Chapter 1 The ysa yc oi nnev e rs l eeps ,butan y onewho ’ swal k e dt he pat r ol ofHi gh t o wn mar ma k etatmi dni ghtmi ghtdi s agr ee.The pi c k poc k e t sandc o nfi de nc emenheadt ot het a v er nsa t dus k ,t hedwar v e nbus i nes s mena me ndnob l esgobac kt ot hei r t i nypal ac est of r etov ert heway st heygotc heat ed,andt he mar k etf al l ss i l ent . DonnenBr ennok o v i ck ne we v er yangl eoft hemar k e twi t hhi s ey escl os ed.Twent yy ear sofpat r ol shadet c hedi ti nt ohi m s ot hathewal k edt hatbeatev eni nhi sdr eams .Ther ec r ui t , J ev l an,wasanot hers t or y .Ther i ngofs t eel s t r i k i ngs t onet ol d Donnent hatt hek i dhads t umbl edi nt oac ol umnagai n.Hi s newar morwoul dbef ul l ofdent sbys unr i s e. “ T or c heswoul dmak et hi seas i er . ”Thes oundofJ ev l an haul i nghi ms el fofft hepav ementwasl i k eat i nk er ’ sc ar t c r as hi ng. “ Tor c hesmak ey ouni ght bl i nd.You’ l l adj us t . ”Donnen c r os sedt hes quar et ohel pt hek i dt ohi sf eet .Abr eez e s c ur r i edac r os st hepl az a,s endi ngt hebanner sand pennant ss hi v er i ngandc ar r y i nganol d,f ami l i ars cent . Donnens t oppedi nhi st r ac k s.“ Somet hi ng’ swr ong. ”Hi s 1
v oi c ewasl ow,war ni ng.Hepeer edi nt ot hedar k ,upatt he mez z ani nej us tabo v et hem.“ Fol l owme.Ber eadyf or t r oubl e. ” Thet woguar dsc l i mbedt hedar ks t ai r sandt her e,i na puddl eofs hadow,f oundt hebody .Gol dt r i mmeds at i n gl i t t er edt hr ought hebl ood. “ Gett hec apt ai n, ”Donnens i ghed.“ We ’ v ego tadead magi s t r at e. ”
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v oi c ewasl ow,war ni ng.Hepeer edi nt ot hedar k ,upatt he mez z ani nej us tabo v et hem.“ Fol l owme.Ber eadyf or t r oubl e. ” Thet woguar dsc l i mbedt hedar ks t ai r sandt her e,i na puddl eofs hadow,f oundt hebody .Gol dt r i mmeds at i n gl i t t er edt hr ought hebl ood. “ Gett hec apt ai n, ”Donnens i ghed.“ We ’ v ego tadead magi s t r at e. ”
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Chapt er2 Magi s t r at eDunwal d’ sbut l erhadt heai rofamanwhohad nev err i s enbef or edawni nhi sl i f e.Hes t ar eddownhi snos e atDonnenBr ennok o vi candhi spar t ner ,J ev l an,asi fhewer e ons omel of t ybal c onyabov et hem i ns t eadofs t andi ngi nt he par l ori nhi sdr es si nggown. “ Themagi s t r at ei si ndi s pos ed.Thi sc anwai tunt i l a r eas onabl ehour . ”Heges t ur edf ort heguar dst os ee t hems el v esout . “ Themagi s t r at ei sdead, ”Donnenc or r ec t edhi m.“ Wak et he hous ehol d. ” Ast hebut l erl ef t ,J ev l ans hi f t eduneas i l yi nhi snewar mor . “ Shoul dn’ tt hec apt ai nbeher e?” “ Youwantt ogobac kt ot hebar r ac k s ,b emygues t , ”Donnen s ai dwi t has hr ug,onl yhal f l i s t eni ngashes t udi edt he c ol l ec t i ondi s pl ay edi nt her oom.Adoz enanc i ents wor dsl ay nes t l edi ndi s pl aycas es ,pr ot ec t edf r om dus tandpr y i ng fi nger s .Hemov edt ol i f tt hel i doft henear es tone.J ev l an s t ar t edt opr ot es t ,butt hent hedoor sopened.
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Shehadey est hec ol oroft opazanddar khai rt hatf el l ac r os s herbr owl i k es wor ds t r ok es .Shes t r ol l edi nt ot hepar l orwi t h s uc hdi gni fi edel eganc et hatDonnendi dn’ tr eal i z ef ors ev er al mi nut est hats hewasc l adi nahous ec oatandnotabal l go wn. “ Youhavenewsaboutmyhusband?Wh What ’ sSeamu musdone t hi st i me,f or gett opayhi sbi l l att heRos e?”Shes eat ed her s el fandi ndi c at edt heguar dsdot hes ame.Donnen noddedatt her ec r ui tt os peakup. J ev l ans t ar t ed,“ No,LadyDunwal d,ac t ual l y —“ —“ Shei nt er r upt edhi m wi t hawav e.“ Mar i el l e,pl eas e. ” “ LadyMa Mar i el l e,y o urhus b andhasb eenmu mur d er ed, ”Don nen t ookov erf ort hefl us t er edr ec r ui t .“ Whendi dy ous eehi m l as t ?” Mar i el l es t ar t edathi m,herj ewel c ol or edey eswi de,andher v o i c ec r ac k e don,“ Mur d er ed ?Se amus ?”Butahear t beat , ma y bet wo,pa s s ed,a nds heag ai nbe c amet h epe r f ec t pi c t ur eofnobl egr ac e.“ Is awhi m atdi nner , ”s heans wer edi n at on ean y o nemi mi g htus et oc o mme mm nto nt hewe at h er .“ He l ef tbef or edus k .Hes ai dhewasgoi ngt opl a yWi c k edGr ac e wi t ht heComt edeFa vr e. ” 4
“ Doyouknowofanyonewhomi ghthavewant edhi m dead?” J ev l anas keds of t l y . “ Peopl ewantmagi s t r at esdeadonpr i nc i pl e. ”Shegav eawr y s mi l e,butherv oi c egr ewpai ned.“ Cr i mi nal s .Pol i t i c al r i v al s . Ev enpeopl ei nhi sdi s t r i c twhodi s agr eewi t hhi m. ”She dr i f t edoff,l os ti nt hought ,andt hent ur nedt oDonnen,ey es bl az i ng.“ Aweekago,al et t erc ame.Vaguet hr eat s .It hought i twasnot hi ng,buti tups etSeamus . ” “ Wh os e nti t ? ”Don ne nas k e d . “ I twas n’ ts i gned.Butt hes eal wassi xcr os seds wor ds . ”
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Chapt er3 Fort hes ec o ndt i mei nwhatwasbec omi ngav e r yl o ngni ght , DonnenBr ennok o vi candhi spar t ner ,J ev l an,f ound t hems el v esknoc ki ngonanobl eman' sdoor .I twass t i l l hour s bef or eda wn,t hes k yt ur ni nggr e yar oundt heedges .The s t eel ofDonnen' sgaunt l et sc l angedagai ns tt hedoor .Onc e. T wi c e.Noans wer .Hes i ghedl ook i ngupatt hedar kwi ndo ws oft hemans i on.Hewasget t i ngt oool df ort hi sshi t . " May behe' sout , "J ev l anoffer ed.Ther ec r ui twasner v ous .I n t heguar daweekandbar el yabl et owal kt hr oughHi ght o wn, t oogr eenf oramur derc as e. " He' shi di ng.Lookup. "Donnenpoi nt ed." He' sshut t er edal l t hewi ndo ws .Ther ehas n' tbee nas t or mi nmo nt hs . "He poundedont hedooragai n,l ouder . " Wes houl dgett hec apt ai n. "J ev l ans hi f t edands qui r med underhi shea vys houl derpl at es .Donnenhadf or got t enhow badl ynewguar dar morfi t .Hes t ar t edt ot el l t hek i dwher et o geti tadj us t ed,andt hedoors wungopen. " Comei ns i de,qui c kl y ! "
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Amanr u s he dt h em i n s i d ean dt hr ou ght h eho us e .Ev e r y r oom wasdar k .Nomoonl i ghtmadei tt hr ought hes hut t er ed wi ndows .Noc andl esfl i c k er ed.Thei rwaywasl i tonl ybya hoodedl ant er ni nt hehandsoft hei rhos t .Hes t oppedonc e t he yhadr e ac h edawi nd owl e s si ns i d er o om,wh er ehe c l os edandbol t edt hedoorbehi ndhi m. " Comt edeFavr e?"Donnenguessed. Themannodded.I nt hedi ml ant er nl i ght ,Donnenc oul ds ee t hathewasdr es s edi nagaudybr oc adedoubl e t ,buthad t hr ownac hai nmai l s hi r tov eri t .Hewor et hehel metf r om an obv i ous l ycer emoni al ar mors et ,s l i ght l yas k ewonhi shead. " Ik nowwhyy ou' r eher e, "t hec omt ewhi s per ed." Dunwal d. " Donnen' svoi c ewasfl at ." Di dy ouk i l l hi m,y ourl or ds hi p?" " Thi si sbi ggert hanamur der , "t hec omt ehi s s ed,ey es fl i c ki ngt ot hedoor ." Dunwal ddr ewt heat t ent i onofgr eat power s .Whend r a go nsdobat t l e,guar ds man,mor t al men c anonl yt ak ec ov er .Dr opt hec as e.Don' tdr awt hei rgaz e. "
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Chapter 4 DonnenBr ennok o v i cdi dn' ts t andonc er emon y .Hes t r ode t hr ou ght hebar r ac k sa nds l ammedo pent hedoort ot he c ap t ai n' soffic ewi t houts omuc hasan odt ot heguar dshe passed. J us tbar el ydawn,andal r eadyCapt ai nHendal l enwasbur i ed behi ndamount ai nofpaper wor kt al l ert hant heVi mmar k s . Al l Donnenc oul ds eeoft hec apt ai nwasherfi er yhai randan angr yg az et hathads t oppe dmor et hanonepi c k poc k e tmi dgr i f t . " Capt ai n,Ineedawar r antf ort heComt edeFav r e. "Ev enas t hewor dsl ef thi sl i ps ,Donnenk newt heywer eami s t ak e. TheCapt ai nr os et oherf eet ." Br ennok o vi c . "Theways he s pok ehi snamewasl i k eapor t c ul l i ss l ammi ngs hut . " Wher e' smyr epor tont heHi g ht o wn Mar k e tbody ?"I twas t hek i ndofques t i ony oumi ghtas kat r uantc hi l d,t hek i nd wh er ey o ua l r ea dyk n ewt hean s we ran dj us twa nt e dt os e e s omeones qui r mi ngui l t . " I ' l l fi l ei taf t er "
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" You' l l fi l ei tnow,guar ds man. "Shes t eppedoutf r om behi nd t hedes k ." Wef ol l owpr oc edur ei nmybar r ac k s. " " Amagi s t r at ewasd eadmur der edonmywat c h,Cap t ai n. " Do nn en ' sv o i c ewa sh ea t ed .Hec o ul dne v e rk e eph i st e mpe r i nherpr es enc e." I ' m notl et t i ngt hek i l l ergetaway . " " Youl ef tt hes c enewi t houtat hor oughs ear c hoft hemar k et . " Hendal l enbeganpac i ng,herv oi c el i k ec ol ds t eel ." You har as sedamagi s t r at e' swi dow.Andy oupr ac t i c al l ybr ok e downac omt e' sdoor . "Shet ur nedt ogl ar eathi m." Al l bef or e dawn!I fy ouwantawar r ant ,y ou' ddamnedwel l bet t erha v e har dev i denc et oj us t i f yi t . " " Ik nowt hatDeFav r ei s n' tt el l i ngusev er y t hi ng! "Donnen i ns i s t ed." Letmebr i nghi mi nand" " For geti t . "Shec r os sedbac kt oherc hai r ." You' v egot not hi ng.You' r enotar r es t i ngamanonaf eel i ng, Br ennok ov i c . " " Capt ai n! "Hepr ot es t ed.Fr om behi ndherpaper wor k ,t he c apt ai nwav edf orhi mt obes i l ent . " You' r et woweek sf r om r et i r ement ,guar ds man.Youwantt o s t ayi nt her ank sl ongenought ogetpens i oned,y ouf ol l ow 9
pr oc edur e.Fi ndmeev i denc eandqui twas t i ngmyt i me. Di s mi s s ed. "
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Chapt er5 J e v l a nwaswai t i ngo ut s i det hec a pt ai n' soffic ewhenDonnen Br ennok ov i csl unkout ,def eat ed. " We' r enotget t i ngawar r ant ,ar ewe?"J ev l anl ook edal mos t r el i ev ed. " No. "Donnenmethi spar t ner ' sey es .Thek i dwasbar el y t went yandl ook edl i k ehe' dwal k eds t r ai ghtt ot heKi r k wal l bar r ac k sf r om s omebody ' spot at of ar m.T al l erandbr oader t hant heot herguar ds ,J ev l ans l ouc hedasi fhedi dn' tk nown howt ofi ti nt ohi sownl i mbs ,asi fhet houghthes houl dbe s mal l er .Hunc hedov eri nhi sbr andnew,t ool ar gear mor ,he l ook edl i k eac hi l dpl ay i ngatbei ngaguar d.Hewast oo gr eenf oramur deri nv es t i gat i on. " May bei t ' sf ort hebes t , "J ev l ans ai d,al mos ts peak i ng Donnen' st houghtoutl oud." You' r eony ourwayoutoft he guar d,andI ' m. . . "het r ai l edoff,t hens i ghed." Ques t i oni ng nobl esi nt hemi ddl eoft heni ghtwas n' tc ov er edi nt r ai ni ng. " Donnengl ar edatt hek i d." I ' m ac i t yguar d.Ands oar ey ou, r ec r ui t .Nobodyget sawaywi t hmur derwhi l ewe' r eondut y . " J ev l ans t oodal i t t l es t r ai ght er ." Whatdowedo,t hen?" 11
" Thec apt ai nwant spr oof . "Donnens mi l ed." Webr i ngher pr oof . "
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Chapt er6 Thees t at esofHi gh t o wn f al l i nt ot hr eet y pes .Thedwar v en pal ac esi nt hei renc l av e,huddl edar oundt hei rc ount er f ei t p a r a g o n s t at uesf ors hel t eragai ns tt heons l aughtofhuman i deast hats ur r oundt hem.Thef or ei gnquar t er ,wher et he weal t hi es tOr l es i anandAnt i v an mer c hant ss t aydur i ngt hei r t wi c ey ear l yv i s i t st oc r i t i c i z et hes hi pc apt ai nsands hop c l er k sandac count ant si nt hei rempl oy .Andt henobl e mans i ons ,wher ef ami l i eswhoc ant r ac et hei rl i neagebac kt o Or l es i anc onquer or sandTev i nt er l andl or dsper c ht ol ook downont her abbl eofor di nar yf ol ks cur r y i ngatt hei rf eet . Butwhoev ert heybel ongt o,al l oft heHi ght ownes t at eshav e t wot h i ng si nc o mmo n:as h owyf r o nte nt r an c eu s edwh en t heoccupant swantt obeseenandahi ddenbackwaywhen t heydon' t . Thes er v a nt s ' doort het heComt edeFa v r e' smans i onwasi n anal l eyhi ddenbyov er gr ownt opi ar i es .DonnenBr ennok o vi c pi c k edt hel oc kwhi l ehi spar t ner ,J ev l an,k eptanuneas y l ook out .Theyhadl ef tt hei rar moratt hebar r ac ks ,butev eni n c i v i l i anc l ot hes ,t her ec r ui tmanagedt ol ookl i k ehewas wear i nganol derbr ot her ' shandmedo wns .
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" Idon' tt hi nkt hi si swhatt hec apt ai nmeantwhens hes ai dt o getev i denc e, "hemut t er ed. Thel oc kc l i c k ed,andDonnengent l ypus hedi topen. Onl yaf ews l i v er sofl i ghts l i dt hr ought hes hut t er edwi ndows . Si l enc ehungi nt heai rl i k eac heapt apes t r y .Donnenand J ev l anc r eptt hr ought hedar kr ooms ,al er tf oranys i gnof s er v ant s ,butnot hi ngbr ok et heeer i equi etex ceptt hei r f oot s t eps .I nf ac t ,t her ewasnos i gnt hatany onehadbeeni n t hehous eatal l unt i l t heyf oundt her oom whos edoorhad beent or nf r om i t shi nges . I ns i de,t hec omt el ayi napool ofbl ood,onehandc l ut c hi nga l oadedc r os sbow,adaggerhi l tpr ot r udi ngf r om hi sbac k.
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Chapt er7 DonnenBr ennok ovi cs ear chedComt eDeFavr e' soffice.The c omt el a ydead,mur d er edwhi l ear medandbar r i c ad ed i ns i dehi sownhome.Thes er v a nt s ' r oomswer eal l empt y , andf r om t hepul l edoutdr awer sandabandonedt r unk s ,t he y hadbeens enta wa yi nahur r y .Thec omt ehadc l ear l y ex pec t edt r oubl e,andt r oubl ehadc omet oc al l . Thec omt ek eptal l ofhi sl et t er s .Dec adesofc or r es pondenc e s or t edby ,appar ent l y ,k i ngdom ofor i gi nfi l l edhi swr i t i ng des k .Don nenr umma gedt hr ou ght hem,l ook i ngf ordar k e r i nk ,f r es herpages ,any t hi ngt hatmi ghti ndi c at et hati twas r e c e n t . Andt henc amet hes h at t er i ngs oundofs ome onek i c k i ngi n t hef r ontdoor . " He y ,Mi l or dFanc y pant s !Gety o uras sdownher e! " J ev l anandDonnenr anf ort hef oy er . Awomans t oodov ert hes pl i nt er eddoor ,herey esgl i t t er i ng br i ght ert hant hedagger si nherhands .
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" Yout her e! "s hes nappedatt heguar ds men." Wher e' st he Comt edeFul l ofit ?Weneedt ohav esomewor ds.Oneof t hem wi l l be' c oi n, ' andanot herwi l l be' now. ' " " Ki r k wal l guar d! "Donnenbar k edbac kather ." Thi si sac r i me s c ene!I dent i f yy our s el f . " " Guar ds ,ar ey ou?"s hes mi r k ed,s qui nt i ngupi nt ot hedar k t owar dshi m." Nos ui t sofar morout s i de.Manpok i ngar ound anobl e' shous ei nt hedar k .Thi sdoesl ookl i k eac r i me s c ene. " Donnendi dn' tfl i nc h." Yourname. " " Bel l adonna.Capt ai nBel l adonna,oft heDr agon' sJewel s . " Sheex ecut edaflor i dbowt hatsomehowmanagedt obe i ns ul t i ng." Wher e' st hedamnedc omt e?" " He' sdead, "Donnens ai d,wat c hi ngherr eac t i on." You woul dn' tk nowany t hi ngaboutt hat ,woul dy ou?" Shec r ac k edawr ys mi l e." T r us tme,s weett hi ng,i fIwer e goi ngt ok i l l hi m,I ' dhav ewai t edunt i l hepai dmefi r s t . " " Whatwasy o urb us i nes swi t ht hec omt e?"J e v l ans pok eup, s t ar t l i ngDonnen.He' dal mos tf or got t enhi spar t nerwas t h e r e . 16
" Car got r ans por t . "s hegl ower edatt her ec r ui t ." Hehi r edme t odel i v ers omeant i quesandI ' v ebeens i t t i ngatanc horf ora f or t ni ghtwi t houtbei ngpai d. "Shepeer edupi nt ot hedar k bal c oni eso v er hangi ngt hef oy erandshout ed," Any body her e?Youwantt hi sr ubbi s h,c omet ot hedoc k st oni ghtand paymefi f t ys ov er ei gnsf ori t .Ot her wi s e,I ' m dumpi ngi ti nt he s ea. "Wi t ht hat ,s het ur nedonherheel ands t r odeawa y .
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Chapt er8 DonnenBr ennok ov i cl ef thi spar t ner ,J ev l an,att hebar r ac k s. Ther ec r ui twasev enmor ej i t t er yaf t ert hei rr uni nwi t h Capt ai nBel l adonna,andal t houg hDonnenhi ms e l fwas s t ar t i ngt of eel hi sl i mbswei gheddownandac hi ngaf t ers uc h al ongs hi f t ,hefi nal l yhadt hes centofs omet hi ngi nt hi s c as e.Hewoul dn' tl eti tgetaway . Thec i t yofKi r k wal l hasal egac yofc ol l ec t or s .I twasbui l ti n anc i entt i mesbyT ev i nt er s whoc ol l ec t edt hei rs uffer i ngasi f i twer er ar ec oi ns ,andt heypas s edont hei robs es s i onwi t h obs es s i ont of ut ur egener at i ons .Onanyst r eetf r om Dar k t o wnt ot heVi s c ount ' sKeep,y o uc anal way sfi nd s omeonewho' l l al wa y sbuyt apes t r i esorwhohase v er y k nowns poonmadei nNe v ar r a. Ors omeonewhohoar dsodd bi t sands c r apsofhi s t or i c al k nowl edgel i k ei t ' st hei r gr andmot her ' sc r oc k er y . Whi c hi showhef oundhi ms el fk noc k i ngonabr i ght l ypai nt ed doori nt heAl i enage. " Oh,Gu ar ds ma n!Wha tan i c es u r p r i s e !No bo dy ' sbe en mu gg ed ,h av et he y ? "Th ee l fb ea me du pa th i m.Sh eh ad
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gr eeney essowi de,t heybar el yfiti nherf ac e,ands he s e eme dt obema deofn ot h i n gb ute l b owsa n dk n ee s . " Nomu gg i ng st o da y ,Ma y s i e. "Do nne nh adt od uc kh i sh ea d s l i ght l yt ogett hr ought hedoor ." Ihav es omet hi ngy oumi ght bei nt er es t edi n. "Hehandedhert hel et t ert hemagi s t r at e' s wi f ehadgi v enhi mt heni ghtbef or e. " Wel l ,t hi sdoes n' tl ookv er yi nt er es t i ngatal l . "May s i e f r owned,di s appoi nt ed."' Whaty ouhav ec l ai medbel ongst o gr eat erpower s .Youwi l l ans wert ous . ' That ' sal otof r ubbi s h. " " Nott hat .Lookatt hebac k. " Shefl i ppedt hel et t erov erandc ooedasi fs he' df oundal os t puppy ." Oh!J us tl ookaty ou!You' r ej us tper f ec t ! " " May s i e. "Donnens pok ei nal oud,fi r mv oi c e,t r y i ngt o r emi ndherhewasst i l l i nt her oom." Whos es eal i st hat ?" " Oh,i t ' st heEx ec ut or s,ofc our s e! "May si epeer edex c i t edl y att hewaxs eal ,hol di ngi tupt ot hewi ndowf orbet t erl i ght ." I s houl dhav egues sedi tf r om t hes i l l y' gr eatpower s ' nons ens e.Ther e' sonl ybeenoneex ampl e,ont hel et t er c l ai mi ngr es pons i bi l i t yf ort heas sas si nat i onofQueen 19
Ma dr i g al i n5: 99!Andt hi sonei ssomuc hbet t er !J us tl ookat t hati mpr i nt ! " " An yi deahowI ' dc ont ac tt hes e' Ex ec ut or s ' ?"Donnenas k ed. " Oh,t hey ' r enotr eal ,ofc our s e.Ev er y onek nowst hat . "
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Chapt er9 DonnenBr ennok o v i cwasr unni ngoutofl eadst oc has e.He hadonl yt woweekunt i l r et i r ement ,j us tt woweek st ofi ndt he ma nwh o' dmu r d er e dama gi s t r a t ean daHi g ht o wn nobl emani fCapt ai nHendal l endi dn' tk i c khi mf r om t he r ank sfi r s t . Thedoc k ss t ankofpi s sandr ot t i ngfi s h,asf oul ast hemen andwomenwhowor k edt her e.Butt hatwaswher eDonnen hadt ogot ofi ndt her ai derc apt ai nBel l adonnawhohad br ok e ni nt ot h eCo mt ed eFa v r e ' shome . TheDr agon' sJ ewel swasabi gboat .Shel i k edbi gboat s . Thepoi nt ybi t st ower edmaj es t i c al l yov ert hewat er .That r oundi s hwoodenpar ts e emedl i k ei tc ou l dc r us hanar mada beneat hi t s. . .s hi t ,Idon' tk now.Wood.I twast hegr eat es t boati nt hehi s t or yofboat s . Butevenf r om t hedock ,Donnenknewsomet hi ngwas wr ong. Her anupt heg angpl ankt ofi ndadeads ai l oront hedec k andabl oodt r ai l l eadi ngdowni nt ot hehol d.Donnendr ew hi sswor dandf ol l owed.Hi sey esst i l l hadn' tadj us t edt ot he di mnes soft hel owerdec k swhenhet r i ppedov e ranot her 21
deads ai l or ,s t abbedi nt hegutandl ef twher ehe' df al l en.The bodywasst i l l war m.Thes hi pc r eak edwi t hev er yswel l oft he wav e s.Donnenhel dhi sbr eat handc r eptdeeperi nt ot he hol d. Hebar el ydefl ec t edt hebl adei nt i me. St eel r angagai ns ts t eel .Donnenpar r i edas ec ondbl ow,s t i l l hal f bl i ndi nt hel owl i ght .Thet hi r ds wi nggotpas thi sguar d andl ef tawi c k eds l as honhi sf or ear m. " Nobodyat t ac k smyc r ew,y oufl ami ngpi l eofdogs hi t ! "t he at t ac k ers wor e,andDonnenr ec ogni z edherv oi c e. " Hol d!Ki r k wal l Ci t yGuar d! "hes hout ed,bar el ybr i ngi nghi s bl adeupi nt i me. " Youagai n! "Donnen' sey efi nal l ybegant oadj us t ,andhe c oul dmak eoutCapt ai nBel l adonna.Shewasc l ut c hi ngher r i bswi t hherr i ghthand,adaggeri nherl ef t ,andwas c ov e r edi nenoughbl oodDonnenwass ur ei swas n' tal l her s . Sheg l o we r e dathi m." Co ul dh av eus e dagu ar dn otfi v e mi nut esago.Us el es sasev er . "Shegr udgi ngl yl ower edher weap on. Donnens heat hedhi ss wor d." Whodi dt hi s ?" 22
" Don' tk now.Di dn' tc ar et oas k. "Shes ni ffed." Bas t ar dk i l l ed t woofmymen.Bef or eIc u toffhi shandandh ebol t ed. "She wav edi ndi ffer ent l yt owar dst her earoft hehol d." I t ' sov er t her es o me wh er e. " " Di dh et a k et h eCo mt e' ss h i p me nt ?"Do nne na s k e d. " No.I ft hat ' swhatt hi swasabout ,y ouc anhav ei t . "She l i mpedov ert oat r unkandr emov edabundl eofc l ot ht i ed wi t ht wi ne.Shet hr ewi tatDonnen' sf eet ." Goodr i ddanc e. "
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Ch ap t er1 0 DonnenBr ennok o vi chadbeenpur s ui ngt hek i l l erof Magi s t r at eDunwal dwi t houtf oodorr es t ,ands of aral l he ha dwast h es e al o fa ni ma gi n ar ygr o up ,awou nd eda r m, andapac k aget hatc ont ai nedar us t edT ev i nt er s hor t s wor d. Hewasp as te x ha us t i o n,a nde v e r ybr ea t hma deh i sh ea d t hr obl i k ehe' dhadt oomuc ht oodr i nk .Hewasget t i ngt oo ol df ort hi ss hi t . Hec oul dn' tgot ot hebar r ac kswi t hak ni f ewoundhe' dpi c k ed upoffdut y .I ft hec apt ai nc aughthi m,ands hewoul d,he' dbe t hr ownoutoft heguar df ors ur e.Thatl ef toneopt i on. TheChant r y c l i ni ct ur nednooneaway ,buti tus ual l ydi dn' t ha v et o.Thepr es enc eoft hr eeCi r c l e h ea l e r swasmor et h an enought of r i ght enmor edec entf ol ki nt odec i di ngt owai tand s eei ft heygotbet t eront hei rown. As i def r om af e w dr unk e nbeggar ss nor i ngi nt hebeds ,t he c l i ni cwasqui et .Theheal erdi dn' tas khi snameandt ended t hewoundwi t honl yadi s appr ov i ngf r own.I naf ewbr eat hs , hi sar m wasasgo odasev e r .Pi t ymagi cwoul dn' tmendhi s c oats l eev e.
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Ashewal k e dt hr ought hena v et owar dt hee xi t ,hehear da v oi c e. " Guar ds man,Iwasj us taboutt ol ookf ory ou. " Thedeepbl ackgownshewor eonl ymadeherey esmor e ot her wor l dl y .As c entl i k el i l ac sfi l l edt heai rar oundher .She ma yh av eb ee nd r e s s e di nmo ur n i n gg ar b ,b uts h ewa s dr es s edt ok i l l . Donnenbo wed." LadyMar i el l e. " " Wes houl dt al k .Imayhav eal eadf ory ou. "
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Ch ap t er1 1 TheCaf éd' Orper c hedat opahi l l i nt heOr l es i an di s t r i c t of Hi ght o wn,wi t hav i ewoft heent i r ec i t ys ot heweal t hy pat r onsc oul dk eepaney eont hepeas ant st oi l i ngbel ow. LadyMar i el l es t udi edt her oom ac r os st her i m ofherc up.A f ewnobl ess atatt hedel i c at el i t t l et abl es ,s i ppi ngt eaf r om Ri v ai n andwhi s per i ngamongt hems el v esaboutt hel at es t manever si nt heGr andGAmeat housandl eaguesaway . " What ' st hi sl eady o uha v ef orme?"Donnenbr ok et he s i l enc e,ac ut el yawar et hathes t ankofs weatandfi s hf r om t hedoc k sandwaswear i ngar i pped,bl oods t ai nedc oati n t hemos thi ghc l as sc af éi nKi r k wal l . " We' r ebei ngf ol l owed,guar ds man. "Thel ady ' sv oi c ewas l ow;f r om t het one,s hemi ghthav ebeendi s c us s i ngt he weat her ." Thet wogent l emeni nt hec or nerbyt hedoor . " Donnenpi c k eduphi st eac upandges t ur edwi t hi tasi f mak i ngapoi ntwhi l ehet ur neds l i ght l yi nhi sc hai rt ol ook . Themenwer efi nel yd r es s edbutal mos taso utofpl ac eas hewas :al ar ge,s i c k l y pal eAnderwi t haf ac ef ul l ofs car s andat at t ooedCh as i n d wi t has t onedaggerathi sbel t .
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" AChas i ndi nadoubl et ?That ' sonef ort hehi s t or ybook s, " Donnenmur mur ed. LadyMar i el l ef av or edhi m wi t hahal f s mi l e." Las tni ght .A ma nc a mebyt h ee s t a t e .Hes a i dhewa nt e dt obu ySe amu s ' c ol l ec t i on.Al l ofi t . " Donnens atups t r ai ght er ." Thes wor ds ?" " Hes ai dhi sn amewasWagner . "Shesi ppeddel i c at el yather t ea ." Heg av emea nad dr es si nLowt owni nc as eIc h ange d mymi nd.Thoset wohavebeenshadowi ngmeev ersi nce. "
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Ch ap t er1 2 The ys a yy ouc a nbuyan y t hi ngi nt heLowt own Baz aar .I t ' s mos t l yt r ue.Ont her i ghtday ,y ouc anfi ndv endor shawk i ng s pi c esf r omSeher on,t hel egac i esofunk nowndwar v en Par agons,mapst ohi ddenf or t r es sesi nt heDonar k s ,andt he c r ownj ewel ofAnt i v a.Andnobook s t or ei nThedas peddl es mor ewi l ds t or i est hanLowt own. Do nn enBr e nn ok o v i cma deap oi n to fg r ee t i n ge ac h s hopk eeperashepas s eds ot hatt hec ont i nual c hantof " Gua r d s man "r e ac h edt hee ar soft h et wol a r g eme n s hadowi nghi ms i nc ehe' dl ef tLadyMar i el l ei nHi ght o wn. Theaddr es ss he' dgi v e nhi ml edt oawar ehous ei nt he Foundr ydi s t r i c t ,as ec t i onoft hec i t ypopul at edonl yby r us t edme t al s pi k e sandv a gr ant s .Donne nk noc k e dont he door . Ani mmac ul at el ydr es s edbut l ergr eet edhi m andges t ur ef or hi mt oe nt e r ." Gu ar ds ma nBr en no k o v i c .Me s s er eWa gne r hasbeene x pec t i ngy o u. " Donnenf ol l owedhi mt hr oughal ab yr i nt hofwar ehous e offic est oabac kr oom r i c hl yappoi nt edwi t hs i l kc ar pet sand t apes t r i esdepi c t i ngt heex ec ut i onofAndr as t e.T wohe av y 28
ar mc hai r suphol s t er edi nv el v etoc cupi edt hec ent eroft he r oom.Iones atas mugr edhai r edmandr es s edent i r ei n bl i ndi ngwhi t es ami t e.Theot herc hai rwasempt y . " Guar ds man!Pl eas es i t . "Thegent l emans pok ewi t ha heavy St ar k ha v en ac c ent . " Isupposeyouwoul dbeMess er eWagner ?"Donnenask ed. " Iam apr oc ur erofant i qui t i es ,Ser ahBr ennok ov i c .AsI ' m s ur et heLadyDunwal dex pl ai ned. "Wagnerc ar ef ul l yl i ta pi p ema deofc a r v e dbl oods t one andi nhal ed." Butwear e bot hmenofbus i nes s ,guar ds man.Youar es oont or et i r e, ar ey ouno?Al l owmet opr es enty ouwi t hanoppor t uni t y . " Donnent ur nedac r i t i c al ey eont het apes t r yofAndr as t e' s py r e." I ' ml i s t eni ng. " Wag ne rwat c h edh i mt hr o ug hag r o wi ngv e i l o fs mo k e." Do y ouknowwhatSeamusDunwal dhadi nhi spossessi on, g ua r d s ma n?Wh atma det h ep oo rma nwo r t hk i l l i n g? " " Dot el l . " " Th eSwo r dofHes s ar i an. "Wagnerl eanedf or war d,s t udy i ng hi mc l os el y ." Thev er ybl adet hatpi er c edAndr as t e' shear t . "
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Donnengav ehi m afl ats t ar e." I fIbel i ev edt hatwer eev en pos s i bl e,I ' dt hi nkt hatbl adewoul dbewor t hal otofc oi n. " " Mos twoul dl ookati tands eear us t edpi ec eofs cr ap.I ti s nol ongert hej ewel edbl adeofana r c h o n.Butt ot her i ght buy er ,guar ds man,t hes wor di swor t hanempi r e' sr ans om.I k nows uc hbuy er s . "Wagners mi l ed." I ti sher e.I nKi r k wal l . Andi fy o uhel pmefi ndi t ,Ic anmak ey o uav er yr i c hman. "
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Ch ap t er1 3 I nt heLowt own Baz aar ,Donnenpaus edt opayal i t t l eel v en gi r l t opl aycour i erf orhi m bef or emak i ngt hel ongc l i mbbac k uphi l l t oHi gh t o wn.Ac ar ef ul gl anc et ol dhi mt hes car f ac ed Anderandt het at t ooedCh as i n d wer es t i l l t ai l i nghi m. Donnenwasc er t ai nt hey ' dl o v et heVi s c ount ' sKeep. Hepas s e dbeneat ht hes t onegaz eoft hec or mor ants t at ues fl ak i ngt hegat esandnoddedt ot heguar dsonhi swa yt ot he bar r ac k s.Noonenot i c edhi sr agged,bl oodycl ot hi ng,whi c h di s appoi nt edhi m asmuc hashebenefi t edf r om i t .Rec r ui t s t hes eday s .Al way ss l ac k i ngoff . Donnenby p as s edt heCap t ai n' so ffic eandwentl o ok i ngf or J e v l a n.Byno wt hek i do ughtt ob er es t edu p,andDonnen s us pec t edhewoul dneedbac k upi fhi sl ar ge,s us pi c i ous s hado wsdec i dedt opi c kafi ght . ButJ e v l an' sb unkwase mpt y . Donnennot edbl oods pat t eront hebeddi ngandas c entl i k e l i l ac s.Al l ofhi sgearwasmi s s i ng.I nt hec ent eroft hebunk wasanot e.
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" Br i ngt hebl adet ot hequay st oni ghtatmi dni ght ,ort heboy di es . " I twass i gnedwi t hawaxs eal :s i xc r os s eds wor ds .
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Ch ap t er1 4 Thel at eMagi s t r at eDunwal d' sbut l erbl i nk edasDonnen Br ennok ov i cbar gedi nt ot hef oy er . " GetLadyMar i el l e.Now. "Heheadeds t r ai ghtt ot hepar l or wher et hemagi s t r at e' scol l ec t i onwasdi s pl ay ed. Wr appedi nabl ac kshawl ,Mar i el l es aunt er edi nt ot her oom andl eanedagai ns toneoft hegl as sc as es ." Guar ds man! Whatapl eas ants ur pr i s e. " " Wher e' sJ e v l an?" Hers mi l ef al t er ed." Wh ydoy out hi nkIwoul dk now?He' s y o u r par t ner . "
Donnenhel dupt henot e." Yourper f ume,l adyMar i el l e. "He dr oppedi tont hedi s pl ayc as ebes i deher ." Whatwer ey ou doi ngi nt heguar dbar r ac k s ?" " Idi dn' tl eav et henot e, "s hes ai dwi t hmeas ur edc al m." AndI don' thav ey ourpar t ner . " e " Buty o uwer i nt hebar r ac k s . "Hes t eppedawa yt oe x ami ne
adi s pl a y ." Yout ol dmeWagnerwant edt obuyt he Magi s t r at e' sent i r ec ol l ec t i on,buthes ai dhewasonl y 33
i nt er es t edi nonebl ade. "Heopenedt hec as e." AndIt hi nki t wasnev eri nSeamus ' c ol l ec t i on.It hi nki twast hes wor d meantt ogor i ghther e. "Hepoi nt edt ot heempt yv el v et l i ned box ." Il ook edi nt heVi s count ' sr ec or ds ,andy ou' v eonl y beenmar r i edt oMagi s t r at eDunwal df oraboutt hr eeweek s . Yout el l mewhoy ou' r ewor k i ngf orandwher emypar t neri s , andI ' l l s eei fwec an' tgety ouadeal wi t ht heVi s c ount ' s offic e. " T h eCh ant r y. "Mar i el l ec l os edt hedoorqui et l y ." Theys ent met oKi r k wal l af ewmont hsagowhenr umor soft heswor d begant os ur f ac e. "Sheex ami nedt henot e." Idon' tha v e J ev l an.Thi swasal r eadyonhi sbunkwhenIwentt ofi nd bot hofy ou. " Donnendi dn' thi dehi ss cept i c i s m." You' r ei nnoc ent ,buty ou di dn' tr epor thi m mi s si ngt oanyoft heguar ds . " " Someonet ookhi mf r om t hebar r ac k s ,s er ah,wi t hnoon e t hewi s er .Thatdoes n' ts eem s t r anget oy ou?"Shel ook ed hi mi nt heey e." Ha v ey ouev erhear doft heEx ec ut or s ?" " They ' r eamy t h. " " Amy t ht hatk i l l s . "Shes i ghed." TheEx ec ut or shav ey our par t ner ,andIt hi nkt heyhav es omeonei ns i det heCi t y 34
Guar d.Ho w el s ec oul dt he yhav egot t enJ ev l anoutoft he k e epwi t houtbei ngs een ?" Do nn enwa t c h edh erfi d ge twi t hh ers h awl ." Wh ywer ey o ui n t hebar r ac k s ?" " Is us pec t edt heEx e c ut or shadani ns i deman. "She s hr ugged." Ho w el s ec oul dt he yha v ego t t enpoorc omt eDe Fav r et oopent hedoort ohi ski l l er ?Si nc ehear r angedt he s wor d' spur c has ef orSeamus ,he' dbeenhi di ngi nhi sown home.Theonl ypeopl ehe' dseenwer eSeamusandyou. "
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Ch ap t er1 5 Thenobl esofHi gh t o wn l i k et oi magi net hatpet t yc r i mec an on l yh ap pe ni nt hed an ks h ad owso fDa r k t o wn ormaybet he c r ook edal l ey way sofLowt own b et wee nt heAl i enage andt he poor es tnei ghbor hoods .t hei rl of t y ,i v ywal l edav enuesc oul d ne v erbet hes i t eofs omet hi ngasc r udeasmuggi ngora s i mpl eas saul t . Donnendi dn' thav emuc ht r oubl efi ndi nganout of t hewa y al c ov eneart heChant r yt owai tf ort hes car r edAnderandt he t at t ooedCh as i n d t oc at c hupwi t hhi m. Th eAnd erc a mea th i mfi r s t ,d r o pp i n gdo wnf r o mt he bal c on yabo v ehi shead.Whi l eDonnent r i edt obac koutof hi sr eac h,t heChas i ndl oomedbehi ndhi m,c l ampi ngan enor mous ,v i s el i k ehandonhi ss houl der .TheAnder ' s f ol l owuppunc hj us tbel owhi sr i bsk noc k edt heai rf r om hi s l ungs . Ast heChas i ndl i f t edhi m upb yhi sc oat ,Donnengotbac k enoughofhi sbr eat ht os ay ," Youwor kf orWagner ?Ineedt o g i v eh i m ame s s a ge . " Thi sear nedhi m as k ept i c al l ookf r om t heAnder ,butt he Chas i nds ethi sf eetbac kont hegr ound. 36
" T el l hi m Iha v ehi ss wor d.Hec anmeetmei nt hequay sat mi dni ghtt os et t l eont hepr i c e. "Foral ong,ner v ousmoment , Donnenwat c hedav ar i et yofe x pr es s i onspas sov e rt he Ander ' ssc ar r ed,gr ey i s hf ac ebef or et hemannodded. An ot h erl o ngmo me nt ,a ndbo t hAn de ra ndCh as i n dwa l k e d away , l eav i nghi m al onei nt heal c ov e. Wi t ht hes unj us ts et t i ng,t her ewasonl yonepl ac el ef tt hat Donnenneededt ogo. Thet av er ni nt hec ent erofLowt owns ati ni t sownt i nymoat ofs pi l l edal e,v omi t ,andt hes eawat ert heownerfl ungatt he wal l si nahal f hear t edat t emptt os court hes eagul l c r apf r om t hebui l di ng.Donnen,l i k enear l yev er yguar ds manwho dr ankatTheHange dMan,wal k edt hr ought hedoort oa f r ant i cc hor usof" Puti taway !Hur r y !Het r i ednott os mi l eand c ompl et el ys uc c eededwhent hebr oodi ng,whi t ehai r edel v en bar t endergr eet edhi m wi t hamur der ousgl ower . " Guar dsman. " Donnenpl ac edahandf ul ofc opperc oi nsont hebar ." Keep t heal ec omi ng,Fer r i s .I ' v egots omet i met ok i l l . "
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Ch ap t er1 6 Donnenl ef tt het a v er nandh eadedoutt hr oughamoonl es s ni ght .Fogc l ungt ot hes t r eet sandbui l di ngsl i k ec obwebs , andt heheav yai rt hr eat enedr ai n.Anyot herni ght ,hewoul d ha v egones t r ai ghtupt ot hebar r ac k s ,buthehad appoi nt ment st ok e ep. Thequa y satmi dni ghte x c h anget hec ac o phon yofs wear i ng s ai l or sf ort hemour nf ul s oundofdi s t antbel l si nt hehar bor . Donnenf oundWagnerandhi st wot hugswai t i ngj us toutof s i ghtoft hehar bor mas t er ' soffic e.I nt hef og,Wagner ' swhi t e s ami t ec oatmadehi m gl eam l i k easmugmoon. " Mes s er eBr ennok ov i c .It r us ty ou' v ebr oughtmy mer c handi s e?"Wagners mi l ed.Bes i dehi m,t het at t ooed Ch as i n d c l eanedwhatmi ghtha v ebeenbl oodf r om hi snai l s wi t hhi sdagger . Donnenr eac hedi nt ohi scoatandpul l edoutas mal l ,c l ot hwr appedbundl e." Wes houl ddi s c us saf ewt hi ngsfi r s t . " Wagner ' sey esgl eamedi nt her efl ec t edl i ghtofhi spaunc h. " Thepr i c e,ofc our s e. "Heges t ur edt ot hes car r edAnder , wh oh el dupab ago fc o i n s ." On eh un dr e dc r o wn ss hou l d suffice,y es?" 38
" Thatdepends . "Donnent oy edwi t ht het wi nes ec ur i ngt he bundl e' swr appi ng." Youk i l l edMagi s t r at eDunwal d,di dn' t y ou?Af t ermyr uni nwi t hy ourf r i endsher e,Ir eal i z edt he onl ybl adet hatc oul dha v emadet hatk i ndofs t abwoundwas y ourChas i nd' ss t onek ni f e. " Wagners hr ugged." Mendi eal l t het i me,s er ah.Wes houl d notl ett hatunpl eas ant nes sgeti nt hewayofbus i nes s. " Anot herges t ur e,andt heAnders t r odef or war dt os t andj us t i nc hesawayf r om Donnen,br andi s hi ngt hebagofgol dl i k ea fl ai l . " AndJevl an?"Donnenask ed. " Ik nownot hi ngofy ourpar t ner ' sf at e. " Do nn enha nd edov e rt h ebu nd l e ,a ndt h eAnd erd r o pp edt h e bagathi sf eett odel i v ert hepr i z et ohi sbos s.Wagner eager l yunwr appedt hebundl e,r ev eal i ngananc i ent ,r us t y , andpi t t eds hor t s wor d.Hef r owned." Thi si snott hebl ade. " Bo t hCh as i ndan dAn derd r e wt h ei rd ag ge r s . Donnenhel dhi sgr ound." Pi t yy ouk i l l edDunwal df ori t ,t hen" " Yout hi nkI ' dk i l l amagi s t r at eandnotaguar ds man?" Wagnerl augh ed." Unwi s e,s er ah. " 39
" That ' sal l weneededt ohear . "Capt ai nHendal l ens t epped ar oundt hecor nerbehi ndDonnen,adoz enguar dswi t hher . Fort hefi r s tt i mei nmont hs ,hes a w whatmi ghtha v ebeena s mi l eonherf ac e." Goodwor k ,guar ds man.We' l l t ak ei tf r om h e r e . "
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Ch ap t er1 7 Donnenl ef ti tt ohi scapt ai nandadoz enofKi r k wal l ' sfi nes t t odr agWagnerandhi st hugst ot hes t oc k s .Theheav yai r gav eupandt ur nedi nt os heet sofr ai n.Theanc i entgr ey s t ones t ai r sl eadi ngupt oLowt own t ur nedi nt oawat er f al l . Do nn ens l o gg edu pt hen ar r o wpa s s age ,b oo t ss qu el c h i n g wi t hev er yst ep. Heal mo s td i dn ' th ea rt hea mbu s hc o mi n g. Asher eac hedt het opoft hes t ai r s ,af ai ntr as pofs t eel made hi mt hr owhi ms el fas i dei nt oav eget abl es el l er ' st abl e.A s wo r ds wu ngt hr ou ght h eai rwh er ehe' dbee na ndc hi me d agai ns tt her oc kwal l . Do nn enf u mb l eda th i ss c a bb ar da ndj u s tma na ge dt oc a t c h t h es e c o ndbl o wwi t hhi ss wo r d .Heh ado nemo me nta st he y l oc k edbl adest or ec ogni z ehi sat t ac k er .They oungerman hads hedhi sguar duni f or mf ordar kl eat her s ,andhi sl ef t ar m noendedi nabandagedst ump,butt her ewasno mi s t ak i nghi m. " J ev l an?"
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" Wher ei st heBl adeofHes s ar i an?"J ev l anr ec ov er edf r om t hepar r i edbl owt os l as hatDonnen' sl egs . Hedodgedbac k,s l i ppi ngandnear l ys t umbl i ngas sfi r s t downt hes t ai r s ." I twasy ou.Thei ns i deman.You' r et heone whok i l l edDeFav r e. "Donnenl ungedatt her ec r ui t .J ev l an qui c kl ymov edt obl oc k ,butDonnen' sbl ades l i c edhi sar m, dr awi ngbl ood. " Gi v emet hes wo r d !Ik n owt hatpi r at ehag gav ei tt oy ou! " J ev l ans wungas er i esofhar ds l as hes ,t r y i ngt obr eak Donnen' sguar dork noc khi m do wnt hes t ai r s .I nt he dar k ens sandt hedr i v i ngr ai n,t heguar ds mans t r uggl edt o s eehi sat t ac k er . St i l l ,Donnengr i nned." Youl ef ti tatt hequay .Igues sy our an ofwi t houti twhent hel adyt ooky ourhandoff.Notmyf aul t y oupi c k edafi ghty ouc oul dn' twi n. "Het r i edt oedgeawa y f r om t hes t ai r s ,butt her ook i ek epthi m pi nnedbet weent he v eget abl es t al l andaf al l t ohi sdeat h. J ev l anl unged,hi sbl adepunc hi ngt hr oughDonnen' sar mor j us tbel owhi sr i bs ,butt her ec r ui ts l i ppedont hewets t one dur i nghi sat t ac kands t umbl edi nt ohi senemy .Donnen
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s hov edhi m away andov ert hes t ai r s .Hi sf al l endedwi t ha s i c k eni ngc r ac kofbr ok enbones . Donnendr e w ar aggedbr eat handpul l edJ e v l an' ss wor d f r om hi ssi de,t r y i ngnott os l i ponhi sownbl ood.The Chant r y wasal ongwayoff.
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Ch ap t er1 8 Th er a i ns t o pp edwi t has u dd en ne s st ha ts u gg es t e ds o me ent er pr i s i ngf oot padf r om t heCot er i ehadc l i mbedupt o s hankt hec l ouds .Thef ogdr i f t edofft ohauntabet t erpar tof t h eWoundedCoa s t ,a nda sDo nn enr e ac h edt h eCh an t r y Cour t y ar d,t hec l oudspar t edt ol etas l i v erofmoonl i ghts hi ne ont her ai ns weptfl ags t ones .Hes t oppedt oc at c hhi sbr eat h andt i ght ent het or noffc oats l eev ehe' dus edasabandage. Thebl eedi ngwass l owi ng,whi c hmeantei t hert hewoundi n hi ss i dewas n' tt hatdeeporhewasr unni ngoutofbl oodt o l os e.Tr y i ngnott odwel l ont hel at t er ,hepus hedopent he Chant r yd oor s . Att hi sMak er f or s ak enhour ,t heChant r ywasl i tonl ybyt he Et er nal Fl ameatAndr as t e' sf eet .As i ngl es oul oc cupi edt he s pac e,l i ght i ngac andl ef ort hedead.Sher os easDonnen s t agger edi nt ot hefi r el i ght . " Guar ds man! "LadyMar i el l er us hedt ohel phi mi notoneof t hepews. " Mi g htwan tt owak eu po neoft h ehe al e r s .Hema na ge da pai neds mi l e." Iwas n' ts ur ey ou' dbeher e. "
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