The_AT Imager_NP1 Portfolio_NN1 Unlike_II most_DAT people_NN ,_, I_PPIS1 hated_VVD actually_RR going_VVG to_II sleep_NN1 and_CC looked_VVD forward_RL to_II waking_VVG up_RP ..._... in_II a_AT1 way_NN1 ._. 
When_CS I_PPIS1 'd_VHD been_VBN a_AT1 struggling_JJ apprentice_NN1 portraiturist_NN1 years_NNT2 before_RT ,_, I_PPIS1 never_RR would_VM have_VHI believed_VVN I_PPIS1 could_VM have_VHI felt_VVN that_DD1 way_NN1 ,_, but_CCB life_NN1 has_VHZ a_AT1 way_NN1 of_IO changing_JJ preconceptions_NN2 ._. 
In_II my_APPGE case_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 had_VHD to_TO do_VDI with_IW the_AT sleeping_JJ arrangements_NN2 required_VVN of_IO imagers_NN2 ._. 
Although_CS we_PPIS2 'd_VHD been_VBN married_JJ for_IF nearly_RR five_MC years_NNT2 --_JJ it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI five_MC years_NNT2 on_II the_AT twenty-first_MD of_IO the_AT coming_JJ Fevier_NN1 --_NN1 Seliora_NP1 and_CC I_PPIS1 had_VHD never_RR slept_VVN the_AT entire_JJ night_NNT1 together_RL ;_; not_XX that_CST we_PPIS2 both_DB2 would_VM n't_XX have_VHI wanted_VVN to_TO ,_, but_CCB the_AT dangers_NN2 of_IO that_DD1 were_VBDR far_RR too_RG high_JJ ._. 
Even_RR before_CS I_PPIS1 'd_VHD known_VVN I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 imager_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'd_VHD lit_VVN lamps_NN2 and_CC imaged_VVN things_NN2 in_II my_APPGE sleep_NN1 ,_, and_CC once_RR I_PPIS1 'd_VM even_RR set_VVI a_AT1 chest_NN1 on_II fire_NN1 ._. 
Imaging_VVG in_II a_AT1 nightmare_NN1 could_VM easily_RR have_VHI hurt_VVN Seliora_NP1 &hellip;_... if_CS not_XX worse_JJR ._. 
So_RR I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ pleased_JJ to_TO wake_VVI ,_, dress_VV0 in_II exercise_NN1 clothes_NN2 and_CC boots_NN2 ,_, and_CC leave_VV0 my_APPGE discreetly_RR lead-lined_JJ bedchamber_NN1 with_IW its_APPGE lead_NN1 glass_NN1 windows_NN2 and_CC pad_VV0 barefoot_JJ into_II the_AT main_JJ bedchamber_NN1 and_CC look_VV0 at_II her_PPHO1 sleeping_VVG there_RL ._. 
Then_RT I_PPIS1 slipped_VVD from_II the_AT house_NN1 and_CC ran_VVD down_RP the_AT walkways_NN2 to_II the_AT exercise_NN1 area_NN1 where_CS Clovyl_NP1 put_VVD all_DB those_DD2 of_IO us_PPIO2 assigned_VVN to_II various_JJ security-related_JJ duties_NN2 through_II exercises_NN2 that_CST ended_VVD in_II a_AT1 four_MC mille_NN1 run_NN1 ._. 
After_II that_DD1 ,_, I_PPIS1 trotted_VVD back_RP to_II the_AT house_NN1 and_CC showered_VVD and_CC shaved_VVD ,_, in_II always_RR cool_JJ if_CS not_XX cold_JJ water_NN1 ,_, so_CS21 that_CS22 I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ clean_JJ enough_RR to_TO slip_VVI into_II Seliora_NP1 's_GE large_JJ bed_NN1 before_CS she_PPHS1 actually_RR rose_VVD and_CC we_PPIS2 got_VVD ready_JJ for_IF the_AT day_NNT1 ._. 
On_II this_DD1 Lundi_NP1 morning_NNT1 ,_, she_PPHS1 was_VBDZ awake_JJ ,_, waiting_VVG for_IF me_PPIO1 ,_, and_CC her_APPGE arms_NN2 felt_VVD wonderful_JJ around_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 did_VDD n't_XX get_VVI to_TO enjoy_VVI that_DD1 moment_NN1 for_RR21 long_RR22 because_CS a_AT1 small_JJ figure_NN1 ran_VVD in_RP from_II the_AT adjoining_NN1 room_NN1 --_NN1 meant_VVD to_TO be_VBI a_AT1 half-study_NN1 ,_, but_CCB serving_VVG as_II a_AT1 nursery_NN1 --_NN1 and_CC climbed_VVD up_RP under_II the_AT covers_NN2 to_TO join_VVI us_PPIO2 ._. 
"_" Mama_NN1 ,_, Dada_NP1 &hellip;_... 
"_" Before_CS all_DB that_DD1 long_RR ,_, the_AT three_MC of_IO us_PPIO2 rose_VVD ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 washed_VVD and_CC changed_VVD Diestrya_NP1 while_CS Seliora_NP1 showered_VVD and_CC dressed_VVN ._. 
Then_RT Seliora_NP1 and_CC Diestrya_NP1 headed_VVD downstairs_RL while_CS I_PPIS1 dressed_VVD in_II my_APPGE imager_NN1 grays_NN2 ._. 
As_CS31 soon_CS32 as_CS33 I_PPIS1 sat_VVD down_RP in_II the_AT breakfast_NN1 room_NN1 off_II the_AT adequate_JJ but_CCB not_XX excessively_RR large_JJ kitchen_NN1 ,_, Klysia_NP1 filled_VVD my_APPGE large_JJ crockery_NN1 mug_NN1 with_IW tea_NN1 ,_, strong_JJ tea_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 'd_VM likely_RR need_VVI for_IF the_AT day_NNT1 ahead_RL ._. 
"_" More_DAR tea_NN1 ,_, too_RG ..._... please_RR ?_? "_" begged_VVD Diestrya_NP1 from_II her_APPGE highchair_NN1 beside_II Seliora_NP1 and_CC across_II the_AT table_NN1 ,_, offering_VVG me_PPIO1 a_AT1 winning_JJ smile_NN1 ,_, not_XX that_CST all_DB her_APPGE smiles_NN2 were_VBDR n't_XX dazzling_JJ when_CS she_PPHS1 wanted_VVD something_PN1 ._. 
Klysia_NP1 looked_VVD to_II me_PPIO1 ,_, then_RT to_II Seliora_NP1 ._. 
After_II catching_VVG the_AT barest_JJT hint_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 nod_NN1 from_II my_APPGE black-haired_JJ ,_, black-eyed_JJ beautiful_JJ wife_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 nodded_VVD ._. 
"_" Just_RR a_RR21 little_RR22 ,_, with_IW cream_NN1 ._. "_" 
Because_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ the_AT most_RGT junior_JJ Maitre_NP1 D'Structure_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 step_NN1 above_II the_AT lowest_JJT imager_NN1 master_NN1 level_NN1 ,_, Maitre_NP1 D'Aspect_NP1 ,_, but_CCB below_II the_AT two_MC senior_JJ masters_NN2 at_II the_AT Collegium_NN1 ,_, both_DB2 of_IO whom_PNQO were_VBDR Maitres_NP1 D'Esprit_NP1 ,_, our_APPGE house_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 modestly_RR spacious_JJ dwelling_NN1 with_IW an_AT1 upper_JJ level_NN1 holding_VVG three_MC bedrooms_NN2 ,_, two_MC bathing_JJ rooms_NN2 ,_, the_AT master_NN1 sleeping_NN1 chambers_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ included_VVD my_APPGE stark_JJ sleeping_JJ cell_NN1 and_CC the_AT half-study_NN1 serving_VVG as_II a_AT1 nursery_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 main_JJ level_NN1 containing_VVG the_AT family_NN1 and_CC formal_JJ parlors_NN2 ,_, the_AT dining_NN1 room_NN1 ,_, the_AT kitchen_NN1 ,_, the_AT pantry_NN1 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 larger_JJR study_NN1 and_CC library_NN1 ,_, plus_NN1 ,_, of_RR21 course_RR22 ,_, the_AT front_JJ entry_NN1 foyer_NN1 and_CC Klysia_NP1 's_GE quarters_NN2 at_II the_AT back_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 had_VHD converted_VVN the_AT northern_JJ upstairs_NN1 bedroom_NN1 into_II a_AT1 studio_NN1 ,_, where_CS I_PPIS1 'd_VHD done_VDN portraits_NN2 of_IO Maitre_NP1 Dyana_NP1 and_CC Master_NNB Dichartyn_NP1 ,_, and_CC where_CS I_PPIS1 'd_VHD begun_VVN the_AT preliminary_JJ work_NN1 on_II one_MC1 of_IO Diestrya_NP1 ._. 
That_DD1 way_NN1 I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX have_VHI to_TO use_VVI the_AT drafty_JJ space_NN1 I_PPIS1 'd_VHD once_RR been_VBN assigned_VVN in_II the_AT Collegium_NN1 workroom_NN1 ._. 
Fortunately_RR ,_, because_CS my_APPGE days_NNT2 were_VBDR rather_RG occupied_JJ ,_, no_PN121 one_PN122 had_VHD changed_VVN positions_NN2 in_II the_AT Collegium_NN1 recently_RR ,_, so_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX required_VVN to_TO paint_VVI another_DD1 Collegium_NN1 portrait_NN1 any_DD time_NNT1 soon_RR ._. 
Like_II all_DB dwellings_NN2 provided_VVN to_II married_JJ imagers_NN2 by_II the_AT Collegium_NN1 ,_, the_AT outside_II21 of_II22 ours_PPGE was_VBDZ of_IO gray_JJ stone_NN1 ,_, with_IW a_AT1 gray_JJ slate_NN1 roof_NN1 ._. 
Inside_RL ,_, the_AT walls_NN2 were_VBDR of_IO off-white_JJ plaster_NN1 ,_, except_II21 for_II22 the_AT main_JJ library_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ paneled_VVN with_IW cherry_NN1 and_CC had_VHD built-in_VVN bookshelves_NN2 that_CST we_PPIS2 had_VHD not_XX come_VVN close_RR to_II filling_NN1 ._. 
With_IW the_AT exception_NN1 of_IO the_AT formal_JJ parlor_NN1 and_CC the_AT dining_NN1 room_NN1 ,_, the_AT furniture_NN1 in_II the_AT house_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 motley_JJ collection_NN1 of_IO leftovers_NN2 from_II the_AT previous_JJ maitre_NN1 and_CC pieces_NN2 gleaned_VVN from_II sample_NN1 works_VVZ from_II NordEste_NP1 Design_NN1 ,_, the_AT business_NN1 of_IO Seliora_NP1 's_GE family_NN1 ._. 
"_" Eclectic_JJ "_" was_VBDZ what_DDQ Seliora_NP1 called_VVD it_PPH1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ still_RR motley_JJ ._. 
The_AT formal_JJ parlor_NN1 furnishings_NN2 ,_, Seliora_NP1 's_GE bed_NN1 and_CC dressing_NN1 table_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT dining_NN1 room_NN1 set_NN1 ,_, with_IW its_APPGE twin_NN1 buffets_NN2 and_CC china_NN1 cabinets_NN2 ,_, had_VHD all_RR been_VBN gifts_NN2 from_II her_APPGE family_NN1 ,_, as_CSA all_DB the_AT linens_NN2 and_CC woolens_NN2 had_VHD come_VVN from_II mine_PPGE ._. 
Breakfast_NN1 was_VBDZ egg_NN1 toast_NN1 with_IW berry_NN1 syrup_NN1 ,_, sausages_NN2 ,_, and_CC an_AT1 oat_NN1 porridge_NN1 that_CST Seliora_NP1 had_VHD decided_VVN we_PPIS2 all_DB needed_VVN ,_, particularly_RR Diestrya_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 had_VHD trouble_NN1 not_XX making_VVG faces_NN2 in_II eating_VVG the_AT porridge_NN1 without_IW a_AT1 surreptitious_JJ dollop_NN1 of_IO the_AT syrup_NN1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY do_VD0 n't_XX look_VVI all_DB that_DD1 happy_JJ ,_, dearest_JJT ,_, "_" offered_VVD Seliora_NP1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'm_VBM not_XX ._. "_" 
And_CC I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX ,_, not_XX when_RRQ I_PPIS1 'd_VM have_VHI to_TO spend_VVI the_AT morning_NNT1 in_II one_MC1 of_IO Commander_NNB Artois_NP1 's_GE monthly_JJ meetings_NN2 of_IO all_DB the_AT District_NN1 Captains_NN2 of_IO the_AT Civic_JJ Patrol_NN1 of_IO L'Excelsis_NP1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 's_VBZ time_NNT1 for_IF Artois_NP1 's_GE monthly_JJ lecture_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" It_PPH1 is_VBZ the_AT first_MD Lundi_NP1 in_II Feuillyt_NP1 ,_, "_" Seliora_NP1 said_VVD with_IW a_AT1 smile_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 still_RR found_VVD it_PPH1 hard_RR to_TO believe_VVI that_CST I_PPIS1 'd_VHD been_VBN married_VVN to_II her_PPHO1 nearly_RR five_MC years_NNT2 ._. 
At_II times_NNT2 that_CST seemed_VVD more_RGR improbable_JJ than_CSN the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 master_NN1 imager_NN1 --_NN1 Maitre_NP1 D'Structure_NP1 of_IO the_AT Collegium_NN1 Imago_NN1 of_IO Solidar_NP1 --_NN1 as_II31 well_II32 as_II33 the_AT only_JJ imager_NN1 ever_RR serving_VVG as_II an_AT1 actual_JJ officer_NN1 in_II the_AT Civic_JJ Patrol_NN1 ,_, but_CCB how_RRQ all_DB that_CST happened_VVD was_VBDZ another_DD1 story_NN1 for_IF another_DD1 time_NNT1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 were_VBDR out_II21 of_II22 the_AT house_NN1 two_MC quints_NN2 before_II seventh_MD glass_NN1 ._. 
The_AT morning_NNT1 was_VBDZ cool_JJ ,_, even_RR cooler_JJR than_CSN usual_JJ for_IF the_AT first_MD Lundi_NP1 of_IO fall_NN1 ,_, and_CC Seliora_NP1 shivered_VVD in_II her_APPGE cloak_NN1 ._. 
"_" Cold_NN1 ?_? "_" 
I_PPIS1 asked_VVD ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 should_VM have_VHI worn_VVN a_AT1 winter_NNT1 cloak_NN1 ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 smiled_VVD at_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY were_VBDR out_RP earlier_JJR ._. 
You_PPY could_VM have_VHI warned_VVN me_PPIO1 ,_, except_CS you_PPY do_VD0 n't_XX even_RR notice_VVI the_AT cold_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM try_VVI to_TO be_VBI better_RRR now_CS21 that_CS22 the_AT weather_NN1 's_VBZ colder_JJR ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 grinned_VVD at_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 shook_VVD her_APPGE head_NN1 ,_, knowing_VVG that_CST I_PPIS1 'd_VM probably_RR forget_VVI ._. 
I_PPIS1 carried_VVD Diestrya_NP1 ,_, as_CSA we_PPIS2 walked_VVD southward_RL toward_II the_AT duty_NN1 coach_NN1 area_NN1 closest_RRT to_II the_AT Bridge_NN1 of_IO Desires_NN2 ,_, the_AT stone_NN1 span_VV0 that_CST crossed_VVD the_AT River_NNL1 Aluse_NP1 ._. 
After_CS Maitre_NP1 Poincaryt_NP1 --_NN1 the_AT head_NN1 of_IO the_AT Collegium_NN1 --_NN1 had_VHD worked_VVN out_RP the_AT arrangement_NN1 between_II the_AT Civic_JJ Patrol_NN1 ,_, the_AT Council_NN1 of_IO Solidar_NP1 ,_, and_CC the_AT Collegium_NN1 that_CST had_VHD resulted_VVN in_II my_APPGE being_VBG assigned_VVN as_CSA Third_MD District_NN1 Captain_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'd_VHD managed_VVN to_TO get_VVI him_PPHO1 to_TO agree_VVI to_TO have_VHI the_AT duty_NN1 carriage_NN1 that_CST took_VVD me_PPIO1 to_II the_AT Third_MD District_NN1 Station_NN1 every_AT1 working_JJ day_NNT1 make_VV0 a_AT1 stop_NN1 at_II NordEste_NP1 Design_NN1 to_TO drop_VVI Seliora_NP1 off_II there_RL ._. 
After_II all_DB ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ her_APPGE family_NN1 's_VBZ home_RL and_CC business_NN1 ,_, and_CC ,_, without_IW her_PPHO1 and_CC her_APPGE family_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 'd_VM have_VHI died_VVN years_NNT2 earlier_RRR ._. 
"_" Moon_VV0 !_! "_" 
Diestrya_NP1 pointed_VVD to_II Artiema_NP1 ,_, full_JJ and_CC low_JJ in_II the_AT western_JJ sky_NN1 ._. 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, that_DD1 's_VBZ Artiema_NP1 ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 could_VM also_RR see_VVI Erion_NP1 low_JJ in_II the_AT east_ND1 ,_, just_RR barely_RR above_II the_AT granite_NN1 buildings_NN2 of_IO Imagisle_NP1 turned_VVD whitish-gray_JJ by_II the_AT white_JJ sunlight_NN1 angling_NN1 over_II L'Excelsis_NP1 ._. 
The_AT first_MD duty_NN1 coach_NN1 was_VBDZ the_AT one_PN1 reserved_VVD for_IF us_PPIO2 ._. 
"_" Good_JJ morning_NNT1 ,_, Master_NN1 Rhennthyl_NN1 ._. 
Good_JJ morning_NNT1 ,_, Madame_NN1 ,_, "_" said_VVD Lebryn_NP1 ,_, the_AT driver_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS was_VBDZ also_RR an_AT1 obdurate_JJ ,_, immune_JJ to_II the_AT personal_JJ effects_NN2 of_IO imaging_VVG on_II his_APPGE looks_NN2 or_CC being_VBG ._. 
I_PPIS1 opened_VVD the_AT coach_NN1 door_NN1 for_IF Seliora_NP1 ,_, then_RT handed_VVD Diestrya_NP1 up_RP while_CS I_PPIS1 climbed_VVD in_RP ,_, then_RT held_VVD my_APPGE daughter_NN1 for_IF the_AT ride_NN1 to_II NordEste_NP1 Design_NN1 ._. 
"_" What_DDQ are_VBR you_PPY working_VVG on_RP today_RT ?_? "_" 
"_" The_AT upholstery_NN1 design_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 Mistress_NN1 Alynkya_NP1 D'Ramsael-Alte_NP1 as_II a_AT1 wedding_NN1 present_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE father_NN1 might_VM be_VBI familiar_JJ ._. "_" 
Seliora_NP1 grinned_VVD at_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
"_" She_PPHS1 came_VVD to_II us_PPIO2 because_CS someone_PN1 once_RR was_VBDZ very_RG kind_JJ to_II her_PPHO1 at_II a_AT1 dance_NN1 ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 winced_VVD gracefully_RR ._. 
That_DD1 had_VHD been_VBN one_MC1 of_IO my_APPGE early_JJ duties_NN2 in_II security_NN1 at_II the_AT Council_NN1 Chateau_NN1 ,_, both_RR to_TO watch_VVI for_IF intruders_NN2 and_CC ,_, as_CSA necessary_JJ ,_, to_TO make_VVI sure_JJ that_CST the_AT daughters_NN2 of_IO High_JJ Holders_NN2 were_VBDR not_XX without_IW partners_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'd_VHD danced_VVN with_IW Alynkya_NP1 at_II two_MC of_IO the_AT Council_NN1 's_GE seasonal_JJ balls_NN2 ,_, the_AT first_MD when_CS she_PPHS1 'd_VHD been_VBN pressed_VVN to_TO accompany_VVI her_APPGE father_NN1 ,_, the_AT High_JJ Holder_NN1 and_CC Councilor_NN1 from_II Kephria_NP1 ,_, when_CS her_APPGE mother_NN1 was_VBDZ ill_JJ ,_, and_CC the_AT second_NNT1 when_RRQ she_PPHS1 had_VHD accompanied_VVN him_PPHO1 after_II her_APPGE mother_NN1 's_GE death_NN1 ._. 
"_" Who_PNQS is_VBZ she_PPHS1 marrying_VVG ?_? "_" 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ dangerous_JJ for_IF any_DD wife_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 High_JJ Holder_NN1 ,_, given_CS21 that_CS22 High_JJ Holders_NN2 still_RR retained_VVD the_AT right_NN1 of_IO low_JJ justice_NN1 on_II their_APPGE own_DA lands_NN2 --_NN1 and_CC low_JJ justice_NN1 could_VM include_VVI what_DDQ amounted_VVD to_II perpetual_JJ incarceration_NN1 and_CC other_JJ cruelties_NN2 ,_, even_RR for_IF a_AT1 High_JJ Holder_NN1 's_GE wife_NN1 ._. 
Before_II long_RR ,_, the_AT coach_NN1 stopped_VVN before_II the_AT building_NN1 that_CST served_VVD Seliora_NP1 's_GE family_NN1 as_CSA factory_NN1 ,_, factorage_VV0 ,_, and_CC dwelling_NN1 ._. 
Located_VVN at_II the_AT intersection_NN1 of_IO Nord_NP1 -road_NN1 and_CC Hagahl_NP1 Lane_NNL1 ,_, the_AT yellow-brick_JJ walls_NN2 rose_VVD three_MC stories_NN2 ,_, set_VVD off_RP by_II gray_JJ granite_NN1 cornerstones_NN2 ._. 
The_AT wooden_JJ loading_NN1 docks_NN2 at_II the_AT south_ND1 end_NN1 of_IO the_AT building_NN1 were_VBDR stained_VVN with_IW a_AT1 brown_JJ oil_NN1 and_CC well-kept_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT loading_NN1 yard_NN1 itself_PPX1 was_VBDZ stone-paved_JJ ._. 
The_AT entrance_NN1 on_II the_AT south_ND1 side_NN1 of_IO Hagahl_NP1 Lane_NNL1 ,_, on_II the_AT north_ND1 end_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ the_AT private_JJ family_NN1 entrance_NN1 ,_, with_IW a_AT1 square-pillared_JJ covered_JJ porch_NN1 that_CST shielded_VVD a_AT1 stone_NN1 archway_NN1 ._. 
Seliora_NP1 leaned_VVD over_RP and_CC gave_VVD me_PPIO1 a_AT1 kiss_NN1 before_CS she_PPHS1 left_VVD the_AT coach_NN1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 handed_VVD Diestrya_NP1 down_RP to_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" The_AT newsheets_NN2 are_VBR on_II the_AT seat_NN1 ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 always_RR left_VVD them_PPHO2 there_RL for_IF me_PPIO1 to_TO read_VVI on_II the_AT rest_NN1 of_IO the_AT ride_NN1 to_II Third_MD District_NN1 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 always_RR reminded_VVD me_PPIO1 ,_, a_AT1 ritual_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 found_VVD somehow_RR reassuring_VVG ._. 
I_PPIS1 followed_VVD her_PPHO1 down_RP and_CC ,_, holding_VVG my_APPGE shields_NN2 ,_, walked_VVD her_PPHO1 up_II the_AT steps_NN2 ._. 
She_PPHS1 used_VVD her_APPGE key_NN1 to_TO enter_VVI ._. 
Then_RT I_PPIS1 walked_VVD back_RP to_II the_AT duty_NN1 coach_NN1 and_CC climbed_VVD in_RP ._. 
As_CSA Lebryn_NP1 eased_VVD the_AT coach_NN1 away_RL ,_, I_PPIS1 picked_VVD up_RP the_AT first_MD of_IO the_AT newsheets_NN2 --_JJ Tableta_NN1 ._. 
The_AT lead_NN1 headline_NN1 stated_VVD "_" War_NN1 Looms_VVZ in_II Cloisera_NP1 ._. "_" 
The_AT story_NN1 was_VBDZ about_II the_AT increasing_JJ tension_NN1 between_II Ferrum_NP1 and_CC Jariola_NP1 ._. 
While_CS the_AT two_MC had_VHD reached_VVN a_AT1 truce_NN1 after_II the_AT undeclared_JJ "_" Winter_NNT1 War_NN1 "_" of_IO 756_MC -_- 757_MC ,_, when_CS the_AT troops_NN2 of_IO the_AT Oligarch_NN1 of_IO Jariola_NP1 had_VHD finally_RR pushed_VVN the_AT Ferrans_NN2 back_RP to_II the_AT pre-war_JJ borders_NN2 and_CC regained_VVD control_NN1 of_IO their_APPGE coal_NN1 mines_NN2 ,_, no_AT peace_NN1 agreement_NN1 or_CC treaty_NN1 had_VHD ever_RR been_VBN signed_VVN ._. 
Both_DB2 nations_NN2 had_VHD armed_VVN forces_NN2 poised_VVN along_II the_AT border_NN1 ,_, and_CC the_AT two_MC had_VHD never_RR resumed_VVN diplomatic_JJ relations_NN2 ._. 
According_II21 to_II22 the_AT Tableta_NP1 story_NN1 ,_, the_AT Ferrans_NP2 were_VBDR deploying_VVG a_AT1 new_JJ steam-powered_JJ land-cruiser_NN1 ,_, claiming_VVG that_CST it_PPH1 could_VM operate_VVI in_II the_AT coldest_JJT of_IO winters_NNT2 ,_, unlike_II earlier_JJR models_NN2 that_CST had_VHD broken_VVN down_RP in_II hilly_JJ lands_NN2 of_IO Jariola_NP1 during_II the_AT cold_JJ winter_NNT1 months_NNT2 ._. 
The_AT story_NN1 in_II Veritum_NP1 was_VBDZ similar_JJ ,_, but_CCB the_AT second_MD newsheet_NN1 had_VHD another_DD1 story_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 found_VVD intriguing_JJ ,_, not_XX to_TO mention_VVI disturbing_JJ ._. 
The_AT grain_NN1 ware_NN1 house_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 wealthy_JJ freeholder_NN1 near_II Extela_NP1 had_VHD been_VBN torched_VVN right_RR after_II harvest_NN1 ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 was_VBDZ the_AT latest_JJT in_II a_AT1 series_NN of_IO grain_NN1 ware_NN1 houses_NN2 that_CST had_VHD burned_VVN across_II the_AT southeast_ND1 of_IO Solidar_NN1 ._. 
All_DB the_AT ware_NN1 houses_NN2 except_CS one_PN1 had_VHD belonged_VVN to_II free-holders_NN2 ,_, rather_II21 than_II22 High_JJ Holders_NN2 ._. 
Then_RT there_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 rather_RG cryptic_JJ and_CC short_JJ story_NN1 that_CST reported_VVD on_II an_AT1 explosion_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 undetermined_JJ nature_NN1 outside_II the_AT Place_NN1 D'Opera_NP1 on_II Samedi_NP1 night_NNT1 after_II the_AT premiere_NN1 of_IO The_AT Trial_NN1 of_IO Lorien_NP1 ._. 
The_AT explosion_NN1 had_VHD damaged_VVN a_AT1 coach_NN1 ,_, killed_VVD several_DA2 people_NN ,_, and_CC injured_VVD a_AT1 number_NN1 of_IO bystanders_NN2 ._. 
Seliora_NP1 had_VHD mentioned_VVN the_AT opera_NN1 because_CS Iryela_NP1 and_CC Kandryl_NP1 had_VHD wanted_VVN to_TO see_VVI the_AT premiere_NN1 ,_, but_CCB could_VM n't_XX because_II21 of_II22 a_AT1 dinner_NN1 at_II his_APPGE father_NN1 's_GE chateau_NN1 ._. 
The_AT dinner_NN1 might_VM even_RR have_VHI been_VBN in_II celebration_NN1 of_IO Frydryk_NP1 's_GE and_CC Alynkya_NP1 's_GE engagement_NN1 ._. 
Or_CC it_PPH1 might_VM not_XX have_VHI been_VBN ,_, given_VVN the_AT social_JJ obligations_NN2 and_CC intrigues_NN2 that_CST swirled_VVD around_RP High_JJ Holders_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'd_VHD wanted_VVN to_TO see_VVI the_AT opera_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 different_JJ reason_NN1 ,_, although_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ certainly_RR not_XX willing_JJ to_TO pay_VVI the_AT prices_NN2 for_IF the_AT premiere_NN1 ._. 
Lorien_NP1 had_VHD been_VBN the_AT son_NN1 of_IO Rex_NP1 Defou_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS 'd_VHD been_VBN removed_VVN as_CSA ruler_NN1 and_CC rex_FW of_IO Solidar_NN1 by_II Alastar_NP1 ,_, the_AT first_MD imager_NN1 to_TO be_VBI titled_VVN a_AT1 Maitre_NP1 D'Image_NP1 --_NN1 the_AT most_RGT powerful_JJ of_IO imagers_NN2 ,_, of_IO whom_PNQO there_EX were_VBDR none_PN at_RR21 present_RR22 in_II the_AT Collegium_NN1 ._. 
Historians_NN2 had_VHD always_RR questioned_VVN whether_CSW Lorien_NP1 was_VBDZ strong_JJ and_CC temperate_JJ or_CC weak-willed_JJ and_CC subservient_NN1 to_II the_AT High_JJ Holders_NN2 of_IO the_AT time_NNT1 ._. 
It_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI interesting_JJ to_TO see_VVI how_RRQ the_AT composer_NN1 and_CC the_AT librettist_NN1 had_VHD seen_VVN Lorien_NP1 ._. 
