{"id":10154,"date":"2025-04-22T16:03:35","date_gmt":"2025-04-22T08:03:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=10154"},"modified":"2025-04-22T16:03:35","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T08:03:35","slug":"tg-wizardfirstrule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.7colors.vip\/?p=10154","title":{"rendered":"tg.wizardfirstrule"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \u3000CHAPTER\u30001
\n\u3000IT\u3000WAS\u3000AN\u3000ODD\u2026LOOKING\u3000vine\u3002\u3000Dusky\u3000variegated\u3000leaves\u3000hunkered\u3000against\u3000a\u3000stem\u3000that\u3000wound\u3000in\u3000a\u3000stranglehold\u3000around\u3000the\u3000smooth\u3000trunk\u3000of\u3000a\u3000balsam\u3000fir\u3002\u3000Sap\u3000drooled\u3000down\u3000the\u3000wounded\u3000bark\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dry\u3000limbs\u3000slumped\uff1b\u3000making\u3000it\u3000look\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000were\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000voice\u3000a\u3000moan\u3000into\u3000the\u3000cool\uff1b\u3000damp\u3000morning\u3000air\u3002\u3000Pods\u3000stuck\u3000out\u3000from\u3000the\u3000vine\u3000here\u3000and\u3000there\u3000along\u3000its\u3000length\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000seeming\u3000to\u3000look\u3000warily\u3000about\u3000for\u3000witnesses\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000smell\u3000that\u3000first\u3000had\u3000caught\u3000his\u3000attention\uff1b\u3000a\u3000smell\u3000like\u3000the\u3000deposition\u3000of\u3000something\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000wholly\u3000unsavory\u3000even\u3000in\u3000life\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000bed\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000through\u3000his\u3000thick\u3000hair\u3000as\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000lifted\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000fog\u3000of\u3000despair\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000into\u3000focus\u3000upon\u3000seeing\u3000the\u3000vine\u3002\u3000He\u3000scanned\u3000for\u3000others\uff1b\u3000but\u3000saw\u3000none\u3002\u3000Everything\u3000else\u3000looked\u3000normal\u3002\u3000The\u3000maples\u3000of\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000Ven\u3000Forest\u3000were\u3000already\u3000tinged\u3000with\u3000crimson\uff1b\u3000proudly\u3000showing\u3000off\u3000their\u3000new\u3000mantle\u3000in\u3000the\u3000light\u3000breeze\u3002\u3000With\u3000nights\u3000getting\u3000colder\uff1b\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000long\u3000before\u3000their\u3000cousins\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Hartland\u3000Woods\u3000joined\u3000them\u3002\u3000The\u3000oaks\uff1b\u3000being\u3000the\u3000last\u3000to\u3000surrender\u3000to\u3000the\u3000season\uff1b\u3000still\u3000stoically\u3000wore\u3000their\u3000dark\u3000green\u3000coats\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Having\u3000spent\u3000most\u3000of\u3000his\u3000life\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000knew\u3000all\u3000the\u3000plants\u2026if\u3000not\u3000by\u3000name\uff1b\u3000by\u3000sight\u3002\u3000From\u3000when\u3000Richard\u3000was\u3000very\u3000small\uff1b\u3000his\u3000friend\u3000Zedd\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000him\u3000along\uff1b\u3000hunting\u3000for\u3000special\u3000herbs\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000shown\u3000Richard\u3000which\u3000ones\u3000to\u3000look\u3000for\uff1b\u3000where\u3000they\u3000grew\u3000and\u3000why\uff1b\u3000and\u3000put\u3000names\u3000to\u3000everything\u3000they\u3000saw\u3002\u3000Many\u3000times\u3000they\u3000just\u3000talked\uff1b\u3000the\u3000old\u3000man\u3000always\u3000treating\u3000him\u3000as\u3000an\u3000equal\uff1b\u3000asking\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000he\u3000answered\u3000Zedd\u3000had\u3000sparked\u3000Richard’s\u3000hunger\u3000to\u3000learn\uff1b\u3000to\u3000know\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000This\u3000vine\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000only\u3000once\u3000before\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000found\u3000a\u3000sprig\u3000of\u3000it\u3000at\u3000his\u3000father’s\u3000house\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000clay\u3000jar\u3000Richard\u3000had\u3000made\u3000when\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000boy\u3002\u3000His\u3000father\u3000had\u3000been\u3000a\u3000trader\u3000and\u3000had\u3000traveled\u3000often\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000exotic\u3000or\u3000rare\u3000item\u3002\u3000People\u3000of\u3000means\u3000had\u3000often\u3000sought\u3000him\u3000out\uff1b\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000what\u3000he\u3000might\u3000have\u3000turned\u3000up\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000looking\uff1b\u3000more\u3000than\u3000the\u3000finding\uff1b\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000liked\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000had\u3000always\u3000been\u3000happy\u3000to\u3000part\u3000with\u3000his\u3000latest\u3000discovery\u3000so\u3000he\u3000could\u3000be\u3000off\u3000after\u3000the\u3000next\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000From\u3000a\u3000young\u3000age\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000had\u3000liked\u3000to\u3000spend\u3000time\u3000with\u3000Zedd\u3000while\u3000his\u3000father\u3000was\u3000away\u3002\u3000Richard’s\u3000brother\uff1b\u3000Michael\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000few\u3000years\u3000older\uff1b\u3000and\u3000having\u3000no\u3000interest\u3000in\u3000the\u3000woods\uff1b\u3000or\u3000in\u3000Zedd’s\u3000rambling\u3000lectures\uff1b\u3000preferred\u3000to\u3000spend\u3000his\u3000time\u3000with\u3000people\u3000of\u3000means\u3002\u3000About\u3000five\u3000years\u3000before\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000had\u3000moved\u3000away\u3000to\u3000live\u3000on\u3000his\u3000own\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000often\u3000stopped\u3000by\u3000his\u3000father’s\u3000home\uff1b\u3000unlike\u3000Michael\uff1b\u3000who\u3000was\u3000always\u3000busy\u3000and\u3000rarely\u3000had\u3000time\u3000to\u3000visit\u3002\u3000Whenever\u3000his\u3000father\u3000went\u3000away\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000leave\u3000Richard\u3000a\u3000message\u3000in\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000jar\u3000telling\u3000him\u3000the\u3000latest\u3000news\uff1b\u3000some\u3000gossip\uff1b\u3000or\u3000of\u3000some\u3000sight\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000On\u3000the\u3000day\u3000three\u3000weeks\u3000before\u3000when\u3000Michael\u3000had\u3000e\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000their\u3000father\u3000had\u3000been\u3000murdered\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000to\u3000his\u3000father’s\u3000house\uff1b\u3000despite\u3000his\u3000brother’s\u3000insistence\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000reason\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3000nothing\u3000he\u3000could\u3000do\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000had\u3000long\u3000since\u3000passed\u3000the\u3000age\u3000when\u3000he\u3000did\u3000as\u3000his\u3000brother\u3000said\u3002\u3000Wanting\u3000to\u3000spare\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000people\u3000there\u3000didn’t\u3000let\u3000him\u3000see\u3000the\u3000body\u3002\u3000But\u3000still\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000big\uff1b\u3000sickening\u3000splashes\u3000and\u3000puddles\u3000of\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000brown\u3000and\u3000dry\u3000across\u3000the\u3000plank\u3000floor\u3002\u3000When\u3000Richard\u3000came\u3000close\uff1b\u3000voices\u3000fell\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000except\u3000to\u3000offer\u3000sympathy\uff1b\u3000which\u3000only\u3000deepened\u3000the\u3000riving\u3000pain\u3002\u3000Yet\u3000he\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000them\u3000talking\uff1b\u3000in\u3000hushed\u3000tones\uff1b\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stories\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wild\u3000rumors\u3000of\u3000things\u3000e\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000boundary\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Of\u3000magic\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000was\u3000shocked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000way\u3000his\u3000father’s\u3000small\u3000home\u3000had\u3000been\u3000torn\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000a\u3000storm\u3000had\u3000been\u3000turned\u3000loose\u3000inside\u3002\u3000Only\u3000a\u3000few\u3000things\u3000were\u3000left\u3000untouched\u3002\u3000The\u3000blue\u3000message\u3000jar\u3000still\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shelf\uff1b\u3000and\u3000inside\u3000he\u3000found\u3000the\u3000sprig\u3000of\u3000vine\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000still\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pocket\u3000now\u3002\u3000What\u3000his\u3000father\u3000meant\u3000him\u3000to\u3000know\u3000from\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000guess\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Grief\u3000and\u3000depression\u3000overwhelmed\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000even\u3000though\u3000he\u3000still\u3000had\u3000his\u3000brother\uff1b\u3000he\u3000felt\u3000abandoned\u3002\u3000That\u3000he\u3000was\u3000grown\u3000into\u3000manhood\u3000offered\u3000him\u3000no\u3000sanctuary\u3000from\u3000the\u3000forlorn\u3000feeling\u3000of\u3000being\u3000orphaned\u3000and\u3000alone\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\uff1b\u3000a\u3000feeling\u3000he\u3000had\u3000known\u3000before\uff1b\u3000when\u3000his\u3000mother\u3000died\u3000while\u3000he\u3000was\u3000still\u3000young\u3002\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000his\u3000father\u3000had\u3000often\u3000been\u3000away\uff1b\u3000sometimes\u3000for\u3000weeks\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000had\u3000always\u3000known\u3000he\u3000was\u3000somewhere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000would\u3000be\u3000back\u3002\u3000Now\u3000he\u3000would\u3000never\u3000be\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Michael\u3000wouldn’t\u3000let\u3000him\u3000have\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000do\u3000with\u3000the\u3000search\u3000for\u3000the\u3000killer\u3002\u3000He\u3000said\u3000he\u3000had\u3000the\u3000best\u3000trackers\u3000in\u3000the\u3000army\u3000looking\u3000and\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000Richard\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000out\u3000of\u3000it\uff1b\u3000for\u3000his\u3000own\u3000good\u3002\u3000So\u3000Richard\u3000simply\u3000didn’t\u3000show\u3000the\u3000vine\u3000to\u3000Michael\uff1b\u3000and\u3000went\u3000off\u3000alone\u3000every\u3000day\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000For\u3000three\u3000weeks\u3000he\u3000walked\u3000the\u3000trails\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Hartland\u3000Woods\uff1b\u3000every\u3000trail\uff1b\u3000even\u3000the\u3000ones\u3000few\u3000others\u3000knew\u3000of\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000never\u3000saw\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000against\u3000his\u3000better\u3000judgment\uff1b\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000in\u3000to\u3000the\u3000whispers\u3000in\u3000his\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000upper\u3000Ven\u3000Forest\uff1b\u3000close\u3000to\u3000the\u3000boundary\u3002\u3000The\u3000whispers\u3000haunted\u3000him\u3000with\u3000the\u3000feeling\u3000that\u3000he\u3000somehow\u3000knew\u3000something\u3000of\u3000why\u3000his\u3000father\u3000had\u3000been\u3000murdered\u3002\u3000They\u3000teased\u3000him\uff1b\u3000tantalized\u3000him\u3000with\u3000thoughts\u3000just\u3000out\u3000of\u3000reach\uff1b\u3000and\u3000laughed\u3000at\u3000him\u3000for\u3000not\u3000seeing\u3000it\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000lectured\u3000himself\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000his\u3000grief\u3000playing\u3000tricks\uff1b\u3000not\u3000something\u3000real\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000that\u3000when\u3000he\u3000found\u3000the\u3000vine\u3000it\u3000would\u3000give\u3000him\u3000some\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000answer\u3002\u3000Now\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000to\u3000think\u3002\u3000The\u3000whispers\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3000teasing\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000they\u3000brooded\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000his\u3000own\u3000mind\u3000thinking\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000told\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000give\u3000the\u3000whispers\u3000a\u3000life\u3000of\u3000their\u3000own\u3002\u3000Zedd\u3000had\u3000taught\u3000him\u3000better\u3000than\u3000that\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000the\u3000big\u3000fir\u3000tree\u3000in\u3000its\u3000agony\u3000of\u3000death\u3002\u3000He\u3000thought\u3000again\u3000of\u3000his\u3000father’s\u3000death\u3002\u3000The\u3000vine\u3000had\u3000been\u3000there\u3002\u3000Now\u3000the\u3000vine\u3000was\u3000killing\u3000this\u3000tree\uff1b\u3000it\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000anything\u3000good\u3002\u3000Though\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000do\u3000anything\u3000for\u3000his\u3000father\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000let\u3000the\u3000vine\u3000preside\u3000over\u3000another\u3000death\u3002\u3000Gripping\u3000it\u3000firmly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pulled\uff1b\u3000and\u3000with\u3000powerful\u3000muscles\u3000ripped\u3000the\u3000sinewy\u3000tendrils\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tree\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000That’s\u3000when\u3000the\u3000vine\u3000bit\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pods\u3000struck\u3000out\u3000and\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000left\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000him\u3000to\u3000jump\u3000back\u3000in\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000Inspecting\u3000the\u3000small\u3000wound\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000something\u3000like\u3000a\u3000thorn\u3000embedded\u3000in\u3000the\u3000meat\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gash\u3002\u3000The\u3000matter\u3000was\u3000decided\u3002\u3000The\u3000vine\u3000was\u3000trouble\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000for\u3000his\u3000knife\u3000to\u3000dig\u3000out\u3000the\u3000thorn\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000wasn’t\u3000there\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\u3000surprised\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000why\u3000and\u3000reprimanded\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000allowing\u3000his\u3000depression\u3000to\u3000cause\u3000him\u3000to\u3000forget\u3000something\u3000as\u3000basic\u3000as\u3000taking\u3000his\u3000knife\u3000with\u3000him\u3000into\u3000the\u3000woods\u3002\u3000Using\u3000his\u3000fingernails\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000out\u3000the\u3000thorn\u3002\u3000To\u3000his\u3000rising\u3000concern\uff1b\u3000the\u3000thorn\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000alive\uff1b\u3000wriggled\u3000itself\u3000in\u3000deeper\u3002\u3000He\u3000dragged\u3000his\u3000thumbnail\u3000across\u3000the\u3000wound\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000snag\u3000the\u3000thorn\u3000out\u3002\u3000The\u3000more\u3000he\u3000dug\uff1b\u3000the\u3000deeper\u3000it\u3000went\u3002\u3000A\u3000hot\u3000wave\u3000of\u3000nausea\u3000swept\u3000through\u3000him\u3000as\u3000he\u3000tore\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wound\uff1b\u3000making\u3000it\u3000bigger\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000stopped\u3002\u3000The\u3000thorn\u3000had\u3000disappeared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000oozing\u3000blood\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Looking\u3000about\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000spotted\u3000the\u3000purplish\u3000red\u3000autumn\u3000leaves\u3000of\u3000a\u3000small\u3000nannyberry\u3000tree\uff1b\u3000laden\u3000with\u3000its\u3000crop\u3000of\u3000dark\u3000blue\u3000berries\u3002\u3000Beneath\u3000the\u3000tree\uff1b\u3000nestled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000crook\u3000of\u3000a\u3000root\uff1b\u3000he\u3000found\u3000what\u3000he\u3000sought\uff1a\u3000an\u3000aum\u3000plant\u3002\u3000Relieved\uff1b\u3000he\u3000carefully\u3000snapped\u3000off\u3000the\u3000tender\u3000stem\u3000near\u3000its\u3000base\uff1b\u3000and\u3000gently\u3000squeezed\u3000the\u3000sticky\uff1b\u3000clear\u3000liquid\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000bite\u3002\u3000He\u3000smiled\u3000as\u3000he\u3000mentally\u3000thanked\u3000old\u3000Zedd\u3000for\u3000teaching\u3000him\u3000how\u3000the\u3000aum\u3000plant\u3000made\u3000wounds\u3000heal\u3000faster\u3002\u3000The\u3000soft\u3000fuzzy\u3000leaves\u3000always\u3000made\u3000Richard\u3000think\u3000of\u3000Zedd\u3002\u3000The\u3000juice\u3000of\u3000the\u3000aum\u3000numbed\u3000the\u3000sting\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000his\u3000worry\u3000over\u3000being\u3000unable\u3000to\u3000remove\u3000the\u3000thorn\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000it\u3000wriggling\u3000still\u3000deeper\u3000into\u3000his\u3000flesh\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000squatted\u3000down\u3000and\u3000poked\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000with\u3000his\u3000finger\uff1b\u3000placed\u3000the\u3000aum\u3000in\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fixed\u3000moss\u3000about\u3000the\u3000stem\u3000so\u3000it\u3000might\u3000regrow\u3000itself\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000the\u3000forest\u3000fell\u3000dead\u3000still\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000looked\u3000up\uff1b\u3000flinching\u3000as\u3000a\u3000dark\u3000shadow\u3000swept\u3000over\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000leaping\u3000across\u3000limbs\u3000and\u3000leaves\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000rushing\uff1b\u3000whistling\u3000sound\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000overhead\u3002\u3000The\u3000size\u3000of\u3000the\u3000shadow\u3000was\u3000frightening\u3002\u3000Birds\u3000burst\u3000from\u3000cover\u3000in\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000alarm\u3000calls\u3000as\u3000they\u3000scattered\u3000in\u3000all\u3000directions\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000peered\u3000up\uff1b\u3000searching\u3000through\u3000the\u3000gaps\u3000in\u3000the\u3000canopy\u3000of\u3000green\u3000and\u3000gold\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000shadow’s\u3000source\u3002\u3000For\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000something\u3000big\u3002\u3000Big\uff1b\u3000and\u3000red\u3002\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000imagine\u3000what\u3000it\u3000could\u3000be\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000memory\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rumors\u3000and\u3000stories\u3000of\u3000things\u3000ing\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000boundary\u3000flooded\u3000back\u3000into\u3000his\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000making\u3000him\u3000go\u3000cold\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bone\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000vine\u3000was\u3000trouble\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000again\uff1b\u3000this\u3000thing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000could\u3000be\u3000no\u3000less\u3002\u3000He\u3000remembered\u3000what\u3000people\u3000always\u3000said\uff1b\u3000\u3003Trouble\u3000sires\u3000three\u3000children\uff1b\u3003\u3000and\u3000knew\u3000immediately\u3000that\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000meet\u3000the\u3000third\u3000child\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Discounting\u3000his\u3000fears\uff1b\u3000he\u3000started\u3000running\u3002\u3000Just\u3000idle\u3000talk\u3000of\u3000superstitious\u3000people\uff1b\u3000he\u3000told\u3000himself\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000what\u3000could\u3000be\u3000that\u3000big\uff1b\u3000that\u3000big\u3000and\u3000red\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000impossible\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000nothing\u3000that\u3000flew\u3000that\u3000was\u3000that\u3000large\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000cloud\uff1b\u3000or\u3000a\u3000trick\u3000of\u3000the\u3000light\u3002\u3000But\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000fool\u3000himself\uff1a\u3000it\u3000was\u3000no\u3000cloud\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000CHAPTER\u30002
\n\u3000AT\u3000FIRST\uff1b\u3000RICHARD\u3000STOOD\u3000frozen\uff1b\u3000not\u3000knowing\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000be\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000four\u3000men\u3000really\u3000were\u3000stalking\u3000the\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000not\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000What\u3000business\u3000was\u3000it\u3000of\u3000his\u3000anyway\uff1f\u3000And\u3000besides\uff1b\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000have\u3000his\u3000knife\u3000with\u3000him\u3002\u3000What\u3000chance\u3000did\u3000one\u3000man\u3000with\u3000no\u3000weapon\u3000have\u3000against\u3000four\uff1f\u3000He\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000woman\u3000making\u3000her\u3000way\u3000along\u3000the\u3000path\u3002\u3000He\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000men\u3000follow\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Please\u3000forgive\u3000your\u3000brother\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000not\u3000his\u3000fault\u3002\u3000He\u3000came\u3000to\u3000guide\u3000me\u3000into\u3000Hartland\u3000and\u3000I\u3000was\u3000late\u3000in\u3000ing\u3002\u3000I\u3000pray\u3000he\u3000is\u3000not\u3000dishonored\u3000in\u3000your\u3000eyes\u3000because\u3000of\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Michael\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000smile\u3000and\u3000a\u3000small\u3000bow\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003So\uff1b\u3000you\u3000are\u3000not\u3000my\u3000brother’s\u3000escort\uff1b\u3000as\u3000I\u3000thought\u3002\u3000And\u3000where\u3000have\u3000you\u3000traveled\u3000from\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Michael\u3000didn’t\u3000challenge\u3000the\u3000answer\uff1b\u3000but\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000brother\u3000instead\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000stay\u3000the\u3000night\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Michael’s\u3000smile\u3000melted\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000should\u3000find\u3000better\u3000friends\u3002\u3000No\u3000good\u3000can\u3000e\u3000of\u3000spending\u3000your\u3000time\u3000with\u3000that\u3000contrary\u3000old\u3000man\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Kahlan\u3002\u3000\u3003You\uff1b\u3000my\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000will\u3000be\u3000my\u3000guest\u3000tonight\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Michael\u3000reached\u3000around\u3000her\u3000with\u3000both\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000cupped\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000her\u3000bottom\u3000and\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000lower\u3000half\u3000of\u3000her\u3000body\u3000hard\u3000against\u3000him\u3002\u3000His\u3000leg\u3000pressed\u3000between\u3000her\u3000thighs\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000was\u3000dumbfounded\u3002\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000believe\u3000what\u3000his\u3000brother\u3000was\u3000doing\u3002\u3000\u3003Michael\uff01\u3000Stop\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000CHAPTER\u30004
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Kahlan\uff1b\u3000tell\u3000Richard\u3000how\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\u3000questions\u3000people\u3002\u3003\u3000His\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000calm\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000instead\u3000continuing\u3002\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000Richard’s\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n \n
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\n \u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000looked\u3000away\u3000from\u3000Zedd’s\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000her\u3000pale\u3000face\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000she\u3000held\u3000out\u3000her\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\u3000with\u3000sad\uff1b\u3000green\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000beckoning\u3000him\u3000to\u3000e\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000stood\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000wary\uff1b\u3000then\u3000came\u3000and\u3000took\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000She\u3000pulled\u3000him\u3000down\u3000toward\u3000her\u3002\u3000He\u3000sat\uff1b\u3000straddling\u3000the\u3000bench\uff1b\u3000facing\u3000her\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3000she\u3000was\u3000bidden\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000fearing\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Kahlan\u3000shifted\u3000toward\u3000him\uff1b\u3000hooking\u3000some\u3000hair\u3000behind\u3000an\u3000ear\uff1b\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000his\u3000right\u3000hand\u3000as\u3000she\u3000held\u3000it\u3000in\u3000both\u3000of\u3000hers\uff1b\u3000stroking\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000it\u3000with\u3000her\u3000thumbs\u3002\u3000Her\u3000fingers\u3000were\u3000gentle\uff1b\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000and\u3000warm\u3000against\u3000his\u3000palm\u3002\u3000The\u3000size\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000made\u3000his\u3000seem\u3000awkwardly\u3000large\u3002\u3000She\u3000spoke\u3000quietly\u3000and\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000up\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Darken\u3000Rahl\u3000is\u3000a\u3000practitioner\u3000of\u3000an\u3000ancient\u3000form\u3000of\u3000magic\u3000called\u3000anthropomancy\u3002\u3000He\u3000divines\u3000the\u3000answers\u3000to\u3000questions\u3000by\u3000the\u3000inspection\u3000of\u3000living\u3000human\u3000entrails\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000felt\u3000his\u3000anger\u3000ignite\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Memories\u3000of\u3000his\u3000father’s\u3000kindness\uff1b\u3000his\u3000laughter\uff1b\u3000his\u3000love\uff1b\u3000his\u3000friendship\uff1b\u3000their\u3000time\u3000together\u3000with\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000book\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000other\u3000brief\u3000glimpses\u3000tore\u3000through\u3000him\u3000in\u3000a\u3000flood\u3000of\u3000anguish\u3002\u3000The\u3000scenes\u3000and\u3000sounds\u3000converged\u3000into\u3000dim\u3000shadows\u3000and\u3000hollow\u3000echoes\u3000in\u3000Richard’s\u3000mind\u3000and\u3000melted\u3000away\u3002\u3000In\u3000its\u3000pace\uff1b\u3000memories\u3000of\u3000the\u3000bloodstains\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000the\u3000white\u3000faces\u3000of\u3000the\u3000people\u3000there\uff1b\u3000images\u3000of\u3000his\u3000father’s\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000terror\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000things\u3000Chase\u3000had\u3000told\u3000him\u3000flashed\u3000vividly\u3000in\u3000snatches\u3000through\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000try\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000them\uff1b\u3000but\u3000instead\u3000pulled\u3000them\u3000onward\uff1b\u3000hungering\u3000for\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000washed\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000detail\u3000of\u3000it\u3000all\uff1b\u3000felt\u3000the\u3000twisting\u3000torment\u3002\u3000Pain\u3000flared\u3000up\u3000from\u3000a\u3000pit\u3000deep\u3000inside\u3000him\u3002\u3000Invoked\u3000heedlessly\uff1b\u3000it\u3000came\u3000screaming\u3000forth\u3002\u3000In\u3000his\u3000mind\u3000he\u3000added\u3000the\u3000shadowed\u3000figure\u3000of\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\uff1b\u3000hands\u3000dripping\u3000crimson\u3000blood\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000over\u3000his\u3000father’s\u3000body\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000red\uff1b\u3000glinting\u3000blade\u3002\u3000He\u3000held\u3000the\u3000vision\u3000before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000twisting\u3000it\uff1b\u3000inspecting\u3000it\uff1b\u3000drinking\u3000it\u3000into\u3000his\u3000soul\u3002\u3000The\u3000picture\u3000was\u3000plete\u3000now\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000his\u3000answers\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3002\u3000How\u3000his\u3000father\u3000had\u3000died\u3002\u3000Until\u3000now\u3000that\u3000was\u3000all\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000sought\u2026answers\u3002\u3000In\u3000his\u3000whole\u3000life\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000gone\u3000beyond\u3000that\u3000simple\u3000quest\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000Richard\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Sword\u3000of\u3000Truth\uff1b\u3000curled\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000around\u3000the\u3000scabbard\uff1b\u3000gripping\u3000it\u3000tighter\u3000and\u3000tighter\u3000until\u3000his\u3000knuckles\u3000were\u3000white\u3002\u3000The\u3000muscles\u3000in\u3000his\u3000jaw\u3000flexed\u3002\u3000His\u3000breathing\u3000came\u3000fast\u3000and\u3000sharp\u3002\u3000He\u3000saw\u3000nothing\u3000else\u3000of\u3000what\u3000was\u3000around\u3000him\u3002\u3000The\u3000heat\u3000of\u3000anger\u3000surged\u3000forth\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000not\u3000of\u3000its\u3000own\u3000volition\uff1b\u3000but\u3000summoned\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Seeker\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000With\u3000his\u3000other\u3000hand\u3000he\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000and\u3000seized\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000of\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000it\u3000free\u3002\u3000Zedd’s\u3000hand\u3000clamped\u3000down\u3000over\u3000his\u3002\u3000The\u3000Seeker’s\u3000eyes\u3000snapped\u3000up\uff1b\u3000livid\u3000at\u3000the\u3000interference\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3003Richard\u3002\u3003\u3000Zedd’s\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000gentle\u3002\u3000\u3003Calm\u3000down\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Seeker\uff1b\u3000his\u3000muscles\u3000flexing\u3000powerfully\uff1b\u3000glowered\u3000into\u3000the\u3000other’s\u3000tranquil\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Some\u3000part\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000deep\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000kept\u3000warning\u3000him\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000regain\u3000control\u3002\u3000He\u3000ignored\u3000the\u3000warming\u3002\u3000He\u3000bent\u3000over\u3000the\u3000table\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3000gritted\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000accept\u3000the\u3000position\u3000of\u3000Seeker\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Richard\uff1b\u3003\u3000\u2026Zedd\u3000repeated\u3000calmly\uff1b\u3000\u3003it’s\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3000Relax\u3002\u3000Sit\u3000down\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000world\u3000came\u3000rushing\u3000back\u3000into\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000He\u3000pulled\u3000his\u3000readiness\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000back\u3000a\u3000notch\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000his\u3000rage\u3002\u3000Not\u3000only\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000but\u3000also\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000that\u3000had\u3000contained\u3000his\u3000anger\uff1b\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002\u3000Even\u3000though\u3000the\u3000world\u3000about\u3000him\u3000had\u3000returned\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000world\u3000seen\u3000through\u3000different\u3000eyes\u2026eyes\u3000he\u3000had\u3000always\u3000had\uff1b\u3000but\u3000had\u3000been\u3000afraid\u3000to\u3000use\uff1a\u3000the\u3000eyes\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Seeker\u3002
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\n\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000his\u3000old\u3000self\u3000seeped\u3000back\u3000into\u3000his\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000calming\u3000him\uff1b\u3000slowing\u3000his\u3000breathing\uff1b\u3000reasoning\u3000within\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000liberated\uff1b\u3000unafraid\uff1b\u3000unashamed\u3000of\u3000his\u3000temper\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3002\u3000He\u3000allowed\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000there\u3000while\u3000he\u3000uncoiled\uff1b\u3000feeling\u3000his\u3000muscles\u3000relax\u3002
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\n\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000into\u3000Zedd’s\u3000calm\uff1b\u3000undisturbed\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000old\u3000man\uff1b\u3000his\u3000thatch\u3000of\u3000white\u3000hair\u3000framing\u3000an\u3000angular\u3000face\u3000set\u3000in\u3000a\u3000perceptive\u3000cast\uff1b\u3000studied\u3000him\uff1b\u3000assessed\u3000him\u3000with\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000a\u3000smile\u3000fixed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000corners\u3000of\u3000his\u3000thin\u3000mouth\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000started\u3000back\u3000up\u3000the\u3000trail\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000was\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000three\u3000figures\u3000fled\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000shadows\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trail\uff1b\u3000into\u3000the\u3000night\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Overhead\uff1b\u3000two\u3000huge\u3000winged\u3000beasts\u3000watched\u3000with\u3000hungry\uff1b\u3000glowing\u3000green\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000pitched\u3000themselves\u3000into\u3000steep\uff1b\u3000silent\u3000dives\u3002\u3000Wings\u3000tucked\u3000back\u3000for\u3000speed\uff1b\u3000they\u3000plummeted\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000backs\u3000of\u3000their\u3000prey
\n\u3000
\n\u3000CHAPTER\u300011
\n\u3000IT\u3000WAS\u3000THE\u3000CAT\u3000that\u3000saved\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000yowled\u3000and\u3000leapt\u3000over\u3000Richard’s\u3000head\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fright\uff1b\u3000causing\u3000him\u3000to\u3000duck\uff1b\u3000not\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000the\u3000gar\u3000to\u3000miss\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000deflect\u3000the\u3000full\u3000impact\u3002\u3000Still\uff1b\u3000the\u3000claws\u3000raked\u3000his\u3000back\u3000painfully\u3000and\u3000knocked\u3000him\u3000sprawling\u3000facedown\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dirt\uff1b\u3000driving\u3000the\u3000wind\u3000from\u3000his\u3000lungs\u3000in\u3000a\u3000whoosh\u3002\u3000Before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000take\u3000a\u3000breath\u3000the\u3000gar\u3000pounced\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\uff1b\u3000its\u3000weight\u3000preventing\u3000him\u3000from\u3000breathing\u3000or\u3000reaching\u3000his\u3000sword\u3002\u3000Before\u3000he\u3000went\u3000down\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000Zedd\u3000sent\u3000tumbling\u3000into\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000by\u3000a\u3000second\u3000gar\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000it\u3000went\u3000crashing\u3000through\u3000the\u3000brush\u3000after\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000braced\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000the\u3000claws\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000would\u3000e\u3002\u3000Before\u3000the\u3000gar\u3000could\u3000rip\u3000him\u3000open\uff1b\u3000Kahlan\u3000heaved\u3000rocks\u3000at\u3000it\u3000from\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000path\u3002\u3000They\u3000bounced\u3000harmlessly\u3000off\u3000the\u3000blast’s\u3000head\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000distracted\u3000momentarily\u3002\u3000The\u3000gar\u3000roared\uff1b\u3000mouth\u3000agape\uff1b\u3000seeming\u3000to\u3000split\u3000the\u3000night\u3000air\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sound\uff1b\u3000and\u3000held\u3000him\u3000pinned\u3000like\u3000a\u3000mouse\u3000beneath\u3000a\u3000cat’s\u3000paw\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000struggled\u3000mightily\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000his\u3000lungs\u3000burning\u3000for\u3000air\u3002\u3000Blood\u3000flies\u3000bit\u3000his\u3000neck\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000out\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000lungs\u3000burning\u3000for\u3000air\u3002\u3000Blood\u3000flies\u3000bit\u3000his\u3000neck\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000out\u3000handfuls\u3000of\u3000fur\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000great\u3000arm\u3000off\u3000his\u3000back\u3002\u3000By\u3000its\u3000size\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000short\u2026tailed\u3000gar\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000much\u3000bigger\u3000than\u3000the\u3000long\u2026tailed\u3000gar\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000before\u3002\u3000The\u3000sword\u3000was\u3000under\u3000him\uff1b\u3000digging\u3000painfully\u3000into\u3000his\u3000abdomen\u3002\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000get\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000the\u3000veins\u3000in\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000would\u3000burst\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000was\u3000beginning\u3000to\u3000black\u3000out\u3002\u3000The\u3000sounds\u3000of\u3000yelling\u3000and\u3000roars\u3000from\u3000the\u3000gar\u3000were\u3000growing\u3000fainter\u3000as\u3000he\u3000struggled\u3002\u3000Kahlan\u3000got\u3000too\u3000close\u3000in\u3000her\u3000flurry\u3000of\u3000rock\u3000throwing\u3002\u3000The\u3000gar\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000with\u3000frightening\u3000quickness\u3000and\u3000snatched\u3000her\u3000by\u3000the\u3000hair\u3002\u3000Doing\u3000so\u3000caused\u3000the\u3000beast\u3000to\u3000shift\u3000its\u3000weight\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000let\u3000Richard\u3000gasp\u3000desperately\u3000for\u3000air\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000allow\u3000him\u3000to\u3000move\u3002\u3000Kahlan\u3000screamed\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Out\u3000of\u3000nowhere\uff1b\u3000the\u3000cat\uff1b\u3000all\u3000teeth\u3000and\u3000claws\uff1b\u3000sprang\u3000to\u3000the\u3000gar’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000cat\u3000howled\uff1b\u3000clawing\u3000furiously\u3000at\u3000the\u3000gar’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000With\u3000one\u3000arm\u3000holding\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000it\u3000lifted\u3000the\u3000other\u3000to\u3000swipe\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cat\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000When\u3000it\u3000did\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000rolled\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000and\u3000sprang\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000drawing\u3000his\u3000sword\u3002\u3000Kahlan\u3000screamed\u3000again\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000swung\u3000in\u3000fury\uff1b\u3000severing\u3000the\u3000arm\u3000that\u3000held\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000tumbled\u3000back\uff1b\u3000free\u3002\u3000Howling\uff1b\u3000the\u3000gar\u3000backhanding\u3000him\u3000before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000up\u3002\u3000The\u3000force\u3000of\u3000the\u3000blow\u3000sent\u3000him\u3000flying\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000landing\u3000on\u3000his\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000sat\u3000up\uff1b\u3000the\u3000world\u3000spinning\u3000and\u3000tilting\u3002\u3000The\u3000sword\u3000was\u3000gone\uff1b\u3000thrown\u3000into\u3000the\u3000brush\u3000somewhere\u3002\u3000The\u3000gar\u3000was\u3000in\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trail\uff1b\u3000wailing\u3000in\u3000pain\u3000and\u3000rage\u3000as\u3000blood\u3000gushed\u3000from\u3000the\u3000stump\u3002\u3000Glowing\u3000green\u3000eyes\u3000searched\u3000frantically\u3000for\u3000the\u3000object\u3000of\u3000its\u3000hate\u3002\u3000They\u3000locked\u3000on\u3000Richard\u3002\u3000Ht\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000Kahlan\u3000anywhere\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Off\u3000to\u3000his\u3000right\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000blinding\u3000flash\uff1b\u3000illuminating\u3000everything\u3000with\u3000intense\uff1b\u3000white\u3000light\u3002\u3000The\u3000violent\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000an\u3000explosion\u3000hammered\u3000painfully\u3000into\u3000his\u3000ears\u3000as\u3000the\u3000concussion\u3000from\u3000the\u3000blast\u3000tumbled\u3000him\u3000against\u3000a\u3000tree\u3000and\u3000knocked\u3000the\u3000gar\u3000from\u3000its\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Rolling\u3000flames\u3000whirled\u3000through\u3000gaps\u3000in\u3000the\u3000trees\u3002\u3000Giant\u3000splinters\u3000and\u3000other\u3000debris\u3000hurtled\u3000past\uff1b\u3000streaming\u3000trailers\u3000of\u3000smoke\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000began\u3000a\u3000frantic\u3000search\u3000for\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000as\u3000the\u3000gar\u3000came\u3000to\u3000its\u3000feet\u3000with\u3000a\u3000howl\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000felt\u3000around\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000desperate\uff1b\u3000and\u3000partially\u3000blinded\u3000from\u3000the\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000the\u3000explosion\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000enough\u3000vision\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000gar\u3000ing\u3002\u3000His\u3000anger\u3000flared\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000feel\u3000it\u3000flare\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000The\u3000sword’s\u3000magic\u3000reached\u3000out\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000beckoned\u3000by\u3000its\u3000master\u3002\u3000He\u3000called\u3000it\u3000forth\uff1b\u3000summoned\u3000it\uff1b\u3000hungered\u3000for\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000there\uff1b\u3000across\u3000the\u3000trail\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000as\u3000surely\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000exactly\u3000where\u3000it\u3000lay\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000were\u3000touching\u3000it\u3002\u3000He\u3000scrambled\u3000across\u3000the\u3000trail\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000With\u3000all\u3000his\u3000strength\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000kicked\u3000his\u3000boot\u3000into\u3000the\u2026stump\u3000of\u3000the\u3000gar’s\u3000arm\u3002\u3000It\u3000threw\u3000its\u3000head\u3000back\uff1b\u3000howled\u3000in\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000dropped\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Zedd\u3000emerged\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000a\u3000dozen\u3000yards\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000gar\u3002\u3000Richard\uff1b\u3000on\u3000his\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000grabbed\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002\u3000Zedd\u3000threw\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000out\uff1b\u3000fingers\u3000extended\u3002\u3000Fire\uff1b\u3000wizard’s\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000shot\u3000from\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000and\u3000came\u3000shrieking\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000The\u3000fire\u3000grew\u3000and\u3000tumbled\uff1b\u3000illuminating\u3000everything\u3000it\u3000passed\uff1b\u3000being\u3000a\u3000blue\u3000and\u3000yellow\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000liquid\u3000flame\u3000that\u3000wailed\u3000and\u3000expanded\u3000as\u3000it\u3000came\uff1b\u3000a\u3000thing\u3000alive\u3002\u3000It\u3000hit\u3000the\u3000gar’s\u3000back\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thud\uff1b\u3000silhouetting\u3000the\u3000giant\u3000beast\u3000against\u3000the\u3000light\u3002\u3000Within\u3000the\u3000space\u3000of\u3000a\u3000breath\u3000the\u3000blue\u2026and\u2026yellow\u3000flames\u3000washed\u3000over\u3000the\u3000gar\uff1b\u3000enveloping\u3000it\uff1b\u3000surging\u3000through\u3000it\u3002\u3000Blood\u3000flies\u3000sparked\u3000into\u3000nothingness\u3002\u3000Fire\u3000sizzled\u3000and\u3000snapped\u3000everywhere\u3000on\u3000the\u3000creature\uff1b\u3000consuming\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000gar\u3000disappeared\u3000into\u3000the\u3000blue\u3000heat\u3000and\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002\u3000The\u3000fire\u3000swirled\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000and\u3000then\u3000it\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000was\u3000gone\u3002\u3000The\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000burnt\u3000fur\uff1b\u3000and\u3000a\u3000hazy\u3000smoke\uff1b\u3000hung\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000The\u3000night\u3000was\u3000suddenly\u3000quiet\u3002
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000CHAPTER\u300012
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n \n
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000found\u3000Zedd\u3000in\u3000a\u3000heap\uff1b\u3000unconscious\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000bent\u3000to\u3000the\u3000old\u3000man\uff1b\u3000something\u3000swept\u3000out\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rush\u3000over\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000His\u3000anger\u3000erupted\u3002\u3000He\u3000spun\u3000with\u3000the\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000sweeping\u3000through\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000form\u3002\u3000The\u3000stump\u3000reeled\u3000back\u3000int \n
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n undary\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000they\u3000could\u3000outrun\u3000the\u3000hounds\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000were\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000impenetrable\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000be\u3000slow\u3000going\u3000if\u3000they\u3000could\u3000find\u3000an\u3000opening\uff1b\u3000a\u3000sure\u3000death\u3000if\u3000they\u3000tried\u3002\u3000Their\u3000only\u3000chance\u3000was\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000on\u3000the\u3000road\u3000and\u3000reach\u3000the\u3000swamp\u3000before\u3000they\u3000were\u3000caught\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000how\u3000far\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000or\u3000what\u3000they\u3000would\u3000do\u3000once\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000it\uff1b\u3000only\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000to
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003Me\u3000too\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000watched\u3000her\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\u3000after\u3000she\u3000closed\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000until\u3000sleep\u3000gently\u3000took\u3000him\u3002\u3000His\u3000last\u3000thoughts\u3000before\u3000it\u3000came\uff1b\u3000were\u3000of\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000first\u3000hint\u3000of\u3000morning\u3000was\u3000damp\u3000and\u3000dreary\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3002\u3000Kahlan\u3000had\u3000given\u3000Adie\u3000a\u3000parting\u3000hug\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000faced\u3000the\u3000old\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000into\u3000her\u3000white\u3000eyes\u3002
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\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000must\u3000ask\u3000you\u3000to\u3000do\u3000an\u3000important\u3000task\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000give\u3000Chase\u3000a\u3000message\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Seeker\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000him\u3000he\u3000is\u3000to\u3000go\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Hartland\u3000and\u3000warn\u3000the\u3000First\u3000Councilor\u3000that\u3000the\u3000boundary\u3000will\u3000be\u3000down\u3000soon\u3002\u3000Have\u3000him\u3000tell\u3000Michael\u3000to\u3000gather\u3000the\u3000army\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000Westland\u3000from\u3000Rahl’s\u3000forces\u3002\u3000They\u3000must\u3000be\u3000prepared\u3000to\u3000fight\u3000at\u3000any\u3000invasion\u3002\u3000They\u3000must\u3000not\u3000let\u3000Westland\u3000fall\u3000as\u3000did\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Midlands\u3002\u3000Any\u3000forces\u3000that\u3000e\u3000across\u3000must\u3000be\u3000deemed\u3000invaders\u3002\u3000Have\u3000him\u3000tell\u3000Michael\u3000that\u3000Rahl\u3000is\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000killed\u3000our\u3000father\u3000and\u3000those\u3000who\u3000e\uff1b\u3000do\u3000not\u3000e\u3000in\u3000peace\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000at\u3000war\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000am\u3000already\u3000joined\u3000in\u3000battle\u3002\u3000If\u3000my\u3000brother\u3000or\u3000the\u3000army\u3000fails\u3000to\u3000heed\u3000my\u3000warning\uff1b\u3000then\u3000Chase\u3000is\u3000to\u3000abandon\u3000the\u3000service\u3000of\u3000the\u3000government\u3000and\u3000gather\u3000the\u3000boundary\u3000wardens\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000against\u3000Rahl’s\u3000legions\u3002\u3000His\u3000army\u3000was\u3000virtually\u3000unopposed\u3000when\u3000they\u3000took\u3000the\u3000Midlands\u3002\u3000If\u3000they\u3000have\u3000to\u3000shed\u3000blood\u3000freely\u3000to\u3000take\u3000Westland\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000they\u3000will\u3000lose\u3000their\u3000spirit\u3002\u3000Tell\u3000him\u3000to\u3000show\u3000no\u3000mercy\u3000to\u3000the\u3000enemy\uff1b\u3000take\u3000no\u3000prisoners\u3002\u3000I\u3000take\u3000no\u3000joy\u3000in\u3000giving\u3000these\u3000orders\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’s\u3000the\u3000way\u3000Rahl\u3000fights\uff1b\u3000and\u3000either\u3000we\u3000meet\u3000him\u3000on\u3000his\u3000terms\u3000or\u3000we\u3000die\u3000on\u3000them\u3002\u3000If\u3000Westland\u3000is\u3000taken\uff1b\u3000I\u3000expect\u3000the\u3000wardens\u3000to\u3000extract\u3000a\u3000terrible\u3000price\u3000before\u3000they\u3000fall\u3002\u3000After\u3000Chase\u3000has\u3000the\u3000army\u3000and\u3000wardens\u3000in\u3000place\uff1b\u3000he\u3000is\u3000free\u3000to\u3000e\u3000to\u3000my\u3000aid\uff1b\u3000if\u3000he\u3000chooses\u3000to\u3000do\u3000so\uff1b\u3000as\u3000above\u3000all\u3000else\u3000we\u3000must\u3000stop\u3000Rahl\u3000from\u3000getting\u3000all\u3000three\u3000boxes\u3002\u3003\u3000Richard\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000\u3003Have\u3000him\u3000tell\u3000my\u3000brother\u3000that\u3000I\u3000love\u3000him\u3000and\u3000I\u3000miss\u3000him\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000gauged\u3000Adie’s\u3000expression\u3002\u3000\u3003Can\u3000you\u3000remember\u3000all\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000I’m\u3000sorry\u3000we\u3000couldn’t\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000know\u3000he\u3000will\u3000understand\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000is\u3000able\uff1b\u3000he\u3000will\u3000find\u3000us\u3000by\u3000the\u3000night\u3000stone\u3002\u3000I\u3000hope\u3000by\u3000then\u3000to\u3000have\u3000found\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000boxes\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000CHAPTER\u300018
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000glanced\u3000sideways\u3000at\u3000her\u3000in\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000\u3003Really\uff1f\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000know\u3000exactly\u3000what\u3000a\u3000sorceress\u3000is\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Demmin\u3000straightened\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000set\u3000in\u3000a\u3000frown\u3000of\u3000displeasure\u3002\u3000\u3003Lord\u3000Rahl\uff1b\u3000Queen\u3000Milena\u3000has\u3000delivered\u3000her\u3000list\u3000of\u3000demands\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\u3000stared\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mander\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000weren’t\u3000there\uff1b\u3000slowly\u3000wetting\u3000the\u3000tips\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000three\u3000fingers\u3000of\u3000his\u3000right\u3000hand\u3000with\u3000his\u3000tongue\u3000and\u3000then\u3000carefully\u3000stroking\u3000his\u3000lips\u3000and\u3000eyebrows\u3000with\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000took\u3000care\u3000of\u3000that\uff01\u3003\u3000Demmin\u3000protested\u3000in\u3000his\u3000deep\u3000voice\uff1b\u3000but\u3000not\u3000too\u3000forcefully\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000had\u3000that\u3000trader\uff1b\u3000Brophy\uff1b\u3000arrested\u3000for\u3000the\u3000murder\u3000of\u3000that\u3000boy\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rahl\u3000snapped\u3000back\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000then\u3000he\u3000submitted\u3000to\u3000a\u3000Confessor\uff1b\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000his\u3000innocence\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Demmin’s\u3000face\u3000wrinkled\u3000in\u3000frustration\u3002\u3000\u3003How\u3000was\u3000I\u3000to\u3000know\u3000he\u3000would\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3000Who\u3000could\u3000expect\u3000a\u3000man\u3000would\u3000willingly\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003All\u3000but\u3000one\uff1b\u3003\u3000Demmin\u3000admitted\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000quad\u3000that\u3000went\u3000after\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor\uff1b\u3000failed\u3002\u3000I\u3000had\u3000to\u3000send\u3000another\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003Confessor\u3000Kahlan\u3000is\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000took\u3000the\u3000confession\u3000of\u3000this\u3000trader\uff1b\u3000Brophy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000found\u3000him\u3000innocent\uff1b\u3000is\u3000she\u3000not\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Demmin\u3000nodded\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000contorted\u3000in\u3000anger\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000must\u3000have\u3000found\u3000help\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000quad\u3000would\u3000not\u3000have\u3000failed\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rahl\u3000remained\u3000silent\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000other\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3000Demmin\u3000broke\u3000the\u3000silence\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000but\u3000a\u3000small\u3000matter\uff1b\u3000Lord\u3000Rahl\uff1b\u3000not\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000your\u3000time\u3000or\u3000thought\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\u3000lifted\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000decide\u3000what\u3000matters\u3000are\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000my\u3000attention\u3002\u3003\u3000His\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000soft\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000kind\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rahl\u3000licked\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000again\u3000and\u3000rubbed\u3000them\u3000on\u3000his\u3000lips\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000sharply\u3000back\u3000up\u3000into\u3000the\u3000other’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003Demmin\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000A\u3000bead\u3000of\u3000sweat\u3000rolled\u3000into\u3000Demmin’s\u3000eye\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000blink\u3000it\u3000away\u3002\u3000\u3003Lord\u3000Rahl\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000coarse\u3000whisper\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000would\u3000gladly\u3000give\u3000my\u3000life\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000would\u3000not\u3000touch\u3000your\u3000spirit\u3000guide\u3002\u3000I\u3000swear\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\u3000considered\u3000Demmin\u3000Nass\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000then\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000I\u3000said\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000know\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000And\u3000you\u3000know\u3000what\u3000I\u3000would\u3000do\u3000to\u3000you\u3000if\u3000you\u3000ever\u3000lied\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000can’t\u3000tolerate\u3000anyone\u3000lying\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000wrong\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Lord\u3000Rahl\uff1b\u3003\u3000Demmin\u3000said\uff1b\u3000anxious\u3000to\u3000change\u3000the\u3000subject\uff1b\u3000\u3003what\u3000of\u3000Queen\u3000Milena’s\u3000demands\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rahl\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000her\u3000I\u3000agree\u3000to\u3000all\u3000her\u3000demands\u3000in\u3000return\u3000for\u3000the\u3000box\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Demmin\u3000stared\u3000incredulously\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000Lord\u3000Rahl\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000not\u3000seen\u3000them\u3000listed\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rahl\u3000shrugged\u3000innocently\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000they\u3000are\u3000truly\u3000a\u3000matter\u3000not\u3000worthy\u3000of\u3000my\u3000time\u3000or\u3000thought\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Demmin\u3000shifted\u3000his\u3000weight\u3000again\uff1b\u3000making\u3000the\u3000leather\u3000he\u3000wore\u3000creak\u3002\u3000\u3003Lord\u3000Rahl\uff1b\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000understand\u3000why\u3000you\u3000play\u3000this\u3000game\u3000with\u3000the\u3000queen\u3002\u3000It\u3000is\u3000humiliating\u3000to\u3000be\u3000issued\u3000a\u3000list\u3000of\u3000demands\u3002\u3000With\u3000no\u3000trouble\uff1b\u3000we\u3000could\u3000crush\u3000her\u3000like\u3000the\u3000fat\u3000toad\u3000she\u3000is\u3002\u3000Just\u3000give\u3000me\u3000the\u3000word\uff1b\u3000allow\u3000me\u3000to\u3000issue\u3000my\u3000own\u3000demands\uff1b\u3000on\u3000your\u3000behalf\u3002\u3000She\u3000will\u3000be\u3000made\u3000to\u3000regret\u3000not\u3000bowing\u3000down\u3000to\u3000you\u3000as\u3000she\u3000should\u3000have\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rahl\u3000smiled\u3000a\u3000small\u3000private\u3000smile\u3000as\u3000he\u3000studied\u3000the\u3000pockmarked\u3000face\u3000of\u3000his\u3000loyal\u3000mander\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000has\u3000a\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000Demmin\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000his\u3000blue\u3000eyes\u3000intense\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000she\u3000believes\u3002\u3000If\u3000we\u3000kill\u3000her\u3000or\u3000the\u3000wizard\uff1b\u3000we\u3000may\u3000find\u3000he\u3000has\u3000hidden\u3000the\u3000box\u3000with\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000we\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000spend\u3000time\u3000finding\u3000it\u3002\u3000So\u3000why\u3000move\u3000too\u3000quickly\uff1f\u3000For\u3000now\uff1b\u3000the\u3000easiest\u3000path\u3000is\u3000to\u3000go\u3000along\u3000with\u3000her\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000gives\u3000me\u3000any\u3000trouble\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000deal\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000walked\u3000slowly\u3000around\u3000his\u3000father’s\u3000coffin\uff1b\u3000trailing\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000along\u3000the\u3000carved\u3000symbols\u3000as\u3000he\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000blue\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000Demmin\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000anyway\uff1b\u3000once\u3000I\u3000have\u3000the\u3000last\u3000box\uff1b\u3000her\u3000demands\u3000will\u3000be\u3000meaningless\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000came\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000big\u3000man\uff1b\u3000stopping\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000there\u3000is\u3000another\u3000reason\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000leaned\u3000closer\uff1b\u3000and\u3000lowered\u3000his\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003Demmin\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000kill\u3000your\u3000little\u3000boyfriends\u3000before\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000or\u3000after\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Demmin\u3000leaned\u3000back\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000hooking\u3000a\u3000thumb\u3000in\u3000his\u3000belt\u3002\u3000He\u3000cleared\u3000his\u3000throat\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3000he\u3000answered\u3002\u3000\u3003After\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003And\u3000why\u3000after\uff1f\u3000Why\u3000not\u3000before\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rahl\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000in\u3000a\u3000coy\uff1b\u3000questioning\u3000frown\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000like\u3000it\u3000when\u3000they\u3000squirm\u3002\u3003\u3000\u3000\u2018
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000A\u3000knowing\u3000grin\u3000grew\u3000across\u3000the\u3000pockmarked\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000tell\u3000Queen\u3000Milena\u3000that\u3000Father\u3000Rahl\u3000has\u3000graciously\u3000agreed\u3000to\u3000her\u3000terms\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Both\u3000wearing\u3000smiles\uff1b\u3000they\u3000strode\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000Before\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\u3000stopped\u3000suddenly\u3002\u3000He\u3000spun\u3000on\u3000his\u3000heels\uff1b\u3000his\u3000robes\u3000flinging\u3000around\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003What\u3000was\u3000that\u3000sound\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000demanded\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Except\u3000for\u3000the\u3000hiss\u3000of\u3000the\u3000torches\uff1b\u3000the\u3000crypt\u3000was\u3000as\u3000silent\u3000as\u3000the\u3000dead\u3000king\u3002\u3000Demmin\u3000and\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000looked\u3000slowly\u3000around\u3000the\u3000chamber\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Savidlin\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000then\u3000looked\u3000Kahlan\u3000up\u3000and\u3000down\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000Kahlan’s\u3000turn\u3000to\u3000stiffen\uff1b\u3000she\u3000glanced\u3000to\u3000the\u3000other\u3000men\uff1b\u3000who\u3000had\u3000started\u3000smiling\u3000at\u3000the\u3000mention\u3000of\u3000the\u3000missionary\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000elder’s\u3000mud\u3000streaked\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000what\u3000happened\u3000to\u3000him\u3000after\u3000the\u3000three\u3000days\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000they\u3000saying\uff1f\u3003
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\u3000from\u3000under\u3000her\u3000eyebrows\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000getting\u3000to\u3000that\u3002\u3000Adie\u3000was\u3000right\uff1b\u3000you\u3000are\u3000not\u3000a\u3000patient\u3000person\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000wrong\u3002\u3000I\u3000am\u3000very\u3000patient\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000very\u3000tolerant\u3002\u3000There\u3000is\u3000a\u3000difference\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000agreed\uff1b\u3000folding\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000in\u3000frustration\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000once\u3000more\u3000to\u3000the\u3000elder\u3002\u3000He\u3000peered\u3000at\u3000her\u3000sharply\u3000and\u3000asked\u3000something\u3000that\u3000surprised\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000elder\u3000studied\u3000her\u3000face\u3000intent \n
\n \n
\n
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000elder\u3000studied\u3000her\u3000face\u3000intently\u3000and\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000feel\u3000fortable\u3000under\u3000his\u3000gaze\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sought\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000conversation\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000her\u3000visit\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Savidlin\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Seeker\u3000has\u3000e\u3000to\u3000see\u3000your\u3000people\u3000on\u3000my\u3000advice\u3002\u3000He\u3000is\u3000not\u3000here\u3000to\u3000harm\u3000or\u3000interfere\u3000with\u3000your\u3000people\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000me\u3002\u3000l\u3000have\u3000been\u3000among\u3000you\u3000before\u3002\u3000You\u3000know\u3000of\u3000my\u3000respect\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Mud\u3000People\u3002\u30001\u3000would\u3000not\u3000bring\u3000another\u3000to\u3000you\u3000unless\u3000it\u3000was\u3000important\u3002\u3000Right\u3000now\uff1b\u3000time\u3000is\u3000our\u3000enemy\u3002\u3000\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Savidlin\u3000considered\u3000what\u3000she\u3000had\u3000said\u3000for\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000then\u3000at\u3000last\u3000spoke\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003As\u30001\u3000said\u3000before\uff1b\u3000you\u3000are\u3000wele\u3000among\u3000us\u3002\u3000\u3003\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000with\u3000a\u3000grin\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Seeker\uff1b\u3000then\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Richard\u3000With\u3000The\u3000Temper\u3000is\u3000most\u3000wele\u3000in\u3000our\u3000village\u3000too\u3002\u3000\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000other\u3000men\u3000were\u3000pleased\u3000with\u3000the\u3000decision\uff1b\u3000they\u3000all\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000like\u3000Richard\u3002\u3000They\u3000gathered\u3000up\u3000their\u3000things\uff1b\u3000including\u3000two\u3000deer\u3000and\u3000a\u3000wild\u3000boar\uff1b\u3000each\u3000tied\u3000to\u3000a\u3000carrying\u3000pole\u3002\u3000Kahlan\u3000hadn’t\u3000seen\u3000the\u3000result\u3000of\u3000their\u3000hunt\u3000before\u3000because\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000hidden\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000grass\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000all\u3000started\u3000off\u3000down\u3000the\u3000path\uff1b\u3000the\u3000men\u3000gathered\u3000about\u3000Richard\uff1b\u3000touching\u3000him\u3000cautiously\u3000and\u3000jabbering\u3000questions\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000understand\u3002\u3000Savidlin\u3000clapped\u3000him\u3000on\u3000the\u3000shoulders\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000forward\u3000to\u3000showing\u3000off\u3000his\u3000big\u3000new\u3000friend\u3000to\u3000the\u3000village\u3002\u3000Kahlan\u3000went\u3000along\u3000beside\u3000him\uff1b\u3000for\u3000the\u3000most\u3000part\u3000ignored\uff1b\u3000and\u3000happy\u3000that\u3000so\u3000far\u3000they\u3000liked\u3000Richard\u3002\u3000She\u3000understood\u3000the\u3000feeling\u2026it\u3000was\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000dislike\u3000him\u2026but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000some\u3000other\u3000reason\u3000for\u3000their\u3000ready\u3000acceptance\u3000of\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000worried\u3000about\u3000what\u3000that\u3000reason\u3000could\u3000be\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000told\u3000you\u3000I\u3000would\u3000win\u3000them\u3000over\uff1b\u3003\u3000Richard\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000grin\u3000as\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000over\u3000their\u3000heads\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000just\u3000never\u3000thought\u3000I\u3000would\u3000do\u3000it\u3000by\u3000laying\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000out\u3002\u3003\u3000
\n\u3000
\n\u3000CHAPTER\u300023
\n\u3000CHICKENS\u3000SCATTERED\u3000AT\u3000THEIR\u3000feet\u3000as\u3000the\u3000hunting\u3000party\u3000surrounding\u3000Kahlan\u3000and\u3000Richard\u3000led\u3000them\u3000into\u3000the\u3000Mud\u3000People’s\u3000village\u3002\u3000Set\u3000on\u3000a\u3000slight\u3000rise\u3000that\u3000passed\u3000for\u3000a\u3000hill\u3000in\u3000the\u3000grasslands\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Wilds\uff1b\u3000the\u3000village\u3000was\u3000a\u3000collection\u3000of\u3000buildings\u3000constructed\u3000of\u3000a\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000mud\u3000brick\uff1b\u3000surfaced\u3000with\u3000a\u3000tan\u3000clay\u3000plaster\u3000and\u3000topped\u3000with\u3000grass\u3000roofs\u3000that\u3000leaked\u3000as\u3000they\u3000became\u3000dry\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000replaced\u3000constantly\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000rain\u3000at\u3000bay\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000wood\u3000doors\uff1b\u3000but\u3000no\u3000glass\u3000in\u3000the\u3000windows\u3000of\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000only\u3000cloth\u3000hanging\u3000in\u3000some\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000out\u3000the\u3000weather\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Set\u3000in\u3000a\u3000rough\u3000circle\u3000around\u3000an\u3000open\u3000area\uff1b\u3000the\u3000buildings\u3000were\u3000one\u2026room\u3000family\u3000homes\u3000clustered\u3000tightly\u3000on\u3000the\u3000south\u3000side\uff1b\u3000most\u3000sharing\u3000at\u3000least\u3000one\u3000mon\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000narrow\u3000walkways\u3000passing\u3000between\u3000the\u3000homes\u3000here\u3000and\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000munal\u3000buildings\u3000grouped\u3000together\u3000on\u3000the\u3000north\u3002\u3000A\u3000variety\u3000of\u3000structures\u3000placed\u3000loosely\u3000on\u3000the\u3000east\u3000and\u3000west\u3000separated\u3000them\u3002\u3000Some\u3000of\u3000these\u3000were\u3000nothing\u3000more\u3000than\u3000four\u3000poles\u3000with\u3000grass\u3000roofs\uff1b\u3000used\u3000as\u3000places\u3000to\u3000eat\uff1b\u3000or\u3000as\u3000work\u3000areas\u3000for\u3000making\u3000weapons\u3000and\u3000pottery\uff1b\u3000or\u3000as\u3000food\u3000preparation\u3000and\u3000cooking\u3000areas\u3002\u3000In\u3000dry\u3000times\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000village\u3000was\u3000shrouded\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fog\u3000of\u3000dust\u3000that\u3000clogged\u3000the\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000nose\uff1b\u3000and\u3000tongue\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000its\u3000buildings\u3000were\u3000washed\u3000clean\u3000by\u3000the\u3000rain\uff1b\u3000and\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000footprints\u3000were\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000puddles\u3000that\u3000reflected\u3000the\u3000drab\u3000buildings\u3000above\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Women\u3000wrapped\u3000in\u3000simple\u3000dresses\u3000of\u3000brightly\u3000colored\u3000cloth\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000work\u3000areas\uff1b\u3000grinding\u3000tava\u3000root\uff1b\u3000from\u3000which\u3000they\u3000made\u3000the\u3000flat\u3000bread\u3000that\u3000was\u3000the\u3000staple\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Mud\u3000People\u3002\u3000Sweet\u2026smelling\u3000smoke\u3000rose\u3000from\u3000the\u3000cooking\u3000fires\u3002\u3000Adolescent\u3000girls\u3000with\u3000short\u3000cropped\u3000hair\u3000smoothed\u3000down\u3000by\u3000sticky\u3000mud\u3000sat\u3000by\u3000the\u3000women\uff1b\u3000helping\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Kahlan\u3000felt\u3000their\u3000shy\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000from\u3000being\u3000here\u3000before\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000the\u3000object\u3000of\u3000great\u3000interest\u3000among\u3000the\u3000young\u3000girls\uff1b\u3000a\u3000traveler\u3000who\u3000had\u3000been\u3000to\u3000strange\u3000places\u3000and\u3000seen\u3000all\u3000sorts\u3000of\u3000things\u3002\u3000A\u3000woman\u3000whom\u3000men\u3000feared\u3000and\u3000respected\u3002\u3000The\u3000older\u3000women\u3000abided\u3000the\u3000distraction\u3000with\u3000understanding\u3000indulgence\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Children\u3000ran\u3000from\u3000every\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000village\u3000to\u3000see\u3000what\u3000manner\u3000of\u3000strangers\u3000Savidlin’s\u3000hunting\u3000party\u3000had\u3000brought\u3000back\u3002\u3000They\u3000crowded\u3000around\u3000the\u3000hunters\uff1b\u3000squealing\u3000with\u3000excitement\uff1b\u3000stomping\u3000their\u3000bare\u3000feet\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mud\uff1b\u3000and\u3000splashing\u3000the\u3000men\u3002\u3000Ordinarily\uff1b\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000the\u3000deer\u3000and\u3000boar\uff1b\u3000but\u3000now\u3000those\u3000were\u3000ignored\u3000in\u3000favor\u3000of\u3000the\u3000strangers\u3002\u3000The\u3000men\u3000tolerated\u3000them\u3000with\u3000good\u2026natured\u3000smiles\uff1b\u3000little\u3000children\u3000were\u3000never\u3000scolded\u3002\u3000When\u3000they\u3000were\u3000older\uff1b\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000put\u3000into\u3000strict\u3000training\u3000where\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000taught\u3000the\u3000disciplines\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Mud\u3000People\u2026of\u3000hunting\uff1b\u3000food\u3000gathering\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000ways\u3000of\u3000spirits\u2026but\u3000for\u3000now\u3000they\u3000were\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000children\uff1b\u3000with\u3000almost\u3000free\u3000rein\u3000to\u3000play\u3002
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Standing\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000altar\uff1b\u3000he\u3000held\u3000up\u3000the\u3000bowl\u3000with\u3000the\u3000mixture\u3000while\u3000he\u3000cast\u3000the\u3000calling\u3000spells\u3002\u3000He\u3000lowered\u3000the\u3000bowl\u3000when\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Garden\u3000of\u3000Life\u3002\u3000He\u3000always\u3000like\u3000to\u3000look\u3000upon\u3000beautiful\u3000things\u3000before\u3000he\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000underworld\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000With\u3000his\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000he\u3000ate\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bowl\u3002\u3000He\u3000hated\u3000the\u3000taste\u3000of\u3000meat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000never\u3000ate\u3000anything\u3000but\u3000plants\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000choice\uff1b\u3000the\u3000way\u3000was\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000If\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000underworld\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000to\u3000eat\u3000the\u3000flesh\u3002\u3000He\u3000ignored\u3000the\u3000taste\uff1b\u3000and\u3000ate\u3000it\u3000all\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000it\u3000as\u3000vegetable\u3000paste\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Licking\u3000his\u3000fingers\u3000clean\uff1b\u3000he\u3000set\u3000the\u3000bowl\u3000down\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000sit\u3000cross\u2026legged\u3000on\u3000the\u3000grass\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000white\u3000sand\u3002\u3000His\u3000blond\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000matted\u3000in\u3000places\u3000with\u3000dried\u3000blood\u3002\u3000He\u3000placed\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000palm\u3000up\u3000on\u3000his\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000closed\u3000his\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000took\u3000deep\u3000breaths\uff1b\u3000preparing\u3000himself\u3000for\u3000meeting\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000of\u3000the\u3000boy\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000At\u3000last\u3000ready\uff1b\u3000all\u3000preparations\u3000done\uff1b\u3000all\u3000charms\u3000spoken\uff1b\u3000all\u3000spells\u3000cast\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Master\u3000raised\u3000his\u3000head\u3000and\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003e\u3000to\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Carl\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3000in\u3000the\u3000secret\u3000ancient\u3000language\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000of\u3000dead\u3000silence\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000a\u3000wailing\u3000roar\u3002\u3000The\u3000ground\u3000shook\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000From\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sand\uff1b\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000enchantment\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boy’s\u3000spirit\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000form\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Shinga\uff1b\u3000the\u3000underworld\u3000beast\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Shinga\u3000came\uff1b\u3000transparent\u3000at\u3000first\uff1b\u3000like\u3000smoke\u3000rising\u3000from\u3000the\u3000ground\uff1b\u3000turning\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000unscrewing\u3000itself\u3000from\u3000the\u3000white\u3000sand\uff1b\u3000lured\u3000by\u3000the\u3000drawing\u3002\u3000Its\u3000head\u3000reared\u3000as\u3000it\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000itself\u3000through\u3000the\u3000drawing\uff1b\u3000snorting\u3000steam\u3000from\u3000its\u3000flared\u3000nostrils\u3002\u3000Rahl\u3000calmly\u3000watched\u3000as\u3000the\u3000fearsome\u3000beast\u3000rose\uff1b\u3000being\u3000solid\u3000as\u3000it\u3000came\uff1b\u3000ripping\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000pulling\u3000the\u3000sand\u3000up\u3000with\u3000it\uff1b\u3000its\u3000powerful\u3000hind\u3000legs\u3000pulling\u3000through\u3000at\u3000last\u3000as\u3000it\u3000reared\u3000with\u3000a\u3000wail\u3002\u3000A\u3000hole\u3000opened\uff1b\u3000black\u3000as\u3000pitch\u3002\u3000Sand\u3000around\u3000the\u3000edges\u3000fell\u3000away\u3000into\u3000the\u3000bottomless\u3000blackness\u3002\u3000The\u3000Shinga\u3000floated\u3000above\u3000it\u3002\u3000Piercing\u3000brown\u3000eyes\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000Rahl\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3000for\u3000ing\uff1b\u3000Carl\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000beast\u3000bent\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000nuzzling\u3000its\u3000muzzle\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Master’s\u3000bare\u3000chest\u3002\u3000Rahl\u3000came\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000and\u3000stroked\u3000the\u3000Shinga’s\u3000head\u3000as\u3000it\u3000bucked\uff1b\u3000calming\u3000its\u3000impatience\u3000to\u3000be\u3000off\u3002\u3000When\u3000at\u3000last\u3000it\u3000quieted\uff1b\u3000Rahl\u3000climbed\u3000onto\u3000its\u3000back\u3000and\u3000held\u3000its\u3000neck\u3000tight\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000With\u3000a\u3000flash\u3000of\u3000light\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Shinga\uff1b\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\u3000astride\u3000its\u3000back\uff1b\u3000dissolved\u3000back\u3000into\u3000the\u3000black\u3000void\uff1b\u3000corkscrewing\u3000itself\u3000down\u3000as\u3000it\u3000went\u3002\u3000The\u3000ground\u3000shuddered\u3000and\u3000the\u3000hole\u3000closed\u3000with\u3000a\u3000grating\u3000sound\u3002\u3000The\u3000Garden\u3000of\u3000Life\u3000was\u3000left\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sudden\u3000silence\u3000of\u3000the\u3000night\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000From\u3000the\u3000shadows\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000Demmin\u3000Nass\u3000stepped\u3000forward\uff1b\u3000forehead\u3000beaded\u3000with\u3000sweat\u3002\u3000\u3003Safe\u3000journey\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003safe\u3000journey\u3002\u3003\u3000
\n\u3000
\n\u3000CHAPTER\u300025
\n\u3000THE\u3000RAIN\u3000HELD\u3000OFF\u3000for\u3000the\u3000time\u3000being\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000remained\u3000thickly\u3000overcast\uff1b\u3000as\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000for\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\u3000remember\u3002\u3000Sitting\u3000alone\u3000on\u3000a\u3000small\u3000bench\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000another\u3000building\uff1b\u3000Kahlan\u3000smiled\u3000to\u3000herself\u3000as\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000Richard\u3000construct\u3000the\u3000roof\u3000of\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000house\u3002\u3000Sweat\u3000ran\u3000off\u3000his\u3000bare\u3000back\uff1b\u3000over\u3000the\u3000swell\u3000of\u3000skis\u3000muscles\uff1b\u3000over\u3000the\u3000scars\u3000where\u3000the\u3000gar’s\u3000claws\u3000had\u3000raked\u3000his\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000was\u3000working\u3000with\u3000Savidlin\u3000and\u3000some\u3000other\u3000men\uff1b\u3000teaching\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000told\u3000her\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000need\u3000her\u3000to\u3000translate\uff1b\u3000that\u3000working\u3000with\u3000one’s\u3000hands\u3000was\u3000universal\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000they\u3000had\u3000to\u3000partly\u3000figure\u3000it\u3000out\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000they\u3000would\u3000understand\u3000it\u3000better\u3000and\u3000have\u3000more\u3000pride\u3000in\u3000what\u3000they\u3000had\u3000done\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Savidlin\u3000kept\u3000jabbering\u3000questions\u3000Richard\u3000didn’t\u3000understand\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000just\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000explained\u3000things\u3000in\u3000words\u3000the\u3000others\u3000couldn’t\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000using\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000in\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000language\u3000he\u3000invented\u3000as\u3000needed\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000the\u3000others\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000hilarious\uff1b\u3000and\u3000all\u3000would\u3000end\u3000up\u3000laughing\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000acplished\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000for\u3000men\u3000who\u3000didn’t\u3000understand\u3000each\u3000other\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000At\u3000first\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000hadn’t\u3000told\u3000her\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000he\u3000just\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000said\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000wait\u3000and\u3000see\u3002\u3000First\uff1b\u3000he\u3000took\u3000blocks\u3000of\u3000clay\uff1b\u3000about\u3000one\u3000by\u3000two\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000and\u3000made\u3000wavelike\u3000forms\u3002\u3000Half\u3000the\u3000block’s\u3000face\u3000was\u3000a\u3000concave\u3000trough\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000gutter\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000half\u3000along\u3000rounded\u3000hump\u3002\u3000He\u3000hollowed\u3000them\u3000out\u3000and\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ce\u3000was\u3000a\u3000concave\u3000trough\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000gutter\uff1b\u3000the\u3000other\u3000half\u3000along\u3000rounded\u3000hump\u3002\u3000He\u3000hollowed\u3000them\u3000out\u3000and\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000women\u3000who\u3000worked\u3000the\u3000pottery\u3000to\u3000fire\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Next\uff1b\u3000he\u3000attached\u3000two\u3000uniform\u3000strips\u3000of\u3000wood\u3000to\u3000a\u3000flat\u3000board\uff1b\u3000one\u3000to\u3000each\u3000side\uff1b\u3000and\u3000put\u3000a\u3000lump\u3000of\u3000soft\u3000clay\u3000into\u3000the\u3000center\u3002\u3000Using\u3000a\u3000rolling\u3000pin\uff1b\u3000he\u3000flattened\u3000the\u3000clay\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000strips\u3000of\u3000wood\u3000acting\u3000as\u3000a\u3000thickness\u3000gauge\u3002\u3000Slicing\u3000off\u3000the\u3000excess\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000and\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000board\uff1b\u3000he\u3000ended\u3000up\u3000with\u3000slabs\u3000of\u3000clay\u3000of\u3000a\u3000uniform\u3000thickness\u3000and\u3000size\uff1b\u3000which\u3000he\u3000draped\u3000and\u3000smoothed\u3000over\u3000the\u3000forms\u3000the\u3000women\u3000had\u3000fired\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000used\u3000a\u3000stick\u3000to\u3000poke\u3000a\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000two\u3000upper\u3000corners\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000women\u3000followed\u3000him\u3000around\uff1b\u3000inspecting\u3000his\u3000work\u3000closely\uff1b\u3000so\u3000he\u3000enlisted\u3000their\u3000help\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000he\u3000had\u3000a\u3000whole\u3000crew\u3000of\u3000smiling\uff1b\u3000chatting\u3000women\u3000making\u3000the\u3000slabs\u3000and\u3000forming\u3000them\uff1b\u3000showing\u3000him\u3000how\u3000to\u3000do\u3000it\u3000better\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000slabs\u3000were\u3000dry\uff1b\u3000they\u3000could\u3000be\u3000pulled\u3000from\u3000the\u3000forms\u3002\u3000While\u3000these\u3000were\u3000being\u3000fired\uff1b\u3000the\u3000women\uff1b\u3000by\u3000then\u3000buzzing\u3000with\u3000curiosity\uff1b\u3000made\u3000more\u3002\u3000When\u3000they\u3000asked\u3000how\u3000many\u3000they\u3000should\u3000make\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000just\u3000keep\u3000making\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000left\u3000them\u3000to\u3000their\u3000new\u3000work\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000spirit\u3000house\u3000and\u3000began\u3000making\u3000a\u3000fireplace\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mud\u3000bricks\u3000that\u3000were\u3000used\u3000for\u3000the\u3000buildings\u3002\u3000Savidlin\u3000followed\u3000him\u3000around\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000learn\u3000everything\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000making\u3000clay\u3000roofing\u3000tiles\uff1b\u3000aren’t\u3000you\uff1f\u3003\u3000Kahlan\u3000had\u3000asked\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000had\u3000said\u3000with\u3000a\u3000smile\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Richard\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000seen\u3000thatched\u3000roofs\u3000that\u3000do\u3000not\u3000leak\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003So\u3000have\u3000L\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Then\u3000why\u3000not\u3000simply\u3000make\u3000their\u3000grass\u3000roofs\u3000over\u3000properly\uff1b\u3000so\u3000they\u3000don’t\u3000leak\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000how\u3000to\u3000thatch\u3000roofs\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003No\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Neither\u3000do\u30001\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000know\u3000how\u3000to\u3000make\u3000tile\u3000roofs\uff1b\u3000so\u3000that’s\u3000what\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000While\u3000he\u3000was\u3000building\u3000the\u3000fireplace\uff1b\u3000and\u3000showing\u3000Savidlin\u3000how\u3000to\u3000do\u3000it\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000other\u3000men\u3000strip\u3000the\u3000grass\u3000off\u3000the\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000leaving\u3000a\u3000skeleton\u3000of\u3000poles\u3000that\u3000ran\u3000the\u3000length\u3000of\u3000the\u3000building\uff1b\u3000poles\u3000that\u3000had\u3000been\u3000used\u3000to\u3000tie\u3000down\u3000each\u3000course\u3000of\u3000grass\u3002\u3000Now\u3000they\u3000would\u3000be\u3000used\u3000to\u3000secure\u3000the\u3000clay\u3000tiles\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000tiles\u3000spanned\u3000from\u3000one\u3000row\u3000of\u3000poles\u3000to\u3000the\u3000next\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000edge\u3000laid\u3000on\u3000the\u3000first\u3000pole\uff1b\u3000the\u3000top\u3000edge\u3000laid\u3000on\u3000the\u3000second\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000holes\u3000in\u3000the\u3000tiles\u3000used\u3000to\u3000lash\u3000them\u3000tight\u3000to\u3000the\u3000poles\u3002\u3000The\u3000second\u3000course\u3000of\u3000tiles\u3000was\u3000laid\u3000so\u3000its\u3000bottom\u3000edge\u3000overlapped\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\uff1b\u3000covering\u3000the\u3000holes\u3000that\u3000tied\u3000the\u3000tiles\u3000down\uff1b\u3000and\u3000owing\u3000to\u3000their\u3000wavelike\u3000form\uff1b\u3000each\u3000interlocked\u3000with\u3000the\u3000one\u3000before\u3002\u3000Because\u3000the\u3000clay\u3000tiles\u3000were\u3000heavier\u3000than\u3000the\u3000grass\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000had\u3000first\u3000reinforced\u3000the\u3000poles\u3000from\u3000underneath\u3000with\u3000supports\u3000running\u3000up\u3000the\u3000pitch\u3000of\u3000the\u3000roof\uff1b\u3000with\u3000cross\u3000members\u3000bracing\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000as\u3000if\u3000half\u3000the\u3000village\u3000was\u3000engaged\u3000in\u3000the\u3000construction\u3002\u3000The\u3000Bird\u3000Man\u3000came\u3000by\u3000from\u3000time\u3000to\u3000time\u3000to\u3000watch\u3000the\u3000work\uff1b\u3000pleased\u3000with\u3000what\u3000he\u3000saw\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000he\u3000sat\u3000with\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000saying\u3000nothing\uff1b\u3000sometimes\u3000he\u3000talked\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000but\u3000mostly\u3000he\u3000just\u3000watched\u3002\u3000Occasionally\u3000he\u3000slipped\u3000in\u3000a\u3000question\u3000about\u3000Richard’s\u3000character\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Most\u3000of\u3000the\u3000time\u3000while\u3000Richard\u3000was\u3000working\uff1b\u3000Kahlan\u3000was\u3000alone\u3002\u3000The\u3000women\u3000weren’t\u3000interested\u3000in\u3000her\u3000offers\u3000of\u3000help\uff1b\u3000the\u3000men\u3000kept\u3000their\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000her\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corners\u3000of\u3000their\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000young\u3000girls\u3000were\u3000too\u3000shy\u3000to\u3000actually\u3000bring\u3000themselves\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000she\u3000found\u3000them\u3000standing\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000would\u3000ask\u3000their\u3000names\uff1b\u3000they\u3000would\u3000only\u3000give\u3000their\u3000shy\u3000smiles\uff1b\u3000and\u3000run\u3000away\u3002\u3000The\u3000little\u3000children\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000approach\uff1b\u3000but\u3000their\u3000mothers\u3000kept\u3000them\u3000well\u3000clear\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn’t\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000help\u3000with\u3000the\u3000cooking\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000making\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tiles\u3002\u3000Her\u3000approaches\u3000were\u3000politely\u3000turned\u3000down\u3000with\u3000the\u3000excuse\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000an\u3000honored\u3000guest\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000better\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000a\u3000Confessor\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Kahlan\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\u3000the\u3000attitude\uff1b\u3000the\u3000looks\uff1b\u3000the\u3000whispers\u3002\u3000It\u3000no\u3000longer\u3000bothered\u3000her\uff1b\u3000as\u3000it\u3000had\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000younger\u3002\u3000She\u3000remembered\u3000her\u3000mother\u3000smiling\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000telling\u3000her\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000the\u3000way\u3000people\u3000were\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000could\u3000not\u3000be\u3000changed\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she\u3000must\u3000not\u3000let\u3000it\u3000bring\u3000her\u3000to\u3000bitterness\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000e\u3000to\u3000be\u3000above\u3000it\u3000someday\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000was\u3000beyond\u3000caring\uff1b\u3000that\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000matter\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000accepted\u3000who\u3000she\u3000was\uff1b\u3000the\u3000way\u3000life\u3000was\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000have\u3000none\u3000of\u3000what\u3000other\u3000people\u3000had\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\u3000right\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000before\u3000she\u3000met\u3000Richard\uff1a\u3000before\u3000he\u3000became\u3000her\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000accepted\u3000her\uff1b\u3000talked\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000treated\u3000her\u3000like\u3000a\u3000normal\u3000person\u3002\u3000Cared\u3000about\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000But\u3000then\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Kahlan\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000intense\uff1b\u3000reflecting\u3000his\u3000anger\u3000over\u3000what\u3000he\u3000had\u3000just\u3000seen\u3002\u3000He\u3000gritted\u3000his\u3000teeth\u3002\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000go\u3000find\u3000this\u3000witch\u3000woman\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000They\u3000had\u3000no\u3000choice\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000of\u3000Shota\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000They\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000die\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000They\u3000might\u3000as\u3000well\u3000go\u3000ask\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000them\u3000where\u3000they\u3000could\u3000find\u3000the\u3000box\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Kahlan\u3000walked\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Bird\u3000Man\uff1b\u3000then\u3000suddenly\u3000threw\u3000he\uff1b\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Remember\u3000me\uff1b\u3000\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000When\u3000they\u3000separated\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Bird\u3000Man\u3000looked\u3000around\u3000at\u3000the\u3000people\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000drawn\u3002\u3000\u3003These\u3000two\u3000need\u3000some\u3000men\u3000to\u3000guard\u3000them\u3000safely\u3000to\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000our\u3000land\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Savidlin\u3000stepped\u3000forward\u3000instantly\u3002\u3000Without\u3000hesitation\uff1b\u3000a\u3000banc\u3000of\u3000ten\u3000of\u3000his\u3000best\u3000hunters\u3000came\u3000to\u3000stand\u3000with\u3000him
\n\u3000
\n\u3000CHAPTER\u300029
\n\u3000PRINCESS\u3000VIOLET\u3000TURNED\u3000SUDDENLY\u3000and\u3000slapped\u3000Rachel’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000Hard\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000had\u3000done\u3000nothing\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000just\u3000liked\u3000to\u3000slap\u3000her\u3000when\u3000she\u3000least\u3000expected\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000Princess\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000was\u3000fun\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000didn’t\u3000try\u3000to\u3000hide\u3000how\u3000much\u3000it\u3000hurt\uff1b \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000how\u3000much\u3000it\u3000hurt\uff1b\u3000if\u3000it\u3000didn’t\u3000hurt\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000would\u3000slap\u3000her\u3000again\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000put\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000over\u3000the\u3000sting\uff1b\u3000her\u3000bottom\u3000lip\u3000quivering\uff1b\u3000tears\u3000welling\u3000up\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000said\u3000nothing\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Turning\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shiny\uff1b\u3000polished\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000little\u3000wooden\u3000drawers\uff1b\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3000put\u3000her\u3000stubby\u3000finger\u3000through\u3000a\u3000gold\u3000handle\u3000and\u3000slid\u3000open\u3000another\u3000drawer\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000out\u3000a\u3000sparkling\u3000silver\u3000necklace\u3000studded\u3000with\u3000large\u3000blue\u3000stones\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003This\u3000one’s\u3000pretty\u3002\u3000Hold\u3000my\u3000hair\u3000up\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000wood\u2026framed\u3000mirror\uff1b\u3000admiring\u3000herself\u3000as\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000hooked\u3000the\u3000clasp\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000plump\u3000neck\u3000while\u3000Rachel\u3000held\u3000her\u3000long\uff1b\u3000dull\uff1b\u3000brown\u3000hair\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000eyed\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mirror\uff1b\u3000inspecting\u3000the\u3000red\u3000mark\u3000on\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000She\u3000hated\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mirror\uff1b\u3000hated\u3000seeing\u3000her\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000how\u3000it\u3000looked\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000chopped\u3000it\u3000off\u3000short\u3002\u3000She\u3000wasn’t\u3000allowed\u3000to\u3000let\u3000her\u3000hair\u3000grow\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000a\u3000nobody\uff1b’\u3000but\u3000she\u3000wished\u3000so\u3000much\u3000it\u3000could\u3000at\u3000least\u3000be\u3000cut\u3000even\u3002\u3000Almost\u3000everyone\u3000else\u3000had\u3000their\u3000hair\u3000cut\u3000short\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000was\u3000even\u3002\u3000The\u3000Princess\u3000liked\u3000chopping\u3000it\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000liked\u3000making\u3000it\u3000all\u3000jagged\u3002\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3000liked\u3000it\u3000when\u3000other\u3000people\u3000thought\u3000Rachel\u3000was\u3000ugly\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000shifted\u3000her\u3000weight\u3000to\u3000her\u3000other\u3000foot\u3000and\u3000rolled\u3000her\u3000free\u3000ankle\u3000around\u3000to\u3000ease\u3000its\u3000stiffness\u3002\u3000They’d\u3000been\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000jewel\u3000room\u3000all\u3000afternoon\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000trying\u3000on\u3000one\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000jewelry\u3000after\u3000another\uff1b\u3000then\u3000primping\u3000and\u3000turning\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000mirror\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000her\u3000favorite\u3000thing\u3000to\u3000do\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000jewelry\u3000and\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mirror\u3002\u3000Being\u3000her\u3000playmate\uff1b\u3000Rachel\u3000was\u3000required\u3000to\u3000be\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000was\u3000enjoying\u3000herself\u3002\u3000Dozens\u3000of\u3000the\u3000little\u3000drawers\u3000stood\u3000open\uff1b\u3000some\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000some\u3000a\u3000lot\u3002\u3000Necklaces\u3000and\u3000bracelets\u3000hung\u3000halfway\u3000out\u3000of\u3000some\uff1b\u3000like\u3000sparkling\u3000tongues\u3002\u3000More\u3000were\u3000scattered\u3000around\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000along\u3000with\u3000brooches\uff1b\u3000tiaras\uff1b\u3000and\u3000rings\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Princess\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000her\u3000nose\u3000and\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000blue\u3000stone\u3000ring\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000\u3003Give\u3000me\u3000that\u3000one\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000slipped\u3000it\u3000over\u3000the\u3000finger\u3000held\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000then\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000watched\u3000herself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mirror\u3000as\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000this\u3000way\u3000and\u3000that\u3002\u3000She\u3000ran\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000over\u3000the\u3000pretty\u3000pale\u3000blue\u3000satin\u3000dress\uff1b\u3000admiring\u3000the\u3000ring\u3002\u3000Letting\u3000out\u3000a\u3000long\uff1b\u3000bored\u3000sigh\uff1b\u3000she\u3000walked\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fancy\u3000white\u3000marble\u3000pedestal\u3000that\u3000stood\u3000by\u3000itself\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000the\u3000jewel\u3000room\u3002\u3000She\u3000was\u3000looking\u3000up\u3000at\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3000favorite\u3000object\uff1b\u3000one\u3000she\u3000fawned\u3000over\u3000at\u3000every\u3000opportunity\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Princess\u3000Violet’s\u3000pudgy\u3000fingers\u3000reached\u3000up\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000the\u3000gold\u3000jewel\u2026encrusted\u3000box\u3000off\u3000its\u3000honored\u3000resting\u3000place\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Princess\u3000Violet\uff01\u3003\u3000Rachel\u3000blurted\u3000out\u3000before\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000think\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000mother\u3000said\u3000you\u3000mustn’t\u3000touch\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Princess\u3000turned\u3000with\u3000an\u3000innocent\u3000expression\uff1b\u3000then\u3000tossec\u3000her\u3000the\u3000box\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000gasped\uff1b\u3000catching\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000horrified\u3000it\u3000might\u3000crash\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Terrified\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000it\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\uff1b\u3000she\u3000immediately\u3000set\u3000it\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000were\u3000a\u3000hot\u3000coal\u3002\u3000She\u3000backed\u3000away\uff1b\u3000fearful\u3000of\u3000getting\u3000whipped\u3000just\u3000for\u3000being\u3000caught\u3000near\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000precious\u3000box\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000the\u3000big\u3000deal\uff1f\u3003\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3000snapped\u3002\u3000\u3003Magic\u3000keep\u3000it\u3000from\u3000being\u3000taken\u3000from\u3000this\u3000room\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000not\u3000like\u3000anyone’s\u3000going\u3000to\u3000steal\u3000it\u3000or\u3000anything\u3002\u3003\u3000Rachel\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000anything\u3000about\u3000any\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3000caught\u3000touching\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000box\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dining\u3000room\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000said\uff1b\u3000lifting\u3000her\u3000nose\uff1b\u3000\u3003to\u3000watch\u3000the\u3000guests\u3000arrive\uff1b\u3000and\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000dinner\u3002\u3000Clean\u3000up\u3000this\u3000dreadful\u3000mess\uff1b\u3000then\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000and\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000cooks\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000my\u3000roast\u3000cooked\u3000like\u3000leather\uff1b\u3000like\u3000the\u3000last\u3000time\uff1b\u3000or\u3000I’ll\u3000tell\u3000my\u3000mother\u3000to\u3000have\u3000them\u3000beaten\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3002\u3003\u3000Rachel\u3000curtsied\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Princess\u3000held\u3000her\u3000big\u3000nose\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003And\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003And\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\uff1b\u3000for\u3000bringing\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000letting\u3000me\u3000see\u3000how\u3000pretty\u3000you\u3000look\u3000in\u3000the\u3000jewelry\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000the\u3000least\u3000I\u3000can\u3000do\uff1b\u3000you\u3000must\u3000get\u3000tired\u3000of\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000your\u3000ugly\u3000face\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mirror\u3002\u3000My\u3000mother\u3000says\u3000we\u3000must\u3000do\u3000kind\u3000things\u3000for\u3000the\u3000less\u3000fortunate\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000reached\u3000in\u3000a\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000brought\u3000out\u3000something\u3002\u3000\u3003Here\u3002\u3000Take\u3000the\u3000key\u3000and\u3000lock\u3000the\u3000door\u3000when\u3000you’re\u3000finished\u3000putting\u3000everything\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000curtsied\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000While\u3000the\u3000key\u3000was\u3000dropping\u3000into\u3000Rachel’s\u3000outstretched\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Princess’s\u3000other\u3000hand\u3000came\u3000out\u3000of\u3000nowhere\uff1b\u3000slapping\u3000Rachel’s\u3000face\u3000unexpectedly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000unexpectedly\u3000hard\u3002\u3000She\u3000stood\u3000stunned\u3000as\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3000walked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000laughing\u3000a\u3000high\uff1b\u3000squeaky\uff1b\u3000snorting\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000Princess\u3000Violet’s\u3000laugh\u3000hurt\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000much\u3000as\u3000the\u3000slap\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Tears\u3000fell\u3000from\u3000her\u3000face\u3000as\u3000she\u3000crawled\u3000around\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000on\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000knees\uff1b\u3000picking\u3000up\u3000fingerfuls\u3000of\u3000rings\u3000from\u3000the\u3000carpets\u3002\u3000She\u3000stopped\u3000and\u3000sat\u3000back\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000carefully\u3000touching\u3000her\u3000fingertips\u3000to\u3000the\u3000place\u3000where\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000slapped\u3002\u3000It\u3000hurt\u3000like\u3000anything\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000deliberately\u3000worked\u3000around\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000box\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000it\u3000sidelong\u3000glances\uff1b\u3000afraid\u3000to\u3000touch\u3000it\uff1b\u3000yet\u3000knowing\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\uff1b\u3000because\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000put\u3000it\u3000back\u3002\u3000She\u3000worked\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000meticulously\u3000laying\u3000the\u3000jewelry\u3000in\u3000its\u3000place\uff1b\u3000carefully\u3000pushing\u3000the\u3000drawers\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000somehow\u3000she\u3000wouldn’t\u3000finish\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000wouldn’t\u3000have\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000up\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000favorite\u3000thing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000world\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Queen\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000happy\u3000at\u3000all\u3000if\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000some\u3000nobody\u3000had\u3000touched\u3000it\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000was\u3000always\u3000having\u3000somebody’s\u3000head\u3000chopped\u3000off\u3002\u3000Sometimes\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000made\u3000Rachel\u3000go\u3000with\u3000her\u3000to\u3000watch\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Rachel\u3000always\u3000closed\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000The\u3000Princess\u3000didn’t\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000When\u3000all\u3000the\u3000jewelry\u3000was\u3000put\u3000away\uff1b\u3000the\u3000last\u3000drawer\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000her\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000box\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000were\u3000looking\u3000back\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000might\u3000somehow\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3002\u3000Finally\uff1b\u3000squatting\u3000down\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000she\u3000picked\u3000it\u3000up\u3002\u3000Holding\u3000it\u3000at\u3000arm’s\u3000length\uff1b\u3000she\u3000carefully\u3000shuffled\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000over\u3000the\u3000edges\u3000of\u3000carpets\uff1b\u3000terrified\u3000she\u3000might\u3000drop\u3000it\u3002\u3000She\u3000set\u3000the\u3000box\u3000in\u3000its\u3000place\u3000as\u3000slowly\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\uff1b\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3000gingerly\uff1b\u3000fearing\u3000a\u3000jewel\u3000might\u3000fall\u3000out\u3000or\u3000something\u3002\u3000She\u3000quickly\u3000drew\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000away\uff1b\u3000relieved\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Turning\u3000back\uff1b\u3000she\u3000caught\u3000sight\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hem\u3000of\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000robe\u3000that\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000Her\u3000breath\u3000caught\u3000in\u3000her\u3000throat\u3002\u3000She\u3000hadn’t\u3000heard\u3000footsteps\u3002\u3000Her\u3000head\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000almost\u3000involuntarily\uff1b\u3000rose\u3000up\u3000the\u3000line\u3000of\u3000the\u3000robe\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000stuck\u3000in\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000sleeves\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000long\uff1b\u3000pointed\uff1b\u3000white\u3000beard\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000bony\u3000face\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hooked\u3000nose\uff1b\u3000the\u3000bald\u3000head\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000eyes\u3000looking\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\u3000startled\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Wizard\u3000Giller\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whined\uff1b\u3000fully\u3000expecting\u3000to\u3000be\u3000struck\u3000dead\u3000any\u3000second\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000only\u3000putting\u3000it\u3000back\u3002\u3000I\u3000swear\u3002\u3000Please\uff1b\u3000please\u3000don’t\u3000kill\u3000me\u3002\u3003\u3000Her\u3000face\u3000wrinkled\u3000up\u3000as\u3000she\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000make\u3000herself\u3000back\u3000away\uff1b\u3000but\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000wouldn’t\u3000move\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000stuck\u3000the\u3000hem\u3000of\u3000her\u3000dress\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mouth\uff1b\u3000biting\u3000it\u3000as\u3000she\u3000whimpered\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000scrunched\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000closed\u3000and\u3000shook\u3000as\u3000the\u3000wizard\u3000began\u3000sinking\uff1b\u3000lowering\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Child\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000soft\u3000voice\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000cautiously\u3000opened\u3000one\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000surprised\u3000to\u3000find\u3000he\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000his\u3000face\u3000even\u3000with\u3000hers\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000hurt\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000other\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000just\u3000as\u3000cautiously\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000not\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000believe\u3000him\u3002\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000with\u3000a\u3000start\u3000that\u3000the\u3000big\u3000heavy\u3000door\u3000was\u3000closed\uff1b\u3000her\u3000only\u3000escape\u3000route\u3000blocked\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000None\u3000of\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000or\u3000servants\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000second\u3000look\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000she\u3000was\u3000running\u3002\u3000They\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000was\u3000Princess\u3000Violet’s\u3000playmate\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000her\u3000running\u3000through\u3000the\u3000castle\u3000many\u3000times\u3000before\u3000on\u3000errands\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000was\u3000winded\u3000when\u3000she\u3000finally\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000kitchens\uff1b\u3000which\u3000were\u3000steamy\u3000and\u3000smoky\u3000and\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000noise\u3002\u3000Helpers\u3000were\u3000scurrying\u3000around\u3000carrying\u3000heavy\u3000sacks\uff1b\u3000big\u3000pots\uff1b\u3000or\u3000hot\u3000trays\uff1b\u3000all\u3000trying\u3000not\u3000to\u3000bump\u3000into\u3000one\u3000another\u3002\u3000People\u3000chopped\u3000things\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000on\u3000the\u3000high\u3000tables\u3000and\u3000huge\u3000chopping\u3000blocks\u3002\u3000Pans\u3000clanged\uff1b\u3000cooks\u3000yelled\u3000orders\uff1b\u3000helpers\u3000took\u3000pans\u3000and\u3000metal\u3000bowls\u3000off\u3000hooks\u3000overhead\u3000and\u3000put\u3000others\u3000back\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000constant\u3000rapping\u3000of\u3000spoons\u3000mixing\u3000and\u3000whipping\u3000food\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sharp\u3000hiss\u3000of\u3000oil\u3000and\u3000garlic\u3000and\u3000butter\u3000and\u3000onions\u3000and\u3000spices\u3000in\u3000hot\u3000pans\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everyone\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000yelling\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3002\u3000This\u3000chaotic\u3000place\u3000smelled\u3000so\u3000good\u3000it\u3000made\u3000her\u3000head\u3000spin\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000tugged\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sleeve\u3000of\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000two\u3000head\u3000cooks\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000she\u3000had\u3000a\u3000message\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Princess\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000arguing\u3000with\u3000another\u3000cook\u3000and\u3000told\u3000her\u3000to\u3000go\u3000sit\u3000and\u3000wait\u3000until\u3000they\u3000were\u3000finished\u3002\u3000She\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000nearby\uff1b\u3000on\u3000a\u3000little\u3000stool\u3000by\u3000the\u3000ovens\uff1b\u3000her\u3000back\u3000pressed\u3000against\u3000the\u3000hot\u3000brick\u3002\u3000The\u3000kitchen\u3000smelled\u3000so\u3000good\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000was\u3000so\u3000hungry\u3002\u3000But\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000she\u3000would\u3000get\u3000in\u3000trouble\u3000if\u3000she\u3000asked\u3000for\u3000food\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000head\u3000cooks\u3000were\u3000standing\u3000over\u3000a\u3000big\u3000crock\uff1b\u3000waving\u3000their\u3000arms\u3000around\uff1b\u3000yelling\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\u3002\u3000Suddenly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000crock\u3000fell\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000with\u3000a\u3000big\u3000thunk\uff1b\u3000splitting\u3000in\u3000two\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000light\u3000brown\u3000liquid\u3000flooding\u3000all\u3000over\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000jumped\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stool\u3000so\u3000it\u3000wouldn’t\u3000get\u3000on\u3000her\u3000bare\u3000feet\u3002\u3000The\u3000cooks\u3000stood\u3000still\uff1b\u3000their\u3000faces\u3000almost\u3000as\u3000white\u3000as\u3000their\u3000coats\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003What’re\u3000we\u3000going\u3000to\u3000do\u3000now\uff1f\u3003\u3000the\u3000short\u3000one\u3000asked\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000don’t\u3000have\u3000any\u3000more\u3000of\u3000the\u3000ingredients\u3000Father\u3000Rahl\u3000sent\u3002\u3003\u3000\u3003Wait\u3000a\u3000minute\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000one\u3000said\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000to\u3000his\u3000forehead\u3002\u3000\u3003Let\u3000me\u3000think\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000put\u3000both\u3000hands\u3000to\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000squishing\u3000it\u3000together\u3002\u3000Then\u3000he\u3000put\u3000both\u3000arms\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\u3002\u3000All\u3000right\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000got\u3000an\u3000idea\u3002\u3000Get\u3000me\u3000another\u3000crock\uff1b\u3000and\u3000just\u3000keep\u3000your\u3000mouth\u3000shut\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000we\u3000can\u3000keep\u3000our\u3000heads\u3002\u3000Get\u3000me\u3000some\u3000other\u3000ingredients\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003What\u3000ingredients\uff01\u3003\u3000the\u3000short\u3000one\u3000yelled\uff1b\u3000red\u2026faced\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000tall\u3000cook\u3000leaned\u3000over\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Brown\u3000ingredients\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000watched\u3000while\u3000they\u3000ran\u3000around\u3000snatching\u3000up\u3000things\uff1b\u3000pouring\u3000in\u3000bottles\u3000of\u3000liquid\uff1b\u3000adding\u3000ingredients\uff1b\u3000stirring\uff1b\u3000tasting\u3002\u3000At\u3000last\u3000they\u3000both\u3000smiled\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000it’ll\u3000work\u3002\u3000I\u3000think\u3002\u3000Just\u3000let\u3000me\u3000do\u3000the\u3000talking\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000one\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000stepped\u3000tiptoed\u3000across\u3000the\u3000wet\u3000floor\u3000and\u3000tugged\u3000on\u3000his\u3000sleeve\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003You\uff01\u3000You\u3000still\u3000here\uff1f\u3000What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000want\uff1f\u3003\u3000he\u3000snapped\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Princess\u3000Violet\u3000said\u3000not\u3000to\u3000make\u3000her\u3000roast\u3000dry\u3000again\uff1b\u3000or\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000make\u3000those\u3000men\u3000beat\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000made\u3000me\u3000say\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\u3000a\u3000minute\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000short\u3000cook\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000his\u3000finger\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000told\u3000you\uff01\u3000I\u3000told\u3000you\uff01\u3000This\u3000time\uff1b\u3000slice\u3000hers\u3000from\u3000the\u3000center\uff1b\u3000and\u3000don’t\u3000mix\u3000up\u3000the\u3000plates\u3000or\u3000we’ll\u3000both\u3000end\u3000up\u3000losing\u3000our\u3000heads\uff01\u3003\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000you\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000any\u3000of\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000stirring\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3000over\u3000the\u3000crock\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Cooking\uff1f\u3000You\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000me\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000anyone\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000you\u3000cooking\uff1f\u3000All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000a\u3000little\u3000confused\uff1b\u3000and\u3000started\u3000tiptoeing\u3000across\u3000the\u3000wet\u3000floor\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000won’t\u3000tell\u3000anyone\uff1b\u3000I\u3000promise\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000like\u3000to\u3000see\u3000people\u3000getting\u3000hurt\u3000by\u3000those\u3000men\u3000with\u3000the\u3000whips\u3002\u3000I\u3000won’t\u3000tell\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Wait\u3000a\u3000minute\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000called\u3000after\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Rachel\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000it\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003e\u3000back\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000tiptoed\u3000back\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000out\u3000a\u3000big\u3000knife\u3000that\u3000scared\u3000her\u3000at\u3000first\uff1b\u3000then\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000a\u3000platter\u3000on\u3000the\u3000table\u3000behind\u3000him\u3000and\u3000cut\u3000off\u3000a\u3000big\uff1b\u3000juicy\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000meat\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000such\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000meat\uff1b\u3000without\u3000fat\u3000and\u3000gristle\u3000all\u3000over\u3000it\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000not\u3000up\u3000close\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000p \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000piece\u3000of\u3000meat\u3000like\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000ate\u3002\u3000He\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000down\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000put\u3000it\u3000right\u3000into\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Sorry\u3000I\u3000yelled\u3000at\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Rachel\u3002\u3000You\u3000sit\u3000on\u3000that\u3000stool\u3000over\u3000there\u3000and\u3000eat\u3000this\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000let\u3000us\u3000be\u3000sure\u3000you’re\u3000cleaned\u3000up\uff1b\u3000so\u3000no\u3000one\u3000will\u3000be\u3000the\u3000wiser\u3002\u3000All\u3000right\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000ran\u3000off\u3000to\u3000the\u3000stool\u3000with\u3000her\u3000prize\uff1b\u3000forgetting\u3000to\u3000tiptoe\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000the\u3000best\uff1b\u3000most\u3000delicious\u3000thing\u3000she\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000eaten\u3002\u3000She\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000eat\u3000it\u3000slowly\u3000while\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000all\u3000the\u3000people\u3000running\u3000around\uff1b\u3000clanging\u3000pots\u3000and\u3000carrying\u3000things\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3002\u3000Juice\u3000ran\u3000down\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000dripped\u3000off\u3000her\u3000elbows\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000When\u3000she\u3000was\u3000finished\uff1b\u3000the\u3000short\u3000cook\u3000came\u3000and\u3000wiped\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000arms\u3000and\u3000face\u3000with\u3000a\u3000towel\uff1b\u3000then\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000a\u3000slice\u3000of\u3000lemon\u3000pie\uff1b\u3000placing\u3000it\u3000right\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000the\u3000way\u3000the\u3000tall\u3000cook\u3000had\u3000done\u3000with\u3000the\u3000meat\u3002\u3000He\u3000said\u3000he\u3000baked\u3000it\u3000himself\u3000and\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000know\u3000if\u3000it\u3000was\u3000good\u3002\u3000She\u3000told\u3000him\uff1b\u3000quite\u3000truthfully\uff1b\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000just\u3000about\u3000the\u3000bestest\u3000thing\u3000she\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000had\u3002\u3000He\u3000grinned\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000This\u3000had\u3000been\u3000just\u3000about\u3000the\u3000best\u3000day\u3000she\u3000could\u3000ever\u3000remember\u3002\u3000Two\u3000good\u3000things\u3000in\u3000the\u3000same\u3000day\uff1a\u3000the\u3000trouble\u3000doll\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000the\u3000food\u3002\u3000She\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000a\u3000queen\u3000herself\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Later\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000sat\u3000in\u3000the\u3000big\u3000dining\u3000room\u3000on\u3000her\u3000little\u3000chair\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000Princess\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\uff1b\u3000ever\uff1b\u3000that\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000so\u3000hungry\u3000that\u3000her\u3000stomach\u3000made\u3000noises\u3000while\u3000the\u3000important\u3000people\u3000ate\u3002\u3000The\u3000head\u3000table\uff1b\u3000where\u3000they\u3000sat\uff1b\u3000was\u3000three\u3000steps\u3000higher\u3000than\u3000all\u3000the\u3000other\u3000tables\uff1b\u3000so\u3000if\u3000she\u3000sat\u3000up\u3000straight\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000room\u3000even\u3000from\u3000her\u3000little\u3000chair\u3002\u3000Servers\u3000were\u3000dashing\u3000all\u3000about\uff1b\u3000bringing\u3000in\u3000food\uff1b\u3000taking\u3000out\u3000dishes\u3000with\u3000food\u3000still\u3000left\u3000on\u3000them\uff1b\u3000pouring\u3000wine\uff1b\u3000and\u3000exchanging\u3000half\u2026full\u3000trays\u3000on\u3000the\u3000tables\u3000with\u3000full\u3000ones\u3000from\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000watched\u3000all\u3000the\u3000fine\u3000ladies\u3000and\u3000gentlemen\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000pretty\u3000dresses\u3000and\u3000colorful\u3000braided\u3000coats\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000at\u3000the\u3000long\u3000tables\uff1b\u3000eating\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fancy\u3000plates\uff1b\u3000and\u3000for\u3000the\u3000first\u3000time\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000the\u3000food\u3000tasted\u3002\u3000She\u3000still\u3000didn’t\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000though\uff1b\u3000why\u3000they\u3000heeded\u3000so\u3000many\u3000forks\u3000and\u3000spoons\u3000to\u3000eat\u3000with\u3002\u3000One\u3000time\u3000when\u3000she\u3000had\u3000asked\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000why\u3000there\u3000were\u3000so\u3000many\u3000forks\u3000and\u3000spoons\u3000and\u3000things\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000had\u3000said\u3000it\u3000was\u3000something\u3000a\u3000nobody\u3000like\u3000her\u3000would\u3000never\u3000need\u3000to\u3000know\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Mostly\u3000Rachel\u3000was\u3000ignored\u3000at\u3000the\u3000banquets\u3002\u3000The\u3000Princess\u3000only\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000look\u3000at\u3000her\u3000once\u3000in\u3000a\u3000while\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000just\u3000there\u3000because\u3000she\u3000was\u3000Princess\u3000Violet’s\u3000playmate\uff1b\u3000for\u3000looks\uff1b\u3000she\u3000guessed\u3002\u3000The\u3000Queen\u3000had\u3000people\u3000standing\u3000or\u3000sitting\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000when\u3000she\u3000ate\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000The\u3000Queen\u3000said\u3000Rachel\u3000was\u3000for\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000to\u3000practice\u3000on\uff1b\u3000to\u3000practice\u3000leadership\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000leaned\u3000forward\u3000and\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003Is\u3000your\u3000roast\u3000juicy\u3000enough\uff1b\u3000Princess\u3000Violet’\uff1f\u3000I\u3000told\u3000the\u3000cooks\u3000it\u3000was\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000give\u3000you\u3000bad\u3000meat\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000said\u3000not\u3000to\u3000do\u3000it\u3000again\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000gravy\u3000dripping\u3000from\u3000her\u3000chin\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000good\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000them\u3000from\u3000getting\u3000whipped\u3002\u3000And\u3000you’re\u3000right\uff1b\u3000they\u3000shouldn’t\u3000be\u3000so\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000about\u3000time\u3000they\u3000learned\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Queen\u3000Milena\u3000sat\u3000at\u3000the\u3000table\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000always\u3000did\uff1b\u3000with\u3000her\u3000tiny\u3000little\u3000dog\u3000held\u3000in\u3000one\u3000arm\u3002\u3000It\u3000kept\u3000pushing\u3000its\u3000skinny\u3000little\u3000stick\u3000legs\u3000against\u3000her\u3000fat\u3000arm\u3000as\u3000it\u3000shook\uff1b\u3000making\u3000little\u3000dents\u3000with\u3000its\u3000feet\u3002\u3000The\u3000Queen\u3000fed\u3000it\u3000scraps\u3000of\u3000meat\u3000that\u3000were\u3000better\u3000than\u3000any\u3000Rachel\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000been\u3000fed\u3002\u3000Before\u3000today\uff1b\u3000that\u3000is\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000with\u3000a\u3000smile\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000didn’t\u3000like\u3000the\u3000little\u3000dog\u3002\u3000It\u3000barked\u3000a\u3000lot\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sometimes\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000set\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000it\u3000would\u3000run\u3000over\u3000to\u3000her\u3000and\u3000bite\u3000her\u3000legs\u3000with\u3000its\u3000tiny\u3000sharp\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000didn’t\u3000dare\u3000to\u3000say\u3000anything\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000dog\u3000bit\u3000her\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000always\u3000told\u3000it\u3000to\u3000be\u3000careful\uff1b\u3000not\u3000to\u3000hurt\u3000itself\u3002\u3000She\u3000always\u3000used\u3000a\u3000funny\uff1b\u3000high\uff1b\u3000sweet\u3000voice\u3000when\u3000she\u3000talked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dog\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000While\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000and\u3000her\u3000ministers\u3000talked\u3000about\u3000some\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000alliance\uff1b\u3000Rachel\u3000\u2026sat\u3000jiggling\u3000her\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000knocking\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000together\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000about\u3000her\u3000trouble\u3000doll\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000stood\u3000behind\u3000and\u3000to\u3000the\u3000right\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Queen\uff1b\u3000offering\u3000his\u3000advice\u3000when\u3000asked\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000grand\u3000in\u3000his\u3000silver\u3000robes\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000never\u3000paid\u3000much\u3000attention\u3000to\u3000Giller\u3000before\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000just\u3000been\u3000another\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000important\u3000people\uff1b\u3000always\u3000there\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000like\u3000her\u3000little\u3000dog\u3002\u3000People\u3000were\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000him\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000the\u3000way\u3000she\u3000was\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dog\u3002\u3000Now\uff1b\u3000as\u3000she\u3000watched\u3000him\uff1b\u3000he\u3000seemed\u3000like\u3000just\u3000about\u3000the\u3000nicest\u3000man\u3000she\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000It\u3000flipped\u3000over\uff1b\u3000trembling\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000leaned\u3000his\u3000boot\u3000into\u3000the\u3000small\u3000of\u3000its\u3000back\uff1b\u3000below\u3000the\u3000sharp\uff1b\u3000raised\u3000projections\u3000of\u3000its\u3000spine\u3002\u3000He\u3000reached\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pack\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000out\u3000a\u3000length\u3000of\u3000rope\u3002\u3000He\u3000ran\u3000a\u3000loop\u3000with\u3000a\u3000slip\u3000knot\u3000around\u3000its\u3000neck\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000pulled\u3000him\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\uff1b\u3000leaves\u3000stuck\u3000to\u3000the\u3000gray\u3000skin\u3000of\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000Samuel\uff1b\u3000we’re\u3000going\u3000after\u3000your\u3000mistress\u3002\u3000You’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000lead\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000make\u3000one\u3000wrong\u3000move\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000snap\u3000your\u3000neck\u3000with\u3000this\u3000rope\u3002\u3000Understand\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000put\u3000tension\u3000to\u3000the\u3000rope\u3000to\u3000let\u3000Samuel\u3000know\u3000who\u3000was\u3000in\u3000charge\uff1b\u3000then\u3000put\u3000away\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000tug\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rope\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000doesn’t\u3000belong\u3000to\u3000you\u3002\u3000Keep\u3000your\u3000hands\u3000out\u3000of\u3000it\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000look\u3000of\u3000hate\u3000changed\u3000to\u3000a\u3000look\u3000of\u3000wide\uff1b\u3000yellow\u2026eyed\u3000terror\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\uff01\u3000No\u3000kill\u3000me\uff01\u3000Samuel\u3000take\u3000you\u3000to\u3000Mistress\uff1b\u3000to\u3000pretty\u3000lady\u3002\u3000Promise\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000put\u3000the\u3000pack\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shoulder\u3000and\u3000took\u3000a\u3000few\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000until\u3000he\u3000ran\u3000out\u3000of\u3000slack\u3002\u3000\u3003Follow\u3000Samuel\u3002\u3000Hurry\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000prove\u3000his\u3000worth\u3000alive\u3002\u3000\u3003No\u3000cook\u3000Samuel\uff1b\u3000please\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000muttered\u3000over\u3000and\u3000over\u3000as\u3000they\u3000went\u3000back\u3000down\u3000the\u3000trail\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000couldn’t\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000imagine\u3000what\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000creature\u3000Samuel\u3000was\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000something\u3000familiar\uff1b\u3000unsettling\uff1b\u3000about\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000wasn’t\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000couldn’t\u3000begin\u3000to\u3000imagine\u3000what\u3000sort\u3000of\u3000creature\u3000Samuel\u3000was\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000something\u3000familiar\uff1b\u3000unsettling\uff1b\u3000about\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000wasn’t\u3000very\u3000tall\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000was\u3000powerfully\u3000strong\u3002\u3000Richard’s\u3000jaw\u3000still\u3000throbbed\u3000from\u3000where\u3000Samuel\u3000had\u3000hit\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000and\u3000head\u3000ached\u3000from\u3000having\u3000his\u3000head\u3000pounded\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Long\u3000arms\u3000nearly\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000as\u3000Samuel\u3000walked\u3000along\u3000in\u3000an\u3000odd\u3000waddle\uff1b\u3000muttering\u3000over\u3000and\u3000over\u3000that\u3000he\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3000cooked\u3002\u3000Short\uff1b\u3000dark\u3000pants\u3000held\u3000up\u3000with\u3000straps\u3000were\u3000all\u3000he\u3000wore\u3002\u3000His\u3000feet\u3000were\u3000as\u3000disproportionately\u3000large\u3000as\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000and\u3000arms\u3002\u3000His\u3000belly\u3000was\u3000round\u3000and\u3000full\uff1b\u3000with\u3000what\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000could\u3000only\u3000wonder\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000hair\u3000on\u3000him\u3000anywhere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000his\u3000skin\u3000looked\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sunlight\u3000in\u3000years\u3002\u3000From\u3000time\u3000to\u3000time\uff1b\u3000Samuel\u3000would\u3000snatch\u3000up\u3000a\u3000stick\uff1b\u3000or\u3000a\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000and\u3000say\u3000\u3003Mine\uff01\u3000Gimme\uff01\u3003\u3000to\u3000no\u3000one\u3000in\u3000particular\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000soon\u3000lose\u3000interest\u3000and\u3000drop\u3000his\u3000latest\u3000find\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Keeping\u3000a\u3000sharp\u3000eye\u3000on\u3000both\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000and\u3000Samuel\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000followed\u3000the\u3000panion\uff1b\u3000prodding\u3000him\u3000to\u3000move\u3000faster\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000afraid\u3000for\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000furious\u3000at\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Old\u3000John\uff1b\u3000or\u3000the\u3000Calthrop\uff1b\u3000whatever\u3000it\u3000was\uff1b\u3000had\u3000pletely\u3000taken\u3000him\u3000in\u3002\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000believe\u3000how\u3000stupid\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000fallen\u3000for\u3000the\u3000story\u3000because\u3000he\u3000had\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000believe\uff1b\u3000had\u3000wanted\u3000so\u3000badly\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Zedd\u3002\u3000The\u3000very\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000had\u3000always\u3000told\u3000others\u3000not\u3000to\u3000do\u3002\u3000And\u3000there\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000giving\u3000the\u3000monster\u3000the\u3000information\u3000it\u3000then\u3000repeated\u3000back\u3000to\u3000him\u3000as\u3000proof\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000furious\u3000at\u3000how\u3000stupid\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000also\u3000painfully\u3000ashamed\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000People\u3000believe\u3000things\u3000because\u3000they\u3000want\u3000to\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000told\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000and\u3000so\u3000had\u3000he\uff1b\u3000and\u3000now\u3000the\u3000witch\u3000woman\u3000had\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000very\u3000thing\u3000she\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000afraid\u3000of\uff1b\u3000and\u3000because\u3000he\u3000had\u3000been\u3000so\u3000stupid\uff1b\u3000had\u3000let\u3000his\u3000guard\u3000down\u3002\u3000It\u3000seemed\u3000that\u3000every\u3000time\u3000he\u3000let\u3000his\u3000guard\u3000down\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000paid\u3000the\u3000price\u3002\u3000If\u3000the\u3000witch\u3000woman\u3000harmed\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000find\u3000out\u3000what\u3000the\u3000wrath\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Seeker\u3000was\u3000all\u3000about\uff1b\u3000he\u3000vowed\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Once\u3000again\u3000he\u3000reprimanded\u3000himself\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000letting\u3000his\u3000imagination\u3000get\u3000away\u3000from\u3000him\u3002\u3000If\u3000Shota\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000would\u3000have\u3000done\u3000so\u3000on\u3000the\u3000spot\u3002\u3000She\u3000wouldn’t\u3000be\u3000taking\u3000her\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Agaden\u3000Reach\u3002\u3000But\u3000why\u3000take\u3000her\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Reach\uff1f\u3000Unless\uff1b\u3000as\u3000Samuel\u3000put\u3000it\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000play\u3000with\u3000her\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000put\u3000that\u3000thought\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mind\u3002\u3000It\u3000had\u3000to\u3000be\u3000him\u3000she\u3000wanted\uff1b\u3000not\u3000Kahlan\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000probably\u3000why\u3000the\u3000Calthrop\u3000left\u3000so\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000the\u3000witch\u3000woman\u3000had\u3000scared\u3000it\u3000off\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000When\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000fork\u3000they\u3000had\u3000passed\u3000before\uff1b\u3000Samuel\u3000took\u3000them\u3000immediately\u3000down\u3000the\u3000left\u3000path\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000panion\u3000didn’t\u3000slow\u3002\u3000The\u3000trail\u3000started\u3000climbing\u3000up\u3000steep\u3000switch\u2026\u3000backs\uff1b\u3000and\u3000soon\u3000they\u3000were\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000onto\u3000an\u3000open\u3000trail\u3000across\u3000the\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000climbing\u3000steadily\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000jagged\uff1b\u3000snow\u2026covered\u3000peaks\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000In\u3000the\u3000moonlit\u3000snow\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000could\u3000see\u3000two\u3000sets\u3000of\u3000footprints\uff1b\u3000one\u3000of\u3000them\u3000Kahlan’s\u3002\u3000A\u3000good\u3000sign\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000still\u3000alive\u3002\u3000It\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000like\u3000Shota\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000her\u3002\u3000At\u3000least\u3000not\u3000right\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Skirting\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000the\u3000snowcaps\uff1b\u3000the\u3000path\u3000led\u3000over\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000fringes\u3000of\u3000the\u3000snow\uff1b\u3000which\u3000was\u3000wet\uff1b\u3000heavy\uff1b\u3000and\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000walk\u3000through\u3002\u3000Without\u3000Samuel\u3000leading\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000knowing\u3000where\u3000this\u3000pass\u3000was\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000realized\u3000it\u3000would\u3000take\u3000days\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000over\u3000these\u3000peaks\u3002\u3000The\u3000cold\u3000wind\u3000whipped\u3000through\u3000the\u3000gaps\u3000in\u3000the\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000away\u3000long\u3000thin\u3000clouds\u3000of\u3000their\u3000breath\u3000in\u3000the\u3000frigid\u3000air\u3002\u3000Samuel\u3000was\u3000shivering\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000put\u3000on\u3000his\u3000cloak\uff1b\u3000then\u3000pulled\u3000Kahlan’s\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pack\u3000Samuel\u3000was\u3000carrying\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003This\u3000belongs\u3000to\u3000the\u3000pretty\u3000lady\u3002\u3000You\u3000may\u3000wear\u3000it\uff1b\u3000for\u3000now\uff1b\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000warm\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Samuel\u3000snatched\u3000the\u3000cloak\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000hands\u3002\u3000\u3003Mine\uff01\u3000Gimme\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003If\u3000you’re\u3000going\u3000to\u3000be\u3000like\u3000that\uff1b\u3000then\u3000I\u3000won’t\u3000let\u3000you\u3000wear\u3000it\u3002\u3003\u3000Richard\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000rope\u3000taut\u3000and\u3000yanked\u3000the\u3000cloak\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Please\uff01\u3000Samuel\u3000cold\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whined\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\uff1f\u3000Wear\u3000the\u3000pretty\u3000lady’s\u3000cloak\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000handed\u3000it\u3000back\u3002\u3000This\u3000time\u3000the\u3000panion\u3000took\u3000it\u3000slowly\uff1b\u3000and\u3000put\u3000it\u3000around\u3000his\u3000shoulders\u3002\u3000The\u3000little\u3000creature\u3000made\u3000Richard’s\u3000skin\u3000crawl\u3002\u3000He\u3000took\u3000out\u3000a\u3000piece\u3000of\u3000tava\u3000bread\u3000and\u3000ate\u3000it\u3000as\u3000they\u3000walked\u3000along\u3002\u3000Samuel\u3000kept\u3000looking\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000Richard\u3000eat\u3002\u3000When\u3000he\u3000could\u3000stand\u3000it\u3000no\u3000longer\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000offered\u3000Samuel\u3000a\u3000piece\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000big\u3000hands\u3000reached\u3000out\u3002\u3000\u3003Mine\uff01\u3000Gimme\uff01\u3003\u3000Richard\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000bread\u3000back\uff1b\u3000out\u3000of\u3000reach\u3002\u3000Pleading\u3000yellow\u3000eyes\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000him\u3000in\u3000the\u3000moonlight\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\uff1f\u3003\u3000Richard\u3000carefully\u3000put\u3000the\u3000bread\u3000into\u3000his\u3000eager\u3000hands\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Samuel\u3000made\u3000small\u3000talk\u3000as\u3000he\u3000they\u3000trudged\u3000through\u3000the\u3000snow\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000eaten\u3000the\u3000bread\u3000in\u3000one\u3000bite\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000knew\u3000if\u3000given\u3000the\u3000chance\uff1b\u3000Samuel\u3000would\u3000slit\u3000his\u3000throat\u3000without\u3000a\u3000second\u3000thought\u3002\u3000He\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000a\u3000creature\u3000devoid\u3000of\u3000any\u3000redeeming\u3000qualities\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Samuel\uff1b\u3000why\u3000does\u3000Shota\u3000keep\u3000you\u3000around\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000over\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000his\u3000yellow\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000set\u3000in\u3000a\u3000puzzled\u3000frown\u3002\u3000\u3003Samuel\u3000panion\u3002\u3003\u3000\u3003And\u3000won’t\u3000your\u3000mistress\u3000be\u3000angry\u3000with\u3000you\u3000for\u3000leading\u3000me\u3000to\u3000her\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Samuel\u3000made\u3000a\u3000gurgling\u3000sound\u3000that\u3000Richard\u3000took\u3000for\u3000laughter\u3002\u3000\u3003Mistress\u3000not\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000Seeker\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u2026\uff0b
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000heat\u3000was\u3000oppressive\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wood\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000took\u3000off\u3000his\u3000cloak\u3000and\u3000put\u3000it\u3000in\u3000his\u3000pack\uff1b\u3000then\u3000stuffed\u3000Kahlan’s\u3000back\u3000in\u3000hers\u3002\u3000Samuel\u3000watched\u3000without\u3000protest\u3002\u3000He\u3000seemed\u3000happy\uff1b\u3000confident\uff1b\u3000to\u3000be\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000Reach\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000pretended\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000where\u3000they\u3000were\u3000going\uff1b\u3000not\u3000wanting\u3000to\u3000give\u3000the\u3000panion\u3000any\u3000idea\u3000that\u3000he\u3000was\u3000almost\u3000blind\u3000in\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000darkness\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000let\u3000himself\u3000be\u3000guided\u3000along\u3000by\u3000the\u3000rope\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000blind\u3000man\u3002\u3000Samuel\u3000loped\u3000along\u3000as\u3000if\u3000it\u3000were\u3000bright\u3000as\u3000midday\u3002\u3000Whenever\u3000he\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000hairless\u3000head\u3000back\u3000to\u3000Richard\uff1b\u3000his\u3000yellow\u3000eyes\u3000shone\u3000like\u3000twin\u3000lanterns\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003How\u3000much\u3000farther\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Close\u3002\u3003\u3000Samuel\u3000grinned\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000took\u3000up\u3000the\u3000slack\u3000on\u3000the\u3000rope\u3002\u3000\u3003Just\u3000remember\uff1b\u3000if\u3000anything\u3000goes\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000you\u3000die\u3000first\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000grin\u3000faded\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bloodless\u3000lips\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Here\u3000and\u3000there\u3000in\u3000the\u3000mud\u3000Richard\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000same\u3000pair\u3000of\u3000footprints\u3000that\u3000he\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000in\u3000the\u3000snow\u3002\u3000Kahlan\u3000was\u3000still\u3000walking\u3002\u3000Dark\u3000forms\u3000followed\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000to\u3000the\u3000shadows\uff1b\u3000the\u3000thick\u3000brush\uff1b\u3000sometimes\u3000letting\u3000out\u3000whoops\u3000and\u3000howls\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000wondered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000worried\uff1b\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000more\u3000things\u3000like\u3000Samuel\u3002\u3000Or\u3000worse\u3002\u3000Some\u3000followed\u3000in\u3000the\u3000treetops\uff1b\u3000just\u3000beyond\u3000sight\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000his\u3000best\u3000efforts\u3000to\u3000halt\u3000it\uff1b\u3000a\u3000shiver\u3000went\u3000up\u3000his\u3000spine\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Samuel\u3000skirted\u3000off\u3000the\uff1b\u3000path\uff1b\u3000around\u3000the\u3000twisted\u3000roots\u3000of\u3000a\u3000squat\uff1b\u3000fat\u2026trunked\u3000tree\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003What’re\u3000you\u3000doing\uff1f\u3003\u3000Richard\u3000asked\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000the\u3000panion\u3000to\u3000a\u3000halt\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Samuel\u3000grinned\u3000back\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Watch\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000a\u3000stout\u3000stick\uff1b\u3000big\u3000as\u3000his\u3000wrist\uff1b\u3000and\u3000threw\u3000it\u3000with\u3000an\u3000underhand\u3000swing\u3000into\u3000the\u3000roots\u3000of\u3000the\u3000tree\u3002\u3000The\u3000roots\u3000whipped\u3000out\uff1b\u3000knotting\u3000around\u3000the\u3000stick\uff1b\u3000pulling\u3000it\u3000under\u3000the\u3000tangled\u3000mass\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000heard\u3000it\u3000snapping\u3000apart\u3002\u3000Samuel\u3000gurgled\u3000with\u3000laughter\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000As\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000climbed\u3000higher\uff1b\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000of\u3000Agaden\u3000Reach\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000bee\u3000even\u3000darker\u3002\u3000Dead\u3000branches\u3000twisted\u3000together\u3000overhead\uff1b\u3000and\u3000mist\u3000occasionally\u3000drifted\u3000across\u3000their\u3000way\u3002\u3000At\u3000times\u3000Richard\u3000couldn’t\u3000even\u3000see\u3000Samuel\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wet\u3000rope\u3002\u3000But\u3000always\u3000he\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000things\uff1a\u3000scratching\uff1b\u3000clawing\uff1b\u3000whistling\uff1b\u3000things\u3000clicking\u3000at\u3000them\u3000from\u3000just\u3000out\u3000of\u3000sight\u3002\u3000Sometimes\u3000the\u3000mist\u3000twirled\u3000and\u3000spun\u3000at\u3000the\u3000passing\u3000of\u3000creatures\u3000darting\u3000by\uff1b\u3000near\u3000but\u3000unseen\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000remembered\u3000what\u3000Kahlan\u3000had\u3000said\uff1a\u3000they\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000die\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000put\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000told\u3000him\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000met\u3000the\u3000witch\u3000woman\uff1b\u3000only\u3000heard\u3000others\u3000speak\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3000But\u3000what\u3000she\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000had\u3000terrified\u3000her\u3002\u3000Those\u3000who\u3000went\u3000in\u3000never\u3000came\u3000out\u3002\u3000Not\u3000even\u3000a\u3000wizard\u3000would\u3000go\u3000into\u3000Agaden\u3000Reach\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000said\u3002\u3000But\u3000still\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000secondhand\u3000knowledge\uff1b\u3000she\u3000hadn’t\u3000ever\u3000met\u3000Shota\u3002\u3000Maybe\u3000the\u3000stories\u3000were\u3000exaggerated\u3002\u3000His\u3000eyes\u3000scanned\u3000the\u3000menacing\uff1b\u3000forbidding\u3000woods\u3002\u3000And\u3000maybe\u3000not\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000From\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000through\u3000the\u3000tangles\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000came\u3000light\uff1b\u3000sunlight\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000rushing\u3000water\u3002\u3000The\u3000farther\u3000they\u3000went\uff1b\u3000the\u3000brighter\u3000it\u3000became\u3002\u3000Soon\u3000they\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000wood\u3002\u3000The\u3000trail\u3000simply\u3000ended\u3002\u3000Samuel\u3000gurgled\u3000with\u3000glee\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Spread\u3000out\u3000far\u3000below\u3000was\u3000a\u3000long\u3000valley\uff1b\u3000green\uff1b\u3000bright\uff1b\u3000lit\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sun\u3002\u3000Gigantic\u3000rocky\u3000peaks\u3000soared\u3000almost\u3000straight\u3000up\u3000all\u3000around\u3000it\u3002\u3000Fields\u3000of\u3000golden\u3000grasses\u3000among\u3000stands\u3000of\u3000oak\uff1b\u3000beech\uff1b\u3000and\u3000maple\u3000set\u3000in\u3000rich\u3000autumn\u3000colors\u3000rippled\u3000in\u3000the\u3000breeze\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000forest\u3000where\u3000they\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000it\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000standing\u3000in\u3000night\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000out\u3000on\u3000day\u3002\u3000Water\u3000tumbled\u3000off\u3000the\u3000rocks\u3000beside\u3000them\uff1b\u3000down\u3000the\u3000vertical\u3000drop\uff1b\u3000disappearing\u3000soundlessly\u3000through\u3000the\u3000air\u3000until\u3000it\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000clear\u3000pools\u3000and\u3000streams\u3000below\uff1b\u3000where\u3000it\u3000made\u3000a\u3000distant\u3000roar\u3000and\u3000a\u3000hiss\u3002\u3000Spray\u3000drifted\u3000up\u3000past\u3000them\uff1b\u3000wetting\u3000their\u3000faces\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Samuel\u3000pointed\u3000down\u3000into\u3000the\u3000valley\u3002\u3000\u3003Mistress\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000had\u3000him\u3000move\u3000on\u3002\u3000Samuel\u3000led\u3000them\u3000through\u3000a\u3000labyrinth\u3000of\u3000brush\uff1b\u3000tight\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000and\u3000fern\u2026covered\u3000boulders\uff1b\u3000to\u3000a\u3000place\u3000Richard\u3000would\u3000never\u3000have\u3000found\u3000without\u3000his\u3000little\u3000guide\uff1a\u3000a\u3000trail\u3000hidden\u3000behind\u3000rocks\u3000and\u3000v \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000without\u3000his\u3000little\u3000guide\uff1a\u3000a\u3000trail\u3000hidden\u3000behind\u3000rocks\u3000and\u3000vines\uff1b\u3000at\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000precipice\uff1b\u3000leading\u3000down\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000of\u3000the\u3000valley\u3002\u3000As\u3000they\u3000descended\uff1b\u3000the\u3000trail\u3000offered\u3000panoramic\u3000views\u3000of\u3000the\u3000beautiful\u3000country\u3000below\uff1a\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000looking\u3000small\u3000in\u3000patches\u3000over\u3000the\u3000gentle\u3000hills\uff1b\u3000the\u3000streams\u3000meandering\u3000among\u3000the\u3000fields\u3000and\u3000banks\uff1b\u3000the\u3000sky\u3000a\u3000bright\u3000blue\u3000overhead\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000In\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000it\u3000all\uff1b\u3000set\u3000among\u3000a\u3000carpet\u3000of\u3000grand\u3000trees\uff1b\u3000was\u3000a\u3000beautiful\u3000palace\u3000of\u3000breathtaking\u3000grace\u3000and\u3000splendor\u3002\u3000Delicate\u3000spires\u3000stretched\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000wispy\u3000bridges\u3000spanned\u3000the\u3000high\u3000gaps\u3000between\u3000towers\uff1b\u3000stairs\u3000spiraled\u3000around\u3000turrets\u3002\u3000Colorful\u3000flags\u3000and\u3000streamers\u3000atop\u3000every\u3000point\u3000snapped\u3000lightly\u3000and\u3000flew\u3000lazily\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wind\u3002\u3000The\u3000magnificent\u3000palace\u3000seemed\u3000to\u3000be\u3000reaching\u3000joyously\u3000to\u3000the\u3000sky\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000stood\u3000silent\u3000for\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000mouth\u3000agape\uff1b\u3000staring\uff1b\u3000hardly\u3000able\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000seeing\u3002\u3000He\u3000loved\u3000his\u3000home\u3000of\u3000Hartland\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000place\u3000there\u3000to\u3000pare\u3000to\u3000this\u3002\u3000This\u3000was\uff1b\u3000quite\u3000simply\uff1b\u3000the\u3000most\u3000beautiful\u3000place\u3000he\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3002\u3000He\u3000never\u3000would\u3000have\u3000imagined\u3000that\u3000a\u3000vision\u3000of\u3000such\u3000exquisite\u3000loveliness\u3000even\u3000existed\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3000started\u3000off\u3000again\uff1b\u3000down\u3000the\u3000valley’s\u3000edge\u3002\u3000In\u3000places\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000steps\uff1b\u3000thousands\u3000of\u3000them\uff1b\u3000cut\u3000from\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000twisting\uff1b\u3000tunneling\u3000and\u3000turning\u3000downward\uff1b\u3000sometimes\u3000spiraling\u3000back\u3000on\u3000themselves\uff1b\u3000going\u3000underneath\u3000the\u3000ones\u3000above\u3002\u3000Samuel\u3000sprang\u3000down\u3000them\u3000as\u3000if\u3000he\u3000had\u3000done\u3000it\u3000a\u3000thousand\u3000times\u3000before\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000obviously\u3000thrilled\u3000to\u3000be\u3000home\u3000again\uff1b\u3000near\u3000the\u3000protection\u3000of\u3000his\u3000mistress\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000At\u3000the\u3000bottom\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sunlight\uff1b\u3000a\u3000road\u3000led\u3000off\u3000through\u3000the\u3000tree\u3000dotted\u3000hills\u3000and\u3000warm\u3000grass\u3000fields\u3002\u3000Samuel\u3000bounded\u3000along\u3000in\u3000his\u3000odd\u3000gait\uff1b\u3000gurgling\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000took\u3000in\u3000the\u3000slack\u3000once\u3000in\u3000a\u3000while\u3000to\u3000remind\u3000him\u3000who\u3000still\u3000held\u3000the\u3000other\u3000end\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rope
\n\u3000
\n\u3000AS\u3000they\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000valley\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000following\u3000a\u3000clear\u3000stream\u3000for\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000moving\u3000ever\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000palace\uff1b\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000became\u3000a\u3000little\u3000thicker\uff1b\u3000closer\u3000together\uff1b\u3000each\u3000a\u3000magnificent\u3000specimen\uff1b\u3000shading\u3000road\u3000or\u3000field\u3000from\u3000the\u3000bright\u3000sun\u3002\u3000The\u3000road\u3000took\u3000them\u3000gently\u3000uphill\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000a\u3000rise\uff1b\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000seemed\u3000as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000gathered\uff1b\u3000sheltering\uff1b\u3000surrounding\u3000a\u3000place\u3000before\u3000them\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000spires\u3000of\u3000the\u3000palace\u3000off\u3000through\u3000the\u3000branches\u3000ahead\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000They\u3000entered\u3000a\u3000shady\uff1b\u3000still\uff1b\u3000enveloping\u3000cathedral\u3000of\u3000trees\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000gentle\u3000sound\u3000of\u3000water\u3000running\u3000through\u3000mossy\u3000rock\u3002\u3000Hazy\u3000streamers\u3000of\u3000sunlight\u3000penetrated\u3000the\u3000quiet\uff1b\u3000muted\u3000area\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000the\u3000sweet\u3000smell\u3000of\u3000grass\u3000and\u3000leaves\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Samuel’s\u3000arm\u3000stretched\u3000out\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000looked\u3000where\u3000he\u3000pointed\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000the\u3000open\uff1b\u3000sheltered\u3000place\u3002\u3000There\u3000sat\u3000a\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000water\u3000bubbling\u3000up\u3000from\u3000a\u3000spring\u3000in\u3000its\u3000center\u3000ran\u3000down\u3000the\u3000sides\u3000into\u3000a\u3000little\u3000stream\u3000dotted\u3000with\u3000rich\uff1b\u3000green\uff1b\u3000mossy\u3000rocks\u3002\u3000A\u3000woman\u3000in\u3000a\u3000long\u3000white\u3000dress\uff1b\u3000soft\u3000brown\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000with\u3000her\u3000back\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000the\u3000edge\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dappled\u3000sunlight\uff1b\u3000running\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000through\u3000the\u3000clear\u3000water\u3002\u3000Even\u3000from\u3000the\u3000back\uff1b\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000somehow\u3000familiar\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Mistress\uff1b\u3003\u3000Samuel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000glassy\u2026eyed\u3002\u3000He\u3000pointed\u3000again\uff1b\u3000off\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000road\uff1b\u3000closer\u3000to\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003Pretty\u3000lady\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000could\u3000see\u3000Kahlan\u3000standing\u3000stiffly\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000something\u3000odd\u3000about\u3000her\u3002\u3000Something\u3000was\u3000on\u3000her\uff1b\u3000moving\u3002\u3000Samuel\u3000turned\u3000his\u3000blotchy\u3000head\u3000back\uff1b\u3000pointing\u3000a\u3000long\u3000gray\u3000finger\u3000at\u3000the\u3000rope\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Richard\u3000with\u3000one\u3000yellow\u3000eye\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Seeker\u3000promises\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000low\u3000growl\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000untied\u3000the\u3000rope\uff1b\u3000took\u3000Kahlan’s\u3000pack\u3000off\u3000the\u3000panion’s\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000it\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Samuel\u3000curled\u3000his\u3000bloodless\u3000lips\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Richard\uff1b\u3000hissing\uff1b\u3000then\u3000abruptly\u3000skittered\u3000off\u3000into\u3000the\u3000shadows\uff1b\u3000sitting\u3000in\u3000a\u3000squat\u3000to\u3000watch\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000swallowed\u3000hard\u3000as\u3000he\u3000walked\u3000to\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000a\u3000tight\u3000knot\u3000in\u3000his\u3000stomach\u3002\u3000With\u3000a\u3000jolt\uff1b\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000at\u3000last\u3000what\u3000it\u3000was\u3000that\u3000was\u3000moving\u3000on\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Snakes\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Kahlan\u3000was\u3000covered\u3000by\u3000a\u3000writhing\u3000mass\u3000of\u3000snakes\u3002\u3000The\u3000ones\u3000he\u3000recognized\u3000were\u3000all\u3000poisonous\u3002\u3000Big\uff1b\u3000fat\u3000ones\u3000were\u3000wrapped\u3000around\u3000her\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000one\u3000coiled\u3000tightly\u3000around\u3000her\u3000waist\uff1b\u3000constricting\uff1b\u3000others\u3000were\u3000wrapped\u3000around\u3000her\u3000arms\uff1b\u3000which\u3000hung\u3000at\u3000her\u3000sides
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\n\u3000Small\u3000snakes\u3000squiggled\uff1b\u3000tunneling\u3000through\u3000her\u3000thick\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000flicking\u3000their\u3000tongues\u3000out\uff1b\u3000others\u3000curled\u3000around\u3000her\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000still\u3000more\u3000slithered\u3000down\u3000the\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000shirt\uff1b\u3000poking\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000out\u3000between\u3000the\u3000buttons\u3002\u3000He\u3000struggled\u3000to\u3000control\u3000his\u3000breathing\u3000as\u3000he\u3000approached\u3000her\u3002\u3000His\u3000heart\u3000was\u3000pounding\u3002\u3000Tears\u3000ran\u3000down\u3000Kahlan’s\u3000cheeks\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000shook\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000bit\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Be\u3000still\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000quiet\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000get\u3000them\u3000off\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003No\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3000back\u3002\u3000Her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000wide\u3000with\u3000panic\uff1b\u3000met\u3000his\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000you\u3000touch\u3000them\uff1b\u3000or\u3000if\u3000I\u3000move\uff1b\u3000they\u3000will\u3000bite\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000reassure\u3000her\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000get\u3000you\u3000out\u3000of\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Richard\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000pleading\u3000whisper\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000dead\u3002\u3000Leave\u3000me\u3002\u3000Get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3000Run\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000as\u3000if\u3000an\u3000invisible\u3000hand\u3000were\u3000constricting\u3000his\u3000throat\u3002\u3000In\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000he\u3000could\u3000see\u3000how\u3000she\u3000was\u3000struggling\u3000to\u3000control\u3000her\u3000panic\u3002\u3000He\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000look\u3000as\u3000calm\u3000as\u3000he\u3000could\uff1b\u3000to\u3000hearten\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000not\u3000leaving\u3000you\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000breathed\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Please\uff1b\u3000Richard\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3000hoarsely\uff1b\u3000\u3003for\u3000me\uff1b\u3000before\u3000it’s\u3000too\u3000late\u3002\u3000Run\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000A\u3000thin\uff1b\u3000poisonous\u3000banded\u3000viper\uff1b\u3000its\u3000tail\u3000coiled\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hair\uff1b\u3000dropped\u3000its\u3000head\u3000down\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000The\u3000red\u3000tongue\u3000flicked\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000Kahlan\u3000closed\u3000her\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000and\u3000another\u3000tear\u3000ran\u3000down\u3000her\u3000cheek\u3002\u3000The\u3000snake\u3000wriggled\u3000around\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000her\u3000face\uff1b\u3000down\u3000over\u3000her\u3000collarbone\u3002\u3000The\u3000banded\u3000body\u3000disappeared\u3000into\u3000her\u3000shirt\u3002\u3000She\u3000gave\u3000out\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000whimper\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Samuel\u3000was\u3000the\u3000last\u3000Seeker\u3002\u3000He\u3000came\u3000here\u3000many\u3000years\u3000back\uff1b\u3000desperate\u3000for\u3000help\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000could\u3000do\u3000nothing\u3000for\u3000him\uff1b\u3000other\u3000than\u3000take\u3000pity\u3000on\u3000him\u3002\u3000Then\u3000the\u3000old\u3000wizard\u3000came\uff1b\u3000suddenly\uff1b\u3000one\u3000day\uff1b\u3000and\u3000took\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000lifted\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\u3000meaningfully\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000very\u3000unpleasant\u3000experience\u2026for\u3000both\u3000of\u3000us\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000afraid\u3000I\u3000must\u3000admit\u3000I\u3000do\u3000not\u3000think\u3000kindly\u3000of\u3000the\u3000old\u3000wizard\u3002\u3003\u3000Her\u3000face\u3000softened\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003To\u3000this\u3000day\uff1b\u3000Samuel\u3000thinks\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Sword\u3000of\u3000Truth\u3000as\u3000his\u3002\u3000But\u3000I\u3000know\u3000better\u3002\u3000The\u3000wizards\uff1b\u3000for\u3000all\u3000ages\uff1b\u3000are\u3000the\u3000caretakers\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000and\u3000therein\u3000its\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000only\u3000assign\u3000it\u3000to\u3000mere\u3000Seekers\u3000for\u3000a\u3000time\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000didn’t\u3000say\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000betray\u3000nothing\u3000with\u3000his\u3000face\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000pulled\u3000her\u3000up\u3000by\u3000her\u3000wrist\u3000and\u3000held\u3000her\u3000to\u3000him\u3000with\u3000one\u3000arm\u3000as\u3000she\u3000cried\uff1b\u3000keeping\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000twisted\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000back\u3000so\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000use\u3000the\u3000knife\u3000on\u3000herself\u3002\u3000He\u3000glared\u3000angrily\u3000at\u3000Shota\uff1b\u3000who\u3000stood\u3000with\u3000her\u3000hands\u3000loose\u3000at\u3000her\u3000sides\uff1b\u3000watching\u3002\u3000Was\u3000any\u3000of\u3000this\u3000possible\uff1f\u3000Could\u3000it\u3000be\u3000true\uff1f\u3000He\u3000wished\u3000he\u3000had\u3000listened\u3000to\u3000Kahlan\u3000and\u3000never\u3000e\u3000here\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Please\uff1b\u3000Richard\uff1b\u3003\u3000Shota\u3000said\uff1b\u3000tears\u3000in\u3000her\u3000own\u3000eyes\uff1b\u3000\u3003hate\u3000me\u3000for\u3000who\u3000I\u3000am\u3000if\u3000you\u3000will\uff1b\u3000but\u3000do\u3000not\u3000hate\u3000me\u3000for\u3000telling\u3000you\u3000the\u3000truth\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003The\u3000truth\u3000as\u3000you\u3000see\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Shota\uff01\u3000But\u3000maybe\u3000not\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000as\u3000it\u3000will\u3000be\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000not\u3000kill\u3000Kahlan\u3000on\u3000your\u3000word\u3002\u3003\u3000Shota\u3000nodded\u3000sadly\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000him\u3000through\u3000wet\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000tear\u3000run\u3000down\u3000her\u3000cheek\u3000as\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000without\u3000looking\u3000at\u3000him\u3000and\u3000began\u3000walking\u3000up\u3000the\u3000road\u3002\u3000She\u3000stopped\u3000in\u3000midstride\u3000and\u3000stood\u3000a\u3000moment\uff1b\u3000her\u3000beautiful\u3000auburn\u3000hair\u3000lay\u3000upon\u3000her\u3000shoulders\u3000and\u3000partway\u3000down\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wispy\u3000dress\u3002\u3000Her\u3000head\u3000came\u3000up\uff1b\u3000but\u3000didn’t\u3000turn\u3000back\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003When\u3000this\u3000is\u3000over\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000voice\u3000that\u3000broke\u3000with\u3000emotion\uff1b\u3000\u3003and\u3000if\u3000you\u3000should\u3000happen\u3000to\u3000win\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000don’t\u3000ever\u3000e\u3000here\u3000again\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000do\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000kill\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000walked\u3000on\uff1b\u3000toward\u3000her\u3000palace\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Shots\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\u3000hoarsely\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000stop\u3000or\u3000turn\uff1b\u3000but\u3000continued\u3000on
\n\u3000
\n\u3000CHAPTER\u300032
\n\u3000WHEN\u3000SHE\u3000CAME\u3000AROUND\u3000the\u3000corner\uff1b\u3000she\u3000almost\u3000bumped\u3000into\u3000his\u3000legs\uff1b\u3000he\u3000was\u3000walking\u3000so\u3000quietly\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000long\u3000silver\u3000robes\u3000to\u3000his\u3000face\uff1b\u3000far\u3000up\u3000in\u3000the\u3000air\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Giller\uff01\u3000You\u3000scared\u3000me\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000His\u3000hands\u3000were\u3000each\u3000stuck\u3000in\u3000the\u3000other\u3000sleeve\u3002\u3000\u3003Sorry\uff1b\u3000Rachel\uff1b\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u3000to\u3000frighten\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000both\u3000ways\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000and\u3000then\u3000lowered\u3000himself\u3000to\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000about’\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Errands\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000told\u3000him\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000out\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003Princess\u3000Violet\u3000says\u3000I’m\u3000to\u3000go\u3000yell\u3000at\u3000the\u3000cooks\u3000for\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000I’m\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000washwomen\u3000and\u3000tell\u3000them\u3000that\u3000she\u3000found\u3000a\u3000gravy\u3000stain\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000dresses\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000she\u3000would\u3000never\u3000get\u3000gravy\u3000on\u3000one\u3000of\u3000her\u3000dresses\uff1b\u3000and\u3000that\u3000they\u3000must\u3000have\u3000done\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000if\u3000she\u3000ever\u3000finds\u3000they\u3000do\u3000that\u3000again\uff1b\u3000she’ll\u3000have\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000chopped\u3000off\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000say\u3000that\u3000to\u3000them\uff1b\u3000they’re\u3000nice\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000touched\u3000the\u3000pretty\u3000silver\u3000braiding\u3000on\u3000the\u3000sleeve\u3000of\u3000Giller’s\u3000robes\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000she\u3000said\u3000that\u3000if\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000say\u3000it\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000be\u3000in\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000trouble\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Giller\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000just\u3000do\u3000as\u3000she\u3000says\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000the\u3000washwomen\u3000will\u3000know\u3000they\u3000aren’t\u3000really\u3000your\u3000words\u3002\u3003\u3000Rachel\u3000looked\u3000in\u3000his\u3000big\u3000dark\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003Everyone\u3000knows\u3000she\u3000gets\u3000her\u3000own\u3000gravy\u3000on\u3000her\u3000own\u3000dresses\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Giller\u3000laughed\u3000a\u3000quiet\u3000laugh\u3002\u3000\u3003You’re\u3000right\uff1b\u3000I’ve\u3000seen\u3000her\u3000do\u3000it\u3000myself\u3002\u3000But\u3000it\u3000brings\u3000no\u3000fortune\u3000to\u3000pull\u3000the\u3000tail\u3000of\u3000a\u3000sleeping\u3000badger\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000didn’t\u3000understand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000made\u3000a\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003That\u3000means\u3000you\u3000will\u3000get\u3000in\u3000trouble\u3000if\u3000you\u3000point\u3000it\u3000out\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000so\u3000it’s\u3000best\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000still\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000that\u3000that\u3000was\u3000true\u3002\u3000Giller\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000and\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000again\uff1b\u3000but\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000one\u3002\u3000else\u3000there\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000leaned\u3000closer\u3000and\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\u3000I\u3000haven’t\u3000been\u3000able\u3000to\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000to\u3000check\u3002\u3000Did\u3000you\u3000find\u3000your\u3000trouble\u3000doll\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000nodded\u3000with\u3000a\u3000smile\u3002\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\u3000so\u3000much\uff1b\u3000Giller\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000wonderful\u3002\u3000I’ve\u3000been\u3000put\u3000out\u3000twice\u3000more\u3000since\u3000you\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000to\u3000me\u3002\u3000She\u3000told\u3000me\u3000how\u3000I\u3000mustn’t\u3000talk\u3000to\u3000you\u3000unless\u3000you\u3000say\u3000it’s\u3000safe\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000just\u3000waited\uff1b\u3000like\u3000she\u3000said\u3002\u3000We\u3000talked\u3000and\u3000talked\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000made\u3000me\u3000feel\u3000so\u3000much\u3000better\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000glad\uff1b\u3000child\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000smiled\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000named\u3000her\u3000Sara\u3002\u3000A\u3000doll’s\u3000got\u3000to\u3000have\u3000a\u3000name\uff1b\u3000you\u3000know\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Is\u3000that\u3000so\uff1f\u3003\u3000He\u3000lifted\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000never\u3000knew\u3000that\u3002\u3000Well\uff1b\u3000Sara\u3000is\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000name\u3000for\u3000her\u3000then\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000grinned\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000happy\u3000that\u3000Giller\u3000liked\u3000her\u3000doll’s\u3000name\u3002\u3000She\u3000put\u3000one\u3000arm\u3000around\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000and\u3000her\u3000face\u3000by\u3000his\u3000ear\u3002\u3000\u3003Sara’s\u3000been\u3000telling\u3000me\u3000her\u3000troubles\u3000too\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000promised\u3000her\u3000I\u3000would\u3000help\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000never\u3000knew\u3000you\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000run\u3000away\u3000too\u3002\u3000When\u3000can\u3000we\u3000leave\uff1b\u3000Giller\uff1f\u3000I’m\u3000getting\u3000so\u3000afraid\u3000of\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000His\u3000big\u3000hand\u3000patted\u3000her\u3000back\u3000when\u3000she\u3000hugged\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003Soon\uff1b\u3000child\u3002\u3000But\u3000there\u3000are\u3000things\u3000we\u3000must\u3000prepare\u3000first\uff1b\u3000so\u3000we\u3000aren’t\u3000found\u3000out\u3002\u3000We\u3000wouldn’t\u3000want\u3000anyone\u3000to\u3000follow\u3000us\uff1b\u3000to\u3000find\u3000us\u3000and\u3000bring\u3000us\u3000back\uff1b\u3000now\uff1b\u3000would\u3000we\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000shook\u3000her\u3000head\u3000against\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000footsteps\u3002\u3000Giller\u3000stood\u3000up\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3002
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000better\u3000go\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000in\u3000a\u3000hurry\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003No\u3000time\u3002\u3000Stand\u3000against\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000show\u3000me\u3000how\u3000brave\uff1b\u3000and\u3000quiet\u3000you\u3000can\u3000be\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000did\u3000what\u3000he\u3000told\u3000her\u3000and\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000her\uff1b\u3000hiding\u3000her\u3000behind\u3000his\u3000robes\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000clinking\u3000of\u3000armor\u3002\u3000Just\u3000some\u3000guards\uff1b\u3000she\u3000thought\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000little\u3000barks\u3002\u3000The\u3000Queen’s\u3000dog\uff01\u3000It\u3000must\u3000be\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000and\u3000her\u3000guards\uff01\u3000They\u3000would\u3000be\u3000in\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000mess\u3000if\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000found\u3000her\u3000hiding\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000wizard’s\u3000robes\u3002\u3000She\u3000might\u3000find\u3000out\u3000about\u3000the\u3000doll\uff01\u3000She\u3000scrunched\u3000up\u3000tighter\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000folds\u3002\u3000The\u3000robes\u3000moved\u3000a\u3000little\u3000when\u3000Giller\u3000bowed\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Your\u3000Majesty\uff1b\u3003\u3000Giller\u3000said\u3000as\u3000he\u3000stood\u3000back\u3000up\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Giller\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000in\u3000her\u3000mean\u3000voice\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000doing\u3000lurking\u3000about\u3000up\u3000here\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Lurking\uff1b\u3000Your\u3000Majesty\uff1f\u3000It\u3000was\u3000my\u3000understanding\u3000I\u3000was\u3000in\u3000your\u3000employ\u3000to\u3000see\u3000to\u3000it\u3000there\u3000was\u3000no\u3000lurking\u3000going\u3000on\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000merely\u3000checking\u3000the\u3000magic\u3000seal\u3000on\u3000the\u3000jewel\u3000room\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000it\u3000hadn’t\u3000been\u3000tampered\u3000with\u3002\u3003\u3000Rachel\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000little\u3000dog\u3000sniffing\u3000around\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000of\u3000Giller’s\u3000robes\u3002\u3000\u3003If\u3000it\u3000is\u3000your\u3000wish\uff1b\u3000Your\u3000Majesty\uff1b\u3000I\u3000will\u3000leave\u3000matters\u3000to\u3000the\u3000fates\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000investigate\u3000where\u3000I\u3000feel\u3000a\u3000worry\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000little\u3000dog\u3000came\u3000around\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000robes\uff1b\u3000close\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000sniff\uff1b\u3000sniff\uff1b\u3000sniff\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000wished\u3000he\u3000would\u3000leave\uff1b\u3000before\u3000she\u3000got\u3000found\u3000out\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000will\u3000all\u3000just\u3000go\u3000to\u3000bed\u3000at\u3000night\u3000with\u3000a\u3000simple\u3000prayer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000good\u3000spirits\u3000that\u3000when\u3000Father\u3000Rahl\u3000arrives\uff1b\u3000all\u3000will\u3000be\u3000well\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000anything\u3000is\u3000amiss\uff1b\u3000well\uff1b\u3000we\u3000can\u3000simply\u3000tell\u3000him\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000have\u3000any\u3000lurking\u3000about\uff1b\u3000so\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000check\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000he\u3000will\u3000be\u3000understanding\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000little\u3000dog\u3000started\u3000to\u3000growl\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000tears\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Don’t\u3000get\u3000your\u3000feathers\u3000ruffled\uff1b\u3000Giller\uff1b\u3000I\u3000was\u3000simply\u3000asking\u3002\u3003\u3000Rachel\u3000could\u3000see\u3000the\u3000little\u3000black\u3000nose\u3000sticking\u3000under\u3000the\u3000robes\u3002\u3000\u3003Precious\uff1b\u3000what\u3000have\u3000you\u3000found\u3000there\uff1f\u3000What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1b\u3000my\u3000little\u3000Precious\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000dog\u3000growled\u3000and\u3000gave\u3000out\u3000a\u3000little\u3000bark\u3002\u3000Giller\u3000backed\u3000up\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000pushing\u3000her\u3000tighter\u3000to\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000think\u3000about\u3000Sara\uff1b\u3000wishing\u3000she\u3000were\u3000with\u3000her\u3000right\u3000now\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003What\u3000is\u3000it\uff1b\u3000Precious\uff1f\u3000What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000smell\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000afraid\uff1b\u3000Your\u3000Majesty\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000also\u3000been\u3000lurking\u3000about\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stables\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000quite\u3000sure\u3000that\u3000is\u3000what\u3000your\u3000dog\u3000smells\u3002\u3003\u3000Giller’s\u3000hand\u3000went\u3000into\u3000his\u3000robes\u3000right\u3000by\u3000her\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003The\u3000stables\uff1f\u3003\u3000Her\u3000mean\u3000voice\u3000wasn’t\u3000quite\u3000gone\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000could\u3000there\u3000possibly\u3000be\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000investigate\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stables\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rachel\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000getting\u3000louder\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000was\u3000bending\u3000over\uff1b\u3000to\u3000get\u3000her\u3000dog\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000doing\u3000there\uff1b\u3000Precious\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000sucked\u3000the\u3000hem\u3000of\u3000her\u3000dress\uff1b\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000from\u3000making\u3000a\u3000noise\u3000as\u3000she\u3000shook\u3002\u3000Giller’s\u3000hand\u3000came\u3000out\u3000of\u3000his\u3000robe\u3002\u3000She\u3000saw\u3000a\u3000pinch\u3000of\u3000something\u3000between\u3000his\u3000thumb\u3000and\u3000finger\u3002\u3000The\u3000dog\u3000pushed\u3000his\u3000head\u3000under\u3000the\u3000robe\u3000and\u3000started\u3000harking\u3002\u3000Giller\u3000opened\u3000his\u3000fingers\uff1b\u3000and\u3000sparkling\u3000dust\u3000dropped\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dog’s\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000dog\u3000started\u3000sneezing\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Rachel\u3000saw\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000hand\u3000e\u3000and\u3000pull\u3000him\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003There\uff1b\u3000there\uff1b\u3000my\u3000little\u3000Precious\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000all\u3000right\u3000now\u3002\u3000Poor\u3000little\u3000thing\u3002\u3003\u3000Rachel\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000her\u3000kissing\u3000the\u3000dog’s\u3000nose\u3000the\u3000way\u3000she\u3000liked\u3000to\u3000do\u3000all\u3000the\u3000time\uff1b\u3000then\u3000she\u3000sneezed\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000\u3003As\u3000you\u3000were\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000Giller\uff1f\u3000What\u3000business\u3000does\u3000a\u3000wizard\u3000have\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stables\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3000\u3003As\u3000I\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000Your\u3000Majesty\u3003\u2026Giller’s\u3000voice\u3000could\u3000get\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000mean\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000but\u3000Rachel\u3000thought\u3000it\u3000was\u3000funny\u3000when\u3000it\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000he\u3000was\u3000sounding\u3000mean\u3000to=\u3000\u3003if\u3000you\u3000were\u3000an\u3000assassin\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000e\u3000into\u3000a\u3000Queen’s\u3000castle\u3000and\u3000put\u3000a\u3000big\u3000fat\u3000arrow\u3000through\u3000her\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000you\u3000would\u3000rather\u3000walk\u3000right\u3000in\u3000the\u3000main\u3000gate\uff1b\u3000bold\u3000as\u3000day\uff1f\u3000Or\u3000would\u3000you\u3000rather\u3000ride\u3000with\u3000your\u3000long\u3000bow\u3000in\u3000a\u3000wagon\uff1b\u3000hiding\uff1b\u3000maybe\u3000under\u3000some\u3000hay\uff1b\u3000or\u3000behind\u3000some\u3000sacks\uff1f\u3000Then\u3000e\u3000out\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000of\u3000the\u3000stables\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Well\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000I\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000but\uff1b\u3000are\u3000there\uff1b\u3000do\u3000you\u3000think\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000have\u3000you\u3000found\u3000something\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003But\uff1b\u3000since\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000me\u3000lurking\u3000about\u3000in\u3000the\u3000stables\u3000either\uff1b\u3000well\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000just\u3000scratch\u3000that\u3000off\u3000my\u3000list\u3000too\uff01\u3000But\u3000if\u3000you\u3000don’t\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000from\u3000now\u3000on\uff1b\u3000when\u3000we\u3000are\u3000in\u3000public\u3000view\u3000I\u3000will\u3000be\u3000standing\u3000well\u3000clear\u3000of\u3000you\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000the\u3000way\u3000if\u3000some\u3000of\u3000your\u3000subjects\u3000choose\u3000to\u3000show\u3000their\u3000love\u3000for\u3000their\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n f\u3000some\u3000of\u3000your\u3000subjects\u3000choose\u3000to\u3000show\u3000their\u3000love\u3000for\u3000their\u3000Queen\u3000from\u3000afar\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Wizard\u3000Giller\u3003\u2026her\u3000voice\u3000got\u3000real\u3000nice\uff1b\u3000like\u3000when\u3000she\u3000talked\u3000to\u3000the\u3000dog\u2026\u3003please\u3000forgive\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000been\u3000on\u3000edge\u3000lately\uff1b\u3000what\u3000with\u3000Father\u3000Rahl\u3000ing\u3000soon\u3002\u3000I\u3000just\u3000want\u3000everything\u3000to\u3000go\u3000well\uff1b\u3000then\u3000we\u3000will\u3000all\u3000have\u3000what\u3000we\u3000want\u3002\u3000I\u3000know\u3000you\u3000only\u3000have\u3000my\u3000best\u3000interest\u3000at\u3000heart\u3002\u3000Please\uff1b\u3000do\u3000carry\u3000on\uff1b\u3000and\u3000forget\u3000the\u3000momentary\u3000foolishness\u3000of\u3000a\u3000lady\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003As\u3000you\u3000wish\uff1b\u3000Your\u3000Majesty\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000bowed\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Queen\u3000started\u3000hurrying\u3000away\uff1b\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000sneezing\uff1b\u3000then\u3000Rachel\u3000heard\u3000her\u3000thumping\u3000footsteps\u3000and\u3000the\u3000clinking\u3000armor\u3000stop
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003By\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000wizard\u3000Giller\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000called\u3000back\uff1b\u3000\u3003did\u3000I\u3000tell\u3000you\uff1f\u3000A\u3000messenger\u3000came\u3002\u3000He\u3000said\u3000Father\u3000Rahl\u3000will\u3000be\u3000here\u3000sooner\u3000than\u3000expected\u3002\u3000Much\u3000sooner\u3002\u3000Tomorrow\u3000in\u3000fact\u3002\u3000He\u3000will\u3000be\u3000expecting\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000to\u3000seal\u3000the\u3000alliance\u3002\u3000Please\u3000see\u3000to\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Giller’s\u3000leg\u3000jerked\u3000so\u3000hard\u3000it\u3000almost\u3000knocked\u3000Rachel\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Your\u3000Majesty\u3002\u3003\u3000lie\u3000bowed\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Giller\u3000waited\u3000until\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000was\u3000gone\u3000and\u3000then\u3000pulled\u3000Rachel\u3000up\u3000with\u3000big\u3000hands\u3000around\u3000her\u3000waist\u3000and\u3000field\u3000her\u3000against\u3000his\u3000hip\u3000with\u3000an\u3000arm\u3002\u3000His\u3000cheeks\u3000weren’t\u3000red\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000usually\u3000were\uff1b\u3000they\u3000were\u3000more\u3000white\u3002\u3000He\u3000put\u3000his\u3000finger\u3000against\u3000her\u3000lips\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000wanted\u3000her\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000quiet\u3002\u3000He\u3000stretched\u3000his\u3000neck\uff1b\u3000looking\u3000up\u3000and\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Tomorrow\uff01\u3003\u3000he\u3000muttered\u3000to\u3000himself\u3002\u3000\u3003Curse\u3000the\u3000spirits\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000not\u3000ready\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000Giller\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Rachel\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000his\u3000big\u3000hook\u3000nose\u3000close\u3000to\u3000hers\uff1b\u3000\u3003is\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000in\u3000her\u3000room\u3000right\u3000now\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rachel\u3000whispered\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000went\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000out\u3000fabric\u3000for\u3000a\u3000new\u3000dress\uff1b\u3000for\u3000when\u3000Father\u3000Rahl\u3000es\u3000to\u3000visit\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000know\u3000where\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000keeps\u3000her\u3000key\u3000to\u3000the\u3000jewel\u3000room\u2018\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Yes\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000doesn’t\u3000have\u3000it\u3000with\u3000her\uff1b\u3000she\u3000keeps\u3000it\u3000in\u3000the\u3000desk\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000drawer\u3000on\u3000the\u3000side\u3000by\u3000the\u3000window\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000started\u3000off\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000toward\u3000Princess\u3000Violet’s\u3000room\u3002\u3000His\u3000feet\u3000were\u3000so\u3000quiet\u3000on\u3000the\u3000carpets\u3000that\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000even\u3000hear\u3000his\u3000footsteps\u3000as\u3000he\u3000carried\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Change\u3000of\u3000plans\uff1b\u3000child\u3002\u3000Can\u3000you\u3000be\u3000brave\u3000for\u3000me\uff1f\u3000And\u3000Sara\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000nodded\u3000that\u3000she\u3000could\u3000and\u3000put\u3000her\u3000arms\u3000around\u3000his\u3000neck\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000on\u3000as\u3000he\u3000walked\u3000fast\u3002\u3000He\u3000went\u3000past\u3000all\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000wooden\u3000doors\u3000that\u3000were\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000tops\uff1b\u3000until\u3000he\u3000got\u3000to\u3000the\u3000biggest\u3000one\uff1b\u3000a\u3000double\u3000door\u3000set\u3000back\u3000in\u3000a\u3000little\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000with\u3000stone\u3000carving\u3000all\u3000around\u3002\u3000That\u3000was\u3000the\u3000Princess’s\u3000room\u3002\u3000He\u3000squeezed\u3000her\u3000tight\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003you\u3000go\u3000in\u3000and\u3000get\u3000the\u3000key\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000stay\u3000out\u3000here\u3000and\u3000stand\u3000guard\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000set\u3000her\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000\u3003Hurry\u3000now\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000closed\u3000the\u3000door\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000curtains\u3000were\u3000pulled\u3000back\uff1b\u3000letting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000sunlight\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000could\u3000see\u3000right\u3000away\u3000that\u3000the\u3000room\u3000was\u3000empty\u3002\u3000None\u3000of\u3000the\u3000servants\u3000were\u3000cleaning\u3000or\u3000anything\u3002\u3000The\u3000fire\u3000was\u3000burned\u3000out\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000servants\u3000hadn’t\u3000yet\u3000e\u3000and\u3000made\u3000another\u3000for\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000The\u3000Princess’s\u3000big\u3000canopy\u3000bed\u3000was\u3000already\u3000made\u3000up\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000liked\u3000the\u3000bedcover\u3000with\u3000all\u3000the\u3000pretty\u3000flowers\u3002\u3000It\u3000matched\u3000the\u3000gathered\u3000canopy\u3000and\u3000curtains\u3002\u3000She\u3000always\u3000wondered\u3000why\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000needed\u3000such\u3000a\u3000big\u3000bed\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000big\u3000enough\u3000for\u3000ten\u3000people\u3002\u3000Where\u3000she\u3000came\u3000from\uff1b\u3000six\u3000girls\u3000slept\u3000together\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bed\u3000half\u3000the\u3000size\u3000of\u3000this\u3000one\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000bedcover\u3000was\u3000plain\u3002\u3000She\u3000wondered\u3000what\u3000the\u3000Princess’s\u3000bed\u3000felt\u3000like\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000never\u3000once\u3000even\u3000sat\u3000on\u3000it\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000Giller\u3000wanted\u3000her\u3000to\u3000hurry\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000crossed\u3000the\u3000room\uff1b\u3000walking\u3000over\u3000the\u3000fur\u3000rug\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000polished\u3000desk\u3000with\u3000the\u3000pretty\u3000swirled\u3000wood\u3002\u3000She\u3000put\u3000her\u3000fingers\u3000through\u3000the\u3000gold\u3000handle\u3000and\u3000slid\u3000the\u3000drawer\u3000open\u3002\u3000It\u3000made\u3000her\u3000nervous\u3000to\u3000do\u3000it\uff1b\u3000even\u3000though\u3000she\u3000had\u3000done\u3000it\u3000before\u3000when\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000had\u3000sent\u3000her\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000key\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000had\u3000never\u3000done\u3000it\u3000before\u3000without\u3000being\u3000told\u3000to\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3002\u3000The\u3000big\u3000key\u3000to\u3000the\u3000jewel\u3000room\u3000was\u3000lying\u3000in\u3000the\u3000red\u3000velvet\u3000pocket\uff1b\u3000right\u3000next\u3000to\u3000the\u3000little\u3000key\u3000to\u3000her\u3000sleeping\u3000box\u3002\u3000She\u3000put\u3000the\u3000key\u3000in\u3000her\u3000pocket\u3000and\u3000slid\u3000the\u3000drawer\u3000closed\u3000again\uff1b\u3000making\u3000sure\u3000it\u3000was\u3000shut\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000As\u3000she\u3000started\u3000for\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000er\u3000where\u3000her\u3000sleeping\u3000box\u3000was\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000Giller\u3000wanted\u3000her\u3000to\u3000hurry\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000ran\u3000over\u3000to\u3000the\u3000box\u3000anyway\u2026she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000check\u3002\u3000She\u3000crawled\u3000inside\uff1b\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000back\u3000corner\u3000where\u3000the\u3000blanket\u3000was\u3000pushed\u3000up\u3000in\u3000a\u3000pile\u3002\u3000Carefully\uff1b\u3000she\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000blanket\u3000back\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Sara\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000The\u3000doll\u3000was\u3000right\u3000where\u3000she\u3000had\u3000left\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000to\u3000go\u3000quick\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000be\u3000back\u3000later\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000kissed\u3000the\u3000doll’s\u3000head\u3000and\u3000covered\u3000her\u3000back\u3000up\u3000with\u3000the\u3000blanket\uff1b\u3000hiding\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000so\u3000no\u3000one\u3000would\u3000find\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000trouble\u3000to\u3000bring\u3000Sara\u3000to\u3000the\u3000castle\uff1b\u3000but\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000bear\u3000to\u3000leave\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wayward\u3000pine\uff1b\u3000all\u3000alone\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000how\u3000lonely\u3000and\u3000scary\u3000it\u3000got\u3000in\u3000the\u3000wayward\u3000pine\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Finished\uff1b\u3000she\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000open\u3000a\u3000crack\uff1b\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Giller’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000He\u3000nodded\u3000to\u3000her\u3000and\u3000motioned\u3000with\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000that\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\u3000right\u3000to\u3000e\u3000out\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003The\u3000key\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000pocket\u3000where\u3000she\u3000kept\u3000her\u3000magic\u3000fire\u3000stick\uff1b\u3000to\u3000show\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000called\u3000her\u3000a\u3000good\u3000girl\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000called\u3000her\u3000a\u3000good\u3000girl\u3000before\uff1b\u3000at\u3000least\u3000not\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3002\u3000He\u3000picked\u3000her\u3000up\u3000again\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000fast\u3000down\u3000the\u3000hall\u3000and\u3000then\u3000down\u3000the\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000narrow\u3000servants’\u3000stairs\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000ever\u3000hear\u3000his\u3000footsteps\u3000on\u3000the\u3000stone\u3002\u3000His\u3000whiskers\u3000tickled\u3000her\u3000face\u3002\u3000At\u3000the\u3000bottom\u3000he\u3000set\u3000her\u3000down\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Rachel\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000said\uff1b\u3000squatting\u3000down\u3000close\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000\u3003listen\u3000carefully\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000very\u3000important\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000no\u3000game\u3002\u3000We\u3000must\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000castle\uff1b\u3000or\u3000we\u3000will\u3000both\u3000get\u3000our\u3000heads\u3000chopped\u3000off\uff1b\u3000just\u3000like\u3000Sara\u3000told\u3000you\u3002\u3000But\u3000we\u3000must\u3000be\u3000smart\u3000about\u3000it\uff1b\u3000or\u3000we\u3000will\u3000get\u3000caught\u3002\u3000If\u3000we\u3000run\u3000away\u3000too\u3000quickly\uff1b\u3000without\u3000doing\u3000the\u3000right\u3000things\u3000first\uff1b\u3000we\u3000will\u3000be\u3000found\u3000out\u3002\u3000And\u3000if\u3000we\u3000are\u3000too\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000well\uff1b\u3000we\u3000just\u3000better\u3000not\u3000be\u3000too\u3000slow\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000started\u3000to\u3000get\u3000tears\u3000in\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003Giller\uff1b\u3000I’m\u3000afraid\u3000to\u3000get\u3000my\u3000head\u3000chopped\u3000off\uff1b\u3000people\u3000say\u3000it\u3000hurts\u3000terrible\u3000bad\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000got\u3000wide\u3002\u3000\u3003Oh\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000like\u3000that\uff1b\u3000Giller\u3002\u3000I\u3000hate\u3000it\u3000when\u3000people\u3000get\u3000their\u3000heads\u3000chopped\u3000off\u3002\u3000It\u3000scares\u3000me\u3000fierce\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\u3000then\uff1b\u3000the\u3000first\u3000thing\u3000I\u3000need\u3000you\u3000to\u3000do\u3000is\u3000to\u3000go\u3000scold\u3000the\u3000cooks\uff1b\u3000just\u3000like\u3000you\u3000are\u3000supposed\u3000to\uff1b\u3000and\u3000while\u3000you\u3000are\u3000down\u3000in\u3000the\u3000kitchen\uff1b\u3000get\u3000a\u3000big\u3000loaf\u3000of\u3000bread\uff1b\u3000the\u3000biggest\u3000you\u3000can\u3000find\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000care\u3000how\u3000you\u3000get\u3000it\uff1b\u3000steal\u3000it\u3000if\u3000you\u3000have\u3000to\u3002\u3000Just\u3000get\u3000it\u3002\u3000Then\u3000bring\u3000it\u3000up\u3000to\u3000the\u3000jewel\u3000room\u3002\u3000Use\u3000the\u3000key\u3000and\u3000wait\u3000inside\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000must\u3000tend\u3000to\u3000some\u3000other\u3000things\u3002\u3000I’ll\u3000tell\u3000you\u3000more\u3000then\u3002\u3000Can\u3000you\u3000do\u3000that\uff1f\u3003\u3000\u3003Sure\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000nodded\u3002\u3000\u3003Easy\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Off\u3000with\u3000you\u3000then\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000went\u3000through\u3000the\u3000door\u3000into\u3000the\u3000big\u3000hall\u3000on\u3000the\u3000first\u3000floor\u3000while\u3000Giller\u3000disappeared\u3000up\u3000the\u3000steps\u3000without\u3000making\u3000a\u3000sound\u3002\u3000The\u3000stairs\u3000to\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000were\u3000at\u3000the\u3000other\u3000end\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000other\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000grand\u3000stairs\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\u3000that\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000used\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000liked\u3000going\u3000up\u3000the\u3000grand\u3000stairs\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000because\u3000they\u3000had\u3000carpets\uff1b\u3000and\u3000weren’t\u3000cold\u3000like\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000steps\u3000she\u3000was\u3000supposed\u3000to\u3000use\u3000when\u3000she\u3000was\u3000on\u3000errands\u3002\u3000The\u3000hall\u3000was\u3000open\u3000in\u3000the\u3000middle\uff1b\u3000where\u3000the\u3000grand\u3000stairs\u3000came\u3000down\u3000to\u3000a\u3000big\u3000room\u3000with\u3000black\u3000and\u3000white\u3000marble\u3000squares\u3000on\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000very\u3000cold\u3000under\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000was\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000think\u3000of\u3000a\u3000way\u3000she\u3000could\u3000get\u3000a\u3000big\u3000loaf\u3000of\u3000bread\u3000without\u3000stealing\u3000it\uff1b\u3000when\u3000she\u3000saw\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3000ing\u3000across\u3000the\u3000room\u3000to\u3000the\u3000grand\u3000stairs\u3002\u3000The\u3000royal\u3000seamstress\u3000and\u3000two\u3000of\u3000her\u3000helpers\u3000were\u3000following\u3000behind\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000bolts\u3000of\u3000pretty\uff1b\u3000pink\u3000cloth\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000looked\u3000quick\u3000for\u3000a\u3000place\u3000to\u3000hide\uff1b\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000had\u3000already\u3000seen\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Oh\u3000good\uff1b\u3000Rachel\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003e\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000went\u3000and\u3000curtsied\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000doing\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000my\u3000errands\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000just\u3000going\u3000to\u3000the\u3000kitchen\u3000now\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Well\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000don’t\u3000bother\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003But\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000to\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Princess\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003Why\uff1f\u3000I\u3000just\u3000said\u3000you\u3000didn’t\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Princess\u3000thought\u3000this\u3000over\u3000a\u3000minute\u3002\u3000\u3003On\u3000second\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000go\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000dreadful\u3002\u3000Just\u3000be\u3000sure\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000them\u3000how\u3000angry\u3000I\u3000am\uff1b\u3000too\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000curtsied\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000started\u3000to\u3000leave\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3000for\u3000a\u3000fitting\u3002\u3003\u3000Rachel\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000 \n
\n \n
\n
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\n \u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000curtsied\u3002\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000started\u3000to\u3000leave\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3000for\u3000a\u3000fitting\u3002\u3003\u3000Rachel\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000jewel\u3000room\uff1b\u3000and\u3000try\u3000on\u3000some\u3000things\uff1b\u3000to\u3000go\u3000with\u3000my\u3000new\u3000dress\u3002\u3000When\u3000you’re\u3000finished\u3000with\u3000the\u3000cooks\uff1b\u3000go\u3000get\u3000the\u3000key\u3000and\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000me\u3000in\u3000the\u3000jewel\u3000room\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3000looked\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000yes\uff1b\u3000that\u3000would\u3000be\u3000good\uff1b\u3000to\u3000see\u3000the\u3000jewels\u3000with\u3000the\u3000dress\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000thought\u3000another\u3000minute\uff1b\u3000then\u3000started\u3000up\u3000the\u3000steps\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000glad\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000that\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003On\u3000second\u3000thought\uff1b\u3000Rachel\uff1b\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000pick\u3000out\u3000something\u3000for\u3000tonight’s\u3000dinner\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000jewel\u3000room\u3000anyway\u3002\u3000Meet\u3000me\u3000there\u3000in\u3000a\u3000little\u3000while\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003But\uff1b\u3000Princess\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Princess\u3000went\u3000up\u3000the\u3000grand\u3000stairs\u3000and\u3000disappeared\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u2026\uff0b
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000can’t\u3000even\u3000imagine\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000so\u3000many\u3000short\u2026tailed\u3000gars\u3000together\u3000in\u3000one\u3000place\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003What\u3000could\u3000they\u3000be\u3000burning\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Maybe\u3000we\u3000should\u3000go\u3000have\u3000a\u3000closer\u3000look\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000half\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000as\u3000he\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000gars\u3000moving\u3000about\u3000below\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000guess\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000plained\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000that\u3000behind\u3000them\uff1b\u3000just\u3000above\uff1b\u3000on\u3000the\u3000side\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hill\uff1f\u3000A\u3000cave\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000watched\u3000the\u3000gars\u3000tearing\u3000an\u3000animal\u3000apart\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000over\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000a\u3000Shadrin\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n \n
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n \n
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000The\u3000Princess\u3000stepped\u3000to\u3000her\u3000and\u3000hit\u3000her\u3000across\u3000the\u3000other\u3000cheek\u3000with\u3000the\u3000back\u3000of\u3000her\u3000hand\u3002\u3000Her\u3000knuckles\u3000hurt\u3000more\u3000than\u3000the\u3000first\u3000slap\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000gritted\u3000her\u3000teeth\u3000and\u3000clutched\u3000her\u3000fist\u3000around\u3000something\u3000in\u3000her\u3000pocket\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000from\u3000letting\u3000the\u3000tears\u3000e\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000took\u3000the\u3000doll\u3000with\u3000her\u3000left\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000hugging\u3000it\u3000to\u3000her\uff1b\u3000still\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000stick\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000feel\u3000sorry\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000thought\u3000about\u3000how\u3000much\u3000her\u3000face\u3000hurt\u3002\u3000More\u3000than\u3000it\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000hurt\u3000before
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Let’s\u3000just\u3000forget\u3000all\u3000about\u3000this\uff1b\u3000Rachel\u3002\u3000You\u3000may\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000doll\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\uff1f\u3003\u3000Her\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000getting\u3000real\u3000nice\u3000now\uff1b\u3000not\u3000mean\u3000like\u3000before\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000trick\u3002\u3000As\u3000soon\u3000as\u3000there\u3000were\u3000guards\u3000around\uff1b\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000would\u3000say\u3000to\u3000chop\u3000her\u3000head\u3000off\u3002\u3000Then\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3000would\u3000really\u3000laugh\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000burn\u3000Sara\u3000up\u3000too\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Get\u3000in\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rachel\u3000said\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000you\u3000can\u3000see\u3000how\u3000you\u3000like\u3000it\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003What\uff01\u3003
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3000walked\u3000across\u3000the\u3000floor\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000with\u3000the\u3000fire\u3000stick\u3000at\u3000her\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003Rachel\uff1b\u3000think\u3000about\u3000what\u3000you’re\u3000doing\uff1b\u3000are\u3000you\u3000really\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Be\u3000quiet\u3000and\u3000get\u3000inside\u3002\u3000Unless\u3000you\u3000want\u3000me\u3000to\u3000burn\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Princess\u3000got\u3000down\u3000on\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000and\u3000crawled\u3000inside\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000looked\u3000in\u3000at\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Go\u3000to\u3000the\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000did\u3000as\u3000she\u3000was\u3000told\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000shut\u3000the\u3000door\u3000with\u3000a\u3000clang\u3000and\u3000went\u3000to\u3000the\u3000drawer\u3000and\u3000got\u3000the\u3000key\u3002\u3000She\u3000locked\u3000the\u3000iron\u3000door\u3000on\u3000the\u3000iron\u3000box\uff1b\u3000then\u3000put\u3000the\u3000key\u3000in\u3000her\u3000pocket\u3002\u3000She\u3000got\u3000down\u3000on\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000inside\u3000through\u3000the\u3000little\u3000window\u3002\u3000She\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000see\u3000the\u3000Princess’s\u3000eyes\u3000looking\u3000back\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dark\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Good\u3000night\uff1b\u3000Violet\u3002\u3000Go\u3000to\u3000sleep\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000sleep\u3000in\u3000your\u3000bed\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sick\u3000of\u3000your\u3000voice\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000make\u3000any\u3000noise\u3000at\u3000all\uff1b\u3000I’ll\u3000e\u3000over\u3000and\u3000light\u3000your\u3000skin\u3000on\u3000fire\u3002\u3000Do\u3000you\u3000understand\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3003\u3000came\u3000back\u3000the\u3000weak\u3000voice\u3000from\u3000the\u3000dark\u3000hole\u3000in\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000set\u3000Sara\u3000down\u3000while\u3000she\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000fur\u3000rug\u3000close\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000it\u3000over\u3000on\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000covering\u3000it\u3000all\u3000up\u3002\u3000She\u3000went\u3000and\u3000bounced\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bed\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000squeak\uff1b\u3000to\u3000make\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3000think\u3000she\u3000was\u3000going\u3000to\u3000sleep\u3000in\u3000it\u3002\u3000’
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000smiled\u3000and\u3000tiptoed\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000to\u3000the\u3000door\u3000as\u3000she\u3000hugged\u3000Sara\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000After\u3000she\u3000had\u3000gone\u3000all\u3000the\u3000way\u3000back\u3000the\u3000way\u3000she\u3000had\u3000e\uff1b\u3000through\u3000the\u3000servants’\u3000passageways\u3000and\u3000to\u3000the\u3000door\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\uff1b\u3000she\u3000looked\u3000carefully\u3000into\u3000the\u3000hall\uff1b\u3000and\u3000went\u3000down\u3000to\u3000the\u3000big\u3000door\u3000with\u3000the\u3000guards\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000didn’t\u3000say\u3000anything\u3002\u3000She\u3000couldn’t\u3000think\u3000of\u3000anything\u3000to\u3000say\uff1b\u3000she\u3000just\u3000stood\u3000and\u3000waited\u3000for\u3000them\u3000to\u3000open\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003So\u3000that’s\u3000it\uff1b\u3000a\u3000doll\u3000you\u3000forgot\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000guard\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000just\u3000nodded\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000door\u3000clang\u3000shut\u3000behind\u3000as\u3000she\u3000went\u3000into\u3000the\u3000dark\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000garden\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000more\u3000guards\u3000than\u3000she\u3000was\u3000used\u3000to\u3000seeing\u3002\u3000The\u3000regular\u3000guards\u3000had\u3000new\u3000ones\u3000with\u3000them\uff1b\u3000dressed\u3000different\u3002\u3000The\u3000new\u3000ones\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000her\u3000more\u3000than\u3000the\u3000old\u3000ones\u3000did\uff1b\u3000and\u3000she\u3000could\u3000hear\u3000the\u3000regular\u3000ones\u3000telling\u3000them\u3000who\u3000she\u3000was\u3002\u3000She\u3000tried\u3000not\u3000to\u3000let\u3000them\u3000see\u3000her\u3000looking\u3000back\u3000as\u3000she\u3000walked\u3000with\u3000her\u3000doll\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000it\u3000tight\u3000against\u3000her\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000feet\u3000from\u3000running\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000bundle\u3000with\u3000the\u3000bread\u3000with\u3000the\u3000box\u3000in\u3000it\u3000was\u3000where\u3000she\u3000had\u3000left\u3000it\uff1b\u3000under\u3000the\u3000flowers\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000pulled\u3000it\u3000out\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000it\u3000in\u3000one\u3000hand\u3000by\u3000the\u3000knot\uff1b\u3000while\u3000she\u3000held\u3000Sara\u3000to\u3000her\u3000chest\u3000with\u3000her\u3000other\u3002\u3000As\u3000she\u3000walked\u3000through\u3000the\u3000garden\uff1b\u3000she\u3000wondered\u3000if\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3000still\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000was\u3000sleeping\u3000in\u3000the\u3000big\u3000bed\uff1b\u3000or\u3000if\u3000she\u3000knew\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000trick\u3000and\u3000was\u3000yelling\u3000for\u3000help\u3002\u3000If\u3000she\u3000yelled\u3000for\u3000help\uff1b\u3000and\u3000the\u3000guards\u3000had\u3000e\u3000and\u3000found\u3000her\u3000in\u3000the\u3000box\uff1b\u3000they\u3000might\u3000already\u3000be\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000had\u3000to\u3000go\u3000the\u3000long\u3000way\uff1b\u3000it\u3000had\u3000taken\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000time\u3000for\u3000her\u3000legs\u3000to\u3000take\u3000her\u3000under\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000castle\u3000and\u3000back\u3000up\u3000again\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000listened\u3000carefully\u3000for\u3000shouts\uff1b\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000they\u3000were\u3000looking\u3000for\u3000her\u3000yet\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000could\u3000hardly\u3000breathe\uff1b\u3000hoping\u3000she\u3000could\u3000get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000castle\u3000before\u3000they\u3000chased\u3000after\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000remembered\u3000Mr\u3002\u3000Sanders\u3000saying\u3000they\u3000were\u3000going\u3000to\u3000search\u3000the\u3000castle\u3002\u3000She\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000they\u3000were\u3000looking\u3000for\u3002\u3000They\u3000wanted\u3000the\u3000box\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000promised\u3000Giller\u3000she\u3000would\u3000get\u3000it\u3000away\uff1b\u3000so\u3000they\u3000couldn’t\u3000have\u3000it\u3000and\u3000hurt\u3000all\u3000those\u3000people\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000A\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000men\u3000were\u3000on\u3000the\u3000walk\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wall\u3002\u3000When\u3000she\u3000got\u3000almost\u3000to\u3000the\u3000door\u3000through\u3000the\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000she\u3000slowed\u3000down\u3002\u3000Before\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000always\u3000two\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000guards\u3000there\u3002\u3000Now\u3000there\u3000were\u3000three\u3000men\u3002\u3000Two\u3000she\u3000recognized\u2026they\u3000wore\u3000the\u3000red\u3000tunics\u3000with\u3000the\u3000black\u3000wolf’s\u3000head\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000guard\u2026but\u3000the\u3000other\u3000was\u3000dressed\u3000different\uff1b\u3000in\u3000dark\u3000leather\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000bigger\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000new\u3000men\u3002\u3000Rachel\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000if\u3000she\u3000should\u3000keep\u3000going\u3000or\u3000run\u3000away\u3002\u3000But\u3000run\u3000away\u3000where\uff1f\u3000She\u3000had\u3000to\u3000get\u3000through\u3000the\u3000wall\u3000before\u3000she\u3000could\u3000really\u3000run\u3000away\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Before\u3000she\u3000could\u3000decide\u3000what\u3000to\u3000do\uff1b\u3000they\u3000saw\u3000her\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000kept\u3000going\u3002\u3000One\u3000of\u3000the\u3000regular\u3000guards\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000lift\u3000the\u3000bolt\u3002\u3000The\u3000new\u3000man\u3000put\u3000his\u3000arm\u3000up\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000just\u3000the\u3000Princess’s\u3000playmate\u3002\u3000The\u3000Princess\u3000puts\u3000her\u3000out\u3000sometimes\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003No\u3000one\u3000goes\u3000out\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000new\u3000man\u3000said\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000regular\u3000guards\u3000stopped\u3000opening\u3000the\u3000door\u3002\u3000\u3003Sorry\uff1b\u3000little\u3000one\uff1b\u3000but\u3000you\u3000heard\u3000him\uff1b\u3000no\u3000one\u3000goes\u3000out\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000stood\u3000there\u3000with\u3000her\u3000mouth\u3000stuck\u3000shut\u3002\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000new\u3000man\u3000while\u3000he\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000swallowed\u3002\u3000Giller\u3000was\u3000depending\u3000on\u3000her\u3000to\u3000get\u3000the\u3000box\u3000out\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000no\u3000other\u3000way\u3000out\u3002\u3000She\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000think\u3000what\u3000Giller\u3000would\u3000do\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000\u3003it’s\u3000cold\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000I’d\u3000rather\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000anyway\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000there\u3000you\u3000go\u3000then\u3002\u3000You\u3000get\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000regular\u3000guard\u3000said\u3002 \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n \u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000said\u3000at\u3000last\uff1b\u3000\u3003it’s\u3000cold\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3000I’d\u3000rather\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000anyway\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000there\u3000you\u3000go\u3000then\u3002\u3000You\u3000get\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000in\u3000tonight\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000regular\u3000guard\u3000said\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000you\u3000name\uff1f\u3003\u3000Rachel\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000a\u3000little\u3000surprised\u3002\u3000\u3003Queen’s\u3000lancer\u3000Reid\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000With\u3000her\u3000doll\u3000in\u3000her\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000Rachel\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000other\u3000regular\u3000guard\u3002\u3000\u3003What’s\u3000yours\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Queen’s\u3000lancer\u3000Walcott\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Queen’s\u3000lancer\u3000Reid\u3000and\u3000Queen’s\u3000lancer\u3000Walcott\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000repeated\u3000to\u3000herself\u3002\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000I\u3000think\u3000I\u3000can\u3000remember\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000pointed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000new\u3000man\uff1b\u3000the\u3000doll\u3000swinging\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\u3000by\u3000its\u3000arm\u3000when\u3000she\u3000did\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000what’s\u3000your\u3000name\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000hooked\u3000his\u3000thumbs\u3000in\u3000his\u3000belt\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000do\u3000you\u3000want\u3000to\u3000know\u3000for\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000hugged\u3000Sara\u3000back\u3000to\u3000her\u3000chest\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000yelled\u3000at\u3000me\uff1b\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000to\u3000be\u3000put\u3000out\u3000tonight\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000go\u3000out\uff1b\u3000she’ll\u3000be\u3000spitting\u3000mad\uff1b\u3000and\u3000want\u3000to\u3000chop\u3000my\u3000head\u3000off\u3000for\u3000not\u3000doing\u3000as\u3000she\u3000said\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000want\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000who\u3000wouldn’t\u3000let\u3000me\u3000be\u3000put\u3000out\u3002\u3000I\u3000want\u3000your\u3000names\u3000so\u3000she\u3000won’t\u3000think\u3000I’m\u3000making\u3000it\u3000up\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000can\u3000e\u3000and\u3000ask\u3000you\u3000herself\u3002\u3000She\u3000scares\u3000me\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000been\u3000starting\u3000to\u3000say\u3000to\u3000have\u3000people’s\u3000heads\u3000chopped\u3000off\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000All\u3000\u2026three\u3000of\u3000them\u3000stood\u3000back\u3000up\u3000a\u3000little\u3000and\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\u3002\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000true\u3000enough\uff1b\u3003\u3000Queen’s\u3000lancer\u3000Reid\u3000said\u3000to\u3000the\u3000new\u3000man\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000Princess\u3000is\u3000turning\u3000into\u3000her\u3000mother’s\u3000daughter\u3002\u3000A\u3000little\u3000handful\uff1b\u3000what\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000letting\u3000her\u3000cut\u3000her\u3000teeth\u3000on\u3000the\u3000axe\u3000now\u3002\u3003\u3000\u3003No\u3000one\u3000goes\u3000out\uff1b\u3000those\u3000are\u3000our\u3000orders\uff1b\u3003\u3000the\u3000new\u3000man\u3000repeated\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000us\u3000are\u3000for\u3000doing\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000orders\u3002\u3003\u3000Queen’s\u3000lancer\u3000Reid\u3000turned\u3000a\u3000little\u3000and\u3000spat\u3002\u3000\u3003Now\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000want\u3000her\u3000kept\u3000in\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000fine\u3000by\u3000us\uff1b\u3000so\u3000long\u3000as\u3000it’s\u3000clear\u3000whose\u3000neck’s\u3000on\u3000the\u3000block\u3002\u3000If\u3000it\u3000es\u3000down\u3000to\u3000it\uff1b\u3000we\u3000told\u3000you\u3000to\u3000let\u3000her\u3000out\uff1b\u3000just\u3000like\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000said\u3002\u3000We’re\u3000not\u3000going\u3000to\u3000the\u3000block\u3000with\u3000you\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000other\u3000guard\uff1b\u3000Walcott\uff1b\u3000nodded\u3000that\u3000he\u3000agreed\u3002\u3000\u3003Not\u3000for\u3000the\u3000threat\u3000from\u3000a\u3000little\u3000girl\uff1b\u3000no\u3000taller\u3000than\u3000that\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000held\u3000his\u3000hand\u3000out\uff1b\u3002\u3000level\u3000with\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003I’ll\u3000not\u3000tell\u3000them\u3000we\u3000three\u3000big\u3000strong\u3000soldiers\u3000all\u3000agreed\u3000we\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000was\u3000dangerous\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000your\u3000call\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it’ll\u3000be\u3000your\u3000head\uff1b\u3000not\u3000ours\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000go\u3000against\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3002\u3000You’ll\u3000answer\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000axeman\uff1b\u3000not\u3000us\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000new\u3000man\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\uff1b\u3000he\u3000seemed\u3000a\u3000little\u3000mad\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000back\u3000at\u3000the\u3000other\u3000two\u3000a\u3000minute\uff1b\u3000then\u3000down\u3000at\u3000her\u3000again\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000it’s\u3000obvious\u3000she’s\u3000no\u3000threat\u3002\u3000The\u3000orders\u3000were\u3000meant\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000from\u3000threat\uff1b\u3000so\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Just\u3000my\u3000supper\u3000and\u3000my\u3000doll\uff1b\u3003\u3000Rachel\u3000said\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000make\u3000it\u3000sound\u3000unimportant\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000laid\u3000the\u3000bundle\u3000down\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000untied\u3000the\u3000knots\uff1b\u3000laying\u3000the\u3000corners\u3000back\u3002\u3000She\u3000handed\u3000Sara\u3000up\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000told\u3000you\u3002\u3000My\u3000supper\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000started\u3000to\u3000bend\u3000over\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000a\u3000little\u3000thing\u3000like\u3000you\u3000has\u3000no\u3000need\u3000for\u3000a\u3000whole\u3000loaf\u3000of\u3000bread\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003That’s\u3000mine\uff01\u3003\u3000she\u3000yelled\u3002\u3000\u3003Leave\u3000it\u3000be\uff01\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000new\u3000man\u3000straightened\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000guess\u3000not\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000let\u3000out\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000breath\u3002\u3000\u3003Go\u3000on\u3002\u3000Get\u3000out\u3000of\u3000here\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000tied\u3000the\u3000cloth\u3000back\u3000over\u3000the\u3000bread\u3000and\u3000other\u3000food\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\u3002\u3000She\u3000held\u3000Sara\u3000tight\u3000to\u3000her\u3000with\u3000one\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000and\u3000held\u3000the\u3000bundle\u3000just\u3000as\u3000tight\u3000with\u3000the\u3000other\u3000as\u3000she\u3000went\u3000between\u3000the\u3000men’s\u3000legs\u3000and\u3000out\u3000the\u3000door\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000When\u3000she\u3000heard\u3000it\u3000clang\u3000shut\uff1b\u3000she\u3000started\u3000running\u3002\u3000She\u3000ran\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000she\u3000could\uff1b\u3000not\u3000looking\u3000back\uff1b\u3000too\u3000afraid\u3000to\u3000know\u3000for\u3000sure\u3000it\u3000anyone\u3000was\u3000chasing\u3000her\u3002\u3000After\u3000a\u3000time\uff1b\u3000she\u3000had\u3000to\u3000know\uff1b\u3000and\u3000finally\u3000stopped\u3000to\u3000check\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3002\u3000Out\u3000of\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000she\u3000sat\u3000down\u3000to\u3000rest\u3000on\u3000a\u3000fat\u3000root\u3000in\u3000the\u3000path\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Rachel\uff1b\u3000Giller\u3000wants\u3000you\u3000to\u3000know\u3000something\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000started\u3000to\u3000get\u3000tears\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000I\u3000want\u3000him\u3000to\u3000e\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003He\u3000would\u3000like\u3000to\uff1b\u3000more\u3000than\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000child\uff1b\u3000but\u3000he\u3000must\u3000stay\u3000and\u3000keep\u3000them\u3000from\u3000finding\u3000you\uff1b\u3000so\u3000you\u3000can\u3000get\u3000away\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000the\u3000only\u3000way\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000you\u3000safe\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003All\u3000right\uff1b\u3000if\u3000Giller\u3000says\u3000so\uff1b\u3000that’s\u3000what\u3000I’ll\u3000do\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000All\u3000at\u3000once\uff1b\u3000the\u3000woods\u3000lit\u3000up\u3000with\u3000blue\u3000and\u3000yellow\u3000light\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000up\u3002\u3000Then\u3000came\u3000a\u3000sudden\u3000loud\u3000bang\u3000that\u3000made\u3000her\u3000jump\u3002\u3000Her\u3000mouth\u3000dropped\u3000open\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000were\u3000wide\u3000as\u3000they\u3000would\u3000go\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000ball\u3000of\u3000fire\u3000lifted\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000Sparks\u3000dropped\u3000from\u3000it\uff1b\u3000and\u3000black\u3000smoke\u3000rolled\u3000away\u3002\u3000The\u3000fire\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000black\u3000smoke\u3000as\u3000it\u3000went\u3000higher\uff1b\u3000until\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\u3000dark\u3000again\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Sara\u3000didn’t\uff1b\u3000say\u3000anything\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Rachel\u3000hugged\u3000Sara\u3000to\u3000her\u3000and\uff1b\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000the\u3000bundle\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000West
\n\u3000
\n\u3000CHAPTER\u300034
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n \n
\n
\n
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003You\u3000were\u3000there\u3000the\u3000whole\u3000night\uff1f\u3003\u3000Richard\u3000was\u3000afraid\u3000to\u3000hope\u3000at\u3000what\u3000this\u3000meant\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000nodded\uff1b\u3000but\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000up\u3002\u3000\u3003While\u3000I\u3000was\u3000watching\uff1b\u3000I\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000\u3000snare\uff1b\u3000like\u3000you\u3000taught\u3000me\uff1b\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000I\u3000could\u3000catch\u3000you\u3000some\u3000breakfast\u3002\u3000While\u3000I\u3000was\u3000sitting\u3000there\uff1b\u3000I\u3000did\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000thinking\u3002\u3000Mostly\uff1b\u3000I\u3000cried\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3002\u3000I\u3000couldn’t\u3000stand\u3000it\u3000that\u3000you\u3000thought\u3000those\u3000things\u3000about\u3000me\u3002\u3000It\u3000hurt\u3000that\u3000you\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000me\u3000like\u3000that\u3002\u3000It\u3000made\u3000me\u3000angry\u3000too\u3002\u3003\u3000\u300010\uff1b
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Rachel\uff1b\u3000and\u3000you\u3000are\u3000very\u3000pretty\uff1b\u3000too\u3002\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000hungry\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000led\u3000them\u3000with\u3000the\u3000torch\uff1b\u3000Kahlan\u3000following\uff1b\u3000the\u3000wolf\u3000slinking\u3000along\u3000at\u3000her\u3000side\uff1b\u3000ears\u3000lowered\uff1b\u3000tail\u3000dragging\u3000the\u3000ground
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\n\u3000\u3003Do\u3000you\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000story\uff1f\u3003
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\n\u3000The\u3000wolf\u3000sank\u3000back\u3000down\u3002\u3000\u3003No\uff1b\u3000Mistress\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000\u3003Brophy\u3000would\u3000have\u3000rather\u3000been\u3000touched\u3000by\u3000a\u3000Confessor’s\u3000power\u3000than\u3000be\u3000thought\u3000a\u3000child\u3000killer\u3002\u3000Not\u3000to\u3000mention\u3000what\u3000else\u3000was\u3000done\u3000to\u3000that\u3000little\u3000boy\u3002\u3000He\u3000requested\u3000a\u3000Confessor\u3002\u3000It’s\u3000something\u3000done\u3000only\u3000rarely\u2026most\u3000men\u3000choose\u3000the\u3000executioner\u2026but\u3000it\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000much\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000I\u3000told\u3000you\u3000we\u3000have\u3000a\u3000wizard\u3000with\u3000us\uff1b\u3000when\u3000we\u3000take\u3000confessions\u3002\u3000One\u3000reason\u3000is\u3000for\u3000p \n
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Brophy\uff1b\u3003\u3000Richard\u3000said\u3002\u3000The\u3000wolf\u3000looked\u3000over\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000too\u3000want\u3000Kahlan\u3000protected\uff1b\u3000so\u3000she\u3000can\u3000do\u3000her\u3000job\u3000and\u3000help\u3000stop\u3000Rahl\u3002\u3000I\u3000would\u3000be\u3000honored\u3000to\u3000have\u3000you\u3000along\u3002\u3000You\u3000have\u3000already\u3000proven\u3000your\u3000value\u3000and\u3000your\u3000heart\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000can\u3000help\u3000protect\u3000her\uff1b\u3000you\u3000just\u3000ignore\u3000what\u3000she\u3000says\u3000and\u3000go\u3000right\u3000on\u3000protecting\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Brophy\u3000looked\u3000up\u3000at\u3000her\u3002\u3000Kahlan\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Seeker\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sworn\u3000on\u3000my\u3000life\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000him\uff1b\u3000as\u3000is\u3000Zedd\u3002\u3000If\u3000that\u3000is\u3000his\u3000word\uff1b\u3000then\u3000I\u3000must\u3000go\u3000along\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Brophy’s\u3000muzzle\u3000opened\u3000in\u3000surprise\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000mands\u3000you\uff1f\u3000He\u3000mands\u3000the\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000wolf\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Wonder\u3000of\u3000wonders\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000licked\u3000his\u3000lips\u3002\u3000\u3003By\u3000the\u3000way\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000like\u3000to\u3000thank\u3000you\u3000for\u3000the\u3000food\u3000you\u3000have\u3000left\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Kahlan\u3000frowned\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000are\u3000you\u3000talking\u3000about\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Whenever\u3000he\u3000trapped\u3000food\uff1b\u3000he\u3000always\u3000left\u3000some\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003You\u3000did\uff1f\u3003\u3000she\u3000asked\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000out\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000think\u3000he\u3000meant\u3000us\u3000har \n
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\n\u3000Richard\u3000shrugged\u3002\u3000\u3003Well\uff1b\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000was\u3000out\u3000there\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000know\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000didn’t\u3000think\u3000he\u3000meant\u3000us\u3000harm\u3002\u3000So\u3000I\u3000left\u3000him\u3000food\uff1b\u3000to\u3000let\u3000him\u3000know\u3000we\u3000didn’t\u3000mean\u3000him\u3000any\u3000harm\u3000either\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000smiled\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wolf\u3002\u3000\u3003But\u3000when\u3000you\u3000came\u3000at\u3000me\u3000back\u3000there\uff1b\u3000I\u3000surely\u3000thought\u3000I\u3000had\u3000made\u3000a\u3000mistake\u3002\u3000Thank\u3000you\u3000again\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Brophy\u3000seemed\u3000unfortable\u3000with\u3000the\u3000gratitude\uff1b\u3000and\u3000stood\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000been\u3000here\u3000long\u3000enough\u3002\u3000I\u3000have\u3000woods\u3000to\u3000patrol\u3002\u3000There\u3000might\u3000be\u3000things\u3000about\u3002\u3000The\u3000three\u3000of\u3000you\u3000need\u3000not\u3000stand\u3000watch\u3000with\u3000Brophy\u3000on\u3000the\u3000job\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000pushed\u3000a\u3000stick\u3000at\u3000the\u3000fire\uff1b\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000sparks\u3000swirl\u3000into\u3000the\u3000air\u3002\u3000\u3003Brophy\uff1b\u3000what\u3000was\u3000it\u3000like\u3000when\u3000Kahlan\u3000touched\u3000you\uff1f\u3000When\u3000she\u3000released\u3000her\u3000power\u3000into\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000No\u3000one\u3000spoke\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000looked\u3000into\u3000the\u3000wolf’s\u3000yellow\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000Brophy’s\u3000head\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Kahlan\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Tell\u3000him\uff1b\u3003\u3000she\u3000whispered\u3000in\u3000a\u3000broken\u3000voice\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Brophy\u3000lay\u3000back\u3000down\uff1b\u3000folding\u3000one\u3000paw\u3000over\u3000the\u3000other\uff1b\u3000his\u3000head\u3000held\u3000high\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000silent\u3000for\u3000a\u3000long\u3000time\u3000before\u3000he\u3000spoke
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000remember\u3000everything\u3000of\u3000that\u3000time\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000will\u3000try\u3000to\u3000explain\u3000it\u3000the\u3000best\u3000I\u3000can\u3002\u3003\u3000His\u3000head\u3000cocked\u3000a\u3000little\u3000to\u3000one\u3000side\u3002\u3000\u3003Pain\u3002\u3000I\u3000remember\u3000the\u3000pain\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000exquisite\uff1b\u3000beyond\u3000anything\u3000you\u3000could\u3000imagine\u3002\u3000The\u3000first\u3000thing\u3000I\u3000remember\u3000after\u3000the\u3000pain\u3000is\u3000fear\u3002\u3000Overpowering\u3000fear\u3000I\u3000might\u3000be\u3000breathing\u3000wrong\uff1b\u3000and\u3000it\u3000would\u3000somehow\u3000displease\u3000her\u3002\u3000I\u3000almost\u3000died\u3000from\u3000fear\u3000that\u3000I\u3000would\u3000displease\u3000her\u3002\u3000And\u3000then\u3000when\u3000she\u3000told\u3000me\u3000what\u3000she\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000know\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000flush\u3000of\u3000the\u3000greatest\u3000joy\u3000I\u3000had\u3000ever\u3000known\u3002\u3000Joy\uff1b\u3000because\u3000then\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000I\u3000could\u3000do\u3000to\u3000please\u3000her\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000overjoyed\u3000that\u3000she\u3000had\u3000made\u3000a\u3000request\u3000of\u3000me\uff1b\u3000that\u3000there\u3000was\u3000something\u3000I\u3000could\u3000do\u3000to\u3000satisfy\u3000her\u3002\u3000That’s\u3000What\u3000I\u3000remember\u3000the\u3000most\uff1b\u3000the\u3000desperate\uff1b\u3000frantic\u3000need\u3000to\u3000do\u3000as\u3000she\u3000wanted\uff1b\u3000to\u3000satisfy\u3000her\uff1b\u3000and\u3000make\u3000her\u3000happy\u3002\u3000Nothing\u3000else\u3000was\u3000in\u3000my\u3000mind\uff1b\u3000only\u3000to\u3000please\u3000her\u3002\u3000To\u3000be\u3000in\u3000her\u3000presence\u3000was\u3000beyond\u3000bliss\u3002\u3000The\u3000pleasure\u3000of\u3000being\u3000in\u3000her\u3000presence\u3000made\u3000me\u3000cry\u3000with\u3000elation\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003She\u3000told\u3000me\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000the\u3000truth\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000was\u3000so\u3000happy\uff1b\u3000because\u3000I\u3000knew\u3000I\u3000could\u3000do\u3000that\u3002\u3000I\u3000was\u3000thrilled\u3000to\u3000have\u3000a\u3000task\u3000within\u3000my\u3000power\u3002\u3000I\u3000started\u3000talking\u3000as\u3000fast\u3000as\u3000I\u3000could\uff1b\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000her\u3000all\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000I\u3000could\u3002\u3000She\u3000had\u3000to\u3000tell\u3000me\u3000to\u3000slow\u3000down\uff1b\u3000because\u3000she\u3000couldn’t\u3000understand\u3000me\u3002\u3000If\u3000I\u3000had\u3000had\u3000a\u3000knife\uff1b\u3000I\u3000would\u3000have\u3000used\u3000it\u3000on\u3000myself\u3000for\u3000displeasing\u3000her\u3002\u3000Then\u3000she\u3000told\u3000me\u3000it\u3000was\u3000all\u3000right\uff1b\u3000and\u30001\u3000cried\u3000because\u3000she\u3000was\u3000not\u3000displeased\u3000with\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000told\u3000her\u3000what\u3000happened\u3002\u3003\u3000His\u3000ears\u3000wilted\u3000a\u3000little\u3002\u3000\u3003After\u3000I\u3000told\u3000her\u3000I\u3000hadn’t\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000boy\uff1b\u3000I\u3000remembered\u3000she\u3000put\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000on\u3000my\u3000arm\u2026the\u3000touch\u3000nearly\u3000made\u3000me\u3000faint\u3000with\u3000pleasure\u3000and\u3000she\u3000said\u3000she\u3000was\u3000sorry\u3002\u3000I\u3000misunderstood\u3002\u3000I\u3000thought\u3000she\u3000meant\u3000she\u3000was\u3000sorry\u3000I\u3000hadn’t\u3000killed\u3000the\u3000boy\u3002\u3000I\u3000begged\u3000her\u3000to\u3000let\u3000me\u3000go\u3000kill\u3000another\u3000boy\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3003\u3000Tears\u3000ran\u3000from\u3000the\u3000corners\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wolf’s\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000\u3003Then\u3000she\u3000explained\u3000that\u3000what\u3000she\u3000meant\u3000was\u3000that\u3000she\u3000was\u3000sorry\u3000for\u3000me\uff1b\u3000for\u3000me\u3000being\u3000accused\u3000wrongly\u3000of\u3000the\u3000murder\u3002\u3000I\u3000remember\u3000crying\u3000uncontrollably\uff1b\u3000because\u3000she\u3000had\u3000shown\u3000me\u3000a\u3000kindness\uff1b\u3000she\u3000was\u3000sorry\u3000for\u3000me\uff1b\u3000she\u3000cared\u3000for\u3000me\u3002\u3000I\u3000remember\u3000what\u3000it\u3000felt\u3000like\u3000to\u3000be\u3000near\u3000her\uff1b\u3000to\u3000be\u3000in\u3000her\u3000presence\u3002\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000feeling\u3000of\u3000love\uff1b\u3000but\u3000words\u3000are\u3000so\u3000hollow\uff1b\u3000next\u3000to\u3000the\u3000power\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wanting\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000stood\u3002\u3000He\u3000could\u3000only\u3000make\u3000himself\u3000take\u3000the\u3000briefest\u3000of\u3000glances\u3000at\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000at\u3000her\u3000tears\u3002\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000Brophy\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000had\u3000to\u3000pause\u3000a\u3000moment\u3000to\u3000make\u3000sure\u3000his\u3000voice\u3000wouldn’t\u3000fail\u3000him\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000late\u3002\u3000We\u3000better\u3000get\u3000some\u3000sleep\uff1b\u3000tomorrow\u3000is\u3000an\u3000important\u3000day\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000going\u3000to\u3000take\u3000my\u3000watch\u3002\u3000Good\u3000night\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Brophy\u3000stood\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000three\u3000sleep\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000stand\u3000watch\u3000tonight\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000swallowed\u3000the\u3000lump\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000appreciate\u3000that\uff1b\u3000but\u3000I\u3000will\u3000stand\u3000my\u3000watch\u3002\u3000If\u3000you\u3000wish\uff1b\u3000you\u3000may\u3000guard\u3000my\u3000back\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000turned\u3000and\u3000started\u3000to\u3000leave\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Richard\uff1b\u3003\u3000Zedd\u3000called\u3000out\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000stopped\u3000without\u3000turning\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000bone\u3000is\u3000it\uff1b\u3000that\u3000your\u3000father\u3000gave\u3000you\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard’s\u3000mind\u3000raced\u3000in\u3000a\u3000panic\u3002\u3000Please\uff1b\u3000Zedd\uff1b\u3000he\u3000said\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000if\u3000you\u3000have\u3000ever\u3000believed\u3000a\u3000lie\u3000I\u3000have\u3000told\u3000you\uff1b\u3000believe\u3000this\u3000one\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000must\u3000remember\u3000it\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000that\u3000little\u3000round\u3000one\u3002\u3000You’ve\u3000seen\u3000it\u3000before\uff1b\u3000I\u3000know\u3000you\u3000have\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Oh\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000I\u3000guess\u3000I\u3000must\u3000have\u3002\u3000Good\u3000night\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Wizard’s\u3000First\u3000Rule\u3002\u3000Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000my\u3000old\u3000friend\uff1b\u3000he\u3000thought\u3000to\u3000himself\uff1b\u3000for\u3000teaching\u3000me\u3000how\u3000to\u3000protect\u3000Kahlan’s\u3000life\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000walked\u3000on\u3000into\u3000the\u3000night\uff1b\u3000his\u3000head\u3000pounding\u3000with\u3000pain\uff1b\u3000from\u3000without\uff1b\u3000and\u3000from\u3000within
\n\u3000
\n\u3000CHAPTER\u300039
\n\u3000THE\u3000city\u3000of\u3000TAMARANG\u3000couldn’t\u3000hold\u3000all\u3000the\u3000people\u3000who\u3000wanted\u3000in\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000simply\u3000too\u3000many\u3002\u3000People\u3000ing\u3000from\u3000every\u3000direction\uff1b\u3000seeking\u3000protection\u3000and\u3000safety\uff1b\u3000had\u3000overflowed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000countryside\u3000around\u3000the\u3000established\u3000quarters\u3002\u3000Tents\u3000and\u3000shacks\u3000had\u3000sprung\u3000up\u3000on\u3000the\u3000bare\u3000ground\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000city\u3000walls\u3000and\u3000out\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000hills\u3002\u3000In\u3000the\u3000morning\uff1b\u3000people\u3000had\u3000flowed\u3000down\u3000from\u3000the\u3000hills\u3000into\u3000the\u3000impromptu\u3000market\u3000quarter\u3000outside\u3000the\u3000walls\u3002\u3000People\u3000who\u3000had\u3000e\u3000from\u3000other\u3000towns\uff1b\u3000villages\uff1b\u3000and\u3000cities\u3000lined\u3000up\u3000in\u3000streets\u3000laid\u3000out\u3000in\u3000haphazard\u3000fashion\u3000at\u3000makeshift\u3000stands\uff1b\u3000selling\u3000whatever\u3000they\u3000had\u3002\u3000Vendors\u3000sold\u3000everything\u3000from\u3000old\u3000clothes\u3000to\u3000fine\u3000jewelry\u3002\u3000Fruits\u3000and\u3000vegetables\u3000were\u3000stacked\u3000at\u3000other\u3000stands\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000There\u3000were\u3000barbers\u3000and\u3000healers\u3000and\u3000fortune\u2026tellers\uff1b\u3000people\u3000who\u3000had\u3000paper\u3000\u2026and\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000your\u3000face\uff1b\u3000and\u3000people\u3000who\u3000had\u3000leeches\u3000and\u3000wanted\u3000to\u3000draw\u3000your\u3000blood\u3002\u3000Wine\u3000and\u3000spirits\u3000were\u3000for\u3000sale\u3000everywhere\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000the\u3000circumstances\u3000of\u3000their\u3000presence\uff1b\u3000the\u3000people\u3000seemed\u3000in\u3000a\u3000festive\u3000mood\u3002\u3000The\u3000imagined\u3000protection\u3000and\u3000ample\u3000supply\u3000of\u3000drink\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000suspected\u3002\u3000Talk\u3000floated\u3000freely\u3000of\u3000the\u3000wonders\u3000of\u3000Father\u3000Rahl\u3002\u3000Speakers\u3000stood\u3000at\u3000the\u3000center\u3000of\u3000small\u3000knots\u3000of\u3000citizens\uff1b\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000latest\u3000news\uff1b\u3000the\u3000latest\u3000atrocities\u3002\u3000The\u3000tattered\u3000folk\u3000moaned\u3000and\u3000wailed\u3000at\u3000the\u3000outrages\u3000done\u3000by\u3000the\u3000Westlanders\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000cries\u3000for\u3000vengeance\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000a\u3000single\u3000woman\u3000with\u3000hair\u3000past\u3000her\u3000jaw\u3000line\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000castle\u3000proper\u3000sat\u3000at\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000a\u3000high\u3000hill\uff1b\u3000within\u3000its\u3000own\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000within\u3000the\u3000walls\u3000of\u3000the\u3000city\u3002\u3000Red\u3000banners\u3000with\u3000a\u3000black\u3000wolf’s\u3000head\u3000flew\u3000at\u3000evenly\u3000spaced\u3000intervals\u3000around\u3000the\u3000formidable\u3000castle\u3000walls\u3002\u3000The\u3000huge\u3000wooden\u3000doors\u3000at\u3000the\u3000outer\u3000city\u3000walls\u3000stood\u3000closed\u3002\u3000To\u3000keep\u3000the\u3000riffraff\u3000at\u3000bay\uff1b\u3000it\u3000appeared\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Patrols\u3000of\u3000soldiers\u3000prowled\u3000the\u3000streets\u3000on\u3000horseback\uff1b\u3000their\u3000\u3002armor\u3000glinting\u3000in\u3000the\u3000noonday\u3000sun\uff1b\u3000specks\u3000of\u3000light\u3000in\u3000an\u3000ocean\u3000of\u3000noisy\u3000people\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000saw\u3000one\u3000detachment\uff1b\u3000red\u3000banners\u3000with\u3000black\u3000wolf’s\u3000head\u3000flying\u3000over\u3000them\uff1b\u3000as\u3000they\u3000swept\u3000through\u3000the\u3000new\u3000streets\u3002\u3000Some\u3000people\u3000cheered\uff1b\u3000some\u3000bowed\uff1b\u3000but\u3000all\u3000backed\u3000away\u3000as\u3000the\u3000horses\u3000passed\u3002\u3000The\u3000soldiers\u3000ignored\u3000them\uff1b\u2026as\u3000if\u3000they\u3000didn’t\u3000exist\u3002\u3000People\u3000who\u3000didn’t\u3000move\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000quick\u3000enough\u3000got\u3000a\u3000boot\u3000to\u3000the\u3000head\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000But\u3000none\u3000of\u3000the\u3000people\u3000moved\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000of\u3000the\u3000soldiers\u3000the\u3000way\u3000they\u3000moved\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000way\u3000for\u3000Kahlan\u3002\u3000People\u3000backed\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor\u3000the\u3000way\u3000a\u3000pack\u3000of\u3000dogs\u3000backs\u3000away\u3000from\u3000a\u3000porcupine\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Huge\u3000tapestries\u3000depicting\u3000heroic\u3000scenes\u3000of\u3000vast\u3000battles\u3000hung\u3000on\u3000the\u3000side\u3000walls\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000seen\u3000tapestries\u3000before\uff1b\u3000his\u3000brother\u3000had\u3000two\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000rather\u3000favored\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000always\u3000thought\u3000they\u3000were\u3000a\u3000grand\u3000extravagance\u3002\u3000But\u3000Michael’s\u3000tapestries\u3000were\u3000to\u3000these\u3000as\u3000a\u3000stick\u3000drawing\u3000in\u3000the\u3000dirt\u3000was\u3000to\u3000a\u3000fine\u3000oil\u3000painting\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000hadn’t\u3000even\u3000known\u3000such\u3000majestic\u3000things\u3000as\u3000these\u3000existed\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Chagrined\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000snapped\u3000his\u3000mouth\u3000closed\u3000and\u3000put\u3000his\u3000eyes\u3000to\u3000the\u3000front\u3002\u3000He\u3000leaned\u3000close\u3000to\u3000Zedd\uff1b\u3000and\u3000asked\u3000in\u3000a\u3000low\u3000whisper\uff1b\u3000\u3003Is\u3000this\u3000the\u3000kind\u3000of\u3000place\u3000she\u3000is\u3000used\u3000to\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003No\u3002\u3000The\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor\u3000is\u3000used\u3000to\u3000much\u3000better\u3000than\u3000this\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Overwhelmed\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000straightened\u3000himself\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000At\u3000their\u3000front\u3000stood\u3000Queen\u3000Milena\uff1b\u3000an\u3000amply\u3000fed\u3000woman\u3000in\u3000layered\u3000silks\u3000of\u3000garish\u3000colors\u3002\u3000She\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000cape\u3000trimmed\u3000in\u3000rare\u3000spotted\u3000fox\u3002\u3000Her\u3000hair\u3000was\u3000as\u3000long\u3000as\u3000Kahlan’s\u3002\u3000At\u3000first\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000couldn’t\u3000figure\u3000out\u3000what\u3000she\u3000was\u3000holding\uff1b\u3000but\u3000when\u3000he\u3000heard\u3000the\u3000yapping\uff1b\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000small\u3000dog\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000As\u3000they\u3000approached\uff1b\u3000everyone\u3000but\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000dropped\u3000to\u3000a\u3000knee\u3000in\u3000a\u3000deep\u3000bow\u3002\u3000When\u3000they\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000stared\u3000openly\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000never\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000queen\u3000before\u3002\u3000Zedd\u3000gave\u3000him\u3000a\u3000sideways\u3000kick\u3002\u3000He\u3000dropped\u3000to\u3000one\u3000knee\u3000and\uff1b\u3000following\u3000Zedd’s\u3000example\uff1b\u3000bowed\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000two\u3000who\u3000did\u3000not\u3000kneel\u3000or\u3000bow\u3000were\u3000Kahlan\u3000and\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3002\u3000No\u3000sooner\u3000was\u3000he\u3000down\u3000than\u3000everyone\u3000was\u3000back\u3000up\uff1b\u3000with\u3000him\u3000ing\u3000to\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000last\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000guessed\u3000that\u3000the\u3000two\u3000women\u3000must\u3000not\u3000have\u3000to\u3000bow\u3000to\u3000each\u3000other
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Queen\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000who\uff1b\u3000with\u3000her\u3000head\u3000held\u3000high\uff1b\u3000didn’t\u3000break\u3000her\u3000calm\u3000countenance\u3000and\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000look\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000spoke\u3000a\u3000word\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Kahlan\u3000lifted\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000a\u3000little\uff1b\u3000only\u3000about\u3000a\u3000foot\u3000away\u3000from\u3000her\u3000body\uff1b\u3000with\u3000her\u3000arm\u3000held\u3000unbending\uff1b\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000held\u3000limply\u3000in\u3000place\u3002\u3000The\u3000Queen’s\u3000expression\u3000turned\u3000darker\u3002\u3000Kahlan’s\u3000didn’t\u3000change\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000figured\u3000that\u3000if\u3000anyone\u3000had\u3000blinked\uff1b\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000heard\u3000it\u3002\u3000The\u3000Queen\u3000turned\u3000slightly\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000and\u3000handed\u3000the\u3000little\u3000dog\u3000to\u3000a\u3000man\u3000in\u3000a\u3000bright\u3000green\uff1b\u3000sleeved\u3000doublet\u3000and\u3000black\u3000tights\u3000with\u3000red\u2026and\u2026yellow\u3000striped\u3000pantaloons\u3002\u3000There\u3000was\u3000a\u3000whole\u3000gaggle\u3000of\u3000men\u3000behind\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000dressed\u3000in\u3000similar\u3000fashion\u3002\u3000The\u3000dog\u3000growled\u3000viciously\u3000and\u3000bit\u3000the\u3000man’s\u3000hand\uff1b\u3000he\u3000did\u3000his\u3000best\u3000not\u3000to\u3000notice\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Queen\u3000lowered\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000both\u3000knees\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000Kahlan\u3002\u3000A\u3000young\u3000man\u3000in\u3000plain\u3000black\u3000clothes\u3000immediately\u3000came\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000side\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000a\u3000tray\u3000out\u3000in\u3000front\u3000of\u3000himself\u3002\u3000He\u3000bowed\uff1b\u3000head\u3000bent\u3000impossibly\u3000low\uff1b\u3000holding\u3000the\u3000tray\u3000out\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3002\u3000She\u3000took\u3000a\u3000small\u3000towel\u3000from\u3000the\u3000tray\uff1b\u3000dipped\u3000it\u3000in\u3000a\u3000silver\u3000bowl\u3000of\u3000water\uff1b\u3000and\u3000used\u3000it\u3000to\u3000wipe\u3000her\u3000lips\u3002\u3000She\u3000returned\u3000the\u3000towel\u3000to\u3000the\u3000tray\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Queen\u3000took\u3000the\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor’s\u3000hand\u3000lightly\u3000in\u3000her\u3000own\uff1b\u3000and\u3000kissed\u3000it\u3000with\u3000her\u3000freshly\u3000cleaned\u3000lips\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Fidelity\u3000sworn\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Confessors\uff1b\u3000on\u3000my\u3000crown\uff1b\u3000on\u3000my\u3000land\uff1b\u3000on\u3000my\u3000life\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000had\u3000heard\u3000few\u3000people\u3000lie\u3000as\u3000smoothly\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Kahlan\u3000at\u3000last\u3000moved\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3002\u3000She\u3000looked\u3000down\u3000at\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000bowed\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003Rise\uff1b\u3000my\u3000child\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000More\u3000than\u3000a\u3000queen\uff1b\u3000indeed\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000thought\u3002\u3000He\u3000remembered\u3000teaching\u3000Kahlan\u3000to\u3000make\u3000a\u3000snare\uff1b\u3000to\u3000read\u3000tracks\uff1b\u3000to\u3000dig\u3000roots\uff1b\u3000and\u3000felt\u3000himself\u3000turning\u3000crimson\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Queen\u3000Milena\u3000laboriously\u3000pushed\u3000herself\u3000to\u3000her\u3000feet\u3002\u3000Her\u3000lips\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000Her\u3000eyes\u3000didn’t\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000have\u3000not\u3000reque \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n equested\u3000a\u3000Confessor\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Nonetheless\uff1b\u3000I\u3000am\u3000here\u3002\u3003\u3000Kahlan’s\u3000voice\u3000could\u3000have\u3000frozen\u3000water\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000well\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3000grand\u3002\u3000Simply\u3000\u3002\u3002\u3002\u3000grand\u3002\u3003\u3000Her\u3000face\u3000brightened\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000will\u3000have\u3000a\u3000banquet\u3002\u3000Yes\uff1b\u3000a\u3000banquet\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000send\u3000out\u3000runners\u3000with\u3000invitations\u3000immediately\u3002\u3000Everyone\u3000will\u3000e\u3002\u3000I’m\u3000sure\u3000they\u3000will\u3000be\u3000most\u3000pleased\u3000to\u3000dine\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor\u3002\u3000This\u3000is\u3000quite\u3000an\u3000honor\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000indicating\u3000the\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000red\u2026and\u2026yellow\u3000pantaloons\u3002\u3000\u3003These\u3000are\u3000my\u3000barristers\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000men\u3000all\u3000bowed\u3000deeply\u3000again\u3000at\u3000the\u3000introduction\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000don’t\u3000remember\u3000all\u3000their\u3000names\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000held\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000out\u3000to\u3000two\u3000men\u3000in\u3000gold\u3000robes\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000this\u3000is\u3000Silas\u3000Tannic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Brandin\u3000Gadding\uff1b\u3000the\u3000chief\u3000advisors\u3000to\u3000the\u3000crown\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000two\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000nod\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000my\u3000minister\u3000of\u3000finance\uff1b\u3000Lord\u3000Rondel\uff1b\u3000my\u3000star\u3000guide\uff1b\u3000Lady\u3000Kyley\u3002\u3003\u3000Richard\u3000didn’t\u3000see\u3000a\u3000silver\u2026robed\u3000wizard\u3000among\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000entourage\u3002\u3000The\u3000Queen\u3000waved\u3000her\u3000hand\u3000at\u3000a\u3000shabbily\u3000dressed\u3000man\u3000in\u3000the\u3000back\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000James\uff1b\u3000my\u3000court\u3000artist\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000From\u3000the\u3000corner\u3000of\u3000his\u3000eye\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000saw\u3000Zedd\u3000stiffen\u3002\u3000James\u3000kept\u3000his\u3000lecherous\u3000eyes\u3000on\u3000Kahlan\u3000as\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000shallow\u3000bow\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000missing\u3000his\u3000right\u3000hand\u3000at\u3000the\u3000wrist\u3002\u3000The\u3000oily\u3000smile\u3000he\u3000gave\u3000her\u3000made\u3000Richard\u3000reach\u3000for\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000instinctively\u3000before\u3000he\u3000realized\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000doing\u3002\u3000Without\u3000looking\u3000over\uff1b\u3000Zedd’s\u3000hand\u3000grabbed\u3000his\u3000wrist\u3000and\u3000took\u3000the\u3000hand\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000sword\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000glanced\u3000around\u3000at\u3000the\u3000other\u3000people\u3000to\u3000see\u3000if\u3000anyone\u3000had\u3000noticed\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000had\u3002\u3000They\u3000were\u3000all\u3000watching\u3000the\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Kahlan\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000the\u3000two\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000\u3003Zeddicus\u3000Zorander\uff1b\u3000cloud\u3000reader\uff1b\u3000trusted\u3000advisor\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor\u3002\u3003\u3000Zedd\u3000bowed\u3000dramatically\u3002\u3000\u3003And\u3000Richard\u3000Cypher\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Seeker\uff1b\u3000protector\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor\u3002\u3003\u3000Richard\u3000imitated\u3000Zedd’s\u3000bow\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Queen\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000lifting\u3000an\u3000eyebrow\u3000with\u3000a\u3000sour\u3000look\u3002\u3000\u3003Pretty\u3000pathetic\u3000protection\u3000for\u3000a\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000made\u3000no\u3000change\u3000in\u3000his\u3000expression\u3002\u3000Kahlan\u3000remained\u3000unruffled\u3002\u3000\u3003It\u3000is\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000that\u3000cuts\uff1b\u3000the\u3000man\u3000is\u3000unimportant\u3002\u3000His\u3000brain\u3000may\u3000be\u3000small\uff1b\u3000but\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000are\u3000not\u3002\u3000He\u3000tends\u3000to\u3000use\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000too\u3000often\uff1b\u3000though\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Queen\u3000didn’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000her\u3002\u3000Behind\u3000the\u3000royal\u3000party\uff1b\u3000a\u3000small\u3000girl\u3000came\u3000gliding\u3000down\u3000the\u3000stairs\u3002\u3000She\u3000wore\u3000a\u3000pink\u3000satin\u3000dress\u3000and\u3000jewelry\u3000that\u3000was\u3000too\u3000large\u3000for\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000strode\u3000up\u3000beside\u3000the\u3000Queen\uff1b\u3000flipping\u3000her\u3000long\u3000hair\u3000back\u3000over\u3000her\u3000shoulder\u3002\u3000She\u3000did\u3000not\u3000bow\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003My\u3000daughter\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3002\u3000Violet\uff1b\u3000dear\uff1b\u3000this\u3000is\u3000the\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Princess\u3000Violet\u3000scowled\u3000up\u3000at\u3000Kahlan\u3002\u3000\u3003Your\u3000hair\u3000is\u3000too\u3000long\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000we\u3000should\u3000cut\u3000it\u3000for\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000detected\u3000the\u3000slightest\u3000smile\u3000of\u3000satisfaction\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000He\u3000decided\u3000it\u3000was\u3000time\u3000to\u3000elevate\u3000her\u3000level\u3000of\u3000worry
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Sword\u3000of\u3000Truth\u3000came\u3000out\uff1b\u3000sending\u3000its\u3000distinctive\u3000ring\u3000around\u3000the\u3000huge\u3000room\uff1b\u3000the\u3000stone\u3000amplifying\u3000the\u3000sound\u3002\u3000With\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000point\u3000an\u3000inch\u3000from\u3000Princess\u3000Violet’s\u3000nose\uff1b\u3000he\u3000let\u3000the\u3000anger\u3000of\u3000it\u3000rage\u3000through\u3000him\uff1b\u3000to\u3000make\u3000his\u3000words\u3000more\u3000dramatic\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Bow\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000hissed\uff1b\u3000\u3003or\u3000die\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Zedd\u3000acted\u3000bored\u3002\u3000Kahlan\u3000waited\u3000calmly\u3002\u3000No\u3000one\u3000else\u3000had\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000wide\u3000as\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3000as\u3000she\u3000stared\u3000at\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000point\u3002\u3000She\u3000dropped\u3000to\u3000her\u3000knees\u3000and\u3000bowed\u3000her\u3000head\u3002\u3000Standing\u3000back\u3000up\uff1b\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000went\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000as\u3000if\u3000asking\u3000if\u3000the\u3000bow\u3000was\u3000all\u3000right\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Be\u3000careful\u3000how\u3000you\u3000use\u3000that\u3000tongue\uff1b\u3003\u3000Richard\u3000sneered\u3002\u3000\u3003The\u3000next\u3000time\u3000I\u3000will\u3000separate\u3000it\u3000from\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000She\u3000nodded\u3000and\u3000walked\u3000around\u3000her\u3000mother\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000on\u3000the\u3000far\u3000side\u3000of\u3000her\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000sheathed\u3000his\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000bowed\u3000deeply\u3000to\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000who\u3000didn’t\u3000look\u3000at\u3000him\uff1b\u3000and\u3000returned\u3000to\u3000his\u3000station\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000demonstration\u3000had\u3000the\u3000desired\u3000effect\u3000on\u3000the\u3000Queen\uff1b\u3000her\u3000voice\u3000being\u3000a\u3000bright\u3000singsong\u3002\u3000\u3003Yes\uff1b\u3000well\uff1b\u3000as\u3000I\u3000was\u3000saying\uff1b\u3000it\u3000is\u3000grand\u3000having\u3000you\u3000here\u3002\u3000We\u3000are\u3000all\u3000simply\u3000delighted\u3002\u3000Let\u3000us\u3000show\u3000you\u3000to\u3000our\u3000finest\u3000room\u3002\u3000You\u3000must\u3000be\u3000tired\u3000from\u3000your\u3000journey\u3002\u3000Perhaps\u3000you\u3000would\u3000like\u3000to\u3000rest\u3000before\u3000dinner\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000after\u3000dinner\u3000we\u3000can\u3000all\u3000have\u3000a\u3000nice\u3000long\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000not\u3000here\u3000to\u3000eat\u3002\u3003\u3000Kahlan\u3000cut\u3000her\u3000off\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000am\u3000here\u3000to\u3000inspect\u3000your\u3000dungeon\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Dungeon\uff1f\u3003\u3000She\u3000made\u3000a\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003It’s\u3000filthy\u3000down\u3000there\u3002\u3000Are\u3000you\u3000sure\u3000you\u3000wouldn’t\u3000rather\u3000\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Kahlan\u3000started\u3000walking\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000know\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3003\u3000Richard\u3000and\u3000Zedd\u3000fell\u3000in\u3000behind\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000stopped\uff1b\u3000and\u3000turned\u3000back\u3000to\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000will\u3000wait\u3000here\u3003\u2026her\u3000voice\u3000was\u3000like\u3000ice\u2026\u3003until\u3000I\u3000am\u3000finished\u3002\u3003\u3000As\u3000the\u3000Queen\u3000began\u3000bowing\u3000her\u3000assent\uff1b\u3000Kahlan\u3000strode\u3000off\u3000with\u3000a\u3000swish\u3000of\u3000her\u3000dress\u3000as\u3000she\u3000turned\u3000on\u3000her\u3000heels\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000\u3003Your\u3000wizard\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000color\u3000drained\u3000from\u3000the\u3000Queen’s\u3000face\u3002\u3000\u3003Please\u3000believe\u3000me\uff1b\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor\uff1b\u3000you\u3000wouldn’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000see\u3000Giller\u3000in\u3000his\u3000present\u3000condition\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000loosened\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000in\u3000its\u3000scabbard\u3000just\u3000enough\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000her\u3000attention\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000Queen\u3000looked\u3000at\u3000the\u3000floor\u3002\u3000\u3003Of\u3000course\uff1b\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000one\u3000of\u3000the\u3000men\u3000in\u3000the\u3000pantaloons\u3002\u3000\u3003Show\u3000her\u3000the\u3000way\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000man\u3000led\u3000them\u3000up\u3000the\u3000grand\u3000stairway\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3000floor\uff1b\u3000and\u3000down\u3000several\u3000halls\uff1b\u3000then\u3000up\u3000a\u3000spiral\u3000stone\u3000stairway\u3000to\u3000the\u3000top\u3000room\u3000in\u3000a\u3000tower\uff1b\u3000finally\u3000stopping\u3000with\u3000a\u3000weak\u3000look\u3000at\u3000a\u3000heavy\u3000wooden\u3000door\u3000on\u3000the\u3000landing\u3002\u3000Kahlan\u3000dismissed\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000bowed\uff1b\u3000glad\u3000to\u3000leave\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000opened\u3000the\u3000door\uff1b\u3000they\u3000entered\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000closed\u3000it\u3000behind\u3000them\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000stood\uff1b\u3000transfixed\uff1b\u3000staring\u3000at\u3000Giller’s\u3000body\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Richard\uff1b\u3000e\u3000look\u3000at\u3000this\uff1b\u3003\u3000Zedd\u3000called\u3000to\u3000him\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000Rachel\u3000turned\u3000her\u3000eyes\u3000up\u3000to\u3000Richard\u3002
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\n\u3000Richard\u3000nodded\u3000to\u3000her\u3002\u3000\u3003She\u3000said\u3000some\u3000bad\u3000things\u3000to\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000and\u3000I\u3000told\u3000her\u3000that\u3000if\u3000she\u3000did\u3000it\u3000again\uff1b\u3000I’d\u3000cut\u3000off\u3000her\u3000tongue\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000Richard\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000Brophy\u3002\u3000\u3003He\u3000was\u3000the\u3000one\uff1f\u3003\u3000The\u3000wolf\u3000nodded\u3000solemnly\u3002\u3000\u3003So\u3000you\u3000lived\u3000with\u3000the\u3000Princess\u3002\u3000She’s\u3000the\u3000one\u3000who\u3000cut\u3000your\u3000hair\u3000all\u3000crooked\uff1b\u3000isn’t\u3000she\uff1f\u3000She\u3000hits\u3000you\u3002\u3003
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n \n
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000James\u3000screamed\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003We\u3000better\u3000hurry\u3000before\u3000she\u3000gets\u3000too\u3000far\u3000ahead\u3002\u3000She\u3000won’t\u3000wait\u3000for\u3000us\u3002\u3003\u3000The\u3000wizard\u3000picked\u3000up\u3000Kahlan’s\u3000pack\uff1b\u3000stuffing\u3000gear\u3000into\u3000it\u3002\u3000\u3003We\u3000better\u3000at\u3000least\u3000grab\u3000some\u3000of\u3000our\u3000supplies\u3002\u3003\u3000He\u3000smoothed\u3000a\u3000wrinkle\u3000on\u3000the\u3000pack\u3002\u3000\u3003Chase\uff1b\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000think\u3000we\u3000are\u3000going\u3000to\u3000return\u3000from\u3000this\uff1b\u3000the\u3000Con\u3000Dar\u3000is\u3000a\u3000suicide\u3000venture\u3002\u3000You\u3000have\u3000a\u3000family\u3002\u3000There\u3000is\u3000no\u3000need\u3000for\u3000you\u3000to\u3000go\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Chase\u3000rammed\u3000a\u3000fistful\u3000of\u3000blanket\u3000into\u3000the\u3000pack\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000going\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Zedd\u3000nodded\u3000his\u3000understanding\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000will\u3000be\u3000glad\u3000for\u3000your\u3000pany\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003Not\u3000to\u3000you\uff1b\u3000you\u3000have\u3000no\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000and\u3000not\u3000to\u3000wizards\uff1b\u3000I\u3000have\u3000protection\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003What\u3000about\u3000to\u3000Kahlan\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Zedd\u3000shook\u3000his\u3000head\u3002\u3000\u3003A\u3000Confessor’s\u3000magic\u3000is\u3000different\u3000from\u3000any\u3000other\u3002\u3000The\u3000touch\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Confessor’s\u3000magic\u3000is\u3000death\u3000to\u3000a\u3000Mord\u2026Sith\u3002\u3000A\u3000very\u3000bad\u3000death\u3002\u3000I\u3000saw\u3000it\u3000once\u3002\u3000I\u3000don’t\u3000want\u3000to\u3000ever\u3000see\u3000it\u3000again\u3002\u3003\u3000Zedd’s\u3000eyes\u3000glided\u3000over\u3000the\u3000bloody\u3000mess\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000what\u3000they\u3000had\u3000done\u3000to\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000and\u3000what\u3000they\u3000almost\u3000did\u3002\u3000\u3003I\u3000guess\uff1b\u3003\u3000he\u3000whispered\uff1b\u3000\u3003I\u3000have\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000of\u3000things\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000never\u3000see\u3000again\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000As\u3000Zedd\u3000hoisted\u3000Kahlan’s\u3000pack\u3000to\u3000his\u3000shoulder\uff1b\u3000there\u3000was\u3000an\u3000impact\u3000to\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000thunder\u3000with\u3000no\u3000sound\u3002\u3000They\u3000both\u3000ran\u3000to\u3000the\u3000trail\uff1b\u3000ran\u3000for\u3000Kahlan\u3002\u3000They\u3000had\u3000only\u3000gone\u3000a\u3000short\u3000distance\u3000when\u3000they\u3000found\u3000the\u3000last\u3000man\uff1b\u3000sprawled\u3000across\u3000the\u3000way\u3000where\u3000he\u3000had\u3000lain\u3000in\u3000wait\u3002\u3000His\u3000own\u3000sword\u3000jutted\u3000from\u3000his\u3000chest\u3002\u3000Both\u3000his\u3000hands\u3000held\u3000the\u3000hilt\u3000in\u3000a\u3000death\u3000grip\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000They\u3000both\u3000kept\u3000running\u3000until\u3000they\u3000caught\u3000up\u3000with\u3000her\u3002\u3000She\u3000strode\u3000purposefully\u3000along\uff1b\u3000eyes\u3000ahead\uff1b\u3000disinterested\u3000in\u3000what\u3000was\u3000about\u3000her\u3002\u3000Her\u3000Confessor’s\u3000dress\u3000flowed\u3000and\u3000flapped\u3000behind\u3000her\u3000like\u3000a\u3000flame\u3000in\u3000wind\u3002\u3000Zedd\u3000had\u3000always\u3000thought\u3000Confessors\u3000looked\u3000beautiful\u3000in\u3000their\u3000dresses\uff1b\u3000especially\u3000the\u3000white\u3000of\u3000the\u3000Mother\u3000Confessor\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000But\u3000he\u3000saw\u3000it\u3000now\u3000for\u3000what\u3000it\u3000really\u3000was\u3002\u3000Battle\u3000armor
\n\u3000
\n\u3000CHAPTER\u300048
\n\u3000WATER\u3000FROM\u3000THE\u3000DRIZZLE\u3000collecting\u3000on\u3000Richard’s\u3000face\u3000ran\u3000down\u3000his\u3000nose\uff1b\u3000hanging\u3000in\u3000a\u3000drip\u3000at\u3000the\u3000end\uff1b\u3000tickling\u3002\u3000He\u3000angrily\u3000wiped\u3000it\u3000off\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000so\u3000tired\u3000that\u3000he\u3000hardly\u3000knew\u3000what\u3000he\u3000was\u3000doing\u3000anymore\u3002\u3000The\u3000only\u3000thing\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000for\u3000sure\u3000was\u3000that\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000find\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Zedd\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Chase\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000searched\u3000relentlessly\uff1b\u3000going\u3000down\u3000endless\u3000trails\u3000and\u3000roads\uff1b\u3000back\u3000and\u3000forth\uff1b\u3000crisscrossing\u3000his\u3000way\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000People’s\u3000Palace\uff1b\u3000and\u3000had\u3000not\u3000seen\u3000a\u3000sign\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000trails\u3000and\u3000paths\u3000everywhere\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000had\u3000searched\u3000only\u3000a\u3000fraction\u3000of\u3000them\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000stopped\u3000only\u3000for\u3000a\u3000few\u3000hours\u3000at\u3000night\uff1b\u3000mostly\u3000to\u3000rest\u3000the\u3000horse\uff1b\u3000and\u3000then\u3000he\u3000had\u3000sometimes\u3000searched\u3000on\u3000foot\u3002\u3000Since\u3000he\u3000had\u3000left\u3000his\u3000brother\uff1b\u3000the\u3000clouds\u3000had\u3000hung\u3000low\u3000and\u3000thick\uff1b\u3000limiting\u3000visibility\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000furious\u3000that\u3000they\u3000had\u3000to\u3000e\u3000now\uff1b\u3000when\u3000he\u3000needed\u3000Scarlet\u3000more\u3000than\u3000ever\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000felt\u3000that\u3000everything\u3000was\u3000conspiring\u3000against\u3000him\uff1b\u3000that\u3000the\u3000fates\u3000did\u3000indeed\u3000work\u3000for\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\u3002\u3000Rahl\u3000would\u3000have\u3000Kahlan\u3000by\u3000now\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000too\u3000late\uff1b\u3000she\u3000must\u3000be\u3000in\u3000the\u3000People’s\u3000Palace\u3000by\u3000now\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000urged\u3000the\u3000horse\u3000up\u3000the\u3000mountain\u3000trail\uff1b\u3000through\u3000stands\u3000of\u3000big\u3000spruce\u3000that\u3000grew\u3000on\u3000the\u3000steep\u3000ground\u3002\u3000Spongy\u3000moss\u3000muffled\u3000the\u3000passing\u3000of\u3000the\u3000horse’s\u3000hooves\u3002\u3000Darkness\u3000hid\u3000nearly\u3000everything\u3002\u3000As\u3000he\u3000rode\u3000higher\uff1b\u3000through\u3000the\u3000mist\u3000and\u3000darkness\uff1b\u3000the\u3000trees\u3000thinned\uff1b\u3000exposing\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000cold\u3000wind\u3000ing\u3000up\u3000the\u3000slope\u3002\u3000It\u3000flapped\u3000his\u3000cloak\u3000and\u3000moaned\u3000in\u3000his\u3000ears\u3002\u3000Black\u3000patches\u3000of\u3000cloud\u3000and\u3000mist\u3000blew\u3000across\u3000the\u3000trail\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000pulled\u3000his\u3000hood\u3000up\u3000against\u3000the\u3000elements\u3002\u3000Although\u3000he\u3000couldn’t\u3000see\u3000anything\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000he\u3000had\u3000reached\u3000the\u3000top\u3000of\u3000the\u3000mountain\u3000pass\u3000and\u3000was\u3000starting\u3000down\u3000the\u3000opposite\u3000side\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000deep\u3000in\u3000the\u3000night\u3002\u3000The\u3000dawn\u3000would\u3000bring\u3000the\u3000first\u3000day\u3000of\u3000winter\u3002\u3000The\u3000last\u3000day\u3000of\u3000freedom\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Finding\u3000a\u3000small\u3000shelter\u3000of\u3000overhanging\u3000rock\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000decided\u3000to\u3000get\u3000a\u3000few\u3000hours’\u3000sleep\u3000before\u3000the\u3000dawn\u3000that\u3000would\u3000be\u3000his\u3000last\u3002\u3000He\u3000warily\u3000slid\u3000off\u3000the\u3000horse’s\u3000wet\u3000back\u3000and\u3000tethered\u3000ii\u3000to\u3000a\u3000nearby\u3000scrub\u3000pine\u3000that\u3000hunched\u3000among\u3000long\u3000grass\u3002\u3000He\u3000didn’t\u3000even\u3000take\u3000his\u3000pack\u3000off\uff1b\u3000but\u3000simply\u3000rolled\u3000himself\u3000in\u3000his\u3000cloak\u3000under\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000and\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000sleep\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000thinking\u3000of\u3000what\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3000to\u3000do\u3000to\u3000keep\u3000her\u3000out\u3000of\u3000the\u3000hands\u3000of\u3000a\u3000Mord\u2026Sith\u3002\u3000After\u3000he\u3000finished\u3000helping\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\u3000open\u3000the\u3000box\u3000that\u3000would\u3000give\u3000him\u3000the\u3000power\u3000he\u3000sought\uff1b\u3000Rahl\u3000would\u3000kill\u3000him\u3002\u3000Despite\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl’s\u3000assurance\u3000that\u3000Richard\u3000Would\u3000be\u3000free\u3000to\u3000go\u3000about\u3000his\u3000life\uff1b\u3000what\u3000life\u3000could\u3000he\u3000have\u3000after\u3000he\u3000was\u3000touched\u3000by\u3000Kahlan’s\u3000power\uff1f
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Besides\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\u3000Rahl\u3000was\u3000lying\u3002\u3000Rahl\u3000intended\u3000to\u3000kill\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000hoped\u3000only\u3000that\u3000his\u3000death\u3000would\u3000be\u3000quick\u3002\u3000He\u3000knew\u3000his\u3000decision\u3000to\u3000help\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000Zedd\u3000would\u3000die\uff1b\u3000too\uff1b\u3000but\u3000it\u3000meant\u3000that\u3000many\u3000more\u3000would\u3000live\u3002\u3000Live\u3000under\u3000the\u3000brutal\u3000rule\u3000of\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\uff1b\u3000but\u3000live\u3000nonetheless\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000couldn’t\u3000bear\u3000the\u3000thought\u3000of\u3000being\u3000responsible\u3000for\u3000everyone\u3000and\u3000everything\u3000dying\u3002\u3000Rahl\u3000had\u3000told\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000Richard\u3000being\u3000betrayed\uff1b\u3000and\u3000he\u3000probably\u3000was\u3000telling\u3000the\u3000truth\u3000about\u3000knowing\u3000which\u3000box\u3000would\u3000kill\u3000him\u3002\u3000Even\u3000if\u3000he\u3000was\u3000lying\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000couldn’t\u3000risk\u3000everyone\u3000on\u3000that\u3000one\u3000chance\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000had\u3000run\u3000out\u3000of\u3000options\uff1b\u3000he\u3000had\u3000no\u3000choice\u3000but\u3000to\u3000help\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000His\u3000ribs\u3000still\u3000hurt\u3000from\u3000what\u3000Denna\u3000had\u3000done\u3000to\u3000him\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000still\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000lie\u3000down\uff1b\u3000and\u3000still\u3000hurt\u3000to\u3000breathe\u3002\u3000His\u3000sleep\u3000brought\u3000the\u3000nightmares\u3000he\u3000had\u3000had\u3000every\u3000night\u3000since\u3000leaving\u3000the\u3000People’s\u3000Palace\uff1b\u3000the\u3000nightmares\u3000of\u3000the\u3000things\u3000Denna\u3000had\u3000done\u3000to\u3000him\uff1b\u3000the\u3000nightmares\u3000he\u3000had\u3000promised\u3000her\u3000he\u3000would\u3000have\u3002\u3000He\u3000dreamed\u3000of\u3000hanging\u3000helpless\u3000while\u3000Denna\u3000hurt\u3000him\uff1b\u3000of\u3000being\u3000powerless\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000her\uff1b\u3000of\u3000never\u3000being\u3000able\u3000to\u3000escape\u3002\u3000He\u3000dreamed\u3000of\u3000Michael\u3000standing\u3000there\uff1b\u3000watching\u3002\u3000He\u3000dreamed\u3000of\u3000seeing\u3000Kahlan\u3000being\u3000tortured\uff1b\u3000and\u3000Michael\u3000watching\u3000that\uff1b\u3000too\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000came\u3000awake\u3000drenched\u3000in\u3000sweat\uff1b\u3000shaking\u3000with\u3000fear\uff1b\u3000heard\u3000himself\u3000whimpering\u3000with\u3000the\u3000terror\u3000of\u3000the\u3000dreams\u3002\u3000Sunlight\u3000was\u3000slanting\u3000sideways\u3000under\u3000the\u3000overhang\u3000of\u3000the\u3000rock\u3002\u3000The\u3000orange\u3000sun\u3000was\u3000just\u3000breaking\u3000above\u3000the\u3000horizon\u3000to\u3000the\u3000east\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000stood\u3000and\u3000stretched\u3000the\u3000cramps\u3000from\u3000his\u3000muscles\uff1b\u3000surveying\u3000the\u3000dawn\u3000of\u3000the\u3000first\u3000day\u3000of\u3000winter\u3002\u3000He\u3000was\u3000high\u3000on\u3000a\u3000mountain\u3002\u3000The\u3000surrounding\u3000peaks\u3000thrust\u3000themselves\u3000above\u3000a\u3000blanket\u3000of\u3000clouds\u3000below\u3000that\u3000stretched\u3000off\u3000before\u3000him\uff1b\u3000to\u3000the\u3000eastern\u3000horizon\uff1b\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sea\u3000of\u3000gray\u3000tinged\u3000in\u3000orange\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000sea\u3000of\u3000clouds\u3000was\u3000unbroken\u3000except\u3000for\u3000one\u3000thing\u2026the\u3000People’s\u3000Palace\u3002\u3000Touched\u3000by\u3000the\u3000sunlight\uff1b\u3000in\u3000the\u3000far\u3000distance\uff1b\u3000it\u3000rose\u3000proud\u3000on\u3000its\u3000plateau\uff1b\u3000standing\u3000above\u3000the\u3000clouds\uff1b\u3000waiting\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3000A\u3000cold\u3000feeling\u3000ran\u3000through\u3000his\u3000gut\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lo \n
\n \n
\n
\n
\n ing\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3000A\u3000cold\u3000feeling\u3000ran\u3000through\u3000his\u3000gut\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000long\u3000way\u3000off\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000misjudged\u3000how\u3000far\u3000he\u3000was\u3000from\u3000it\uff1b\u3000it\u3000was\u3000a\u3000lot\u3000farther\u3000than\u3000he\u3000had\u3000thought\u3002\u3000He\u3000had\u3000no\u3000time\u3000to\u3000waste\u3002\u3000When\u3000the\u3000sun\u3000was\u3000at\u3000its\u3000zenith\uff1b\u3000the\u3000boxes\u3000could\u3000be\u3000opened\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000As\u3000he\u3000turned\uff1b\u3000movement\u3000caught\u3000his\u3000eye\u3002\u3000The\u3000horse\u3000let\u3000out\u3000a\u3000terrified\u3000neigh\u3002\u3000Howls\u3000split\u3000the\u3000morning\u3000silence\u3002\u3000Heart\u3000hounds\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000drew\u3000his\u3000sword\u3000as\u3000they\u3000poured\u3000over\u3000the\u3000rock\u3002\u3000Before\u3000he\u3000could\u3000start\u3000for\u3000the\u3000horse\uff1b\u3000the\u3000hounds\u3000took\u3000it\u3000down\u3002\u3000In\u3000a\u3000dead\u3000run\uff1b\u3000more\u3000came\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3000Frozen\u3000in\u3000shock\u3000for\u3000only\u3000an\u3000instant\uff1b\u3000he\u3000leapt\u3000up\u3000onto\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000he\u3000had\u3000slept\u3000under\u3002\u3000The\u3000hounds\uff1b\u3000teeth\u3000snapping\uff1b\u3000bounded\u3000up\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000toward\u3000him\u3002\u3000He\u3000cut\u3000down\u3000the\u3000first\u3000wave\uff1b\u3000then\u3000retreated\u3000farther\u3000up\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000as\u3000more\u3000hounds\u3000came\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000swung\u3000the\u3000sword\uff1b\u3000cutting\u3000through\u3000them\u3000as\u3000they\u3000advanced\uff1b\u3000snarling\u3000and\u3000howling\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000It\u3000was\u3000like\u3000a\u3000sea\u3000of\u3000tan\u3000fur\uff1b\u3000ing\u3000for\u3000him\u3000in\u3000waves\u3002\u3000Frantically\uff1b\u3000he\u3000slashed\u3000and\u3000stabbed\u3000at\u3000them\uff1b\u3000trying\u3000to\u3000back\u3000away\u3000at\u3000the\u3000same\u3000time\u3002\u3000Hounds\u3000came\u3000over\u3000the\u3000rock\u3000behind\u3002\u3000He\u3000jumped\u3000to\u3000the\u3000side\u3000as\u3000the\u3000two\u3000groups\u3000crashed\u3000together\uff1b\u3000tearing\u3000at\u3000each\u3000other\u3000for\u3000the\u3000chance\u3000to\u3000be\u3000the\u3000first\u3000to\u3000get\u3000at\u3000his\u3000heart\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000climbed\u3000higher\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000the\u3000beasts\u3000back\uff1b\u3000killing\u3000any\u3000that\u3000got\u3000close\u3000enough\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000a\u3000futile\u3000effort\uff1b\u3000he\u3000knew\uff1b\u3000there\u3000were\u3000more\u3000than\u3000he\u3000would\u3000be\u3000able\u3000to\u3000hold\u3000back\u3002\u3000He\u3000released\u3000himself\u3000into\u3000the\u3000anger\u3000of\u3000the\u3000sword’s\u3000magic\uff1b\u3000fighting\u3000with\u3000fury\u3000as\u3000he\u3000advanced\u3000into\u3000their\u3000ranks\u3002\u3000He\u3000couldn’t\u3000fail\u3000Kahlan\uff1b\u3000not\u3000now\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000seemed\u3000filled\u3000with\u3000yellow\u3000teeth\uff1b\u3000all\u3000ing\u3000for\u3000him\u3002\u3000Blood\u3000from\u3000the\u3000killing\u3000was\u3000everywhere\u3002\u3000The\u3000world\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000red\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000And\u3000then\u3000it\u3000turned\u3000to\u3000flame\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Fire\u3000erupted\u3000all\u3000about\u3002\u3000Hounds\u3000howled\u3000in\u3000mortal\u3000pain\u3002\u3000The\u3000dragon\u3000roared\u3000in\u3000anger\u3002\u3000Scarlet’s\u3000shadow\u3000swept\u3000over\u3000him\u3002\u3000Richard’s\u3000sword\u3000cut\u3000through\u3000the\u3000hounds\u3000that\u3000came\u3000close\u3000enough\u3002\u3000The\u3000air\u3000smelled\u3000of\u3000blood\u3000and\u3000burning\u3000fur\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Scarlet’s\u3000claw\u3000gripped\u3000him\u3000around\u3000the\u3000middle\uff1b\u3000lifting\u3000him\u3000away\u3000from\u3000the\u3000leaping\uff1b\u3000snapping\u3000beasts\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000panted\u3000in\u3000exhaustion\u3000from\u3000the\u3000fierce\u3000fight\u3000as\u3000the\u3000dragon\u3000flew\u3000to\u3000a\u3000clearing\u3000on\u3000another\u3000mountain\u3002\u3000She\u3000set\u3000him\u3000gently\u3000on\u3000the\u3000ground\u3000and\u3000landed\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\uff1b\u3000nearly\u3000in\u3000tears\uff1b\u3000threw\u3000his\u3000arms\u3000against\u3000her\u3000red\u3000scales\uff1b\u3000stroking\u3000them\uff1b\u3000and\u3000laid\u3000his\u3000head\u3000against\u3000her\u3000\u3003Thank\u3000you\uff1b\u3000my\u3000friend\u3002\u3000You\u3000have\u3000saved\u3000my\u3000life\u3002\u3000You\u3000have\u3000saved\u3000many\u3000lives\u3002\u3000You\u3000are\u3000a\u3000dragon\u3000of\u3000honor\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003I\u3000made\u3000a\u3000bargain\uff1b\u3000that\u3000is\u3000all\u3002\u3003\u3000She\u3000snorted\u3000a\u3000puff\u3000of\u3000smoke\u3002\u3000\u3003Besides\uff1b\u3000someone\u3000has\u3000to\u3000help\u3000you\uff1b\u3000you\u3000can’t\u3000seem\u3000to\u3000stay\u3000out\u3000of\u3000trouble\u3000on\u3000your\u3000own\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000smiled\u3002\u3000\u3003You\u3000are\u3000the\u3000most\u3000beautiful\u3000beast\u3000I\u3000have\u3000ever\u3000seen\u3002\u3003\u3000Still\u3000panting\u3000as\u3000he\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000catch\u3000his\u3000breath\uff1b\u3000he\u3000pointed\u3000to\u3000the\u3000plateau\u3002\u3000\u3003Scarlet\uff1b\u3000I\u3000need\u3000to\u3000get\u3000to\u3000the\u3000People’s\u3000Palace\u3002\u3000Will\u3000you\u3000take\u3000me\uff1f\u3000Please\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003You\u3000didn’t\u3000find\u3000your\u3000friends\uff1f\u3000Your\u3000brother\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000He\u3000swallowed\u3000the\u3000lump\u3000in\u3000his\u3000throat\u3002\u3000\u3003My\u3000brother\u3000has\u3000betrayed\u3000me\u3002\u3000Betrayed\u3000me\uff1b\u3000and\u3000everyone\uff1b\u3000to\u3000Darken\u3000Rahl\u3002\u3000I\u3000wish\u3000people\u3000had\u3000half\u3000the\u3000honor\u3000of\u3000dragons\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Scarlet\u3000gave\u3000a\u3000grumble\uff1b\u3000vibrating\u3000the\u3000scales\u3000on\u3000her\u3000throat\u3002\u3000\u3003I’m\u3000sorry\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000Cypher\u3002\u3000Climb\u3000on\u3002\u3000I\u3000will\u3000take\u3000you\u3002\u3003
\n\u3000
\n\u3000The\u3000dragon\u3000made\u3000slow\uff1b\u3000steady\u3000strokes\u3000of\u3000her\u3000wings\uff1b\u3000lifting\u3000him\u3000above\u3000the\u3000sea\u3000of\u3000clouds\u3000that\u3000covered\u3000the\u3000Azrith\u3000Plains\uff1b\u3000carrying\u3000him\u3000to\u3000the\u3000last\u3000place\u3000in\u3000the\u3000world\u3000he\u3000would\u3000wish\u3000to\u3000go\uff1b\u3000had\u3000he\u3000a\u3000choice\u3002\u3000The\u3000journey\uff1b\u3000which\u3000would\u3000have\u3000taken\u3000him\u3000a\u3000good\u3000part\u3000of\u3000the\u3000day\u3000on\u3000a\u3000horse\uff1b\u3000took\u3000less\u3000than\u3000an\u3000hour\u3000on\u3000the\u3000dragon\u3002\u3000She\u3000folded\u3000her\u3000wings\u3000back\uff1b\u3000diving\u3000toward\u3000the\u3000plateau\u3002\u3000The\u3000wind\u3000tore\u3000at\u3000his\u3000clothes\u3000as\u3000she\u3000plunged\u3000downward\u3002\u3000From\u3000the\u3000air\uff1b\u3000Richard\u3000could\u3000see\u3000how\u3000big\u3000the\u3000People’s\u3000Palace\u3000really\u3000was\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000hard\u3000to\u3000believe\u3000it\u3000had\u3000been\u3000made\u3000by\u3000men\uff1b\u3000it\u3000seemed\u3000beyond\u3000even\u3000a\u3000dream\u3002\u3000It\u3000was\u3000like\u3000the\u3000biggest\u3000of\u3000cities\uff1b\u3000all\u3000melted\u3000together\u3000into\u3000one\u3000plex\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Scarlet\u3000flew\u3000once\u3000around\u3000the\u3000plateau\uff1b\u3000past\u3000towers\uff1b\u3000walls\uff1b\u3000and\u3000roofs\u3002\u3000They\u3000flashed\u3000past\u3000in\u3000endless\u3000variety\uff1b\u3000making\u3000him\u3000dizzy\u3002\u3000She\u3000lifted\u3000over\u3000the\u3000outer\u3000wall\uff1b\u3000and\u3000swooped\u3000down\u3000into\u3000a\u3000vast\u3000courtyard\uff1b\u3000fluttering\u3000her\u3000wings\u3000to\u3000stop\u3000their\u3000descent\u3002\u3000There\u3000were\u3000no\u3000guards\uff1b\u3000no\u3000people\uff1b\u3000to\u3000be\u3000seen\u3002
\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000slid\u3000down\u3000her\u3000red\u3000scales\uff1b\u3000landing\u3000on\u3000his\u3000feet\u3000with\u3000a\u3000thump\u3002\u3000She\u3000swept\u3000her\u3000head\u3000about\uff1b\u3000then\u3000tilted\u3000it\u3000down\uff1b\u3000gazing\u3000at\u3000him\u3002\u3000Her\u3000ears\u3000swiveled\u3000forward\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000CHAPTER\u300049
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n \n
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000\u3003Richard\uff01\u3003\u3000Rahl\u3000shrieked\u3002\u3000\u3003What\u3000have\u3000you\u3000done\uff01\u3003
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000Richard\u3000nodded\u3000as\u3000he\u3000straightened\u3002\u3000He\u3000looked\u3000deep\u3000into\u3000his\u3000brother’s\u3000eyes\u3000as\u3000he\u3000took\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000away\u3002\u3000Richard\u3000pulled\u3000the\u3000anger\u3000back\uff1b\u3000tried\u3000to\u3000make\u3000the\u3000sword\u3000turn\u3000white\u3002\u3000It\u3000\u2026would\u3000not\u3002\u3000He\u3000slid\u3000the\u3000blade\u3000home\u3000into\u3000its\u3000scabbard\u3002
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
\n\u3000\u3003But\u3000he\u3000will\u3000return\uff1f\u3003
\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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\n\u3000
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