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Sleete attacked, sword lancing forward in a straight thrust delivered for ue, a bold strike, ht in tande toward Gawyn’s left Marlesh was the only other Warder in Dorian--and his arrival had been far less draroup of eleven Aes Sedai who had escaped Dumai’s Wells, and he had stayed with the Domani Green named Vasha, watched idly from the side of the barn

Gawyn countered The Viper Flicks Its Tongue with Cat Dances on the Wall, knocking aside the strike and going for the legs in one sweep It wasn’t intended to hit, however; it was a defensive move, meant to enable him to keep an eye on both opponents Marlesh tried Leopard’s Caress, but Gawynaside the blow and waiting for another froerous of the two Sleete repositioned, taking smooth steps, his blade to the side as he set his back to the massive piles of hay at the rear of the stuffy barn

Gawyn bird Kisses the Honeyrose Huht forainst someone on the defensive, but Marlesh was obviously tired of being parried He was getting eager Gawyn could use that And would

Sleete was advancing again Gawyn brought his sword back in to guard as the Warders approached in tandem Gawyn immediately moved into Apple Blosso a wide-eyed Marlesh back Marlesh cursed, throwing hiht his sword up from the previous form and moved flu-idly into Shake Dew from the Branch He stepped forward into a series of six sharp blows, three at each opponent, knocking Marlesh back and to the ground--theSleete’s blade aside twice, then ending with his blade against the man’s neck

The two Warders looked at Gawyn, shocked They had borne similar expressions the last time Gawyn had defeated them, and the time before that Sleete carried a heron-endary in the White Tower for his prowess He was said to have bested even Lan Man-dragoran twice out of seven bouts, back when Mandragoran had been known to spar with other Warders Marlesh wasn’t as renowned as his companion, but he was still a fully capable and trained Warder, no easy foe

But Gawyn had won Again Things see The world contracted down--co smaller and easier to see from up close All Gawyn had ever wanted was to protect Elayne He wanted to defend Andor Maybe learn to be a little more like Galad

Why couldn’t life be as sied before you The prize obvious: survival When ht, they connected You became brothers as you traded blows

Gawyn re it He offered a hand to Marlesh, who took it, shaking his head as he stood "You are reht, color and shadohen youa stick when I face you"

Sleete said nothing as he sheathed his oord, but he did nod his head to Gawyn in respect--just as he had the last two tiht He was a man of feords Gawyn appreciated that

In the corner of the barn there was a half-barrel filled ater, and the s, hurriedly dipped a ladleful and handed it to Gawyn Gawyn gave it to Sleete The older ain and took a drink while Marlesh took a cup off the dusty sill and got hi, Trakand," the short man continued, "we’ll need to find you a blade with some herons on it No one should have to face you without knohat they’re getting into!"

"I’ the ladle back fro a drink It arood Less of a shock, more natural

"You killed Hammar, didn’t you?" Marlesh asked

Gawyn hesitated The si, was already cru "Yes"

"Well, then you’re a blademaster," Marlesh said "Should have taken his shen he fell"

"It wasn’t respectful," Gawyn said "Besides, I didn’t have tih Gawyn hadn’t intended one He glanced over at Sleete, atching him with curious eyes

A rustle of skirts announced the approach of Vasha The Green had long black hair and striking green eyes that at ti, Marlesh?" she asked with a faintly Domani accent

Marlesh chuckled "You should be happy to seeyour neck a couple of times on the battlefield"

She sniffed and raised an eyebroyn had rarely seen an Aes Sedai and Warder with as casual a relationship as these two "Co toward the open barn doors "I want to see what has been keeping Narenwin and the others so long indoors It sed and tossed the cup to Corbet "Whatever they’re deciding, I hope it involvesaround in this city with those soldiers creeping up on us If it gets any more tense in camp, I’m likely to run off and join the Tinkers"

Gawyn nodded at that comment It had been weeks since he’d last dared send the Younglings to raid Bryne’s search parties were getting closer and closer to the city, and that allowed fewer and fewer rides out across the countryside

Vasha passed out the doors, but Gawyn could still hear her say, "You can sound like such a child at ti farewell to Gawyn and Sleete before stepping out of the barn

Gawyn shook his head, refilling the ladle and taking another drink "Those two re so much as a brother and sister at times"

Sleete smiled

Gawyn replaced the ladle, nodded to Corbet, then s’ eveningdistributed properly So when they should have been eating

As he left, however, Sleete reached out and took his arm Gawyn looked back in surprise

"Hattori only has one Warder," the man said in