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‘Maybe they found out that ere a little ht we’d be,’ Ulath rumbled ‘I don’t think they really expected us to break up that Cyrgai assault or exterminate a hundred Trolls or break the back of this coup-atteether possible that we surprised theer’s visit could have been sheer bravado, you know We et over-confident, but I don’t think we should get under-confident either We’re professionals, after all, and we’ve won every encounter so far Let’s not give up the game and run away just because of a feindy threats by a known drunkard’

‘Well said,’ Tynian murmured

‘We don’t have any choice, Aphrael,’ Sparhawk told his daughter later when they were alone with Sephrenia and Vanion in a soing to take Eet back to Chyrellos and then nine hts to come overland to Daresia Even then, they’ll still be present only in the western kingdoms’

‘Why can’t they come by boat?’ The princess sounded a bit sulky, and she was holding Rollo tightly to her chest

‘There are a hundred thousand Church Knights, Aphrael,’ Vanion reminded her, ‘twenty-five thousand in each of the four orders I don’t think there are enough ships in the world to transport thatin some – ten thousand perhaps – by ship, but the bulk of them will have to come overland We won’t be able to count on even that ten thousand for at least sixto take Emban and Tynian to reach Chyrellos and then cohts and their horses Until they arrive, we’re all alone here’

‘With your breeches down,’ she added

‘Watch your tongue, young lady,’ Sparhawk scolded her

She shrugged that off ‘My instincts all tell me that it’s a very bad idea,’ she told them ‘I went to a lot of trouble to find a safe place for Bhelliom, and the first time there’s a little rain-shower, you all want to run to retrieve it Are you sure you’re not exaggerating the danger? Ulath er said to you could have been sheer bluster I still think you can handle it without Bhellioree,’ Sephrenia told her ‘I know Elenes better than you do, Aphrael It’s not in their nature to exaggerate dangers Quite the reverse, actually’

‘The whole point here is that your hter ‘Until Tynian and Ehts to Tamuli, we’re seriously over-matched Even as stupid as they are, it was only the Bhellioe over the Troll-Gods last time You couldn’t even deal with the to say, Sparhawk,’ she flared

‘I’et you to look at this realistically, Aphrael Without the Bhellioer here – and I’ about yourthe truth and we are erous as Azash was’

‘Are you sure all of these fliet your hands on Bhellioain, Sparhawk?’ she asked him ‘Nobody’s really ireat deal of satisfaction to be had in wielding unlimited power’