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The leather-bound book orn, its ink faded It was no showpiece, but rather a guide often referred to, its ularly Ronnell had co his time at the Library, but he had none of Ronnell’s faith in the book, for it was built upon two premises he could not accept: that there was an all-powerful Creator, and that the corelings were a part of His plan, a punishment uponin the world, was responsible for the wretched state of hu; always afraid, never hopeful But for all that, many of the Canon’s sentiments about brotherhood and the fellowship of men were ones the Painted Man believed in deeply

He flipped through the book until he found a certain passage, and began to read:

"There is no man in creation who is not your brother

No woman not your sister, no child not your own

For all suffer the Plague, righteous and sinful alike

And all ht"

The Painted Man closed the book with a snap that made the librarian jump "What price did I ask for the wards, Tender? That Euchor help the helpless who come to his door? How do I profit froue with Rhinebeck," Ronnell suggested "Paid to get rid of Beggars who have beco"

"Listen to yourself, Tender!" the Painted Man said "Making excuses not to follow your own Canon!"

"Why have you coive the wards to everyone in Miln if you wished"

"Already have," the Painted Man said "Neither you nor Euchor can suppress the me this? Keerin doesn’t leave until tomorrow I could still advise the duke to rescind his proees"

"But you won’t," the Painted Man said, placing the Canon back on its stand pointedly

Ronnell scowled "What is it you want of ines Euchor mentioned," the Painted Man said

Ronnell drew a deep breath "And if I refuse to tell you?"

The Painted Man shrugged "Then I go to the stacks and find out for myself"

"The archives are off limits save to those with the duke’s seal," Ronnell said

The Painted Man pulled his hood down "Even to me?"

Ronnell stared in wonder at his painted skin He was silent a long time, and when he spoke, it was another verse from the Canon "For he shall be marked upon his bare flesh…"

"And the deht, and they shall flee terrified before him," the Painted Man finished "You e the year I warded your stacks"

Ronnell stared at hi to peel back the wards and years Suddenly his eyes flared with recognition "Arlen?" he gasped

The Painted Man nodded "You gave your word that I would have access to the stacks for life," he rean, but trailed off He shook his head as if to clear it "How could I not have seen it?" he muttered