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His return to Gruntle and Stonny, each tiht

’You chew on things like no other lanced over at the Daru ’Sir?’

’Well, not quite true, come to think of it Buke …’

On Itkovian’s other side, Stonny sniffed ’Buke? Buke was a drunk’

’More than that, you miserable woman,’ Gruntle replied ’He carried on his shoulders-’

’None of that,’ Stonny warned

To Itkovian’s surprise, Gruntle fell abruptly silent Buke ah, I recall On his shoulders, the deaths of loved ones ’There is no need, Stonny Menackis, for such uncharacteristic sensitivity I see how I appear, to you both, similar to Buke I am curious: did your sad friend seek redemption in his life? While he ht well have drawn strength from some inner resolve’

’Not a chance, Itkovian,’ Stonny said ’Buke drank to keep his tor for redemption He wanted death, plain and simple’

’Not simple,’ Gruntle objected ’He wanted an honourable death, such as his family was denied -- by that honour he would redeee I know, a twisted notion, but ent on in his mind is less a mystery to me than to ht the sah you didn’t lose a fa you’ve lost is maybe that harlot who rowled, ’I lost Harllo I nearly lost you’

The admission clearly left her speechless

Ah, these two’The distinction,’ Itkovian said, ’between myself and Buke lies in the notion of redemption I accept tore responsibility for all that I have and have not done As Shield Anvil, my faith demanded that I relieve others of their pain In the na peace to souls, and to do so without judgeone,’ Stonny said ’So who, in Hood’s name, did you deliver those souls to?’

’Why, no-one, Stonny Menackis I carry the across at Gruntle, who answered her with a despondent shrug ’As I told you, lass,’ he muttered