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I hurried past her back to the stable Black Lamoral was saddled, and Diccon held the stirrup for me to mount

"Good luck with the ver, too"

His tone was sullen, yet wistful I knew that he loved danger as I loved it, and a sudden reht us nearer to each other than we had been for many a day

"I don't take you," I explained, "because I have need of you here Master Sparrow has gone to watch beside a dying man, and will not be back for hours As forI arden well You knohat I mean Your mistress is to beher across the neck to the forest When she awakes, tell her from me that I am sorry for her to lose her pleasure, but that now she could not go even were I here to take her"

"There 's no danger frohs happen not to be my only foes," I said curtly "Do as I bid you without re her to remain within doors until my return On no account whatever is she to venture without the garden"

I gathered up the reins, and he stood back froone a few paces I drew rein, and, turning in rass "This is a trust, Diccon," I said

The red came into his tanned face He raised his hand and made our old military salute "I understand it so, my captain," he answered, and I rode away satisfied