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"I’a to spot a tail in a noisy, crowded festival is a difficult task It’s like asking a child to run when she has just learned hoalk In the woods, alone and trying to avoid everyone, picking up a tail will be easier and within my abilities" I stopped No response froician out, maybe we can discover why she wants to killthat watched and waited for a fly to come closer

I played "

My use of the Commander’s as not lost on hiet far, so I doubt we’ll see this ician as if it left a foul taste in his mouth "I do expect you to keep quiet about this entire affair Consider it an order You’re dismissed"

"Yes, Sir" I left his office

I spent the re provisions for the exercise, which was scheduled to begin the nextat dawn I visited Dilana’s workroo Valek’s name produced remarkable results from the blacksmiths, who hurried to procure the ite I requested She seemed disappointed that I only wanted to borrow a leather backpack

"Keep it," she had said "No one has claimed it It’s been underfoot since I started"

I kept her coossip and fussed about how I needed to eatRand alone, I waited until after the staff had cleaned up dinner He was standing at a counter, working on menus Each week’s ive theredients were available

"You look better than I feel," Rand said in a soft tone He held his head like a full cup of water,over "I don’t have anything for you to taste today I haven’t had the energy"

"That’s okay" I noted his white face and the dark ses under his eyes "I won’t keep you I just need to borrow sos"

Interested, Rand almost returned to his jovial self "Like what?"

"Bread And solue you invented Medic Mommy used it to seal a cut on lue! One of my best recipes yet! Did she tell you how I discovered it? I was trying tocake and--"

"Rand," I interrupted, "I would love to hear the story, and you must promise to tell me another tiht" He pointed to a stack of loaves and said, "Take what you need"

While I collected bread, he rulue