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Gargaron lifts an eyebrow I think he is going to laugh out loud Instead he turns the butterfly mask in his hands and raises it so he looks out at h slits cut for prettier eyes than his "You have not perhter to run the Fives?"

"Of course not! Why would you even insult aron lowers the aze flickers to mark me as he covers his mouth with a hand as he smiles What sort of awful norance?

"I fear I raver misapprehension, Captain Esladas You see on in your household at all I would hate to think the entire sche the truth frohters has been running the Fives But perhaps you would like to ask her yourself"

14

Father did not beco slow to observe the obvious He turns Surprise flashes through his face but he absorbs my presence swiftly, for he is a ainst hiaron that none of your sisters runs the Fives"

"None of my sisters runs the Fives," I echo obediently

"There, my lord! Your accusation is unfounded"

"I haveillegal or crih I perfectly understand why you would not wish it known ahter of an a with the old custohters are few and kept indoors until they are safely married to a respectable husband I would not like to see the lords and officials at court laughing at a hter was running Rings around him"

The moment Father realizes what my echoed answer means, his expression darkens with a look of such betrayal that all I can think about is the recrimination in his eyes

"Coaron in a voice that cannot be disobeyed

I enter the study It would have been better to be crushed in turning Rings and my body dropped all bloody to the sand

All at once Father acts decisively He strides forithout the lord’s pers the handbell on his desk to sum The knotted wool is framed by a border of immortal firebirds as rosy as dawn For years Mother saved coin fro on the side to earn enough to buy hiift

Footsteps approach, and Polodos halts at the open door, eyes wide as he takes in the scene