The barkeeper leaned forward against the counter, broad arms folded, settling into the posture of a man preparing to hold forth on a subject he’d given considerable thought.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgtUTmSBvO4
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbe67HrN5b
“The Life Clan,” he began, his voice carrying that particular cadence of someone who’d told this story before but still found it worth telling. “Now that’s a territory worth seeing, especially if you’ve never been there before.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmtOqdSdX0
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iHAzKdD02
Cel settled onto his stool more fully, attention sharpening despite the lingering irritation from Theron.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsuD6gL27fB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIth3yYm5td
“The great woods are what most people remember first.” The barkeeper’s gaze drifted toward the window, though darkness had already claimed most of the view beyond it. “Trees so old they were standing before the Void Catastrophe. Some of them wide enough that it’d take ten men holding hands to circle the trunk. They say you can walk for days under that canopy and never see the sky properly.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqc5LwUpbA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBexzbOvC4
His hands moved as he spoke, gesturing to illustrate proportions that words couldn’t quite capture.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpVzBbGEpn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmerhDBqLcg
“Verdanthold sits right in the heart of it. Built among those ancient trees - not just near them. The city grows up and around the trunks, houses and bridges suspended between branches thicker than most buildings are wide.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0VcJBjKnO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CXlZyElUy
Cel tried to picture it - a city threaded through living wood, existing in three dimensions instead of just spreading flat across earth.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEU5T2chDr9
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdCP61TqyV
“Lady Morgana Groveheart rules from there,” the barkeeper continued, something shifting in his tone. Respect, maybe, or wariness. “Folk call her the Crimson Witch. Though not to her face, mind you. She earned that name during the campaigns to take back lost territory. They say in open battle, no one’s stronger. Not even the Hallowed. That she’ll massacre through rift-creatures like they’re made of paper.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXTPtBKOQrO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmP0nxE32AT
He paused, reaching for a rag and wiping down a section of counter that didn’t need cleaning.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR6ErQxEqw8
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“Strange woman, from what I hear. Cares more about fighting than politics. She handles only what she has to and leaves the rest to the houses beneath her.” He considered for a moment. “Maybe that’s why the Life Clan stays stable.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLO5Xxdnam
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEg6aYR7k9V
“What about House Grovethorn?” Cel asked, remembering Theron’s constant companion - Sylvaine Grovethorn.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK5vUygFRej
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3ui8c5UUP
“Ah, them.” The barkeeper’s expression turned thoughtful. “They run the orphanage system across Life Clan territory. Been doing it for generations now. Some say it’s genuine compassion, wanting to care for children who’ve lost their parents to rift-creature attacks. Others say it’s about control - raising the next generation of commoners to be loyal to Life Clan specifically.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vAqEVtbMk
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0hzo76DZXL
His shoulders rose and fell in a shrug.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhzi9uz1kM
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“Probably both, if you ask me. People rarely do things for just one reason. But the orphanages are well-maintained, from what travelers say. Children are fed, clothed, taught trades. Could be worse situations for them to end up in.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ0ShwekCMf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoYPRER95H
‘Yeah… like becoming the test object of a cult.’164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLkgGB8V1Mr
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The conversation continued, drifting through details about Life Clan politics, the philosophical divide between them and the Death Clan, the support they’d been providing to Storm Clan in recent years. The barkeeper spoke with the easy knowledge of someone who’d heard stories from dozens of travelers, piecing together a picture of the territory from fragments.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSJCvjk8aE
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyzSKOO6iT
Cel absorbed it all, filing information away for later use. Not because he particularly cared about Life Clan dynamics, but because understanding the environment he’d soon be traveling through seemed practical. Necessary, even.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDFpMGGrL6
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMDC2vZ5vb6
The door opened.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBo5gL6KuP
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVayAyWAuzf
Two figures entered, both wearing heavy cloaks with hoods drawn up despite the tavern’s warmth. They moved with the careful deliberation of people trying not to draw attention, which of course made them immediately conspicuous. Everyone who entered the Golden Hart did so with familiarity or obvious first-time curiosity. These two seemed determined to be neither.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHUXUiWcBa
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkiWD9OMCBZ
They crossed to the bar and settled onto stools beside Cel, close enough that their shoulders nearly touched.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlvUqQ5uB0
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6pe7c5WM9
The barkeeper straightened from his conversational lean, his expression shifting back into professional hospitality. “Evening. What’ll it be?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAFk3HCoJWR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FBRTJKLCL
The figure on Cel’s right shifted slightly. “Sorry, we’re—” The voice caught itself, then continued more quietly. “We’re not here to drink, actually.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwX97yVgHK
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYMVg8BfAk
Something about that voice pulled at Cel’s attention. Familiar, though he couldn’t immediately place it. Male. Young. Carrying a particular bluntness that—164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC23C3JY4oG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8vBbn0H2K
A hand landed on his shoulder.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNrj2krQGK
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmjG7rIdg0s
Cel turned.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3p9oi72q0
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtFVxmSkSb
The hood had fallen back slightly, revealing a face he recognized immediately despite the attempt at concealment. Stone-gray eyes met his with the same direct assessment they’d carried every time they’d sparred at the Academy.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9b5bvc28oO
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcwLCN0sqq
Owen Peakscale.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6iwKILoV8
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFGFLflqgq
The second figure beside him shifted, and through the gap in her hood Cel caught sight of light green hair and the precise set of Sylvaine Grovethorn’s features.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmRMPIahbq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkXSepDY4dn
Cel stood up quickly, muscle memory from months of etiquette lessons taking over. Began to execute the proper greeting for addressing nobles of higher standing—164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56axhlEJ71
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcmxKtYlyw
“Stop.” Owen’s voice cut through the motion. His hand came up in a gesture that was half command, half plea. “No need for that. We’re undercover.” He gestured at the hoods with his free hand, as if the heavy cloaks weren’t obvious enough.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzVD9011fC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhxjTIXiut
Cel’s body locked mid-bow, caught between ingrained response and the absurdity of the situation. Slowly, he straightened, settling back onto his stool with confusion replacing protocol.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZ875uhaAV
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfBwp345UEL
“What are you doing here?” The question came out more bewildered than he’d intended.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNBNbvgIoa5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ym36hUF4P
“We’re here for you.” Owen said it like it was obvious. Like two nobles sneaking into a commoner tavern in disguise to find a fellow commoner student made perfect sense.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCugXY21kH
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The confusion deepened. “Why?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeiXwG0x4Yy
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“I want a rematch.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9advIGMMx9
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Cel stared at him. “A rematch of what?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlEiZdNbNi
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZ0T2vMuLD
Owen’s expression shifted into something between disbelief and amusement. “Did you forget? Our arm-wrestling match. You beat me that night in the tavern. But I’ve grown stronger now. I want to test myself against you again.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxtYhfJ8dHy
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP8oURW3z7
Cel’s mind scrolled back through recent memory, searching for when this supposed match had occurred. He'd been to the Golden Hart dozens of times over the past months. Had engaged in countless casual conversations, drinking contests, and arm-wrestling matches. But with Owen?164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvLhinqa8t
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJt69aZEOe
Nothing came to mind.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡksxkWJUNQf
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“I don’t remember that,” he said honestly.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSKF7cU3Rw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBwFB5YvMS
Owen’s face fell slightly, genuine disappointment crossing his features. Then he rallied, determination settling back into place. “Well, regardless. I’m challenging you now.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Z3jsddOhq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSHjdPJcmg
“I’m not interested.” The refusal came fast. Cel had more important things to worry about than arm-wrestling nobles who apparently remembered encounters he’d completely forgotten.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRvYvpfeht
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwf0jTkKMBW
“Then what do you want?” Owen leaned forward slightly, gray eyes intent. “Name your terms. What would make you accept?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtxUskYTYS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpblT4TSkLB
Cel considered. He thought of Silas, and what he'd wanted from Zara for his silence. Of Hestia, and what she'd wanted from him for keeping his secret. 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvL6Np2Cjib
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEkXVLm3IJa
"A favor," he said finally, a faint, wry edge to his voice. "I hear those are quite in fashion these days. If I win, you owe me one. Within reason." 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1MUxKd8W8q
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“Done.” Owen’s agreement came without hesitation. He started to rise, already looking around for a suitable surface—164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ8IkjrCwcf
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4amAzPLRS
“Hold on.” The barkeeper’s voice cut across them, sharp with the particular alarm of a man who’d seen this before. “You two aren’t destroying another one of my tables.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKE8y9rF76t
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0DnCYf5Xbi
Cel’s head snapped toward him. “When did I ever break a table?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9juFpaI5RU
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagYYPvW1hf
The barkeeper just looked at him, expression suggesting the question answered itself.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF5dwMawHH
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“We’ll do it on the ground then.” Owen was already moving, dropping to one knee beside the bar. 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6zd5EHvrSJ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyxOIXbayx
Cel followed Owen down, positioning himself opposite the Mountain Clan heir. They locked hands, elbows planted against wood that had been scarred by years of use. Around them, the tavern’s ambient conversation died as regulars noticed what was happening.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEk2MpONX4
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Someone whistled. Another voice called out, “Finally! Someone brave enough to challenge our champion!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoWjLiLWed
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2VUYexsSV3
“Brave or stupid,” a woman’s voice added, though it carried more amusement than genuine concern.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYKQAzvvXA
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydY2MkC0x7
The crowd gathered closer, forming a loose circle. Coins changed hands as bets were shouted across the space.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNS74yj2Kr4
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwjRyXmFOo
“Ten copper on Celvian!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpWTCuMKJ3
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxZ8bRSlRVU
“Twenty on the stranger lasting more than three seconds!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKz4HFTgax
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKCEU6aCeSD
“You’re completely mad. Only a moron would bet against Celvian.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ze8mZe3tg
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RY67rpaVo
“That’s what makes it sporting!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGEdJbR4jI5
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Owen’s grip tightened around Cel’s hand, his gray eyes serious despite the theatrical nature of the setup. “Don’t hold back,” he said quietly, meant only for Cel’s ears. “Give it your all.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjPub705cb
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1feOb1qz5D
Cel nodded once. “Alright.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXcwLM59v4W
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSMDDZGGY4O
Someone counted down. “Three. Two. One.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxPiYPeG2D
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBJzd39SfGt
Cel poured his full strength into the connection immediately.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ372cmWTA0B
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbUcXNEOBh
Owen’s hand slammed into the floor.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATdQ9j7950
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLmYqJTPevA
Wood cracked. Splintered. The impact drove through old boards that had survived years of use, creating a crater of broken timber around Owen’s knuckles.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPt1oE0SlHC
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtDIuggFjV
Silence dropped across the tavern like a physical weight.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaom6g2hHc
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd17opBoWkA
Owen stared at his hand, still pinned against shattered wood. At the damage radiating outward from the impact point. At the complete and absolute destruction of whatever test he’d imagined this would be.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7TRxY95fS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7KHyzGmhDT
“MY FLOOR!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0OZNFOz5v
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The barkeeper’s shout shattered the quiet. He stood behind the counter, staring at the damage with an expression that cycled rapidly through shock, dismay, and resignation. “Do you know how much good wood costs? How long it takes to get someone in here to replace sections?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEdAM4qDVs
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRJCqCVFmz
Then someone laughed.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVPRjGGANd
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRvHAY0NN63
The sound broke whatever spell had held everyone frozen. Laughter spread through the crowd like fire through dry kindling.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7ZRCmeRFT
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGHbrfGSkR
“Told you!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N052itbIb
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“Never bet against Celvian!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTd4XxZb2d6
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQNEh9dDfjX
“That lasted even less than one second!”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWC4QZGaK1
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWwZnGXtYf
Cel pushed himself upright, genuine apology surfacing. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—” 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN9dTgfcGZ
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDtvKAfsYBg
Owen was laughing too. Not bitter or defeated, just genuinely amused by the outcome. He climbed to his feet, shaking his hand out, and reached into his cloak. A leather pouch appeared, heavy enough that it landed on the bar with a solid thunk.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNYnatG2vn
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4X7ascLCZ
“All drinks tonight are on me,” he announced to the room. “Keep the rest for the floor.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFpEl8ihC1h
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLP1rXH3uD
The tavern erupted. Cheers rose from every corner as regulars surged toward the bar, already calling out orders to the barkeeper whose dismay had transformed into something more resigned.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPlcO2MvJ0
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWvRObXGzbN
Owen turned back to Cel, still grinning. “You weren’t holding back.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVDtSz7bt0H
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1nhpS2VsS
“You asked me not to.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSSw3UX6gD
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK94P2sFMp
“I know. I just didn’t expect—” He gestured at the broken floor. “That.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtUbtdzAep
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPhhppOfjl
Sylvaine had remained silent throughout the entire exchange, hood still drawn up, posture suggesting she’d rather be anywhere else. Now she shifted slightly, a wordless signal that penetrated Owen’s continued amusement.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemv1pMvpGX
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0L6ZdDoJF1
“Right. We should go.” Owen met Cel’s eyes once more. “You won fair. I’ll remember that favor owed.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUCrXbEqIYS
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7V4LeZnui
They moved toward the door together, slipping back into the streets. The crowd was too busy celebrating their sudden windfall to pay much attention to the nobles’ departure.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPEOr4xGdG
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAdt6gLD3FQ
Just before they reached the exit, Owen glanced back. Caught Cel’s gaze across the increasingly chaotic space. Raised one hand in a gesture that might have been acknowledgement, farewell or simple respect for someone who’d thoroughly beaten him.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZmHDLYj2Q
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtduZTgVjgQ
Then they were gone, door swinging shut behind them.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkAFCeifVeR
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDgPEBmbNy
Cel stood beside the broken floor, surrounded by celebrating regulars who’d already moved past the incident to focus on free drinks. Someone clapped him on the shoulder - the same regular who’d greeted him when he’d first arrived.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZOVDL6zat
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqkBDrFeax
“Heard the Academy departs soon for your final examinations.” The man’s face had gone slightly red, whether from excitement or alcohol Cel couldn’t determine. “That true?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2oABHXdq5
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFDGc8Nvj0H
“Yes.” Cel confirmed. “In a week.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28uxxEIv8r
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FgKlgHm5N
“This calls for a proper goodbye then!” The declaration carried across the tavern, drawing immediate agreement. More people surged toward the bar, calling for the barkeeper to pour rounds.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnGB2PpCHF
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw1EZryubC
Cel found himself pulled into the celebration despite having contributed nothing but property damage. A tankard was pressed into his hands - contents dark and probably stronger than anything a normal student should drink. But he accepted it anyway, letting the warm chaos wash over him.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpanT36Rom
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bGsVpvsv2
He'd won a favor from a Great Clan heir, after all. 164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pKIns4EFS
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***164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1R5eQj15Fj
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Evening had settled over Stella, the last remnants of daylight giving way to the particular darkness that came when too many buildings blocked the sky. Owen and Sylvaine moved through streets that had grown quieter, leaving only the night workers and people with nowhere better to be.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8hf5X3t1gj
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihMNDvaYzz
Owen pushed his hood back, apparently deciding concealment no longer mattered outside the tavern. His expression carried satisfaction that Sylvaine recognized from dozens of similar moments - the look he got when some plan or test had produced exactly the result he’d expected.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS73uxOjLRq
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“I told you,” he said, voice carrying that hint of vindication. “Quite interesting, wasn’t it?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcvYhz22CB
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jAWJb1fao
Sylvaine’s sigh emerged quiet but pointed. “Was it really worth the effort? Showing me something I already knew?”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0bBG3Gqzw
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8T9TUGv6tq
Owen’s grin widened. "Come on. It was fun, admit it. Seeing him beat me that easily.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXiM5myd2j
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNJLebl1fXF
Sylvaine glanced at him sidelong. “You sound almost admiring.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsO3EEBfsTq
164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6c5bCWH0ml
“I am. Why wouldn’t I be?” Owen’s tone carried genuine puzzlement. “You know that we value strength. Finding it in unexpected places doesn’t diminish that value.”164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4E8ksozk3
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Sylvaine just shook her head, unwilling to indulge him further.164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6Ss2NX3Jc
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“We should find Theron now,” she said, steering them back toward the purpose that had brought them into the city in the first place. "Before he does something that requires both of us to fix."164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmzKCO9ygi
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Owen's grin faded into something more resigned. "Fair point." He pulled his hood back up, the satisfaction of the evening settling into something more businesslike. "Let's go." ​​​​​​​164Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQcdZ18cyr
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