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Sebila of Disart
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Lady Sebila sat at a table in her drawing room. Before her was a list of eligible maidens. Of course, if her nephew's son would have married in a more timely matter. Raoul had waited too long, and now the best of the ladies had already been chosen. It seemed that Raoul of Goldenlake delighted in keeping his family in suspense about whether or not he would marry and continue the Goldenlake line.

Sebila's eyes searched the list. Helda of Jassi? No, the girl was too thin. It wasn't promising for bearing sons. Perihia of Jesslaw? Certainly not; her brother was an air-brain. Kaila, the eldest daughter of Cavall was too young. Sebila sighed. Why did Raoul insist on being so picky?

Halfway down the list, Sebila came to a real possibility.

Juliana of Nond had been a widow for nearly three years. In her first marriage, she had been blessed with six children, five of whom were boys.

Juliana will do nicely, Sebila decided. She thought she remembered something about Raoul being friends with the Nond boy who had died with the Sweating Sickness. Surely Raoul would not reject this union.

Sebila set aside the list, determined to propose the marriage to Raoul when he showed up unattended at the family ball that night.

…..

That evening, Sebila, dressed in her favorite asparagus-green velvet gown, waited for her nephew to show up. As usual he was fashionably late.

To Sebila's surprise, Raoul was not alone. He helped a short, dark-haired woman out of her cloak. She wore a dark red gown that made her cinnamon skin glow. The lady was short, barely reaching Raoul's shoulder. Her hair had been caught up gracefully in a golden net that matched the accents on her dress.

She took Raoul's arm and he led her to his great-aunt.

"May I present Buriram Tourakom of the K'miri Hau Ma, Commander of the Queen's Riders."

Sebila looked over the woman. She was several years younger than Raoul. A sturdy, healthy looking woman, certainly this Buriram would be able to successfully bear sons.

Sebila saw the light in Raoul's eyes when he looked at her. The lady put thoughts of the Nond girl out of her head. It was evident, to Sebila at least, that Raoul would end up with this K'mir.

She smiled at Buriram, then looked sternly at Raoul

"It's about time."