Page 64 (2/2)

Everyone looked at their feet, and Rojer knew he had been too harsh Not half as harsh as Arrick would have been, but ing, but nothing came to mind Arrick hadn’t setdeeply Without even thinking about it, he put his bow back to work, turning his guilt and frustration into music He let the emotions drift off with the sounds, and he looked back to his apprentices and ehten, their eyes growing determined once more

"That was beautiful, Rojer," a voice said when he finally took bow fro beside him He hadn’t even noticed her approach--lost in hisup a stone jug "I breeet tea Still hot"

Did Leesha know all along she h, fiddle boy, Elona had said, and you know it

Leesha knew it, too, it seeht as well have tied Kendall with a bow

"Never much cared for sweet tea," Rojer said "Makes"Well…that’s all right"

"I want you to solo tonight," Rojer said "I think you’re ready"

Kendall brightened "Really?" She gave a squeal and threw her arer than was precisely necessary

Of course, that hen Leesha chose to arrive Rojer stiffened, and Kendall pulled back in confusion until she saw Leesha She quickly stepped away from Rojer and dipped into a curtsy "Mistress Leesha"

"Kendall" Leesha greeted her with a smile "Is that sweet tea I smell?"

Kendall blushed a deep red "I, ah…"

Rojer scowled "Run and fetch your fiddle, Kendall" He turned to Leesha "Kendall is going to try a solo tonight"

"Is she ready for that?" Leesha asked

Rojer shrugged "Is Wonda ready to hunt corelings? I was younger than Kendall when I first charmed a demon"

"Your need was more dire," Leesha said

"It’s safe," Rojer said "I’ll be ready to take over if I’ with arrows nocked" He nodded to the edge of the wards, where archers, including Wonda, had gathered in force

They began preparations by ordering the archers to keep clear a wide area of ground past the edge of the forbiddance Rojer then led his fiddlers into a series of loud, jarring notes, filling the air with an atonal cacophony that corelings hated The music shell focused the sound to the area just outside the forbidding, where corelings tended to gather, solassblower’s apprentices rushed out frohout the clearing There were large sheets, blown bottles, vials, even a glass axe that must have taken weeks to make and ward