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They had the usual questions about dying of hunger on the way--he told the Firemaids, there should still be some left in the Star Tunnel--and of course, there were the demen themselves

"Now, you can help yourself to a little ofdemen You can clean out this cut, while you’re at it"

Nothing like bat saliva for speeding healing, he’d found Even Nilrasha thought it was disgusting, but she couldn’t argue the result--the wounds healed thrice as fast with only the faintest of scars

Thinking he’d done a good day’s work, he told the thralls he would have an extra haunch of roast pork for supper And perhaps a second or even third helping of that wine his adoptive grandmother used to be so fond of He had blood to make up

All the while heup from the kitchens made it very hard to keep hislulled hi cave-watch trick of digging sii into saa to stay awake

Unfortunately, dinner was spoiled by one of his thralls, the fe staff She was a massive creature, as wide as she was tall, almost white hair bound up in a Tyr’s household kerchief

"Oh, sir One of e odds and ends in your wizard’s sleeping chae devices, but ondered about this"

A si man, probably one of her family, moved forith a bundle wrapped in a blanket He unrolled it before his Tyr

There was rope, a mallet on a lanyard, spikes, food, waterskins, hooks, spiked shoes with soft fronts for gripping

"I know a runaway being planned when I sees it," the old wo’s quarters?"

"Aye, sir All between two boards in his bed under thearound when she h job cleaning"

The Copper thanked her and told her to help herself to whatever shein the Tyr’s larder

He didn’t finish the meal with the same appetite as he’d started it

Later, the Copper invited Rayg out into the gardens, so they ht of the flow Other dragons and drakes and drakka enjoying the gardens and the fading light at the crystal circle in the topto the banquet pit and showed hi, these were found in your quarters Tell ood Drakine

"False claws, lines--this is cli said

"Well"

Rayg lifted one of the spike-studded shoes "See the rust Years old"

"You were planning an escape"

"I had enerous?"

Rayg wasn’t behaving like a thief caught by his owner dragon They ardens "Oh, I’ll take you over the barbarians, of course You are fair You’ve been very generous to my family They’re prosperous and happy The tion became Tyr, howeverMust I say it?"

"I intend to be Tyr for a good many years yet" It didn’t do to ons

"It seems a Tyr doesn’t always have a choice You’re the third Tyr since I’ve been here, I believe"

"Rayg, you’re a great help to me Indeed, invaluable If you were to run away and be killed in the Wind Tunnel, as I’ll hazard this gear is meant to ascend--"

"Oh, no I won’t run away on you, RuGaard"

For a thrall to use a dragon’s nalanced around, but if anyone was trying to listen to the conversation they were as stealthy as his bats The banquet area was eive orders that you’re allowed to have whatever sort of equip I’ll say it’s for your experi old junk"