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.Breyre headed their way and he didn t look happy. Come, he ordered, and they had tolengthen their steps to keep up.He brought them out among the trees, past pickets and guards, and for a while it seemedhe would keep going. I have received word from Heiyerborn, he said finally, slowing a littlebut not stopping. His uncle s Hold, Myche explained to Raven.Breyre shot him an impatient look that slipped by Myche like so much air. He wants mehome shortly, and even though he doesn t say it, it s clear he thinks our current company isunsafe. He gave a sharp bark of laughter. If not for Reirandor&. Then we should leave soon, Master.I can have us packed and provisioned beforemorning.Breyre stopped finally and turned. I know you can, but according to law Raven won t beallowed to come. What? Myche exclaimed. What law? A very new one, Breyre growled.Raven stared at them, knowing he would be lost without their sure guidance, and withwinter so close&. I will fight them to let you through, Raven, I promise.But Kaonir is well informed evenfor a man removed from the political games. It s he who proclaimed this law? Myche s hands were clenched into fists now. Rather, made me aware of it.He could just as well have let us ride through and had mearrested on grounds of bringing an Outlander past the border.Not even Uncle could havehelped me. Why didn t he? Who knows? Right now we must find a way to bring Raven with us. Breyre frowned athim. Very few of your people have been into the heart of Eyrde, and only one or two are stillwelcome in this time of war.Heiyerborn is not too far from here and not importantstrategically, but I can understand my kinsmen s reluctance to allow a stranger through.Myche snorted. As if he could do any harm.They just have to look at him! I assure you, they have.They don t know if they should believe what the rangers did, ifthere is something so potent, or if it s just a coincidence.Raven shifted. What? Both men turned to him. What is it they think of me that hasthem so scared? The thought of him scaring anyone almost made him want to laugh, butjudging by the look on Breyre s face, it was no laughing matter. I told them of your part in my escape, all the details that Myche has been able to giveme.Your ability to see through Chatrina s glamour is what intrigues them the most.And Imust confess, I m curious about this myself.Raven shrugged, uncomfortable. I don t know how I did that.I m not magical.Fatherwould have killed me if I were.Breyre frowned but didn t seem convinced. They want you to submit to our Merenderour Truth Knower.Myche pulled in a sharp breath. No.How can they? He trailed off at Breyre s sharpglance. As you might understand it is not commonplace to ask such a thing, neither is itpleasant.But it is entirely voluntary. What happens if I say no? Raven had to ask, although he could guess the answer. You will either have to stay here when we go on, or be escorted back to the border.You d be provisioned and given a good horse, but you wouldn t be welcome.For a long moment all Raven could see was Breyre s handsome face.He said nothing,didn t even blink, but somewhere underneath his grim façade Raven saw the need hesuppressed, wanting to ask Raven to accept.It was not an easy decision, but Raven knew whyhe chose to agree. Fine then.Will it hurt?Breyre let out a slow breath, a furrow appearing and disappearing between his eyebrows. I can t say for certain.I have never had it done to me.Are you sure? Yes.What choice do I have? I can t go back, I have nothing to return to.The only wayis forward, and I must admit I m curious to see where it leads.Myche clasped his shoulder. I knew you were brave, lad, but this&.Chatrina was a foeworthy of your courage, in this you might not like what you face. I have no understanding of your ways or what this Truth Knower does, but you havebeen kind to me and brought me with you this far.If it is up to me this time, then I will dowhat I can.Breyre nodded. I ll have one more talk with Reirandor, see if there isn t another way.Ifnot, they want to see you on the morrow.~*~Urged by Myche to rest properly that night, Raven tried to.But sleep was elusive and hewoke bleary-eyed to find Myche and Breyre both at the table. Eat, Myche told him, and he could swallow some tea and bread with jam. You ll dofine, Raven.I just know it. I ve decided, Breyre said,  if this still will not allow Raven to come into Eyrde, I wantyou to bring him back to a good village, Myche. He cut his man s protests short with a hand. You will carry out my duty as host and indebted party to him, and then return to me.Please.Myche had as much trouble arguing with that one word from Breyre s lips as Ravenwould have.There was quite a gathering at the site of Reirandor s pavilion, where the Merenderwanted to meet Raven.It seemed all men with leisure had found somewhere to sit or stand.Breyre stepped up to the two Maresals and bowed his head, then turned to a third man andbowed even deeper the Truth Knower, Raven guessed, tall and thin with very long brightblond hair, and dressed entirely in shades of blue.Silver hoops glinted in his ears as henodded back. I bring Raven to you, Maresals, Breyre began. You wish to know what lies in hisheart and I will tell you he is brave and selfless, and aided me in thwarting a foe not of hismaking, before he even knew my name.I am honoured to have him as my guest and I mustconfess it shames me to have him questioned by my own kin.It shames my pride as anEyrder. He looked at Raven and held out a hand to urge him forward.Raven did so, carefullynot looking at Kaonir s thunderous expression [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ]