"Not reduced, not at all. For many of the Void-Touched, I have done quite well for myself."

There she laughs dryly, oh, he was in for a shock, that was certain.

"You'll find no position in court with the Duchess, she does not invite any to her retinue, I am afraid, and seldom invites any to her castle. Anything you wish for, must be earned through the villagers, and they have no truck with laziness. So that I have my own house, land enough to graze animals, good connection on the river, and eat well enough in a good kept house that is comfortable and warm? "

There she shrugs, lifting and falling off hand. "And greater houses have started with less, I am sure."