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"So she lived!"

"You know the tale?"

"We heard it It was thought she was dead"

"She is dead now, alas, ht But that comes later in the tale, my lady Bertha died in Avaria, not in the south where we all thought ould die"

"Go on"

"We joined together--clerics and soldiers--and traveled north as well as we could We did well, gathering goats and chickens to feed us and a few dogs to keep watch We thought we had come home safely, but after we reached Wendar, ere set upon twice bywe have seen before Liath said they are Ashioi"

Now Theophanu was piqued, but Hanna could not tell if she were overjoyed, or furious "Liath? You have seen Liathano? She is with you?"

"The king will reward you well for returning her to hi the coet the words out Better to change the subject "Princess Sapientia rides with us, but she is ed"

Theophanu shifted ground easily "‘Changed?’ I pray you, speak bluntly"

"It’s as if she does not even know her own name"

"She’s lost her wits," said her sister "Is that what you mean?"

Hanna nodded, so uncomfortable that she downed the re

Theophanu looked neither pleased nor sorrowing Shethat the laundry had been taken down because it was dry "What of Liathano?"

"Lost," said Hanna, and choked

There was a dead, awful silence, and a voice came out of the crowd and said, in theand must have each comment repeated, "Is she dead?"