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I groaned and buried my face in ainstthe entire ti while she reknotted the bandage

"The servants say you did this for some little rock," she said "They had us search everywhere, but nobody can find it Where’d you put it?"

"What’s your reward if I answer that?"

Ie was done "I’m no spy It was just a question"

"If you knew, et the answer from you too"

"You’re the only one in the entire world -- Conner included -- who truly gives a devil’s inch about that rock"

"Gold"

"Whatever it was, you’re crazy to defy Conner that way"

"Only one week e"

"Didn’t you learn anything in the dungeon? Nothing will change as long as you’re living under Conner’s rules You’ve got to find a way to get out of here"

"If he chooses et you away from here too"

She hesitated, then said, "You’re delirious with exhaustion"

"I’e, you are, trust me on that"

"If I were the prince --"

"Whatever title they give you, you’ll always be a servant to Conner You’ll always belong to him in some hich h of this; you have to eat soot to a sitting position She offered to feedprince, I could trick Conner," I said after I’d taken a few sips of a waretable broth "Free myself of his influence Then you could --"

We were interrupted by Tobias and Roden returning to the room They stopped in the doorway and stared aardly at ain?" I asked

"It’s like looking at the dead," Roden said

"We didn’t think Conner would bring you back here," Tobias said "Not after what you did"

"It’s okay for him to steal from me, but not for me to take it back?"

They didn’t answer and stared at I more was said I finished the rest of en She shook her head stiffly at athered up any items not needed and quickly left the room

"It’s irrelevant for you noay," Tobias said, sitting at the desk "You’ve missed so much of the lessons, there’s no way you can catch up, not even to Roden Conner will choose me"

"How do you know that?" I asked

"No, it’s true," Roden said, obviously disht that I’ve been a disappoint at all about Tobias If he had any problem with him, he’d certainly have said so"

"Tobias isn’t strong enough to be king," I said "You and I have proven ourselves Has he?"

"I will" Tobias’s face was already red, and I suspected it was going to get redder before he was finished "Don’t challengeI couldn’t detect the threatening tone in his voice, I casually leaned ainst the wall "This is your chance with Conner, then Be strong Be bold Tell him about all the notes you’ve made Show them to him and prove just how slanced over at his stack of papers Worry lines creased his forehead as he asked, "Have you been in ood would that do me? I just think those notes would show off the results of your studies, prove to him that you have plans of your own"