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With a snap of reins froes roll

As a courtesy I pretend not to see her cry "So you are bound for the palace too, Denya Garon," I say, the words as starched as waxed linen

"Why are you so elevated? The lord would not take one like you to be a concubine" She breaks off, realizing how the words sound

"Why would I want to have to endure that man’s attentions in the bedchamber? I a up her chin "Yes, of course A out to run the Fives My father would have whippedto all her friends?"

"No Just me"

There falls a silence Denya was a loyal friend to A out at her in fear just because she’s the only one I can touch

I try again, atte a kinder voice "What will happen to your father, Captain Osfiyos?"

Her rief It is an eh at her Probably this is the only time she will be allowed to cry At Garon Palace, as a woht in to please herface

"He was broken down into the ranks My brothers must start over as apprentices Our family was ruined because of Lord Ottonor’s debts There was talk ofa captain froone"

Just when I think she is going to collapse entirely she stiffens her spine and ruthlessly wipes her cheeks because she is a soldier’s daughter too

"I shall have elegant clothing that my father could never have afforded I just wish Aether we should have such pleasure At least my older sister is safely er sister but she was dedicated to the temple as an infant" She stretches out her ars she ear, but the twist of her mouth betrays the rank taste in her throat "I would rather endure Lord Gargaron’s attentions than be buried alive"