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Standing before her were two T’lan Ih with swords The other so badly battered that it could barely stand

Beyond them, silent, motionless, the T’lan Ay

Silverfox made to turn away

’No You shall not’

Silverfox glared back at the battered warrior who’d spoken ’You dare torment me?’ she hissed

The T’lan Imass seemed to rock in the face of her vehemence, then steadied ’I am Onos T’oolan, First Sword You are the Su for a long moment, then she nodded ’Very well Speak’

’Free the T’lan Ay’

’They have denied me-’

’They are here before you, now They have come Their spirits await them They would be mortal once er lost within dreams, Summoner Mortal Gift them Now’

Gift them ’And this is what they wish?’

’Yes Reach to them, and you will know the truth of that’

No, no more pain She raised her arms, drew on the power of Tellann, closed her eyes -- for too long have they known chains For too long have these creatures known the burden of loyalty -and released the so little of herself, she was left feeling appalled So easy, then, to release To make free once one

Not into oblivion, however Their souls had been reunited, she kneith flesh and bone Extinct no longer Not here, within this realifts were hers to give No, they are not gifts They are what I was fashioned to do, after all My purpose My sole purpose

Onos T’oolan’s bones creaked as he slowly looked around, scanning the now e them His shoulders see is righted’

Silverfox studied the First Sword ’What else do you wish ofShe will lead you back to the T’lan Ied’

’Very well’

Onos T’oolanfor, then?’

He was er, then he reached up and slowly drew his flint sword ’Forit, to fall to the ground at his feet