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baron parvis , we are forever in your debt . |
he dismounted and helped katin down as well . |
the horses would have to stay in hedenham , but parvis had given them a few changes of clothing and a battered leather trunk to carry them in . |
hardly true at all , the baron said . |
he glanced at katin . |
in fact , should you encounter lady calys , you should thank her . |
mlord ? |
for what ? |
why , it was house tarian who provided the funds for this little adventure of yours . |
he chuckled , then rode between her and liam . |
he and his valo were gone within moments , taking bandit and the borrowed palfrey with them . |
katin felt sick , but the pain she knew was written on her face would be invisible in the darkness . |
that bastard told me he paid for it . |
but this didnt cost him a thingnever mind , susan smith doesnt care , susan smith knows nothing about it . |
liam squeezed katins hand . |
she let her fingers slide through his , not feeling anything . |
are you ready ? |
he asked . |
she nodded , lifted her end of the trunk , and took a step forward . |
is the debt repaid now ? |
a hulking caravan guard held up a hand at their approach . |
who goes there ? |
new apprentices , liam called softly . |
to see master coalridge . |
the guard peered at them . |
the wagon with the lantern . |
he watched them pass . |
caravan wagons were always brightly painted , but in the dark they all looked shades of gray . |
on the back step of one of them sat a man , squat and broad . |
he stood up at their approach , hefting a lantern . |
you two the ones he sent ? |
he growled . |
liam nodded , bowing a little . |
im oliver smith , and this is my wife , susan . |
new names , new pasts , iron marriage rings to complete the illusion . |
katin curtseyed . |
i am susan smith . |
you must be master coalridge , liam added . |
aye . |
you two had best get within . |
theres a bunk in the laundry wagon you can share . |
he hopped off the step and led them on . |