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"As fine a speciive me, Baron, but I wish every day I’d seen hi the count like a dog Careful to stand well out of reach

"Offer stands, Highness," Gared said, holding out the reins with a smile "You last a full minute in the saddle, and you can take hih "I knoeighted dice when I see them, Baron I’ll simply take heart that you ride ata little With Arlen gone, he had grown increasingly dependent on the count If the Warded Man never returned, he would soon be Thah

"The road ahead is unwarded," Thaarrison commander says the increased traffic has drawn demons by the score It will cost us additional time, but I do not think we should proceed after dusk fro up to thelimpsed her, and quickly averted his eyes "We have warded weapons and skilled warriors If your brother cannot ward his roads and keep them clear, the Hollow should offer assistance"

Thahtened He raised his eyes to her at last "We have warriors, yes We also have Herb Gatherers Foreign dignitaries Jongleurs These are not people prepared to go out in the night"

Leesha snorted "Rojer alone could protect the entire caravan"

Ay, don’t bring hness like that, Gatherer," Goldentone said "Prince Thamos is commander of the Wooden Soldiers He needs no s ahead are filled with beggars these days in any event Co in we had to send a squad ahead each day to chase them out before we ht back in after we passed"

There was a aze to Jasin, ilted under the coe fists, and Wonda put a hand on the bow hanging froerous "Are you telling me, Herald, that you ran peasants froht on your way to the Hollow?"

Jasin paled "I was bid to come to you with all haste …"

Thamos moved faster than Rojer would have believed of aJasin a sharp backhand that dropped him onto his backside

"Those people are under ees driven froars and bandits!"

Jasin had been wise enough to stay down, and Thamos kicked him into a roll "This is how you represent the crown? By sending those who come to us for aid to their deaths?"

Jasin deftly turned the roll into a tued count, his hands clutched together as if in prayer "Please, Highness It was by the duke’s own coathered to watch the scene, or stuck heads froes Not just the travelers, the Wooden Soldiers fro as well, ready to leap to Thamos’ command All equipped arded weapons and armor

The count turned to them "Are the Wooden Soldiers so unprepared they can’t build their own caht?"

The captain of the garrison cahness, we are not But the herald speaks true Duke Rhinebeck his without license are to be driven out"

Lines appeared on Thaain "My brother doesn’t have to look peasants in the eye when he condemns them But you men did"

The captain put his head down farther "Yes, sir And the Creator will judge"

"No more!" Thamos barked His voice rose smoothly as he addressed the soldiers directly