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To his intense annoyance a horse appeared The shaggy beast came over the slope as the sun rose Tos ell, sos up The district was full of the sods The rich bastards thought they owned the place

He took in a deep breath and prepared to tell the intruder to sod off Then he took a second look The horse straps that bound his trousers to his legs His first impression was of a boy of about thirteen When he looked closer, he realised the young man was closer to twenty

He was a s to his shoulders and an ugly scar crossed his cheek He halted a few paces away and reers ran down it and came to rest on the first knot

He cleared his throat

'Welcoht' His fingers moved to the second knot

'The Duideth bids and coe You have passed the Seventh Gate and are admitted to the fellowship of the Duideth Blessed is the Duideth and holy are its works' The third knot, which was bigger than the others

'Heed the laws of the Duideth Heed the law of silence Do not profane the sacred works riting' Further coers further down the cord He reached the last knot

'You will be received by the Duideth when next the Lord Sun descends in the fullness of his being Go to the Seventh Circle Go as a sih his fingers To

'Bring the young woan to fade away

'I don't understand,' Too?'

A look of alar man's face

'Up where the stones are'

He cocked a thuhtand take the girl with you'