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He gestured to a table nearby where Serena, a kitchen girl who had helped me indols of stew for us She ser for the food, with Tobias next by my side Mott remained on his feet and only sat when I told hiht He poked at his stew a little, then saw I had finished mine in only a few bites and passed his bowl over to ue with ue And I was nearly finished with his stehen the pirates began arriving Mott was on his feet first, but I wasn’t far behind They gathered in a group slightly lower on the slope than where we stood I recognized many of them These were the men who had inflicted wounds upon me once they discovered my true identity They had also cheered in favor of their forht him Off to one side I saw the pirate who had kickedRoden -- the worst physical pain I had ever endured I’d always reatheredJaron of Carthya came to the pirates But you’ve heard the story, no doubt, and know of his strength, his courage --"
"What courage?" someone yelled froe We’d have killed him if he’d told us the truth"
"What better reason to lie?" Erick responded "Forget whatever you think about this boy, whatever feelings you have about how he beca here Because whether you like it or not, Jaron is your king And each of you took an oath that you would follow him He’s come back now, and he needs our help I ask you all to listen to hily, I won’t be able to stop them"
I nodded at him, and then stepped forward "War has coainst our hoer was pure hypocrisy With equal intensity, I answered, "You steal from your fellow countrymen, terrify their families, and kill anyone who crosses you Now you want to claim that you are loyal to Avenia? I knoell as you that Tarblade is your one and only ho If I say that you will fight for Carthya, then you will"
"You don’t have to be the king" The man who spoke was nearly as wide as he was tall, and appeared carved from solid stone A matted black beard fell from his chin and every line of his face was creased in dirt InActually, even at my best, he could probably still do that
Erick pressed between us "You’ll have to go throughhis sword Tobias said nothing, but stood beside them with a hand on his sword
I pushed past the, then that’s your right I will answer the challenge But not yet I have a duty to Carthya, and Icould be heard throughout the crowd I withdrew ht of it Perhaps over the last several days, I had becoh and hoped h to persuade theet who I am?" I asked "What I did here in this very spot? I a for your help I’ive youon your sworn oaths to follow me It’s the same oath I took to become a pirate, which means I am bound to anshen the pirates are in need You will collect any ather whatever supplies you need for travel Erick will have my plans and I will see you on the battlefield"
"We knohat Carthya is up against," a erous"
I smirked back at him "If you wanted a safe life, you should’ve becoer on a spindle also rattles your nerves I cannot guarantee that everyone will survive But for those who do, I promise you a battle worthy of a true pirate’s blade"
Silence fell over the group Gradually a few of thes escaped in whispers and loud breaths I decided to leave while ere ahead
"Sleep well tonight You’ll be traveling soon" Then I strode aithout looking back I hoped I had said enough to persuade theer they debated, the less inclined they’d be to do as I’d asked
Erick walked with h to hear the details of u behind us "We haven’t seen you in months, and now you come to ask theht, with the hope that they’ll live to see victory declared Nothing more"
"I’ll do what I can, but you had better make your plans as if we’re not there"