Lifting her skirt, she gave the widow a slight curtsy.  "I could think of nothing that would bring me more pleasure. . ."<em>than seeing your head on a spike on the battlement wall</em>she finished with a broad grin on her face.  She looked down at the small boy, and rubbed his downy cheek.  "Since he's not covered in slime, I'm guessing you managed to bring the Beast Keeper up from the kennels and force this little pup into a bath, eh?  So bed, Amon?"<br/><br/>Aurora reached for the pendant, reached with her voice as she beheld the beautiful, golden face of her brother.<em>He's not part of our deal, Balthazar.  Remember that.</em>