We moved to gather around the lean form of Brother Thistle as he raised himself onto one elbow before succumbing to a fit of coughing. Arcus crouched down and took his shoulder gently. “Easy, my friend. You breathed in a good deal of smoke.” Brother Lack continued to stare at me as if I were a viper about to strike. “Perhaps she is persecuted for good reason. Perhaps the gods punish her for her sins. I remind you that I come from the South. I have had experiences with Firebloods. They are a dangerous, shifty, untrustworthy lot, with no adherence to any of the values we hold dear.” “You forget
...more
