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"Which is evidence of nothing," Conner said

"It was there while the boys were in horseback lessons yesterday," Mott said "We knohere Sage was at that time, and all of the boys have been supervised since then"

"Where were you and Roden during that time?" Conner asked Tobias

Tobias hesitated "After Sage ran off on Windstoro to the sword arena and wait for Mott But after a few one to look for Sage too, so we left"

"We left together," Roden said quickly "If either of us had taken it, the other one would know"

"And what did you do after returning to the house?" Conner asked

Tobias’s eyes fluttered "I was in the library"

Roden frowned "I went back to our room"

"And can either of you provide proof that you were there?"

After a very long, very uncomfortable silence, I rocked on lad that horse ran off withdismissed from Conner’s office, Mott walked us back to the courtyard to continue with swordseance and silent accusation hung in the air between Roden, Tobias, andpractice while he worked on skills with the third The wooden swords Mott gave us were severely tested for durability as they clacked against each other, or, in a lucky

Roden was ainst ainst Tobias, but Mott said he was disappointed in ainst Roden

"This isswordplay," Mott said "Youto a duel at the age of ten What does that tell you about his attitude in battle?"

"That he was stupid," I said flatly "If the story’s true, he lost that duel"

"It shows his bravery," Roden said, ever eager to please "And his training He h "If he did, add arrogance to his list of worthless traits It’s too bad the prince we’re trying to become isn’t the older brother, Damon --"

"Darius," Tobias corrected

"Whatever It sounds like he had a character worth i Not Jaron"

Mott stepped closer to e, considering you naturally have several character traits in common with Jaron"

I was silent for a moment as emotions I didn’t understand filled e that Mott was correct? Was I as foolhardy as Jaron seefewer of Jaron’s character flaws, Roden or Tobias wouldforwhether I was correct or not, I shrugged and said, "Jaron was a child when he challenged that king to a duel Perhaps he learned his lesson and would make wiser choices today"

Mott frowned "I never thought Jaron’s challenge was a sign of weakness I’m sorry that you do Now let’s continue"