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Abban nodded "My bones hter"

"It’s early yet," Jardir said "They will heal in time"

"Inevera," Abban said "Who can say what Everaruel line?" Jardir asked, nodding to the drill," he said "If ive way, I will be marked forever"

Jardir frowned, but he nodded "Just don’t take too long," he said, "lest your inaction mark you as plainly" As he spoke, they walked to the front of the line, and the other boys gave way to Jardir likethelared at Abban resentfully, but none dared give challenge

Jurim had no such luxury, and Jardir watched hih as Abban fell Juri of the liruel line glared at hiht up to his usual spot behind Shanjat

"This place is taken, cripple," Esam, another of the nie’Sharum under Jardir’s command, said "To the back of the line with you!" Esahter, and Jardir watched the confrontation with some interest

Jurim smiled and spread his hands as if in supplication, but Jardir saw the way he positioned his feet and was not fooled Juriround It was over in a htful place Jardir nodded Jurilanced at Abban, who had already finished his bowl of gruel, having ht entirely, and shook his head sadly

"Gather’round, rats," Kaval called after the boere stacked Jardir immediately went to the drillmasters, and the other boys followed

"What do you suppose this is about?" Abban asked

Jardir shrugged "They will tell us soon enough"

"A test of h the night, and ill learn which of you has a warrior’s heart and which does not" Abban inhaled sharply in fear, but Jardir felt a burst of exciteht him that much closer to the coveted black robe

"There has been no word froe of Baha kad’Everaai may have breached their wards," Qeran went on "The Bahavans are khaffit, true, but they are descended from the Kaji, and the Damaji has decreed that we cannot abandon them"

"Cannot abandon the valuable pottery they sell us, he means," Abban murmured "Baha is horaces every palace in Krasia"

"Is money all you think of?" Jardir snapped "If they were the lowliest dogs on Ala, they are still infinitely above the alagai, and should be protected"

"Ah to add?"

Jardir snapped back to attention "No, Drillue," Kaval said, "or I will cut it out"