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Karnadas grimaced ’He does not know my true title, sir There are reasons for that I ae of Fener’s priesthood No, more than impressed I am stunned’
The man seemed to flinch ’Well, yes Thank you’ He turned to study Brukhalian ’You’re the god’s Mortal Sword’ He paused then, and it was as if the full significance of that title only now struck hoht I think the warlord would endorse e to you In fact, I have no doubt at all Good’ He drew a breath, then resumed ’Caladan Brood leads an are -- as I’m sure you well understand -- is not only inevitable, it is i there in time-’
’Sir,’ Brukhalian interrupted, frowning, ’how large is Caladan Brood’s ar perhaps sixty thousand Pannions -- veterans one and all Does he grasp the enerously wishes to enter on our behalf?’
’Well, we don’t have the nurinned -- ’bringing a few surprises with us Now, Destriant -- we need to reconvene I need to bring the warlord and his officers in on this Can I suggest we resume this conversation in a bell’s time?’
’Perhaps it would be best to postpone it until the dead of night, sir,’ Brukhalian said ’My daylight hours are rather full -- and public As are Prince Jelarkan’s’
Quick Ben nodded ’Two bells before next dawn, then’ He glanced around all of a sudden ’I’ll need a bigger tent …’
A moment later he faded from view The sphere contracted once more, then slowly vanished at a wave from Karnadas The Destriant turned to Brukhalian ’This was unexpected’
The Mortal Sword grunted ’We must be certain to condition the prince, sir Perhaps this warlord’s arhtly, but it will probably achieve little else Wewe tell him’
We’ll not win this war Aye No false hopes here
Brukhalian asked, ’What think you of this Quick Ben?’
’A man of e was too precise’
’Many souls, within one, you said’
Karnadas shivered ’I must have been mistaken,’ he said ’Perhaps the ritual required the assistance of other es, and it was these that I sensed’
Brukhalian studied his priest long and hard at that, but said nothing He turned away after a moment ’You look exhausted, sir Get some sleep’