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"Tavar," Gradash called "With your consent, I will take you forward"

"Thank you, huntain and began shouting ely shoved aside, and the Alerans' horses beganforward oncepool within athe Caniather around the pool Tavi sahy, and sucked in a breath through his teeth

No wonder everyone had come to stare

A cloaked form stood upon the surface of the water The cloak was rey fabric with a deep hood Tavi couldn't see any of the features of whoever was beneath the cloak, except for dark lips and a pale, delicate chin His heart lurched in his chest, even so

It was the vord Queen

The troop of Canim soldiers led Tavi and his party to the far side of the pool, where Varg and Nasaug were standing, together with a grey-furred old Cane wearing sections of vord chitin that had been fashioned into armor He wore a red mantle and hood over that, the cut of which was identical to the garments worn by Canim ritualists - but this was the first ti but the pale, supple leather of hulanced down the line of pools and sahat see upon each of theather

"Bloody crows," Max swore "That's a watersending"

Tavi felt his jaw tighten Projecting an i was a relatively difficult use of furycraft Projecting several of them was impossi - Well, not impossible, clearly but very, very improbable Tavi wasn't sure if Gaius Sextus hi there," Max said, frowning "Why is she just standing there?"

"Ferus," Tavi said to one of his guards "Go back to the caht Aeris we have i reconnaissance out to fifty hts Terra to patrol out to tentoward us Cavalry is to ride escort, no group shtfall"

Ferus slain working his way out of the Canirunted "You think it's supposed to be a distraction?"

Tavi gestured at the crowds "If it isn't, it's doing a crowbegotten good job of it No reason to take chances Co next to Varg and Nasaug

"Morning," Varg said, studying the watersending

"Good ," Tavi replied

"I orderedreplied "Borrowed so and keep an eye on the ocean"

Many of the watercrafters who professionally used their talents to conceal ships fro the pair of voyages over the past six eneral were not disposed to ad, but their ships' crews had been more than mildly impressed with the skills of the witch's ears twitched in an a but less than "no" "I think that the Queen had to come back here after she went to Canea I think she did not use one of our ships They have carried out operations in all terrain No reason to take chances"