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"Syrani, you seem different" I tried not to sound callous "I mean, at ease I didn’t think you liked my clan You called us barbarians"

Her mouth opened and her hands flew out in front of her "Oh, I know I’e I’ure ether and began pacing back and forth "Your clan is…yes…backwards and a little barbaric, but Thalia! No one knoho I am"

"They know you are a Denai, Syrani," I cocked my head to the side and crossed my arms

"Of course they know that It’s obvious byabout e They don’t treat me any different than…um, you"

"Why would they? My clan doesn’t care about the Denai or their culture at all"

"Exactly! They don’t know that my father is a powerful leader, or that we’re rich I’ve never been allowed to do anything, because I had to have a servant do it all I’ve always been expected to do whatever my family wanted I’ve never cooked, cleaned, sewn All of those things you did at the Citadel, I would never even be allowed to touch, or it would get back tome learn to bake and sew But once I burned the bread, she had e shed and I found the potter’s wheel Fenri pulled it out and I’ve been at it for days With s even without the wheel But I’d never be able to sell it or trade it or let anyone know Iorders They want so I’ve rabbed my hands and did a little dance in excite more than a few jureat!"

"I know I think so too!" Syrani flung her arms around my neck and--after a briefI just needed a breath of fresh air before I went back to work The air up here in the mountains feels different than back home and it smells wonderful" She waved at me and headed back to the main road

I suspected that the real difference was freedom I was completely humbled by what I’d just witnessed--and a little unsettled Was that all it took to change Syrani? A chance to be so other than what she was raised to be?

Isn’t that what I wanted? Suddenly I was jealous of her happiness and wanted a chance to start over too

Reluctantly, I waited over the next hour It had grown dark A slight chill filled the air, but I refused tostomach didn’t deter me from my mission I did find a barrel and move it close to thejust under the sill It was a perfect solution for s It seeht with if it ca the Denai had been won over and voted to pledge allegiance to Calandry along with quite a few others But there were still a good portion that refused to side with Queen Lilyana, while others wanted to remain neutral

TwiceTieren continued sending to Valdyrstal

I had never seen anyone ever co place in the o when my father had watched the pass, and he rode into the mountains with Odin and Fenri They’d refused to let ? Had ers froe bea and I placed ht of Kael Please, stay strong Kael I’ for you I prorateful for our bond Because noas I did

Slow tears fell upon ht since I lost hiuilt and worry would fall every night until I found hih my head, and I couldn’t help but feel overwhel me answers Because if I didn’t hear froo to find Kael myself