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"He’ll be fine" Valek hoped By the collection of bruises and cuts on both uessed they had resisted

The clip-clop of hooves and the jingle of the harness announced the wagon’s approach To Valek, a shrill alarm would have been quieter

"What’s next?" Reeht" Reeuards and five rats poured into the building Draping null shields around Leif’s and Devlen’s necks, the kids wasted no tis and loading thes

By the time they finished, the sun threatened to rise Withinabout the garrison

"Go Disappear," Reeer They scattered in a heartbeat

Valek gave her the pendant before she ju Valek arranged thee He vaulted onto the driver’s seat and headed to the gate Halfway there, he remembered he wore a Sitian uniform rather than his delivery man coveralls And blood soaked his left sleeve and back

Valek stopped the horses He hopped down and, while trying to appear as if he was arranging the bags, he opened Devlen’s sack and yanked the man’s shirt off

Glancing around, he noted a few soldiers, but none seeed and stashed the torn and bloody unifor

The sun rose in a burst of color and light Valek cliate Sweat stung his cuts, and he knew blood would soon stain the green tunic It felt as if a river of red gushed down his back Plus his heart seeuard didn’t ate as he had the last few days Instead, he stood in front of it Valek kept a neutral expression

"Took you long enough," the guard said

"I dropped a damn crate" Valek shook his head as if in exasperation "Damn apples spilled all over And then the cook harassed ed ones, so I had to count the number that were bruised and write a note"

"Sucks for you"

"Yup And it’s couard did a loop around the wagon Then he peered underneath When he pulled his sword, Valek’s heart skipped a beat