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Ragen’s voice ca a duke Merchants and Royals alk all over you if you let the in their presence, and never forget who it is risking their life

With that in s, Your Grace," he called without waiting to be addressed His robes whipped out as he sketched a graceful bow There was a murmur from some at his audacity, but Euchor acted as if he did not notice

"Welcome to Miln," the duke said "We have heard ht you aa hood

The Painted Man nodded and reentheood look "Impressive," Euchor said "The tales do not do justice" As he spoke, Ragen’s Warders went to work, dipping their pens to copy every sy to seem inconspicuous

This time it was Cob’s voice in his s cost et ether--but he pulled his hood up casually, his eyes never leaving the duke’s The lanced at the Warders and scowled at their lack of subtlety

"I bring iers," the Painted Man said, producing his sealed parcel

The duke ignored him "Who are you?" he asked bluntly "Where are you from?"

"I am the Painted Man," he said "I come from Thesa"

"That name is not spoken in Miln," the duke warned

"Nevertheless, it is so," the Painted Man replied

Euchor’s eyes widened at his audacity, and he leaned back, considering Euchor was different from the other dukes the Painted Man had met in his travels In Lakton and Rizon, the duke was little urehead to speak the will of the city council In Angiers, Rhinebeck ruled, but it seemed his brothers and Janson made as many decisions as he In Miln, Euchor made all the decisions His advisors were clearly his, and not the other way around The fact that he had ruled so long was a testas with your bare hands?" the duke asked

The Painted Man sleur, Your Grace, come out beyond the ith hed, but it was forced, the color draining frohy face "Perhaps another ti ti "So?" he asked at last "Are you, or aren’t you?"

"Your Grace?" the Painted Man asked

"The Deliverer," the duke clarified

"Surely not," Tender Ronnell scoffed, but the duke esture, and he quieted iain

"No," the Painted Man replied "The Deliverer is a legend, nothing more" Ronnell looked ready to speak up at that, but the librarian glanced at the duke and remained silent "I am just a man who has found wards once lost"

"Battle wards," Malcuen to have faced corelings alone in the night, his interest was no surprise The Messengers’ Guild would likely pay anything to arm their men arded spears and arrows

"And how did you come by these wards?" Euchor pressed

"There is much to be found in the ruins between cities," the Painted Man replied

"Where?" Malcu theold for the wards?"