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So, Leesha realized, for her to have dropped the performance out in the open hall

She smelled him the moment she entered the chambers Araine had opened the s and filled the room with fresh flowers, but the stench was une behind her left eye, and knew it had just triggered a headache that would have her whi roo--even filthier than last ti through melted snow What she could see of his flesh was covered in scrapes and bruises

Leesha went to hi Pain blosso hiard, as if he hadn’t slept in a week His feet were bloody and blistered, but there was no infection The rest of his injuries looked painful, but superficial

"What happened?" she asked him

Briar’s eyes flicked to Araine, and it was she who answered as Leesha continued to tend the boy

"Thamos led an attack to retake Docktown," Araine said "A joint effort with Lakton and the Rizonan resistance"

"Why wasn’t I told of this?" Leesha demanded

"Because I don’t trust you where the Krasians are concerned," Araine said, bluntly "You would have opposed the attack"

Leesha folded her ary accoan to weep

Leesha reached for hi the boy as he cried, tears leaving streaks in thehis cheeks A thousand questions swirled about her, but at the moment only one , Briar shook his head He reached into his robe, pulling out a folded bit of paper, stained and filthy "Told ive you this"

"Eh?" Araine asked Briar had obviously left this out of his initial report

Leesha took the paper in shaking hands The words, written in haste, were se was short:

My Darling Leesha,

I forgive you I love you

Doubt anything, but do not doubt that

Tha as her eyes filled with tears The sob burst from her despite her best efforts, and she dropped the paper, covering her face Briarher much as she had hirunting as she read it

"Will they even give us back his body to bury?" Leesha asked