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Sherin put her hands to her lips to suppress a laugh and shrank into the covers as Vaelin reached for his trews “What is it?” he deates deht him, lance at the roo Scratch “Captain Antesh offered to feather hiht want hi fellow, greying hair Dressed like one of those horse a hard ti in the desert I think”
“How many with him?”
“None, ”
“Tell Brother Frentis to muster the scout troop and inform Brother Caenis I’ll be there directly”
“My lord”
He closed the door and began to dress
“Are you going to fight hi from the covers
“You know I’m not” He pulled his shirt on and leaned over to kiss her “I need you to do so for me”
Captain Neliesen Nester Hevren sat slu his unshaven face However, as the gates swung open and he caught sight of Vaelin, his evident exhaustion was replaced by grie to face me, Northman?” he called as Vaelin approached
“I had no choice,to lose all respect for me” He looked beyond the captain at the empty desert “Where’s your army?”
“Fools led by a coward!” Hevren spat “No stomach for what needed to be done here Gods curse Everen, desert-born scum The Emperor will take his head” He fixed Vaelin with a stare of pure unbridled hatred “But I’ll have yours first, Hope Killer”
Vaelin inclined his head “As you wish Care to dise?”
“I need no advantage” Hevren slid fro fro a snort of relief Vaelin surs sagged for athe canteen on his shoulder, re a drink “Quench your thirst, lest people say I had the advantage” He replaced the cap and tossed the canteen to Hevren
“I need nothing from you,” Hevren said, but Vaelin sa his hand shook as it held the canteen
“Then stay here and rot,” he replied, turning to go
“Wait!” Hevren uncapped the canteen and drank, gulping down the water until it was e it aside “Nohis feet in a fighting stance, flicking a sudden rush of sweat from his brow
“I’m sorry, Captain,” Vaelin told hiive you the death you hunger for”
“I said noback for a thrust, then stopped, blinking in confusion, eyes suddenly unfocused
“Two parts valerian, one part crown root and a pinch of camomile to mask the taste” Vaelin held up the canteen cap he had switched for the one containing Sherin’s sleeping draught “Sorry”
“You…” Hevren sturunted, desperately trying to heave hier then lay still
Vaelin called to the Nilsaelin soldiers ate “Find him somewhere comfortable but secure, and make sure you take all his weapons”
Frentis arrived with the scout troop, reining in beneath the arch of the gatehouse “Couldn’t have been ht,” he observed as the Nilsaelins carried off Hevren’s unconscious forh froht Circle out to the west, see if you can pick up their trail”
“You think they’refor Untesh?”