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A pallor had come to her drawn, plain face He saw her hand reach down to steady herself against the table edge ‘Dead?’

‘In his sleep’

She turned away, stared down at the accoutre the table ‘Thank you, Captain Leave me now, and have T’amber-’

There was a commotion outside, then a Wickan’youth pushed in ‘Adjunct! Sha’ik has walked down into the basin! She challenges you!’

After a long moment, Tavore nodded ‘Very well Belay that last order, Captain You bothon her arestured the youth ahead and they strode from the tent

Outside, the captain hesitated It’s what Gaht her?’ the Wickan asked

He glanced over ‘She will Return to Temul, lad Either e have a battle ahead of us this day’ He watched the young warrior hurry off

Then swung to face the uards stationed before its flap Keneb halted before the entrance ‘Lady T’aed Dressed in hard leathers-light arsword strapped to her hip ‘Does the Adjunct wish to begin herpractice?’

Keneb ave the woman her name They seeht I have just inforaze flicked towards the command tent ‘I see’

‘And in the basin between the two ar It occurred to ht appreciate some help with her armour’

To his surprise she turned back to her tent ‘Not this , Captain I understand yourGood day, sir’

Then she was gone

Keneb stood ht, then, so I do not understand women

He faced the cohtening the straps on her gauntlets She was heluards locked in place There was no visor covering her eyes-hters found their vision too iaze to thesky for a ave her some distance, then followed

L’oric clawed his way through the swirling shadows, scraped by skeletal branches and stunarled roots He had not expected this There had to be a path, a way through this blackwood forest