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Each drop lost left her shuddering harder, even more desperate The pain of her injuries maddened her

"You oddess said in answer "And reaped what you sohen you disobeyed those you were born to obey Why should I help you?"

Because I've only lived sixteen years, Lucia thought, but she knew that wouldn't sway Skathi, a ti who could scarcely comprehend death - or youth

"Because I'll do whatever you ask ofworse; the altar beneath her was so cold "P-pay any price"

"If I saved you, I would i like you would bear my mark of favor and be tied to the bow forever," Skathi said, strolling to an opening overlooking her uarded by miles of deadly woods that sed unwary travelers Lucia barely reed her across portals and dales for days

"Lucia, I' you to Skathi!"

"She will not help"

"She will! The Skathians fight him every five hundred years"

Thunder boooddess "Where my followers have sacrificed to becoifted withskills An unequaled archer, better than them all Why do you think you're worthy of that? When they have trained so hard? When they are pure of heart - and body?"

The Skathians lived by an ascetic code - and despised men I understand why now

"They are not tainted as you are," Skathi continued "As you willingly offered yourself up to be"

Dim memories arose of her last nine days as prisoner of Crom Cruach - the Broken Bloody One, a el Had that animal bitten her? She refused to look down at her body, but she suspected he'd gnawed at her skin once she'd blacked out And that she'd fought him before she'd mindlessly jumped from his lair - chunks of scaly flesh were still embedded beneath her claws

Lucia ruthlessly stamped out those visions of her captivity She would never let herself reht

What happened in the dark Blood streahs

"I didn't know I never knew" Regret washed over her "I'll s-sacrifice anything, Skathi"

"Gifts froods always come with a price Are you ready to pay mine?"

Lucia nodded weakly "I can become p-pure hearted And I'll shun ain

"Virgin fro moment, Skathi said, "You escaped the Broken Bloody One this ti you leap - yet Cruach will come for you in the next Accession if he escapes his jail"

Yes, but by that time I'll be truly immortal I'll run farther, faster

"He shall ht him"

"I want to fight hiain

"Every five hundred years, he would become your bane and you his jailer"

"Let oddess? But Lucia was desperate

Skathi's face took on a thoughtful mien "Yes, I have decided to heal you andas you reet, you shall experience the pain you are about to suffer You shall always reht you this low and never repeat this fall frorace That will make you a Skathian"