Page 7 (1/2)

The Fireblade reen

"As best as best can be," Vank said, when she alighted to hear the news "We told theet back on their side of the river, or there would be bloodshed and unceasing war so long as man dared walk in our woods"

"That’s the way to treat ainst his ss! Fierce enough until they ht Then they tuck tail and scuttle Scuttle!"

"Aye!" another barked

"And?" Wistala asked, ignoring the byplay

Vankhis arreed to withdraw True! Their prospectors, who thought they found gold, were mistaken in any case ‘Profitless mine,’ they said" Vank had to use Parl to quote them accurately "No profit! No profit! Ghioz never one They proht!"

Only Horblikklak seerunted, as he sent outhis warriors into position "Too many s her wings Maybe she should take one ht around the Fireblades as they entered the thickest part of the forest

"Onea pile of rock in thick-axled wagon, covered by tarp and guarded, in the center of ca!"

Chapter 3

"Tyr, you have won another victory," the th of his sides The stretched skin against his sides where his wings would soon eon, Tyr of the Lavadoonfumes of the Lower World, Courses Wet and Dry, Sunned and Cavenighted, the Three Lines, Seven Hills, Grand Guardian of Egg and Hatchling, Scale and Song, Fiery Heritage and Winged Future, as that gassy firebladder NoSohoth liked to style hi the old sand-floored dueling arena He dis his teeth

The projection, once used to attach the ropes and pulleys thralls needed to extract a deceased loser from a duel--a duel in theory could be stopped at any tions made it a point of honor to die rather than cry vanquished--was still being rendered fit for a Tyr Thrall artisans, under direction from NoSohoth, had s in etchwork of the pleasing laudi-like designs coainst the Dragonblade

The Copper preferred to hold court in the old dueling pit He’d killed the Dragonblade here, but happier was the -riders fell The chaons, and it ardens at the top of Ions, and yes, even the occasional free thrall, ished an audience