The clop-clunk of horses passed from Merryn's hiding spot. I'm so truly foolish trying to outrun a horse. And, found herself stabbed with a short sword he hid under his robes. Thank Elaema for the small cave at the end of a stream...
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Blood leaked from the makeshift bandage and dripped onto the grasses outside. The wound fluxed between, though the pain burned and throbbed. This won't do, leaving a blood trail was as good as leaving a 'come get me' sign. After a short pause, she shook the blood off the grasses and took off running.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz6Qoh96NW
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I've got to get away.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQcgZx4JVNb
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Got to hide!21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BVQGtmJK0
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Ragefire Valley's jagged rocks and tall grasses weren't easy to navigate through, have always hated going through this way, but it'll be difficult for him too. There, a town in the road off ahead, Amperage. I hope father is still there. Everything was going to the dark ones lately, such black luck. There might be enough distance between us now—Maybe.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCpMfzRH352
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Weaving and bobbing forward, she stumbled as the swiftness spell abruptly wore off. The coin pouch came undone from her hip slash and clanked on the ground. The emergency fund! Straining, she snatched it back up mid-run and double-knotted it to the slash. Almost at the bottom now. The valley spread out to a long dusty path this expanded into a dirt road, it led to a modest town in the valley.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNNtck1v9e7
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Sounds of town buzzed off ahead, and the scents of spices from the bazaar near the open gates wafted out.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NlUNjkU0R
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The god is tremendously harder to suppress than any spirit before, I shouldn't be so tired already. The mission hasn't failed yet, find passage on a ship. Her vision blurred momentarily, and she slapped her cheeks. Just a little further, I hope he's home today.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyo0fvpRCX1
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A shirtless youth ran past. His arms shot up as a silver orb ball hovered over his head.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwJJUzHQhf
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"I've got it!" He motioned his hands and the ball shot off towards a girl who was running toward him.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw1cKz94qP6
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The ball whirled between hers, and without her touching it, the ball shot off towards a garden off to the right with the children chasing after it.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAQzfFy5MU
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A merchant beckoned from behind, his narrow counter was several feet away, crowded with desserts, fruits, and buns in baskets beside it.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ24TYuQfR8a
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"Young lady, you shall find the finest sweets here! Why we have the rare Fizzy Kerf from across the five seas! Guaranteed to delight!"21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqkl21N5OA
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"Some other time." She stepped to the side further away. He just wouldn't get a clue. She attempted to move past him while covering the wound.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ3eDbVnrhr
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He stepped around the counter, holding out his arms palms up.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBfvRdKWhl7
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"But, wait! I am an aged man trying to pay the taxes here. Will not you reconsider?"21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMyS9hjoxjB
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"I need to go." She hissed through her teeth. A sharp pang came and went.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSjvt8nbkfB
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"A special offer today: only a five, gold for three buns!" His right eyebrow twitched, and he continued to smile, though now it didn't reach his eyes. His long ears were covered with age spots and little hairs at the tips. He's pretty brave working here, lots of bandits tended to pass through, but then again, the elder here wasn't half bad for a human.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIEWjqkLXNc
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This merchant is a such a pushy cart pusher, he needs to give up! "Thank you kindly, but some other time." She took her hand off the wound and flashed her blood-covered fingers near his face. "Keep quiet about this." The fewer people involved the better; they'll just end up dead.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6XzdiSvAF
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He frowned and came near again. "Miss?" It didn't seem possible, but his forehead wrinkles deepened.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKC5fHoSHu
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Shaking her head. "You might want to stay inside for today." She took a couple steps away. If I go through the rocks... no that wouldn't slow Maxwell down, he could track me through a blizzard if needed. Hope dad still has those revivify stones. Gah. He's probably lost them under piles of boxes again.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIfyJvFMNh0
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After crossing the dirt street—more of a path really—two men staggered beside the small tavern just a pace away. Their arms wrapped around each of their shoulders. Great. Jolly-drunken-blockage. She moved over and leaned against the merchant's empty counter. The door never looked so far away as it did now.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YOaUQQtmO
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The red-bearded man sang a raucous old sailor shanty. His friend leaned back while puffing out his chest as he bellowed the song. Together they mangled the lyrics and sang off-key; as if they were a cat being beaten with a hot tong. She cringed as the red-bearded one hit a particularity ear-splitting note. I'm surprised dad hasn't come out and threatened them with some rotten eggs yet. At another time this would've been funny. The deep wounds flared up again, moving is what did it, and demand attention that took over all brain space left.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFiBV27Qzos
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They bellowed and shuffled down the street and stumbled into several merchant stalls and still managed to sing each lyric in time. The merchants and townsfolk were far from pleased, to say the least, as they came from behind their booths chasing after them. Both the men, as they ran away, dodged the assorted goods being flung.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPGzXo8GzM
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Finally. Dad's Inn was in an inconspicuous corner. People of so-called good standing shied away from it. At least in this outfit blending in wasn't a problem.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIazys4Ukh
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She arched her neck. Above the doorway, a large sign read: Fuzzy Tail Inn. Below it was a picture of a black cat standing on its tiptoes, with its tail straight up in the air, proofed out. It was nice to be back, even if it wasn't home. Her vision blurred again. She leaned against the doorway. A few more steps.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrlhRvsG0Rs
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He never locked the door, pushing it, she entered. The place had torches lined along the walls, although these and the candles on the tables did little to cast light into the inn. He always had it too dark in here. It was empty this time of day, too early most were still asleep.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDG8I69B62R
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"You dragged yourself in at an odd hour." She was startled by the sight of several new raw, ragged scars. A gentleness gleamed from within his eyes.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy0X01pMdRr
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"Where have ya been? Mother's back in the city already and had already sent two letters by wind arrow now."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Dm8kyec0j
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"Do you—" the pain came on full as a ram-bear, she crouched, gripping her side.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡenuR58Suqg
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"Merry!"21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj32LRmhhu4
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Then she sagged further, becoming unconscious.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Ilgq9w9yc
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The next morning, she woke in her room. Mostly, it was awkward visiting him, more so after joining the Adepts.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xXKoTnbaH
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Sitting up was a mistake, she sucked in a sharp breath as the wound sent a bolt down her side. This was bad, though not as bad as the poison from a spider-nab.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ1Gwbfc9ud
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The soft bandages are newly applied. Father? Gingerly she eased into the leather armor and her sore muscles convulsed. She clutched the sides of the bed. It passed in a moment. I'll just have to tell him, he hated anything to do with the adepts. Sucking in a breath, she headed back down.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOOSqxqxCU
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He was at a table right next to the stairway.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ02izzhVFYr
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"What went wrong?" That knowing look of his was almost too much.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsyyOv2P0t8
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"It has been just a..." The screams rang in her ears just like they did two days ago. Running her fingers over the smooth wooden counter, she followed a groove. Lie, maybe? "It's fine."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMPND6ZftUU
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He squeezed her shoulder. "I can't help ya' if you don't tell me what ya plan."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6lAV2GVvi
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She shook her head and wove her feet behind the stool. "I'm just visiting, I'll leave soon."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIScGpimci
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He crinkled his brow. "You're not so much older now that I won't still wash your mouth out with stone soap." His voice sounded too stiff. He's right lying again wouldn't be wise, going to have to break this bad habit. Its gona' be hard. Honesty out there always bit me in the aft end.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjbQV24bD2
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Sighing, she rubbed her forehead. "The mission didn't go quite to plan."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXkVbdJiUB8
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"Clearly." He took her hand and laid his on top.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0oBEb0cVnu
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"I... need to leave. I shouldn't have come." She pulled her hand away and stood. What if Maxwell goes after him? Stupid. Stupid.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HYn8sSzQU
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"Let me help." The corners of his mouth turned down.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrjfXmhSqY
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"You already have."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5AA5w65Tf9
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He made a dismissive hand gesture. "As headstrong as your mother. This reminds me you should visit her, it's almost time."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWb2spNVat
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Mom is trying to hold everyone together back home, she must be exhausted. "I'm planning on doing so, but the next ship won't be back for another month or so." And, I need to get this spirit—god—thing out immediately! It's taking every bit of energy I've got to even partially seal it in the pendant. Luckily it chose to go in that instead.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJECOA97m9m
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Boot-clad footsteps clomped across the cobbled stones outside.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhsVjG7mCW
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Bloody harpy hells! Is it him? Her body shook, and her hands grew cold. Small beads of sweat formed on her forehead.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXku0ER57FG
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A pounding on the door.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs4i1YyQx73
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"Quick, hide."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5CxhiILHE
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Padding back upstairs, she peeked out the upstairs window, just enough to see without leaning out. But was too late to catch the full exchange.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsxNavGun6
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"—haven't," dad said, from downstairs.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSyugRS1Xh
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"I wish the woman no harm, I just wish to an inquiry about possible stolen property."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfgqs4bk3u
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"It's not my job to keep track of every balpted person who wanders here in town," dad said.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcL7DqxIPy7
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"Don't lie to me, peon!" He disappeared down the alleyway with his men following.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnt4N0WOZL
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"I said I don't know where she is, Ya greasy pox-marked bugbear! Now kindly leave!"21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwfjOvfe6px
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She tiptoed down the stairs, swung her legs over the rail, winced, and dropped into the cubby between the stairwell and the hallway to the back storage. She pulled out her daggers. Things are getting down to the wick. I know dad can take on anyone, even at his age he's still The Beast after all. She shifted, ready to spring.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4DGRgDOTCX
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Footsteps again, this time fading away.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMA4gF8LyG
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Going over to him, he shook his head and clicked his tongue.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqI16jRzN12
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"Shhh. Send me a mail port, and I'll try to catch up."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY250LGjF4
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"But you're retired."21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeR5Yy25o5v
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"Go back to the Adapts." He hugged her, a quick squeeze, and let go.21Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdcabsjWFoX
and then Add to home screen.