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Tavi tilted his head "You knew That's why you welco To warn him that she was here"

"I simply wanted to make an old friend welcome," Cyril said

"You don't think that recruit hurt Max You knew that she was outside That was for her benefit, to "

The captain's frown deepened "Excuse an "Do you think that Lady-"

"No," Cyril said, sharply, raising warning a hand "I don't think that And neither do you, Scipio"

Tavi grimaced "But it's why you didn't want her close to Max"

"I siave her an order and made sure she followed it," Cyril said "But be careful with your words, Scipio Should you say the wrong thing and be overheard, you'll find yourself in juris h Lady She'd burn you to cinders So unless you get so solid, so solid that it will stand up in a court of law, you keep your mouth shut and your opinions to yourself Do you understand runted "Foss"

"I never hear or re, sir"

"Good man," Cyril said "When Maxi to be confused, disoriented As strong as he is, he could do soainst the hilt of his sword "I've got an hour or so Scipio, go tell Gracchus that I'some food with you I'll spell you, or send the First Spear in er, sir?"

"I've said everything I intend to The i now is to prevent any further accidents Now move"

"Yes, sir," Tavi said, and saluted

But then he paused at the door to the tent Max was helpless It was a horrible, cynical thought, but what if the captain's confrontation with the High Lady had been staged for Tavi's benefit? What if by walking away fro his friend to death?

Tavi looked over his shoulder at the captain

Cyril stood over the tub He looked up at Tavi and arched an eyebrow Then the captain frowned, and Tavi had the uncomfortable ihts

Cyril th in the th of stor fire of Lady Antillus's anger This strength was so hillsides of the Vale, as set in place as the ancient, worn oldin the face of turmoil as waters of a deep well Tavi couldn't have said how he knew it, but he did: Cyril respected the power of those like Lady Antillus, but he did not fear them He would neither bow his knee nor stain his honor for her or her like

"Maxiion," the captain said, chin lifted proudly "If harm comes to him, it will be because I am dead"

Tavi nodded once He touched his fist to his heart and nodded to the captain Then he turned and hurried from the tent to follow Cyril's orders

Chapter 9

Tavi spent the day and ht in the tent by his friend's side Valiar Marcus had spelled hih to bathe and eat a cold meal Captain Cyril himself had come in the hours before dawn, and Tavi had simply thrown himself down on the floor and slept, ar, and stretched the kinks out, doing his best to ignore the complaints of his body The captain had waited until Tavi was fully awake before departing, leaving him to resuain, checking up on Max

"Shouldn't we get hirunted "Take his aret cold"