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Pax whispers the destiny of each body part to riffin battle armor The joint fluid and eyes for poultices and elixirs The blubber for candles and lamps and to be mixed with berries to make a dish called atuka The liver and brain to be eaten frozen or raw, “obviously cooking would destroy the vitamin C”

“Obviously”

I poke his hip “You’re not wearing your harness”

“We were hunting”

I slap his head “I told you to alear your harness” The harness he ot a ship now”

“Which?” he asks

“The jade one”

He whistles “Too good for you”

A group of skyhunters with pierced noses and tattered ears ston of respect The women look at Pax and cover their eyes in shame He pretends not to care as he examines my ship in the distance

“Looks like you’re the fall man,” I say

“Naturally”

“What happened up there? Why could Sefi not draw her bow?”

He focuses on the harvesting, pretending to not notice the scornful looks passing braves give hi molecular composition, but can contract if not protected fro the stalk”

“Is that true?”

He makes no expression “Of course I aods’ ire by joining the sacred hunt I forgot leader”