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The man smiled ‘Me, Captain And no, my true name is not Kollen ’

Gamet stepped up to him, until their faces were but a hand’s width apart ‘If any harm comes to her, I will find you And I don’t care if you’re a Claw -’

‘ I aret to say that there will be some It cannot be helped We must hope she is resilient-it is a Paran trait, yes? ’

After a long ned ‘Do you kill us now or later? ’

The iven those crossbows levelled behind me No, but I am to ask that you now escort me to a safe house At all costs, we must not permit the child to fall into the mob’s hands Can I rely upon your help in this, Captain? ’

‘ Where is this safe house? ’

‘ On the Avenue of Souls ’

Gauard you, lass He strode past Kollen ‘I will awaken her ’

Pearl stood at the round table, leaning on both hands, his head lowered as he studied the scroll The Adjunct had departed half a bell past, her Fist on her heels like a misshapen shadow Lostara waited, arh which Tavore and Gath of Pearl’s perusal of the scroll, her anger and frustration groith each passing h ‘I will have no part of this Return me to Tene Baralta’s command’

Pearl did not look up ‘As you wish, my dear,’ he murmured, then added: ‘Of course I will have to kill you at some point-certainly before you report to your coret to say’

‘Since when are you at the Adjunct’s beck and call, Pearl?’