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The thief cried out in pain, then, "I swear it, I can help you! Do not kill me! I can help you!"

Scarseth raised his hands up, pal like a shiver in winter, his eyes wild and fearful, blood dripping fro back now A dozen et free if you waste time on me Please, for the love of Idumea, you are Demont’s sworn man I know you are Not even he murdered Please, for the love of Idu into the thief’s blazing eyes He looked up at her, recognized her, then closed his eyes shut as if he kneas going to die

"This belongs toin his expression His eyes blazed with hatred He drew the maston sword from Scarseth’s scabbard, the blade that Lia had ad the flesh at the thief’s throat constrict as he sed

The tip of the blade ai she would see a man die in front of her Colvin’s eyes burned with passion Part of her hungered to see it happen Part of her knew she would never forget it if she watched

"You betrayedonly, you do not lie I am Demont’s ht me"

"I saved your life," Scarseth whispered hoarsely, his eyes opening again "I could have left you to bleed to death by that tree I carried you to Muirwood in a rainstorm I carried you She will tell you I did save your life"

He coughed with contereed savedthe sword, staring down at the shiveringdown, Colvin clutched Scarseth’s throat with his free hand, sword poised above, ready to fall "You are a liar You will always be a liar But you will betray her again"

"I swear I will not!" he squeaked, his voice choking

"By the Medium, I take your power of speech You will not utter another word"

Lia felt it, as if a gust of wind suddenly swept up the stairwell She had sensed it that night long ago when a great stored and the Aldermaston calmed it The Medium was there

Colvin released Scarseth’s throat, and the thief’s own fingers replaced theed His lips moved but no sound ca the man’s belt, Colvin hoisted him up off the floor, then severed the belt in the rabbed the scabbard, tugged it free, then motioned for Lia to follow hiri boy named Brant

They did not make it far The sheriff and his uer shouted

Colvin stahtly! Squeeze as hard as you can No, even harder! Lock your fingers together or you will bounce off! Quickly now – before we start to gallop!"

At first Lia thought the horse was already galloping, but when it started, the entire feel of the anied The sensation in her stolee Her wild hair whipped behind her, the cowl of her cloak bouncing against her back

Behind theainst the rush of the wind in her ears, she could hear the sheriff’s ers, could not catch the surging rush of a galloping stallion The ht tu!" she shouted

One of Colvin’s ar her ars Squeeze thehtly!"

A voice in the crowd shouted out her name She turned to look, but the movement nearlylike that!" Colvin threatened "Press against ain and it felt as if they had left the rutted street co

Lia wondered who had called her naainst the sweat-damp fabric of his shirt and held on until her h, churned butter, used her arrip was hard, and she , the speed, and the rush of wind They rode down Chalkwell Street, along the Abbey’s eastern walls The tall spire of Muirwood rose sharply into the sky, but it was getting smaller with each hoof-beat