“That is… far beyond discussion at the moment,” Megan temporized. Christ, if he went off and forced them to form another legion of cavalry… “But it’s certainly an interesting topic. Duke, I see Commons Member Walsh and I promised him a dance. If you could excuse me? I’ll be sure to drop by the Dog…”

“Club…” Meredith whispered fiercely.

“Club sometime soon. I hope to see you there!”

“Oh, absolutely,” the duke said, beaming. “And do think about getting a pet. They’re remarkable for how they can calm one.”

“I’ll seriously consider it,” Megan said, shaking their hands and moving off through the crowd. “Blast.”

“Not bad, not good,” Meredith whispered fast and low. “Two more votes and the Nawlins port upgrades are guaranteed. I think the canal is a wash. Walsh is on the Commerce Ports Committee, which is silly since he’s from a landlocked district in Sylania. He doesn’t support them but he wants the new legion in his district. Edmund is against it since the terrain isn’t good for training, support would be difficult and it would have to be marched to the coast. Also, if we do march them off, there goes all the funds. Get him the legion and he’ll go for the port. Get a guarantee on going for the port and you’ll get Pina, especially if you can get a contract guaranteed if there’s a port. But the legion, sorry, is going to have to go to Walsh and something will have to be done about marching it off. Wife’s Henutsen, not here tonight, I don’t know why.”

“Commons Member Walsh,” Megan said, smiling as they shook hands. “I do hope Henutsen is well; I was looking forward to her company tonight…”

“Who’s the brunette?” General Galbreath asked.

Edmund looked at Herzer and raised an eyebrow.

“Meredith Tillou, one of the other girls from the harem,” Herzer said after a moment. “Got a mind like a fricking computer.