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6752dec
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We have a long ride ahead of us tonight, and you wouldn't want to regret your first good meal in days." I thought as I picked up a spoon, but I didn't say it out loud--it felt disloyal somehow. Then the sense of what he'd said sank in, and I almost lost my appetite again. "How long to the capital?" "We will arrive sometime tomorrow morning," he said. I grimaced down at my soup, then braced myself up, thinking that I'd better eat, hungry or..
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Sherwood Smith |
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e108d50
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I was sicker than I'd ever been in a short but healthy life, so sick I couldn't sleep but lay watching imaginary bugs crawl up the walls. And of course it had to be while I was like this--just about the lowest I'd sunk yet--that the Marquis of Shevraeth chose to reappear in my life. It was not long after the single bell toll that means midnight and first-white-candle. Very suddenly the door opened, and a tall, glittering figure walked in, h..
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Sherwood Smith |
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c807ee3
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Where are we going?" I asked as he helped me down the stairs. "Stable. One chance of getting out is there--if we're fast." Neither of us wasted any more breath. He had to look around constantly while bearing my weight. I concentrated on walking. At the stable, servants were running back and forth on errands, but we made our way slowly along the wall of a long, low building toward a row of elegant town carriages. I murmured, "Don't tell me...
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Sherwood Smith |
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5f2a012
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As I emerged onto a lovely brick-patterned street some of the noise I heard resolved into music. My steps turned automatically that way, and I saw an inn, its windows bright with golden light, its doors wide open. As always when I heard music, my heart felt light and the tiredness in my body diminished. This was good music, too, not just the awkward plunkings and tweetings that served merely to mark the right melody for enthusiastic but unt..
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Sherwood Smith |
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f6ac1c4
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Awareness came back slowly, and not very pleasantly. First were all the aches and twinges, then the dizziness, and last the sensation of movement. Before I even opened my eyes I realized that once again I was on a horse, clasped upright by an arm. The Marquis again? Memories came flooding back--the dungeon, the Baron's horrible promise, then the knife and Shevraeth's comment about timing. The Marquis had saved me, with about the closest tim..
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Sherwood Smith |
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73c8d34
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It took one long, desperate week to prove just how wrong was my prophecy. "The revolution is not over," Branaric said seriously some ten days later. But even this--after a long, horrible day of real fighting, a desperate run back into the familiar hills of Tlanth, and the advent of rain beating on the tent over our heads--failed to keep Branaric serious for long. His mouth curved wryly as he added, "And today's action was not a rout, it was..
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Sherwood Smith |
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ca602b0
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We'll burn those old clothes, my lady--they're ruined." And she pointed to where she'd laid out a long, heavy cotton shirt, and one of the blue and black-and-white tunics, and a pair of leggings. Renselaeus's colors. "I don't mind putting that dress back on, dirty or not," I said. "I'm used to dirt." She gave me a friendly shrug but shook her head. "Orders." I considered that as I rinsed the last of the sandsoap from my hair and twisted it ..
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Sherwood Smith |
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633a700
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So there I was, light-headed with hunger, footsore, with the perimeter of safety having closed to about ten paces around me, and the Marquis of Shevraeth standing just on the other side of the wall. At least he didn't--yet--know it. As if in answer, I heard the of footsteps on the tiled floor directly above me. Someone else had been listening at a window and was now moving about. To come downstairs? Would the searchers go to the front or ..
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Sherwood Smith |
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d079473
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Can you second-guess this Shevraeth?" Branaric asked. "He seems to be driving us back into our hills--to what purpose? Why hasn't he taken over any of our villages? He knows where they lie--and he has the forces. If he does that, traps or no traps, arrows or no arrows, we're lost. We won't be able to retake them." Khesot puffed again, watching smoke curl lazily toward the tent roof. In my mind I saw, clearly, that straight-backed figure on ..
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Sherwood Smith |
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b8638ab
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For those first days it had taken all my energy just to keep up and not embarrass myself. But the regular food, and the rest, had restored a lot of my energy, and with it came curiosity. I said tentatively, "You know, I have one or two questions..." Amol's eyelids lifted like he was thinking, and Snap took her underlip firmly between her teeth. She seemed to have the quickest temper, but she was also the first to laugh. Both of them turne..
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Sherwood Smith |
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e659ab3
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I take it your revolt is not engineered for the benefit of your fellow-nobles, or as an attempt to reestablish your mother's blood claim through the Calahanras family. Wherefore is it, then?" I looked up in surprise. "There ought to be no mystery obscuring our reasons. Did you not trouble to read the letter we sent to Galdran Merindar before he sent Debegri against us? It was addressed to the entire Court, and our reasons were stated as pla..
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Sherwood Smith |
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eb1a590
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There were cushioned benches on either side of the fire, and directly before it a great carved chair. Shevraeth rose from one of the benches, making a gesture of welcome. Indicating the chair, in which sat a straight-backed old man dressed in black velvet, he said, "Father, I have the honor of introducing Lady Meliara Astiar." And to me, in the suavest voice, as if I hadn't flung a candleholder at his head just a little while before, "Lady ..
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Sherwood Smith |
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64ae8fb
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The less said about that morning's ride, the better. I would have been uncomfortable even if I'd been riding with Branaric, for my leg ached steadily from the jarring of the horse's pace. To be riding along in the clasp of an enemy just made my spirits feel the worse.
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Sherwood Smith |
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fde1269
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The forestland thickened at one point, and without warning it opened onto a road. Fading back behind a screen of ferns, I watched the traffic. It appeared I'd reached a major crossroads. A stone marker at the intersection indicated the Akaeriki road downhill, and to the north lay the town of Thoresk. A town. Surely one anonymous female could lose herself in a town? And while she was at it, find some shelter? Big raindrops started plopping i..
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Sherwood Smith |
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c64a617
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In a slow, pleasant voice, Prince Alaerec asked mild questions--weather, travel, Bran's day and how he'd filled it. I stayed silent as the three of them worked away at this limping conversation. The Renselaeus father and son were skilled enough at nothing-talk, but poor Bran stumbled over half his words, sending frequent glances at me. In the past I'd often spoken for both of us, for truth was he felt awkward with his tongue and was somewha..
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Sherwood Smith |
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44aea8d
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I hopped over a little flower border. The blooms--ghostly white in the soft glow from the lamps around the park's circumference--ran up the brick walkway and gripped the stone lip of the fountain. I opened my mouth, leaned in, and took a deep gulp. And heard hooves. Boots. "You, there, girl! Halt!" Who in the ever halts when the enemy tells them to? Of course I took off in the opposite direction, as fast as I could: running across grass, ..
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Sherwood Smith |
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2343618
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The coach slowed. A moment later the door opened. "Countess," someone unfamiliar said. Feeling hot and cold at once, I slid from my pillow seat to the floor of the carriage and pushed my left leg carefully out, followed by my right. Then, sitting in the doorway, I looked up at two enormous soldiers, who reached down and took hold of my arms, one each. Positioned between them in a tight grip, I could make a pretense of walking. They fell in ..
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Sherwood Smith |
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6e7a2fb
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At some unseen signal the long line of guards around me stopped and their spears thudded to the floor with a noise that sounded like doom. Then a tall figure with a long black cloak walked past us, plumed and coroneted helm carried in his gloved right hand. For a moment I didn't recognize the Marquis; somewhere along the way he'd gotten rid of his anonymous clothing and was now clad in a long black battle tunic, Remalna's crowned sun stitch..
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Sherwood Smith |
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42aa461
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What?" I yelled. And I opened my mouth to complain , but I recalled a certain interview, not long ago, that had ended rather abruptly when a candleholder had--ah--changed hands. Grimacing, I said in a more normal voice, "When did this happen?" "That's the joke on us." Bran laughed. "They've been at it as long as we have. Longer, even." I looked from father to son and read nothing in those bland, polite faces. "Then...why...didn't you respo..
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Sherwood Smith |
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23503ce
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The dining room was formidably elegant--I couldn't take it in all at once. A swift glance gave the impression of the family colors, augmented by gold, blended with artistry and grace. The table was high, probably to accommodate the elderly Prince. The chairs, one for each diner, were especially fine--no angles, everything curves and ovals and pleasing lines. The meal, of course, was just as good. Again I left the others to work at a polite..
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Sherwood Smith |
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a4aa06e
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When it was done and he took the mess away to bury, I lay back and breathed deeply, doing my best to settle my boiling stomach. "All right," he said, "that's that. Now it's time to go, if we're to reach Lumm by green-change." He whistled, and the dapple-gray trotted obediently up, head tossing. I realized I ought to have been more observant about chances for escape, and I wondered if there were any chance of taking him by surprise now. Fir..
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Sherwood Smith |
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a95b19e
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I was fighting drowsiness when they finally emerged and started riding southward, again across the hills. I stared after them until my eyes watered. They kept disappearing beyond the hills but then eventually reappeared, each time getting smaller and smaller. Then they disappeared for a long time: another village or town. I made myself wait and watch. Again I was trying not to nod off when I saw a second line appear on the crest of a hill d..
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Sherwood Smith |
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f38ea58
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Then a step in the grass made me look up. The Marquis was right in front of me, and he was a lot taller than he looked seated across a campfire. In one hand were the horse's reins, and he held the other hand out in an offer to boost me up. I noticed again that his palm was crossed with calluses, indicating years of swordwork. I grimaced, reluctantly surrendering my image of the Court-bred fop who never lifted anything heavier than a fork. "..
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Sherwood Smith |
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88d9c78
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And as I watched the dancers moving unheeded around him, an idea formed in my mind, a reckless, useless, stupid idea, but one that promised such fun I could almost hear Bran's laughter. , I realized grimly. I was gloriously angry at the whole world--at the commander sitting there at his ease, at his numerous soldiery all looking for my dockside-rat self, at the Marquis for scorning us and our ideals, at the ordinary people for not caring th..
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Sherwood Smith |
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e6b748d
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If you're rebelling, then you must have someone in mind for the throne. Who?" Bran pointed across the table at Shevraeth. "He seems to want to do it, and I have to say, he'd be better at it than I." "No, he wouldn't," I said without thinking. Bran winced and rubbed his chin. "Mel..." "Please, my dear Lord Branaric," the Prince murmured. "Permit the lady to speak. I am interested to hear her thoughts on the matter." Rude as I'd been before, ..
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Sherwood Smith |
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65620f0
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Waking to the sound of the bells for third-gold, I found myself staring up at a pair of interested brown eyes. "She's awake!" my watcher called over her shoulder. Then she turned back to me and grinned. She had a pointed face, curly dark hair escaping from two short braids, and a merry voice as she said, "Splat!" She clapped her hands lightly. "We were fair guffered when you toppled right off Drith, facedown in the chickenyard mud. Lucky it..
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Sherwood Smith |
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f06d527
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Branaric filled his glass again. "So, what exactly is it you want from us?" "Alliance," Shevraeth said. "How that will translate into practical terms is this: You withdraw to your home, to all appearances willing to negotiate a truce. I shall do my best to prevail upon Galdran to accept this truce, and we can protract it on technicalities for as long as may be, which serves a double purpose--" "End the fighting, but honorably," Bran said, n..
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Sherwood Smith |
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8c4ea0f
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And after?" "As we discussed. Honor the Covenant. No more forced levies; tax reform; trade reestablished with the outside, minus the tariffs that went into the Merindar personal fortune. That's to start." Bran shrugged, rubbed his hands from his jaw to through his hair, then he turned to me. "Mel?" "I would prefer to discuss it later," I said. "What's to discuss?" Bran said, spreading his hands. "The little matter of the crown," Shevraeth s..
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Sherwood Smith |
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5987883
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And you really are the Countess of Tlanth?" I nodded. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Emis over on Nikaru Farm is going to be jealous when she finds out. She thinks she's so very fine a lady, just because she has a cousin in service at Athanarel and her brother in the Guard. There no news from Athanarel if doesn't know it first, or more of it than anyone." "What is the news?" I asked, feeling the old fear close round me. She pursed h..
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Sherwood Smith |
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63df570
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After a time Ara had to do her chores, leaving me on the porch with a fresh infusion of tea to drink, her garden to look at, and her words to consider. Not that I got very far. There were too many questions. Like: Where did those guards go? Azmus had overcome one, but I didn't remember having seen any more. Then there were the unlocked doors. The one to my cell could be explained away, but not the outside one. If there was a conspiracy, was..
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Sherwood Smith |
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408660c
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As I watched, two equerries in Renselaeus livery strode along the path, overtook the man, and addressed him. I watched with my heart thumping like a drum as the man spoke at some length, brushed his fingers against his face-- --and then gestured in the direction I had gone. Expecting the two equerries to immediately take off after me, I braced for a run. I thought, annoyed with myself. But the equerries both turned and walked swiftly bac..
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Sherwood Smith |
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44deaa5
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Until that morning most of the journey had been made in silence, our stops to eat and change horses--again, Renselaeus beneficence: all we had to do was mention their name, and the horses were instantly available--too brief for much converse. When we did stop, we were both too tired to talk. But that day the roads were too muddy for fast travel, and Branaric suddenly turned to me and asked for my story, so I gave him a detailed description ..
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Sherwood Smith |
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1583073
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When we were finished, the Prince said, "Have you any further questions concerning the matter we discussed last night?" "One." While I felt no qualms about being rude to his son, I was reluctant to treat the elderly man the same. "You really have been planning this for a long time?" "For most of my life." "Then why didn't you respond? Offer to help us--at least offer a place in your alliance--when Bran and I sent our letter to the King at t..
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Sherwood Smith |
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9922818
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There's no use in talking about the plan, because of course nothing went the way it was supposed to. Even the passage of time was horribly distorted. At first the ride to the hill seemed endless, with me sneaking looks at my brother, who was increasingly unsteady in his saddle. The Marquis insisted on riding in front of us the last little distance, where we saw a row of four horse riders waiting--the outer two bearing banners, dripping from..
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Sherwood Smith |
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af5804e
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I found Bran in the courtyard below. Two fresh, mettlesome horses awaited us, and Bran had a bag at his belt. Shevraeth himself was there to bid us farewell--a courtesy I could have done without. Impatient to be gone, I stayed silent as he and my brother exchanged some last words. Then, at last, Shevraeth stepped back. "Do you remember the route?" Bran nodded. "Well enough. My thanks again--" He looked over at me, then sighed. "Another time..
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Sherwood Smith |
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c72d62c
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I do not like to remember that trip. Not that I was awake for much of it--for which I am grateful. I kept sliding in and out of consciousness, and believe me, the were much more welcome than the I knew that Chovilun Fortress lay at the base of the mountains on the Akaeriki River, which bisects the kingdom, but I didn't know how long it took to reach it. All I can report is that I felt pretty sick, nearly as sick as I'd been when I fell i..
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Sherwood Smith |
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926587f
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The less said about that morning's ride, the better. I would have been uncomfortable even if I'd been riding with Branaric, for my leg ached steadily from the jarring of the horse's pace. To be riding along in the clasp of an enemy just made my spirits feel the worse. We only had one conversation, right at the start, when he apologized for the discomfort of the ride and reminded me that there would be a carriage--and reasonable comfort--bef..
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Sherwood Smith |
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f189a94
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Our horses plunged up the trail. "Go on...Go!" Bran jerked one hand toward the mountains, then swayed in his saddle. Another arrow sang overhead. "I won't leave you," I snapped. "Go. Our people...Carry on the fight." "Bran--" In answer he yanked the reins on his terrified horse, which lunged toward mine. Gritting his teeth, he leaned out and whipped the ends of his reins across the mare's shoulder. " " My mount panicked, leaped forward. My ..
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Sherwood Smith |
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f404f40
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The riders fanned out, but my immediate escort rode straight to the overhanging rusty roof that formed a rudimentary barn. The Marquis dismounted and stretched out his hand to grip the bridle of my horse. "Inside," he said to me. I dismounted. Again the ground seemed to heave beneath my feet, but I leaned against the shoulders of my mount until the world steadied, and then I straightened up. The Marquis walked toward the open doorway. In a ..
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Sherwood Smith |
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c3c2b74
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There was no time to react, of course. My heart gave one great thump and scampered like the rat they'd called me as the gray rode on unchecked, followed by the remainder of the cavalcade. Ahead of me, the oxen drivers and their children moved back slowly onto the road, the adults exclaiming and wondering what was going on, and the children whooping and waving imaginary swords. The only thought in my mind was to put as much distance as possi..
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Sherwood Smith |
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c85420f
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He was right! Said you'd go straight after 'em, sword and knife. What's with you?" "You said, 'A trap.' I thought it was " I muttered through suddenly numb lips. "Wasn't it?" "Didn't you see the riding of greeners?" Bran retorted. "It was Debegri, right enough. He had paid informants in those inns, for he was on the watch for your return. Why d'you think Vidanric sent the escort?" "Vidanric?" "His name," Branaric said, still staring at me ..
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Sherwood Smith |
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018ae1a
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I sat where I was and waged a short fierce inner battle. Either I could sit and sulk--in which case they would want to know why--or I could go out there, pretend nothing was amiss, and do what needed doing. The table in the Marquis's room was set for the three of us. I sniffed the air, which was pleasant with the summer-grass smell of brewing listerblossom. Somehow this eased my sore spirits just a little. I knelt down next to my brother, w..
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Sherwood Smith |
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b3af8cf
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When I reached the end of the patch of forest I was ready to run out into the bright sunshine--but before I'd passed the last tree I saw a line of riders racing across a distant field. Ducking instinctively behind the tree, I peered over a branch, shading my eyes against the glare of the sun, and saw that they rode in two-by-two formation, and that they were not following any road. Now, it have been the riders had nothing to do with me, b..
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Sherwood Smith |
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6d92576
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When the guards cut me loose I fell like an old bundle of laundry onto the stone courtyard, and once again hands gripped my upper arms and yanked me upright. This time I made no pretense of walking as I was borne into a dank tunnel, then down steep steps into an even danker, nasty-smelling chamber. And what I saw around me was a real, true-to-nightmare dungeon. Shackles, iron baskets, various prods and knives and whips and other instrument..
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Sherwood Smith |