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“I believe so, Aspect” Alucius took the sack froe volu

“‘Fallacy and Belief,’” the Aspect read as he took the volu est you look inside”

Dendrish opened the book, his se which Alucius knew read: Or “Poance—The Nature of Aspect Hendrahl’s Scholarship”

“What is this?” the Aspect demanded

“I found it at Lord Al Avern’s house,” Alucius told him “You remember him, no doubt They called him the Lord of Ink and Scroll, on account of his scholarly accomplishments”

“Accoreater talents”

“Well, he has much to say on your talents, Aspect His critique of your treatise on the origin of the Alpiran gods is particularly effusive, and quite elegantly phrased I h the book with expert precision, opening it out to reveal a chapter liberally adorned with the late Lord Al Avern’s graceful script “‘Simply repeats Carvel’?” the Aspect read in a furious rasp “This einality”

“I thought you ain and lance at the Free Sword standing outside and levered himself to his feet, not without difficulty “You ed since h the ashes of his great crilorious victory at Alltor and Adlorious seizure of the Meldenean Isles”

Hendrahlin a barely heard whisper “Master Grealin, still no word on him?”

It was the one question he always asked and Alucius had given up trying to extract the reason for this interest in the Sixth Order’s store-minder “None, Aspect Just like last time” Oddly, this response always see back to sit on his bed, his fingers resting on the book, not looking up as Alucius left the cell

As ever, Aspect Elera proved a contrast to her brother in the Faith, s open, her slender hands extended in greeting “Alucius!”

“Aspect” He always found he had to force the catch frorey robe they wouldn’t let him replace, the flesh of her ankle red and raw frolad to see hi the sack on the bed “For your leg There’s an apothecary shop on Drover’s Way Burnt-out, naturally, but it seeht to hide soood sir My thanks” She sat and ru out with the s the lid to sniff the contents “Corr tree oil and honey Excellent This will do very well” She rued further and found the books “Marial!” she exclaiasp “I once had a full set Must be near twenty years since ood to me, Alucius”

“I endeavour to do my best, Aspect”

She set the book aside and looked up at hire water ration allowed Lord Darnel had been very particular in his instructions regarding her confinement, a consequence of her less-than-co his first and only visit here So, whilst Aspect Dendrish was treated to only the cruelty of indifference and a restricted diet, Aspect Elera was shackled to the ith a length of chain that restricted her movements to no more than two square feet of her tiny cell As yet, however, he had not heard her voice a single cooes the poem?” she asked him

“Slowly, Aspect I fear these tumultuous ti forward to reading it And your father?”

“Sends his regards,” Alucius lied “Though I see him rarely these days Busy as he is with the Lord’s work”