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“They my boy’s clothes?”

“Mine got covered in blood I didn’t think you’d mind”

The farhed “Don’t worry, you can have ’em”

Mara saw a sadness in the farmer’s eyes His son is dead “I need a horse”

“Now hang on a h “You got any idea how’un?”

Mara felt the blood run hot through his veins He picked up the covered blade from the pile of old clothes and tied it around himself

“You look like you need a meal, my wife’ll be back fro in the market too?”

Mara approached the farmer and pressed the tip of the blade onto his stomach “The horse, where is it?”

The farmer looked at the blade, then back into Mara’s eyes

“Don’t try to fight Just give o”

The farmer tipped his head to the side “Stable’s that way She won’t take you far, she’s old Long past her best”

“Which way to Vespen?”

“Up over the mountains, that way My horse… she’ll never make it”

“Ssh” Mara ran his hand across the farmer’s cheek

The farmer’s eyes ide “What is this? My son? How?” he whispered