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“Is there no hope?” Vaelin pleaded “Nothing you can do?”

Makril barely glanced at hiive him If we move him he dies A healer fro but even they couldn’t halt it”

Vaelin winced as a shout of pain came from the tent behind him

“Here,” Makril held out his flask “It’ll dull your hearing”

“We can’t leave hi his eyes The suspicion was still there, his instinctive knowledge of Vaelin’s guilt After a moment he looked away and started to rise “I’ll take care of it”

“No” Vaelin turned back to the tent “No… it’s ular It’s the quickest way I doubt he’ll even feel the cut”

He nodded, walking back to the tent on nu has made me a murderer after all…

Al Hestian’s eyes were glazed and unfocused as Vaelin knelt beside hilier’s blade There was a h, whether of sorrow or relief Vaelin would never know Hehis head in his arainst his neck

Al Hestian spoke, forcing the words out through a fresh grilad it was you… brother”

Chapter 3

“And these letters were found on the body of this Black Arrow?”

The Aspect’s hands were splayed on the letters before hi face intent as he stared up at Vaelin and Makril Vaelin supposed they rimy and worn from the twelve day trek back from the Martishe, but the Aspect see to their report he de them quickly

“We believe the man may have been Black Arrow, Aspect,” Vaelin replied “There is no way to know for sure”

“Yes Perhaps you shouldn’t be so quick with the killing blow next tiies, Aspect”

The Aspect dismissed the admission with a barely perceptible shake of his head “You understand the import of these letters?”

“Sendahl read them to us,” Makril said

“Did anyone outside the Order hear hiht I doubt they could hear anything”

“Good Pass the word to your brothers: they are not to discuss this with anyone, including each other” He gathered the letters together and placed the it fir a heavy lock on the latch “You must be tired, brothers On behalf of the Order I thank you for your service in the Martishe Brother Makril you are confirmed as a Brother Co Master Sollis is currently colers are beco’s excise h of the sword to teach it, I’m sure”

“Of course, Aspect”

“Brother Vaelin, report to the stables at the eighth hour on the ratulations, brother,” Vaelin offered as they round where Al Hestian’s regiment was encamped There were no barracks available for theranted permission to remain at the Order House Vaelin suspected no provision had beenhadn’t expected any to return

Makril paused, regarding him with silent scrutiny

“A Commander and a Master,” Vaelin went on, discomfited by the tracker’s silence “An impressive achievement”