Page 118 (2/2)

The Painted Man nodded "I see that now See it in a way I never did before, and for that, I’ive I’ Miln once I’ve had my audience with the duke"

"What?!" Elissa cried "You’ve only just arrived!"

The Painted Man shook his head "I’ve chosen o then?" Elissa asked

"Tibbet’s Brook, to start," he said, "long enough to return battle warding to thehout Miln and its haierians and Laktonians"

"You expect every tiny haht?" Elissa asked

The Painted Man shook his head "I’ht But if ht be alive I owe everyone the chance she didn’t have Once the wards are everywhere, spread so far and wide that they can never be lost again, people can make their own decision about what to do with them"

"And then?" Elissa pressed, her tone still hopeful that one day he ht," the Painted Man said "Any that stand beside me will be welcome, and we’ll kill demons until we fall, or until Marya and Arlen can watch the sun set without fear"

It was late, and the Servants had long since retired Ragen, Elissa, and the Painted Man sat in the study, the air thick with the men’s sweet pipe smoke as they shared brandy

"I’ve been summoned to the duke’s audience with ‘the Painted Man’ toh I ht they were talking about you"

He suised as Servants try to copy your tattoos while you’re distracted talking to His Grace"

The Painted Man nodded "I’ll keep en asked "If you mean for everyone to have them, why keep them secret?"

"Because Euchor will covet thee I want hi them from me, while you distribute them quietly to every Warder in the duchy Spread therunted "Clever," he adh Euchor will be livid when he learns you’ve double-dealed"

The Painted Man shrugged "I’ll be long gone, and it’s no less than he deserves for locking up all the knowledge of the old world in his library for only a handful to see"

Ragen nodded "Best for me to act as if I don’t know you in the audience, then If your identity gets out, I’ll act as shocked as the rest"

"I think that’s wise," the Painted Man agreed "Who else will be there, do you think?"

"As few people as possible," Ragen said "Euchor’s actually pleased you’re co at dawn, so he can have you in and out before the Tenders and Royals even catch wind of theApart froers’ Guildhters, and hters," the Painted Man said

"Hypatia, Aelia, and Lorain," Ragen said, "all as thick-skulled as their father, and none of them prettier Mothers all, with born sons If Euchor doesn’t produce a son of his own, the Mothers’ Council will choose the next duke froroup of unholy brats"

"So if Euchor dies, a boy becoen said, "though truer is the boy’sbut name and rules in his stead until he reaches er Don’t underestimate any of them"

"I won’t," the Painted Man said

"You should know, too, that the duke has a new herald," Ragen said