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Briar wriggled to sit up, not caring if his leg hurt This was one thing he could do for her, after he had left her behind for the torturers "Evvy Evvy, give me that pack The one with the eroped and handed it to hi her face from her knees Briar fuyi kaq had when our fellows raided their camp!"

He pulled out her alphabet Since she still hadn’t unfolded, he placed the rolled bundle on the tops of her slippered feet

Evvy parted her knees to peek Then she whispered, "No …"

"Yes," Briar said

She pushed her legs out flat and reached for the heavy roll of cloth Her fingers trembled as she undid the ties that held it shut There were more than twenty-six pockets in the cloth, since jasper, obsidian, jade, sapphire, moonstone, opal, and quartz came in many varieties Evvy stroked each and every sample, tears on her cheeks

"Evumeimei?" Luvo asked "Why do streams run down your face?"

"She has her alphabet back," Briar replied for Evvy, as too overcome to speak Then he had to explain what an alphabet was, and riting was By the ti was over and the army had reached the walled town of Melonam

They waited in the sun for a short time before Jimut rode back to find them "They want to leave the wounded here and press on," he told Briar "Rosethorn said to give you this" He handed over a small vial

Briar knew the medicine as soon as he smelled it It was one of the quick-heal potions they used only when things were desperate

If they’re going to leave me here with the rest of theht And I don’t want to be left!

Before he could lose his nerve -- there was a reason these medicines were seldom used -- he slit the wax on the cork, yanked it free, and sed the contents of the vial For aup his throat to set his teeth, tongue, eyeballs, and nose on fire He stuffed one ar and forced himself to stare at Melonam’s walls That was a e gods with boars’ tusks In their hands they gripped spears tipped with jawbones Looking at Briar, they stuck out their tongues and waved their weapons