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"I found the creature," I said, trying to figure out if I ht actually deserve the creature’s confidence "And I did pass the Alfar tests Well, sort of"

"And you defeated your Rival," she said I frowned

"Did you let Phaedra get to uilty

"I knew it I knew you could have just kicked her ass Why did you let her get through to me?"

[Do not blame my child, my child,] the creature said It needed to expand his pet name vocabulary, for sure [You had to face your Rival, to earn my power The Alfar set certain rules I was not able to do aith them, only alter them One of the Alfar rules was that you had to face a Rival My child only did as co your duel]

"I’ all those secrets Noever, my mission is complete, so no more lies?"

"There better not be," I said, adht here?" Blondie asked, unco Jane news you must know What I saw in Phaedra’s mind--there is much to fear, and her people have been busy]

"Did you see where they’re searching? And which things they’re looking for?" Blondie asked

[They are gathering their forces behind two creatures of evil--of darkness These beings would destroy everyonechaos Jane ave me a sympathetic look

[With the weapon you now possess, yes You ht, Jane And you h?"

[You shall not be coerced, child I do not write your destiny I a you a choice But the rebellion needs a leader--sourehead? Like what… Joan of Arc?"

The creature thought over ot burned at the stake," I reminded it

[Perhaps not entirely adequate]

"So that’s all I have to do? Exist? Point at things and et set aflaave you my weapon I meant it when I said you were my champion It couldn’t be the one you call Blondie--she’s the cause, in soh she can’t be bla,na&iu it with my oer, for one whoive you what you need in body and strength]

I looked at the labrys, still gloith power I let it go ahead and cool off, so I could really see my so-called destiny It wasn’t h-hewn But when I applied lowed like it was made of crystal

"I don’t know if I can do this," I admitted, my voice small

[I know And that is why you were chosen Your hu you victory I knew you were a candidate when you were younger, but after being in your soul, when you were attacked… You are what the rebellion needs]

"Speaking of being attacked, do you knoho did it?" Blondie interrupted

[Yes, I knoho did it They were huo That was the first chance they had to attack And before you ask, it was not Jarl, but one very like him They work for the saain focus on er than merely Jarl, Jane Your enemies are not solitary, nor are they without resources beyond the physical]

So all of the conjecturing I did with Trill and Nell was correct There is so on… and Jarl is just one face of our enemy

"Can you tell me who, exactly, ordered that attack?" asked Blondie

[I will brief you on what you need to know about what I found in Phaedra’swho hired the huo for more information Are you ready? We must move as swiftly as our ene will this take?"

[Not long I a you to a source that will have much to tell you He will, however, need to be coerced]

"Coercion I can do," she said "Jane, take care I guess I’ll see you soon" Then Blondie turned and nodded at the great eye "I’m rea-…" she said, only to be apparated away suddenly

"Will she be all right?" I asked

[Oh, yes This mission will be easy for her]

And then I asked the question I was dreading, in my smallest mental voice But the creature heard me

[Are you still unsure she can be trusted?] it demanded

"Yes," I replied, my real voice equally small

[Yes, she can be She is your ally, and your friend My child cares for you very ain at Phaedra’s crule entle with the Swiss-cheese corpse lying on the floor