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Our group traveled in complete silence Of course, the horses hts here, wind swirled throughout the valley As long as ere careful, our sounds wouldn’t carry all the way to Mendenwal’s camp

By dawn, I sat upon Mystic’s back at the far end of the valley floor, easily within Mendenwal’s grasp Mott was at my side and one hundred of Carthya’s least impressive soldiers sat on horses behind me What they lacked in skill, they made up for with confident postures and calht and quickly rode back to their caather their armies now," I announced "Everyone stay ready and wait here"

Once the first group from Mendenwal entered the valley floor, I rode forward, flanked by Mott andof Carthya aloft in thebreeze It was eold colors that had always sye ofdistance of each other, no closer than necessary

Their coht ten men ahead with him Since I had only Mott and a poorly arht for our respective forces I called to their coainst Carthya? We have no quarrel with you"

"We ride on orders fro Humfrey His reasons are his own"

"And are you certain those reasons are worth your deaths?" Mott cleared his throat as a warning to me, but I only s, of course, but it’s clear his reasoning abilities have abandoned hio ho of Mendenwal!" the commander cried

"It’s not an insult Only an observation of fact The only reason King Humfrey would invade my country is because he was either threatened or else Avenia proold and shiny Please believe me when I tell you that Avenia will not keep its pro you to destroy me, and they will turn on you next For your own sake, Coe you to ride home as fast as your wobbly horse can carry you"

The coh I hadn’t deliberately ry since Master Graves had atteo, and it felt good

The coestured to the hundredJaron? Or did you bring your country’s fiercest kittens?"

I briefly turned back to them "Be warned Our kittens will scratch like lions Theyour arht those men"

"I’m sorry you have such little value for your nursemaids We invite them to become Carthyan citizens You are warned, Commander We will defeat all of your army camped here this day I meant what I said before Most of your hed "Surrender to me now, Jaron"

"No, you surrender to me!" I yelled "I’m bored of this conversation Either proo and fetch your armies I will take out the first thousand myself Maybe more if they’re no sharper than you seem to be"

The commander looked to his companions, who snorted their disdain forJaron You have sealed your dooo, then! Bringfor a nap this afternoon"

As the Mendenwal group rode away, Mott turned to me and said, "Are you insane?" I smiled back at him and he said, "Of course you are Please tell me you have a plan"

"Here’s ht here Do you know any tunes to whistle while ait?"