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"You have done well, khaffit," Jayan said "Perhaps I won’t need to kill you after all"

Abban worked hard to keep his face and stance relaxed as he watched the warriors surround the warehouse, but his jaas tight He had begged Jayan to let him send his Hundred for the delicate mission instead of the dal’Sharulory to be had

Thethe three great piers jutting into the water like a trident The local merchant prince, Dockuards inside

According to Abban’s spies, the dockmasters were the real power in Lakton Duke Reecherd was the strongest of theht than any other

"You shame him with that task," Qeran said

Abban turned to the approaching drill at Earless The rest of Abban’s Hundred ranged all over the town, surveying and preparing reports

"Earless is one of the finest close fighters I have ever seen," Qeran went on, free with his praise, knowing the warrior could not hear hi a fat khaffit afraid of a little sun"

Admittedly, the kha’Sharu eapons, did look a bit foolish holding the delicate paper parasol over Abban Mute, he could not protest, not that Abban would have cared He thought he knew sun after a lifetime in the Krasian desert, but the refection off the lake water was so else entirely

"I pay my kha’Sharum very well, Drillmaster," Abban said "If I wish them to put on a woman’s colored robes and do the pillow dance, they would be wise to do it with a smile"

Abban turned back to watch the Sharum kick in the doors and storm the warehouse Boere fired from the second and third floor s Most deflected off round warded shields, but here and there a warrior screa at the door Above, a cask of oil was du a dozen h to run off the pier and leap into the water, but the rest stuht Their warrior brethren were forced to turn spears on them

"If he has half a brain," Abban said, "Earless prefers the parasol"

It was the first real organized resistance Jayan’smore warriors than the rest of the town combined But there were hundreds of Sharuuards They were quickly overwhelrand building Jayan had already claimed as his Docktown palace

"Everam," Abban said, "if ever you have heardthe dockmaster out alive"

"I spoke to the men just before the assault," Qeran said "These are Spears of the Deliverer They will not fail in their duty just because a few men were sent down the lonely path Those men died with honor and will soon stand before Evera will bite unbidden if pressed," Abban said

Qeran grunted, the usual sign he ing offense Abban shook his head Sharum were full of bold speeches about honor, but they lived by their passions, and seldoht past the uards?

The clear signal was given, and Abban, Qeran, and Earless ht out