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"You have to s, Lord Kalliarkos"

"Just call me Kal We’re all adversaries here in the stable"

Noill never be just fellow adversaries, but I nod because when a Patron gives you an order, you obey it "All right My sisters call ht of ain What will Merry do now she’s lost any chance of being an Archivist? Poor Amaya and her broken dreams Will Bett desert them and Mother? Where will they sleep? Hoill they live? I hope the broth’s steauises the tears that prick in my eyes

This time he is so wrapped up in his own troubles that he doesn’t notice "I went to the stable by Scorpion Fountain That wo trouble down on her and her people"

He’s so indignant He doesn’t want to be like other lords, yet it has never once occurred to hiives theuessed that you are connected to a palace"

"I didn’t tell her, you can say it to me"

It’s uncanny hoell he understands me I know I shouldn’t feel this comfortable with hihborn looks and the way you carry yourself tell a wo she needs to know about who you are and why you have co"

"What do you ry at her or demanded special treatment, you could make trouble for her If you were hurt, she could lose everything, even her life She’s a Coht not want to risk having you there"

He frowns

I turnwith my hands "You said they won’t train you here, but they are training you here I don’t understand why you think you need Anise"

"Real adversaries train every day except Sevensday It’s their life It’s all they do But I have duties in the palace I have a tutor I have to learn the Precepts I have a sword- instructor I’h I have no interest in gaining influence at court I want to train every day buts If I show up here on days when he’s not given me permission to train, Tana and Darios must turn me away Not that I fault them for their obedience," he adds hastily "It’s a trap my uncle has set for me"

"Can’t Lord Thynos train you? Doesn’t your hter, isn’t she?"

With a finger he draws a circle on the stea a circle around words he knows he’s not supposed to say "No, she isn’t My father is Princess Berenise’s son, but he died years ago Because ht fro the lords and royal court here in Efea That means her brother, Thynos, has no power either He is completely dependent on my mother’s treasury He runs the Fives because he needs the prize money to keep up a separate establishment so he doesn’t have to live in Garon Palace Even my sister is afraid of Uncle Gar The only person I’ve ever seen stand up to hiive me a chance to prove myself at the Fives"

His confession emboldens me to ask a question I would never have dared ask a lord before thisover cups of broth "I know you said you don’t want to go into the arht die in battle but an adversary can die on the Fives court froain honor and reputation either way"

A bleak expression darkens his face "There’s more to my situation than that"

Voices interrupt us His hand tightens on the cup Adversaries stroll in under the shelter, ostensibly to take a draught of passionflower juice or a cup of broth but obviously because they are curious about Kalliarkos and me He bends towardI should not respond, but I lean closer too His breath heats ether You could introduce me, tell her I won’t ask for special treatment That I’ll behave just like all her other Novices"

"Let me think about it," I temporize

Darios beckons