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"Dozens, my Lord Captain Commander" Byar looked relieved "Come"

He turned hisup in the pits, the scent of burning tinder rising in the air Galad caught slices of conversation as he rode past the soldiers What would the Seanchan do with those Children who had reon Reborn who had conquered Illian and Tear, or soantic stone fro struck the earth far to the north in Andor, destroying an entire city and leaving a crater

The talk a the men revealed their worries They should have understood that worry served no useful function None could know the weaving of the Wheel

Byar’s captives turned out to be a group of people with a surprisingly large number of heavily laden carts, perhaps a hundred or arding the Children with hostility Galad frowned, doing a quick inspection

"That’s quite a caravan," Bornhald said softly at his side "Merchants?"

"No," Galad said softly "That’s travel furniture--notice the pegs on the sides, so they can be carried in pieces Sacks of barley for horses Those are farrier’s tools wrapped in canvas at the back of that cart to the right See the haht!" Bornhald whispered He saw it too These were the camp followers of an army of substantial size But where were the soldiers?

"Be ready to separate the He walked up to the lead cart The ure and a ruddy face, with hair that had been arranged in a very poor atte baldness He nervously worked a brown felt hat in his hands, a pair of gloves tucked into the belt of his stout jacket Galad could see no weapons on hier One was a bulky, hter--but not a soldier--who could be so her lower lip

TheGalad Ah, Galad thought, so he knows enough to recognize Morgase’s stepson

"So, travelers," Galad said carefully "My ood Lord," said the driver

"I know little of this area Are you fa that hat in his hands "We are actually far from home ourselves I a business with a merchant in Ebou Dar But these Seanchan invaders have left me unable to do my trade"

He seemed very nervous At least he hadn’t lied about where he was from "And as this merchant’s name?" Galad asked

"Why, Falin Deborsha, my Lord," Gill said "Are you familiar with Ebou Dar?"

"I have been there," Galad said cal collection of wares"

"We have heard that there are ar here in the south, my Lord I purchased many of these supplies froht I could sell them down here Perhaps your own army has need of camp furniture? We have tents,that soldiers could use"

Clever, Galad thought Galad ht have accepted the lie, but the "merchant" had too many cooks, ouards for so valuable a caravan

"I see," Galad said "Well, it happens that I do have need of supplies Particularly food"