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She tied her hip satchel about her waist, and prepared to open the front door when she heard Alae you don't know!"

Mericlou stopped herself just short of screaer, but still trying to keep her voice down, "What are you doing still up … and in the den, with the lights off?"

"It's the funniest thing," Alaema said airily Mericlou could hear ht si the city, and when I came back, I found that Garen and Noroa had turned uess that's the punishive me for my behavior at the party?"

"I wouldn't know about that," Mericlou replied, though alht She quite well deserved it "I'et some fresh air; what did you want?"

"I knohere you can find you elf friend," Alaeht, if you want to know"

"Go on," Mericlou said, trying her best to sound indifferent, although her artificial blood ran hot in her face when she heard the nao into the Goblin PotIt's an all-night tavern on the human side of the city Elves usually avoid those places like a disease, but he just walked right in"

"How long ago was this?" Mericlou asked

"About thirty ht still be there" She giggled softly "Go kiss-kiss with your boyfriend!"

Mericlou exhaled harshly through her nostrils, but did not feel like arguing She left the apart herself not to slam the door

These were the times that Alaema really tried her patience Still, she was her sister, and just as dear to her as Skori, Sedriil, and Noroa She decided to take Aldrec's advice of going easy on her, but in times like these, it felt like her sister was purposely provoking her

She h off her exasperation as she walked down the streets, now quiet and peaceful in the ht Elven cities were famous for their tranquility, as elves were less inclined towards crime or violence And humans in elven cities tended to take after the elves The purse-snatcher of a year ago had been one of those rare exceptions

The night breeze carried a fresh scent of pine from the forest on Lusea's southern outskirts It did much to ease Mericlou from the memories of earlier Still, she could not keep herback to the conversation she and Aldrec had shared a year ago, and what he had said