"Have those jerks who think they're fashion experts been mistreating my people?" I demanded.
"Only one or two," Cheedas replied with a shrug.
"Can you give me names? I'll have this investigated right away." Grant put his plate down and was poised to enter information into his handheld. "Grant, have Trevor look into this—those people signed contracts before they got here. If they haven't adhered to those contracts, I want to know and I want their butts in these seats as quickly as possible. They'll be off this planet before they can sneeze if they're f**king employees around." Grant nodded and entered the names Cheedas, Taff and Mora supplied.
"Already transmitted to Trevor's office," Grant nodded and set his handheld down.
"Good. Keep me advised on that. Tell Trevor to let me know as soon as possible."
"Already done," Grant smiled.
"Perfect. Now, where were we?" I turned back to Taff and Mora.
"We know where all the good clothing can be found," Taff said. "Mora and I would go through the shops every week just to see what the others had. The good jewelry, too. Plus, we know where to order—we took care of that for our employer, who went out gambling every afternoon."
"That's another violation," I nodded to Grant. The shop owners weren't allowed to gamble; it was one of the few rules that had migrated from Campiaa. No casino employees of any kind, or shop owners or casino owners were allowed to gamble. There was too much opportunity for crime to enter the picture.
Winkler asked standard questions after that. He and I were both satisfied and we settled on duties, off-days and salary. I had two new assistants before midmorning. Cheedas offered to take them to my suite so they could get started, so I turned to Norian. "What's the problem du jour?" I asked as sweetly as I could. He didn't understand the French phrase. Winkler explained it for him.
"We have information from Trell," Norian said. "We're having some trouble there—one of my investigators disappeared a while back. I need to find out what happened to him. I was hoping you might get me there quickly, when you're able," Norian held up a hand, holding off my questions. "My agent was investigating an influx of money into the royal treasury and we want to know what that's about. Trell wasn't one of the worlds that wanted to approve their own religions without Alliance interference, but you can't ever tell about these things. Perhaps they only wanted to draw attention away from the fact that this is what they intended anyway."
"We can go next week," I said. "I think."
"That is what I was hoping for," Norian said, rising from his seat. "I'll be checking in with you occasionally."
"I'm sure you will," I muttered.
"Of course I will. I don't think I've ever enjoyed an assignment as much as this." Norian was smiling as he strutted out of my study.
"Raona, wait until you see what we've done," Grant and Heathe hauled out plans for Niff's Sweet Shop when Norian was out of hearing range. Not only had my assistants arranged for the shop to be purchased in Casino City, but another in Sun City, the version of Casino City located near the beach on the light half of Le-Ath Veronis.
"Not bad," Winkler went over the plans with me while Grant and Heathe talked excitedly about setting up the businesses.
"We're ordering ovens and ice-cream machines and setting things up to get the fruit, milk and other ingredients straight from the farms," Grant said. "I think we can open in three months."
"That sounds really good," I nodded at their assessment. "Get whatever you need from my personal account."
Winkler stayed with me while I signed papers, answered communications and did everything else that needed to be done. Garde, Aurelius and Aryn had taken over the Council meetings in my absence and they were still handling things. I only had a few things in front of me that had been tabled—they were waiting for me to get back to handle those things. Nothing urgent, actually, they just wanted my input.
"Do you feel like a field trip?" I asked Winkler after the last bit had been handled. I knew there was much more, but Heathe and Grant had been instructed not to tire me out.
"If you'll have lunch with me and take a nap afterward," Winkler agreed.
"Sounds good. Let's go visit the Green Fae." Winkler's black eyes looked at me carefully before he nodded. He was the one to fold us there, too. We stood on the edge of the Green Fae village, beneath a large tree that had been a sapling a month or two before and watched as the Green Fae went about their business. We caught sight of Redbird once; she was carrying a basket of fruit while little Toff trotted along behind her. I sighed.
"Raona." Corent walked over and stood beside us.
"How are you, Corent?" I asked.
"Very well, as are the others. Toff is growing, as you saw." I could only nod; I didn't trust my voice to answer.
"We are all watching over him—that is the way of our people. He is talking a bit, now, as you might imagine. And learning to eat with utensils."
"That's good," I managed to say without choking up. "Does he need anything? Clothing or something?"
"We are well supplied; trade is going very well with the comesuli," Corent informed me. "We appreciate the gift of tools you sent." I was back to nodding again. Corent's hair was changing color, from light to dark blue as the leaves shifted and swayed over our heads in the mid-day breeze. Winkler put his arms around me. I leaned into his warmth.
"This is one of your mates?" Corent looked up at Winkler, who had a good eight inches on Corent.
"Yes, this is my wolf mate," I said.
"Werewolf?"
"Yes."
"I have never seen one before."
Winkler changed, right on the spot. He didn't have to disrobe any longer—with the abilities bestowed by the Saa Thalarr, it was no longer necessary. I ruffled the fur around Winkler's ears as he stood with me. Corent was quite surprised.
"He hunts on the full moon?" Le-Ath Veronis had only one moon. Harifa Edus had six. That's where Winkler and the other wolves of the Saa Thalarr usually went when they wanted a run. I had a feeling they watched as the werewolves there hunted, brought down game and challenged one another. It was the way things happened with werewolves.
"He usually goes to Harifa Edus. Do you know about that?"
"No. What is it?"
"Harifa Edus was the original werewolf planet, and it was uninhabited for a very long time. We have been working to repopulate it. Winkler visits at least once a month, during one of the six full moons."