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‘Why, I answer, then I spread the word – if they’ll listen And if they do? Why, I say, then we run away
‘And if they don’t listen?
‘Why, I reply, then I run away’
He collected another load onto his wooden shovel ‘Gold Gold and ale…’
‘Sandalath Drukorlat That is host Not any e my existence Even the Nachts have better , I’ll hit you’
She had been trying sincePeriodic interruptions to his efforts He wanted to send her away, but it wasn’t working He’d forgotten how irritating company could be Uninvited, unwelcome, persistent reminder of his oeaknesses And now she was about to hit hihed and finally opened his eyes The first tiht hurt, made him squint She stood before hiod swathed in blankets, the Crippled One see his chosen
Chosen Where in Hood’s nahost, she said Not any more She just said that She must have been one, then Typical He couldn’t find anyone living Not for this mission of mercy Who better for someone starved of companionship than so? Listen tomy mind
She raised a hand to strike hiht, fine! Sandalath so Pleased to meet you-’
‘Sandalath Drukorlat I am Tiste Andii-’
‘That’s nice Now, in case you haven’t noticed, I was in the midst of prayers-’
‘You’re always in the midst of prayers, and it’s been two days now At least, I think two days The Nachts slept, anyway Once’
‘They did? How strange’
‘And you are?’
‘Me? A weaponsmith A Meckros Sole survivor of the destruction of my city-’
‘Your name!’
‘Withal No need to shout There hasn’t been any shouting Well, so, but not by me Not yet, that is-’
‘Be quiet I have questions that you are going to answer’
She was not particularly young, he noted as his eyes adjusted Then again, neither was he And that wasn’t good The young were better atrather imperious, Sandalath’
‘Oh, did I hurt your feelings? Dreadfully sorry Where did you get those clothes?’
‘Frood?’
‘The one in the tent Inland You can’t miss it I don’t see how – two days? What have you been doing with yourself? It’s just up from the strand-’
‘Be quiet’ She ran both hands through her hair