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He dropped his eyes "Like the sound of that last part, though"

In Rhinebeck’s drawing rooion, and generally trying to impress one another There were several Succor tables withnot the least affected as ed hands with every throw of the dice

Jasin was present, but the herald had claimed a corner and was surrounded by a knot of sycophants that made an unexpected encounter unlikely

"Gared! Rojer!" Tha them over to where he stood with his brothers and Lord Janson "Join us!" Keerin, Duke Euchor’s herald, was there as well, but with the air of ato join a conversation where he is not entirely welcome

"Are you refreshed from the road,us how your caravan traveled at night as well as day, slaying corespawn as you went A most impressive feat"

Gared’s shoulders lifted and fell "Sauess Killin’ demons is sweaty work, but it’s not like choppin’ a tree Arlen Bales wardedit at a derunted and nodded knowingly, but Rojer could see through the façade Odds were none of theht one

"And you, Rojer?" Janson asked "As I understand it, you gain no such advantage when you charht "

"Calluses, ers The uard to flinch, but he could see the shock in their eyes His crippled hand was a harsh reht

"As Gared says, we’re used to such things in the Hollow," Rojer went on "I think ers could limber a bit more with a spot of Succor …"

"Don’t bother," Keerin said "I’ve already tried They all know better than to dice with a Jongleur"

"The Duchess Mum raised no fools," Janson said Rhinebeck and his brothers looked his way and laughed, acting as if Keerin had not spoken at all

The herald laughed along uncomfortably, desperate to find some bit of acceptance In the moment of silence that followed, he pressed his suit "I, too, have some experience with demons Perhaps you’ve heard the tale of how I cut the ar about that tickled Rojer’s roaned

"Not this ale story again," Rhinebeck said

"Must’ve been a little one," Gared said "Don’t look like you could reach the arm of a decent-sized rock What’d you use? Axe? Pickto coreat tale" He swept a bow to Rhinebeck "With Your Grace’s permission …"

The duke put his face in his hand "Had to ask, ay Baron?" He swept the hand at Keerin "Very well, Herald Sing your song" Keerin swept into the center of the roonaled for more wine He had a fine lute, and while he was unlikely to be counted aers, neither was Rojer Keerin’s voice was rich and clear, washing over the rooround was hard

Succor was leagues away

The cold wind stark

Cutting at our hearts

Only wards kept corelings at bay

"Help htened child

"Run to us!" I called

"Our circle’s wide,

The only succor for miles!"

The boy cried out

"I can’t; I fell!"

His call echoed in the black

Catching his shout

I sought to help

But the Messenger held rim

"For death is all you’ll find

"No help you’ll provide

’Gainst coreling claws

Just rabbed his spear

Leaping across the wards