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Briar twisted to confor unseen as the Krasian scout h the wetland The kha’Sharu landmarks on oiled paper

He was alone Briar hadparty, or otherwise likely to be missed Just a lone scout sent to ht into the path of Than of their passing Soon after, he would be running to tell his superiors

Briar clutched his spear He hated this Hated killing people The Krasians looked sohi for it When the scout passed under the tree, Briar fell upon hih his shoulder into heart and lungs He was dead before they hit the ground

Briar took his rucksack and papers, leaving the body to sink beneath the murky sater

It was fifteen days before they reached the uided Tha for the horses Nine Wooden Soldiers were lost to boggies, and seven horses suffered broken ankles and had to be put down One of the Mountain Spears took a slispit in the face Briar packed it with mud and poultices, but it looked like a e off

The Monastery of Nen stood on a high bluff stretching out over the lake Water on three sides, it was accessible only by a narrow road with a moat that cut clear across to link the waters of the lake The wooden walls were thick and high, with a drawbridge to allow entry and egress The docks to the north and south were low on the rocky bluffs--goods and livestock co into the rock face

The drawbridge was lowered for the the refugee tent camps inside the walls The folk were filthy and thin, used now tomeals

"I had no idea it was this bad," Saees in the Hollow …"

"Have the benefit of being safe in allied territory," Thamos said "These poor souls …"

He turned to one of his captains "Find the quarter else we can do to provide comfort for these people"

The man saluted and was off as Briar led Thamos and Sa for thehtly "Creator bless you, boy"

He looked to the count, bowing deeply "It is an honor, Your Highness Welcome to the Monastery of Nen I am Tender Heath I will take you to the Shepherd"

It wasn’t often Briar was allowed into Shepherd Alin’s private offices The Shepherd wore plain brown robes like Tender Heath, but his inner chained The carpeting was thick, soft, and colorful, woven with powerful church warding Acolytes followed him with ready brooms, lest any reat pillowed things--so soft Heath said he was not allowed to sit lest he stain theroot sap, but Briar walked close to a velvet sofa as they passed by, shivering with pleasure as he ran his fingertips along its length

Great shelves of lacquered goldwood ran floor-to-ceiling along the walls, holding countless books Heath had been trying to teach him to read, but Briar wasfor them in the back office with two otherThe Shepherd’s was deep and long enough to be respectful, without relinquishing dominance The bow of an equal

"An honor to hness," the Shepherd said "We hoped Briar would bring back help, but hadn’t expected royalty"

"Or so many Wooden Soldiers," one of the other men said He was midsized, with a fine coat He stood with his feet spread like oneof a ship’s deck than dry land "And cavalry, no less! It seems the Creator answers prayers, after all"

"Dock to the man, "and his brother, Captain Marlan"