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"That is impertinent, Lia He is a stern man, does not suffer fools…"

Colvin twirled the stem in his hand and crossed theto ask him," Lia whispered

"Lia, do not!" Duerden whispered back

"Good day, Lia," Colvin said He looked at Duerden and an expression clouded his face for just an instant She did not understand what it meant, but she noticed it "I do not believe we have been introduced," he said to Duerden "I aood day"

Duerden stared at him as if some thunder had exploded in his ears and he could not hear a word

Colvin waited for an aardat his hand "From Fath Court Hundred" His palm eaty and cold "He is the friend I told you of"

Colvin was coshell

"We were just talking," Lia went on, patting Duerden’s hand in sy Winterrowd You were there, were you not, Lord Colvin? At the battle?"

The look he gave her had the sheen of athere was not a battle That Garen De’s arlewas murdered Have you heard these ruain "I was not saying that…what I , not what I myself believe I trust implicitly in the power of the Mediuument, I cannot vouch for what I did not " He took a gulp of air "I apologize for bothering you, Lord Price It will not…happen…again" His coreen

Colvin’s tone was measured, but his eyes flashed with annoyance "If I were in your position, I would feel the same The story is truly incredible But as Lia said, I was there I witnessed it We were outnuht for our own survival I was one of hts who earned a collar that day There was a battle and the Mediule h each of us bears the scars of our wounding Those of us ere there are…uncoular moment in my life Hence the whispers and the rumors"

Duerden’s mouth quavered "I pray I did not offend you," he mumbled

"If you are Lia’s friend, you cannot offend me," he replied "Tell me – what studies do you prefer? Which tomes of the ancients do you scribe?"