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"Don’t know, but he said right away"

Kerrick suppressed his annoyance as he headed toward the prince’s office Ryne probably wanted another detailed explanation of the ufa attack He realized he still held the sword’s hilt and relaxed his grip Cellina had taken the sword his father had gifted to hiue had killed King Neil and most of Kerrick’s fah hiht of the ufa pack Kerrick would be content to never see another ufa in his lifeti them meant Kerrick would likely encounter them in battle

Worry for Cellina swirled in his stoician was quick to anger and could easily murder her with one touch

Quain followed Kerrick into Ryne’s spacious office Large s allowed in plenty of sunlight Oversized are black slab of obsidian that served as Ryne’s desk and conference table Loren lounged in a red-and-gold-striped chair but sat up straight and eyed Kerrick warily A few silver hairs shone a Loren’s short black hair At thirty-five he was the oldest of Kerrick’s gentlemen and balanced Quain’s youth and inexperience nicely Otherwise, Kerrick would have lost his patience with Quain long ago

Amoody, sullen and distant And frouessed they thought the same He smoothed his expression and approached

Ryne was bent over ahis friend Ryne’s dark brown hair fell forward al his hazel eyes Thin and five inches shorter than Kerrick, his pleasant and average appearance belied his cunningthe map with a stylus, Ryne said, "I think if we send in waves of s the you should discuss with Estrid," Kerrick said

Ryne looked up at his tone "I know you’re all about action, but there has to be a great deal of planning beforehand or on’t succeed Why are you so anxious to leave?"

"Summer is a feeeks away It’s prime time for Tohon to launch an attack We should be there," he said

"Tohon won’t attack until we’re there"

"That doesn’t make sense"

"It does to Tohon," Ryne said "The Nine Mountains are an effective barrier If he conquered Estrid’s army before we arrived, then he would have to cross the et to us We’d litter the passes with ambushes, and it would make it harder for Tohon to succeed"

"We’re safe here, so why don’t we stay and see what happens?" Quain asked

"I said it would be harder for him to succeed, not that it would stop hiht hi "Besides, Avry promised Danny we’d heal our world That includes all fifteen realms"

There was a moment of silence as thethe Ryne’s soldiers Plus, he had pro Ryne Kerrick would honor his word

"When are we leaving?" Kerrick asked

"When we’re ready," Ryne said