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Sandry shook her head andthat distressesto read papers," she informed him "You’re supposed to rest, Uncle!" As they walked down the stair to their ht, And ill Lark say if I stay with him?

"Pasco Pasco, wake up"’ He rolled over and et ting up was your idea Now do it—I want to go to bed" Pasco Acalon sat up, blinking His sister Halmaedy knelt by the bed, her dark eyes amused She was still dressed for the watch that had just ended, the brown leather of her jerkin stark against her dark blue shirt and breeches

Pasco rubbed his face, ordering his traitorous body to ruus out froainst his oldest sister Their long, aed black brows over ebony-colored, eyes, noses a little too short, and straightto get his growth, his thin body coltish as he wrestled with aro every which way

"A friend, wants a favor," the boythat held up his breeches as tight as he could , which hy he’d picked it out last night The less; he had to do before he was properly awake, the better

"What: kind of favor?" Halht, is it? Because—,"

Pasco ruffled her hair—glossy black, cropped short on the sides and left to grow long on top, just like his "You’re home now," he reminded her "No need for harrier work here" Harrier was; street slang for a Provost’s Guard "An Acalon off the straight?" he went on, his voice strangled as he bent over to don his shoes "The very skies would cry at it Go to bed, Hal drunks and house breakers"

She punched at her brother halfheartedly; he ducked under her fist, blew a kiss at her, and left his rooarret rooh hurricanes and his et out of bed—but was quieter going down the stairs He went noiselessly past his sisters’ roohosted past the floor where his parents slept Mama was the one to step quietly for Once his father fell asleep, only his snor ing proved he was not dead Maround floor, a quick nip into the kitchen for so to the docks Osabo Netmender was in his boat at Godsluck Wharf

Once Pasco was aboard, Osa put his back into the oars, hauling the boat clear of the co Summersea’s shoreline

"I can’t believe you’re out of bed," Osa told his friend

"Hal "Look, this isn’t so luck to his ship?"

"It’s no joke," replied Osa, roith practiced ease "Not when he’s promised to pay you a silver crescent Pa never jokes about money And its the whole fleet, not just our boat"