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To the south, Sharu had come to a river too wide and deep to cross, and had sent word that he was returning to Everam’s Reservoir To the north, no one had heard fro could not divine their fate with assurance

"They were not cowards when there were ships to reclaim," Abban reminded "The chin fear you, Sharum Ka, and well they should The least of your Sharum could slay a dozen fishhard"

Abban nodded "It is as you say, Sharum Ka But do not underestimate the foe It is not cowardice that stays them"

"Then what is it?" Jayan deh!" Jayan spat "This is Sharak Sun, not khaffit reenlanders are ain in taking back the toe have so many warriors to defend it, andEarless to put another log on the fire "Better to let the snow and cold weaken us"

Jayan grunted All the Krasians were cold and irritable, re the last Northern winter In Krasia winter teht, but the sun in the desert kept the days hot In the North it was cold and wet for un farther inland, but this close to the lake the snows ca havoc with the scorpions If the locals were to be believed,the ports until spring

"So we are left to sit on our spears in this worthless chin hamlet?" Jayan demanded

"The Evejah tells of many winters Holy Kaji was forced to wait out in captured lands, ere the winning of Sharak Sun Conquest is ever thus, Sharu for the perfect moment to strike," Abban clapped his hands for e your enemies"

Jayan seemed mollified at that "I will crush them I will take their eyes and eat theenerations"

"Of that, there is no doubt," Abban agreed, keeping his eyes down, lest he stare at the ht eye He had coold, but Jayan refused to wear it The young Sharuloried in their discomfort

"In the meantime, you can spend the winter in luxury," Abban waved a hand at the lavish chambers, "armth and an abundance of fine food, even as the lake dwellers shiver on their frozen vessels, gnawing fish heads to fill es were so dire, but it was alise to exaggerate when flattering the Sharuain on your palace in Everareenland jiwah to warnoring the soothing words "There must be a way to attack Now, before the winter comes in force"

Indeed there was, but Abban was not about to let the boy know that It was a risky plan under the best of circu to a boy whose foolish pride had cost thee vessels that survived the Sharu, four had been stolen back by the Laktonians, and two more burned beyond repair One was lost to a tide of water demons that had claimed several smaller vessels, as well Abban had sent the reuarded by his ownlore pulled fros of his torturers

A Sharak horn sat both ht Abban looked out theand saw the cause i his spear and running to theas if hevessel that swept in froht to hide its approach

Captain Dehlia had rena it back fro still had a silhouette of a wo off into the distance, but the rejected suitor had been replaced with the silhouette of a Sharu their defenses and giving credence to its name It had been Dehlia and the Sharu the Laktonians to copy the design