; tle. Baerd could feel it nicking and fretting against his face.

    quot;Please accept . . . please accept t to t; he said.

    it  ed from the mans face.

    quot;,quot; t along Baerds c;And since you  begrudge us t t carry them?”

    quot;take t as ; Baerd  suddenly as if  ing above this scene, looking down.

    And it  acage point t o see to claim ttac-o traces again. One of t onto t Catriana, a little abased quickly up on t and clucked at t rolled sloo er er of men among eac ain arting ervene.

    move. None of til t of t of sig rumbling after it. Baerd turned t Catriana. Srembling, but o kno was as much fear.

    quot;Im sorry,quot; o touch her arm.

    quot;I could kill you Baerd for giving me suc.”

    quot;I kno; ;And I o be dead. I underestimated them.”

    quot;Could ; Sandre said prosaically.

    quot;O,quot; Catriana said tartly. quot;e could all be lying dead here now.”

    quot;t  took  to realize easing tle wildly.

    Sandre, e unexpected t;You ; ;er, granddaugo take pride in w you are?”

    So say. A moment later, deeply moved, s for, carefully, as if s remember t time someone  way.

    epped back, clearing  aedly soft, looking at them.

    quot;tremely lovely,quot; sely dry. quot;Selling each

    ot splendid people hink we are?”

    Baerd grinned. quot;Not a bad idea, but not t. I to double back to  and horse.”

    quot;Good. I could use a flask of ale,quot; Sandre said. Catriana glanced quickly back