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So far they had seen shadows in the wood, a ruined estate and a mute servant. Nothing truly frightening. But she couldn’t rid herself of the tiny voice that said “They are all ruled by a crow wizard, and soon he will rule you as well.”
“You have done an unwise thing, Martise of Asher,” he said softly. “You’ve caught my interest.”
Damned priests. Couldn’t they have saddled him with someone pretty? A woman with generous curves and breasts to smother in? Someone he could tup in the hallway while she searched for secrets and schemed of ways to betray him? Instead, they sent this ordinary, diffident, untalented girl. At best, her presence was a nuisance; at worst, a dangerous impediment.
“Yes, Master. I’ve worked among livestock all my life, including cows, pigs, goats…and asses.”
“You spoil him. I now have a mage-finder who spends his days lolling with the swine and begging caresses from a woman.” Gurn snorted into his tea cup, and Silhara raised an eyebrow. “Not that I blame him for the last.” “I’m confused, Master. Do you speak of the failures of men or dogs?”
“Does it matter? We’re often one and the same.”
"That will be Gurn coming to rescue us from whatever demon he thinks is attacking." The branch supporting Silhara creaked as he adjusted his stance and leaned closer to her. “Tell me something, Martise.” A leaf slapped him in the eye, and he ripped it off its twig with an irritated snap. “How is it that a woman, blessed with a voice that could make a man come, sings badly enough to frighten the dead?”
“Here. “Find a place to tuck it. You’re better off armed with something.” He tilted his head, and his smirk widened. “If all else fails, you can always sing.”
“A woman like you shouldn’t be so choosey, Martise.” She turned back to him. “A man like you shouldn’t aim so high, Balian.”
“The crowd almost got it right, boy. You challenged the Master of Crows, but you fought a dock whore’s bastard. I was fighting in the muck while you were still tethered to your mother’s lead strings.”
“Don’t fret, boy,” he said. “No one will notice it if you fuck in the dark.”
