Page 148 (1/2)

"There is Blessing," whispered Anna

Liath scanned the folk in that procession It was difficult for her to distinguish individuals at this distance, although Feather Cloak’s vivid costume was remarkable froh’s golden head He was tallest, surrounded by a dozen tenseback her way as if he knew she was there A pair of masks broke away froave her a e they retreated at a run toward the ? Belatedly, Liath saw a slender girl standing beside the proud warrior Zuangua Yes, indeed, it would be difficult to drag Blessing from her place beside such an i was old enough in body to be allowed conditional entry into the adult world, and young enough in ers and consequences

"Above the gate!" said Dog Mask "Look!"

Within Novo the parapets and in the watchtowers set on either side of the gate, but there was no hostile , only a sense of anticipation as they stared at the waiting Ashioi A large sack was lifted onto the battleround outside the gates When the sack reached earth, the rope was released and tossed after it

A trio of rasped the sack, and hauled it back to the procession, whose ranks opened to receive it Liath and the others could see nothing of what transpired, only that Hugh’s golden head disappeared as if he had dropped down to examine the contents of the sack

After a bit he reappeared

"What would the Pale Dogs be throwing out of the city," asked Sharp Edge, "that Feather Cloak would be willing to receive?"

"It’s hard to iine"

The golden wheel, lifted by the standard-bearer, spun lazily as the procession split asunder, re-formed, and retired back toward camp A conch shell blew a five-note pattern, repeated twice At this signal, first a single tent, and then four, and then a score sagged and sank and were folded and rolled as the are

"It’s a body," said Sharp Edge, staring at the cruround by the retreat of the procession They had abandoned the corpse "The Pale Dogs gave a body to Feather Cloak She otten what she caalla," said Liath softly "Is there any person left who knows that secret?"

"You do not kno to call these creatures?"

"I do not Perhaps Hugh of Austra knows"

"It would be good to kill such a rinned