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I scoop handfuls of water as I go Swill my mouth clean an spit

Jest ahead, a dead pine’s toppled It bridges the river BlocksStabbin the bark with his beak I straddle the tree an grab his

I launch hih to the air He soars above the woods fer a bird’s-eye view an disappears froed to palest pink Dawn’s on the break A new day

I slide off my bow an nock a arrow I slip back into the water Armed an wary, I track upstreas heavy Intent It’s a stalker’s silence My heart ticks in e round the bend A few strides on, it widens to a pool called roots sprawl into the water As I wade through the pool, it deepens To hs

Nero dives at me From nowhere The world explodes A racket of howls an wails The ghosthounds! There! White terror streakin through the woods straight at lance around as I shouldercedar sweeps low to the pool I leap from the water Grab a branch Pull hosthounds blast from the woods They land with a splash in the pool jest below an throw theirselfs up in the air at s slash Jaws snap I snatch her Their hot rage blasts me They snarl an slaver Claw at the air Crash back in the water an leap agin They’re frantic to tear me apart

I go high as I can I crouch tight to the trunk I cling to it, huddle ahs I’m tremblin Hand on my heart My rackety heart, set to bust from my chest The heartstone It’s hot on rab it Hot That means Jack But--Jack? My lips ues away I don’t unnerstand

Skoll! Hati! Down! A hosthounds hush I can hear ’em splash from the pool Hear ’em pantin fer breath That voice That voice

Down, the in

There’s silence fer a h

Treed like a cat, he says I ondering when you’d show your hand Come down, Saba I know you’re there

That voice Deep an dark Cold panic grips me

It ain’t Jack Oh no It’s DeMalo

DeMalo It cain’t be But it is That e Hehis men, like he’s wont to DeMalo Here I don’t believe it

So, not dead after all, he says Not that I ever thought you were He’s outta breath froht irl in red Your friend, the Free Hawk

Maev At Resurrection Shot by the Tonton Her hand pressed hard to her side Her life drippin to the floor

Giirl in a red dress Help ot away clean Jest me an Maev left in the fortress Then I ave chase an shot Maev A mortal wound She was done an she knew it Her final act was to save our lives All of our lives By puttin onthe dress I gave you I’d think it was you who fought to the death You who held off it outta here, she tells me As far as you can, as fast as you can Go!