An Empress for Dragon's Gate

[JewellRavenlock]

“I am just not sure that pouring money into each baronial..” Ishmerai looked around, nose wrinkling a touch, “mansion that you acquire is truly wise.”

Jewell rolled her eyes, peering into another of the dorm rooms. They were starting to look shabby, but they had been nice at one point. Probably when Shadow held Dragon’s Gate. “I won’t do it for every barony.” She reassured the knight, turning her back on him as she moved down the hall to check the next dorm. “Unless I have to.” Ishmerai sighed. The Empress sent a withering look over her shoulder before changing directions and heading back downstairs. “Look, I only did Dockside because we were living there. And I’m only making changes here because, while I hold Dragon’s Gate, this place will represent the Foundation. That’s important.”

“All right.” They took seats across from each other in the cafeteria. “So what are you thinking? What needs to be done?”

“The dorms need to be spruced up a little. New mattresses, linens. Nothing extravagant.” The knight nodded. “Everything needs a thorough cleaning. The kitchen needs to be redone. New mats in the classrooms. Walls painted.”

“To what end? Do you want permanent residents here?”

Her teeth worked at the inside of her cheek. “No. I think this will be perfect for the kids that don’t want to live in Foundation homes but maybe need a place to stay for a night, a good meal, a shower. That kind of thing.”

Ishmerai grinned. “Your heart is so large, Mira.”

“Stop.” Her tone was sharper than she intended, and the knight looked properly chastised. It took her a moment before she could compose herself again and get back on track, “So, it’ll be a safe house for them. We’ll offer classes in self-defense.”

“Who is going to teach these classes?”

“Instructor Lamoine still seems willing.”

“Mira, the man is ancient!”

She laughed, “You’re not used to mortals yet. He still has some strength left, that one.”

“All right. So Instructor Lamoine. Who else?”

Jewell smiled, tempted to torture him by assigning him a position as instructor. “Lirssa can probably do a class if she wants. The girls might be willing. I can ask Ammy. Maybe some of the other barons would like to teach a guest class now and then?”

“Are you going to ask Lord Ar’Din?”

Her smile widened. “Maybe.”

“Are you going to teach classes?”

Her smile fell. “No.”