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Belarr was a Red-Jeweled Warlord He’d kno to protect Ranon’s Wood He’d keep Reyna and the boys safe

Except they weren’t boys anyh to die

He sed hard, afraid he was going to be sick

"Lord?" The old woman patted his arm

Jared opened his eyes His vision blurred when he saw her concern

"II do not understand this Darkness that the Blood honor," she said hesitantly "It is notevil?"

"No," he replied wearily "It’s not evil"

"Then may it watch over you, Lord, and protect you"

Jared tried to smile "Thank you"

She walked around the counter and took his arm "Come I’ll walk you to the butcher’s"

"I can find it"

She led him out of the store "I’ll walk you"

Blaed took one look at hi?"

Jared shook his head He called in the silver marks and handed them to Blaed "Go to the tavern and see if you can buy a few bottles of brandy and whiskey That should be enough I’ll get the ood idea to dull our wits? Blaed asked

It’s always a good idea to dull pain

Jared followed the old woman to the butcher’s There were a fewa man in a bloodstained apron

The old wo "This Lord would like to buy soood and kind"

S, the old woman reached up and patted Jared’s cheek "Some of them truly are"

Jared turned back to the man in time to see his startled expression shift to a , Lord?" the butcher asked once they’d entered the shop and the slass-enclosed counter was between them

"Yes"

"Got some beef that would cook up just fine over a fire"

"That’s fine"

"Got soes, too Quick and easy in a skillet"

"Fine" Jared watched the butcher efficiently select and wrap up the es When Jared said nothing, he cut and wrapped more meat

"I don’t think you want o bad before you could eat it, even with old marks and handed two of them to the butcher

"That’s too much, Lord"

"It doesn’t old old h here two days ago They were looking for a pedlar’s wagon and a group of travelers A vicious witch, they said Dangerous Thought sheto Shalador for soht be with her"

Jared finally focused his attention "And what did you tell them?"

"What could I tell theh here, had they?"

His attention sharpened "And now?"

"Now?" The butcher shrugged "What could I tell theon or a witch Two Lords rode in to buy supplies Who can tell what Territory they came from? Was busy with my shop, wasn’t I? Didn’t see what direction they came fromor what direction they took when they rode out"

"Thank you," Jared said quietly

The butcher hesitated, scratched his jaw "Even in a tucked-away village like this, we hear things You know?"

Jared nodded