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“I am, Governor And you?”

The portlyfroer “Governor no longer Merely a poor merchant these days Trade is not what it was, but we make our way”

“Lord Verniers,” Vaelin Al Sorna gestured at me “This is Holus Nester Aruan, former Governor of the City of Linesh”

“Honoured Sir” Aruan greeted me with a short bow

“Honoured Sir,” I replied formally So this was the man from whom the Hope Killer had seized the city Aruan’s failure to take his own life in dishonour had been widely remarked upon in the aftermath of the war but the Eranted cleht of the extraordinary circumstances of the Hope Killer’s occupation Clemency, however, had not extended to a continuance of his Governorship

Aruan turned back to Vaelin “It pleasesmercy”

“I know, your letter was read at my trial”

I knew from the trial records that Aruan’s letter, written at no small risk to his life, had for curiously uncharacteristic acts of generosity andthe war The E that the prisoner was on trial for his crimes, not his virtues

“Your daughter is well?” the prisoner asked Aruan

“Very, she weds this summer A feckless son of a shipbuilder, but what can a poor father do? Thanks to you, at least she is alive to break my heart”

“I a, not your broken heart I can offer no gift except my best wishes”

“Actually ift of my own”

Aruan lifted the long cloth-covered bundle in both hands, presenting it to the Hope Killer with a strangely grave expression “I hear you will have need of this again soon”

There was a definite hesitation in the Northman’s de the ties with his scarred hands The cloth can, the scabbard-clad blade was a yard or so in the length and straight unlike the curved sabres favoured by Alpiran soldiery A single tine arched around the hilt to foruard and the only ornamentation to the weapon was a plain steel pommel The hilt and the scabbard bore many small nicks and scratches that spoke of years of hard use This was no cere rush that it was his sword The sword he had carried to our shores The sword that made him the Hope Killer

“You kept that?” I sputtered at Aruan, appalled

The portly rew cold as he turned to me “My honour demanded no less, my lord”

“My thanks,” Al Sorna said, before any further outrage could spill from my lips He hefted the sword and I saw the Guard Captain stiffen as he drew the blade an inch or so froe with his thumb “Still sharp”

“It’s been well cared for Oiled and sharpened regularly I also have another sle ruby, a well cut stone of eratitude, but his evident regard for this savage and the sickening presence of the sword still irked reatly

Al Sorna see his head “Governor, I cannot…”

I reater honour than you deserve, North will insult him and dishonour you”

He flicked his black eyes over enerosity” He took the gem “I’ll keep it always”

“I hope not,” Aruan responded with a laugh “A man only keeps a jehen he has no need to sell it”

“You there!” A voice fro the quay, a sizeable Meldenean galley, the nu it to be a freighter rather than one of their fabled war ships A stockyfrom the bow,the Hope Killer aboard you Alpiran dogs!” he shouted with custo and we’ll miss the tide”