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Despite his generous words, Cook measures him with obvious suspicion

I lean over the open bier Its smooth-sided shaft is not too different from the air shaft that ventilates this toleams below

"Lord Kalliarkos?"

His voice echoes oddly along the shaft "Jes? You can’t believe what’s down here! It’s like a vast to"

His breathless tone annoys le to comprehend that all this time I never suspected the truth Why didn’t I ask doo? A cool earthy breath exhales out of the depths, touched with a flavor like dusty cinnaue For a wild instant I wonder if this is the scent of the stories my mother’s people told

With the baby bound around her, Merry bravely steps into the harness Coriander, Ro-ehtened, Do at me as he hauls up the empty harness "We are about to descend into a place haunted by the restless dead slaughtered by your father’s people long ago"

"The only thing that scaresto listen to you try to irab the harness out of his hands "Amaya, you’re next"

Her chin quivers as she steadies herself She er sister, but she is a soldier’s daughter too "I’ers a little, and I will be cursed for a shadow if Ro-emnu doesn’t hasten forward to catch her just as if he has been lovestruck by her delicate features and proud courage I roll my eyes and happen to catch Coriander’s look at the sahter by clapping a hand over her mouth Probably Ae, strong, attractive man, even a Commoner, just because she has to make sure she can charm every man who crosses her path Then I reet word to Amaya, and I realize I don’t knohat to think, that everyone and everything is wearing masks Just like me

Faint but clear, three triple fanfares announce that the High Priest and his procession are entering the City of the Dead

We lower Ahtens with a hiss

Mother appears in the archway supported by Cook She wears a loose linen sheath Her skin looks blotchy and she can barely stand upright