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“Who will go in your stead?”

“My tiendan,” Jametari replied, “led by my sister, Graelalea”

His sister looked away, plainly unhappy Laren couldn’t blame her

“When will they go?” Zachary asked

“It has not yet been decided The season grows late, and winter is not the best time for a journey for anyone, not even an Eletian”

“But you do not knohen Mornhavon will appear”

“That is the dilemma”

Zachary stroked his beard “I am struck you would tell me of your intentions, Prince Jametari Do you seek my leave?”

The two gazed at each other for so the other, until Jametari’s lips curved into a smile

“It is you, Firebrand, who reminded us of cooperation and old alliances I would not have it appear ere trespassing upon your lands and entering Blackveil for secret reasons As for e may find on the other side? It may be that Sacoridia has some interest in it”

The audience concluded in a congenial h Zachary did not comment on the prince’s plan Jametari promised to co via the land or prescience

On the ride back up the Winding Way, Zachary rehtful silence, and it was not until they passed beneath the portcullis and stood before the castle itself that he halted his horse and folded his hands upon the pommel of his saddle Laren halted Bluebird beside him and waited for him to speak

“Did you find it as curious as I,” he said, “that the prince should mention his plans to us?”

“I suppose,” Laren said “The Eletians see leave from no one Maybe he truly is interested in cooperation”

A raven spiraled above the battlements and another squawked from the tip of a nearby tree

“You ht of the raven “I do not knohat to believe fro is for certain—they will not enter Blackveil without Sacoridians acco them”

Laren shuddered Whoever he sent would have little chance of returning

THE WALL LAMENTS

Fro unravels, erodes stone andas the bulwark of the Ages

But ere breached Our song weeps in a clash of notes out of time Lost is the harmony, erratic is the rhythm

No one hears us No one helps us No one heals us