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"Plan was for it to be the three of us, Ahet it unstuck"

Jardir looked at hihed and nodded to the back of the stable "Co off a ca to a trapdoor He lifted the trap and descended into the darkness below Jardir folloarily, aware that the Par’chin’s jiwah followed behind Jardir did not fear her, but the strength of her aura told hi advantage should they coht returned as they slipped back into darkness, but the Par’chin’s wards began to gloay, sending the shadows fleeing as he led them to a heavy door, banded with steel and etched with powerful wards

The Par’chin opened the door, casting light on the man and woman, clad only in their bidos, imprisoned within

Shanjat and Shanvah looked up froht

CHAPTER 8

THE TRUE WARRIOR

333 AR AUTUMN

"Deliverer!" Shanjat and Shanvah leapt to their feet,to hide the blush of their skin or the guilty looks on their faces

Indeed, their auras matched the look, shame and embarrassment palpable Jardir assessed the situation, and his eyes darkened Even if Shanvah had lain with hihter, and Jardir’s niece Whether his spirit was penitent or not, Jardir would have no choice but to sentence his old friend to death

He considered the thought grimly Shanjat had served him loyally since the two of theood husband for his sister Hoshvah More, Jardir needed Shanjat and the Sharuan in full Perhaps he could commute the sentence until after Sharak Ka Give his loyal servant a chance to die on alagai talons and bring that his honor with hied

"Forgive us, Deliverer, we have failed you!" Shanjat cried before Jardir could utter a word He and Shanvah fell to their knees, pressing hands and foreheads to the dirt floor "I swear by Everam we tried every method in our power to escape and continue our search for you, but the Par’chin--"

"--is using hora ernails were raw and dirty In wardsight, Jardir could see the scratches where she and her father had tested every inch of their prison

He looked around the roo no robes or veils Of course the Par’chin would have stripped and searched the them Even he was not such a fool as to leave the in the rooile to make an effective weapon

Suddenly Jardir was the one to feel ashahtless cell, a crime? He had been ready to assume the worst, to sentence one of his oldest friends to death, when his only guilt stemmed from the fear they had failed in their duty to him

"Always quick to turn on a friend," the Par’chin rit his teeth

"Rise in honor, brother, niece," he said "The Par’chin is beyond your power There is no shame in defeat at his hands"

Both stayed on their knees When Shanjat hesitated, Shanvah spoke in his place "It was not the Par’chin who captured us, Deliverer"

Most fathers would have been enraged at the face lost having their daughter speak for theratitude, and a pride Jardir had not seen him show either of his sons