Page 142 (2/2)

"Next to him is Jeni Tailor," Jeph went on "They been proest, Silvy and Cholie"

Seated opposite the children, next to Renna and Norine, the Painted Man coughed at the names, those of his lost mother and uncle He took a sip from his water cup to cover his surprise "You have beautiful children"

"Tender Harral says you’re the Deliverer, coain," little Silvy blurted

"Well I ent," the Painted Man told her "Just a Messenger, coers all like you now, then?" Jeph asked "All painted up?"

The Painted Man smiled "I’m one of a kind like that," he admitted "But I’m just a man, all the same Din’t come to deliver anyone"

"You sure did for our Renna," Ilain said "Can’t thank you enough for that"

"Shouldn’t have had to," the Painted Man said

Jeph sat quiet a ht at that," he said at last, "but sometimes when a body’s in a crowd, and the crowd has its say…"

"Stop ht What do we got in this world, ’cept kith and kin? Ent nothing should keep us fro by them"

The Painted Man looked at her This wasn’t the Norine he reht his , except try to keep Arlen fro back to ot to stand up to those that would harm you and yours"

"You sound like ain?" the Painted Man said, his throat tightening

"Me?" Jeph Young asked

Jeph shook his head "Your elder," he told his son, and everyone at the table except Renna and the Painted Man drew a quick ward in the air

"Had another son, name of Arlen, years back," Jeph explained, and Ilain took his hand in hers, squeezing to lend hith "Promised to Renna there, in fact" He nodded to Renna "Arlen’s mam was cored, and he ran off" He looked down at the table, and his voice grew tight "Always asking about the Free Cities, Arlen was Like to think hehis head as if to clear it

"But you have this beautiful fa topositive

Jeph nodded, covering Ilain’s hand in both of his and squeezing "I thank the Creator for theht for those gone before"

After breakfast, the Painted Man went out to the stables to check on Twilight Dancer, more to escape for a moment than for any need He had just started to brush the horse dohen the barn door opened and Renna caht Dancer to eat, stroking the stallion’s flanks when she was done He nickered softly

"It was night when I caot me, Jeph hadn’t crossed the wards and hit one with his axe"

"Honest word?" the Painted Man asked, and felt a lump in his throat when she nodded