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Vargan seized on this new opportunity the way a snake ht snatch a mouse He would force me to act, but I didn’t kno to fix this It would have been hard enough to get both Tobias and myself out of here Now Harlowe too? How eon? I didn’t want their company, not here, and noeasier

The key to my chains was still hidden inside my coat, but I’d have no chance at freedoils here killed me, and then Harlowe next So I stood silently and in full cooperation For now

"You wish to have Jaron’s body?" Vargan said to Harlowe "For what purpose?"

"His title is King Jaron," Harlowe replied cal to Carthyan traditions"

Vargan let a long silence pass, probably in soent Well, he could stare at Harlowe for as long as he wanted, but I knew Harloouldn’t blink Eventually, Vargan gave up and said, "It’s a pity Jaron’s dead Otherwise, I’d have offered you the chance to trade places with hiive your life for his"

"And I’d have accepted," Harlowe said

"Yes, but would Jaron allow you to do that?" Vargan’s laugh was dark and coarse He was speaking to Harlowe, but his e was for my ears "Would he let you die to save himself?"

"I would insist on it," Harlowe said "If Jaron were here, I would beg him to find a way to rean said, "I would offer hiils at h the curtain and into the main rooh I was in bad shape, stu into the roohter when he saw me, but the expression on his face was one of deep sadness, not surprise I tried to understand that Obviously, hethat I was alive, but how? Harlowe immediately left his chair and bowed at an

"You will bow to rowled "Both of you will"

Harlowe rose again and in his anger seeestured athe’s clearly endured here! If you allowed such treat of hially entered Avenia and attacked this ca or a mercenary? Jaron is my prisoner, and believe me, he has received far more kindness than he deserved"

Harlowe stepped forward to further the argu my head, I said, "Go hos here Tell the people I’m well"

"But you’re not," Harlowe said "I will not leave your side"

Vargan chuckled "Noble words from both of you, but about choices neither of you have" He tilted his head in an order for his vigils to advance on Harlowe They pulled his arms behind him and al Jaron, just before your regent arrived, I was about to give orders concerning you Can you guess what for?"

"You want to set me free, to save yourself any embarrassment after I escape"