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"--we’ll come and assist you," I finished for him

He drew in a breath I waited for overprotective Valek to frown at me, but instead he a the whole herd with us"

"Herd?" Gerik asked

Onora smiled in relief, and the color returned to her face "He means his family and friends"

"Our family and friends" I corrected her "You and Gerik are now part of the herd"

Shocked, Onora glanced at Valek "We are?"

"Yes The horses have named you Smoke Girl, but I don’t know Gerik’s horse naenuine warmth She then asked Valek for advice on how to o suidance "She’s had years of experience, and ents trust her They’ll trust you, too, once you’ve proven that you can handle difficult situations Don’t try to be their friend Ask their opinions, listen to them, but once you’ve decided on a course of action, don’t let thee your mind Never show them you’re uncertain Issue orders with confidence, despite how you feel"

"Is that what you do?" I asked

"Not at all"

"Uh-huh"

He flashedelse?" Onora asked

Valek sobered "When you return to Ixia, you’ll have a chance to show everyone what type of leader you’ll be by how you deal with Captain Timmer"

She stiffened I didn’t bla solider in his unit

"I thought the Co her throat

"He’s waiting to see if you’d like to execute the captain yourself or if you want hied Orif you wish to spare the e to everyone in Ixia"

"No pressure," shethe citizens of Ixia now They’re in your care Keep that in edas Valek’s We laughed

"Take care of the baby," Onora said "If you need souards, just let uards? Don’t you start I get enough of that overprotective nonsense froaveJanco smile "Too late"

"Go" I shooed her out the door