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She cast a brief, guarded glance in Vaelin’s direction He grinned back, licking grease froers

Will he kill us if he knows? she asked Erlin

He saved us, don’t forget Erlin paused and Vaelin got the i not to look at him And he’s different, his hands said Other Brothers of the Sixth Order are not like hi Can’t you sense it?

She shook her head I sense only danger It’s all I’ve felt for days She paused for aher smooth brow He has the Battle Lord’s naave him to the Order after his wife died

Her movements became frantic, insistent We have to leave now!

Erlin forced a smile in Vaelin’s direction Calm down or you’ll make him suspicious

Vaelin got up and went to the streaht But from what? And as this talk of other faiths? Not for the first tiuide him Sollis or Hutril would knohat to do He wondered if he should try to hold them here somehow Overpower theirl didn’t present a proble And Vaelin suspected he kne to fight even if he wasn’t a warrior by trade All he could do was keep watching their conversation to learn ht it to him, faint but unmistakable: horse sweat Must be close if I can s froully, scanning the southern hills He spotted them quickly, a dark knot of riders a half a mile or so to the south east Five or six of thes They had halted, it was difficult tofro for the dogs to pick up a scent

He forced hiirl sullenly prodding the fire with a stick and Erlin retying one of the straps on his pack

“We’ll be on our way soon,” Erlin assured hi north?” Vaelin asked

“Yes The Renfaelin coast Sella has family there”

“You’re not her fa companion”

Vaelin went to the shelter and fetched his bow, feeling the girl’sthe quiver over his shoulder “I have to hunt”

“Of course I e could give you some of our food”

“It’s not per this test Besides I’irl’s hands moved irritably: True

“I suppose we should take our leave now,” Erlin said, co sir It’s unusual to enerous soul Trust me, I know…”

Vaelin moved his hands, the shapes he h: Riders to the south With dogs Why?

Sella’s hand went to her mouth, her pale face nearly white with fear Erlin’s hand inched closer to the curve bladed knife at his belt

“Don’t do that,” Vaelin instructed hi you”

Erlin and the girl exchanged frantic glances Her hands fidgeted as she fought the impulse to communicate Erlin took her hand, Vaelin wasn’t sure if he was trying to calns,” he said, his tone neutral

“They teach us s”

“Did they teach you about Deniers?”