d

    velvet, and profoundly disconcerting  in rooms t  raids at trestle-tables, he floor.

    Riding beside Erlein in t, Devin dragged  s on t tle tucked into a fold of  around it and a small village just beyond, Borso  in t ligil the Ember Days.

    quot;Alienor is a friend,quot;  Alessan eered. quot;An old friend.”

    t muc least,  from ting sall and stooped,

    hall.

    Alessans color erestingly, epped back, smiling a little, to survey his companions.

    Sion. quot;elcome back, troubadour. t?”

    quot;Even so, my lady. I am  you remember.quot; Erleins boo theyd seen before Alessan had bound him.

    quot;You o see you now in such splendid company.”

    Erlein opened   replying. Alienor glanced at Alessan, a fleeting inquiry in her very dark eyes.

    Receiving no response surned to ty in fully s ilted ly to one side. tiny impassively.

    quot;Very ; said Alienor of Borso, softly so ts and t ;I imagine t Baerd aking you for a K.quot; e ravishing.

    Devin didnt knotled. An instant later t particular dilemma .

    quot;You dont kno; said Erlein di Senzio loudly. quot;A terrible oversigroduction. My lady, may I present to you the—”

    no further.

    Devin  to react,  aftero t o do— s as hard as he could in Erleins belly.

    As it o clap  of pain. turn ended effect of triana off balance and stumbling foro be smoot and braced by Alienor.

    taken perhree seconds.

    Erlein sank to  carpet. Devin knelt beside