#anywhere

"Perhaps someday you will." Jessica peeks carefully into the dresser drawer. "After we have made the general announcement, we'll make a tour of the County. Make sure everyone knows who you are, and you know Renaissance."

"I'd like that."

"Ariel says that cats are good for making sure there are no mice in the kitchen."

"She is right. Although these little ones won't be mousing any time soon. They won't even have their eyes open for a week."

"They're so teeny tiny, I've never seen kittens so tiny before."

Despite the fact the mother is not enchanted, Fenix seems to agree with her, helping the tired cat out

"Newborn." She says reasonably.

"Very new! Like a late Beltaine."

An amused puff.

"So Ellie.... you're ok with this? Being the heir of Renaissance?"

"It... it feels right. A little scary, because it seems big... but... I'll have good advisors. Besides, maybe some bad guys will back off because they'd rather have you than a Beaumayn."

"We can meet the Thallain challenge. There are others, here; other challenges. But, we can talk more about them later if you like."

"Thallain are my most important mission."

"Not as the Countess of Renaissance. Yes, they are part of it. You will need to face and defeat them, protect your people from them.... but not them alone."

"A regent must serve their people - but protecting them from Thallain is part of that, right? And upholding the escheat, of course..."

"Yes, and many other things, besides. That's all I'm saying; it's not -just- Thallain."

She nods. "I'm not nearly good enough at fighting yet. And I'll need to learn Spanish."

"As did I, when I came here."

"Salma and Rosalita and Maria are helping."

"Good. I know Rosalita and Maria helped me."

"Will I have duties?"

"Yes, certainly."

"I'm good with messages. I can memorize them really well!"

"Good. I imagine that comes in handy. I would say your first duties will be to learn about Renaissance and its people, and learn Spanish and maybe other dialects if needed. And yes, you'll need a mundane education as well."

"Can Salma take classes with me, too? She is going to be a scholar."

"Of course. All you ladies, and the young men, should have a good education."

"But not classes during summer, right?" Hope springs!

"I believe they take summer breaks here." She allows.

"Yay!"

"Alright." Jessica concludes. "We should find a safe corner for these little ones. And get them fed."

"I think the two of them got distracted...."

"So we need somewhere warm and quiet, right?"

"Yes. Private. Somewhere she will feel safe."

"We'll find the prefect spot!"

Jessica nods. "Where, do you think?"

"NOT the kitchen, that's loud and busy.... what about the library?"

"It would be quiet." She agrees. "We should check with Flex, Specs, and Constance."

"Constance is your scribe, right? Who are Flex and Specs?"

"Ah, well.... let's go meet them." Jessica frowns slightly at the box. "Not sure I want to move them just now."

"Well, let's make sure it is an okay place so we only have to move them once."

Jessica looks around to see who might be available to ..... just keep an eye on things while they go to the library.

Demos... no he might eat the kittens. In fact, probably better to have a 'no eating the cats' order put up.

Noted.

But soon enough, Nanccy volunteers "Ooo kitties"

"They're newborns."

"I know, I won't touch" she says "Can't wait till they're big enough to romp around"

"Thank you, Nancy." With real gratitude. "Come, Ellie, let's go see the library."

The satyress waves "Have fun"

When they get to the library, the two chimerical pixies , Flex and Specs post mightily to impress! They can lift ANY Book, no matter how heavy.

"Is Constance here?" She asks them.