“Bard apprentices,” said Heraldin. “Trust me, it’s awful.” “I’m surprised ye went to the Bards’ College at all,” said Gorm. “I thought ye was always a thie—” “I was a bard long ago, when I was running from a past life,” Heraldin interrupted loudly. “But singing for my supper didn’t suit me, nor did the Heroes’ Guild, and so I pursued an alternative career.” Gaist took one of Heraldin’s last bannermen. “As a thie—” “As a hoard adjuster. But then word got out that I was, aha, adjusting the value of the hoards in too literal a sense.” “You were steal—” “I was exercising lifelong skills in
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