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came to raise the Queen's army. In midsummer Four of the men of Sandry broughtback the news that he was wounded and was lying in the care of the Queen's ownphysician. They told of his great valor in battle, and told of their ownprowess too, and how they had won the war. Since then there had been no news. With him now in the cha



said the Farmwife, perhaps only partly understanding, gazing only at the set, still face on the pillow. She was trembling a little. "You're cold, dema," Hamid said gently and respectfully. "You should get dressed." "Is he warm enough? Was he chilled, in the boat? I can have the fire laid--" "No. He's warm enough. It's you I speak of, dema." She glanced at him a little wildly, as if seeing him that moment. "Yes," she said. "Thank you." "I'll come back in a little while," he said, laid his hand on his heart, and quietly went out, closing the massive door behind him. He went across to the kitchen wing anddemanded food and drink for a starving man, a thirsty man leg-cramped fromcrouching in a damned boat all night. He was not shy, and was used to theauthority of his calling. It had been a long journey overland from the city, and then poling through the marshes, with Broad Isle the only hospitable placeto stop among the endless cha