120. Raven Crown Chapters 37, 38 and 39
A murdered guardian. A stolen sapphire. A raven with opinions.
Brie must gather the Jewels of Tambor—learning courage, cunning, and a strength she never knew she possessed—all while braving a twisted foot, a lack of trust, and impossible odds. Meanwhile, Dogmar, known as Jackal, will do anything to claim the throne—until a stolen jewel begins to unravel everything she believes about strength and survival.
Transcript
Chapter 37, Brie, I bang on the wooden slats of my prison and yell for
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:jackal to let me out, but she doesn't
return if I doubted her essence before.
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:I don't.
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:Now.
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:She is a jackal, furious.
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:I dig at the slats until
my fingers are bloody.
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:The door won't budge.
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:I search the chamber for another way
out, but find nothing in the darkness.
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:The whole castle is falling apart.
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:Yet the crypt is more
secure than a fortress.
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:The jewels never influenced jackal.
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:It was all a lie.
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:Now she'll be crowned queen
while I sit here and rot.
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:I knew better than to trust her.
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:What a fool I've been.
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:I hunch at the top of
the stairs and brood.
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:How could jackal want to
be the queen of tambor?
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:The idea sounds dreadful.
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:Who would want the responsibility?
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:The prying eyes, the
political maneuvering.
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:Where's the freedom in that?
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:Soon, despite my cloak, I begin to shiver
and my thoughts get more despondent.
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:No one ever comes here.
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:I'll die in this hole.
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:I rest my head on my arms with my
fingers reaching through the slats
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:to the dirt on the other side.
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:Jackal has the jewels.
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:I've lost them forever.
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:Jackal, buy OV on.
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:What do I have to do to
get these imbecile moving?
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:The banjara?
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:Just don't understand.
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:I've got to get to Ultan.
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:I continue to bellow until I feel
a pang of guilt curse the jewels.
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:Even without them, I feel their influence.
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:I won't survive a week in my
father's presence if I'm this
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:sensitive to the feelings of others.
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:In the end, all I can do is sit on
the boat and smolder while the banjara
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:row at their usual pace down river.
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:I think about Brie, she won't
understand why I left her behind,
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:and if I have my way, she never will.
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:Brie.
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:The morning sun is high in the sky.
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:When I glance around wondering what
woke me, then I hear gray's voice.
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:Raven, where are you?
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:I press my face to the bars over here.
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:As happy as I am to be
found, I'm guarded as well.
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:While jackal said she kissed
gray out of spite, I don't know
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:if anything jackal said is true.
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:Gray hurt me before.
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:There is no reason to trust him again.
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:When gray arrives, I see the relief on
his face as he pulls the dagger from
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:the latch and swings open the door.
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:I stumble while stepping out and his
arms slip around My waist don't touch me.
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:I snap and push him away.
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:Gray looks surprised, but steps back.
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:Where have you been?
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:I demand gray acts bewildered as
if he doesn't know why I'm mad.
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:Jackal made me stay at the river.
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:He answers and you just
do whatever she says.
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:His face Reddens?
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:No.
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:She convinced the tauk
to hold me at the boats.
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:He had to tie me up to do it.
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:I don't like the thought of gray being
held by force, but he deserves it.
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:Where is she now?
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:She left with the banjara, but
so did you kiss her goodbye?
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:I snap gray's eyes darken.
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:I would never kiss jackal.
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:The direct lie is too much.
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:I can't help myself and
run Brie gray calls.
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:Brie stop.
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:I hear him panting behind me.
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:Then there's a hand on my shoulder and I
stumble, wrenching my foot in the process.
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:A SOB escapes me as I hit the ground.
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:This is too much.
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:It's all too much.
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:Without warning, I'm enveloped by
the smell of wood smoke and wool
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:as gray's arms wrap around me.
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:He holds me tight.
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:I didn't kiss her, Raven, she kissed me.
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:She cornered me on the dock, and it
happened before I could stop her.
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:Gray brushes a hand over my hair
while holding my face to his chest.
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:I feel small in his arms.
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:Gray rests his cheek on my head.
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:Raven, he whispers.
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:I'm sorry.
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:I would never purposely hurt you.
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:You've got to believe me.
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:There's a slight hitch in his voice and
I look up to see tears in his eyes.
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:My heart twinges at the sight.
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:His face moves towards mine, and I think
he wants to kiss me, but he hesitates.
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:A part of me longs to give in
to forgive him, to trust him.
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:But then what he said to
Nona comes back to me.
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:What am I thinking?
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:This is all a ruse.
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:My lips curl into a snarl.
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:Get away from me.
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:I shove him hard.
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:You're not my friend.
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:You were never my friend.
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:I heard what you said to Nona.
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:The memory of that day rushes back.
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:I was so determined to rescue the
Raven Chick that I didn't think.
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:I scrambled down the cliff.
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:Unable to climb up with
the chick in my hand.
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:I froze.
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:Afraid to go either direction.
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:If Gray hadn't dropped a rope, I
don't know what would've happened.
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:I was so relieved when I made it
to the top that I threw my arms
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:around gray and, and he kissed me.
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:Right there on the lips.
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:I think he was a startled by the
kiss as I was out of nowhere.
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:Nona arrived.
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:She wasn't mad.
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:She just called gray away, leaving
me alone with the squawking chick.
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:Of course, I followed them.
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:I glare at gray as I remember the
day I heard what you said to Nona.
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:I hiss, I repeat back to him.
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:The words permanently etched in my mind.
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:I have no love interest in Brie.
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:She's just a dumb girl
that would kiss a toad.
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:It wasn't my fault.
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:Gray looks startled at my
words and opens his mouth.
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:Before he can speak, I
point a finger at his chest.
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:You or my friend, I
trusted you and you lied.
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:Gray's face goes solemn.
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:Brie, I only said that
so I don't wanna hear it.
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:Gray looks like he may explode.
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:Doesn't it ever matter what I want?
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:His words catch me unprepared
and I can't think what to say.
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:Then my nostrils flare.
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:He may not have meant to
kiss jackal, but I was there.
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:I heard the whole thing.
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:Brie that day, I would've done anything
to keep Nona from sending me away.
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:I was just trying to
convince her to let me stay.
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:If I had known you heard,
I would've explained.
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:You mean you wouldn't have flirted
with the girls at the fall gathering,
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:I wasn't flirting, I was just being
friendly, and I tried to talk to you,
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:but you wouldn't even look at me.
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:On the back of my neck gets hot.
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:No, it isn't true.
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:I get up and walk away, Brie, come back.
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:We need to talk gray calls after me.
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:Jackal had the banjara give me food and
she arranged for us to get mules in Naron.
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:I'm so mired in anger that
his words don't register.
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:She wants us to go back to the Norwood.
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:He finishes.
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:I clench my fist as comprehension Dawns?
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:If Jackal thinks I'll just tuck my tail
and return home, she's in for a surprise.
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:I spin on gray.
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:I'm going to ultan.
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:I growl Gray's.
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:Eyes are still pained, but he grins.
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:That's what I figured you'd say.
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:my determination grows stronger.
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:I'll stop that.
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:Coronation with or without the
jewels and I'm leaving right now.
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:I start walking away again.
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:fine.
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:I'll go with you.
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:There's just one thing.
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:He calls after me traveling by
Mule is going to take us longer.
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:We may not make it to Ultan
before the coronation.
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:I round on gray.
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:Apparently You don't understand.
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:I snap.
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:I'm going by boat.
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:no you're not.
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:The banjara are gone.
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:You can't get through the
cataracts without them.
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:I flex my fingers.
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:Yes, I can.
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:Just because you didn't learn
to row doesn't mean I didn't.
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:And weather says I'm good.
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:gray's, eyes gross.
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:Steely.
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:Regardless of how good you are
running the cataracts without
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:more experience is lunacy.
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:Be rational.
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:We have to go around.
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:I'm going by boat.
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:I turn away from gray and purse my lips.
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:All I have to do is hit the wave straight.
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:I hurried back towards the main
hall to gather my things there.
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:I find Nona shawl crumpled on the floor.
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:As expected, all the jewels are gone.
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:Chapter 38, Brie.
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:Sitting in a cool crypt for hours
gave my foot plenty of time to get
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:stiff, which means going down the
gully is much harder than going up.
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:I'm trying not to slip when gray
interrupts my concentration.
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:Brie, why would jackal want to
know Nona's tambor name No idea.
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:I snap.
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:well, that's what she asked me just
before you saw us together on the dock.
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:I really don't care.
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:I say glaring over my shoulder at him.
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:My lack of attention causes me to
flounder and I land hard on my backside.
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:Gray grabs my arm to keep me from sliding.
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:I swat him away.
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:He looks hurt.
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:We don't talk for the rest
of the way down to the river.
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:When we get to the boat, I'm worn
out and sweating under the noon
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:sun, but there's no time to rest.
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:I've got to keep moving, which means
it's time to run the cataracts.
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:I dig out the cook pott and
tie it with a cord from my
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:bundle to the rail of the boat.
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:Gray looks confused.
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:Uh, that's our baille bucket.
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:I explain as I cinch my cork
vest as tight as it will go.
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:Gray nods and drops down
in the front of the boat.
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:Where's your vest?
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:I ask.
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:Annoyed that he hasn't put
it on Gray, avoids my eyes.
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:It went with the Banjara.
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:I was supposed to be
walking back to Nazarre.
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:Remember, despite my anger at
him, my heart sinks like a stone.
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:As I realize gray won't be going with me.
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:Then get out of the boat.
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:I, I bark.
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:Gray crosses his arms.
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:No, I shake my head in exasperation.
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:It's too dangerous if the boat flips.
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:You don't stand a chance without the vest.
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:gray's face, hardens.
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:You don't understand.
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:Brie, I'm here to be with you.
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:That's the reason I came on
this journey in the first place.
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:Being stupid won't
convince me of anything.
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:I say.
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:Gray just looks straight
ahead and doesn't budge.
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:Finally I give in.
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:There's no getting him off the boat.
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:If he doesn't want to go, fine.
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:Kill yourself.
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:See if I care, I stomp to
the cockpit and take the oars.
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:once we're in the current,
my emotions flip flop.
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:What am I doing?
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:Letting Gray run the cataracts
without a life vest is crazy.
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:I could end up responsible for his death.
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:Suddenly I'm immobilized with fear.
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:gray.
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:Must sense a problem because
he turns to look at me.
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:Raven, pull it together.
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:You can do this.
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:Grim.
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:Flying above us gives three
loud cause as if he agrees.
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:I'm not sure where all their confidence
comes from, but it snaps me to attention.
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:I'm already in the current,
there's no going back.
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:I need to concentrate.
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:This section of cataracts
goes on for miles
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:As we drop into the heart of the Black
Canyon wave after wave crashes over
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:the boat, all I can do is keep the boat
straight and pull away from obstacles.
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:We stop to scout the
worst of the swift water.
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:While there are more than a few
close calls, grave saves us several
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:times by throwing his considerable
weight into the gunnels of the boat.
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:As a wave hits us sideways,
this keeps the boat upright.
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:I am more than a little grateful
that he refused to stay behind,
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:but I'm too stubborn to say so.
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:it's late in the day and I think
we must be through the worst of it.
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:When a partially submerged rock appears
in front of us, I pull hard on the oars,
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:but the current has a hold on the boat.
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:We're heading straight toward
what looks like Jet Black fangs.
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:There is a sickening crunch as we hit, and
I'm thrown across the boat for a moment.
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:We're stuck on the rock.
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:The next, we're washed
free by the current.
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:I look about frantically
checking for damage.
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:Wooden watercraft and rocks don't mix.
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:The boat begins to list
severely to the side.
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:There must be a crack in the hole.
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:For the love of rats were taking on water.
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:I jump to open the
hatch on the right side.
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:Gray's bundle is floating in water.
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:I fling it out of the way to see
that several boards have split.
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:quick.
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:Grab the cook.
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:Pott.
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:We need to bail.
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:Gray groans behind me.
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:I spin on him.
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:Furious that he hasn't jumped to action.
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:Can't he see the danger, The mess
in his arms stops me and I blink.
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:Then it registers.
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:He has scooped the bread, which
likely makes up the bulk of our
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:food supply out of his bundle.
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:He drops the soden mess on the deck
before it can ooze down his chest.
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:It'll dry, he says it's got to dry.
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:The boat is seriously listing and the
bread is actually sliding across the deck.
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:We need to save the boat.
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:I squawk as I die for the cook.
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:Pott only to collide with gray,
causing the boat to rock violently.
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:Out of my way.
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:I yell just as I hear a plop, plop, plop.
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:No gray bellows.
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:And this time he reacts faster than I do.
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:Dropping to the side of the boat.
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:He waves his arms frantically
through the water.
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:I close my eyes as I realize
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:all the bread is being washed away.
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:ghia: When gray finds nothing,
he slumps to the deck.
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:the boat is going to sink.
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:He moans and we'll starve
before we can walk out of here.
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:I close my eyes and sigh.
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:He might be right.
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:There's only sparse vegetation
in this part of the canyon.
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:My plan of surviving on wild forage
appears out of the question, and
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:there isn't another village for at
least three days, but I know perfectly
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:well that Nona wouldn't give up.
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:I thrust the pot at gray.
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:You bail while I row.
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:I can't bail all day.
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:Gray says,
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:Oh, yes you can.
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:ghia: What about food?
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:I glare at him.
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:We can starve sitting
here or we can starve.
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:Rowing.
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:What will it be?
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:Gray doesn't answer.
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:Just starts to bail.
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:I jump to the cockpit and begin to row.
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:I row and gray bales
for the next three days.
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:Most of that time we are wet and
cold due to intermittent rain.
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:There is occasional swift water, but after
the cataracts, everything seems small.
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:When it's dark, we pull the boat up
on shore so it doesn't sink During
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:the night, we eat a small portion of
soggy cheese and not so dry dried meat.
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:Left in graze bundle, then fall asleep.
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:Gray and I hardly talk, which
is just fine with me, his words.
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:I would've done anything to keep Nona
from sending me away Royal in my mind.
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:While a part of me wants to believe his
explanation, I still refuse to trust him.
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:Early on the fourth day, we realized
the Black Canyon is coming to an end.
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:The walls are not as steep or as high.
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:Hunger drives me to watch
like a hawk for bov, the next
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:village marked on known as map.
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:There are two things.
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:We desperately need food
and a repair to our boat.
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:The only way to obtain those
items is to barter with our few
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:belongings we've already gathered.
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:Everything we can possibly live
without into the pile have gone.
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:Both our bed rolls.
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:We can get by with our
cloaks, our water flasks.
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:We'll drink from the river.
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:Our extra clothes.
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:We've gotten this far without them.
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:known as wooden comb.
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:Never use it anyway.
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:The knife jackal used to lock
me in the crypt and the bag
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:of capsicum, both unnecessary.
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:We keep the last of the candles
known as pouch of flint and steel.
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:The little herb knife I wear at my
waist, the cook pot, our spoons, The
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:Pedallers book known as Envelope and
the clothes on our backs gray and I
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:discussed the fact that the villagers
will have seen the wanted poster.
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:Even with my shorn hair,
I'm bound to be recognized.
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:We decide it would be best if
I hide by the river while gray
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:handles things in the village.
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:I'm painfully aware that once
again, he's taking care of me.
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:we catch the exquisite scent of fresh
baked garlic buns before seeing the
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:village as planned gray takes the oars.
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:I am about to jump into the bushes
along the riverbank when I catch
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:sight of a digger fishing from shore.
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:He sees us at the same
time and his eyes brighten.
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:I can't hide now.
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:Ran the cataracts, did ya?
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:He calls smiling at gray.
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:Doesn't look like it went so well.
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:Act casual gray whispers.
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:I sit uncomfortably in the front of
the boat as gray pulls up to the bank.
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:The cataracts went great until the
bottom gray calls with the grin.
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:The two begin bantering about swift water.
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:I try to wait quietly, but I
can't help being annoyed, that the
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:digger assumes gray was rowing.
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:That along with my general
hunger and fatigue leave me
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:more than a little bit impatient.
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:Excuse me, I interject.
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:Do you know anyone who
could repair our boat?
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:As the man's attention turns to
me, I realize my mistake Will I
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:ever learn not to be so impulsive?
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:Yes.
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:Gray says quickly.
379
:We have goods to trade for
a few boards and some tar.
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:Thankfully, the man looks back to gray.
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:If the digger has recognized
me, his face doesn't show it.
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:for the right price, the man says,
with a shrug, I can fix your boat.
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:Gray shows him our spare
clothes and water flasks.
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:The man rubs his scruffy
chin that isn't much gray.
385
:Adds a bed roll.
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:The man smiles.
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:Just let me get my tools.
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:When the digger is gone, I leave
gray to haul the boat out of
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:the water and disappear into the
willows at the side of the river.
390
:The digger must live close
because he's back quickly.
391
:Gray helps nail a board
into the side of the boat.
392
:As the man begins applying a layer of
tar gray gathers up the rest of our
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:belongings and heads towards the village.
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:I'll be back soon.
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:He calls over his shoulder as
if to the digger, But I suspect
396
:his words were meant for me.
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:He's only been out of sight for a minute.
398
:When I notice the bag of Capsicum still
sitting on the deck, rats Gray forgot it.
399
:The digger is working on
the far side of the boat.
400
:If I'm fast, I can grab the bag and
catch gray before he reaches the village.
401
:I'm about to dart from the
willows when I get the distinct
402
:feeling that I should stay put.
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:But then my stomach grumbles.
404
:Don't be a ni hammer.
405
:I chi myself snatching the bag I run.
406
:I see gray just before he
enters the village gate.
407
:Fortunately, his way is slowed by a
young boy with a pig on a leash gray.
408
:I call in a loud whisper.
409
:At the same time I notice two things.
410
:Reagan thorn's symbol painted on
the village wall, and a wanted
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:poster tacked next to it, A
poster with my face in the middle.
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:The sight gives me a jolt.
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:Gray turns towards me
trying to act confident.
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:I smile and hold up the
bag of capsicum gray.
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:Must have seen the parchment because
his eyes begin to dart around.
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:Thankfully, there isn't anyone
close except the boy and his pig,
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:but now the boy is gaping at me.
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:It's her paw.
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:He calls over his shoulder
in a surprisingly loud voice.
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:It's the girl on the poster.
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:In an instant.
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:Gray has the boy by the collar.
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:Hey, that's my son of voice calls
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:run
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:Gray, yells at me.
426
:ghia: chapter 39, Brie I
dashed down the trail at a bend.
427
:I look back and see gray tackle a large
man I assume to be the boy's father.
428
:When I reach the boat, it's up on its side
and the digger is still painting on tar.
429
:Help me get the boat in the water.
430
:I yell in panic, throwing the
bag of capsicum in a hatch
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:and yanking on the gunnels.
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:But I'm not done.
433
:The man protests.
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:Yes, you are the man snorts.
435
:Look at you.
436
:I'll, no, Billis.
437
:Like what?
438
:No.
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:Sorry.
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:I'm just in a hurry.
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:The man shrugs and takes
one side of the boat.
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:You haven't seen me.
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:All right.
444
:Don't tell anyone I was here.
445
:I beg as we heave the boat into the water.
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:He snickers.
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:Yes.
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:Your majesty.
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:I shake my head.
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:There isn't time to placate this man.
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:I've got to go clamoring to the oars.
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:I pull away from shore.
453
:I am relieved to see the digger
kick his feet through the track,
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:the boat left on the bank.
455
:It's possible no one will know
how I disappeared, at least
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:not until the man learns.
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:How much of a reward is on my head?
458
:I row downstream.
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:The repair isn't complete, but the leak
has slowed considerably after a small
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:swift water, I hide the boat under a low
hanging willow gray will find me here.
461
:I know he will.
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:grim lands on the front of the boat.
463
:He'll be fine.
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:I tell the bird I wait.
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:And then I wait some more.
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:Gray doesn't show owl pellets.
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:I groan something.
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:Told me to leave the capsicum.
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:I should have listened.
470
:grim does a little bobbing
dance on the back deck.
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:You don't have to agree with me.
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:I say with a scowl.
473
:As time passes, the fishermen's,
taunting words come back to me.
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:Yes, your majesty.
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:I shake my head jackal's, the
one who wants to be queen.
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:I just want to live in the
Norwood hours go by and the sun
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:sets grim flies off to roost.
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:I can't wait any longer.
479
:I've got to find gray.
480
:With the hood of my cloak pulled low,
I get off the boat nervous as a cat.
481
:Thankfully, clouds obscure the moonlight
as I sneak towards the village.
482
:Outside the gate, I find a group of
diggers standing around a bonfire.
483
:There are men, women, and children, all
in tattered clothing looking downcast.
484
:Two women are wailing.
485
:I am uncomfortable this close to the
villagers, but I've got to find gray.
486
:I remind myself that my face
is hidden and it's dark.
487
:As long as I don't do anything
suspicious, no one will notice me.
488
:At least I hope not.
489
:With a deep breath, I slip into the crowd.
490
:What's going on?
491
:I ask an old couple next to me,
hoping I don't sound overly curious.
492
:They're taken men.
493
:What?
494
:Can't pay their taxes.
495
:The man says
496
:They will be tethered to spikes in the old
town gem pits till their families can pay.
497
:They got some other bloke that
ain't from these parts as well.
498
:An old woman chimes in, he'll
likely get the same treatment.
499
:A heavy wooden coach lit with lanterns
stands at the village gate I watch
500
:in horror as a dragon and six soldiers
push gray and two other men into an
501
:armored wagon box and slam the door.
502
:It's all I can do to keep from crying out.
503
:gray, jumped the cook so I could get away.
504
:He did it for me.
505
:Now he'll be tethered in ultan.
506
:This is all my fault.
507
:As the coach pulls off, I hurry
back to the river on the boat.
508
:I entai the bow line and let
the current carry me downstream.
509
:Huddled in the cockpit.
510
:I bury my fingers in Nona Shawl still
at my waist, despite being empty.
511
:How I wish Gray was with me.
512
:How I wish I had told him.
513
:I understand why he said
those things to Nona.
514
:I even wish I had let him kiss.
515
:My anxiety builds.
516
:Now it's even more important
that I get to ultan.
517
:I've got to find gray, as
well as stop the coronation.
518
:I stay awake all night listening for the
sound of swift water, but there isn't any
519
:Sometime in the preda, I must
fall asleep because I'm rousted
520
:at first light by grim squawking.
521
:I sit up and realize the boat is
listing so far to the right that
522
:I'm about to slide into the water.
523
:Seriously grim.
524
:You've got to start warning me earlier.
525
:The bird flies away as
if I've offended him.
526
:Careful not to stumble
off the sloping deck.
527
:I begin to bail.
528
:I'm weak with hunger and need to rest.
529
:After dumping each pot full, I can see why
there wasn't any swift water last night.
530
:The Ari has left the Black Canyon.
531
:It now travels through a rolling
flat land dotted with giant oak trees
532
:and scrub vine grows everywhere.
533
:This part of the river never came up.
534
:In my discussion with weathers,
I understand why it's so slow.
535
:There's nothing to tell stories about.
536
:I spend a good hour foraging along the
shore and find a variety of tubers,
537
:which I boil until they're edible.
538
:Not the best eating, but it
fill the hole in my stomach.
539
:Back on the boat, I pull out
Nona's map to see how far it is to
540
:ultan grim flaps to my shoulder.
541
:What I realized is woefully disappointing
the river free of the confining
542
:walls of the canyon meanders its
way across the countryside while the
543
:road takes a straight path over land.
544
:I still have three or four days of rowing.
545
:Before I'll reach Ultan, I say out loud,
but if the coach gets fresh horses, it
546
:could arrive the day after tomorrow.
547
:Grim, who has returned to pruning his
tail feathers doesn't seem bothered.
548
:I shoo him away and begin to row.
549
:Okay.
550
:After several hours, I find my breath has
slowed and my mind has cleared like this.
551
:My body seems to move on its own.
552
:I continue this way until grim
returns, making gurgling sounds.
553
:I roll my eyes at the bird.
554
:Yes, I'm doing a form of meditation.
555
:Grim looks at me sideways.
556
:Yes, yes.
557
:I'm grateful.
558
:Nona taught me now.
559
:If you're just here to bother me, go away.
560
:grim.
561
:Starts hopping around on the deck.
562
:I don't have any food.
563
:I tell the bird.
564
:If you want to help, go find someone who
will trade me for the bag of capsicum.
565
:Grim Croaks.
566
:Well, it's all I've got
Left grim croaks again.
567
:Look, it'll be fine.
568
:There's got to be some moppet that
hasn't ever seen the wanted poster
569
:grim CROs again, but I ignore him.
570
:I row all day, only stopping
to bail when it gets dark.
571
:I let the boat float down
river on the current.
572
:It's slow, but at least I'm moving.
573
:The banjara on the other
hand, will be camped on shore.
574
:ghia: What if I could make
up enough time to catch them?
575
:I could steal the jewels back from
jackal before she gets to ultan.
576
:The idea gives me hope.
577
:I've barely drifted to sleep.
578
:When I feel a poke at my head, go away.
579
:I mumble.
580
:There's another poke, and I open one eye.
581
:All I can see is G grims beak in my face.
582
:Not now.
583
:I fling an arm at the bird and
roll over before I know it.
584
:Grim is poking me again.
585
:with a jerk.
586
:I sit up panicked.
587
:As I remember the last
two times, grim woke me.
588
:I look about, but everything
seems safe enough.
589
:I splay my hands.
590
:What do you want?
591
:Grim hops over to the hatch
with my bundle in it and begins
592
:wrapping his beak on the lid.
593
:You know perfectly well there
isn't any food in there.
594
:Grim doesn't stop.
595
:I open the hatch and pull
out my bundle to show him.
596
:To my surprise, he begins
jabbing at the Pedallers book.
597
:I'm too tired to study.
598
:I start to shove the bundle back into
the hatch, but grim pecks at my fingers.
599
:Ouch.
600
:That hurts.
601
:I glare at the bird.
602
:Sure.
603
:I've never seen him so determined.
604
:Fine, I'll read it, but I'm
not staying up all night.
605
:I light a candle and open the
book, grim Hops to my shoulder
606
:and begins P preening my hair.
607
:Silly old bird.
608
:The book like The Scenery,
has made an abrupt change.
609
:It has left off explaining the negative
light of the moon and delves into
610
:building something called an ulu.
611
:It's a tall structure, but
I don't know what it does.
612
:I look the word up in
the LXi gloss increase.
613
:How can you build an increase
Grim croaks and keeps preening.
614
:Frustrated.
615
:I flip the page and find a diagram.
616
:I study it for a moment before
gasping the noise startles grim,
617
:and he flaps to the bow of the boat.
618
:It's the Ram Rott of Naja.
619
:I mean not the whole
courtyard and everything.
620
:It is just the cone in
the serpent's chest.
621
:See this diagram?
622
:Pictures a tower with the same feature.
623
:I point to the page and go on.
624
:This explains why the
Pero appeared so big.
625
:The mosaics aren't just for decoration.
626
:They magnify the gem in the center.
627
:Grim looks at me quizzically,
but keeps his distance.
628
:I don't understand how it works,
I say, but at least now I
629
:have an idea what an ulu does.
630
:It increases the appearance of a
jewel, any jewel as far as I can tell.
631
:Instead of reading more, I
begin flipping through the book
632
:looking for other diagrams.
633
:The next one takes longer to figure out.
634
:But when understanding Dawns, I'm amazed.
635
:Look grim.
636
:The tower at the Black
Castle was an amus as well.
637
:According to the diagram, there was
once a domed roof on the top that was
638
:designed to take in celestial light.
639
:The light bounced off the stones
in the mosaic focusing its power
640
:on a central point in the bottom.
641
:But I don't understand
642
:What's the advantage of making a
stone look bigger if it's inside
643
:the tower where it can't be seen?
644
:Grim ruffles his feathers, apparently.
645
:I've got to figure this out on my own.
646
:I begin translating the written
text, looking for an explanation.
647
:What I read makes my eyes go wide.
648
:This ulu doesn't cause
a gem to look bigger.
649
:It actually increases its
vibration permanently.
650
:I look up from the book to grim.
651
:It doesn't change the way they look,
but it increases their influence.
652
:I continue to flip through the pages.
653
:There are more diagrams each depicting
a bigger and more elaborate ulu.
654
:The last one is almost illegible
as a giant skull has been drawn
655
:on the top of it in dark ink.
656
:I study the drawing beneath.
657
:It is the same amus as the one on the
page before, except for the addition
658
:of a rod that extends from a pit in the
ground up through the center of the tower.
659
:Somehow the rod increases
the amuses effect.
660
:Why was a skull drawn over this diagram?
661
:I ask aloud.
662
:Grim still acts uninterested.
663
:I sigh.
664
:Well, if there's an explanation,
I'm not going to find it tonight.
665
:I close the book and roll onto my back.
666
:I half expect grim to start
pecking me again, but he doesn't.
667
:I stare at the moon
with, its one flat edge.
668
:My time is running out.
669
:How long do I have until it's full?
670
:Four days, five.
671
:Without my staff, I've lost track of time.
672
:In the morning, I give
my foot a good rubdown.
673
:Then I search out three quail
eggs and a few mushrooms.
674
:It isn't much, but it gives
me the energy to keep going.
675
:Maybe today I'll find someone
willing to trade me a loaf of
676
:bread for the bag of capsicum.
677
:The thought makes my mouth water.
678
:I begin rowing
679
:when the boat lists too much,
I stop to bail, then row again
680
:for three more exhausting days.
681
:I row while the sun is up.
682
:Then study until I fall asleep at night.
683
:When my last candle burns out,
the moon has grown so bright.
684
:I can read without it.
685
:I set myself to studying the chart
in the back of the book again.
686
:I still can't figure out when
the next blood moon will occur.
687
:But I do put together that once
the process starts, it takes
688
:almost two hours to complete.
689
:When possible, I scavenge
for food, finding walnuts,
690
:tubers, and bitter greens.
691
:As more and more farms appear,
my scavenging options dwindle.
692
:Eventually River dwellings and Moored
houseboats completely fill the banks
693
:making my search impossible Now my only
hope for food is finding someone who
694
:will trade me for the bag of Capsicum aum
