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He opened the book gently, to keep the pages fro looked to me like the conniptions of an ink-soaked wor for with no difficulty

"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is

before theo out

to ht he was not reading thees of his memory, from the open book of his heart

The door sla outside now, cracked voice raised in warning, calling out to Jeh, deep and half-choked, as Bree said sohter sound too far away to hear in words

Then they h of the wind in the trees

"The bravest are those who have the clearest vision Well, you’d know about that, wouldn’t you?" I said softly I laid a hand on his shoulder, just where it joined his neck I traced the powerful cords of his neck with e He would, and so would I; for the vision he had was the one I had shown him

He kept hold of the book, but tilted his head to one side, so that his cheek brushed my hand, and the thickness of his hair touched my wrist, soft and warm

"Ah, no," he said "Not me It’s only brave if there’s a choice about it, aye?"

I laughed, sniffed, and wiped the wrist of my free hand across my eyes

"And you think you haven’t a choice?"