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He paused in his search for his surcoat, glanced over The woone deathly white

’I–I voice the Reve’s Thirteenth Law I request … rightful punish

’Punishment, sir? What was your crie From Rath’Fener’s acolyte’ She reeled at her oords, arainst the door ’Fener forgive me! I sent the Mortal Sword to his death!’

Itkovian’s eyes thinned as he studied her ’You are the recruit who accos on the last excursion onto the plain My apologies, sir, for not recognizing you earlier I should have anticipated the intervening … experience, writ so clearly upon your face I deny your voicing the Reve, soldier Now, find us that orderly, and the apprentice’

’But sir-’

’Brukhalian was not deceived Do you understand? Moreover, your presence here evinces your innocence in the matter Had you been party to the betrayal, you would have ridden with hily Now go We cannot wait herethe tears now streaking her mud-spattered face, the Shield Anvil slowly made his way to a heap of discarded ar about, opened the door and fled out into the hallway

Itkovian paused in his hobbling He glanced over at the sleeping cutters ’I arief,’ he intoned in a whisper ’I am my vow incarnate This, and in all that follows We are not yet done here I ahtened, expressionless once more His pain retreated Soon, it would be irrelevant

One hundred and thirty-seven arh the strea rain, he in turn surveyed them as they stood in their ranks on the dark street Tarhorses remained; his own -- chest wound a red welt but fire undimmed in the eyes -- and Brukhalian’s black destrier The er held both sets of reins

Strips from a banded cuirass had been lashed to either side of Itkovian’s da sufficient flex for hi vital support when he stood The rents in his chain surcoat had been ht of the sleeve was noticeable only on his left arth in it, and the skin between his neck and shoulder felt stretched and hot over the incoed that would hold his arle when it bore his shield

’Grey Swords’ The Shield Anvil addressed theeants have formed you into squads We march to the palace of the prince The journey is not far It appears that the enemy is chieflybands, however, they will probably be small, and most likely Tenescowri and thus ill armed and untrained March, therefore, in readiness’ Itkovian faced his lone captain, who had only days earlier been theof the Capan recruits ’Sir, array the squads’

The woman nodded

Itkovian strode to his horse Athe transition into the saddle Accepting the reins froer, the Shield Anvil looked down upon her ’The captain ith her soldiers, sir,’ he said ’The Mortal Sword’s horse should be ridden She is yours, recruit She will know your capacity by your seat, and respond in accordance to ensure your safety It will not avail you to defy her in this’

Blinking, the young woman slowly nodded

’Mount up, then, sir, and ride atto Jelarkan’s Palace’s narrow, arched gateas unoccupied, swept clean The gates thelile soldier stood on the walls or revetht but silence to greet Itkovian and his Grey Swords

Point squads had scouted to the gate’s threshold, confir that the enemy was nowhere to be seen Nor, it see defenders Or bodies

S ht sky overhead All sounds of fighting in other sections were gone

Brukhalian had asked for six weeks Itkovian had given hinaithin him, as if a broken blade or arrowhead still reut, wrapping its pain around his heart

But I am not yet done

He held to those words Back straight, teeth gritted A gesture with one gauntleted hand sent the first scouts through the gateway They were gone for so down the ramp to where Itkovian waited