"Your Majesty," I said. "I must apologize. I speak very little Tendarian, only a few words, very few words. I am unable to speak in Tendarian and must speak in Norinian. My apologies to those who can't understand." I turned to the queen. "Would you do me the honor of repeating those words to your court?" Dumbfounded, she nodded. She spoke briefly. I looked over at Dareena, and she nodded. I took it to mean it had been an accurate translation. "Your Majesty, I do not know if you will wish to translate further or not." I smiled. "My apologies for the difficulty." She waved my apology away. I turned to the assembled people and curtsied. It was a right and proper curtsey, and I spoke so the entire room could hear. "I am Her Royal Highness, Princess Meorie of Norinia, sister and heir to the queen, first in line to the throne of Norinia. In Tendaria, I am known as the Butcher of Kilara." I paused. The queen was silent. "Four years ago, two great travesties occurred.
