Very nice chapter. Actually last few chapters, since I was out of tough with your great writing for a short while. I am glad to see that you are continuing one of my favorite stories. Great fresh new way to present Peridan. I hope to see him more. Also, I like how you do not go for obvious villains and do explain Maeve and Morgan mutual dislike by the way they were positioned by their families.

One note on the comment that you made regarding painted grass in SU. I remember an American soldier telling me in response to such a story "no we did not paint grass, but we did spread chalk on snow before a general's visit". Sorry, just feel a little bit like Lois Bujold's Miles, each time somebody say's "oh, they do it on Barrayar. Must be awful" :).