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Good thing, too He had started to think he would never s Tala from the end of his pipe
"I hope Mat will be back soon," Olver said
"I’m sure he will be," Taler" That was the lie they had told Olver--that Mat, Thoone off on some secret errand for the Queen Well, that was just another reason that Mat would owe hi as if Olver could not take care of hi over to the side of the tent, where a stack of Mat’s papers sat awaiting his return There, peeking fro A bit of red, like blood He reached up, sliding a worn letter from between two of the sheets It was sealed closed with a dollop of wax
Olver frowned, turning the s it about Why had he not opened it? That was downright rude Setalle had worked hard to explain propriety to Olver, and while most of what she said made no sense--he just nodded his head so she would let hile up to her--he was sure you were supposed to open letters people sent you, then respond kindly
He turned the letter over again, then shrugged and broke the seal Olver was Mat’s personalIt was no wonder Mat sos, but it was Olver’s job to take care of hi care of It was one of the reasons Olver stayed with the Band He was not sure what Mat would do without him
He unfolded the letter and re to , ave him trouble He scratched his head "Talmanes," he said "You should probably read this"
"What’s that?" the a? That wasn’t to be opened!" The ers
"But--" Olver began
"Lord Mat didn’t open it," Talet us tied up in White Tower politics He waited all those weeks! Now look what you’ve done I wonder if we can stuff it back inside…"
"Talmanes," Olver said insistently "I think it’s important"
Talmanes hesitated He seeht shone better on it He read it quickly, with the air of a boy stealing food fro it into his mouth before he could be discovered
Talmanes whispered a curse under his breath He read the letter again, then cursed rabbed his sword from the side of the room and dashed out of the tent He left the letter on the floor
Olver looked it over again, sounding out the words he had not understood the first ti this, then I am dead I had planned to return and release you of your oath in a single day There are many potential coe chance that I will not survive I needed to know that I’d left someone behind who could see this work done
Fortunately, if there’s one thing I believe I can rely upon, it is your curiosity I suspect you lasted a few days before opening this letter, which is long enough forto Therefore, this task falls upon you