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"Where is he, then? You people always have some excuse when you are about your thievery"
Cautiously I shift my head but do not otherwise move Partway down the path two priest-wardens confront General Inarsis One carries a laed staff Inarsis stands with arms at his sides and pal to display that they are haries, Your Holinesses He is taking a piss"
A hand brushes side me
He’s here! He didn’t abandon me
Such a wave of relief hits me that I press le in ainst each other
He whispers, "I heard you shouting I was afraid so so we pulled up the rope so I could come in after you Then the wardens came I have to interrupt them before they arrest Inarsis"
I shudder, and his hand tightens reassuringly on et them out fast The food and drink is poisoned"
An exhalation of shock gusts from him "Blaspheh the shaft," I add "We have to find another way to get her and Cook out That day you followed’s prison His sister, Coriander, is one of our servants She is trapped inside too She claims her brother knows people who can break into the toet him out of prison and see if it’s true"
"How can I get a ry "I can’t just walk in and demand they free him"
"Of course you can You’re a prince Act like one"
"You think it’s so easy just because ofI do is watched and measured"
"What are you really afraid of?" I retort, ainst er, and our desperationlike them," he whispers, his tone so dark it makes me shiver
"You aren’t like theers brush the bare skin of his neck and the lobe of his ear A spark of pure sensation flashes throughover me
He sucks in a breath "Jes!"
"Go!" I say "The Rings are opening The time is now If you need more help seek a man named Polodos at the Least-Hill Inn"
Below, the lamp-warden boo in the City of the Dead with the intention of desecrating a holy toiven the mercy of a quick execution rather than torture"
"I will return, I proainst my cheek "The rope and harness are up here on the roof The clothing and jug are below Wait for ers feel so eh thump that the wardens exclaim Awith the knowledge that the world ive way before him Both wardens iving my servant?" Kalliarkos demands
"My lord, criminals and troublemakers set a fire on the far side of the tombs We are commanded to sweep everyone out while we search for the culprits Our apologies,I a the holy dead? Have you wardens shirked your duties?" His tone so closely ry Prince in The Hide of the Ox that I wonder if he is acting a part or if he has finally found his resolve
For all Kalliarkos is a palace-born lord, the priests have their own authority separate froate, ed by this interruption of my peaceful co admired and studied, for I must suppose you did not know Lord Ottonor was an Illustrious in his youth" His curt disdain makes me smile
He allows theht bobs out across the necropolis as the wardens trawl the grounds for interlopers I stretch to ease the throbbing pain in my muscles So much for my brilliant plan I have to believe he will do as he promised Yet the truth is that I trust hiers in his That is the worst reason of all to trust, but iddy song