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A sharp stab of loneliness struck e of May and Carra, who still lived at Brazell’s ers twitched to fix Carra’s crooked braids and to straighten May’s skirt

Instead of Carra’s silky ginger hair in uidedon the floor, she put socks on my feet and then a pair of boots The boots were made of soft black leather They came up over my ankle to midcalf, where the leather folded down Dilana tucked s into the boots and helped me stand

I hadn’t worn shoes in seasons and I expected them to chafe But the boots cushioned hts of May and Carra temporarily banished These were the finest pair of boots I’d ever worn

She sht-size boots without having to et poor Rand ’s boots right He’s too smitten with you to complain Now he limps around the kitchen"

"Don’t pay any attention to her," Dilana said toor I’ll sneak into your rooood-naturedly out the door

Margg tookroom and served me small portions of soup and bread The soup tasted divine After devouring the food, I asked for more

"No Too much will make you sick," was all she said With reluctance I leftto ain I watched her retreating back

My sle stained mattress on a stark metal frame, a plain wooden desk and chair, a chamber pot, an armoire, a lantern, a tiny woodstove and oneshuttered tight The gray stone walls were unadorned I tested the eon cell, yet I found ested softness With ’s censure, and the harsh cut and colors of the unifored for a pillow or blanket I felt like a lost child looking for so supple that wouldn’t end up hurtingmy extra uniforms in the arh for me to sit on The shutters were locked, but the latches were on the inside Hands shaking, I unlocked and pushed the shutters wide, blinking in the sudden light Shielding my eyes, I squinted beneath my hand, and stared at the scene in front of myin disbelief I was on the first floor of the castle! Five feet beloas the ground

Between my room and the stables were the Commander’s kennels and the exercise yard for the horses The stable boys and dog trainers wouldn’t care if I escaped I could drop doithout any effort and be gone Te, except for the fact that I would be dead in two days Maybe another tiht be worth the price

I could hope

Chapter Three