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The greenlander nodded "When I was a boy," Abban translated, "I ran away from my home I made a circle of wards when the sun set, and I was surrounded by corelings…"

Jardir held up a hand "Corelings?"

Abban bowed "It is the greenland word for alagai, First Warrior," he said "It means ‘those ell in the center’ They believe Nie’s abyss lies at the core of Ala, as we do"

Jardir nodded, signaling the ht," Abban translated, "and inabout But I slipped and scuffed award The coreling struck, clawing ed to repair the ward before it could cross the circle fully When the circle reactivated, its arm was severed"

Ashan snorted "I, Sharureenlander looked to Abban, but when the khaffit did not translate, he turned to Jardir He said so, and pointed to Ashan

"What did the Holy Man say?" Abban supplied

Jardir glanced at Ashan, then back to the greenlander "He said you are a liar"

The greenlander nodded, as if he had expected ashis back to theht of the thick scars running across the man’s back They were faded with years, but there was no doubt they were reenlander turned back, staring hard at Ashan "Do you still think ize," Jardir ies, Par’chin" The greenlander nodded as Abban translated

"The dereenlander nodded "Almost seven years now," Abban translated, "but one day, I will show it the sun"

Jardir nodded "Why did you not tell us such a great enereenlander replied, and Abban’s eyes widened He said soreenlander shook his head and spoke again

"You are not here to hold your own conversations, khaffit!" Jardir shouted, rising from his seat The dal’Sharuies, First Warrior!" Abban cried, pressing his forehead back to the floor "I sought only to clarify his ," Jardir said "The next time you speak out of turn, I will cut off your thu that was spoken"

Abban nodded eagerly "The greenlander said, ‘It was only a rock demon They are co that one bore erate, reat,’ and he said, ‘No, in the mountains of the North, there are many such’ "

Jardir nodded "What are the weaknesses of the rock deh Abban, "they have none And I have looked hard"

"We will find one, Par’chin," Jardir said "Together"

"This level of coreenlander had been escorted out

"The Par’chin is a quick study," Abban said, "and has coue He will speak it soon, I proh," Jardir said "There will be other greenlanders, and I would speak to them, as well Since none of our learned men," he looked at Ashan with disdain, "has seen fit to study the tongue of the savages, it will fall to you to instruct us, beginning with me"

Abban paled "Me?" he squeaked "Instruct you?"

Jardir felt a wave of disgust "Stop your sniveling Yes, you! Are there any others who speak it?"

Abban shrugged "It is a valuable skill in the hters speak a feords, so they ers talk Many other women in the bazaar do the same"