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Itkovian studied the young man, and sahat he had not expected to see ’First Child,’ he said ’There is despair within you I will take it from you, sir, and with it your burdens’

Anaster jolted as if he had been physically struck He drew his knees up, cli A hand closed on the strange obsidian dagger in his belt, then flinched away as if the stone was hot

His mother screa, he pulled himself free She sank down to the floor, curled up

’I am not your father,’ Itkovian continued, ’but I shall be as him Unleash your flood, First Child’

The youngback to bare his teeth ’Who -- what are you?’ he hissed

The captain stepped forward ’We forgive your ignorance, sir,’ she said ’He is the Shield Anvil Fener knows grief, so rief that it is beyond his capacity to withstand it And so he chooses a human heart Armoured A mortal soul, to assume the sorrow of the world The Shield Anvil

’These days and nights have witnessed vast sorrow, profound shae in your eyes You cannot deceive yourself, sir, can you?’

’You never could,’ Itkovian said ’Give me your despair, First Child I am ready to receive it’

Anaster’s wail rang through the h back, ar around himself

All eyes held on hi, the First Child stared at Itkovian Then he shook his head ’No,’ he whispered, ’you shall not have my -- my despair’

The captain hissed ’This is a gift! First Child-’

’Not!’

Itkovian see The recruit moved close to support the Shield Anvil

’You cannot have it! You cannot have it!’

The captain’s eyes ide as she turned to Itkovian ’Sir, I am unable to countenance this-’

The Shield Anvil shook his head, slowly straightened once more ’No, I understand The First Child -- within hiht but despair Without it…’

He is as nothing

’I want them all killed!’ Anaster shrieked brokenly ’Seerdoed forward to either side of the table

The captain snapped a command The front line behind her dropped in unison to one knee The second line raised into view their crossboenty-four quarrels crossed the roouest-room entrances, more quarrels flashed