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“Yup,” he said “I recognize ye, but yer not looking too good” Then he crinkled his nose “Not sood neither”

He called up to his fellows in the tower above, who in turn called down to the guards on the other side of the gate They opened the pedestrian door in the gate and ushered her through, locking the door behind her, keys chi

“Cold night,” the guard with the keys said Then he snuffled “You s rotten, Rider?”

Karigan shook her head and hurried over the drawbridge that crossed the ates open as a syrounds were infiltrated by undead wraiths over the suate would have deterred theate reht as a precaution

Guards challenged her several times as she made her way to the main castle entrance When she reached it and was admitted into the castle, she stood some moments just inside, both relieved to have made it back so quickly, even if by unconventional means, and unsure of what to do next Report to Captain Mapstone, she supposed Thatto officers quarters

She’d just rest awas a tad hazy She slid into a nearby chair, oblivious to the guards gri their noses One cracked the doors open to let in fresh air

Feverish and chilled, shivering and sweating, Karigan dozed off where she sat

When someone prodded her shoulder, she awoke in mid-snore, and an inrush of awareness—the foul odor, her sore head, la in her eyes—assailed her Before her stood a Weapon Or somewhat stood He leaned on crutches

“Rider?” he queried

“Fastion?”

He inclined his head

Then it all came back to her, the reason for her extraordinary journey; its urgency And she’d been sleeping! “The toan

Fastion nodded down a corridor “This way There is no time to lose”

Karigan stood, feeling like every bone ached “You know?”

He gave her that stony look that once caused her to nickname him Granite Face “Of course I do not know, but you arrived without a horse, or so the guards say, and without your saber You are wearing a Weapon’s cloak, which is curious in itself And where you are concerned one may expect trouble” Fastion led the way down the corridor, swinging along rapidly and with ease on his crutches

“You aren’t going to say anything about how I san asked as she hurried to catch up

Fastion merely spared her a look of disdain When she asked hi the ambush on Lady Estora