empire was busy work. Her whole afternoon was booked.

But that?s not why she stared at it now just as hard as she had avoided it before.

On the bottom corner of Monday, June 6th, was a little red dot. There were almost a dozen little red dots that she added to every calendar she purchased. They were warnings. Promises. ?This day will not be a good day,? they said.

The red dots signified birthdays and anniversaries. They told her when someone was born and when they died. They reminded her when her house burned down and of days she would never really forget anyway.

This particular dot quietly informed her that she would have been married to Stephen Kidd for nine whole years a week ago. It had been easy to ignore it last Monday. It had been easy to ignore it as she took care of Sapphire. It had been easy to ignore it as she rushed to make sure the gala went off without a hitch. Hell, it had been real easy to ignore it as she spent most of the weekend with Kal.

It was not so easy to ignore now. Sapphire was home. The gala was over. Kal had work. And so the little dot stared at her. It drilled into her brain loss and hurt. It meant every mistake she had ever made and every foolish notion she?d ever had.

Running an empire was busy work, but there were some perks too. ?Merai,? she called as she stood up, fleeing her office without a second glance to the unfinished paperwork. ?I?m going out.?

?The contracts with the uh.. less reputable pleasure cruisers are all in order.? Lamont reported.

?Good.? Ishmerai made a noise. ?What??

?You know my feelings on the product we have supplied to these places.?

The Empress rolled her eyes. ?What a conscience you have, Merai! I?ve never met a fae like you. Shall we also refrain from selling them spirits in case someone indulges too much??

The lawyer usually allowed them to bicker all they wanted, but they had gone over this ground many times already. He cleared his throat and continued before the fae could make his argument in return. ?And the arrangements with Dionysus should be concluded soon enough as well. Lirssa plans to travel in the next few weeks. She was looking for an updated list of the products we can supply.?

Jewell looked to Ishmerai at that. He frowned, ?I will get that to her later today. You really do need to make a trip to Faerie soon though, Mira. Demand is growing. You promise that you can get what people desire, but we do not have the connections in place to meet those demands.?

The faerie sighed, ?I know. I just??

?No one else can do this but you, Jewell.?

?Fine. When Lirssa comes back from Dionysus with a list of what they want, I will go to Faerie and make it happen.?

?How many of them have seen it, you think??

?Enough.?

She sighed, running a hand over her face. ?And all the reporters waiting at my door. This is bad. If I respond and say how she was treated was wrong, I?m condoning what she did. If I demand her release, I?m consorting with criminals. If I don?t though? what do you think they will be saying about me on the streets tomorrow??

The knight thought it over quietly for a moment. He had been thinking it over most of the afternoon. ?I think, if they have seen the recording, they will condone what she did. Most of them. They might not agree with her punishment, but they know how the law works in this land.?

Jewell nodded, standing up slowly. Her whole body ached. It had been a long time since she had spent a night with Ishmerai on patrol, but The Empress had thought the events of the last few days had warranted her presence on the streets of Little Elfhame into the early wee hours of the morning. ?Fine. I better go get cleaned up so I can give a statement.?

October was beautiful at twilight in Little Elfhame.

Jewell sat on the stoop of Beyond the Veil, admiring it. Bare lightbulbs hung over the street in a haphazard, criss cross design while sprites darted in and out and around the strings merrily.

She had brought harmony here. A little bit of peace.

It felt good.

And now someone was threatening it. First Sapphire. Now Theo.

There had been Lirssa too. Some insisted it wasn?t connected. The girl had made enemies elsewhere. Her disappearance had nothing to do with Jewell.

The Empress knew better. The shit was hitting the fan now.

The bells over the shop door jingled pleasantly, and the knight was a welcome warmth when he sat next to her. ?Mira??

?Mmhm??

?Are you ready??

?I don?t have any other choice.?

She sat scrunched up on the office chair, knees tucked to her chest and temple pressed against the leather seat. She was staring out the window while Ishmerai and Lamont discussed business, only providing input when absolutely necessary.

?Do you want to see a sketch of the memorial??

?No.?

Ishmerai passed the paper over to Lamont. ?We need your signature for the work being done on the hotel and Beyond the Veil.?

She pointed to the pile of papers she needed to sign.

?I?ve noticed that former members of Fae Dynasty have purchased several properties in the area, Jewell.?

No response.

?Mira, did you hear what Lamont had to say??

?I don?t care. They can live wherever they want.?

The two men shared a look before Lamont tried to engage her again. ?I have a few more names here of people who have not paid their community association fees this week.?

?Because of hardship??

?Some are claiming that, yes.?

She sighed. ?Then what do you want me to do about it??

It was Ishmerai?s turn again. ?We are concerned that they are simply using that as an excuse to break away from the community, Mira. And it is working.?

Break away from the community. Everything she had fought and worked so hard for in Little Elfhame potentially falling apart.

She closed her eyes. ?I don?t care.?

?Why are these on my desk??

?Because I thought it was something you should see.?

She frowned as she flipped through the bundle of papers in the folder. ?Isn?t this a good thing, though? More fae moving into the neighborhood? You?re the one who has been worried about my shrinking empire,? she remarked dryly, closing the folder over after the extremely short perusal.

?I suppose it may be a good thing. There are so many crossing the veil. We will need to reach out to those moving into the neighborhood.? He quickly amended the statement at the sharp look from her, ?If you want. It may not matter though as many are locating outside the neighborhood.?

?You mean in Fae Dynasty and Sidhe Syndicate territory??

?Yes. And in Nevertown where The Knife-Ears operate. Others are taking up residence in whatever neighborhood that suits their fancy.?

Her teeth worried the inside of her cheek. ?Are they joining those groups??

?So far? Not many. The gangs do not have the power and numbers they once did but they might after this even if a majority are choosing to be solitary and go their own way.?

Jewell stared out the window, thinking the situation over. ?Well, then we should let them go their own way.? She pushed the folder away from her. ?I?m not worried about any of those groups as long as they stay out of my neighborhood. Not everyone has to bend the knee to The Empress of Little Elfhame, Ishmerai. There is no court here. I am not Queen. I am just a woman.?