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The problem was that the cannon in front ofIt would take far unpowder to destroy it

Then I sh But who said it had to be liunpowder and scooped a generous portion into the barrel, then rammed it into the breech Once I was certain it was packed in tightly, I replaced the ramrod and scoop exactly as they had been before I started to close up the sack, then realized I was passing up an enorunpowder as I dared to steal into an extra bag, then refastened the bag and made my escape back to Mystic

Unless they carefully checked their cannon, Mendenwal had no idea they were now testing a loaded weapon

I rode away, retracing my ride back toward Avenia Less than an hour later, as I reached the arch of another gentle hill, the ground quaked violently enough to startle Mystic to his hind legs, and a thick plume of black smoke rose into the air several rinned Avenia and Mendenere still terrible threats to Carthya But they no longer had a cannon

It was early evening before I found the place where I held The hastily assembled camp lay just on the Avenian side of the border near Libeth, but a hill descending toward the caood view of the interior The swa Libeth butted up to the camp’s northern boundary Due to its reputation for thick underbrush and poisonous snakes, no one would dare atte of the swamp by foot, and it wasn’t much easier by boat The other perimeters were surrounded by tall er cas and tents of all sizes

"Your Majesty?"

I swiveled around, sword drawn, as two uard, they raised their hands in a gesture of peace and then each quickly fell to one knee

When I recognized them, I replaced my sword and asked them to rise The man who had spoken was Henry Evendell, a talented archer with a good heart who often stood as a vigil at my castle I didn’t know the second man well, but Evendell introduced him as Herbert, a new but a over their shoulders and quivers on their backs

"Where’s Mott?" I asked

Out of respect, Evendell inclined his head before speaking again "He entered the caht looked different fron of him for hours, and we’re concerned that he may have been captured"

"Show me the tent" Evendell pointed it out to ils stood around it now Either a royal was inside, or more likely, a valuable prisoner

"Did he leave you with orders?" I asked them

Evendell and Herbert eyed each other, and then Evendell answered, "Before co here, we secured a small boat near the swamp, on the north end of caen, ere to use our arrows to clear a path for their escape into that boat"

"Has there been any sign of her?"

Both Evendell and Herbert shook their heads Herbertthat I couldn’t hear and I told him to speak up Then he said, "There was one more order, sire, but you won’t like it"