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Ashan waved away the dal’Sharu up to one of the prisoners

"You," he said, pointing, "repeat what you told me to the Shar’Dama Ka, if you dare"

The Tender raised his head weakly One of his eyes was puffed shut, and tears ran freely fro the blood and filth on his face

"Go t’ th’ Core," he slurred, and attempted to spit at Ashan It was a weak effort, and the bloody spittle only ran down his lower lip

In response, the torturer caripped the Tender’s face fir the pliers on one of his front teeth The h," Jardir said after ato the wall The Tender hung limply fro at him sadly "I am the Shar’Dama Ka, sent by Everam, who is infinitely merciful Speak and speak truly, and I will put an end to your suffering"

The Tender looked up at hi of himself "I know you," he croaked "You claim to be the Deliverer, but you are not him"

"And how do you know that?" Jardir asked

"Because the Deliverer has already come," the Tender said "The Painted Man walks in darkness, and the corelings flee froht He saved Deliverer’s Hollow from the brink of destruction, and he will deal with you in your turn"

Jardir looked to Ashan in surprise

"This is not just one man’s word, Shar’Dama Ka," the Damaji said "Other chin speak of this warded infidel You will need to destroy this false prophet, and quickly, if you are to secure your rightful place"

Jardir shook his head "You sound like my wife, old friend"

CHAPTER 7

GREENLANDER

326 AR

"ONE DAY, I WILL be Sharu-stuffed du lazily fro in his son’s energy Jayan elve now, already in his bido, and never hungry in the food line Jardir had begun teaching his sons the sharukin the day they took their first steps

"I want to be Sharum Ka," Asome, eleven, lamented "I don’t want to be a stupid dama" He plucked at the white cloth he wore over one shoulder

"Ah, but you will be the Sharum Ka’s connection to Everam," Jardir said "And perhaps one day, Damaji to all the Kaji Even Andrah" He sreed with the boy He wanted warriors for sons, not clerics Sharak Ka was coinally wanted Jayan to wear the white, but Jardir had categorically refused It was one of his few victories over her, but he wondered just how much of a victory it was It was as likely she had wanted Aso

The other boys clustered about, watching their older brothers with awe Most of Jardir’s other sons were too young for Hannu Pash, and had to wait to find their path The second sons would be da, when the forces of Nie were said to be their strongest and Alagai Ka stalked the night Nothing gave a warrior strength in the night like seeing his sons

And daughters, he thought, turning to Inevera "It would pleaseeachmust not be disturbed, husband The Hannu Pash of the nie’daer than his sons He had not seen his eldest daughters in years

"Surely they cannot all becohters to marry to hters no man dare harm, who are loyal to you over even their husbands"