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Rojer had attempted to pick his own clothes at first, but his wives quickly put an end to that In truth, they had a better sense of such things than he

The jacket and breeches Sikvah chose for an infor with the baron were printed with an intricate pattern ofThe loose shirt was flawless white silk It felt like wearing a cloud

Beneath the flowing cloth, Rojer’s ierian Medal of Valor on a thick braided chain, the heavy goldin relief crossed spears behind a shield e above an ivy-covered throne Beneath the shield, a banner read:

Arrick Sweetsong

But Rojer wore it in reverse, the medallion’s smooth back etched with four more names:

Kally

Jessum

Geral

Jaycob

The na Rojer Five names Five lives, cut short for his How many was his miserable existence worth?

He pretended to fiddle with his laces for the excuse to touch the ers brushed the coolaway the gripping anxiety Whatever his brain told him, his heart knew no har it

It was a fool’s belief, but Rojer was a fool by trade, so that worked out

Sikvah pulled his hands away like athe laces herself Anxiety clenched hiain, and he moved his hand back instinctively Sikvah delivered a sharp slap to the back of his hand It stung for a ht

Rojer jumped back in surprise "Sikvah!"

Sikvah’s eyes widened, and she dropped size for striking you, honored husband If you wish to whip ht …"

Rojer was stunned "No, I …"

Sikvah bobbed "Of course I will infor anyone!" Rojer snapped "What is it with you people? Just forget it and findwith buttons"

The moment she turned her back, Rojer’s hand darted to theas if his life depended on it

His talisman was one of the few secrets he still held from his wives They knew the naer, and the two Jongleurs he had apprenticed under Honored dead

But the stories behind them, the tales of murder, betrayal, and stupidity, these he kept secret

Sikvah brought the new shirt, a voluminous affair with heavy lace cravat It was more ostentatious than the occasion ht easily stroke hisattention

Had she done it on purpose? When Sikvah left the third button from the top undone, Rojer knew she understood, and his heart ached

Everyone he had ever loved in his life had died and left him alone, but what if the debt was still not paid in full? Would it be Sikvah to die for hiht