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But Abban had other skills, ones that made him invaluable to the Shar’Daht If they were victorious, Jayan would claim credit and Abban’s part would be struck from history If they failed, Abban’s life wouldn’t be worth the dust on his sandals

Qeran was needed out there in the darkness

A few feet away, Da noon the floor on her perfect white casting cloth, projected serenity She watched the men coolly as she sipped her tea

The Krasians had been careful to appear as if nothing were out of the ordinary throughout the day Khevat presided over Waning prayers as warriors spent the day eating, resting, and lying omen Many of the Sharum had sent for their families to settle and help hold the town, and others had taken greenland brides when the toas sacked

But when they , they did not follow the usual path they took to sweep the alagai fro invisibly in their black robes to places where theychin

"When fire shrieks thrice across the sky, youthe dice The power of the alagai hora was shown once more as a line of fire whined into the sky with a shriek that could be heard formissile from the surface of the lake A third lit the sky to the south where Sharu had taken his dal’Sharum

In the distance, he heard the Horn of Sharak, and he felt a thrill pass through him For better or worse, the battle had co baskets of dozens of Laktonian warshipscreent to work ie when fla to watch the streaking missiles, trepidation on his norineers and Warders had secured the building, bricking alagai corpses into the walls to power the wards A crude ih Boulders would bounce off the walls like pebbles, and no flame could touch them Even smoke would turn to a fresh breeze before it drifted inside The whole town could be laid to ruin, but his warehouse would reht before the Laktonians tried to make it reality In the past they had restricted boht’s s and setting fires throughout town

"The first night of Waning," Khevat growled, "and they would burn wo," Abban said "We gave little thought to their holy day of first snoe took the town, and I’ve seen what Sharum do to women and children"

"Chin women and children," Khevat said "Unbelievers outside Everaed "Perhaps Fools, in any event, if they believe there is profit attacking on Waning"

Khevat grunted "Even if they soe to win the battle, the Damaji will not stand for it They will empty Everam’s Bounty of warriors and kill a thousand chin for every Sharu round

The archers had been ready for thee of Thamos’ armored cavalry If the Krasians had positioned too many men atop the hill, they would have shown their hand too soon They left the men on the hill to die

The fuse sparked to life and the rocket took of with a great shriek, leaving a tail of red fire in the sky behind it Briar’s eyes widened as he tracked its flight His s for festival days, but this was flamework like he had only heard tale of To the south and east, other rockets rose in response, signaling the readiness of the forces to attack

"They’re beautiful," he said

"Leesha Paper made them for a different new moon" Thamos’ voice was distant, sad "I’ve seen flamework fail ers into the sea was there

"I wonder what the Gatherer would think," Sa her flamework heralds such bloodshed"