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After an interminable wait that caused the hairs on the back of Hettie’s neck to raise, a voice answered "What is it?"

"You took your time," Kiranrao snarled

"I was in a war council," caht the Bhikhu"

"Paedrin?"

"Yes Paedrin He’s as you described hi yard I blinded him with the sword"

"What about the Cruithne?"

"He was found thisa little skiff at the base I doubt he will be able to cli brute, but mine can take him Not a concern"

"Kill hin of her"

"What?"

Hettie sain, his breath starting to quicken

"No sign of her yet"

"She’s thenearby Search for her I’s for Paedrin and Hettie Then you can co Hopefully one of them will survive it"

A snort followed "Who is your man? What is his name?"

"Aeldwyn," the Arch-Rike replied "He will not stay long"

"When can I leave this cursed place?" Kiranrao’s voice was al "You proreed to You are doing your part Let h," hissed Kiranrao, pain in his voice "Aeldill co chamber Send more Stoneholloith him The last batch of Waylander ale was spoiled, I think Relow in the roo suddenly Hethat he had sed pins Hettie stared at the shadow on the floor, watching hih But she had also heard enough to realize so herself Coets worse," he gasped He sat back against the table, jarring the contents He stiffened suddenly, bending double and wheezing loudly "No," he gasped "No…it can’t be" Lurching forward, he staggered over to the other side of the room, over to the cabinet fixed onto the wall, near the bed, near the fallen blankets, near Hettie He withdrew a key and unlocked it, pulling open the cupboard door violently His fingers jittered as he fu

"Gone," he whispered breathlessly In shock and despair, he sat down on the bed, his weight pressing on the er into the side of his knee and jerked the blade hard He howled in pain and fell off the bed, his screaled to free herself, clawing her way out as he thrashed in the blankets Her heart pounded in her ribs, knowing she would not have long to bring her victi, holding up the scabbard, and saw the polow She swept her cloak over the porabbed his wrist and then ra with her weight It broke his arm and another scream ripped fro off his breath, and then jerked the scabbard away from him and tossed it to the far side of the roo profusely, his aruish She slid another dagger free and kneed hiainst the cabinet, and then put the dagger to his throat

"You are not Kiranrao," she said with disdain at the imposter She knehat the real Kiranrao was capable of "You are a drunk and a wretch, and you’ve been poisoned by monkshood, as you already know I’ve stolen the cure and even if you ed to kill me, you will not find where I’ve hidden it You will die, very soon, cruony If you wish to live, you will start answering littered with hatred, histo death"

"Hardly The poison will probably kill you before that happens You just won’t be able to walk very well Sit down on the bed" She grabbed hiasped with pain as he collapsed