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“Nobody liked Favian, but everyone respected his control of things”

Silas looked back to Franco’s eyes and tried to guess which one looked at hie of his nose for safeabout the arena champion?”

“Many rumours have surfaced, mostly that she fled from debt once Favian was banished”

Favian, Favian, Favian It’s all about Favian Silas thought about the last time he’d seen him, covered in his own blood in the field, intestines about to be unravelled in front of his own eyes Then thought about Mara, also covered in Favian’s blood, willing to kill Favian at the drop of a hat Every thought he had led back to Mara, one way or another

“What shall we do, boss?” Franco asked

Your guess is as good aswill present itself Look carefully at your own men”

Franco stood and nodded “Yes, boss” Then left the tavern

“Ale,” Silas shouted to the bar A skinny tavern girl brought one over, then hurried away All scared of me Fear inherited froulp Ale used to stop the burning inside Not anyet to the boy I need the burning to stop But ho do I find him?

The skinny girl returned, a look of horror on her face, and handed him a note He unfolded it Shadows He rose, downed the ale, and headed outside

Silas rode Vala out of Sevens Hele flock of small birds swirled around in unison in the sky, then as the sun fell, they slowly disappeared into the trees He approached two large grain barns A dark figure on a horse stood between them What do they want? News about my replace currently pressed between his shoulder blades Or not

The Shadow’s black ht from hell

“Your replacement has arrived in Sevens Helm and will take control with immediate effect,” the Shadow Master said

A e from heaven rather than hell Silas felt relief wash over hiined he’d be free of the place so quickly He felt stupid I contemplated death to avoid such a short sentence But then why bring me out here to tell me? Is this where I die?

“You are to proceed to Talon,” the Master continued “We have encountered a problem”

“A problem?”