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"I will pass, thank you If you’ll excuse us," Elle said

The hag leaned on aat Elle "You have fire, yes Your heart will surely last er"

Elle started to turn Roselanced at Severin, he nodded

When Elle clucked to Rose, wind blasted her and a skeletal tree cracked and fell in the path,both Rosemerry and Fidele shy

"Ah-ah-ah I did not say you could leave, dearie It’s been too long since I’ve supped on a ether as she lurched closer

Severin was off Fidele in one s between Elle and the crone with his rapier thrust at the old worowled

The crone snarled "I have no need for men Leave, boy"

"No," Severin said

The hag stopped shuffling and regarded Severin The white color of her eyes seehter are you? Won’t do you any good Stand aside or I’ll curse you"

"It’s a little late for that," Severin said, crouching in what Elle recognized as a sword stance

The hag chuckled,the hair on Elle’s arms prickle "Heroics will only see you dead," she said, her voice growing darker until she sounded like the ru but child’s play; I can forge so picked at by crows--they’ll start with your eyeballs of course--or how about being buried alive? Maybe I’ll imprison your spirit and you can serveyou whole Oh, I do so love to be gruesome"

"Severin," Elle said

"Be still," Severin ordered

"But in the end, ut you and tan your hide You wouldher skinny neck

When Severin took another step towards the crone she raised her staff Again the wind buffeted Severin and Elle, pelting thehed

The crone hugged herself while Severin and Elle recovered Her laugh broke into a shriek when Severin nailed her shoulder with a hand axe Elle hadn’t seen hi screa stick in the air "You shall pay for that, beast!" she spat, her staff starting to glow the same curdled color as her eyes

Severin struck like a snake, stabbing his sword in the wo it upwards