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Tahts and ran in absolute silence down the dark tunnel toward the square While aited, Badru fished around inside his knapsack and pulled out a square of cheese I’d thought the old goblin’s breath had sin to corateful when Taive a speech from the palace balcony," Taht need to hear this, but at the sa everyone’s attention focused on the king"

"Sathrik’s usually good at getting to the point quickly," Imala said "An orator he’s not"

"Where’s the closest and safest place to listen?" Mychael asked

Iot louder and more numerous, and I tried oblins standing just a few feet above our heads Irate set in the roof of the tunnel Light frolobes in the square above flickered down to the dirt floor She stood just beyond their glow, perfectly still, listening Elven eyes were no ood So what she heard, we all heard

"The outer perimeter is secure, sir," said a voice from above

"And the streets beyond?"

"Closely watched"

"Good Assuuards or Khrynsani Either wasn’t good if ere found, but eren’t going to be found We were here to listen and leave As far as I was concerned, we couldn’t get to the leaving part soon enough

Ier under her nose

"Khrynsani," Tarin flashed in the shadows "Imala’s always claimed she can smell the stench The incense they burn in the teave Iht of Khrynsani directly above me

Imala motioned us forward Another ten minutes or so passed as the sound of the crowd in the square above grew even louder Usually in a crowd gathering to hear a speech, there were snide cohter and idle chatter I didn’t hear any of those things

"Howup

He bent his head to my ear "The square can hold five thousand"

My heart suddenly tried to flip ina deep breath, then another There wasn’t enough air I broke out in a cold sweat and my breath came shallow and fast

Sarad Nukpana

He was here

He was up there now, on the balcony that couldn’t beout over the crowd, looking, searching for us

For me