It    DAY AND NIG lead back to ter all.

        tur to tibar to Ardin toumn stars, cicadas loud in t; it    tonight.

        It rao be abroad in te. raveling Menico o ered aled by tern measures botyrants aken against t often traveled by det folk at night.

        Folk sucriumps or security, and    marked    ually, if tomasso bar Saalked.

        It ed trusted t came to t—but    kno like er so many years.

        It occurred to    to t so make    knoiga of ory told uion of    purely an abstra for him. A name.

        enougo —for t Alessan and Baerd and ted—as for t in t tonig kno knoted into o t.

        trut if Sandre dAstibar could stop alking, as o do, to prevent Devin from carrying oly as    six years. From riump seemed to lie before    onis t course, o t inceivable to o tremendous divide. Devin    ed and easily uood as they were happening.

        ed from ly raising a    a o trees again beside ter a moment torc to t and Devin    appr e, ival going on. In some    o seem anoted for t to go by.

        It did not. t slap and jingle of reins just in front of we.

        "I really am ," t;Every siime I look at t I am remi I sisan design it. ts, or t to be, to her allows!”

        Devin reized t. An impulse, a striving back toer w , made him rise.

        "trust me," ;this is a friend.”

        tepped out into the road.

        "I t it ter t artisans I knoo tell truto me yesterday afternoon in the Bird.”

        "I kno voice,&quo replied instantly. "I kno void I am exceedingly glad to —even t unmasked me before a ser e existence. Devin dAsoli, if I am not mistaken!”

        rode fore, seizing t lantern from its bracket. Devin er from t. Beriana stepped into the road.

        "You are not mistaken," Devin said. "May I introduce triana dAstibar and Alessan di tregea. t tle i surroundings o ed aed yesterday.”

        "A; Rovigo exclaimed, ern ;ter!”

        Catriana, lit by t of t;I o talk to ; sion. "I didnt muc to go i place.”

        "A ial ; Rovigo approved, grinning. "ould t my clutcers . No one," ;s to go i it defeats all sense of smell.”

        Alessan burst out laug;ell-met on a dark road, Master Rovigo—the Sea Maid.”

        Devin blinked in astonis.

        "I    misfortuo o un-sea; Rovigo admitted c;o kno, friend?”

        Alessan seemed ;Because I o seek you out if I could. I idings for you from Ferraut toly, red-faced personage accio.”

        "My esteemed factor in Ferraut!&quo exclaimed. "ell met, indeed! By ter him?”

        "In anotavern, I am sorry to o say. A tavern where I had been playing musid he was . . .

        ribution     patrons of t.

        in any great o return    seemed to me prudent reasons, and o talking.”

        "It is never o fall to talking accio,&quo assented.

        Devin . It didn’t sound like t of a ponderous, unmarriageable daugo take ttitude to he darkness he found himself grinning.

        Alessan said, "taccio explained o me, and ion t I    joi and ival o seek you out and carry verbal firmation of a letter o you.”

        "ters,&quo groaned. "to it, tion, friend Alessan.”

        "Good taccio bade me tell you, and to s as true by triads grad t;—Alessans voice became a flaentious stage messenger—"t did t arrive from Astibar before ter frosts, t slumbers uneasily by    a violeo eemed service.”

        ter and applause from t. t, didnt sound eveely shrewish.

        "Eanna and Adaon,    suco pass,&quo said piously. "t is made and it is ready to be sely

        tival is over.”

        "t ease and taccio be saved," Alessan intoned, assuming t;moral" at t-show.

        "t; came a mild, still-amused female voice from t, "all of you simidated by ponida I ly dont kirely of our maoniganding in the cold and dark?”

        "Absolutely not, my beloved," ily. "Alix, it    addled my brain." Devin found t    stop grinning; even Catriana, iced, ual expression of superior indifference.

        "ere you going back to to asked.

        t tricky moment—and Alessa it to ;e ; Devin said. "ed taken a long o clear our     about ready to brave ty again.”

        "I imagi,&quo said.

        "e do seem to ain notoriety," Alessan admitted.

        "ell," said Rovigo early, "all jesting aside, I could and if you ed to rejoin tions—t. It    like leaving too late, and my unfortunate oldest, Alais, suffers from tg spells wed.”

        "; said Alessan raight face.

        "Fat; came a softly urgent protest from t.

        &quo, stop t at once or I sy a basin on you in your sleep," , Devin judged, h any genuine anger.

        "You see t; t said, gesturing expressively ;I am    respite even into my dreams. But, if you are irely put off by trideny    of t, you are all most    o se repast and a quieter drink to find in Astibar tonight.”

        "And to ; Alix added. "e    tes. truly, it would be an honor if you joined us.”

        "You ; Devin asked, surprised.

        "; Rovigo murmured in a self-depreg tone. "e reet outside among t; ated. "Sandre dAstibar ly    east of my oed to    my ne young friends pao perform tes, h us?”

        time Devi it to Alessan.

        ill eete in t;e could not dream of refusing an offer so gracious. It o toast taccios neful slumbers of his Dragon!”

        "O; said Alix from t, trying unsuccessfully not to laug;you are all so unfair!”

        I and inuing laugtractive young    to be caug of t seventeen,    to ionally flirtatious glance.

        Alais .

        In t of ts oldest daugurned out to be small and grave and slender. Sraig srianas own blue gaze looked more cumbling red he mane of a lioness.

        tent female o immensely fortable g-room furnisry fire blazed on ting tumn    a design t akably Quileian, even to Devins untutored eye, covered teen-year-old—Selvena, it emerged—sank gracefully do at Devi. S o ignore, a quick, sardonic glance from Catriana as sook a seat -o t, her.

        Just triump from some ba, carrying ttles.

        "I ; ;t you all aste for Astibars blue wine?”

        And for Devin t simple question cast airely benevolent aura of fate over ion in tside.    Alessan, and    seemed to o aohings.

        Rovigo quickly began unc and p t;If any of my c; ;feel free to s ts." A curl of blue smoke could be seen rising from each glass.

        Selveled    , ign    bespoke long familiarity    of t, trim, petent, a laugion in t. In a very s wy of food.

        Devin accepted a glass fro, sav t. o be extremely tent for t little o fill a plate of food for Devin. S it back to tled on t again, marginally riana    daug eachem.

        Devin doubted if o be    che look, shrugged.

        "Daug; ed, sorrowfully shaking his head.

        " Ponderous cart ts wife. Rovigo winced. Alix, laug emples, he exge.

        " again, did ; silting o one side. "Let me guess: I ions and formidably evil disposition, and tures among to make up one passably acceptable ?”

        Lauguro see Rovigo—not at all disfited—beaming    his wife.

        "Exactly rig; Devin said to Alix, "but I must say in    Ive never ion so happily.”

        er and a he sideboard.

        Rovigo raised    in small circles to make a pattern in the icy smoke.

        "ill you join me in drinking to to t believe in making idle toasts h blue wine.”

        "Nor do I," Alessan said quietly. ed ;to memory," ely. "to Sandre dAstibar. to music." the wine.

        Devin drank, tasting, for only time in onisy of Astibars blue    a fact. ed Rovigo h his glass.

        "to all of you," Catriana said suddenly. "to kindness on a dark road." S any edge or mockery to it. Devin     way.

        Not on t and no road after all, despite o catc failed. Salking to Alix, noed beside ive, Devin turention to his food.

        A moment later Selvena touc lig;ill you sing for us?" s move ;Alais s, but t of us have been here all day.”

        "Selvena!" Moter sogetruck but, Devin noticed, it o    surned, biting    her soberly.

        "Dear ," ;you o learn.

        Our friends make music for ts onig, ligs to ears. She lowered her head.

        In to said to Devin, "ill you accept an apology? S it in good fait.”

        "I ked, as Selvena sniffled softly at . "there is no apology needed.”

        "truly, none," Alessan added, setting e of food aside. "e make music to live, indeed, but    truly to live. It is not o play among friends, Rovigo.”

        Selvena wiped    efully.

        "I so sing," Catriana said. S Selvena. "Unless of course it was only Devin you had in mind?”

        Devin    been directed at ered for time in as many minutes. Out uing expression cross Alaiss face.

        Selvena began protesting early t of course s all tire excuition, looking at    t least as close to ter of tigana as ly precise figure    .

        suddenly. And even as tered    it rue. ;Lament for Adaon.”

        "ell," said Rovigo, smiling at Catriana, "if yracious enougo indulge a so ao    I do    ean pipes in triad alone kno one of tures migalent of some sort.”

        Alix, from several feet a s restored, Rovigo sent t girl off to fetc about refilling everyones glass.

        Devin caug    sakeo t    smile back, but    break atling

        skip to t.

        As it turned out, after triana sang for better to Alessans pipes. Part of tandan    briefly aurned    first, very softly, ent at t as at everytriana favored icularly dazzling smile. Rovigo needed no furt to stay    song, and t.

        No man, Devin found    to do anyt look from t t Catriana ely resembling sufused all of a sudden.

        Someone—Alais evidently—ime. tle more quickly tency of blue o t    one for tests.

        sing of tigana, and ainly not about to sing of passion or love, so ars and itting to    not ever be lost or fotten in time.

        It    o     to o whe choice he had.

        As , ful and knoic glance from Catriana as t time as t listened. Devin sacration. ly to y to t o    all as o Eanna o names and things.

        Some image iar named Micaela aloft in a blaig t carry ori-anas ly to an end.

        In t of t to bed ranquility. A fes later Alix rose as o Devins disappoi, did Alais.

        In turned and looked at Catriana. "You must be very tired,&quos daughter said.

        "If you like I    s mind s sonight.”

        Devin expected Catriana to demur, or    transparent separation of tating only a sed before rising. "I am tired, and I dont mind s all," s;It will remind me of home.”

        Devin, uation suddenly fou. Catriana ly, t s. So misuand. It occurred to y, t toget m.

        For some time after t in silence, ea s.

        Rovigo rose at lengt of t anotcil it caugo oying o ts.

        It ; ly. "e    talk, Rovigo. t to be extremely angry h of us.”

        Devin sat up abruptly and put aside    his lips,

        glanced briefly over at urned Alessans gaze tranquilly.

        "I ; ;ted    be ances.”

        Alessan oo. turo Devin.

        ically back over ts of t Rovigo. "You didnt find me in t. Alessa you. You    you?" urning to the Prince.

        two men excher glance before Alessan replied.

        "I did," ted. "I ain suspi t tes for Sandre dAstibar ing up and t ion. I couldnt afford to lose track of you, Devin.”

        "Im afraid I reet of temples yesterday,&quo added. o look embarrassed, Devin noted.

        ill furious t;You lied about t talk about going there whenever you came back from a journey.”

        "No, t part rue,&quo said. "Everytrue, Devin. Once you o terfront you o end up in a place I know very well.”

        "And Catriana?" Devin pursued angrily. " about her? how did she—”

        "I paid a boy to run a message back to your inn ting you stay i be angry. to all of this.”

        "t; Alessan ec;You sand some of it by noriana and I ibar roupe ed to see h.”

        "ait a minute!" Devin exclaimed. "Expected? o die?”

        &quo told me," Alessan said simply.    a small silence register. "a Astibar for nine years no you did yesterday, and about as quickly.”

        Devin,    t, the day before.

        urned out to be not so casual at all. Rovigo put down his glass.

        "I feel t tyrants t you do," ly. "Alberico e and Asoli, and in t province Alessan es from ry.”

        Devin s;And Duke Sandre?" ;how did you know—?”

        "I spied on t; Rovigo said calmly. "It    o monitor tomassos ings and goings. trada, it o tomassos deception years ago, and —t say it is a t year I side t tate and at t nigails of Sandres death.”

        Devin looked quickly over at Alessan. o say somet speaking, .

        Alessan nodded. "t; uro. "t you are better off not knoy and your familys. I t isnt a matter of trust, or any sug.”

        "After nine years I t,&quo murmured. " s ?”

        "Alberico arrived just after I joiomasso and triana o o the    on his own.”

        "On ; Rovigo asked sharply.

        Devin lifted ;I ; y. Out of t ridiculous. S;I overalking upstairs betes.”

        Rovigo looked as if ion or t,    Alessan, hem in.

        Devin eful.

        Alessan said, " back to teromasso aken. Baerd o take care of a number of tonig later.”

        "e passed t ty,&quo said quietly, abs t;I saomasso bar Sandre hem. I feared for you, Alessan.”

        "it; Alessan said drily. "the service of Alberico.”

        Rovigos face registered s;Family? Morian damn o darkness for t!" he rasped harshly.

        "hing?”

        Alessan gave eristic s;A great deal yrants came,    say?”

        t to master : "Your o; ;Do they—”

        "t; t said, regaining ;riana before tonig Alessan and Baerd in tregea to t ain enemies in on. told me somet told to assist in ts as best I could    unduly endangering my o do t. I io try. It is my o live long enougo be able to h Alessan offers when he drinks blue wine.”

        ly but    th before he drank.

        Alessan gazed steadily at Rovigo. "t by act yesterday afternoon. oo    fell. hich is why he is here.”

        Rovigo said nothing.

        " is t; Devin asked. And tly, "Is it somet I should know?”

        "Not as anyt matters in t; Alessans voice ;I aligana, let my memory of you be like a blade in my soul.”

        Devin closed    Rovigo.

        ted in fierce, angry sternation.

        "My friend, Devin sand t; Alessan said to ly. "It is a part of taken on.    did you hear me say?”

        Rovigo gestured ration. "t time t nigco blue    I didnt    thing.”

        "tigana," Alessan said again. tenderly, clear as cal.

        But Devin sa reac. "ill you . . . one more time?”

        "tigana," Devin said before Alessan could speak. to make t t of truly     of . taken away.

        "Let my memory of you be like a blade in my soul," ering at tried o keep it as steady as Alessans had been.

        , disoriented, visibly distressed, Rovigo shook his head.

        "And Brandins magic is be; he asked.

        "It is," Alessan said flatly.

        After a moment Rovigo sig;I am sorry," ly. "Five me, bot have asked. I have opened a wound.”

        "I ; Devin said quickly.

        "t; said Alessan, a moment later.

        traordinary passion in Rovigos face. It    to realize t ting about Senzian rustics as ers. t rose abruptly and became busy tending to tly    ed a little, and o know.

        " do ; asked Rovigo dAstibar, returning to stand beside ;I am as disturbed by t met. I do not like magic.

        Especially t remains a matter of some . . . signifie to be able to    I    debarred from hearing.”

        Devi a rusement run t to his evening.

        irely goo be reed    migook a long drink of his blue wine.

        Alessans expression roubled t ime.

        turning from one man to t abruptly lost agai fading almost as quickly as it had e.

        &quo,    involved you enoug; Alessan asked at lengt;I must admit t I    your o tell you     tonigibar in to e. It o keep an ear open ravels, to quietly monitor Albericos doings and Sandres, for you and Baerd and I to meet every so often and toucalk, friend to friend. But tale is cly fear to put you in danger.”

        Rovigo nodded. "I t you mig. I am grateful for your . But Alessan, I made up my mind on time ago. I ...    expect t freedom could be found or    a price paid. You said t t mark a turning-point for all of us. If t I e you must tell me." ated, t;One of t Alix would ech us and did she know.”

        Alessans expression ill troubled. "But s    kno; ;there

        , aonigo endahem?”

        "; Rovigo replied softly, but    ation. "? I    to do anyt    to actual danger, and I ot afford to suspend my business entirely. But    will make a difference?”

        Finally uanding ts, Devi grimly silent. to    all,    all along.    ed and sobered, and afraid no for himself.

        t at risk by everyt, speaking of Menico. And noo uand, painfully, ty of t.

        t. In any    all. ement quite gone, Devin    time, t lay on to    face-to-face t road imposed bet no everyo meet. Even friends. Even people    of Catriana in tood han he had an ho.

        atg to silence, Devin focused on Alessans momentarily unguarded fad o cook a deep, slo he price of his blood.

        Alessan smiled, an odd, rueful smile. "Actually, t; o. "t ed, tedly, t reached his eyes.

        "," ely casual voice, "to taking on some business partners?”

        For just a moment Rovigo seemed nonplussed, tanding broadened across ; ;You need access to some places.”

        Alessan nodded. "t, and t from t o triana joined us,”

        one from t seen t;In busiogetimate means of ex and Im going to need informatiularly ter. As partners ing eay affairs t toucrade. And of course all affairs toucrade.”

        "I; said Rovigo, ent on Alessans face.

        "e    unicate directly if you , or taccio in Ferraut."    Devin. "I knoac-cio, by t    a ce eit out?" Devin    even t about it actually, but before urned back to. "I assume you rust?&quo nodded.

        Alessan said, "You see, t problem is t altill travel as musis, after torious    it in time Id ctle, or told Devin to be a little less impressive.”

        "No you    ; Devin said quietly. "ever ot one of them.”

        Alessans mout. Rovigo smiled.

        "Per; t;It    it?”

        t up and put one more log on the fire.

        Alessan said, "It all makes seain places aain activities t would be awkward for us as performers. Especially well-known performers. As mercs, we would o such places.”

        "Certain islands, per; Rovigo asked quietly, from by the fire.

        "Per; Alessan agreed. "If it es to t. t may be a matter of five of os are    Brandins court on , tions to    o disappear, or die." , matter-of-fact. ook a sip of his wine.

        After a moment urned back to. roking ation of a shrewdly avaricious businessman.

        "ell," t said in a greedy, o    . . .

        intriguing proposal, gentlemen. I do o ask one or tions. Ive knoime, but ticular issue and." ed ing. ", if anyt business?”

        Alessan gave a sudden burst of laug;o ; he asked.

        "Ive my s in,&quo replied. "Casransas and easy credit based on profits over t few weeks. hy?”

        "I    buying a reaso not indiscreet amount of grain in t forty-eight hours.

        ty-four ually, if you .”

        Rovigo looked tful. "I could do t," ;And my means are suffitly limited t no purco be indiscreet. I act, too—te t border.”

        "Not from Nievole," Alessan said quickly.

        Anot;I see," artling Devin again ;You t some fiscation after tival?”

        "You ," Alessan said. "Among all t ther source for buying up grain?”

        "I mig; Rovigo looked from Alessan to Devin and back again. "Four partners, t; ;t right?”

        Alessan nodded. "Alm make it five partners. t in to divide our s is all righ you?”

        " not be?&quo s;t doesnt touc all. ill I meet this person?”

        "I er," said Alessan. "I expect you will be her.”

        "Fine,&quo said crisply. "terms for a traina associatioo ting to traveling and put in time. Based on old me I    t you are likely to be able to offer information ure. I propose a erest eacly duct. Is t acceptable?”

        Devin. it;It is quite acceptable.”

        "It is more t; Alessan agreed. roubled again; he looked as if he would go on.

        "It is do; said Rovigo quickly. "No more to be said, Alessaoomorroo raina formally draer tival?”

        "Ferraut, I t; said Alessan slo;e    discuss er, but I o do trade     to sider.”

        "Ferraut?" said Rovigo, ign tter remarks. A smile slo!

        t is splendid. Absolutely splendid! You    save us some money already. Ill give you a cart and all of you    take Ingonida her new bed!”

        On tairs Alais couldnt remember    so moodiness like Selvena, but life at eo be very quiet, especially wher was away.

        And noo be    once.

        Rovigo rip t. Alix and Alais    ease ains into Quileia, no matter imes ion. And on top of t, trip tlingly late in tumn    o palm urn ival of Vines. It , abs    eyes all she saw.

        Drinking it in.

        In t of t m sood extremely still, listening to a clear voice soar from tyard out among tural silence of t lamented Adaoregea so bitterly, so sly, t Alais had been afraid she would cry. She had closed her eyes.

        It onisioo es. ed to eet easing bot at all. S t somet ters nursed any aies about tion.

        to look at his eyes.

        O nigtled by tter of t ty o te.

        to uand op from sement. Sell-tale color rising in her cheeks.

        became clear t t aken a supreme act of self- trol for ain to s oldest, most trusted child.

        In t became easier because tant ts stepped to able mating frenzy. A course of beransparent to er t it drove Alais straigo ual, detacco sleep for muc looked more and more as if sill be unmarried he spring.

        Devin, ted. But    and litelligent eyes under sandy-brown    curled halfway over his ears.

        Sed o be arrogant or pretentious, despite    all.

        t fifteen years older, perangled urely greying—silvering, actually—at temples. imidated tle, even t from tart, ily t enjoyed.

        Per , Alais t: feing or in anytures appeared to be doing so effortlessly. S t tle arrogant on , regean musi could ma. On ted, s kno all.

        t Catriana erribly beautiful.

        it and tartlingly blue eyes u bined rageous flirtation to relax rattle    of activity, petition, exercise,    someto get involved. ata register Selvenas soft floung at Devi and sercepted ted at her fellow musi.

        Alais decided to go into teed ful glance    ent.

        t a meal toget room Alais    tened ao ter so bless Selvenas s of t of asking ts to sing.

        time s ly to    to look a of t last song about Eanna naming tars sraying into c of ted about at nigime, iail. Alais tribute o the fire.

        S o of riana, but it certainly    love, or even tenderness as sood eit eacime to time, usually han she could even imagine.

        ts. Selvena doing so est, and toucip to palm    a glance from    later sher did.

        It    led o iriana to e up ely t sound to t and obviously at ease in t -rianas smile, tood.

        "It will remind me of ; she said.

        t t as t up tairs past ts and t back souto Kried to fat ure out among tumble of long roads and uain lodging. Of late nig if so be available. Alais tried, but sly couldnt grasp it. Despite t, or per, somet opened out toher woman.

        "t; she said shyly.

        "Small return for your kindness," Catriana said lightly.

        "Not as small as you t; Alais said. "Our room is over his reminds you of home . .

        . I    is a good memory." t tle, but not rudely sed to talk to to be friends, to learn e from her own.

        tepped into two bedspreads

        turned back. ts umn, more traband brougers were so mu here.

        Catriana laugtle under he chamber.

        "Stage." Alais flus before sriana turo ill very ;tell me, o tie your sister do t.”

        Alais    from feeling spoiled and iive to red-faced sy and guilt.

        "S terrible isnt so kill ic ival    year.”

        Catriana s;I kneoo. Ive never been able to uand it.”

        "Nor I," said Alais a little too quickly. Catriana gla her.

        Alais ventured a ant smile. "I guess ts a thing we have in on?”

        "O; tly, turning ao one of t;t; s. "?”

        "I made it," Alais said sly. S patronized suddenly, and it irritated her.

        It must riana looked quickly back over ; s lengt;I doubt its .”

        "No effort," said Alais quietly. "Besides," sured, "I may need your ying Selvena doer.”

        Surprised, Catriana c;S," sting on one of t;ou your fato t a single red glove.”

        Sime, but finding tion oddly enjoyable, Alais giggled and sat do, siced ruefully, easily reac.

        "S mig," s t;I think she even has a red glove hidden somewhere!”

        Catriana s;ts roping rusting t as I say, t do anything.”

        "You kno; Alais ill    sure , so deal h.

        "Alessan, I knoter," Catriana said. "But Devins been on time and I    ; S last, tle high.

        Still ion Alais said cautiously, "I    t, actually. Are travel?”

        Catriana s;ters longing to find? Not from the musis.

        tten code, or else t a certain kind of o tour and t ter to most of troupes. t last, anyway.

        Men    be quite badly    for botoo muly t oo often.”

        "I see," said Alais, trying to imagi.

        "You are expected to pair off ; Catriana added. "As if its t you    do.

        Remove yourself as a temptation. So you find a man you like, or some of t of t, too.”

        "O; said Alais, clasping her hands in her lap.

        Catriana, ;Dont ; sly, looking pointedly at ;t glove doesnt fit me.”

        Abruptly Alais put o either side of her, blushing furiously.

        "I    particularly ; srying to sound casual. t back: " glove does fit you, then?”

        t quickly disappeared. t;You do    in you, after all," Catriana said judiciously. "I    sure.”

        "t," said Alais, moved to a rare anger, "is patronizing.    me? And ?”

        Again triana surprised ;Im sorry," s;truly. Im really not very good at t; S;As it    a nerve and I tend to las w occurs.”

        Alaiss anger, as quick to recede as it o kindle, her oke.

        ternly, a guest in her house.

        Se co reply to try to mend t, because just tled importantly into ter ed over tc os apprentices oely cast doaining to table by the window.

        tably stirred up irely—bots of it, Alais t. After ts left, the women washed up in silence.

        Alais, stealing a gla t even more ie in e softness and tered life so bed, feeling as if so begin tion ain.

        "Good nig; she said.

        "Good nig; Catriana replied, after a moment. Alais tried to read an invitation to furtion in one, but s sure. If Catriao talk, so say something.

        t tly in tcoes around t brick Menka    at t of    ruefully t tao Selvenas side of t.

        Sometime later, still unsleeping to its embers, s of y from tairs. ter somes o ress.    sered and safe. Alais smiled to airs soon after, and go to te rooms.

        So catcer in t really believe even Selvena . Sually she fell asleep.

        S of lying on a op in a strange place. Of a man t glittering ars. S windy    amid a

        scattering of deh plex yearnings she could never have named aloud.

        It terly cold in t last. tones o put ba s in t see t o ten twice already as he dozed.

        Earlier, ain of t for tted o play . tomassos reputation. Everyone kneion. ; it    of the plan.

        So tripped ness of ted poker from ttocks or tomasso ed only to close    all away.

        For some reason it aeri t    let . ill couldnt believe    taeri    t made    to cry, t it, but    going to let t. o mean more to    ever had before.

        So    ain.    to igo al suggestions as to w would omorrow.

        t very imaginative actually. y o be olerably worse.

        t tle imes, but notomasso kneo save    then, as well.

        t play.

        Eventually tain greired of tomassos steady gaze, or else    to stop. tomassos bonds    and ts and a filt-ied strip of bla and took airs to tibar and to them.

        trance    even on one    didnt actually seem to matter very much.

        ed ts ts.    as tigried to use it as a feeble club. It was he dark.

        tomasso , no urned o jelly.

        later t    to keep trol of s.

        entirely keep t as if     lay in jagged pieces at odd angles in . Among ts ried to assemble a curse for rayal, but noto .

        and las blindly    somet t sound.    . One of them.

        rembling, but tivity seemed to    back    weep

        any more.    tone .

        It        of pain: one of ts ten viciously at     for a fes, but o feel genuinely ill.    painful to swallow.    his forehead and decided he was feverish.

        of a dle, ing. o look around ts gloiny. t near    leg and ts—c image of tto t    faasso could ever remember seeing.    it for a long time.

        to and realized ainty t tion, or a dream.

        from any tomasso could ever remember seeing on his face.

        t be extreme, tered    so desperately desired. A look of kindness—and even, if oo reaced ting against a tyrant.

        onigruly end, most omasso in t even y to imagine. asy.

        t in it. It kept ts a even seemed to ease t stones be his back.

        ed an unsteady o and torn, puffy lips    ed to say ;Im sorry," to t    make t.

        to uand.

        "You o be sorry for," tomasso ly. "It    and only mi tations from tart. I oo many    ... affected me too mucer.”

        to tle. A part of tomasso, a er of , seemed to be knitting itself slooget feeble fantasy of being loved before they flayed him.

        "ill you let me tell you    o tell you I have been proud of you, in my fashion?”

        tomasso let    ac blur and s trying to ears ao speak but tered mout form o.

        And sloten in turning of time and pride, and fatoucips together.

        It aasso    it o tensity of o be    to uand.

        "t t; t said in a strange, uedly ful voice. "If I

        ronger I could do more, but at least t    you in t    you any more, my son. Drink it tomasso, drink it and this will all be gone. All go away, I promise you.

        t for me tomasso,    if you    in Morians o here.”

        tomasso still did not uand, but tone he dream-vial.

        Again it antial ted it to be.

        . itrembling omasso fumbled and removed topper.

        t gesture—a final mog parody of    in a e salute to asy and    to tter.

        supposed to be sad, tomasso ed to say.    to a boy once, in a temple of Morian at nig supposed to be.     as if    to fall alseep, even t uand.    uand    in Morians halls.

        ing to ask about t. o be going pletely strange on hough.

        o be g.

        tears in hers eyes.

        hich was impossible. Even in a dream.

        "Fare; he heard.

        Fareo say, iurn.

        sure if ually mao form t it, but just t or a mantle, and to matter anymore.
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