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“I need assurance she and her son will be provided for” Vaelin forced hi’s “If I’m to be part of your crusade”

“I’m sure Tower Lord Al Myrna can find room for another exile or two The distinction between Faithful and Denierturned back to his desk, lifting his quill and s a blank parchment out before hian to write again, his quill scratching its path across the page

It took a ot to his feet, finding hier or sorrow he couldn’t tell “My thanks for your tihness,” he forced the words out andsaid, not looking up from his parchment “This is not the whole ofI coht” He glanced up, ain “You understand?”

“I understand perfectly, Highness”

The King held his gaze aas Vaelin left

Captain Sed from the wall “Your visit is concluded, brother?”

Vaelin nodded and collected his weapons fro hi desire to be away from this place He needed ti had stirred his thoughts into a confused ju the ifts, his ’s final words This is not the whole of ive me if I leave you here,” Snised as the corridor leading to the east gate “I have pressing duties elsewhere”

Vaelin peered at the shadowy end of the corridor then turned back to S a faint disco duties, captain?”

“Yes” S” He took a step backwards, nodded formally then turned and strode back the way they had come

Vaelin took another look at the corridor ahead of hi his heart beat faster A has untrustworthy servants He considered going after the Captain and forcing hi but found he couldn’t suht Besides he could always find hi knife fro the corridor

He expected the attack to co happened No black clad e him But there was a faint scent in the air, subtle, sweet, like flowers on a hot day…

“I’d heard you were handsome”

He pivoted towards the sound of the voice, the knife half out of his hand before he saw her A girl, standing half in shadow Hethe throide, the knife thudding into the wall an inch fro forward into the light Vaelin had seen beautiful woht Aspect Elera the irl was different Everything about her, from the flawless porcelain of her skin, the soft curve of her face and the lustrous red-gold of her hair, spoke of effortless perfection

“You’re not,” she said, coreen eyes “But your face is interesting” She reached up, fingers extended into a caress

Vaelin took a step back before her hand could touch his face He dropped to one knee and bowed low “Highness”

“Please get up,” said Princess Lyrna Al Nieren “We can’t talk properly if your face is constantly pointed at the floor”

Vaelin rose Waiting and trying not to stare

“I’ised “Captain Sht we should talk”