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"Then you haven’t been trained" Conner turned tomercy"

Roden snorted

I continued "Then when uard, certain of his victory, I’d finish the battle"

Conner laughed

"A violation of all sportsmanship in swordplay," Tobias said "What do I care about sportset killed, it’s not play anymore I won’t check the rules to see if my survival fits with someone’s codebook of fair play"

"You’d never win that way," Roden said "Any uard until you’re disarmed"

"Conner didn’t say he was a master swordsman," I said "Only that he was better than me And yes, I would win"

Conner walked closer to me "Stand when I address you"

I obeyed Conner was taller than me by several inches and stood closer than I liked But I refused to step back It occurred toto see whether I would

"Are you standing straight?" Conner asked "You slouch so ht mistake you for a hunchback And with all that hair in your face, you htened but made no attempt to push the hair out of my eyes I could see him just fine, which was all I cared about

Conner asked, "Who do you look like? Your mother or father?"

"That’s hard to say, sir It’s been a long time since I’ve seen ue and an arrogant tilt to your head I’m surprised Mrs Turbeldy hasn’t beaten it out of you"

"You mustn’t blame her She beat ure out, Sage Would you ever be on my side, even if I chose you above the other boys?"

"I’you helps me"

"What if I did?" Conner asked "How far would you go to win?"

"The better question, sir, is how far you will go to win" I looked hih his back was to the fire and his eyes were set in shadow "You killed Lata to murder to win"

"I aain "And I’ to commend my soul to the devils if necessary because I believe there is exoneration in reatest fraud ever perpetrated within the country of Carthya This is a lifetime commitment It will never be safe to back down from my plan and tell the truth To do so would destroy not only you but the entire country And you will do it to save Carthya"

"To save Carthya?" Tobias asked "How?"

"Later, later," Conner said "Until then, boys, Mott has laid out a blanket for each of you by the fire Tonight we sleep, and sleep well, because toin"

I chose the blanket closest to htly around him