,,CR[N ,,& ,,JEWEL

            ,0,,J]I ,,MASSI

              ,PUBLI%$ BY
      ,BOB ,J"OS ,UNIV]S;Y ,PRESS1
        ,GRE5VILLE1 ,S\? ,C>OL9A
             ,COPY"R #AIHG
  ,FUR!R REPRODUC;N OR 4TRIBU;N 9 O!R
  ?AN A SPECIALIZ$ =MAT IS PROHIBIT$4

      ,TRANSCRIB$ 9 ,5GLI% ,BRL BY
     ,M>IAN ,HAYES1 ,C>OLYN ,RI<I1
     ,T]RY ,DAVIS1 & ,BE? ,GOODMAN
          ,"EGRE5 ,BRL ,S]VICE
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON

             ,9 #B ,VOLUMES
               ,VOLUME #B
        ,PAGES ;I-;IV & #AJE-AIJ

          ,"U ! ,SPONSOR%IP (
  ,WA%+TON ,TALK+ ,BOOK & ,BRL ,LIBR>Y
           ,S1TTLE1 ,WA%+TON
                 #BJJC
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                ,,3T5TS             ;III

#AF ,9 ,EXILE """"""""""""""""""""" #AJE
#AG ,DEEP ,SN[ """""""""""""""""""" #AAC
#AH ,! ,WOMAN 9 ,GRAY """"""""""""" #AAI
#AI ,! ,SLAV]S """""""""""""""""""" #ABI
#BJ ,A ,COLD ,J\RNEY """""""""""""" #ACE
#BA ,AT ,M>KET """""""""""""""""""" #ADA
#BB ,A ,K9D ( ,RE/OR,N """""""""""" #ADE
#BC ,RETURN """"""""""""""""""""""" #AEA
#BD ,! ,9N """""""""""""""""""""""" #AEI
#BE ,FOG """""""""""""""""""""""""" #AFE
#BF ,TRIUMPHAL ,5TRY """""""""""""" #AGE
#BG ,F>F>E """""""""""""""""""""""" #AHA











                                     ;IV
























             ,*APT] ,SIXTE5         #AJE
               ,9 ,EXILE

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?REW OP5 ALL ! %UTT]S 9 ! FRONT     #AJF
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M9D 0 DRIFT+ OV] :AT _H 6BE "O (! HAPPI-
E/ "DS ( H] LIFE4



















                                    #AAB
























            ,*APT] ,SEV5TE5         #AAC
               ,DEEP ,SN[

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FLI<T WD PROBABLY 2 UNAVOIDA#4 ,%E 0
GRATE;L !Y _H PREP>$ AH1D ( "T = H]4













             ,*APT] ,EI<TE5         #AAI
           ,! ,WOMAN 9 ,GRAY

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H1D4 8,DOAN' LET ME D T10 HE SD 6H]4
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TOLD H]4 8,>E A GD /UD5T (! B[6 ,AN' !
SKILL MAY /& Y WELL 9 ? DANG]40
  ,AG !Y SC\T$ & F.D NO SIGNS ( DANG]4
,! NEXT WEEK ANO!R MESS5G] CAME1 :5 !
PROMISE ( SN[ HUNG 9 ! AIR1 & 8 REPORT
DID N DI6] M* F ! F/--! SPIES 7 / 9 CUS-
TODY1 & "! 7 NO SIGNS ANY": ( O!R 9TRUD-
]S2 !N HE 0 G"O AG4
  ,AF ! SN[FALL !Y PRACTIC$ %OOT+ _! B[S
AG4 ,CROG FA%ION$ H"O/ & TRUE >R[S =!
,PR9CESS1 M* L 8 [N4
  8,LADIES A'N'T M* AT W>10 HE TOLD H]
:ILE HE "W$ AT FITT+ AN >R[H1D 6A %AFT =
H]4 8,B "! 2 W1PONS !Y F9D "R USE;L1 S*
Z B[ & >R[4 ,= !Y C %OOT A B[ /R;G 5 TO
/OP AN 5EMY'S RU%1 & _M A WOMAN C   #ABB
B1T A TRI$ SOLDI] AT M>KSMAN%IP4 ,I SE5
'EM D S40
  ,HE 0 SIL5T Z HE "W$1 & %E SAT ON !
B5* 2F ! FIREPLACE1 WAT*+ 8 SURE H&S
SLIDE ! ?9 BASE (! >R[H1D 96A NOT* & !N
B9D ! NOT* FA/4
  8,I DOAN' "K :AT'LL -E ( HID9' \ UP
"H10 HE SD AT LA/4 8,B :ATE'] 2FALL1 ,I
?9K 2F ! ADV5TURE'S OV]1 Y'LL 2 NE$9' A
B[ & >R[S AT YR -M&40
  ,! NEXT "D !Y W5T 6! DOORY>D AG &
PRACTIC$ _! %OOT+4 ,HE TOLD H] T %E 0 A
FAIR %OT4 ,CROG HMF CD PUT AN >R[ :]"E
HE 9T5D$ X 6G1 B ,ROSEWNN 0 AT L1/ A# TO
HIT "S "P (A TREE T %E AIM$ AT4
  ,? EASY K9D ( LIFE 3T9U$ = S"EAL M
"DS1 & ,ROSEWYN 2GAN 6REMEMB] T ! WOMAN
_H M1NT 6-E BACK = H] 2F W9T] 0 \4
  8,DON'T Y ?9K X'S SAFE 6G BACK HOME
N[80 %E ASK$ ,CROG "O "D :5 !Y 7 TRY+ _!
B[S4 8,"! >E CL\DS ON ! HORIZON1 & WE CD
L1VE TM & H ! SN[FALL COV] \R TRACKS40
  ,!Y _H J -E F GA!R+ _! >R[S4 ,CROG SAT
ON ! DOOR/EP & LOOK$ AT H]4 8,SN[ MAY
-E1 & X MAY N10 HE V5TUR$4 8,B X    #ABC
MO/ LIKELY W1 & X WD COV] \R TRACKS1
EH80
  8,& IF "! 7 M SPIES AT ! VILLAGE1
SURELY !Y'VE G"O AWAY AG10 %E TOLD HM4
8,X'S BE5 S L;G60
  8,L;G 6Y & ME1 ,GOLDL1F1 B MAYBE N TOO
L;G 6"S'UN PD 6BR+ Y BACK 6,BLACKROOT--
PD 6D T OR WORSE40
  ,%E SD NO?+1 = %E KNEW T ,CROG KNEW 8
BUSI;S1 B AT LA/ HE SD1 8,WELL1 WE'LL
SEE TN1 EH8 ,I HA' M1NT 6D "S SC\T+ 2F
SN[FALL4 ,IF ! =E/ IS QUIET1 BACK WE G 9
! MORN9'40
  ,TRUE 6HIS ^W1 HE SET \ J 2F _! SUPP]4
  8,NO NE$ 6G \ WI' ME10 HE TOLD H]4
8,KEEP ! DOOR BOLT$ UNTIL ,I GET BACK1
AN' Y C SET ! TA# IF Y'VE A M9D4 ,I
%DN'T 2 G"O M ?AN A QU>T] ( AN H\R4 ,M9D
Y1 CLOSE & BOLT ! DOOR AF ME40
  ,%E DID S1 & WAT*$ 8 BIG1 /OOP$ FIGURE
4APPE> >.D ! CORN] (! PILE ( SN[ T COV]$
! L[ H\SE4 ,"! 0 / "S GRAY "DLI<T \T-
SIDE4 ,Z %E SET ! TA# & TIDI$ ! SITT+
ROOM1 %E WAT*$ = 8 RETURN4 ,!N %E MOV$
_! KETTLE ( /EW AWAY F ! FLAMES =   #ABD
FE> ( X BURN+1 & %E TROTT$ BACK 6! W9D[1
M & M ANXI\SLY4 ,A HALF H\R PASS$1 & "!
0 / NO ,CROG4
  ,HE _H TOLD H] 6KEEP ! DOOR BOLT$2 %E
SAW H] B[ & >R[S 9 ! CORN] & /RUNG ! B[4
,!N %E PAUS$ AT ! W9D[4 ,/ NO SIGN ( HM4
  ,B "! 0 "S?+ ELSE--ONLY A %AD[ ON A
SN[Y HILL ACR F ! H\SE4 ,B X 0 A SKIMM+1
SMOO? %AD[1 & %E KNEW :AT X WAS3 ! %AD[
(A FLY+ >R[ 2+ %OT4
  ,%E KNEW !N T %E 0 9 DANG]2 HE 0 9
DANG]1 & IF HE 7 OV]:ELM$1 %E CD N1 9 !
CLOSE 3F9ES (! H\SE1 HOLD (F ATTACK]S4
  ,ROSEWYN 0 A LL SURPRIS$ AT H[ CALMLY
%E MANAG$ 6GET R1DY--BANK+ ! FIRE1 /RUG-
GL+ 96H] COAT & LE7+S1 & TAK+ UP ! B[ &
QUIV] ( >R[S4 ,%E WAT*$ "? ! W9D[ & SAW
NO SIGN ( ANYBODY NE> ! H\SE4 ,%E SLIPP$
96! DOORY>D1 AL;G ! SIDE (! H\SE OPPO-
SITE ,CROG'S R\TE1 & CAME >.D ! BACK (!
DRIFT4
  ,CREEP+ 96A /& ( TREES1 %E WAIT$4
,SCANT SN[FLAKES 7 FALL+1 & !Y 2GAN 6-E
D[N M H1VILY4 ,%E _H 6"W H] WAY UP 6T
HILL &! ?ICK =E/ ON ! O!R SIDE4     #ABE
,%E SAW T ! BE/ WAY WD 2 6/>T MOV+ AWAY
F X1 D[N ! HILL %E 0 ON1 96! =E/ 2L1 &
UP ! NEXT HILL4
  ,%E SET AN >R[ ON ! /R+ & />T$ MOV+
C>E;LLY1 LI/5+ & WAT*+4 ,%E GOT ALL !
WAY D[N ! HILL & MOV$ AL;G ! BOTTOM1
KEEP+ 2H TREES1 PAUS+ FREQU5TLY4 ,!N %E
/>T$ UP ! HILL ": ,CROG _H 4APPE>$4 ,%E
0 9 SI<T (! HI45 H\SE &A L;G B>E /RET* (
GR.D1 & %E SAW ?REE FIGURES -E \ (!
TREES ABV H] & 3V]GE "R ON ! $GE (! =E/4
  ,H] H&S TREM#D4 ,_H %E N BE5 S CLOSE
6!M1 %E WD N"E H PICK$ \ _! FIGURES Z !Y
/OOD )! BLACK BOLES (! TREES 2H !M4 ,B /
!Y 7 TOO F> AWAY =A %OT4 ,": 0 ,CROG8
,%E TOOK A T5TATIVE /EP UP ! HILL1 CLOS]
& CLOS]4 ,%E LOOK$ = TRACKS B CD F9D
N"O4
  ,H] 9SPEC;N = TRACKS 2CAME S 3SUM+ T
%E R1LIZ$ %E _H N PD 5 ATT5;N 6! FIGURES
ABV H] ON ! HILL4 ,:5 %E LOOK$ UP1 !Y 7
G"O4
  ,_H !Y SE5 H]8 ,Z ?\< 9 ANSW]1 %E SAW
"O ( !M--ALL 9 BLACK1 -+ T[>D H]4
  ,ROSEWYN FELT ALL ! FE> DRA9      #ABF
AWAY 9 H] Z ?\< H] HE>T 0 TURN$ 6/"O4
,%E SET ! B[ UP1 DREW ! /R+ 6H] E>1 &
LET FLY4
  ,)A CRY ( SURPRISE & PA91 ! ATTACK]
FELL1 AN >R[ 9 8 ?I<4
  8,"H60 HE SCR1M$4 8,"H60 ,HE TRI$ 6GET
UP1 L1N$ ON A TREE4
  ,%E BACK$ UP1 D>T$ 2H H1VI] TREES1
WAT*+1 WAIT+4 ,OH1 ": 0 ,CROG8
  ,T BUR/ ( COOL C\RAGE 0 G"O N[1 YET %E
F.D H] H&S SETT+ ANO!R >R[ 6! /R+4 ,%E
SCANN$ "? ! TREES4 ,AT LA/ D>K;S 0 2G9N+
6FALL4
  8,HURRY1 Y FOOLS60 ! VOICE CRI$4
8,%E'S "H "S":60
  ,ROSEWYN KNELT ON ! GR.D1 TRY+ 6/AY L[
& CLOSE 6! TRUNK (A BIG TREE4 ,! %AD[S
WD SOON HIDE H]4 ,! MAN %E _H W.D$ M/ H
R1LIZ$ T1 2C HE 0 YELL+ 9 RAGE AT 8 COM-
PANIONS 6HURRY & F9D H]4 ,%E WOND]$ IF
%E %D RETR1T FUR!R BACK D[N ! HILL1 B X
SEEM$ T !Y WD GUESS T IDEA4 ,%E /AY$ ":
%E WAS4 ,9 ^! ?ICK TREES "! 0 LL SN[4
,%E R1LIZ$ T %E CD MOVE & N L1VE TRACKS
"H4                                 #ABG
  ,%E 0 CLOSE 6! $GE (! =E/--CLOSE 5
6KEEP A WAT* ON ! CLE>+ F ": %E HID4 ,%E
RISK$ "O M MOVE AWAY F ! W.D$ MAN1 W5T
D[NHILL A FEW Y>DS1 & F.D GD HID+ "U !
L[ B\<S ( AN "EGRE5 TREE1 ! BRAN*ES
SPR1D \ L A WIDE SKIRT4
  ,ROSEWYN CRAWL$ "U !M4 ,X SMELL$ FRE%
& P9EY 9 "!4 ,%E WAIT$ 9 SIL;E1 H] HE>T
B1T+4 ,! ATTACK]S RAC$ PA/1 & %E HE>D T
SAME /RANGE LANGUAGE T %E _H HE>D MON?S
AGO4 ,=A MO;T %E HELD H] BR1?1 & EV5 H]
HE>T SEEM$ 6/OP 9 SIL;E4 ,!N ! ASSASS9S
RAC$ AWAY4 ,!Y _H MISS$ H]4
  ,9 ! WOODS ! D>K;S DEEP5$1 B "! 0 /
LI<T 9 ! CLE>+ ON ! HILLSIDE4 ,! SN[ RE-
FLECT$ ! LI<T F ! SKY4 ,ROSEWYN WAT*$ =
,CROG4 ,%E ?"\ HE MI<T -E \ ON ! $GE (!
TREES1 SE>*+ = !M OR = H]1 IF HE KNEW %E
7 "H4
  ,A %APE SU45LY FLIT \ F ! TREES D[N
2L4 ,X WALK$ C>E;LLY AL;G ! BORD] (!
TREES1 Z ?\< SE>*+4 ,X 0 N ,CROG--NO1 X
0 A WOMAN1 ,ROSEWYN JUDG$4 ,/RAI<T1
TALL1 SL5D]1 CLAD 9 GRAY4 ,SU45 HOPE
MADE H] FEEL W1K4                   #ABH
  ,! =E/ 2CAME /4 ,ALL 0 QUIET4 ,_H !
O!RS G"O8 ,0 X TOO D>K8 ,7 !Y AFRAID (
H] >R[S8 ,%E WAIT$4
  ,! GRAY FIGURE SL[LY CAME ALL ! WAY UP
T HILL1 ALL ! WAY UP UNTIL X PASS$ N
?REE Y>DS F ": ,ROSEWYN LAY HI454 ,X
SEEM$ 6BE LI/5+1 TOO4 ,WD X G ON1 & P]H
WALK "R 96! JAWS (! 5EMY8 ,%E /RU7L$ \ F
"U ! B\<S1 TRY+ 6BE SIL5T4 ,! FIGURE DID
N SEEM 6HE> H]4 ,%E CREPT \ OV] ! C>PET
( P9E NE$LES4
  8,GR&"M60 %E CALL$ S(TLY4 8,GR&"M60
  ,X HESITAT$1 HALF-TURN$1 SAW H]1 CR\*$
D[N1 & OP5$ XS >MS4
  ,ROSEWYN =GOT DANG]1 =GOT 5EMIES1 =GOT
"EY?+ T ! WOMAN H]F _H TOLD H]1 & RAN
96! \T/RET*$ >MS4
  ,! WOMAN'S >MS TI<T5$ ) /R5G? T MADE
,ROSEWYN GASP 9 PA91 &A HO>SE VOICE
SCR1M$1 8,I H H]60




             ,*APT] ,N9ETE5         #ABI
               ,! ,SLAV]S

  ,! BR1?-KILL+ GRIP >.D H] RIBS MADE H]
S5SE.S AF A FEW SECONDS4 ,:5 %E CAME
BACK 6H]F1 "O (! M5 _H PU%$ H] AG/ A
TREE & 0 TY+ H] 6X4 ,Z H] VI.N CLE>$1 %E
SAW T !Y 7 9 A DI6]5T "P (! =E/4 ,NI<T
_H UTT]LY FALL54 ,%E _H BE5 S5SE.S = :AT
M/ H BE5 ! BETT] "P ( AN H\R4 ,Z %E CAME
>.D1 %E HE>D A VOICE SP1K+ L[ & E>NE/LY4
  ,! WOMAN :O WORE ! GRAY CLOAK SAT 0A
SMALL FIRE T5D+ ! 9JUR$ MAN1 &! ,PR9CESS
S5S$ T 9 8 4COM=T & HUMILI,N HE 0 MAK+
?R1TS AG/ H] 6! OLD WOMAN4 ,OLD %E WAS1
& N )! SAME B1UTY ( ,ROSEWYN'S GR&"M4 ,?
WOMAN 0 HA7I%1 H1VY-BR[$1 & "! 0 A LI<T
9 H] EYES T ! ,PR9CESS 4LIK$4 ,%E REMEM-
B]$ "S?+ T A MESS5G] _H SD 6,CROG AB !
M>K (! WILD 2+ ON ! SPIES1 & ,CROG _H
BID HM /AY SIL5T4
  ,0 ? ! M>K8 ,( C\RSE--H[ CD "O KIDNAP
*N & SELL !M 6SLAV]Y1 OR /ALK ! PA?S (!
9NOC5T Z HIR$ ASSASS9S1 & 2 UNM>K$ 9 !
FACE8 ,:AT EYES CD HIDE S* CRUELTY &
MALICE8 ,! COAL M9]S _H BE5 WISE    #ACJ
5 6SEE X4
  ,%E R1LIZ$ T H] ?"\S 7 W&]+1 & %E BR"\
!M BACK4 ,8 JOB ( TY+ H] D"O1 ! MAN )!
ROPES RETIR$ 6! FIRE4 ,! 9JUR$ MAN LAY
BACK ON 8 TRAVEL-/A9$ CLOAK1 RE/+1 :ILE
! O!R MAN ATE4 ,! OLD WOMAN TOOK F H]
CLOAK A CURI\S PIECE ( ICE4 ,X 0 M
OPAQUE ?AN ICE USU,Y IS4 ,%E H&L$ X ) H]
GLOVES ON1 TOOK \ A %>P KNIFE1 & 2GAN TO
C>E;LLY :ITTLE AWAY ON X4
  ,! UN9JUR$ MAN CD N REFRA9 F GLANC+ UP
AT ,ROSEWYN1 & HE VOIC$ A "Q 9 ! UN"KN
LANGUAGE4 ,! WOMAN GAVE A LL LAU<1 %OOK
H] H1D1 & KEPT "W+ AT ! ICE4
  ,! 9JUR$ MAN C1S$ 8 GROAN+ & ?R1T5+ &
ASK$ A "Q1 &! OLD WOMAN ANSW]$ HM4 ,!N
HE 0 QUIET4 ,HE EY$ ! L;G PIECE ( ICE )
"S?+ L UNEASI;S4
  ,X 0 OBVI\S T !Y DIDN'T 9T5D 6FE$ H]1
S ,ROSEWYN %UT !M \ ( H] ?"\S4 ,!Y _HN'T
D"O AWAY ) H] Z %E WD H ?"\4 ,:AT"E _!
PLANS W]E1 %E CD N GUESS !M4 ,H] ?"\S
TURN$ 6,CROG4 ,IF HE 7 A#1 HE WD H FOL-
L[$ !M4 ,HE WD ATTACK !M--HIS GRT CLUB
SW++ 9 H] DEF5SE1 OR 8 >R[S F9D+    #ACA
_! M>KS4 ,YET "H 7 ! ASSASS9S1 LOLL+ >.D
A FIRE1 UNAFRAID4
  ,!Y _H HURT HM1 !N1 OR WORSE4 ,_H
,CROG P]I%$ 9 H] DEF5SE8 ,? ?"\ TOR;T$
H]1 UNTIL AT LA/ ! "Q BUR/ \ ( H]4
  8,:AT H Y D"O 6MY PROTECTOR80 ,H]
VOICE BROKE _! 3V]S,N4
  ,! TWO M5 GAP$ AT H]4 ,UNCONC]N$1 !
OLD WOMAN W5T ON "W+4 ,%E 0 %AV+ ! ICE
D[N1 A BIT AT A "T1 ?9N] & ?9N]4 ,! ICE
FLAKES T FELL DID N MELT4 ,ROSEWYN NO-
TIC$ T ODD DETAIL Z %E WAIT$ = !M 6ANSW]
H] OR ?R1T5 H]4 ,B !Y SD NO?+4 8,:AT H Y
D"O 6MY PROTECTOR80 %E ASK$ AG4
  ,? "T ! WOMAN ASK$ S(TLY1 & 9 A LAN-
GUAGE P]FECTLY "U/&A#1 8,:AT H WE D"O TO
H] PROTECTOR8 ,:AT H WE D"O 6H] PROTEC-
TOR80
  ,&! TWO M5 BUR/ \ LAU<+ ) H]4
  8,:AT % WE D ) .Y IS ! "Q Y %D 2 ?9K+
(10 ! W.D$ MAN SD4
  8,_H ,I FIR$ TWO >R[S & N J "O1 Y'D
F9D X H>D 6BE S *E];L10 %E SD /\TLY4
,SU45LY %E DESPIS$ !M1 & %E KNEW--D[N 9
H] HE>T--T ,CROG M/ H P]I%$ :ILE    #ACB
TRY+ 6SAVE H]4 ,) T GRT SORR[1 H] [N
LIFE SEEM$ LESS DE>4
  ,HE /RU7L$ ONTO 8 ELB[S4 ,! O!R MAN
FR[N$1 B ! WOMAN LAU<$ S(TLY4 8,H[ %E
DOES SQU1K1 L ! BIRD 9 ! SN>E1 EH8
,%E'LL 2 M SIL5T 0& BY40
  ,! W.D$ MAN SETTL$ BACK D[N4 ,! O!R
MAN LOOK$ D[N & SD "S?+ 9 ! /RANGE LAN-
GUAGE4 ,B ! WOMAN ANSW]$ 9 ! T;GUE (
,BRACK54
  8,AYE !N1 Z WE AGRE$4 ,Y GET ! M"OY TO
CLOSE ! D1L1 & ,I'LL GET H] PRICE F !
M>KET40
  8,DON'T =GET :AT ,BLACKROOT WANT$10 !
9JUR$ MAN SD1 LOOK+ F\LLY AT ! ,PR9CESS4
  8,A SL[ POISON W D X10 ! OLD WOMAN RE-
PLI$4 8,X ALW DOES4 ,EV5 IF %E GETS A
DEC5T [N]1 HE'LL N F9D ! CAUSE40
  ,^! ^WS1 SPOK5 6TOR;T H]1 *ILL$ H]
B"OS4
  ,%E KNEW T !Y M1NT 6SELL H] 96SLAV]Y1
B 6POISON H] 2FH&1 TOO4
  ,H] HE>T QUAIL$ =A MO;T1 &! OLD WOMAN
GL.ED AT H] & 0 SATISFI$4 ,AF A MO;T !
,PR9CESS REVIV$ H]F4 ,X MAY BE1     #ACC
%E ?"\1 T !Y ONLY SD X 6TOR;T ME4 ,& IF
N-- IF X IS TRUE1 "!'S / HOPE (! COAL
M9]S S5D+ A MESS5G] \ :O W F9D ME F/1 OR
MY GR&"M MAY YET -E4
  ,S %E RALLI$ H]F4 ,0& 0! M5 GOT UP--!
9JUR$ "O MOAN+ AG & US+ A CRUDE CRUT*
FA%ION$ F A TREE LIMB4 ,M"OY PASS$ 2T !
?REE ( !M1 &! TWO M5 LEFT ! FIRE4 ,CURI-
\SLY1 ,ROSEWYN FELT LESS SAFE ) !M G"O1
?\< C]TA9LY !Y _H N M1NT H] WELL4
  ,H] [N EYES FELL ON ! WOMAN'S ?9 W$GE
( ICE4 ,%E SAW N[ T "S (! %AV+S T _H
FALL5 7 MELT$1 B ! WAT] 0 N CLE>4 ,O!R
LL %AV+S LAY 9 A PILE AT ! OLD WOMAN'S
FEET4
  8,Y >E A /RANG] 6! _M SUB/.ES & SOLU-
;NS T "O P]SON C 4TILL1 >E Y N80 ! WOMAN
ASK$1 HALF-MOCK+4
  8,IF Y M1N SCI;E1 ,I "K V LL ( X10
,ROSEWYN SD4 8,I H SE5 ! C\RT PHYSICIANS
MAKE -P.DS--T'S ALL40
  8,"! >E -P.DS 6H1L1 ?\< ,I "K LL ( !M4
,9 MY L9E ( "W1 X'S ! O!R -P.DS T MAT-
T]40
  ,%E 0 TALK+ AB POISON--ANO!R      #ACD
ATTEMPT 6TOR;T ! ,PR9CESS1 & ,ROSEWYN
KNEW X4 ,S %E DIDN'T ANSW]4 ,! WOMAN
LAU<$ S(TLY1 Z ?\< 6H]F4 8,BRAVE HE>T--
BRAVE HE>T4 ,S _M ( !M H A BRAVE HE>T1
ESPECI,Y ! "Y & T5D] "OS4 ,DE> ME1 :AT A
USE;L BUSI;S X IS--S 9SPIR+ 6SEE !M 2 S
BRAVE40 ,& %E W5T ON LAU<+4

















             ,*APT] ,TW5TY          #ACE
            ,A ,COLD ,J\RNEY

  ,F T "T =? ! ,PR9CESS 0 N"E UNB.D1 & T
0 WELL =! OLD WOMAN4 ,"S?+ _H GOTT5 9TO
,ROSEWYN1 "S RAGE P]H1 ONLY X 0 TOO COOL
6RE,Y 2 RAGE4 ,X 0 BORN ( H] [N GR&"M'S
DIGN;Y1 & F ,CROG'S G5TLE;S1 & F ! COAL
M9]S' JOLLI;S1 & F H] [N "F'S A6EC;N &
"M'S GD;S4 ,:5"E %E SLEPT1 UP"R & B.D 6A
NEW TREE AT EA* EV5+'S CAMP1 %E SAW 9 H]
DR1MS ! FIRELI<T & FRLY FACES1 & HE>D
S++ & /ORIES ( L;G AGO1 & VI.NS (!
,BRIDGE FALL+4 ,& S :5 ,ROSEWYN WOKE1 H]
CAPTOR 2CAME M ODI\S 6H]4
  ,E NI<T AT ! FIRE ! OLD WOMAN PUT H]
GLOVES BACK ON & BR"\ \ ! PIECE ( ICE1
N[ Z L;G & ?9 Z A KNIFE1 & "W$ AWAY AT
X4 ,& ,ROSEWYN1 9/1D ( 2+ AFRAID1 TRI$
6PLOT \ WAYS 6FREE H]F & "SH[ BR+ ? CRU-
EL KIDNAP] 6! JU/ICE %E DES]V$4 ,X /RUCK
! ,PR9CESS T IF %E P]I%$ OR 7 SOLD 9TO
SLAV]Y1 ? WOMAN WD G ON ) H] CRIM9AL
BUSI;S AG/ ! 9NOC5T4
  ,0 ,CROG'S D1? 9 VA98 ,0 H] [N EXILE
6C.T = NO?+8 ,_H !Y ALL BE5 S K9D   #ACF
6H] S T ! EVIL P CD / H VICTORY8 ,FE> CD
N MAKE H] WRI! )9 ! BONDS1 B ^! ?"\S
DID4 ,%E F.D H]F WAK+ UP AT NI<T1 CALL+
\ = ,CROG--N 6SAVE H] B 6DE/ROY ! ASSAS-
S9S & DELIV] _! VICTIMS4
  ,! OLD WOMAN1 HE>+ H] CRIES1 LAU<$ &
SPOKE WICK$LY 6TOR;T ,ROSEWYN4 ,B %E CD
N MAKE ! ,PR9CESS AFRAID4 ,%E ONLY MADE
H] M ANXI\S 6BE FREE & A# 6FI<T AG4
  ,AT LA/ X HAPP5$ T HUNG] W1K5$ ,ROSE-
WYN1 =! OLD WOMAN F$ H] ONCE A "D & M>*$
H] ! :OLE :ILE T "! 0 LI<T4
  ,AFRAID T %E WD LOSE H] CAPTIVE 2F 2+
A# 6SELL H]1 ! WOMAN ALL[$ H] 6SIT ON !
GR.D1 / TI$1 & TOOK M PA9S 6FE$ H] BET-
T]4 ,ROSEWYN SAW H] *.E4 ,%E 3T9U$ TO
FEIGN H] W1K;S1 UNTIL "O NI<T1 AB FIVE
"DS 96_! J\RNEY1 ! WOMAN 0 REMISS 9 B9D+
H] 6A TREE4 ,%E 0 GO+ AB X SL[LY1 B5T "R
OV] ,ROSEWYN1 TU7+ 6GET A KNOT \ (!
CORDS1 & BO? (! ,PR9CESS'S H&S 7 9
LOOPS1 B N YET FA/5$ 6EA* O!R 2H H]
BACK4
  ,ROSEWYN ?RU/ A H&;L ( SN[ 96! WOMAN'S
FACE &)! O!R H& /RUCK \4 ,! OLD     #ACG
WOMAN 0 (F BAL.E1 2+ /OOP$1 & %E FELL
OV]4 ,) "S?+ L A CRY ( \TRAGE1 ,ROSEWYN
--9/1D ( FLEE+--FLUNG H]F AG/ H] 5EMY1
PUMMEL+1 /RIK+1 PUN*+4 ,T C\RAGE1 L A
HOT FIRE "? H] VE9S1 TOOK OV]4 ,%E 0
R1DY 6DIE IF NE$ BE4
  ,! OLD WOMAN SCRAM#D AWAY ) SURPRIS+
AGIL;Y4 ,%E / _H ! 5D (! ROPE 9 H] H&4
,)A VICI\S YANK1 %E BR"\ ,ROSEWYN'S H&S
TGR & PULL$ H] OV] 9 ! SN[4 ,! ,PR9CESS
/RU7L$ UP & 0 YANK$ =W>D AG4 ,! OLD WOM-
AN KEPT /EPP+ BACK1 PULL+ & YANK+ Z ?\<
%E 7 PLAY+ )A FI% ON ! L9E1 UNTIL AT LA/
ALL ( ,ROSEWYN'S EXHAUS;N CAME BACK1 &
%E 0 /4 ,! WOMAN DRA7$ H] "? ! SN[ =A
FEW FEET1 B ! ,PR9CESS CD N FI<T BACK4
,H] M9D 0 9 S* A FURY1 H["E1 %E / TRI$
6F9D A WAY4
  ,! OLD WOMAN TI$ ! 5DS (! ROPE 6A TREE
& /EPP$ OV] ! ,PR9CESS4
  8,S* HOT BLOOD10 %E SD1 VOICE %AK+ )
RAGE4 8,? W COOL Y (F10 & ,ROSEWYN HE>D
A TE>+ Z ! OLD WOMAN US$ H] KNIFE 6RIP
AWAY ! PRECI\S COAT T ,CROG _H GIV5 H]4
,B =A MO;T ,ROSEWYN CD N EV5 FEEL   #ACH
! COLD4 ,H] BLOOD 0 HOT1 & 2N H] TUNIC
%E 0 SW1T+4
  8,AYE1 & ? IS R1DY N[1 & ,I W>RANT
X'LL COOL Y & KEEP Y COOL--0 ,! ,PR9CESS
FELT A BREEZE ON H] BACK Z H] TUNIC 0
LIFT$1 & SU45LY "S?+ P9*$ DR1D;LLY ON H]
BACK1 ON ! LEFT SIDE 2L H] RIBS4 ,%E
CRI$ \ & /RU7L$ 6RISE4 ,B A COLD;S &A
W1K;S WA%$ OV] H]1 & %E FELL ONTO H]
FACE4
  8,T'S D"O4 ,"! WON'T 2 M TR\# \ ( Y10
! OLD WOMAN SD4
  ,ROSEWYN DIDN'T -E BACK 6H] S5SES UN-
TIL M* LAT]4 ,%E 0 9 A %IV]1 UNA# 6RISE1
B SITT+ ) H] BACK PROPP$ AG/ A TREE &A
S+LE ROPE HOLD+ H] 9 PLACE4 ,H] LEFT
SIDE 0 DR1D;LLY COLD1 & H] H&S & FEET 7
NUMB4 ,%E WI%$ = H] COAT1 B %E KNEW X 0
9 TATT]S1 LEFT "S": ON ! SN[ ": !Y _H
/RU7L$4 ,:5 %E MOV$ %E FELT A /IFF SPOT
ON H] %IRT1 & %E WOND]$ IF X 0 BLOOD4
,:AT _H ! OLD WOMAN D"O8
  ,LY+ CA/ AWAY F ! FIRE 0 ! ICE QUILL--
N[ Z ?9 Z ! %AFT (A F1!R1 B NE$LE-H>D &
PO9T$--NO1 X 0 BROK5 N[4 ,:Y _H !   #ACI
WOMAN :ITTL$ X D[N S ?9 IF ONLY 6BR1K X8
,Z ,ROSEWYN WAT*$ X1 ! OLD WOMAN PICK$ X
UP & ?REW X 96! FIRE1 ": X REMA9$ SOLID
=A M9UTE1 & !N SL[LY TRICKL$ AWAY1 A LL
BIT AT A "T4
  ,A %IV] PASS$ "? ! ,PR9CESS1 &A WAVE (
W1K;S4

















                                    #ADJ
























           ,*APT] ,TW5TY-,"O        #ADA
               ,AT ,M>KET

  ,9 ! MORN+ ! ONLY ?+ T R\S$ ,ROSEWYN 0
! SNAP (! *A9 >.D H] NECK Z ! ROYAL JEW-
EL 0 REMOV$4
  8,Y'LL N WANT ? ANYMORE1 ,I ?9K10 !
OLD WOMAN SD4
  8,H RESPECT10 ,ROSEWYN TOLD H]1 H] [N
VOICE A M]E :ISP]4 8,N"O MAY H&LE T
CRUDELY & ESCAPE4 ,X IS ! GRTE/ ( CRIMES
AG/ ! CR[N &! ?R"O40
  8,/ BRAVE & NO#4 ,! BIRD 9 ! SN>E HAS
A LL SQU1K LEFT4 ,UP1 BIRD1 2F YR PLUM-
AGE DROPS ANY WORSE40
  ,YANK+ ! ROPE UPW>D1 %E GOT ! ,PR9CESS
ON H] FEET4 ,! COLD SEEM$ 6H SPR1D "?
,ROSEWYN1 CREEP+ F H] LEFT SIDE & ONTO
H] "R1 &! NUMB;S 9 H] H&S 0 WORSE1 ESPE-
CI,Y ON ! LEFT SIDE4 ,%E CD N FEEL H]
LEFT >M4
  ,! OLD WOMAN /EPP$ 2H H] & TOOK H] 0!
>MS 6PROPEL H] =W>D4 ,WALK+ 9 ? AWKW>D
WAY1 !Y AT LA/ CAME 96A T[N4
  ,AT T PO9T1 ! OLD WOMAN TOOK H] 0H] "R
H& & SD1 8,IF Y WANT 6LIVE A LL     #ADB
L;G]1 KEEP 6YR FEET & HIDE YR ILL;S1
GIRL1 ELSE TN Y % FEEL MY WRA?40
  ,ROSEWYN KNEW ! OLD WOMAN _H -E 6? T[N
6SELL H]1 &! ?"\ (A DI6]5T CAPTOR BR"\
"S HOPE 6H]4 ,NOBODY CD 2 Z CRUEL Z ?
WOMAN1 SURELY4
  ,%E /RAI<T5$ UP & TRI$ 6WALK UP"R4 ,B
%E _H NO CLE> IDEA ( ": %E 0 GO+1 OR :AT
! T[N LOOK$ L4 ,"EY?+ 0 9 A K9D ( HAZE--
A COLD HAZE--& BUILD+S & FACES SEEM$ 6BE
GR[+ M 4TANT4
  ,! NEXT ?+ %E KNEW1 %E 0 SITT+ ON A
RUDE WOOD5 B5*1 & "S"O 0 TALK+ 96H] E>4
,) AN EF=T %E RAIS$ H] H1D & LOOK$ UP AT
AN OLD] MAN4
  8,L1/ LOOK /R;G10 HE 0 SAY+4 8,DON'T
LET !M "K IF Y'RE SICK1 OR !Y'LL SELL Y
6! VILE/40 ,%E LOOK$ D[N & SAW 8 H&S--
B.D 9 FRONT ( HM4 ,!N )A SMALL %OCK %E
SAW T H]S W]E1 TOO4 ,& "! 0 "SBODY ON H]
O!R SIDE1 AL B.D4
  ,%E SD ! ^WS 8SLAVE M>KET0 6H]F1 B X
FAIL$ 6MAKE H] ANY M AFRAID4 ,%E 0 TOO
TIR$ & TOO COLD4 ,CROG _H TOLD H] AB !
SLAVE M>KET4 ,%E CD N RECALL :AT    #ADC
HE _H SD4 ,!N %E FELT H]F 2+ PRO4$ &
PU%$1 & H] WRI/S 2+ PULL$ =W>D4 ,%E SAW
T "! 7 P 2F H]1 />+ UP AT H] ) 4PL1SURE
ON _! FACES4 ,A MAN'S L\D VOICE 0 SAY+1
8,-E1 X'S WOR? "S?+--FLE% & B"O IS WOR?
"S?+60
  ,%E KNEW !N T H] OLD CAPTOR 0 G"O1
HAV+ MADE A SALE 6A SLAVE D1L] 2F ,ROSE-
WYN'S 3DI;N 0 R1LIZ$4 ,"! 0 A %U4] ( RE-
LIEF AT ! ?"\4 ,G"O4 ,B %E KNEW %E
WASN'T MAK+ A GD %[ =! P :O _H -E 6BUY
SLAVES4 ,! COLD 0 TAK+ H] OV]4
  ,%E TRI$ 6/& /RAI<T]1 6R,Y H]F4 ,H]
VI.N DID CLE> A LL4 ,:5 %E GAZ$ AT ! P1
!Y ALL REM9D$ H] ( ,CROG--BLACK HAIR1
BU%Y EYEBR[S1 FI]CE BE>DS4 ,TRUE1 _! EX-
PRES.NS 7 N L HIS1 B %E DID N NOTICE ?
"R AWAY4 ,AT SI<T ( !M1 %E FELT H] GRIEF
= ,CROG1 & "! M/ H BE5 A *ANGE 9 H] EX-
PRES.N1 = "S (! P WAT*+ H] SEEM$ 6S(T54
  8,%E M/ H BE5 NO# BORN10 "SBODY SD4
8,X'S A %AME ^! D1L]S DON'T TR1T !M BET-
T]40
  8,D"O = N[1 GOT FEV] OR "S?+10 ANO!R
A4$4 8,B H] EYES IS PRETTY ALL !    #ADD
SAME40
  8,I C SP>E A SILV] P5NY = H]10 A WOM-
AN'S VOICE SD4 8,D1L]1 T'S MY PRICE--A
SILV] P5NY40
  8,-E N[1 Y M/ 2 JOK+40
  ,SIL;E4
  8,WELL1 B ONLY \ ( P;Y = H]--A SILV]
P5NY & YR GD ^W N 6MISTR1T H]1 = %E DOES
LOOK NO# BORN40
  ,:AT"E ! ANSW] 0 0 DR[N$ 9 A LAU< AT ?
%[ ( M]CY F A MAN :O LIV$ (F BROK5
HE>TS4
  ,ROSEWYN1 / /RU7L+ 6/AY AWAKE & AW>E (
?+S1 ALL[$ H]F 6BE L$ (F A PLAT=M1 &!
ROPE B9D+ H] WRI/S 0 PLAC$ 9 ANO!R H&4
,%E CD N RAISE H] H1D1 B %E WAT*$ "O (
^? H&S -E CLOS] & T\* H] =EH1D4 ,AT !
T\* "S (! COLD;S REC$$4
  ,F F>AWAY A VOICE1 DR1D;L 2C X 0 FILL$
) DR1D1 :ISP]$ URG5TLY1 8,:AT HAS BE5
D"O 6Y80
  ,!N ,ROSEWYN GAVE 9 6! COLD & CLOS$ H]
EYES4 ,:E!R %E REMA9$ /&+ OR N1 %E DID N
EV5 C>E4
           ,*APT] ,TW5TY-,TWO       #ADE
           ,A ,K9D ( ,RE/OR,N

  ,:5 NEXT %E OP5$ H] EYES1 %E SAW FIRE-
LI<T1 !N A SP9N+ :EEL AL;GSIDE A HE>?4
,"! 0 A B5* 9 FRONT (! HE>?4 ,%E 0 NO
L;G] COLD1 &--?\< %E FELT W1K--H] M9D 0
CLE>4 ,! F/ ?+ T %E DID 0 T\* H] BACK ":
! OLD WOMAN _H P9*$ X S DR1D;LLY1 B A H&
>RE/$ H] H&1 &A VOICE SD1 8,NO1 NO1
DON'T T\* X YET1 = ,I REMOV$ ! QUILL ":
%E PUT X IN1 &! SC> IS YET PA9;L40
  ,ROSEWYN LOOK$ D[N AT ! P]SON AL;GSIDE
H] B$4 ,X 0 H] GR&"M1 HOOD PULL$ BACK1
EYES FIX$ ON H]4 ,ROSEWYN OP5$ H] M\? B
F.D %E CDN'T SAY ANY?+4 ,H] GR&"M MOV$
CLOS] & L1N$ OV] H]4 8,HA/ SE5 _M A CRU-
EL FACE ^! PA/ "DS10 %E SD G5TLY4 8,YET
Y "K M9E1 /40
  8,ALL ! BETT]10 ,ROSEWYN TOLD H]1 Z %E
LIFT$ H] >MS 6BE HU7$4
  ,=A MO;T 9 ! WISE WOMAN'S HUG1 %E FELT
ALL H] /R5G? -+ BACK 6H]1 ALL H] RESOLVE
6FI<T AG/ ! EVIL T ,CROG _H F"\ AG/--!N
H] M9D TURN$ 6HM4
  8,CROG10 %E ASK$4 8,CROG1 MY      #ADF
PROTECTOR4 ,DID !Y TRULY KILL HM8 ,HAS
HE DI$80
  ,! WOMAN'S FACE 2CAME GRAVE4 ,%E
CLASP$ ,ROSEWYN'S H& 9 H]S4 8,A PR9CESS
OR QUE5 M/ A3EPT ALL GIFTS GIV5 6!M OR =
!M4 ,EV5 T MO/ PRECI\S GIFT4 ,AYE1 HE
DI$ ON ! M.TA9SIDE1 AMBU%$40
  ,! GRIEF T ,ROSEWYN FELT CD N 2 DE-
SCRIB$1 =! "DS >E PA/ :5 P H GRT RESPECT
=! ?R"O & MAKE H]OES ( M5 :O DIE DEF5D+
X4 ,SU6ICE X 6SAY T %E WEPT4
  8,Y "K :AT HE DID 0 "R10 ! WOMAN SD4
  8,AYE--X 0 M ?AN J = ME10 %E REPLI$4
8,HE WD H DI$ FI<T+ ! SLAV]S OV] AN OR-
PHAN Z WELL Z HE DI$ = ME4 ,S* 0 ,CROG60
  8,AYE1 HE DI$ = "R &= M]CY & K9D;S4 ,&
X IS WELL = Y &= ME T WE >E ON ! SAME
SIDE T HE DI$ =40
  ,!N !Y 7 SIL5T1 &! ,PR9CESS AT LA/ F9-
I%$ WEEP+4 ,! WOMAN SD1 8,I H BR"\ Y BY
SL$ 6! NOR?4 ,WE >E / 9 ,FOLG]1 B WE >E
9 ! K+'S L&S AG1 F> F ! WILDS40
  8,H[ DID Y F9D ME80
  8,I 0 -+ ) ,NOB 6GET Y4 ,WE F.D ,CROG1
& ,NOB W5T BACK 6BURY HM & 6SUM-    #ADG
MON 8 P TGR4 ,I FOLL[$ ON1 B ! TRAIL 0
DI6ICULT4 ,!N TWO (! ASSASS9S ALM /UM#D
OV] ME1 B !Y MISS$ ME1 & ,I SPI$ ON !M4
,F !M ,I LE>N$ T Y 7 6BE SOLD AT ! SLAVE
M>KET1 & S ,I HURRI$ "! ) ALL SPE$ &
HAUNT$ ! M>KET UNTIL Y CAME40
  8,%E DID "S?+ 6ME--0
  8,AYE1 %E 0 AN ASSASS9 WELL V]S$ 9 SO-
LU;NS & POISONS1 & %E MIX$ A POISON )
WAT] & MADE ICE \ ( X4 ,B ! WAT]--:5
MIX$ S--/AY$ FROZ5 9 W>M] TEMP]ATURES
?AN NORMAL4 ,%E FA%ION$ A %>P1 B>B$
QUILL \ ( X1 & :5 ! "T 0 "R1 /UCK Y ) X4
,! W.D H1L$ OV]1 B ! B>B$ QUILL 3T9U$ TO
"W XS WAY 96Y1 SL[LY MELT+ & POISON+ Y4
,X IS AN OLD TRICK ( ASSASS9S4 ,I 0 AT A
LOSS ( H[ 6SAVE Y UNTIL ,I SAW ! SC>4
,!N ,I 0 A# 6F9D ! B>B & REMOVE X4 ,&
?\< Y 7 / DELIRI\S & ILL1 ,I BR"\ Y UP
"H1 \ (! K5 (! ASSASS9S &! WILDS40
  8,B X 0 A L;G J\RNEY--WE TRAVEL$ = "DS
6R1* T T[N10 ,ROSEWYN PROTE/$4 8,H[ DID
Y BR+ ME BACK 6MY "F'S DOM9IONS S QKLY80
  8,Y H BE5 ASLEEP OR FEV]I% = TWO WEEKS
N[4 ,LA/ NI<T Y WOKE UP1 & ,I       #ADH
GAVE Y S\P40
  8,I DON'T REMEMB]40
  8,Y W GET WELL1 N[40
  ,%E CLOS$ H] EYES & SD1 8,MY--0
  ,! GRIP ON H] H& SQUEEZ$ A LL1 BO?
W>N+ & REASSUR+ H]4 8,5\<4 ,Y >E TOO
W1K4 ,LL HAS *ANG$ EXCEPT T ,BLACKROOT
IS "U GR[+ SUSPICION4 ,HE W N D>E 6MOVE
YET40
  8,BOOTLICK10 %E SD S(TLY1 & 0 /1 H] H&
/ CLASP+ ! WOMAN'S H&4
  ,:5 NEXT %E WOKE UP1 %E FELT /R;G]4
,%E SAT UP ) H] BACK SUPPORT$ 0PILL[S1 &
ATE M S\P & BR1D4 ,! WOMAN !N BR"\ \ !
ROYAL JEWEL & SET X >.D ,ROSEWYN'S NECK4
,%E KISS$ H] *EEK Z %E FIX$ ! CLASP4
  8,H[ 0 X RETRIEV$80 ,ROSEWYN ASK$4
  8,NOB & 8 M54 ,! OLD WOMAN :O _H Y /
_H 6GET BACK 6,BLACKROOT & MAKE H] RE-
PORT4 ,%E 0 6GIVE PRO( ( ALL 0%[+ HM !
ROYAL JEWEL & !N 4POS+ ( X H["E %E WI%$4
,!Y 9T]CEPT$ H]--&! TWO O!RS--& S5T ? UP
0C\RI] A FEW "DS AGO40
  8,! TE/IMONY (! OLD WOMAN WD 2 5 TO
DE?R"O ,BLACKROOT10 ,ROSEWYN SD4    #ADI
8,HE M1NT 6H ME SOLD 96SLAV]Y & DIE "!1
UN"KN40
  8,AYE1 & :5 HE KNEW X 0 D"O1 HE WD H
KEPT USE.S SE>*ES = Y GO+ & HELD ! TITLE
( ,REG5T ALL ! :ILE10 ! WOMAN AGRE$4 8,=
HE KNEW T Y LOA!D HM & WD 2 A DANG] :ILE
Y LIV$40
  8,YET IF ,I RETURN1 HE % 2 WELL A# TO
SUPPRESS ! TRU? ,I BR+40
  8,ONLY DEP5D+ ON H[ Y RETURN10 ! WOMAN
ADVIS$4 8,IF Y RETURN ) YR P>5TS1 !N ALL
IS WELL40
  ,ROSEWYN LOOK$ AT H]4 ,! WOMAN SMIL$4
8,DID ,I N TELL Y T ,GIANT1 YR DOG1 WD H
8 "P 6PLAY8 ,HE IS A TRA9$ TRACK]4 ,I
RECOV]$ "S 4C>D$ ITEMS F YR P>5TS' W>D-
ROBE S T ,GIANT WD "K ! SC5TS T WE WANT-
$4 ,*AD HELP$ ME1 & WE LOCAT$ ! ,K+ &
,QUE5--AT L1/1 WE FEEL SURE ( ": !Y >E1
B X 0 IMPOSSI# 6GET CLOSE 5 6SP1K 6!M4
,BLACKROOT HAS A C]TA9 W+ CLOSELY GU>D$
0HIS [N H&PICK$ M54 ,B ": ,I CD N 5T]1 Y
MAY 5T]4 ,/1 5 ( GRIM PLANS = N[4 ,Y H
BE5 "? TOO M* ALR 6BE> EV5 M4 ,= N[1 ,I
WD H Y RE/ "H1 ) ME40 ,%E LOOK$     #AEJ
AT ,ROSEWYN4 8,! M>K ( HAV+ SU6]$ PRIV,N
& PA9 IS ON YR FACE1 Z WELL Z T ( HAV+
BE5 GRIEV$4 ,Y >E ALT OLD] ?AN :5 WE LA/
TOOK RE/ TGR4 ,& X IS / A -=T 6LOOK ON
Y1 = ,I ?9K ) YR SORR[ HAS -E WISDOM40
  ,%E GAZ$ 96,ROSEWYN'S EYES =A L;G MO-
;T1 & %E 0 N ! ONLY "O -=T$1 = AF ! CRU-
ELTY %E _H SE5 ON "S FACES1 ! ,PR9CESS 0
GLAD 6LOOK AT K9D;S & LOVE4 ,%E WOND]$
AT H]F = "E HAV+ BE5 AFRAID ( H] GR&"M4
,& %E WOND]$ H[1 :5 ! O!R WOMAN _H MAS-
QU]AD$ Z ! WISE WOMAN1 T %E CD H BE5 S
FOOL$4











          ,*APT] ,TW5TY-,?REE       #AEA
                ,RETURN

  ,X 0 GD 6LIE 9 ! W>M? (! FIRE1 GD--AF
WEEKS 9 A RAM%ACKLE M9]'S HUT--6GAZE ON
! COZY SNUG;S (A TRUE COTTAGE4 ,? 0 !
SAME COTTAGE ": H] "M _H F.D %ELT] L;G
AGO4 ,X 0 GD N[ 6FEEL = H]F ! -=TS T !
WISE WOMAN CD (F] 6! SICK &! 9JUR$ &!
4POSSESS$4 ,& %E FELT ! PL1SANT;S ( H]
RE/ &! SWEET C>E ( H] GR&"M4
  ,B AT ! SAME "T1 AN UNRE/ SL[LY GREW 9
! ,PR9CESS'S HE>T1 ESPECI,Y Z H] /R5G?
RETURN$4 ,X 0 "T 6ACT--"T 6OV]?R[ !
TRAITOR1 ,BLACKROOT4 ,IF HE KEPT P[]1 !N
"EY?+--ALL ! BL[S /RUCK 0! M9]S AG/ AS-
SASS9S & KIDNAP]S &! WILDS--WD 2 LO/4
,BLACKROOT WD JO9 )! EVIL1 ALLY ) X1
FLATT] X1 & EV5TU,Y 2 3TROLL$ 0X4 ,ROSE-
WYN _H BE5 9 ! GRIP ( EVIL1 & %E KNEW 9
H] HE>T T XS HUNG] 0 N"E SATISFI$4 ,EVIL
WD SWALL[ ,BRACK5 IF X CD4
  ,%E 2CAME RE/.S1 &! WOMAN QUIET$ H]4
  8,N YET1 N YET1 ,ROSEWYN4 ,Y >E M W.D$
?AN Y ?9K4 ,! W.D _C BE> ! COLD YET10 %E
WD SAY4 ,& ,ROSEWYN1 ALM FRET;L F   #AEB
IMPATI;E1 WD ASK = NEWS F ! MESS5G]S (!
COAL M9]S4 ,!Y CAME & W5T E N[ & !N1 ?\<
! TRIP 0 L;G F ! S\!RN COA/ UP 6! NOR?4
,NOB HMF KEPT !M ORGANIZ$1 & HE _H A
REGUL> =CE ( SPIES /RUNG \ AL;G ! ,RIV]
& ON ! R\TES 6! CA/LE4
  ,B AT LA/ ON A "D :5 ! W9D H[L$ AG/ !
WALLS (! COTTAGE1 ! WOMAN SU45LY SD1
8,IF ,BLACKROOT'S GRIP GR[S TOO %AKY1
%E] T]ROR W DRIVE HM 6EXECUTE YR P>5TS
SECRETLY4 ,! REPORTS SAY T M & M (! C\RT
>E SUSPICI\S ( HM1 &--IS X N S8 ,*AD IS
ALLI$ ) U1 & S"EAL (! CAPTA9S H _H A
PRIVATE ^W ) HM & >E ALLI$ ) U4 ,AYE1 !Y
SP1K V FREELY 6! M9]S T WE S5T Z SPIES1
"K+ T ! M9]S >E SPIES1 WI%+ 6MAKE _! AL-
LEGI.E "KN4 ,TN WE M/ L1VE1 = ? IS !
DEEPE/ FREEZE ( ALL ! W9T]1 &! ,RIV] W 2
FROZ540
  ,ROSEWYN _H BE5 UP F H] B$ = S"EAL "DS
N[1 EA* "D =A L;G] & L;G] P]IOD ( "T4
  8,I'M R1DY 6G10 %E SD4
  ,! WOMAN TURN$ & SMIL$ AT H]4 8,:AT A
BRAVE HE>T Y H4 ,?\< Y LO/ B[ & >R[S &
COAT & LE7+S & ALL ELSE T ,CROG     #AEC
GAVE Y1 YET Y KEPT ! TRUE C\RAGE T HE
PLANT$ 9 YR HE>T40 ,%E 0 SITT+ ON ! B5*
0! HE>?1 & %E DREW ,ROSEWYN 6H]4 8,= "!
>E TWO C\RAGES1 Y "K--! K9D T TAKES D>ES
& RIDES COLTS1 & !N "!'S ! K9D T LIFTS
XS LI<T :5 ALL ELSE IS D>K & GOES ON 9 !
FACE ( SORR[ & L"OLI;S & DANG]1 & ?
SECOND IS TRUE C\RAGE4 ,S* 0 ,CROG'S40
  ,ROSEWYN NO4$4
  8,WE M/ G10 ! WOMAN 3T9U$4 8,X W 2 A
H>D J\RNEY = Y 9 ? SEV]E COLD1 B "! IS
NO O!R WAY1 NOR ANY BETT] "T4 ,I W PRE-
P>E Y = X & HELP Y4 ,I H N BE5 IDLE ALL
? "T40
  ,T 0 TRUE1 = ,ROSEWYN _H SE5 H] KNIT-
T+ & SEW+ & EV5 SP9N+ AT H] :EEL4
  ,EV5+ 0 />T+ 6-E4 ,! WOMAN F/ WRAPP$ A
L;G1 WIDE1 S(T B& ( CLO? >.D & >.D
,ROSEWYN'S MI4LE1 COV]+ OV] ! SC> _M
"TS4 ,%E SEW$ ? B& %UT4 ,X 0 SECURE B N
TOO TI<T1 & X 0 S(T & -=TA# & W>M4
  ,!N "! 7 W>M /OCK+S2 A LI<T1 WOOL5 TU-
NIC )A BELT2 & OV] ! TUNIC1 A L;G-
SLEEV$1 H1VY %IRT4 ,CROG'S COAT & LE7+S
= ,ROSEWYN _H BE5 TANN$ & B1UTI-    #AED
;LLY MADE1 )! FUR SIDE \1 B ! WOMAN GAVE
H] A COAT & LE7+S )! FUR SIDE 9 &! L1!R
SIDE \4 ,EV5 H] BOOTS _H A LAY] ( FUR
9SIDE !M4
  ,_M P 9 W9T] GE> LOOK A LL L SN[BALLS
!MVS1 B ! WOMAN'S H&I"W 0 B1UTI;L &
GRACE;L4 ,:5 %E WRAPP$ A SMALL GRAY
TRAVEL+ CLOAK >.D ,ROSEWYN1 ! ,PR9CESS
DID N APPE> 6BE TOO H1VILY CLAD4
  ,"U H] [N GRAY CLOAK ! WOMAN WORE A
B1UTI;L :ITE FUR1 & 9 ! 9/ANT 2F ! WOMAN
?REW H] [N TRAVEL+ CLOAK OV] H]F1 ,ROSE-
WYN SAW H] Z ! LOVELY P]SON T %E WAS--
ALL 9 :ITE1 ) H] SN[ :ITE HAIR 9 XS FA-
MILI> COIL1 & H] EYES T LOVELY GRAY4 ,!
,PR9CESS _H N"E SE5 ANYBODY :O AT "O MO-
;T CD 2 S B1UTI;L & YET S OLD LOOK+4
  ,!Y DRANK "S HOT TEA1 & !N ! WOMAN
SNU6$ ALL ! LI<TS1 TOOK ,ROSEWYN'S H&1 &
LEFT4 ,%E CLOS$ ! COTTAGE DOOR S(TLY 2H
H]4
  ,! AIR 0 /1 B S V COLD T X MADE !
LUNGS FEEL A LL DRY ) EA* BR1?4 ,AF A
%ORT WALK1 ! COLD AIR T %E _H BR1!D
9SIDE MADE H] FEEL *ILLY & NUMB1    #AEE
& X SEEM$ 6R1* "R D[N H] LEFT SIDE & T\*
H] W.D4
  ,!Y CRUN*$ OV] SN[ T 0 Z DRY Z P[D]--
"? ! D1?LY /ILL;S (! TREES1 D[N A FROZ5
& SELDOM-US$ PA?4
  ,! WOMAN'S COTTAGE 0 N M ?AN A MILE F
! BANKS (! ,RIV]4 ,SOON 5\<1 !Y CAME \
6! GRT FROZ5 EXPANSE ( WAT]4 ,ROSEWYN
GASP$ :5 %E SAW X4
  ,R>ELY DOES A RIV] FREEZE ALL ! WAY
ACR1 & ? ,RIV]1 ! ONLY "O ,ROSEWYN _H "E
HE>D (1 DID N FREEZE E W9T]4 ,B ! "DS &
NI<TS _H BE5 EXTREMELY COLD1 BLI/]+LY
COLD1 & "H X WAS--L A GRT JEWEL T GLIT-
T]$ "U ! />S4
  ,ROESWYN WOND]$ H[ %E WD MANAGE ALL !
WAY ACR T VA/ B$ ( ICE )\T SLIPP+ &
FALL+ E DOZ5 /EPS1 B Z SOON Z !Y SET
FOOT ON X1 %E 0 RELIEV$4 ,?\< ! TOP (!
,RIV] 0 "O UNBROK5 %E5 ( W9T] :ITE1 X 0
%9Y1 UNBROK5 SN[ ON TOP & N J ICE4 ,!
WALK+ 0 LABORI\S1 B N DANG]\S4
  ,!Y TRUDG$ AL;G 9 ! SIL5T NI<T4 ,AB
HALFWAY ACR ! FROZ5 PLA91 ! WOMAN /OPP$
& PO9T$ UPRIV] AT A R[ ( GIANT      #AEF
PILL>S T LOOK$ L BROK5 SPIKES4
  8,! ,BRIDGE--ALL T IS LEFT ( X10 %E
SD4
  ,( C\RSE ,ROSEWYN _H N"E SE5 X F S* AN
ANGLE4 ,/&+ "! ON ! ,RIV]1 %E SU45LY RE-
ALIZ$ H[ IMM5SE ! ,BRIDGE M/ H BE54 ,"!
_H BE5 ?\S&S ( 5EMIES ^U X :5 X _H FALL5
96! SWOLL5 ,RIV]4
  ,=A MO;T !Y /OOD 9 SIL;E1 !N !Y MOV$
ON AG4 ,! WALK+ HELP$ W>M ,ROSEWYN1 B %E
CD / FEEL ! SC> F ! OLD W.D 9FLICT$ ON
H] 0! POISON$ NE$LE4 ,X FELT L A B> (
ICE )9 H]4 ,X 0 N UNBE>A#1 B %E WOND]$--
WD %E ALW FEEL ! PA9 ( X8
  ,AT LA/ !Y CAME 6! BANK &! TREES ON !
O!R SIDE4 8,FAIR L&60 ,ROSEWYN EXCLAIM$
S(TLY4 8,EV5 9 ! SN[ X IS B1UTI;L60
  8,>E Y 9 PA980 ! WOMAN ASK$4
  8,A LL4 ,I C MANAGE40
  8,=A LL :ILE4 ,! CA/LE IS )9 A FEW
MILES ( U1 YET ,I W N OV]TAX Y4 ,AN 9N
LIES N F> F U4 ,WE C G "! & S5D = ,*AD 9
SECRET4 ,HE W HELP U40
  ,! ,PR9CESS 0 TOO WE>Y & COLD 6D ANY?+
B NOD1 & S !Y W5T ON 9 ! FRO/Y1     #AEG
/>RY NI<T4























                                    #AEH
























           ,*APT] ,TW5TY-,F\R       #AEI
                 ,! ,9N

  ,_! ROOM AT ! 9N _H A FIREPLACE &A
SMALL TA# ": A COLD D9N] ) HOT S\P 0 QK-
LY LAID = !M4 ,! WOMAN PUT ! S\P ON !
HE>? 6/AY W>M & ORD]$ HOT WAT] &A TUB4
  ,AF A /1M+ HOT BA? 2F ! FIRE1 ! PA9
LEFT ,ROSEWNY'S SIDE & BACK1 & %E FELT
REW>M$ & R1DY 6EAT4 ,"! 0 PL5TY ( GD
,BRACK5 FOOD--HE>TY S\P1 A BIG W$GE (
GOLD5 *EESE1 BAK$ APPLES1 A CRU/Y LOAF (
BR1D1 &A PLATE ( T>TS4 ,AF EAT+1 ! ,PR9-
CESS FELT GRTLY REFRE%$ & SURPRIS$ H]F
0?R[+ (F ! D>K;S (! MO;T & 2+ *E];L Z %E
_H N BE5 = _M A "D4 ,%E SAT 0! HE>? ) H]
GR&"M1 WANT+ 6BE HU7$ & CU4L$ & MADE M*
(1 & %E TOLD H] AB DRAW+ MU/A*ES 9 H]
"F'S BOOKS4
  8,( C\RSE ,I WD N"E D X AG10 %E A4$1
:ILE ! WOMAN /ROK$ BACK H] HAIR4
  8,:5 NEXT Y >E EXPOS$ 6GD BOOKS1 LET U
HOPE Y GET M \ ( !M1 & !Y GET LESS10 !
WOMAN A4$4
  ,!N !Y 7 SIL5T TGR1 />+ AT ! ORANGE &
GOLD FLAMES (! FIRE4                #AFJ
  ,:5 ,ROSEWYN WOKE UP1 %E F.D H]F "U !
BLANKETS ( "O (! TWO B$S 9 ! ROOM4 ,!
WOMAN 0 /IRR+ ! FIRE1 & "! 0 A BR1KFA/
LAID = !M4
  ,! ,PR9CESS 0 WE>Y F H] NI<T JAUNT 9 !
COLD1 & %E 0 3T5T 6LIE /4 ,"! 0 A KNOCK
AT ! DOOR1 &! WOMAN LET 9 A Y\? :O RAN
MESSAGES =! 9N4
  8,I H A MESSAGE =! DOG KEEP] AT ! CAS-
TLE10 ! WOMAN SD4 8,X IS ?3 ,"! >E A
PAIR ( PUREBR$S AT ! ,9N ON ! ,BANK4 ,-E
QKLY 69SPECT !M40
  8,! MESS5G] NO4$1 REP1T$ ! MESSAGE1 &
0 G"O4
  ,!N ,ROSEWYN GOT UP1 WA%$1 & DRESS$4
,= BR1KFA/ "! 0 ONLY OATM1L & MILK1 GD
?\< PLA94 ,! DI%ES 7 CLE>$ AWAY1 ! B$S
MADE UP1 & !Y _H ONLY 6WAIT4 ,ROSEWYN
PULL$ BACK ! H1VY CURTA9S 6LOOK \TSIDE4
,NO?+ M* /IRR$1 &! *ILL CAME P5ETRAT+ 9
"? ! H1VY GLASS4 ,A S+LE BREEZE SCU4$ "S
DRY SN[ P[D] OV] ! :ITE LAWN4 ,(F 9 !
4T.E1 AN "EGRE5 TREE'S B\< SU45LY GAVE 9
6! WEI<T PIL$ ON X & DUMP$ A GRT HUMP (
SN[ ONTO ! GR.D4 ,ROSEWYN LET !     #AFA
CURTA9 FALL BACK 9 PLACE4
  ,"SBODY KNOCK$4
  ,AT ! WOMAN'S QK NOD1 ,ROSEWYN /EPP$
BACK 2H ! B$ & KNELT D[N4 ,! WOMAN OP5$
! DOOR & LET 9 A MU6L$1 SN[Y FIGURE4 ,HE
%OOK (F ! SN[ & POPP$ 8 HOOD D[N1 4CLOS+
A BALD H1D SURR.D$ 0A ?9 FR+E ( GRAY
HAIR4
  8,*AD60 ,ROSEWYN CRI$ & SPRANG \4
  ,*AD WD H KNELT 8 WIRY1 OLD FRAME 9
C\RTLY DEF];E 6HIS PR9CESS1 B %E FLUNG
H]F 96HIS >MS4 8,*AD6 ,BE/ 2LOV$ & FAI?-
;L FR6 ,:AT JOY 6SEE Y AG60
  8,HE 0 AN OLD] MAN1 GRAY$ &)A FACE
WR9KL$ F AGE &! SUN & W9D4 ,HE HU7$ !
,PR9CESS &=A MO;T CD SAY NO?+4 ,AT LA/
HE ANSW]$1 8,?+S >E D>K N[1 B X'S A -=T
6SEE ,YR ,MAJE/Y1 ?\< GRT WR;GDO+ HAS
RO2$ Y ( BO? POSI;N & SAFETY40
  8,!Y % 2 SET "R10 %E SD /\TLY4 8,=!
TIDE IS TURN+ 9 \R FAVOR4 ,& H[ >E Y8 ,X
HAS BE5 TOLD ME ( YR GRT LOYALTY40
  8,?+S >E WELL = ME--,SIR ,BLACKROOT
L>GELY IGNORES ME1 LL ,PR9CESS4 ,WE MAY
--,I ?9K--PLAN 9 SAFETY4 ,I H       #AFB
NEWS40
  ,!Y MADE HM -E 9 & SIT D[N 9 ! *AIR
NE>E/ ! FIRE4
  8,! W+ WE >E WAT*+ IS LL *ANG$10 HE
TOLD ! WOMAN4 8,B _M O!R ?+S *ANGE4 ,:5
,SIR ,BLACKROOT CALL$ ! M5 \ = P>ADE
YE/]"D1 "! 0 GRUMBL+1 ILL-3C1L$1 & OP5
TALK AM;G "O REGI;T N 6P>ADE 9 S* COLD =
A MURD]\S TRAITOR4 ,7 ! LL ,PR9CESS 6AN-
N\NCE H]F1 "!'D 2 _M :O1 AT H] -M&1 WD
OV]?R[ ,BLACKROOT40
  8,NAY10 ,ROSEWYN SD4 ,! WOMAN GL.ED AT
H]1 B %E 3T9U$4 8,"S WD FI<T 6PRES]VE
,BLACKROOT Z ,REG5T1 ?9K+ X MAD;S ON MY
"P 6CAUSE BLOOD%$40
  8,? IS TRUE10 ! WOMAN AGRE$4 8,X IS
ONLY ! PRES;E (! ,K+ & ,QUE5 T W ?R[ !
TRULY LOYAL AG/ ! TRULY TRAITOR\S4 ,9
ANY O!R CIRCUM/.E "! W 2 3FU.N40
  8,!N WE M/ PRODUCE ! ,K+ & ,QUE510
,*AD AGRE$4 8,B ,I TRU/ A DOG'S NOSE4
,M5 LIE1 B B1/S DON'T1 & ,GIANT HAS
TRAC$ ! ,K+ ALL "R40 ,HE TURN$ 6,ROSE-
WYN4 8,I 2LIEVE HE &! ,QUE5 >E KEPT 9 A
CELL 9 AN OLD SEC;N (! DUNGEONS4    #AFC
,^! DUNGEONS 7 WALL$ UP "S "T AGO1 B
,BLACKROOT HAS "S PASSAGE 96!M40 ,HE
%OOK 8 H1D M\RN;LLY4 8,T WELL-DI7+ TRICK
0 PRIME1 B WELLS A9'T DUG 9 W9T]40
  ,! WOMAN SMIL$ A LL4 8,EV5 ,BLACKROOT
WD SUSPECT YET ANO!R WELL--ESPECI,Y AF
:AT HAPP5$ LA/ "T10 %E SD4 8,B NO FE> (
T4 ,I "K ! SECRET PASSAGES (! CA/LE4 ,X
MAY TAKE "S SE>*+1 B WE C F9D A WAY 96!
S1L$-(F DUNGEONS40
  8,! ONLY PRO#M T REMA9S1 !N1 IS 6BR+ Y
96! CA/LE XF )\T R\S+ NOTICE10 ,*AD SD4
8,W 2 H>D1 =! M5 "K ! ,PR9CESS1 & Y 7
HELD CAPTIVE "! N TOO L;G AGO4 ,&1 0!
BY1 ,BLACKROOT HAS A FAIR IDEA HMF ( ^?
SECRET PASSAGES Y TALK$ AB4 ,T'S H[ HE
TRAC$ ! ,PR9CESS S FA/ :5 %E LEFT4 ,Y
C'T GET BACK 96! CA/LE ) H] ! WAY Y TOOK
H] \60
  8,X MAY 2 D"O ANO!R WAY AT NI<T10 %E
SD4 8,Y H A DAU<T]1 DON'T Y80
  8,AYE4 ,A LL "Y] ?AN ,H] ,MAJE/Y10
,*AD SD4
  8,WELL !N4 ,LET U PLAY A SWIT*+ GAME
ON !M40                             #AFD
  8,EH80
  8,L1VE ! CA/LE 9 ! *ILL AFN ) YR WIFE
& DAU<T] WELL BUNDL$ UP S T N"O MAY SEE
_! FACES10 %E TOLD HM4 8,-E "H =A L;G
SUPP]4 ,:5 Y G BACK1 Y % C>RY ! ,PR9CESS
& ME ) Y1 &! NI<T PORT] % H NO "QS40
  ,*AD B1M$ & !N SLAPP$ 8 FI/ 96HIS OP5
PALM4 8,D"O60 HE CRI$4 8,"H'S A P9 9
,BLACKROOT'S EYE6 ,WE % B1T HM YET6















          ,*APT] ,TW5TY-,FIVE       #AFE
                  ,FOG

  ,! COLD SNAP BROKE 9 ! E>LY AFN4 ,"! 0
A SU45 %IFT 9 ! BREEZES2 ! CL\DS HUNG
SWOLL5 & SULL5 L RA9 CL\DS1 & 2F EV5+
CAME1 !Y CD HE> ! ICE & SN[ FALL+ F !
TREES ) S(T ?UMP+ S.DS4
  ,? IS N 6SAY T X 0 RE,Y W>M1 B A FOG
DID ROLL 9 E>LY 9 ! AFN4 ,X LAY COIL$
AM;G ! TREE TRUNKS L A SLEEK CAT ALL
CURL$ UP4
  ,*AD CAME ) 8 WIFE & DAU<T]4 ,"! 7
QUIET GREET+S1 &A SUPP] 0 ORD]$4 ,AFW1 !
WISE WOMAN & ,ROSEWYN DONN$ _! TRAVEL+
G>;TS & LEFT )! DOG KEEP]4 ,HE _H BR"\ 8
SLEI< OV] ! SN[1 &! SI<T (! SMOO? /EEL
RUNN]S REM9D$ ,ROSEWYN (! SL$D+ T %E _H
5JOY$ )! M9]S4
  ,SOON !Y 7 SKIMM+ OV] ! SN[ 9 PLA9
SI<T (! CA/LE &! NI<T PORT]'S GATE4
,ROSEWYN L1N$ AG/ ! WISE WOMAN Z ?\<
ASLEEP1 H] FACE HI45 9 H] [N HOOD4 ,!
WISE WOMAN 0 B5T OV] H]4
  ,! PORT]1 = 8 "P1 LAZILY WAV$ !M "?4
  ,*AD WD H BR"\ !M 6HIS QU>T]S1    #AFF
B ! WOMAN DIRECT$ HM 6G 6! /A#S & 6SL[ !
HORSES AL;G ! H$GE4 ,Z !Y PASS$ ! H$GE1
%E & ,ROSEWYN L1P$ \4 ,9 ANO!R 9/ANT !Y
_H VANI%$ 96! ?ICK BORD] ( HI< BU%ES4
  ,ROSEWYN _H ?"\ H]F 6BE V FAMILI> )
ALL ! LL PA?S & HID+ PLACES 9 ! G>D5S &
CA/LE Y>D1 B ! WOMAN L$ H] AL;G R\TES %E
_H N"E GUESS$--PA/ ! SN[$-OV] FL[] B$S1
"? H$GES1 & AT LA/ "R UP 6! CA/LE WALL4
  ,!Y /OLE QUIETLY AL;G ! WALL1 _! GRAY
CLOAKS HID+ !M FAIRLY WELL 9 ! FOG4 ,AT
LA/ ! WOMAN /OPP$ & PO9T$ 6A B>R$ W9D[ J
AT H] %\LD] LEVEL4 ,ROSEWYN WD H ?"\ X
IMPOSSI# 65T] T WAY1 B 6H] SURPRISE !
WOMAN TURN$ "O (! B>S1 PULL$1 &! 5TIRE
GRILL SWUNG \TW>D L A LL DOOR4
  ,! WOMAN LIFT$ H] UP & SET H] ON ! W9-
D[ L$GE2 !N %E GOT A TOEHOLD 9 ! MORT> (
! WALL & CAME UP H]F4 ,! DROP 6! FLOOR 0
N Z F> Z X _H BE5 6! GR.D ON ! O!R SIDE4
,ROSEWYN DROPP$ D[N1 &! WOMAN FOLL[$4
,!Y 7 9SIDE A /"O HALLWAY 9 A LL-US$ "P
(! CA/LE4
  ,ROSEWYN KNEW T 9 "TS ( W> ? _H L$ 6!
/AIRWAY (! RAM"PS4 ,"! 7 SOLDI]S'   #AFG
QU>T]S "H & "!1 & T 0 ALL4
  ,%E FOLL[$ ! WOMAN D[N ! B>E & COLD
HALLWAY4 ,B>R$ W9D[S AT L;G 4T.ES LET 9
A LL LI<T1 B !Y _H 6BE C>E;L N 6/UM# ON
! UNEV5 FLOOR4 ,AT LA/ !Y CAME 6A N>R[
/AIRWAY L1D+ UP 6GALL]IES ABV4 ,! WOMAN
/OPP$1 & PRESSURE F H] H& KEPT ,ROSEWYN
F M.T+ ! /AIRS4
  8,X IS 2L T WE M/ G10 %E SD S(TLY4
  8,B "! >E NO /AIRS10 ,ROSEWYN :ISP]$4
  8,YET :5 ,I SPI$ \ ? PLACE1 ! SOLDI]S
ALW CAME D[N ? HALLWAY--& ALW TWO (!
SAME SIX SOLDI]S10 ! WOMAN TOLD H]4 8,M5
FI]CELY LOYAL 6,BLACKROOT & 9 8 P]SONAL
PAY1 NO D\BT4 ,"! IS AN 5TR.E "H1 "S":1
= ,I "K FULL WELL T "! >E CELLS 2N U40
  ,!Y EXAM9$ ! WALLS 9 ! DIM;S4 ,AGE _H
BROK5 ! MORT> 2T ! /"OS1 L1V+ GRT
CRACKS4 ,B "EY?+ SEEM$ SOLID4
  ,J !N !Y HE>D A HORRI#1 L\D CR1K+ F 2N
!M4 ,! WOMAN GRA2$ ,ROSEWYN'S H& & PULL$
H] UP ! /EPS AB HALFWAY4 ,!N FOOT/EPS
E*O$ ON ! /"OS1 & !Y BO? FROZE 9 ! %AD[S
ON ! /EPS1 HOODS PULL$ L[4
  ,A POOL ( LI<T SU45LY APPE>$ ON   #AFH
! FLOOR1 & ,ROSEWYN R1LIZ$ T A SEC;N (!
/"OS _H SLID BACK1 REV1L+ A /AIRCASE 2L4
,TOR*LI<T ILLUM9AT$ ! /AIRWAY1 B ! SOL-
DI]S :O CAME UP F 2L _H _! BACKS 6! WOM-
AN & ,ROSEWYN4 ,! M5 7 SP1K+ 9 L[ T"OS
6EA* O!R4 ,!Y 3T9U$ D[N ! HALL TGR1 /
TALK+1 ! POOL ( LI<T F ! TOR* SPILL+ ON-
TO _! %\LD]S & GL1M+ DULLY ON _! METAL
HELMETS & *E/ PIECES4 ,"O (! M5 /OPP$ &
SEEM$ 6?RU/ 8 H& 96! WALL4 ,!Y HE>D !
GRAT+ S.D1 &A SLI<T ?UMP Z ! SECRET DOOR
CLOS$ AG4 ,!N ! M5 WALK$ D[N ! HALLWAY &
9 ANO!R MO;T 7 G"O4
  ,ROSEWYN'S KNEES %OOK1 :E!R F ! EX-
CITE;T ( F9D+ ! DOOR OR ! T]ROR F _! NE>
4COV]Y1 %E DIDN'T "K1 B %E FOLL[$ ! WOM-
AN D[N ! /AIRS & D[N ! HALLWAY4 ,TGR !Y
SE>*$ ! WALL ": !Y _H SE5 ! MAN ?RU/ 8
H&4 ,"U ,ROSEWYN'S PRESS+ F+]S1 "O (!
/"OS GAVE WAY4 ,%E PU%$1 & X SWUNG 9W>D4
,9SIDE 0 A SMALL CAV;Y4 ,H] GROP+ H&S
FELT A LL :EEL )A H&LE4 ,! WOMAN TURN$ ?
:EEL1 & 2H !M !Y HE>D ! GRAT+ Z ! DOOR
SL[LY OP5$4
  ,WALK+ C>E;LLY1 = X 0 GETT+       #AFI
H>D] & H>D] 6SEE 9 ! DIM;S1 !Y GOT 6!
DOOR & C>E;LLY /EPP$ D[N "? X4 ,!Y CD
SEE ! REFLEC;N ( TOR*LI<T -+ UP F 2L4
,D[N !Y W5T1 &! LI<T GOT A LL BETT]4
  ,"! 0 A TOR* ON A RACK AT ! FOOT (!
/AIRS1 & X PLA9LY ILLUM9AT$ ANO!R :EEL )
A H&LE4 ,! WOMAN TURN$ ?1 &! TRAPDOOR
ABV !M CLOS$4
  8,:AT H WE "H80 ! WOMAN :ISP]$1 NO4+
6A LL PILE ON ! FLOOR AT ! FOOT (! /"O
/EPS4 ,X 0 A TRAY )A CLUTT] ( PLATES ON
X1 WAIT+ 6BE TAK5 UP AG 6! SCULL]Y4
  8,WE C MAKE X OV] 6LOOK L ANO!R M1L10
%E GUESS$4 8,SIL5TLY N[--0
  ,"! 7 SLI<TLY-SOIL$ CLO? NAPK9S "!4
,TGR !Y WIP$ UP ! SPILL$ FOOD F ! PLATES
& >RANG$ ! DI%ES ON ! TRAY4 ,MO/ (!
PLATES _H COV]S1 & ^? T DIDN'T !Y COV]$
)! NAPK9S4 ,AF A FEW M9UTES !Y _H :AT !Y
HOP$ WD PASS =A TRAY ( FOOD4
  8,N[ IS YR "T1 ,ROSEWYN1 6USE ! GIFT (
C\RAGE ,CROG GAVE Y10 ! WOMAN SD QUIET-
LY4 8,! SOLDI]S WD RECOGNIZE ME1 & ALL
WD 2 LO/40
  8,AYE10 ,ROSEWYN SD4              #AGJ
  8,KEEP YR H1D D[N :5 Y SP1K 6! GU>DS
AT ! DOOR4 ,G 9SIDE ! CELL & MAKE YRF
"KN 6YR P>5TS1 IF !Y 2 ! PRISON]S HELD
"H--& ,I ?9K !Y >E4 ,& IF "! %D 2 "S *.E
( ESCAPE1 TAKE X40
  ,ROSEWYN NO4$1 KISS$ H] GR&"M'S *EEK1
& W5T S(TLY D[N ! HALL1 HOOD PULL$ BACK
& H1D D[N4 ,%E PEEP$ UP E N[ & !N 6GET A
LOOK AT ANY ALCOVES OR HALLWAYS T MI<T
TURN (F & (F] A HID+ PLACE LAT]4
  ,%E TURN$ A CORN] & FOLL[$ ! R[ (
TOR*ES UNTIL %E SAW A S+LE GU>D /&+ 2F A
H1VY OAK DOOR4 ,2F HM %E /OPP$1 H1D D[N1
HE>T P.D+4
  8,:AT80 HE ASK$ GRU6LY1 8,SUPP] AG80
  8,AN' X PL1SE Y1 SIR--X IS =! PRISON-
]S40 ,"H H] HE>T B1T WILDLY4 ,:AT IF "!
7 ONLY "O ( H] P>5TS 9 ! CELL8
  8,ANY?+ GD80 HE ASK$4
  8,I ?9K N1 SIR4 ,X IS PRISON]S' MESS40
  8,AH1 !Y GET BETT] F$ ?AN T1 ,I'LL
W>RANT4 ,ALL "R1 9 Y G1 & DON'T =GET :AT
,BLACKROOT SAYS IF Y TELL ANY?+40
  ,%E GOT ! IDEA T ,SIR ,BLACKROOT US$ !
KIT*5 MAIDS 0T]RORIZ+ !M 96SIL;E4   #AGA
,APPROPRIATELY1 %E TRI$ 6TREM# & SQU1K$1
8,N A ^W60
  ,!N HE UNLOCK$ ! DOOR1 & %E W5T 96A
DIRTY & D>K CELL4
  8,F\L WRET*1 :AT WD YE H80 A FAMILI>
VOICE CALL$4 ,ROSEWYN LOOK$ UP & SAW H]
"F1 M HA7>D & L1N & WORN ?AN %E _H "E
SE5 HM2 & H] "M1 HALF-SITT+ & HALF-LY+ 9
A F> CORN] (! CELL4
  8,FOOD = Y60 ! SOLDI] CALL$ BACK4 ,Z
,ROSEWYN B5T D[N 0! ,QUE5 L "O S5T 6T5D
6H]1 HE CLOS$ ! DOOR4
  ,ROSEWYN SET ! TRAY D[N1 B 9/1D ( S]V+
!M--& APP>5TLY !Y 7 / .S]V$ "S:AT 0A FEW
DEF]5TIAL LL MAIDS :O BR"\ D[N ! FOOD--
%E LOOK$ UP AT H] "F4
  8,:AT80 %E ASK$ S(TLY4 8,N "K ME1
,"F80
  ,H]RON EV5 !N KEPT 8 H1D & DID N CRY
\4 ,B HE TURN$ S QKLY & W5T S PALE T %E
?"\ HE MI<T FA9T4
  8,ROSEWYN60 H] "M GASP$1 & ,ROSEWYN
TURN$ 6H]4
  ,H]RON KNELT D[N & TOOK H] 9 8 >MS4
8,WE _H HOP$ T Y 7 SAFE F ALL       #AGB
?--0
  8,"! IS ONLY "O GU>D "H =! NI<T WAT*10
%E :ISP]$ URG5TLY4 8,IF Y C OV]P[] HM1
,"F--0
  ,HE NO4$1 COOL & CALM AG4 8,I'LL G 6!
DOOR4 ,/AY 9 YR "M'S >MS & SCR1M Z ?\< Y
>E 2+ KILL$10 HE DIRECT$1 & W5T 6! DOOR1
POIS$ & R1DY4
  ,HE NO4$ 6HIS DAU<T]1 & %E SET UP A
WAIL & CRI$ \1 8,HELP6 ,HELP1 ELSE !Y
HURT ME60 ,! DOOR BUR/ OP51 &! ,K+ LET
LOOSE )A PUN* T WD H /UNN$ A MULE4 ,=A
MO;T HE 0 LOCK$ 9 A DESP]ATE FI<T )!
GU>D1 B ! F/ PUN* _H TIPP$ ! O4S 9 !
W1K] MAN'S FAVOR4 ,9 ANO!R MO;T HE L[]$
! UNCONSCI\S SOLDI] 6! FLOOR4
  ,! ,K+ RIPP$ A"P 8 [N TUNIC = ,ROSEWYN
&! ,QUE5 6TIE ! MAN1 B 2F !Y DID1 ,H]RON
/RIPP$ ! MAN ( 8 >MOR & UNI=M & PUT !M
ON HMF4
  8,? IS M L X10 HE SD /\TLY4 8,Y H SAV$
! K+DOM ? "D1 ,DAU<T]40
  8,*AD HAS M5 :O W HELP Y1 ,"F10 %E
TOLD HM4
  8,-E !N40                         #AGC
  8,& ,GR&"M IS UP ! HALLWAY1 AT WAT* ON
! /EPS40
  8,WE _H HE>D RUMOR10 ! ,QUE5 SD1 8RU-
MOR T ,BLACKROOT _H EXECUT$ H]2 & !N WE
HE>D NO M4 ,WE ?"\ X _H BE5 D"O40
  8,NAY1 %E ESCAP$40
  8,-E1 M LAT]10 ,H]RON SD4 ,HOLD+ H&S1
!Y LEFT ! CELL & CLOS$ & LOCK$ ! DOOR 2H
!M4
  8,! WAT* %D N 2 4TURB$ = "S H\RS10
,H]RON GUESS$4 8,N['S ! "T 6PLAN40
  8,HUSB&1 MAKE A %[ ( YRF 9 ! PUBLIC
EYE10 ! ,QUE5 BE7$4 8,:5 ! M5 >E ASSEM#D
= P>ADE 9 ! MORN+60
  ,HE GL.ED AT H] Z !Y /RODE AL;G4
8,AYE1 "!'S ! ANSW]1 = MO/ ( !M ?9K U
D1D4 ,IF WE C B GET SECRETLY 6,*AD'S
QU>T]S1 WE % H \R WAY ) T ,BLACKROOT60






                                    #AGD
























           ,*APT] ,TW5TY-,SIX       #AGE
            ,TRIUMPHAL ,5TRY

  ,A L[ FIRE BURN$ AT ,*AD'S QU>T]S4
  ,P /RODE 9 & \1 SPOKE 9 HU%$ T"OS1 7
S1T$ OR /&+4 ,ROSEWYN &! WISE WOMAN _H
CLOS$ ! %UTT]S & 7 O3UPI$ 9 TAK+ D[N !
SC>LET HANG+S T _H DECORAT$ ! ROOM4
  ,REFRE%$ 0BA?S & DEC5T FOOD1 Z WELL Z
! BE/ CLO?+ T ,*AD _H 6(F] F 8 [N & 8
WIFE'S W>DROBES1 ! ,K+ & ,QUE5 /OOD 6BE
M1SUR$ = _! R IMPROMPTU ROYAL ROBES4
  8,SOO?1 FR ,*AD1 Y H LET YR H\SE 2
SPOIL$ ? NI<T10 ,K+ ,H]RON SD1 EYE+
,ROSEWYN Z %E PUT P9S 96! SC>LET DRAP]Y4
  8,BETT] MY H\SE ?AN ! K+DOM1 ,YR ,MAJ-
E/Y10 ,*AD SD1 B[+ 8 H1D4 8,CLO?+ & TAP-
E/RY C 2 REPLAC$4 ,JU/ICE & HONOR >E H>D
WON1 ONCE LO/40
  ,A BIT AT A "T1 V>I\S SOLDI]S :OM ,*AD
_H RECOMM5D$ 7 -+ 96! ROOM1 KNEEL+ 2F !
,K+1 & PL$G+ _! ALLEGI.E 6HM4 ,9DE$1 "!
0 N "O GRIM FACE AM;G !M AT SI<T ( HM &!
,QUE51 & "S %$ TE>S ( JOY4 ,? B& AM.T$
6AB ?IRTY M51 YEOMAN & CAPTA9S BO?4
,TAURUN1 SON ( ,REYNALD ! ,BRAVE1   #AGF
_H BE5 CALL$ 9 F/ 0A SECRET NOTE F ,*AD4
,! TWO M5 _H BE5 BRO!RS 9 _! MISTRU/ (
,BLACKROOT4
  ,TAURUN _H BUSI$ HMF 0P]SON,Y BR++ 9
^? M5 :OM HE TRU/$ MO/1 & :ILE ! ,K+ &
,QUE5 7 2+ FITT$1 HE & 8 SOLDI]S SPOKE 9
L[ T"OS4 ,ROSEWYN 0 PL1S$ 6SEE AM;G !M !
V CAPTA9 :O _H SET H] FREE4 ,HE CAME 2F
! WISE WOMAN & B5T ! KNEE1 ASK+ = H] P>-
DON4
  8,USE.S X IS N[ 6SAY X GRIEV$ MY HE>T
6B9D Y10 HE SD 6H]4 8,AN'T ! 5D ( ?1 IF
,I 2 F.D TRAITOR\S = HAV+ RAIS$ MY H&
AG/ ROYALTY1 S 2 X2 ,I % DIE A CRIM9AL4
,ONLY =GIVE ME1 ,I PRAY Y1 & H>BOR NO
P]SONAL GRUDGE AG/ ME1 NOR RJC 9 MY
D1?40
  8,POOR MAN10 %E SD4 8,RAISE YR EYES &
GAZE ^U YR FR4 ,SEE4 ,I KNEW Y 7 9 D\BT
( ,BLACKROOT & T Y S"\ JU/ICE 6BE D"O4
,I KNEW FULL WELL Y SUSPECT$ ,I WD ES-
CAPE1 & YET Y DID N PREV5T X4 ,Y 7 !
MILDE/ ( CAPTORS & S"EAL "TS /OOD 2T ME
& ,BLACKROOT'S WRA? :5 ,I LAY 9 8 P[]4
,= ? ,I AM GRATE;L1 & ,I =GIVE !    #AGG
B9D+4 ,ANY CRIME IS P>DON$4 ,RISE & D
BATTLE = YR K+40
  ,& HE ROSE4
  8,HO1 ,CAPTA9S10 ,TAURUN CALL$4 8,WE W
SOON 2 MISS$4 ,"T 6RETIRE2 YET =GET N1
ABV ALL1 6BE R1DY = P>ADE 9 ! MORN+ & TO
%\T = \R K+4 ,6YR QU>T]S1 !N1 A FEW AT A
"T40
  ,LL 0LL !Y LEFT4 ,! WISE WOMAN _H CUT
A"P ! DRAP]IES1 & %E1 ,ROSEWYN1 ,QUE5
,ROSALYNN1 & EV5 ,K+ ,H]RON1 SAT SEW+
!M4
  8,AN' X PL1SE ,YR ,MAJE/Y1 ? OLD DOG
KEEP] W DON ! UNI=M & >MOR T Y TOOK10
,*AD SU7E/$4 8,N L;G F N[ ,BLACKROOT'S
P]SONAL GU>D W 4COV] YR ESCAPE1 & ,I
WANT 6BE NE>BY 6WAT* & SEE :AT -ES ( X4
,IF !Y H A SE>*1 WE M/ GET Y AWAY QKLY40
  8,WELL ?"\1 FR ,*AD2 D Z Y ?9K BE/1 B
H A C>E10 ,H]RON TOLD HM4
  8,AYE1 "L40
  ,X 0 A L;G NI<T1 & "O ( 5D.S1 NECK-
B5D+ TOIL4 ,!Y /AY$ B5T OV] ! DRAP]IES1
3V]T+ !M 6ROBES4 ,ROSEWYN'S EYES SM>T$ &
H] NECK A*$4 ,%E YAWN$ & !N /IFL$   #AGH
A YAWN & !N YAWN$ AG1 S WIDE T %E ?"\ %E
WD SPLIT H] H1D OP54
  ,A *ILL CREPT 96! ROOM1 =! FIRE _H
BURN$ TOO L[ & G"O \ :ILE !Y "W$ OV] _!
REGALIA4 ,*AD 0 G"O = H\RS2 F9,Y1 AT A
LL PA/ F\R1 HE CAME 96! ROOM1 HELMET (F1
& B[$4 8,H[ GOES X1 ,YR ,MAJE/Y80 HE
ASK$4
  8,ALM "!10 ! ,K+ TOLD HM4 8,SOO?6 ,&
6?9K ,I US$ 6CALL ? WOMAN'S "W4 ,X WD
DRIVE ! /\TE/ W>RIOR MAD1 ? 5D.S NE$LE
PLAY60 ,! WISE WOMAN1 ! ,QUE51 & EV5
WE>Y ,ROSEWYN LAU<$ AT HM1 & HE GR9N$
RUE;LLY4 8,I AM \TNUMB]$ "H--BE/ 6BE SI-
L5T & TOIL1 !N4 ,:AT NEWS1 ,*AD80
  8,!Y ?9K Y H FL$ 6EXILE1 ,YR ,MAJE/Y1
& ,BLACKROOT HAS "S M5 \ ON PATROL 6SEEK
Y1 YET HE WANTS !M BACK 0DAWN4 ,MORN+
P>ADE HAS BE5 BAD LATELY1 & HE HAS ORD]$
! TRUMPETS N 6S.D = X4 ,HE DOES N WANT !
M5 AT >MS 63GREGATE40
  ,ROSEWYN GASP$ 9 4MAY4
  8,C\RAGE1 ,DAU<T]10 ,H]RON SD4 8,"H 9
! LA/ H\R 2F DAWN T VILLA9 % N GA9
VICTORY4 ,HA/ ?\ A DOG HORN1 FR     #AGI
,*AD80
  8,AYE1 ,MAJE/Y40
  8,C BL[ X80
  8,"R WELL1 "L4 ,C BL[ ! MORN+ FANF>E
ON X1 TOO40
  8,WELL1 !N4 ,?\ %ALT /& ON ! RAM"PS
ABV U & BL[ = ALL YR WOR? -E DAWN40
  8,YES1 ,YR ,MAJE/Y4 ,)A "R GD W40
  ,! DOG HORN--A LL L A CURL$-OV] TRUM-
PET--WD C>RY A CLE>1 DEEP-S.D+ KNELL4 ,N
Z HI< Z ! TRUMPETS NOR Z BL>+1 B SOLEMN
& L\D4
  ,AT LA/ ! ROBES 7 F9I%$4 ,*AD REK9DL$
! FIRE & MADE BR1KFA/ = !M :ILE ! WISE
WOMAN & ,ROSEWYN DRAP$ ! ,K+ & ,QUE5 )!
SC>LET F9]Y OV] _! BORR[$ CLO?+4
  ,!Y ATE 9 SIL;E1 & ,ROSEWYN FELT "S (
H] /R5G? -E BACK 6H] )! FOOD4
  8,ALM FIVE10 ,*AD OBS]V$4 8,% ,I BL[ !
CALL A LL E>LY 6TAKE ,BLACKROOT UNA-
W>ES80
  8,AYE10 ,H]RON SD4 8,/AY A MO;T4 ,I WD
H ! SWORD ,I TOOK F T GU>D40
  8,( C\RSE1 SIRE10 & ,*AD REMOV$ ! BELT
& SWORD1 KNELT1 & GAVE X 6! ,K+4    #AHJ
  8,NAY1 /AY10 ,H]RON SD 6HM :5 HE WD H
RIS54 ,! ,K+ BELT$ ON ! SWORD1 DREW X1 &
T\*$ ,*AD'S %\LD] ) X4 8,RISE1 SIR1 FR (
! ?R"O & FR ( ,BRACK54 ,? "D ?Y LOYALTY
IS REMEMB]$ & *]I%$ Z A LOVELY JEWEL4 ,I
MAKE !E ,KNI<T & ,C\NSELOR1 M*-LOV$
,*AD1 & X IS ) JOY TN T ,I % F1/ ) Y AT
MY TA#1 ": ?\'LT H A PLACE "EMORE40
  ,T GD MAN ROSE Z BI451 W9K$ H>D1 & SD1
8,= JU/ICE & HONOR1 "L1 LET U H ! ,K+ &
,QUE5 ON ! ?R"O40
  8,S 2 X10 ,H]RON SD4












          ,*APT] ,TW5TY-,SEV5       #AHA
                ,FANF>E

  ,! LA/ />S / HUNG 9 ! NI<T AIR1 B !
FOG _H LIFT$4 ,ACR ! TRAMPL$ SN[ (!
C\RTY>D A CLE> HORN S.D$4 ,X ROLL$ 9 !
/ILL;S & SEEM$ 6CALL 6! />S4 ,NOTE 0NOTE
X PLAY$ ! =BI45 MORN+ FANF>E4
  ,SOLDI]S TROMP$ \ ! DOORS (! G>RISONS4
,"S 7 SURPRIS$ 2C ! FANF>E 0 E>LY4 ,^! 7
/ /RU7L+ 96_! L1!R COATS OR HURRI$LY
BUCKL+ ON SWORDS OR /RAI<T5+ %IELDS4
,ONLY A FEW SEEM$ BO!R$ 0! FACT T ! CALL
0 2+ BL[N ON A DOG HORN & N ON TRUMPETS4
  ,"O SMALL B& ( M5 RAC$ F ! PALACE
DOORS & /OOD A<A/ AT ! SI<T (! MORN+ PA-
RADE4 ,^!1 P]H1 7 M5 :O _H "KN F ! NI<T
2F T P>ADE WD N ASSEM#1 YET "H X WAS4
  ,! O!R SOLDI]S1 _M ( !M1 LOOK$ 4AP-
PROV+LY AT ? SMALL B&4 ,!Y 7 ! FAVORITES
( ,BLACKROOT & 7 N WELL LIK$--!Y & "S
O!R HALF DOZ5 M5 :O = "S R1SON _H BE5
CALL$ = 9 ! MI4LE (! NI<T & S5T \ "S":
ON A SECRET MIS.N4 ,( C\RSE1 "S (! CAP-
TA9S & SOLDI]S %OT M1N+;L GL.ES BACK &
=?1 & !Y KEPT _! H&S NE> _!         #AHB
SWORDS4
  8,"! 0 6BE NO P>ADE ? MORN+60 "O (!
CAPTA9S F ,BLACKROOT'S SMALL B& %\T$ AN-
GRILY4 8,:O IS T ^U ! RAM"PS :O D>ES BL[
^U A DOG HORN80
  8,:O 9DE$80 ANO!R CAPTA9 CALL$ BACK TO
HM F ! ASSEM#D L9E ( M54 8,WE RCVD NO
ORD] T P>ADE 0 N 6TAKE PLACE6 ,/& AT AT-
T5;N1 M51 E "O ( Y6 ,! RUL] -E?60
  8,HE IS / AB$60 ,BLACKROOT'S MAN CALL$
BACK4 8,HE LEFT ^W =! M5 6BE SP>$ ?
MORN+60
  ,"S (! UN9=M$ M5 LOOK$ EAG] AT ?1 B
,TAURUN1 SON ( ,REYNALD1 ANSW]$ SU45LY1
8,NAY6 ,HE IS N AB$ ? MORN+6 ,LOOK1 YE
M5 ( ,BRACK56 ,:AT H WE 6D ) REG5TS &
USURP]S6 ,2HOLD6 ,\R K+ -ES60
  ,AT ^! ^WS A SP>K SEEM$ 6RUN "? ! M5
L9$ UP AT ATT5;N2 & "S EV5 BROKE 4CIPL9E
5 6LOOK >.D4
  8,! ,K+ -ES60 S"EAL (! M5 %\T$4 8,!
,K+6 ,! ,K+60
  ,DRESS$ 9 8 BE/1 ,SIR ,*AD N[ APPE>$ F
! /A#S L1D+ A JET-BLACK /ALLION1 & S1T$
A/RIDE X1 ,K+ ,H]RON4 ,2H HM CAME   #AHC
! WISE WOMAN L1D+ ! ,QUE5 SIDESA4LE ON
H] MILK-:ITE HORSE4
  8,LET E MAN DRAW 8 SWORD & SET 8 FACE
9 JOY & /]N;S60 ,TAURUN CALL$4 8,= ,H]-
RON1 ,K+ ( ,BRACK51 & ,ROSALYNN1 8 LOVE-
LY QUE51 >E ? "D FRE$6 ,S.D ! MORN+ FAN-
F>E60
  ,! TRUMPET]S M/ H BE5 AWAKE 0? "T1 =
SU45LY ! MORN+ FANF>E BLEW F E CORN] (!
C\RTY>D1 &! M5--L$ 0AB ?IRTY ( _! NUMB]
:O _H BE5 COA*$--LET \ A T]RIFIC %\T (
JOY4 ,!Y CLA%$ _! SWORDS AG/ _! %IELDS &
%\T$ AG4
  ,! SMALL B& ( M5 :O _H J -E F ! CA/LE
LOOK$ (A M9D 6DA% AWAY1 B ,H]RON CALL$
\3 8,LET ^? M5 2 CAU<T & B.D1 MY CAP-
TA9S6 ,= N L;G S9CE !Y HELD ME 9 BONDS60
  ,! CAPTA9S RU%$ \--AB T5 9 ALL--& "S (
! LIEUT5ANTS FOLL[$4 ,! B& ( TRAITORS
MADE Z IF 6FI<T1 B ! O!R SOLDI]S _H _!
SWORDS \1 &A %\T W5T UP F !M4 ,X 0 CLE>
N[ T TR1*]Y _H BE5 D"O ": N"E 9 ALL !
HI/ORY ( ,BRACK5 _H X BE5 D"O 2F--IN !
,K+'S [N GU>D4
  ,S ! TRAITORS DROPP$ _! SWORDS    #AHD
& 7 QKLY R.D$ UP1 B.D1 & L$ AWAY4
  8,N[10 ,H]RON SD1 8LET ,TAURUN TAKE A
B& ( M5 UP 6T TRAITOR1 ,BLACKROOT1 & BR+
HM D[N40
  ,X 0 9/ANTLY D"O1 B F9D+ ,BLACKROOT
TOOK "S "T1 = 0!N HE 0 AWAKE & AW>E (
:AT 0 HAPP5+4
  ,AT LA/ !Y BR"\ HM \ F ! G>D5S ": HE
_H HI454 ,8 FACE 0 PA/Y :ITE1 & HE 0 C>-
RI$ 0! >MS 2T ,TAURUN & "O (! CAPTA9S4
,?US HE 0 BR"\ 2F ,H]RON4
  ,H]RON GAZ$ D[N AT HM4 ,ALL ? "T
,ROSEWYN _H BE5 9 "O (! DOORWAYS CLOSE
BY1 & AT SI<T ( ,BLACKROOT %E CD N RE-
FRA9 F /EPP+ \4 ,H]RON BECKON$ 6H]4
  8,-E1 2LOV$ ,DAU<T]10 HE SD4 8,"! % 2
NO FI<T+1 & Y >E SAFE40 ,%E CAME =W>D1 &
,SIR ,*AD H&$ H] UP 6,H]RON4 ,HE SET H]
2F HM ON ! SA4LE4
  8,"H IS ! MAID Y S"\ 6KILL10 ,H]RON
SD4 8,& "H AM ,I & MY WIFE1 / PALE & W1K
F PRISON & MISTR1T;T4 ,& SOO?1 A COAL
M9] :O TR1T$ WELL ! POOR & W1K LIES BUR-
I$ 2N ! SN[ ACR ! RIV] F U1 & Y 0YR URGE
= P[] DID BR+ 96? FAIR L& ?REE      #AHE
ASSASS9S4 ,& M1 YR ASSASS9S & _! HIR$ B&
DID MURD] A FAIR B& ( "Y M5 / 9 _! F/
BE>DS4 ,^! >E ! CRIMES LAID 6YR *>GE1 &
9 MY E>S "! >E RUMORS R++ ( ELSE Y _H
D"O & WD H D"O4 ,N[ :AT ANSW] H Y80
  ,BLACKROOT 9DE$ CD SAY NO?+1 ONLY GR[
PAL]4 ,AT LA/ HE SPIT \1 8,_H ,I KILL$ Y
9/ANTLY1 ,I WD ? "D RULE60
  8,SIL;E HM10 ,H]RON SD4 8,& COV] 8
FACE F M9E40
  ,S A HOOD 0 DRAWN OV] ,BLACKROOT'S
FACE1 & HE 0 L$ AWAY 6AWAIT 8 FATE4
  ,! HORSE /AMP$ 9 ! FRO/Y SN[4 ,CLUT*+
,ROSEWYN1 ,H]RON TURN$ ! HORSE 6FACE 8
M54 ,E "O ( !M B5T ! KNEE & ROSE AT 8
-M&4
  8,? "D %D 2 "O ( JOY1 MY M510 HE TOLD
!M4 8,I "K MYF :O X 0 T GU>D$ U 9 \R
CELL ?\< !Y KNEW \R "R;L TITLES4 ,^? M5
% BE> ! FULL PUNI%;T (! K+DOM4 ,B :O"E
HAS ]R$ 9 FOOLI%;S OR 0FLATT]Y ( O!RS 9
SEEK+ NEW POSI;NS "U ,BLACKROOT IS ? "D
P>DON$1 ?\< HE M/ RETURN 6HIS OLD PO/
UNTIL ,I JUDGE4 ,N[ -M;E YE YR MORN+
P>ADE40                             #AHF
  ,"O LA/ GLAD %\T W5T UP F ! M51 & !N
,TAURUN DRILL$ !M =! ,K+4 ,ROSEWYN DID N
WAT* !M4 ,%E SAT CU4L$ AG/ H] "F & LOOK$
UP AT HM1 & E N[ & !N HE WD SMILE D[N AT
H]4
  8,! M>KS (A L;G J\RNEY >E ON YR FACE
N[10 HE SD4 8,Y H SU6]$ YR %>E 9 ? SOR-
R[40
  8,AYE10 0 ALL %E CD SAY Z %E REMEMB]$
,CROG4
  ,:ILE ,TAURUN & ,SIR ,*AD SAW 6! RE/O-
R,N ( ?+S1 ,ROSEWYN W5T 6RE/1 Z DID H]
P>5TS1 = !Y _H BE5 UP ! :OLE NI<T4
  ,%E 0 V WE>Y :5 %E PUT H] H1D 6! PIL-
L[1 B %E SLEPT ONLY A FEW H\RS4 ,:5 %E
AWOKE1 H] GR&"M 0 0H] B$4
  ,ROSEWYN PUT H] >MS UP & 0 HU7$ &
KISS$4 8,N[ ALL IS WELL10 %E SD4
  8,ALM10 H] GR&"M AGRE$4 8,ONLY1 "! >E
S"EAL M5 9 ! ?R"O ROOM :O Y MAY WANT TO
SEE4 ,"S ALLI$ SPIES H BR"\ 9 ^? TRAI-
TOR\S SOLDI]S T LA/ NI<T W5T \ 6SE>* =!
,K+ & ,QUE54 ,I ?"\ ,I %D SUMMON Y40
  ,ROSEWYN ASK$ NO "QS1 ONLY HURRI$LY
DRESS$ & W5T D[N 6SEE ! LOYAL M5    #AHG
:O _H BR"\ 9 ! LA/ ( ,BLACKROOT'S SOL-
DI]S4
  ,! ,K+ 0 ON 8 ?R"O &! ,QUE5 ON H]S :5
! ,PR9CESS 5T]$4 ,%E /OPP$ ON ! /EPS (!
DAIS & />$4 ,= AYE1 SIX M5 /OOD B.D1 &
%E RECOGNIZ$ TWO ( !M F ! HALLWAY ! NI<T
2F4 ,B /&+ NE> !M1 BRI/LY BE>D /UCK \1 0
,NOB1 BRO!R ( ,CROG4
  ,! ,K+ _H F9I%$ PASS+ 8 JUDG;T1 &!
PRISON]S 7 2+ L$ AWAY4 ,ROSEWYN PO9T$ &
CRI$ \1 8,"F6 ,T'S ,NOB60 ,%E RAN D[N !
DAIS & TOOK 8 BIG H&S 96H]S4 ,HE SMIL$
D[N AT H]4 8,GOLDL1F10 HE SD4 8,AN' :O
ELSE8 ,S9CE ! GRAY WOMAN TOOK C>E ( Y1
,I HA' PATROLL$ ^! WOODS ) ^! M51 MY
FRS4 ,WE GOT ^W T ! ,K+ 0 9 P[] AG91 S
WE BR"\ ^! M5 9 '=E !Y CD ESCAPE4 ,"E 9
YR S]VICE1 LL ,PR9CESS40
  ,( C\RSE ,ROSEWYN _H TOLD H] "F "EY?+
T _H 2FALL5 H]1 & N[ %E TURN$ & LOOK$ UP
AT HM4 ,( ALL ! M51 ,NOB _H LO/ ! MO/1 =
,CROG _H BE5 8 BRO!R4
  8,FR1 Y & YR FAMILY -E & 2 \R TRUE FRS
"H10 ,H]RON SD 6HM4 8,= ,I AM TOLD T Y 7
A PROTECTOR (! ,PR9CESS DUR+ H]     #AHH
EXILE40
  8,NOB B[$ S"EAL "TS1 & AT LA/ SD1 8,_M
?ANKS1 ,YR ,MAJE/Y1 B HOME'S ! BE/ = ME4
,I LOVE ,YR ,MAJE/Y'S RULE1 B ,I S]VE X
BE/ ADO9' :AT ,I BE5 DO9' ALL MY LIFE4
,IF Y W1 PL1SE ALL[ ME 6G BACK 6MY "M &
\R LL H\SE1 NE> 6": WE LAID ,CROG 6HIS
RE/40 ,HE LOOK$ D[N AT ,ROSEWYN4 8,-E1
,GOLDL1F1 DOAN' CRY4 ,Y % VISIT :5"E Y
WANT40
  ,H]RON SPOKE AG4 8,MY DAU<T] BE>S YR
FAMILY M* LOVE1 & S D WE4 ,I H X 9 MY
HE>T 6D Y "S GD40
  8,ALL ?ANKS AG1 ,YR ,MAJE/Y4 ,B 6C>E =
! LL ,PR9CESS "H 0 REW>D 6A SIMPLE MAN L
ME4 ,X A9'T (T5 T A BODY C RISE L T 6S*
A JOB1 2IN' A COAL M9]4 ,AN' ,CROG 0 "R
PR\D 6D X TOO1 SAME Z ME40
  8,WELL !N1 A3EPT ? M* AT L1/4 ,? "D ,I
"N Y Z ,FRS (! ,K+DOM1 & YR "NS % 2 5T]$
) ALL ! H]OES ( ,BRACK5 & YR DE$S SUNG
0! B>DS4 ,&= YR "M1 ALL[ ME ? K9D;S4
,:5"E A SOLDI] ( ,BRACK5 FALLS1 8 "M IS
C>$ = 0\R TR1SURY4 ,ALL[ ? = YR "M2 =
?\< ,CROG 0 N 9 ! 5LI/;T1 YET       #AHI
SOO?1 HE 0 A MI<TY W>RIOR =! K+DOM40
  ,NOB B[$4 8,Z X PL1SES Y1 ,YR ,MAJE/Y4
,Y'RE V G5]\S40
  ,!N HE /OOP$ D[N = ,ROSEWYN 6KISS HM &
6%$ TE>S ON 8 %\LD] = ,CROG4 8,HE LET ME
2 8 SI/] =A :ILE10 %E SD4 8,& S Y >E MY
BRO!R1 TOO1 ,NOB4 ,OH TAKE C>E6 ,9 !
SPR+ ,I W VISIT Y60
  8,I'LL 2 LOOK+ = Y1 ,GOLDL1F10 HE
PROMIS$4
  ,HE /UMP$ \ AL"O :ILE ! O!R M5 9 ! B&
( LOYAL SPIES & MESS5G]S 7 -M5D$ & RE-
W>D$ 0! ,K+4
  ,X 0 M* LAT] T NI<T :5 ! ,QUE5 CAME )A
S(T KNOCK 6,ROSEWYN'S ROOM & SAT 0H] ON
! B$4
  8,"!'S S++ 2L10 %E SD4 8,B Y >E ALR
AB$1 & "H IS ,GIANT1 ,I SEE1 BACK 9 8
PLACE40
  ,ROSEWYN SAT UP4 8,X SEEMS 9 ANO!R
LIFE"T T ,I 0 PL1S$ )A DOG 2C X WON = ME
! ATT5;N (! O!RS40
  8,B NO M80 H] "M ASK$4
  8,HE IS A GD DOG1 B ,*AD HAS KEPT HM S
L;G1 & ,I H BE5 G"O S L;G T ,I      #AIJ
B>ELY "K HM ANYMORE4 ,I % GIVE HM BACK1
IF ,I MAY40
  8,Y MAY10 H] "M SD1 /ROK+ ! ,PR9CESS'S
S(T BR[N HAIR4 8,& :AT (! O!RS8 ,D Y /
SEEK _! ATT5;N80
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