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"No. He brought those ancient protective barriers down so he could extend his tyra
Je
Je
"I will keep the knife." Her mother's decision said how much she feared the new Lord Rahl, and how frightful was their plight.
"Good."
Dim light coming from the house reflected off the swollen pools of water standing beyond the cave entrance, but the droning rain churned the light into thousands of sparkles, like the tears of the good spirits themselves. In a day or two, the collection of ponds would be ice. Traveling would be easier in that cold than in cold rain.
"Sebastian," Je
Sebastian shrugged. "Maybe. But, until this madman is killed, will there be anywhere beyond his ravenous reach?"
Her mother tucked the exquisite knife behind her belt and then folded her fingers together around one bent knee. "Thank you, Sebastian. You've helped us. Being in hiding has, regrettably, kept us in the dark. You've at least brought us a bit of light."
"Sorry it wasn't better news."
"The truth is the truth. It helps us know what to do." Her mother smiled at her. "Je
"If you don't want to try to kill him in order to eliminate the threat, maybe you can think of some way to make the new Lord Rahl lose interest in you-in Je
Je
"If that's so, then perhaps you're right. Maybe the two of you should run."
"And would you help us-help her-to get away from D'Hara?"
He looked from one of them to the other. "If I can, I guess I could try. But I'm telling you, there is no place to hide. If you ever want to be free, you'll have to kill him."
"I'm no assassin," Je
Sebastian met her gaze with an icy look. His white hair cast red by the firelight framed cold blue eyes. "You'd be surprised what a person can do, if they have the proper motivation."
Her mother lifted a hand to halt such talk. She was a practical woman, not given to wasting valuable time on wild schemes. "Right now, the important thing is for us to get away. Lord Rahl's minions are too close. That's the simple truth of it. From the description, and this knife, the dead man you found today was probably part of a quad."
Sebastian looked up with a frown. "A what?"
"A team of four assassins. On occasion, several quads will work together-if the target has proven particularly elusive or is of inestimable worth. Je
Sebastian rested an arm over his knee. "For someone on the run and in hiding all these years, you seem to know a lot about these quads. Are you sure you're right?"
Firelight danced in her mother's eyes. Her voice turned more distant. "When I was young, I used to live at the People's Palace. I used to see those men, the quads. Darken Rahl used them to hunt people. They are ruthless beyond anything you could imagine."
Sebastian looked uneasy. "Well, I guess you would know better than I. In the morning, then, we leave." He yawned as he stretched. "Your herbs are already working, and this fever has exhausted me. After a good night's sleep I'll help you both get away from here, away from D'Hara, and on your way to the Old World, if that's your wish."
"It is." Her mother stood. "You two eat the rest of the fish." As she moved past, her loving fingers trailed along the back of Je
"I'll be right in," Je