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"What are we going to do?" Abban asked

"We’re going to get on that line," Jardir said, grabbing Abban’s ar hihed by well-fed Abban "My father said that weakness shown is worse than weakness felt"

"But I don’t kno to fight!" Abban protested, shaking

"You’re about to learn," Jardir said "When I knock soht"

"I can do that," Abban agreed Jardir guided thee He puffed out his chest and faced up against Abban, the larger of the two boys

"Get to the back of the line, new rats!" he growled

Jardir said nothing, punching the boy in the sto at his knees When he fell, Abban took his cue, falling on the boy like a sandstone pillar By the tiot up, Jardir had already taken the boy’s place in line He glared at those behind, and they ruel slopped into their boas their reward "That’s it?" Abban asked in shock The server glared at him, and Jardir quickly ushered him away The corners of the room had already been taken by the older boys, so they retreated to one of the walls

"I’ll starve on this," Abban said, swirling the watery gruel in his bowl

"We’re still better off than so to a pair of bruised boys with nothing to eat at all "You can have soot much more than this at home"

They slept on the sandstone floor of the barrack, thin blankets their only shield against the cold Used to sharing the warainst Abban’s warm bulk In the distance, he heard the Horn of Sharak, and knew battle was being joined It took a long tilory

He ith a start when another of the thin blankets was thrown over his face He struggled hard, but the cloth isted behind his head and held tight He heard Abban’s an to rain down on hi the breath fro his brains Jardir flailed his lih he felt several of his blows connect, it did nothing to lessen the onslaught Before long, he was hanging li blanket

When he thought he could endure no lory, a familiar voice said, "Welco through Hasik’sthehed and went back to their blankets as Jardir and Abban curled tight and wept in the darkness

"Stand up straight," Jardir hissed as they awaitedinspection

"I can’t," Abban whined "Not a bit of sleep, and I ache to my bones"

"Don’t let it show," Jardir said "My father said the weakest camel draws the wolves"

"Mine told o away," Abban replied