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’Sir, that is within the darkness’

He nodded ’So it is Raise it there’

’Aye, sir’

’And no more of the titles or honorifics The nauard, temporarily unemployed’

’Sir, you are the Mortal Sword of Trake’

His eyes narrowed on her

Her gaze flicked away, down to the killing field ’A title purchased in blood, sir’

Gruntle winced, looked away, and was silent for a long ht But I’’ And I never want to see another battlefield ever again

To that, she sire squad

Gruntle returned his attention to the gathering of dignitaries

Artanthos -- Tayschrenn -- was an -- a tall, battle-scarredfroarding the governance of Black Coral A handful of hangers-on

Brood replied that the forotiations would have to await the arrival of Anoaze returned to Dujek, who had just arrived with his officers The High Fist’s eyes were fixed on Korlat at the far end, and on the three covered bodies lying in the grasses The rain still falling, the stench of burning heavy in the air, a shroud descending

Aye, this day ends in ashes and rain

In ashes and rain

Running, lory and joy He rode the sensation, the flight from pain, from prisons of bone, from massive arht, without warmth

From chilled meat Pale, boiled Black, charred Fro the morsels into a mouth that, as he chewed, filled with his own blood Frorease

Flesh fouled, the stench of s -

An explosion of pain, sed in a sudden rush Blood in veins Breath drawn ragged -- yet deep, deep into healthy lungs

He opened his lone eye

Toc looked around He sat on a broad-backed horse Grey-clad soldiers surrounded hi him from beneath orn helms

I–I am whole

Hale

I -