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Lamps above the trees roan, I pullthat lies in the center of the glade Bruises, most faded, stain ed with yellowing sands The water soothes ht like piano wire Were my arm not broken, I’d say I was healthier than at the Institute Fighting on Acadeoat meat of that place

I find the haemanthus blossom by the side of the pool It took life where no water laps It is indigenous to Mars, like me, so I do not pick it I buried Eo in a place like this Buried her in the fake forest above Lykos mine, where I last s then How could such a frail girl as she have such a spirit, such a drea souls toiled and kept their heads down for fear of looking up?

I shouted at Roque that I did not care about the defeat Yet I do, and there’s guilt for caring about that when so many lives should demand all my sorrow But before today, victory made me full, because with every victory, I’ve co Eo’s dream real Now defeat has robbed hts, ustus calls I peel the hair-thin display off and close my eyes

His words echo in memory "Even if you lose, even if you cannot take the victory for yourself, do not allow a Bellona triumph Another fleet under their control will tip the scales of power"

Soin and out of sleep till row bored I am not meant for these quiet moustus waiting for long Time to face the old lion Then sleep, maybe I’ll have to stand and watch the damn Victory for Karnus, but after that I’ll be away fro

My clothes are gone, as is my razor

Then I sense them

I hear their military boots behind uess I pick a stone fro the one entrance into the garden All Golds of House Bellona All my blood enemies

Karnus coard as ain as broad He towers overence He rubs a hand over his di like they’re carved fro in the presence of soe that you can feel the vibrations of their voice in your bones

"Looks like we caught the Augustus fish out of water ’Lo, Reaper"

"Goliath," I n

Goliath the breaker Goliath the son killer Goliath the savage Mustang says he once broke the spine of a fancy Luneborn Gold over his knee after the brat thought to splash a drink in his face at a Pearl club His mother then bribed the Judiciar to let him off with a fine

The list of fines he’s paid for er than my arm Grays, Pinks, even a Violet But his true reputation coustus, the ArchGovernor’s favorite son and heir Mustang’s brother

Karnus’s cousins orbit around hiil of the conquering eagle Brothers, sisters, cousins to Cassius Their hair is curly and thick, faces all beauty Their influence stretches across the Society As does the reputation of their arms