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’Rallick never mentioned-’

’My, what an observant assassin’

’Fine!’ Murillio snapped ’Here’s what I think! She had a child She sent it away Somewhere She wouldn’t have abandoned it, because at some point she would have wanted to use it, as a verifiable heir, as e-bait, whatever Simtal was lowborn; whatever contacts she had from her past were private ones -- kept fro you, as you well know I think she sent the child that way, so’

’Al back to rest his head against the wall He closed his eyes ’Three years of age …’

’Maybe so But at the ti-’

’You’d have needed ht,’ Murillio snapped, ’we’d just go and bleed you one night when you were passed-out drunk’

’Why not?’

’Because, you ox, back then, there didn’t seeh But I’ve walked a straight line for months now, Murillio’

’Then you do it, Coll Go to Baruk’

’I will Now that I know’

’Listen, friend, I’ve known a lot of drunks insober and think it’s eternity Butthe puke froht back down I wasn’t going to push -- it’s too soon-’

’I hear you I don’t curse your decision, Murillio You were right to be cautious But what I see -- what I see now, that is -- is a reason Finally, a real reason to holdyou can just walk into whatever household your child’s being raised in and take it away-’

’Why not? It’sfor it on your ht?’

’You think I can’t raise a child?’