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holding in his good hand dropped to the ground

“Now stand”

Kathar got to his feet and turned around

“You won’t kill rin

“Why not?”

“Because of this Buddhist faith you’ve been talking about converting our entire country to It doesn’t allow killing I know I’ve been hearing about it for weeks now From you”

“You’re right,” Ashoka said “I have been thinking about ordering all my subjects to follow the ways of the Buddha And your betrayal only confiretsIf you’d had your way, your rule would have been built on terror and death”

“You know that’s the only way to build a dynasty”

Ashoka shook his head “There’s another way As long as I’m alive, ill take a different path”

Galloping hooves approached, and Ashoka could see that Vit, a fine tracker, had followed their trail He pulled his horse to a stop beside them

“Are you all right, brother?” Vit asked

Ashoka nodded “But I wouldn’t have been if you hadn’t coht time Gather up the scrolls”

Vit got off his horse and began collecting the parchments to put them back in the satchel

“This piece of garbage et these,” Vit said “Who will be the new one? Tell me and I’ll take them to him” He walked over with all of the scrolls secure in the pouch

“I a a new librarian,” Ashoka said “Kathar has proven that it is too dangerous to keep theether Vit, I want you to find nine unknown ood and loyal Each of the one of the Scrolls of Knowledge to keep any singlethem to conquer the world”