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"The shop, the ward exchange, the warehouses and glasseries," Ragen said, "everything down to the apprentice contracts"

"Enough to make you one of the richest and e flashed in the Painted Man’sthe halls of the Duke Euchor’s keep, advising His Grace on policy and co power…building alliances…

Reading reports

Delegating responsibility

Surrounded by Servants to care for his every need

Stifling in the city’s walls

He shook his head "I don’t want it Any of it Arlen Bales is dead"

"Arlen!" Elissa cried "How can you say that, standing right here?"

"I can’t just pick upoff his hood and the gloves as well "I’ve chosen ain Even now, the air seeen put a hand on his shoulder "I’ve Messaged, too," he reminded him "I knohat the open air tastes like, and how you thirst for it behind city walls But the thirst dies out in time"

The Painted Man looked at him, and his eyes darkened "Why would I want it to?" he snapped "Why would you? Why lock yourself back in prison when you had the keys?"

"Because of Marya," Ragen said "And because of Arlen"

"Arlen?" the Painted Man asked, confused

"Not you," Ragen growled, his own te "My five-year-old son Arlen Who needs a father more than his father needs fresh air!"

It was a blow as hard as Margrit’s slap, and the Painted Man knew he deserved it For a en as if he were his true father As if he were Jeph Bales of Tibbet’s Brook, the coho had stood by while his oas cored

But Ragen was no coward He had proven that a thousand times over The Painted Man hi but his spear and shield Ragen didn’t give up the night out of fear He did it to conquer fear

"I’en exhaled "It’s all right, boy"

The Painted Man walked to the rows of portraits on the walls of Ragen and Elissa’s receiving roo The first was only Ragen and Elissa, looking very young The next was some years later, and the Painted Man looked at his own face staring back at hi he hadn’t seen in years Arlen Bales, a boy of twelve, sitting on a chair in front of where Ragen and Elissa stood

He grew progressively older in the portraits until one year, he stood between Ragen and Elissa, holding infant Marya

The next year’s portrait, he was gone, but soon after, a new Arlen appeared He touched the canvas gently "I wish I’d been there to see him born I wish I could be there for him now"

"You can," Elissa said firmly "We’re faar You’ll always have a home here"