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His intake of breath is sharp "Doma Maraya?"

"Steward Polodos" Her trehtest object in the toht and hope

"It is true," he whispers in a raspy voice worthy of the tragic theater "Buried in the toods! You must think I abandoned you, Maraya"

She presses an open hand against the wall "I knew you never would, not if you kne could you possibly have guessed?"

"I am here now, my dearest Maraya If I must walk to this tomb every day for the rest of ain, as I did in speaking to your father about us You deserve better than my timid promises"

The adoration in his voice stunson in the house

Embarrassment makes me snap "Did you see Lord Kalliarkos?"

"Doma Jessamy!" His tone flattens as he realizes he and Maraya are not alone "I apologize for not believing you e ht I must say that to have a lord walk into the Least-Hill Inn took me aback for it is not the sort of place--"

"None of that matters," I interrupt "What is the plan?"

"When Lord Kalliarkos toldtray so you would have so to eat and drink As for the rest, I do not know He was arguing with his advisers over a erous to undertake"

"Do you think they will betray us to Lord Gargaron?"

"The minds of palace men are closed to me Whatever happens here, ill be beholden to the Beware, for they are not generous enerous man, Steward Polodos?" Hoish I could see his expression to judge the worth of his proainst the bricks as if against his chest "He is a patient, hueous man"

"Doma Maraya, I do not deserve such praise, and especially not fro to aid you when you were most in need"