Both elders sipped their tea, watching Freya get more and more embarrassed in their silence. A panting Freya was holding Kayli once again, brushing her hair to Kayli’s mews.

“Freya, it would be good for the family if you considered going to a couple of the balls,” Old Gran said, winking at Lady Raina, “You can’t stay here forever unless you pick up a trade like your father or mother. I mean you could, but we’re not made of clams.”

Freya's father, Faolan, a veteran grey mouse of the coalition, worked as the head fletcher for the coalition, crafting arrows and bolts of all kinds. At one point in time, he was the best archer around, and he’d taught Freya a couple of things in their time together. He’d taken an arrow in the leg near the end of his Soldiering career and he walked with a limp for as long as Freya had known him. Her mother Minhee, a field mouse, worked as the official court translator for the Minister of the Exterior and knew many people with connections. She frequently brought home gifts that the minister didn’t need or want to the joy of Freya and Bard.

Since she’d graduated, she felt safe at home and had helped out with the little harvest they had. She loved that her parents both worked hard to support them, and she’d learned a lot from spending time at her fathers shop and listening to her mother translating at court. She preferred being at fathers shop because in addition to making bolts and arrows, she got to test them out at the targets back home from time to time.

“I believe that you could make a great impression upon the court, if you could learn how to domesticate these wild beasts,” Lady Raina said, “Or you could learn how to navigate the court as an adult, and possibly find a suitor. It would be useful if you want to follow in your fathers footsteps. I could teach you—why, I’m having my niece come to my estate to learn the great game over the next week. Surely you could find a better match than her.”

Freya hated dressing up almost as much as she hated losing. She hated losing to Holly even more, because of their long friendship and frequent rivalry.

“Lady Raina, which niece do you mean?” Old Gran said, “Does Freya know her?”

“Why, I believe that Freya may.” Lady Raina turned back to the still waiting Freya. “Do you know a rabbit by the name of Holly?”

Freya’s eyes widened.“Holly is one of my best friends!” she exclaimed.

“She will be there along with another, a fox named Abigail, I assume you know both?” Lady Raina said.

“They are both good friends of mine from school.”

“Very well, so I expect that when I ask if you are willing to attend to them and learn the ways of the court that you may consider my proposal?” Lady Raina said.

“Raina! Let the girl have a moment to think. You’ve gone and snatched up her friends to have them take part in your little court games. I know that Freya has a competitive streak but her whole life can’t be working against her friends,” Old Gran said, “Maybe you could see this as a way to help them, instead?”

Freya was silent, considering her options. She turned to Old Gran. Old Gran looked at her in a way that she’d never done before as if they were almost equals.

Abigail had not said anything about this, and neither had Holly. Come to think of it, she hadn’t seen either for about five days. But if there was fun and boys to be had, perhaps she could win the fun part and help the others in their silly quest to find a match.

“Freya, have you picked a vocation yet?” Lady Raina said, apropos of nothing.

“I have not, Lady Raina,” Freya replied.

“If you are interested in working for the Ministry of the Exterior, this would be a great way to ingratiate yourself with the Minister as well. He is a known lover of balls, and he is hosting the midpoint ball at his estate on the mount,” Lady Raina fanned herself with a tiny fan she had taken out of her purse.

The estates on the mount were the three gorgeous manors held by the first ministers. They were the only buildings on top of Yellowrock, besides the people's common house itself, which served dual duty as the seat of the parliaments and the public house for trade and commerce when Parliament was not in session. In between the three manors, in a triangle was a grassy knoll where creatures strolled and took in the view from the top. Frequently her mother had taken Freya to the knoll during many of the festivals and bazaars held there.

The Minister of the Exterior, the representative of her people, had a traditional manor that would not be out of place as an estate out on the countryside overlooking the community. She’d visited once during civics class as each woodland creature in the coalition could be called upon for service in the Exterior department in times of need, but that had not happened in years. It was like the Woodland Army, there were provisions to draft Soldiers, but no one had done it in forever, rather relying on a core of motivated volunteers. These creatures took on the burden of the coalition and were regarded as heroes by the rest.

Freya knew that her brother had joined up as a Soldier to serve the greater good, but she learned that it took a long time to make it to the top of the ranks and they required one to wake up early every day; forcing someone to do so was unconscionable; in her eyes when it was much better to roll out of bed when the mood took.

“I’m not sure that she will need to work for the Ministry, Raina,” Old Gran said, sipping her tea, “ As she seems to be independently minded.”

“Well then, if you want to become a merchant,” Lady Raina said, “you could do worse than to make some friends during this season. If not for a romantic partner, then perhaps you could meet a business partner.”

Freya's ears perked up at this. She hadn’t considered what it would look like to go into business with someone. How would she sell services? What could she even sell? Her mind spun with the possibilities. She’d always seen the Mice in Yellow Rock selling wares of food, pottery, and home goods.

“I’ll make you a deal,” Lady Raina said. “Both Holly and Abigail will need a powerful third, and you already know both of them. Come and spend a week learning how to deal with court politics and if you change your mind in a week, we won’t present you to the queen. It will be up to you. Even if you take the decision to not go to all of the balls, luncheons and society events of the season, it will be good to know what the rest of the coalition does in winter.”

“Now understand that we’re not forcing you,” OId Gran said. “Lady Raina will make sure that she won’t make you do anything, correct?”

Old Gran turned to Lady Raina. Lady Raina nodded.

“Should you accept, I will draw up a contract. If you don’t desire to come to my finishing course, then you can say no now, but you will have the option to decline before the debutantes are presented to the queen,” Lady Raina said, “I will even pay to fix up a dress or two of your grandmother’s. She used to be quite a dancer, you know.”

Freya turned to Old Gran.

“You know that I was about your size when I was your age,” she said, “ I can bring out two dresses in particular that you would probably love. Plus, they have pockets.”

Freya's eyes narrowed. How did Old Gran know her weakness?

“And no before you ask, I haven’t been reading your diary. I like pockets too,” Old Gran said.

Everyone laughed.

I have no choice, now do I? Freya thought. Lady Raina holds all the power here. True I could go it on my own, but if I could use Old Grans connections, why I could have my own estate by the end of next year to rival even Lady Raina!

“I thank you for your offer Lady Raina, may I have the afternoon to consider?” Freya found herself saying.

“Should you desire to join us, please meet me at my estates promptly at morning tea tomorrow, young lady,” Lady Raina said. “Now, Beatrice, where were we?”

Lady Raina turned away from Freya, both ears focusing on Old Gran.

“Run along, Freya, I’m sure that you can find something to do this afternoon,” Old Gran said, rocking her little brother Bard as he cooed.