["gleamed\tin\tthe\tgrowing\tlight. Rolfe\tfroze.\t\u201cYou\t\u2026\tYou\u2019re\t\u2026\tWhat\tsort\tof\ttrickery\tis\tthis?\u201d Beyond\t them,\t the\t oars\t began\t moving,\t churning\t the\t water\t as\t the\t boats\t turned toward\t the\t chain\u2014and\t the\t freedom\t beyond\t it.\t \u201cGo,\u201d\t she\t murmured\t to\t Sam. \u201cNow.\u201d Sam\tonly\tnodded\tbefore\the\tsprinted\tdown\tthe\tstreet. Alone\t with\t Rolfe,\t Celaena\t raised\t her\t sword.\t \u201cCelaena\t Sardothien,\t at\t your service.\u201d The\t pirate\t was\t still\t staring\t at\t her,\t his\t face\t pale\t with\t rage.\t \u201cHow\t dare\t you deceive\tme?\u201d She\tsketched\ta\tbow.\t\u201cI\tdid\tnothing\tof\tthe\tsort.\tI\ttold\tyou\tI\twas\tbeautiful.\u201d Before\t she\t could\t stop\t him,\t Rolfe\t shouted,\t \u201cThey\u2019re\t trying\t to\t steal\t our\t ships! To\tyour\tboats!\tTo\tthe\twatchtower!\u201d A\t roar\t erupted\t around\t them,\t and\t Celaena\t prayed\t that\t Sam\t could\t reach\t the watchtower\tbefore\tthe\tpirates\tcaught\thim. Celaena\t began\t circling\t the\t Pirate\t Lord.\t He\t circled\t her,\t too.\t He\t wasn\u2019t\t drunk in\tthe\tleast. \u201cHow\t old\t are\t you?\u201d\t Each\t of\t his\t steps\t was\t carefully\t placed,\t but\t she\t noticed that\the\tkept\tshifting\tto\texpose\this\tleft\tside. \u201cSixteen.\u201d\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tto\tkeep\ther\tvoice\tlow\tand\tgravelly. Rolfe\tswore.\t\u201cArobynn\tsent\ta\tsixteen-year-old\tto\tdeal\twith\tme?\u201d \u201cHe\tsent\tthe\tbest\tof\tthe\tbest.\tConsider\tthat\tan\thonor.\u201d With\ta\tgrowl,\tthe\tPirate\tLord\tlunged. She\t danced\t back,\t swinging\t up\t her\t sword\t to\t block\t the\t blow\t he\t aimed\t for\t her throat.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tneed\tto\tkill\thim\tright\taway\u2014just\tto\tdistract\thim\tlong\tenough to\t prevent\t him\t from\t further\t organizing\t his\t men.\t And\t keep\t him\t away\t from\t the ships.\t She\t had\t to\t buy\t Sam\t enough\t time\t to\t disable\t the\t chain\t and\t the\t catapults. The\tships\twere\talready\tturning\ttoward\tthe\tmouth\tof\tthe\tbay. Rolfe\t launched\t himself\t again,\t and\t she\t let\t him\t land\t two\t strikes\t on\t her\t sword before\tshe\tducked\tthe\tthird\tblow\tand\tslammed\tinto\thim.\tShe\tswept\ther\tfoot,\tand Rolfe\tstaggered\tback\ta\tstep.\tNot\tmissing\ta\tbeat,\tshe\tpulled\tout\ther\tlong\thunting knife,\tslashing\tfor\this\tchest.\tShe\tlet\ther\tblow\tfall\tshort,\tripping\tthrough\tthe\tfine blue\tmaterial\tof\this\ttunic\tinstead. Rolfe\tstumbled\tinto\tthe\twall\tof\ta\tbuilding\tbehind\thim,\tbut\tcaught\this\tfooting and\t dodged\t the\t blow\t that\t would\t have\t taken\t off\t his\t head.\t The\t vibrations\t of\t her sword\thitting\tstone\tstung\ther\thand,\tbut\tshe\tkept\thold\tof\tthe\thilt. \u201cWhat\t was\t the\t plan?\u201d\t Rolfe\t panted\t above\t the\t roar\t of\t the\t pirates\t rushing toward\tthe\tdocks.\t\u201cSteal\tmy\tslaves\tand\ttake\tall\tthe\tprofit?\u201d","She\t laughed,\t feinting\t to\t his\t right,\t but\t sweeping\t for\t his\t unprotected\t left\t with her\tdagger.\tTo\ther\tsurprise,\tRolfe\tdeflected\tboth\tmoves\tin\ta\tswift,\tsure\tmotion. \u201cTo\tfree\tthem,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\tBeyond\tthe\tchain,\tbeyond\tthe\tmouth\tof\tthe\tbay,\tthe clouds\ton\tthe\thorizon\tbegan\tto\tcolor\twith\tthe\tlight\tof\tthe\tcoming\tdawn. \u201cFool,\u201d\t Rolfe\t spat,\t and\t this\t time\t feinted\t so\t well\t that\t even\t Celaena\t couldn\u2019t avoid\t the\t rake\t of\t his\t sword\t across\t her\t arm.\t Warm\t blood\t seeped\t through\t her black\ttunic.\tShe\thissed,\tdarting\taway\ta\tfew\tsteps.\tA\tcareless\tmistake. \u201cYou\tthink\t freeing\t two\thundred\tslaves\t will\tsolve\tanything?\u201d\tRolfe\tkicked\t a fallen\tbottle\tof\tliquor\tat\ther.\tShe\tknocked\tit\taside\twith\tthe\tflat\tof\ther\tsword,\ther right\tarm\tscreaming\tin\tpain.\tGlass\tshattered\tbehind\ther.\t\u201cThere\tare\tthousands\tof slaves\tout\tthere.\tAre\tyou\tgoing\tto\tmarch\tinto\tCalaculla\tand\tEndovier\t and\tfree them,\ttoo?\u201d Behind\t him,\t the\t steady\t strokes\t of\t the\t oars\t propelled\t the\t ships\t toward\t the chain.\tSam\thad\tto\thurry. Rolfe\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cStupid\tgirl.\tIf\tI\tdon\u2019t\tkill\tyou,\tyour\tmaster\twill.\u201d Not\thim\tgiving\tthe\tluxury\tof\ta\twarning,\tshe\tthrew\therself\tat\thim.\tShe\tducked, twirling,\tand\tRolfe\tbarely\tturned\tbefore\tshe\tslammed\tthe\tpommel\tof\ther\tsword into\tthe\tback\tof\this\thead. The\t Pirate\t Lord\t crumpled\t to\t the\t dirt\t street\t just\t as\t a\t crowd\t of\t bloodied\t and filthy\t pirates\t appeared\t around\t the\t corner.\t Celaena\t only\t had\t time\t to\t throw\t her hood\t over\t her\t head,\t hoping\t the\t shadows\t concealed\t enough\t of\t her\t face,\t before she\ttook\toff\tat\ta\trun. It\t didn\u2019t\t take\t much\t to\t get\t away\t from\t a\t group\t of\t half-drunk\t battlecrazed pirates.\tShe\tonly\thad\tto\tlead\tthem\tdown\ta\tfew\ttwisted\tstreets,\tand\tthen\tshe\tlost them.\tBut\tthe\twound\ton\ther\tarm\tstill\tslowed\ther\tconsiderably\tas\tshe\tran\tfor\tthe watchtower.\t Sam\t was\t already\t far\t ahead.\t Releasing\t the\t chain\t was\t now\t in\t his hands. Pirates\t raged\t up\t and\t down\t the\t docks,\t seeking\t any\t boat\t that\t was\t in\t working order.\tThat\thad\tbeen\tthe\tfinal\tleg\tof\ther\tjourney\tlast\tnight:\tdisabling\tthe\trudders in\tall\tof\tthe\tships\talong\tthe\tdocks,\tincluding\tRolfe\u2019s\town\tship,\tthe\tSea\tDragon \u2014which\thonestly\tdeserved\tto\tbe\ttampered\twith,\tgiven\tthat\tsecurity\ton\tboard\thad been\tso\tlax.\tBut,\tdespite\tthe\tdamage,\tsome\tpirates\tmanaged\tto\tfind\trowboats\tand piled\tinto\tthem,\tbrandishing\tswords\tor\tcutlasses\tor\taxes\tand\tshouting\tprofanities to\tthe\thigh\theavens.\tThe\tramshackle\tbuildings\tblurred\tas\tshe\tsprinted\ttoward\tthe watchtower.\t Her\t breath\t was\t ragged\t in\t her\t throat,\t a\t night\t of\t no\t sleep\t already taking\t its\t toll.\t She\t burst\t past\t pirates\t on\t the\t docks,\t too\t busy\t bemoaning\t their","ruined\tboats\tto\tnotice\ther. The\t slaves\t still\t rowed\t for\t the\t chain\t as\t if\t demons\t from\t every\t Hellrealm\t were upon\tthem. Celaena\t charged\t down\t the\t road,\t heading\t for\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t town.\t With\t the sloping,\twide-open\troad,\tshe\tcould\tsee\tSam\tracing\tfar\tahead\u2014and\ta\tlarge\tgroup of\t pirates\t not\t too\t far\t behind\t him.\t The\t cut\t on\t her\t arm\t throbbed,\t but\t she\t pushed herself\tto\trun\tfaster. Sam\thad\tmere\tminutes\tto\tget\tthat\tchain\tdown,\tor\telse\tthe\tslaves\u2019\tships\twould shatter\tupon\tit.\tEven\tif\tthe\tslaves\u2019\tships\twere\table\tto\tstop\tbefore\tthey\thit\tit,\tthere were\t enough\t smaller\t boats\t heading\t out\t that\t the\t pirates\t would\t overpower\t them. The\tpirates\thad\tweapons.\tAside\tfrom\twhatever\twas\tonboard\tthe\tships,\tthe\tslaves were\tunarmed,\teven\tif\tmany\tof\tthem\thad\tbeen\twarriors\tand\trebels. There\t was\t a\t flash\t of\t movement\t from\t the\t half-crumbling\t tower.\t Steel glimmered,\t and\t there\t was\t Sam,\t charging\t up\t the\t staircase\t that\t wound\t up\t the outside\tof\tthe\ttower. Two\tpirates\trushed\tdown\tthe\tsteps,\tswords\traised.\tSam\tdodged\tone,\tknocking him\t down\t with\t a\t swift\t strike\t to\t the\t spine.\t Before\t the\t pirate\t had\t even\t finished falling,\tSam\u2019s\tblade\tskewered\tthe\tother\tman\tclean\tthrough\tthe\tmiddle. But\t there\t was\t still\t Ship-Breaker\t to\t disable,\t along\t with\t the\t two\t catapults,\t and \u2014 And\tthe\tdozen\tpirates\twho\thad\tnow\treached\tthe\tfoot\tof\tthe\ttower. Celaena\tcursed.\tShe\twas\tstill\ttoo\tfar.\tThere\twas\tno\tway\tshe\tcould\tmake\tit\tin time\tto\tdisable\tthe\tchain\u2014the\tships\twould\tcrash\tinto\tit\tlong\tbefore\tshe\tgot\tthere. She\t swallowed\t the\t pain\t in\t her\t arm,\t focusing\t on\t her\t breathing\t as\t she\t ran\t and ran,\tnot\tdaring\tto\ttake\ther\teyes\toff\tthe\ttower\tahead.\tSam,\tstill\ta\ttiny\tfigure\tin\tthe distance,\t reached\t the\t top\t of\t the\t tower\t and\t the\t expanse\t of\t open\t stone\t where\t the anchor\tto\tthe\tchain\tlay.\tEven\tfrom\there,\tshe\tcould\ttell\tit\twas\tgargantuan.\tAnd\tas Sam\t rushed\t around\t it,\t hacking\t at\t whatever\t he\t could,\t throwing\t himself\t against the\tenormous\tlever,\tboth\tof\tthem\trealized\tthe\thorrible\ttruth,\tthe\tone\tthing\tshe\u2019d overlooked:\tthe\tchain\twas\ttoo\theavy\tfor\tone\tman\tto\tmove. The\t slaves\u2019\t ships\t were\t close\t now.\t So\t close\t that\t stopping\t \u2026\t stopping\t was impossible. They\twere\tgoing\tto\tdie. But\tthe\tslaves\tdidn\u2019t\tcease\trowing. The\t dozen\t pirates\t were\t climbing\t the\t stairs.\t Sam\t had\t been\t trained\t to\t engage multiple\t men\t in\t combat,\t but\t a\t dozen\t pirates\t \u2026\t Damn\t Rolfe\t and\t his\t men\t for delaying\ther! Sam\tglanced\ttoward\tthe\tstairs.\tHe\tknew\tabout\tthe\tpirates,\ttoo.","She\tcould\tsee\teverything\twith\tsuch\tmaddening\tclarity.\tSam\tremained\tatop\tthe tower.\tA\tlevel\tbelow\thim,\tperched\ton\ta\tplatform\tjutting\tout\tover\tthe\tsea,\tsat\tthe two\t catapults.\t And\t in\t the\t bay,\t the\t two\t ships\t that\t rowed\t with\t increasing\t speed. Freedom\tor\tdeath. Sam\tslung\thimself\tdown\tto\tthe\tcatapult\tlevel,\tand\tCelaena\tstaggered\ta\tstep\tas he\t hurled\t himself\t against\t the\t rotating\t platform\t on\t which\t the\t catapult\t sat, pushing,\tpushing,\tpushing\tuntil\tthe\tcatapult\tbegan\tto\tmove\u2014not\ttoward\tthe\tsea, but\ttoward\tthe\ttower\titself,\ttoward\tthe\tspot\tin\tthe\tstone\twall\twhere\tthe\tchain\twas anchored. She\t didn\u2019t\t dare\t take\t her\t attention\t from\t the\t tower\t as\t Sam\t heaved\t the\t catapult into\t position.\t A\t boulder\t had\t already\t been\t loaded,\t and\t in\t the\t glare\t of\t the\t rising sun,\tshe\tcould\tjust\tmake\tout\tthe\trope\tstretched\ttaut\tto\tsecure\tthe\tcatapult. The\tpirates\twere\talmost\tat\tthe\tcatapult\tlevel.\tThe\ttwo\tships\trowed\tfaster\tand faster,\tthe\tchain\tso\tclose\tthat\tits\tshadow\tloomed\tover\tthem. Celaena\t sucked\t in\t a\t breath\t as\t pirates\t poured\t onto\t the\t catapult\t landing, weapons\theld\thigh. Sam\traised\this\tsword.\tLight\tfrom\tthe\tsunrise\tgleamed\toff\tthe\tblade,\tbright\tas a\tstar. A\twarning\tcry\tbroke\tfrom\ther\tlips\tas\ta\tpirate\u2019s\tdagger\tflipped\ttoward\tSam. Sam\tbrought\this\tsword\tdown\ton\tthe\tcatapult\trope,\tdoubling\tover.\tThe\tcatapult snapped\t so\t fast\t she\t could\t hardly\t follow\t the\t motion.\t The\t boulder\t slammed\t into the\t tower,\t shattering\t stone,\t wood,\t and\t metal.\t Rock\t exploded,\t dust\t clouding\t the air. And\twith\ta\tboom\tthat\techoed\tacross\tthe\tbay,\tthe\tchain\tcollapsed,\ttaking\tout\ta chunk\tof\tthe\ttower\u2014taking\tout\tthe\tspot\twhere\tshe\u2019d\tlast\tseen\tSam. Celaena,\t reaching\t the\t tower\t at\t last,\t paused\t to\t watch\t as\t the\t white\t sails\t of\t the slaves\u2019\tships\tunfurled,\tglowing\tgolden\tin\tthe\tsunrise. The\twind\tfilled\ttheir\tsails\tand\tset\tthem\tcruising,\tflying\tswiftly\tfrom\tthe\tmouth of\tthe\tbay\tand\tinto\tthe\tocean\tbeyond\tit.\tBy\tthe\ttime\tthe\tpirates\tfixed\ttheir\tships, the\tslaves\twould\tbe\ttoo\tfar\taway\tto\tcatch. She\tmurmured\ta\tprayer\tfor\tthem\tto\tfind\ta\tsafe\tharbor,\ther\twords\tcarrying\ton the\twings\tof\tthe\twind,\tand\twished\tthem\twell. A\tblock\tof\tstone\tcrashed\tnear\ther.\tCelaena\u2019s\theart\tgave\ta\tlurch.\tSam. He\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe\tdead.\tNot\tfrom\tthat\tdagger,\tor\tthose\tdozen\tpirates,\tor\tfrom\tthe catapult.\t No,\t Sam\t couldn\u2019t\t be\t so\t stupid\t that\t he\u2019d\t get\t himself\t killed.\t She\u2019d\t \u2026 she\u2019d\t\u2026\tWell,\tshe\u2019d\tkill\thim\tif\the\twas\tdead. Drawing\ther\tsword\tdespite\tthe\tache\tin\ther\tarm,\tshe\tmade\tto\trush\tinto\tthe\thalf- wrecked\ttower,\tbut\ta\tdagger\tpressed\tagainst\ther\tneck\thalted\ther\tin\ther\ttracks.","\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tso,\u201d\tRolfe\twhispered\tin\ther\tear.","CHAPTER 10 \u201cYou\tmake\ta\tmove,\tand\tI\u2019ll\tspill\tyour\tthroat\ton\tthe\tground,\u201d\tRolfe\thissed,\this free\thand\tripping\tCelaena\u2019s\tdagger\tfrom\tits\tsheath\tand\ttossing\tit\tinto\tthe\tbrush. Then\the\ttook\ther\tsword,\ttoo. \u201cWhy\tnot\tjust\tkill\tme\tright\tnow?\u201d Rolfe\u2019s\t breathy\t laugh\t tickled\t her\t ear.\t \u201cBecause\t I\t want\t to\t take\t a\t long,\t long while\tto\tenjoy\tkilling\tyou.\u201d She\tstared\tat\tthe\thalf-ruined\ttower,\tat\tthe\tdust\tstill\tswirling\tfrom\tthe\tcatapult\u2019s destruction.\tHow\tcould\tSam\thave\tsurvived\tthat? \u201cDo\t you\t know\t how\t much\t your\t attempt\t at\t playing\t hero\t cost\t me?\u201d\t Rolfe pushed\t his\t blade\t into\t her\t neck,\t and\t her\t skin\t split\t open\t with\t a\t stinging\t burst. \u201cTwo\t hundred\t slaves,\t plus\t two\t ships,\t plus\t the\t seven\t ships\t you\t disabled\t in\t the harbor,\tplus\tcountless\tlives.\u201d She\tsnorted.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tforget\tthe\tale\tfrom\tlast\tnight.\u201d Rolfe\tshifted\this\tblade,\tdigging\tin\tand\tmaking\tCelaena\twince\tdespite\therself. \u201cI\u2019ll\ttake\tthat\tfrom\tyour\tflesh,\ttoo,\tdon\u2019t\tworry.\u201d \u201cHow\u2019d\t you\t find\t me?\u201d\t She\t needed\t time.\t Needed\t something\t to\t work\t with.\t If she\tmoved\tthe\twrong\tway,\tshe\u2019d\tfind\therself\twith\ta\tcut\tthroat. \u201cI\tknew\tyou\u2019d\tfollow\tSam.\tIf\tyou\twere\tso\tset\ton\tfreeing\tthe\tslaves,\tthen\tyou certainly\t wouldn\u2019t\t leave\t your\t companion\t to\t die\t alone.\t Though\t I\t think\t you arrived\ta\tbit\ttoo\tlate\tfor\tthat.\u201d In\t the\t dense\t jungle,\t the\t cries\t of\t birds\t and\t beasts\t slowly\t returned.\t But\t the watchtower\tremained\tsilent,\tinterrupted\tonly\tby\tthe\thiss\tof\tcrumbling\tstone. \u201cYou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\treturn\twith\tme,\u201d\tRolfe\tsaid.\t\u201cAnd\tafter\tI\u2019m\tdone\twith\tyou, I\u2019ll\tcontact\tyour\tmaster\tto\tcome\tpick\tup\tthe\tpieces.\u201d Rolfe\t took\t a\t step,\t pivoting\t them\t toward\t the\t town,\t but\t Celaena\t had\t been waiting. Throwing\t her\t back\t into\t his\t chest,\t she\t hooked\t her\t foot\t behind\t his.\t Rolfe stumbled,\ttripping\tover\ther\tleg,\tand\tshe\twedged\ther\thand\tbetween\ther\tneck\tand his\tdagger\tjust\tas\the\tremembered\tto\tact\ton\this\tpromise\tto\tslit\ther\tthroat.","Blood\tfrom\ther\tpalm\tsplattered\tdown\ther\ttunic,\tbut\tshe\tshoved\tthe\tpain\taside and\tbutted\ther\telbow\tinto\this\tstomach.\tRolfe\u2019s\tbreath\twhooshed\tout\tof\thim,\tand he\t doubled\t over,\t only\t to\t meet\t her\t knee\t slamming\t into\t his\t face.\t A\t faint\t crack sounded\t as\t her\t kneecap\t connected\t with\t his\t nose.\t When\t she\t hurled\t Rolfe\t to\t the dirt,\tblood\twas\ton\ther\tpant\tleg\u2014his\tblood. She\t grabbed\t his\t fallen\t dagger\t as\t the\t Pirate\t Lord\t reached\t for\t his\t sword.\t He scrambled\tto\this\tknees,\tlunging\tfor\ther,\tbut\tshe\tstomped\ther\tfoot\tdown\tupon\this sword,\t sending\t it\t crashing\t to\t the\t ground.\t Rolfe\t raised\t his\t head\t just\t in\t time\t for her\tto\tknock\thim\tonto\this\tback.\tCrouching\tover\thim,\tshe\theld\this\tdagger\tto\this neck. \u201cWell,\tthat\tdidn\u2019t\tgo\tthe\tway\tyou\texpected,\tdid\tit?\u201d\tshe\tasked,\tlistening\tfor\ta moment\tto\tensure\tno\tpirates\twere\tabout\tto\tcome\tcrashing\tdown\tthe\troad.\tBut\tthe animals\t still\t hooted\t and\t screeched,\t the\t insects\t still\t hummed.\t They\t were\t alone. Most\tof\tthe\tpirates\twere\tprobably\tbrawling\tin\tthe\ttown. Her\thand\tthrobbed,\tblood\tpouring\tout\tas\tshe\tgrasped\tthe\tcollar\tof\this\ttunic\tto lift\this\thead\tcloser\tto\thers. \u201cSo,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\ther\tsmirk\twidening\tat\tthe\tblood\tdripping\tfrom\this\tnose.\t\u201cThis is\twhat\u2019s\tgoing\tto\thappen.\u201d\tShe\tdropped\this\tcollar\tand\tfished\tout\tthe\ttwo\tpapers from\t inside\t her\t tunic.\t Compared\t to\t the\t pain\t in\t her\t hand,\t the\t injury\t on\t her\t arm had\t faded\t to\t a\t dull\t pulsing.\t \u201cYou\t are\t going\t to\t sign\t these\t and\t stamp\t each\t with your\tseal.\u201d \u201cI\trefuse,\u201d\tRolfe\tseethed. \u201cYou\t don\u2019t\t even\t know\t what\t they\t say.\u201d\t She\t pushed\t the\t tip\t of\t the\t dagger\t into his\theaving\tthroat.\t\u201cSo\tallow\tme\tto\tclarify:\tone\tof\tthese\tis\ta\tletter\tto\tmy\tmaster. It\t says\t that\t the\t deal\t is\t over,\t that\t you\t won\u2019t\t be\t sending\t him\t slaves,\t and\t if\t you catch\t him\t entering\t into\t another\t slave-trade\t agreement\t with\t anyone\t else,\t you\u2019ll bring\tyour\twhole\tarmada\tto\tpunish\thim.\u201d Rolfe\tchoked.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tinsane.\u201d \u201cMaybe,\u201d\t she\t said.\t \u201cBut\t I\u2019m\t not\t done\t yet.\u201d\t She\t picked\t up\t the\t second\t letter. \u201cThis\t one\t \u2026\t I\t wrote\t this\t one\t for\t you.\t I\t did\t my\t best\t to\t try\t to\t write\t it\t in\t your voice,\tbut\tyou\u2019ll\tforgive\tme\tif\tit\u2019s\ta\ttad\tmore\telegant\tthan\tyou\u2019re\tused\tto\tbeing.\u201d Rolfe\t struggled,\t but\t she\t pushed\t the\t blade\t a\t little\t harder,\t and\t he\t stopped. \u201cBasically,\u201d\t she\t said,\t sighing\t dramatically,\t \u201cthis\t one\t says\t that\t you,\t Captain Rolfe,\t bearer\t of\t the\t magical\t map\t inked\t on\t your\t hands,\t will\t never,\t ever\t sell\t a slave\tagain.\tAnd\tif\tyou\tcatch\tany\tpirates\tselling\tor\ttransporting\tor\ttrading\tslaves, you\u2019ll\thang,\tburn,\tor\tdrown\tthem\tyourself.\tAnd\tthat\tSkull\u2019s\tBay\tis\tforevermore a\tsafe\thaven\tfor\tany\tslaves\tfleeing\tAdarlan\u2019s\tclutches.\u201d Rolfe\tpractically\thad\tsteam\tblowing\tout\this\tears.\t\u201cI\twon\u2019t\tsign\teither\tof\tthem,","you\tstupid\tgirl.\tDon\u2019t\tyou\tknow\twho\tI\tam?\u201d \u0334Fine,\u201d\t she\t said,\t angling\t the\t blade\t to\t sink\t into\t his\t flesh\t more\t easily.\t \u201cI memorized\t your\t signature\t when\t I\t was\t in\t your\t office\t that\t first\t day.\t It\t won\u2019t\t be hard\t to\t forge.\t And\t as\t for\t your\t seal\t ring\t \u2026\u201d\t She\t removed\t something\t else\t from her\tpocket.\t\u201cI\talso\ttook\tthat\tthe\tfirst\tday\tin\tyour\toffice,\tjust\tin\tcase\tI\tneeded\tit. Turns\t out\t I\t was\t right.\u201d\t Rolfe\t croaked\t as\t she\t held\t it\t up\t in\t her\t free\t hand,\t the garnet\t flashing\t in\t the\t light.\t \u201cI\t figure\t I\t can\t return\t to\t town\t and\t tell\t your\t cronies that\t you\t decided\t to\t set\t sail\t after\t those\t slaves,\t and\t to\t expect\t you\t back\t in\t \u2026\t I don\u2019t\tknow\u2014six\tmonths?\tA\tyear?\tLong\tenough\tthat\tthey\twon\u2019t\tnotice\tthe\tgrave I\u2019ll\t dig\t for\t you\t right\t off\t the\t road\t here.\t Frankly,\t you\u2019ve\t seen\t who\t I\t am,\t and\t I should\t end\t your\t life\t for\t it.\t But\t consider\t it\t a\t favor\u2014and\t a\t promise\t that\t if\t you don\u2019t\tfollow\tmy\torders,\tI\u2019ll\tchange\tmy\tdecision\tto\tspare\tyou.\u201d Rolfe\u2019s\teyes\tnarrowed\tto\tslits.\t\u201cWhy?\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ll\thave\tto\tclarify\tthat.\u201d He\ttook\ta\tbreath.\t\u201cWhy\tgo\tto\tso\tmuch\ttrouble\tfor\tslaves?\u201d \u201cBecause\t if\t we\t don\u2019t\t fight\t for\t them,\t who\t will?\u201d\t She\t pulled\t a\t fountain\t pen from\ther\tpocket.\t\u201cSign\tthe\tpapers.\u201d Rolfe\t raised\t an\t eyebrow.\t \u201cAnd\t how\t will\t you\t know\t that\t I\u2019m\t holding\t true\t to my\tword?\u201d She\tremoved\tthe\tdagger\tfrom\this\tthroat,\tusing\tthe\tblade\tto\tbrush\tback\ta\tstrand of\this\tdark\thair.\t\u201cI\thave\tmy\tsources.\tAnd\tif\tI\thear\tthat\tyou\u2019re\ttrading\tslaves,\tno matter\t where\t you\t go,\t no\t matter\t how\t far\t you\t run,\t I\t will\t hunt\t you\t down.\t That\u2019s twice\tnow\tI\u2019ve\tdisabled\tyou.\tThe\tthird\ttime,\tyou\twon\u2019t\tbe\tso\tlucky.\tI\tswear\tthat on\tmy\tname.\tI\u2019m\talmost\tseventeen,\tand\tI\tcan\talready\twallop\tyou;\timagine\thow good\tI\u2019ll\tbe\tin\ta\tfew\tyears.\u201d\tShe\tshook\ther\thead.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tyou\u2019ll\twant\tto\ttry me\tnow\u2014and\tcertainly\tnot\tthen.\u201d Rolfe\t stared\t at\t her\t for\t a\t few\t heartbeats.\t \u201cIf\t you\t ever\t set\t foot\t in\t my\t territory again,\t your\t life\t is\t forfeit.\u201d\t He\t paused,\t then\t muttered,\t \u201cMay\t the\t gods\t help Arobynn.\u201d\tHe\ttook\tthe\tpen.\t\u201cAny\tother\trequests?\u201d She\teased\toff\thim,\tbut\tkept\tthe\tdagger\tin\ther\thand.\t\u201cWhy,\tyes,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cA ship\twould\tbe\tnice.\u201d Rolfe\tonly\tglared\tat\ther\tbefore\the\tgrabbed\tthe\tdocuments. When\t Rolfe\t had\t signed,\t stamped,\t and\t handed\t the\t documents\t to\t Celaena,\t she took\tthe\tliberty\tof\tknocking\thim\tout\tagain.\tSwift\tblows\tto\ttwo\tpoints\tin\this\tneck did\t the\t trick,\t and\t he\u2019d\t be\t out\t long\t enough\t for\t her\t to\t accomplish\t what\t she needed:\tto\tfind\tSam.","She\t raced\t up\t the\t half-crumbling\t stairs\t of\t the\t tower,\t leaping\t over\t pirate corpses\tand\tchunks\tof\tstone,\tnot\tstopping\tuntil\tshe\tfound\tthe\tcrushed\tbodies\tof the\tdozen\tpirates\twho\twere\tclosest\tto\tSam\tand\tthe\truins\tof\tthe\tcatapults.\tBlood, bone,\t squished\t bits\t of\t flesh\t that\t she\t didn\u2019t\t particularly\t care\t to\t look\t at\t for\t too long\t\u2026 \u201cSam!\u201d\tshe\tshouted,\tslipping\tover\ta\tbit\tof\tdebris.\tShe\theaved\ta\tslab\tof\twood off\tthe\tside,\tscanning\tthe\tlanding\tfor\tany\tsign\tof\thim.\t\u201cSam!\u201d Her\t hand\t began\t bleeding\t again,\t leaving\t smears\t of\t blood\t as\t she\t turned\t over stone\tand\twood\tand\tmetal.\tWhere\twas\the? It\thad\tbeen\ther\tplan.\tIf\tone\tof\tthem\thad\tto\tdie\tfor\tit,\tit\tshould\thave\tbeen\ther. Not\thim. She\treached\tthe\tsecond\tcatapult,\tits\tentire\tframe\tsnapped\tin\thalf\tfrom\ta\tfallen piece\tof\ttower.\tShe\u2019d\tlast\tseen\thim\there.\tA\tslab\tof\tstone\tjutted\tup\tfrom\twhere\tit had\thit\tthe\tlanding.\tIt\twas\tlarge\tenough\tto\thave\tsquashed\tsomeone\tbeneath. She\thurled\therself\tagainst\tit,\ther\tfeet\tsliding\tagainst\tthe\tground\tas\tshe\tpushed and\tpushed\tand\tpushed.\tThe\tstone\tdidn\u2019t\tmove. Grunting,\tgasping,\tshe\tshoved\tharder.\tStill\tthe\tstone\twas\ttoo\tlarge. Cursing,\t she\t beat\t a\t fist\t against\t the\t gray\t surface,\t her\t injured\t hand\t aching\t in protest.\t The\t pain\t snapped\t something\t open,\t and\t she\t struck\t the\t stone\t again\t and again,\tclenching\ther\tjaw\tto\tkeep\tthe\tbuilding\tscream\tinside\tof\ther. \u201cFor\t some\t reason,\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t that\u2019s\t going\t to\t make\t the\t rock\t move,\u201d\t said\t a voice,\tand\tCelaena\twhirled. Emerging\tfrom\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tlanding\twas\tSam.\tHe\twas\tcovered\thead\tto toe\tin\tgray\tdust,\tand\tblood\tleaked\tfrom\ta\tcut\tin\this\tforehead,\tbut\the\twas\t\u2026 She\tlifted\ther\tchin.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tbeen\tshouting\tfor\tyou.\u201d Sam\t shrugged,\t sauntering\t over\t to\t her.\t \u201cI\t figured\t you\t could\t wait\t a\t few minutes,\t given\t that\t I\t saved\t the\t day\t and\t all.\u201d\t His\t brows\t rose\t high\t on\t his\t ash- covered\tface. \u201cSome\t hero.\u201d\t She\t gestured\t to\t the\t ruin\t of\t the\t tower\t around\t them.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t never seen\tsuch\tsloppy\twork.\u201d Sam\t smiled,\t his\t brown\t eyes\t turning\t golden\t in\t the\t dawn.\t It\t was\t such\t a\t Sam look,\t the\t twinkle\t of\t mischief,\t the\t hint\t of\t exasperation,\t the\t kindness\t that\t would always,\talways\tmake\thim\ta\tbetter\tperson\tthan\tshe\twas. Before\tshe\tknew\twhat\tshe\twas\tdoing,\tCelaena\tthrew\ther\tarms\taround\thim\tand held\thim\tclose. Sam\t stiffened,\t but\t after\t a\t heartbeat,\t his\t arms\t came\t around\t her.\t She\t breathed him\tin\u2014the\tsmell\tof\this\tsweat,\tthe\ttang\tof\tthe\tdust\tand\trock,\tthe\tmetallic\todor\tof his\t blood\t \u2026\t Sam\t rested\t his\t cheek\t on\t her\t head.\t She\t couldn\u2019t\t remember\u2014","honestly\t couldn\u2019t\t recall\u2014the\t last\t time\t anyone\t had\t held\t her.\t No,\t wait\u2014it\t had been\ta\tyear\tago.\tWith\tBen,\tafter\tshe\u2019d\tcome\tback\tfrom\ta\tmission\ttwo\thours\tlate and\twith\ta\tsprained\tankle.\tHe\u2019d\tbeen\tworried,\tand\tgiven\thow\tclose\tshe\u2019d\tcome to\tbeing\tcaptured\tby\tthe\troyal\tguards,\tshe\twas\tmore\tthan\ta\tbit\tshaken. But\tembracing\tSam\twas\tdifferent,\tsomehow.\tLike\tshe\twanted\tto\tcurl\tinto\this warmth,\t like\t for\t one\t moment,\t she\t didn\u2019t\t have\t to\t worry\t about\t anything\t or anybody. \u201cSam,\u201d\tshe\tmurmured\tinto\this\tchest. \u201cHmm?\u201d She\tpeeled\taway\tfrom\thim,\tstepping\tout\tof\this\tarms.\t\u201cIf\tyou\tever\ttell\tanyone about\tme\tembracing\tyou\t\u2026\tI\u2019ll\tgut\tyou.\u201d Sam\t gaped\t at\t her,\t then\t tipped\t his\t head\t back\t and\t laughed.\t He\t laughed\t and laughed,\tuntil\tdust\tlodged\tin\this\tthroat\tand\the\tlaunched\tinto\ta\tcoughing\tfit.\tShe let\thim\tsuffer\tthrough\tit,\tnot\tfinding\tit\tvery\tfunny\tat\tall. When\the\tcould\tbreathe\tagain,\tSam\tcleared\this\tthroat.\t\u201cCome\ton,\tSardothien,\u201d he\t said,\t slinging\t an\t arm\t around\t her\t shoulders.\t \u201cIf\t you\u2019re\t done\t liberating\t slaves and\tdestroying\tpirate\tcities,\tthen\tlet\u2019s\tgo\thome.\u201d Celaena\tglanced\tat\thim\tsidelong\tand\tgrinned.","THE ASSASSIN AND\tTHE HEALER","CHAPTER 1 The\tstrange\tyoung\twoman\thad\tbeen\tstaying\tat\tthe\tWhite\tPig\tInn\tfor\ttwo\tdays now\tand\thad\thardly\tspoken\tto\tanyone\tsave\tfor\tNolan,\twho\thad\ttaken\tone\tlook\tat her\tfine\tnight-dark\tclothes\tand\tbent\tover\tbackward\tto\taccommodate\ther. He\tgave\ther\tthe\tbest\troom\tat\tthe\tPig\u2014the\troom\the\tonly\toffered\tto\tpatrons\the intended\t to\t bleed\t dry\u2014and\t didn\u2019t\t seem\t at\t all\t bothered\t by\t the\t heavy\t hood\t the young\t woman\t wore\t or\t the\t assortment\t of\t weapons\t that\t gleamed\t along\t her\t long, lean\tbody.\tNot\twhen\tshe\ttossed\thim\ta\tgold\tcoin\twith\ta\tcasual\tflick\tof\ther\tgloved fingers.\tNot\twhen\tshe\twas\twearing\tan\tornate\tgold\tbrooch\twith\ta\truby\tthe\tsize\tof a\trobin\u2019s\tegg. Then\t again,\t Nolan\t was\t never\t really\t afraid\t of\t anyone,\t unless\t they\t seemed likely\tnot\tto\tpay\thim\u2014and\teven\tthen,\tit\twas\tanger\tand\tgreed,\tnot\tfear,\tthat\twon out. Yrene\t Towers\t had\t been\t watching\t the\t young\t woman\t from\t the\t safety\t of\t the taproom\t bar.\t Watching,\t if\t only\t because\t the\t stranger\t was\t young\t and unaccompanied\t and\t sat\t at\t the\t back\t table\t with\t such\t stillness\t that\t it\t was impossible\tnot\tto\tlook.\tNot\tto\twonder. Yrene\thadn\u2019t\tseen\ther\tface\tyet,\tthough\tshe\u2019d\tcaught\ta\tglimpse\tevery\tnow\tand then\t of\t a\t golden\t braid\t glinting\t from\t the\t depths\t of\t her\t black\t hood.\t In\t any\t other city,\tthe\tWhite\tPig\tInn\twould\tlikely\tbe\tconsidered\tthe\tlowest\tof\tthe\tlow\tas\tfar\tas luxury\tand\tcleanliness\twere\tconcerned.\tBut\there\tin\tInnish,\ta\tport\ttown\tso\tsmall it\twasn\u2019t\ton\tmost\tmaps,\tit\twas\tconsidered\tthe\tfinest. Yrene\t glanced\t at\t the\t mug\t she\t was\t currently\t cleaning\t and\t tried\t not\t to\t wince. She\tdid\ther\tbest\tto\tkeep\tthe\tbar\tand\ttaproom\tclean,\tto\tserve\tthe\tPig\u2019s\tpatrons\u2014 most\tof\tthem\tsailors\tor\tmerchants\tor\tmercenaries\twho\toften\tthought\tshe\twas\tup for\tpurchase\tas\twell\u2014with\ta\tsmile.\tBut\tNolan\tstill\twatered\tdown\tthe\twine,\tstill washed\tthe\tsheets\tonly\twhen\tthere\twas\tno\tdenying\tthe\tpresence\tof\tlice\tand\tfleas, and\t sometimes\t used\t whatever\t meat\t could\t be\t found\t in\t the\t back\t alley\t for\t their daily\tstew. Yrene\thad\tbeen\tworking\there\tfor\ta\tyear\tnow\u2014eleven\tmonths\tlonger\tthan\tshe","had\t intended\u2014and\t the\t White\t Pig\t still\t sickened\t her.\t Considering\t that\t she\t could stomach\t almost\t anything\t (a\t fact\t that\t allowed\t both\t Nolan\t and\t Jessa\t to\t demand she\tclean\tup\tthe\tmost\tdisgusting\tmesses\tof\ttheir\tpatrons),\tthat\twas\treally\tsaying something. The\t stranger\t at\t the\t back\t table\t lifted\t her\t head,\t signaling\t with\t a\t gloved\t finger for\tYrene\tto\tbring\tanother\tale.\tFor\tsomeone\twho\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tolder\tthan\ttwenty, the\t young\t woman\t drank\t an\t ungodly\t amount\u2014wine,\t ale,\t whatever\t Nolan\t bade Yrene\t bring\t over\u2014but\t never\t seemed\t to\t lose\t herself\t to\t it.\t It\t was\t impossible\t to tell\t with\t that\t heavy\t hood,\t though.\t These\t past\t two\t nights\t she\u2019d\t merely\t stalked back\tto\ther\troom\twith\ta\tfeline\tgrace,\tnot\tstumbling\tover\therself\tlike\tmost\tof\tthe patrons\ton\ttheir\tway\tout\tafter\tlast\tcall. Yrene\t quickly\t poured\t ale\t into\t the\t mug\t she\u2019d\t just\t been\t drying\t and\t set\t it\t on\t a tray.\t She\t added\t a\t glass\t of\t water\t and\t some\t more\t bread,\t since\t the\t girl\t hadn\u2019t touched\tthe\tstew\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tgiven\tfor\tdinner.\tNot\ta\tsingle\tbite.\tSmart\twoman. Yrene\twove\tthrough\tthe\tpacked\ttaproom,\tdodging\tthe\thands\tthat\ttried\tto\tgrab her.\tHalfway\tthrough\ther\ttrek,\tshe\tcaught\tNolan\u2019s\teye\tfrom\twhere\the\tsat\tby\tthe front\tdoor.\tAn\tencouraging\tnod,\this\tmostly\tbald\thead\tgleaming\tin\tthe\tdim\tlight. Keep\ther\tdrinking.\tKeep\ther\tbuying. Yrene\tavoided\trolling\ther\teyes,\tif\tonly\tbecause\tNolan\twas\tthe\tsole\treason\tshe wasn\u2019t\twalking\tthe\tcobblestone\tstreets\twith\tthe\tother\tyoung\twomen\tof\tInnish.\tA year\tago,\tthe\tstout\tman\thad\tlet\ther\tconvince\thim\tthat\the\tneeded\tmore\thelp\tin\tthe tavern\t below\t the\t inn.\t Of\t course,\t he\u2019d\t only\t accepted\t when\t he\t realized\t he\u2019d\t be receiving\tthe\tbetter\tend\tof\tthe\tbargain. But\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\teighteen\tand\tdesperate,\tand\thad\tgladly\ttaken\ta\tjob\tthat\toffered only\ta\tfew\tcoppers\tand\ta\tmiserable\tlittle\tbed\tin\ta\tbroom\tcloset\tbeneath\tthe\tstairs. Most\t of\t her\tmoney\t came\t from\t tips,\t but\t Nolan\tclaimed\t half\t of\t them.\t And\t then Jessa,\tthe\tother\tbarmaid,\tusually\tclaimed\ttwo-thirds\tof\twhat\tremained,\tbecause, as\t Jessa\t often\t said,\t she\t was\t the\t pretty\t face\t that\t gets\t the\t men\t to\t part\t with\t their money,\tanyway. One\t glance\t into\t a\t corner\t revealed\t that\t pretty\t face\t and\t its\t attendant\t body perched\t on\t the\t lap\t of\t a\t bearded\t sailor,\t giggling\t and\t tossing\t her\t thick\t brown curls.\t Yrene\t sighed\t through\t her\t nose\t but\t didn\u2019t\t complain,\t because\t Jessa\t was Nolan\u2019s\t favorite,\t and\t Yrene\t had\t nowhere\u2014absolutely\t nowhere\u2014left\t to\t go. Innish\t was\t her\t home\t now,\t and\t the\t White\t Pig\t was\t her\t haven.\t Outside\t of\t it,\t the world\twas\ttoo\tbig,\ttoo\tfull\tof\tsplintered\tdreams\tand\tarmies\tthat\thad\tcrushed\tand burned\teverything\tYrene\theld\tdear. Yrene\tat\tlast\treached\tthe\tstranger\u2019s\ttable\tand\tfound\tthe\tyoung\twoman\tlooking up\tat\ther.\t\u201cI\tbrought\tyou\tsome\twater\tand\tbread,\ttoo,\u201d\tYrene\tstammered\tby\tway","of\t greeting.\t She\t set\t down\t the\t ale,\t but\t hesitated\t with\t the\t other\t two\t items\t on\t her tray. The\t young\t woman\t just\t said,\t \u201cThank\t you.\u201d\t Her\t voice\t was\t low\t and\t cool\u2014 cultured.\tEducated.\tAnd\tcompletely\tuninterested\tin\tYrene. Not\tthat\tthere\twas\tanything\tabout\ther\tthat\twas\tremotely\tinteresting,\twith\ther homespun\t wool\t dress\t doing\t little\t for\t her\t too-slim\t figure.\t Like\t most\t who\t hailed from\t southern\t Fenharrow,\t Yrene\t had\t golden-tan\t skin\t and\t absolutely\t ordinary brown\thair\tand\twas\tof\taverage\theight.\tOnly\ther\teyes,\ta\tbright\tgold-brown,\tgave her\t any\t source\t of\t pride.\t Not\t that\t most\t people\t saw\t them.\t Yrene\t did\t her\t best\t to keep\ther\teyes\tdown\tmost\tof\tthe\ttime,\tavoiding\tany\tinvitation\tfor\tcommunication or\tthe\twrong\tkind\tof\tattention. So,\tYrene\tset\tdown\tthe\tbread\tand\twater\tand\ttook\tthe\tempty\tmug\tfrom\twhere the\t girl\t had\t pushed\t it\t to\t the\t center\t of\t the\t table.\t But\t curiosity\t won\t out,\t and\t she peered\t into\t the\t black\t depths\t beneath\t the\t young\t woman\u2019s\t cowl.\t Nothing\t but shadows,\t a\t gleam\t of\t gold\t hair,\t and\t a\t hint\t of\t pale\t skin.\t She\t had\t so\t many questions\u2014so,\t so\t many\t questions.\t Who\t are\t you?\t Where\t do\t you\t come\t from? Where\tare\tyou\tgoing?\tCan\tyou\tuse\tall\tthose\tblades\tyou\tcarry? Nolan\twas\twatching\tthe\tentire\tencounter,\tso\tYrene\tcurtsied\tand\twalked\tback to\t the\t bar\t through\t the\t field\t of\t groping\t hands,\t eyes\t downcast\t as\t she\t plastered\t a distant\tsmile\ton\ther\tface. Celaena\tSardothien\tsat\tat\ther\ttable\tin\tthe\tabsolutely\tworthless\tinn,\twondering how\ther\tlife\thad\tgone\tto\thell\tso\tquickly. She\thated\tInnish.\tHated\tthe\treek\tof\ttrash\tand\tfilth,\thated\tthe\theavy\tblanket\tof mist\t that\t shrouded\t it\t day\t and\t night,\t hated\t the\t second-rate\t merchants\t and mercenaries\tand\tgenerally\tmiserable\tpeople\twho\toccupied\tit. No\tone\there\tknew\twho\tshe\twas,\tor\twhy\tshe\u2019d\tcome;\tno\tone\tknew\tthat\tthe\tgirl beneath\t the\t hood\t was\t Celaena\t Sardothien,\t the\t most\t notorious\t assassin\t in Adarlan\u2019s\t empire.\t But\t then\t again,\t she\t didn\u2019t\t want\t them\t to\t know.\t Couldn\u2019t\t let them\t know,\t actually.\t And\t didn\u2019t\t want\t them\t knowing\t that\t she\t was\t just\t over\t a week\taway\tfrom\tturning\tseventeen,\teither. She\u2019d\t been\t here\t for\t two\t days\t now\u2014two\t days\t spent\t either\t holed\t up\t in\t her despicable\troom\t(a\t\u201csuite,\u201d\tthe\toily\tinnkeeper\thad\tthe\tnerve\tto\tcall\tit),\tor\tdown here\tin\tthe\ttaproom\tthat\tstank\tof\tsweat,\tstale\tale,\tand\tunwashed\tbodies. She\t would\t have\t left\t if\t she\u2019d\t had\t any\t choice.\t But\t she\t was\t forced\t to\t be\t here, thanks\tto\ther\tmaster,\tArobynn\tHamel,\tKing\tof\tthe\tAssassins.\tShe\u2019d\talways\tbeen proud\t of\t her\t status\t as\t his\t chosen\t heir\u2014always\t flaunted\t it.\t But\t now\t \u2026\t This","journey\t was\t her\t punishment\t for\t destroying\t his\t atrocious\t slave-trade\t agreement with\tthe\tPirate\tLord\tof\tSkull\u2019s\tBay.\tSo\tunless\tshe\twanted\tto\trisk\tthe\ttrek\tthrough the\t Bogdano\t Jungle\u2014the\t feral\t bit\t of\t land\t that\t bridged\t the\t continent\t to\t the Deserted\tLand\u2014sailing\tacross\tthe\tGulf\tof\tOro\twas\tthe\tonly\tway.\tWhich\tmeant waiting\there,\tin\tthis\tdump\tof\ta\ttavern,\tfor\ta\tship\tto\ttake\ther\tto\tYurpa. Celaena\t sighed\t and\t took\t a\t long\t drink\t of\t her\t ale.\t She\t almost\t spat\t it\t out. Disgusting.\tCheap\tas\tcheap\tcould\tbe,\tlike\tthe\trest\tof\tthis\tplace.\tLike\tthe\tstew\tshe hadn\u2019t\t touched.\t Whatever\t meat\t was\t in\t there\t wasn\u2019t\t from\t any\t creature\t worth eating.\tBread\tand\tmild\tcheese\tit\twas,\tthen. Celaena\t sat\t back\t in\t her\t seat,\t watching\t the\t barmaid\t with\t the\t brown-gold\t hair slip\t through\t the\t labyrinth\t of\t tables\t and\t chairs.\t The\t girl\t nimbly\t dodged\t the\t men who\t groped\t her,\t all\t without\t disturbing\t the\t tray\t she\t carried\t over\t her\t shoulder. What\ta\twaste\tof\tswift\tfeet,\tgood\tbalance,\tand\tintelligent,\tstunning\teyes.\tThe\tgirl wasn\u2019t\t dumb.\t Celaena\t had\t noted\t the\t way\t she\t watched\t the\t room\t and\t its\t patrons \u2014the\t way\t she\t watched\t Celaena\t herself.\t What\t personal\t hell\t had\t driven\t her\t to work\there? Celaena\t didn\u2019t\t particularly\t care.\t The\t questions\t were\t mostly\t to\t drive\t the boredom\t away.\t She\u2019d\t already\t devoured\t the\t three\t books\t she\u2019d\t carried\t with\t her from\t Rifthold,\t and\t not\t one\t of\t the\t shops\t in\t Innish\t had\t a\t single\t book\t for\t sale\u2014 only\t spices,\t fish,\t out-of-fashion\t clothing,\t and\t nautical\t gear.\t For\t a\t port\t town,\t it was\tpathetic.\tBut\tthe\tKingdom\tof\tMelisande\thad\tfallen\ton\thard\ttimes\tin\tthe\tpast eight\t and\t a\t half\t years\u2014since\t the\t King\t of\t Adarlan\t had\t conquered\t the\t continent and\tredirected\ttrade\tthrough\tEyllwe\tinstead\tof\tMelisande\u2019s\tfew\teastern\tports. The\twhole\tworld\thad\tfallen\ton\thard\ttimes,\tit\tseemed.\tCelaena\tincluded. She\tfought\tthe\turge\tto\ttouch\ther\tface.\tThe\tswelling\tfrom\tthe\tbeating\tArobynn had\tgiven\ther\thad\tgone\tdown,\tbut\tthe\tbruises\tremained.\tShe\tavoided\tlooking\tin the\t sliver\t of\t mirror\t above\t her\t dresser,\t knowing\t what\t she\u2019d\t see:\t mottled\t purple and\t blue\t and\t yellow\t along\t her\t cheekbones,\t a\t vicious\t black\t eye,\t and\t a\t still- healing\tsplit\tlip. It\t was\t all\t a\t reminder\t of\t what\t Arobynn\t had\t done\t the\t day\t she\t returned\t from Skull\u2019s\t Bay\u2014proof\t of\t how\t she\u2019d\t betrayed\t him\t by\t saving\t two\t hundred\t slaves from\ta\tterrible\tfate.\tShe\thad\tmade\ta\tpowerful\tenemy\tof\tthe\tPirate\tLord,\tand\tshe was\tfairly\tcertain\tshe\u2019d\truined\ther\trelationship\twith\tArobynn,\tbut\tshe\thad\tbeen right.\tIt\twas\tworth\tit;\tit\twould\talways\tbe\tworth\tit,\tshe\ttold\therself. Even\t if\t she\t was\t sometimes\t so\t angry\t that\t she\t couldn\u2019t\t think\t straight.\t Even\t if she\u2019d\t gotten\t into\t not\t one,\t not\t two,\t but\t three\t bar\t fights\t in\t the\t two\t weeks\t that she\u2019d\tbeen\ttraveling\tfrom\tRifthold\tto\tthe\tRed\tDesert.\tOne\tof\tthe\tbrawls,\tat\tleast, had\t been\t rightfully\t provoked:\t a\t man\t had\t cheated\t at\t a\t round\t of\t cards.\t But\t the","other\ttwo\t\u2026 There\twas\tno\tdenying\tit:\tshe\u2019d\tmerely\tbeen\tspoiling\tfor\ta\tfight.\tNo\tblades,\tno weapons.\t Just\t fists\t and\t feet.\t Celaena\t supposed\t she\t should\t feel\t bad\t about\t it\u2014 about\t the\t broken\t noses\t and\t jaws,\t about\t the\t heaps\t of\t unconscious\t bodies\t in\t her wake.\tBut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t. She\tcouldn\u2019t\tbring\therself\tto\tcare,\tbecause\tthose\tmoments\tshe\tspent\tbrawling were\t the\t few\t moments\t she\t felt\t like\t herself\t again.\t When\t she\t felt\t like\t Adarlan\u2019s greatest\tassassin,\tArobynn\tHamel\u2019s\tchosen\their. Even\tif\ther\topponents\twere\tdrunks\tand\tuntrained\tfighters;\teven\tif\tshe\tshould know\tbetter. The\tbarmaid\treached\tthe\tsafety\tof\tthe\tcounter,\tand\tCelaena\tglanced\tabout\tthe room.\t The\t innkeeper\t was\t still\t watching\t her,\t as\t he\t had\t for\t the\t past\t two\t days, wondering\thow\the\tcould\tsqueeze\teven\tmore\tmoney\tout\tof\ther\tpurse.\tThere\twere several\tother\tmen\tobserving\ther,\ttoo.\tSome\tshe\trecognized\tfrom\tprevious\tnights, while\t others\t were\t new\t faces\t that\t she\t quickly\t sized\t up.\t Was\t it\t fear\t or\t luck\t that had\tkept\tthem\taway\tfrom\ther\tso\tfar? She\u2019d\t made\t no\t secret\t of\t the\t fact\t that\t she\t carried\t money\t with\t her.\t And\t her clothes\tand\tweapons\tspoke\tvolumes\tabout\ther\twealth,\ttoo.\tThe\truby\tbrooch\tshe wore\t practically\t begged\t for\t trouble\u2014she\t wore\t it\t to\t invite\t trouble,\t actually.\t It was\t a\t gift\t from\t Arobynn\t on\t her\t sixteenth\t birthday;\t she\t hoped\t someone\t would try\tto\tsteal\tit.\tIf\tthey\twere\tgood\tenough,\tshe\tmight\tjust\tlet\tthem.\tSo\tit\twas\tonly\ta matter\tof\ttime,\treally,\tbefore\tone\tof\tthem\ttried\tto\trob\ther. And\tbefore\tshe\tdecided\tshe\twas\tbored\tof\tfighting\tonly\twith\tfists\tand\tfeet.\tShe glanced\tat\tthe\tsword\tby\ther\tside;\tit\tglinted\tin\tthe\ttavern\u2019s\tdank\tlight. But\tshe\twould\tbe\tleaving\tat\tdawn\u2014to\tsail\tto\tthe\tDeserted\tLand,\twhere\tshe\u2019d make\tthe\tjourney\tto\tthe\tRed\tDesert\tto\tmeet\tthe\tMute\tMaster\tof\tAssassins,\twith whom\t she\t was\t to\t train\t for\t a\t month\t as\t further\t punishment\t for\t her\t betrayal\t of Arobynn.\t If\t she\t were\t being\t honest\t with\t herself,\t though,\t she\u2019d\t started entertaining\tthe\tthought\tof\tnot\tgoing\tto\tthe\tRed\tDesert. It\t was\t tempting.\t She\t could\t take\t a\t ship\t somewhere\t else\u2014to\t the\t southern continent,\t perhaps\u2014and\t start\t a\t new\t life.\t She\t could\t leave\t behind\t Arobynn,\t the Assassins\u2019\tGuild,\tthe\tcity\tof\tRifthold,\tand\tAdarlan\u2019s\tdamned\tempire.\tThere\twas little\t stopping\t her,\t save\t for\t the\t feeling\t that\t Arobynn\t would\t hunt\t her\t down\t no matter\t how\t far\t she\t went.\t And\t the\t fact\t that\t Sam\t \u2026\t well,\t she\t didn\u2019t\t know\t what had\t happened\t to\t her\t fellow\t assassin\t that\t night\t the\t world\t had\t gone\t to\t hell.\t But the\t lure\t of\t the\t unknown\t remained,\t the\t wild\t rage\t that\t begged\t her\t to\t cast\t off\t the last\tof\tArobynn\u2019s\tshackles\tand\tsail\tto\ta\tplace\twhere\tshe\tcould\testablish\ther\town Assassins\u2019\tGuild.\tIt\twould\tbe\tso,\tso\teasy.","But\t even\t if\t she\t decided\t not\t to\t take\t the\t ship\t to\t Yurpa\t tomorrow\t and\t instead took\tone\tbound\tfor\tthe\tsouthern\tcontinent,\tshe\twas\tstill\tleft\twith\tanother\tnight\tin this\t awful\t inn.\t Another\t sleepless\t night\t where\t she\t could\t only\t hear\t the\t roar\t of anger\tin\ther\tblood\tas\tit\tthrashed\tinside\ther. If\tshe\twere\tsmart,\tif\tshe\twere\tlevelheaded,\tshe\twould\tavoid\tany\tconfrontation tonight\tand\tleave\tInnish\tin\tpeace,\tno\tmatter\twhere\tshe\twent. But\t she\t wasn\u2019t\t feeling\t particularly\t smart,\t or\t levelheaded\u2014certainly\t not\t once the\t hours\t passed\t and\t the\t air\t in\t the\t inn\t shifted\t into\t a\t hungry,\t wild\t thing\t that howled\tfor\tblood.","CHAPTER 2 Yrene\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\thow\tor\twhen\tit\thappened,\tbut\tthe\tatmosphere\tin\tthe\tWhite Pig\t changed.\t It\t was\t as\t if\t all\t the\t gathered\t men\t were\t waiting\t for\t something.\t The girl\tat\tthe\tback\twas\tstill\tat\ther\ttable,\tstill\tbrooding.\tBut\ther\tgloved\tfingers\twere tapping\ton\tthe\tscarred\twooden\tsurface,\tand\tevery\tnow\tand\tthen,\tshe\tshifted\ther hooded\thead\tto\tlook\taround\tthe\troom. Yrene\t couldn\u2019t\t have\t left\t even\t if\t she\t wanted\t to.\t Last\t call\t wasn\u2019t\t for\t another forty\t minutes,\t and\t she\u2019d\t have\t to\t stay\t an\t hour\t after\t that\t to\t clean\t up\t and\t usher intoxicated\t patrons\t out\t the\t door.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t care\t where\t they\t went\t once\t they passed\t the\t threshold\u2014didn\u2019t\t care\t if\t they\t wound\t up\t facedown\t in\t a\t watery\t ditch \u2014just\tas\tlong\tas\tthey\tgot\tout\tof\tthe\ttaproom.\tAnd\tstayed\tgone. Nolan\t had\t vanished\t moments\t ago,\t either\t to\t save\t his\t own\t hide\t or\t to\t do\t some dark\t dealings\t in\t the\t back\t alley,\t and\t Jessa\t was\t still\t in\t that\t sailor\u2019s\t lap,\t flirting away,\tunaware\tof\tthe\tshift\tin\tthe\tair. Yrene\t kept\t looking\t at\t the\t hooded\t girl.\t So\t did\t many\t of\t the\t tavern\u2019s\t patrons. Were\t they\t waiting\t for\t her\t to\t get\t up?\t There\t were\t some\t thieves\t that\t she recognized\u2014thieves\t who\t had\t been\t circling\t like\t vultures\t for\t the\t past\t two\t days, trying\tto\tfigure\tout\twhether\tthe\tstrange\tgirl\tcould\tuse\tthe\tweapons\tshe\tcarried.\tIt was\tcommon\tknowledge\tthat\tshe\twas\tleaving\ttomorrow\tat\tdawn.\tIf\tthey\twanted her\t money,\t jewelry,\t weapons,\t or\t something\t far\t darker,\t tonight\t would\t be\t their last\tchance. Yrene\t chewed\t on\t her\t lip\t as\t she\t poured\t a\t round\t of\t ales\t for\t the\t table\t of\t four mercenaries\tplaying\tKings.\tShe\tshould\twarn\tthe\tgirl\u2014tell\ther\tthat\tshe\tmight\tbe better\toff\tsneaking\tto\ther\tship\tright\tnow,\tbefore\tshe\twound\tup\twith\ta\tslit\tthroat. But\tNolan\twould\tthrow\tYrene\tout\tinto\tthe\tstreets\tif\the\tknew\tshe\thad\twarned her.\t Especially\t when\t many\t of\t the\t cutthroats\t were\t beloved\t patrons\t who\t often shared\t their\t ill-gained\t profits\t with\t him.\t And\t she\t had\t no\t doubt\t that\t he\u2019d\t send those\tvery\tmen\tafter\ther\tif\tshe\tbetrayed\thim.\tHow\thad\tshe\tbecome\tso\tadjusted\tto these\t people?\t When\t had\t Nolan\t and\t the\t White\t Pig\t become\t a\t place\t and\t position she\twanted\tso\tdesperately\tto\tkeep?","Yrene\tswallowed\thard,\tpouring\tanother\tmug\tof\tale.\tHer\tmother\twouldn\u2019t\thave hesitated\tto\twarn\tthe\tgirl. But\ther\tmother\thad\tbeen\ta\tgood\twoman\u2014a\twoman\twho\tnever\twavered,\twho never\tturned\taway\ta\tsick\tor\twounded\tperson,\tno\tmatter\thow\tpoor,\tfrom\tthe\tdoor of\ttheir\tcottage\tin\tsouthern\tFenharrow.\tNever. As\t a\t prodigiously\t gifted\t healer\t blessed\t with\t no\t small\t amount\t of\t magic,\t her mother\t had\t always\t said\t it\t wasn\u2019t\t right\t to\t charge\t people\t for\t what\t she\u2019d\t been given\t for\t free\t by\t Silba,\tthe\t Goddess\t of\tHealing.\t And\tthe\t only\t time\t she\u2019d\t seen her\tmother\tfalter\twas\tthe\tday\tthe\tsoldiers\tfrom\tAdarlan\tsurrounded\ttheir\thouse, armed\tto\tthe\tteeth\tand\tbearing\ttorches\tand\twood. They\thadn\u2019t\tbothered\tto\tlisten\twhen\ther\tmother\texplained\tthat\ther\tpower,\tlike Yrene\u2019s,\thad\talready\tdisappeared\tmonths\tbefore,\talong\twith\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tmagic in\tthe\tland\u2014abandoned\tby\tthe\tgods,\ther\tmother\thad\tclaimed. No,\t the\t soldiers\t hadn\u2019t\t listened\t at\t all.\t And\t neither\t had\t any\t of\t those\t vanished gods\tto\twhom\ther\tmother\tand\tYrene\thad\tpleaded\tfor\tsalvation. It\twas\tthe\tfirst\u2014and\tonly\u2014time\ther\tmother\ttook\ta\tlife. Yrene\tcould\tstill\tsee\tthe\tglint\tof\tthe\thidden\tdagger\tin\ther\tmother\u2019s\thand,\tstill feel\t the\t blood\t of\t that\t soldier\t on\t her\t bare\t feet,\t hear\t her\t mother\t scream\t at\t her\t to run,\tsmell\tthe\tsmoke\tof\tthe\tbonfire\tas\tthey\tburned\ther\tgifted\tmother\talive\twhile Yrene\twept\tfrom\tthe\tnearby\tsafety\tof\tOakwald\tForest. It\twas\tfrom\ther\tmother\tthat\tYrene\thad\tinherited\ther\tiron\tstomach\u2014but\tshe\u2019d never\tthought\tthose\tsolid\tnerves\twould\twind\tup\tkeeping\ther\there,\tclaiming\tthis hovel\tas\ther\thome. Yrene\twas\tso\tlost\tin\tthought\tand\tmemory\tthat\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tnotice\tthe\tman\tuntil a\tbroad\thand\twas\twrapped\taround\ther\twaist. \u201cWe\t could\t use\t a\t pretty\t face\t at\t this\t table,\u201d\t he\t said,\t grinning\t up\t at\t her\t with\t a wolf\u2019s\t smile.\t Yrene\t stepped\t back,\t but\t he\t held\t firm,\t trying\t to\t yank\t her\t into\t his lap. \u201cI\u2019ve\t work\t to\t do,\u201d\t she\t said\t as\t blandly\t as\t possible.\t She\u2019d\t detangled\t herself from\tsituations\tlike\tthis\tbefore\u2014countless\ttimes\tnow.\tIt\thad\tstopped\tscaring\ther long\tago. \u201cYou\tcan\tgo\tto\twork\ton\tme,\u201d\tsaid\tanother\tof\tthe\tmercenaries,\ta\ttall\tman\twith a\t worn-looking\t blade\t strapped\t to\t his\t back.\t Calmly,\t she\t pried\t the\t first mercenary\u2019s\tfingers\toff\ther\twaist. \u201cLast\t call\t is\t in\t forty\t minutes,\u201d\t she\t said\t pleasantly,\t stepping\t back\u2014as\t far\t as she\t could\t without\t irritating\t the\t men\t grinning\t at\t her\t like\t wild\t dogs.\t \u201cCan\t I\t get you\tanything\telse?\u201d \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing\tafter?\u201d\tsaid\tanother.","\u201cGoing\t home\t to\t my\t husband,\u201d\t she\t lied.\t But\t they\t looked\t at\t the\t ring\t on\t her finger\u2014the\t ring\t that\t now\t passed\t for\t a\t wedding\t band.\t It\t had\t belonged\t to\t her mother,\tand\t her\tmother\u2019s\tmother,\tand\t all\t the\tgreat\twomen\tbefore\t her,\t all\tsuch brilliant\thealers,\tall\twiped\tfrom\tliving\tmemory. The\tmen\tscowled,\tand\ttaking\tthat\tas\ta\tcue\tto\tleave,\tYrene\thurried\tback\tto\tthe bar.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t warn\t the\t girl\u2014didn\u2019t\t make\t the\t trek\t across\t the\t too-big\t taproom, with\tall\tthose\tmen\twaiting\tlike\twolves. Forty\tminutes.\tJust\tanother\tforty\tminutes\tuntil\tshe\tcould\tkick\tthem\tall\tout. And\t then\t she\t could\t clean\t up\t and\t tumble\t into\t bed,\t one\t more\t day\t finished\t in this\tliving\thell\tthat\thad\tsomehow\tbecome\ther\tfuture. Honestly,\t Celaena\t was\t a\t little\t insulted\t when\t none\t of\t the\t men\t in\t the\t taproom made\ta\tgrab\tfor\ther,\ther\tmoney,\ther\truby\tbrooch,\tor\ther\tweapons\tas\tshe\tstalked between\t the\t tables.\t The\t bell\t had\t just\t finished\t ringing\t for\t last\t call,\t and\t even though\tshe\twasn\u2019t\ttired\tin\tthe\tslightest,\tshe\u2019d\thad\tenough\tof\twaiting\tfor\ta\tfight or\ta\tconversation\tor\tanything\tto\toccupy\ther\ttime. She\t supposed\t she\t could\t go\t back\t to\t her\t room\t and\t reread\t one\t of\t the\t books she\u2019d\t brought.\t As\t she\t prowled\t past\t the\t bar,\t flipping\t a\t silver\t coin\t to\t the\t dark- haired\t serving\t girl,\t she\t debated\t the\t merits\t of\t instead\t going\t out\t onto\t the\t streets and\tseeing\twhat\tadventure\tfound\ther. Reckless\t and\t stupid,\t Sam\t would\t say.\t But\t Sam\t wasn\u2019t\t here,\t and\t she\t didn\u2019t know\t if\t he\t was\t dead\t or\t alive\t or\t beaten\t senseless\t by\t Arobynn.\t It\t was\t a\t safe\t bet Sam\thad\tbeen\tpunished\tfor\tthe\trole\the\u2019d\tplayed\tin\tliberating\tthe\tslaves\tin\tSkull\u2019s Bay. She\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t think\t about\t it.\t Sam\t had\t become\t her\t friend,\t she\t supposed. She\u2019d\t never\t had\t the\t luxury\t of\t friends,\t and\t never\t particularly\t wanted\t any.\t But Sam\thad\tbeen\ta\tgood\tcontender,\teven\tif\the\tdidn\u2019t\thesitate\tto\tsay\texactly\twhat\the thought\tabout\ther,\tor\ther\tplans,\tor\ther\tabilities. What\twould\the\tthink\tif\tshe\tjust\tsailed\toff\tinto\tthe\tunknown\tand\tnever\twent\tto the\t Red\t Desert,\t or\t never\t even\t returned\t to\t Rifthold?\t He\t might\t celebrate\u2014 especially\tif\tArobynn\tappointed\thim\tas\this\their.\tOr\tshe\tcould\tpoach\thim,\tmaybe. He\u2019d\t suggested\t that\t they\t try\t to\t run\t away\t when\t they\t were\t in\t Skull\u2019s\t Bay, actually.\tSo\tonce\tshe\twas\tsettled\tsomeplace,\tonce\tshe\thad\testablished\ta\tnew\tlife as\ta\ttop\tassassin\tin\twhatever\tland\tshe\tmade\ther\thome,\tshe\tcould\task\thim\tto\tjoin her.\tAnd\tthey\u2019d\tnever\tput\tup\twith\tbeatings\tand\thumiliations\tagain.\tSuch\tan\teasy, inviting\tidea\u2014such\ta\ttemptation. Celaena\t trudged\t up\t the\t narrow\t stairs,\t listening\t for\t any\t thieves\t or\t cutthroats","that\t might\t be\t waiting.\t To\t her\t disappointment,\t the\t upstairs\t hall\t was\t dark\t and quiet\u2014and\tempty. Sighing,\t she\t slipped\t into\t her\t room\t and\t bolted\t the\t door.\t After\t a\t moment,\t she shoved\t the\t ancient\t chest\t of\t drawers\t in\t front\t of\t it,\t too.\t Not\t for\t her\t own\t safety. Oh,\tno.\tIt\twas\tfor\tthe\tsafety\tof\twhatever\tfool\ttried\tto\tbreak\tin\u2014and\twould\tthen find\thimself\tsplit\topen\tfrom\tnavel\tto\tnose\tjust\tto\tsatisfy\ta\twandering\tassassin\u2019s boredom. But\t after\t pacing\t for\t fifteen\t minutes,\t she\t pushed\t aside\t the\t furniture\t and\t left. Looking\t for\t a\t fight.\t For\t an\t adventure.\t For\t anything\t to\t take\t her\t mind\t off\t the bruises\t on\t her\t face\t and\t the\t punishment\t Arobynn\t had\t given\t her\t and\t the temptation\tto\tshirk\ther\tobligations\tand\tinstead\tsail\tto\ta\tland\tfar,\tfar\taway. Yrene\t lugged\t the\t last\t of\t the\t rubbish\t pails\t into\t the\t misty\t alley\t behind\t the White\tPig,\ther\tback\tand\tarms\taching.\tToday\thad\tbeen\tlonger\tthan\tmost. There\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t a\t fight,\t thank\t the\t gods,\t but\t Yrene\t still\t couldn\u2019t\t shake\t her nerves\t and\t that\t sense\t of\t something\t being\t off.\t But\t she\t was\t glad\u2014so,\t so\t glad\u2014 there\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\ta\tbrawl\tat\tthe\tPig.\tThe\tlast\tthing\tshe\twanted\tto\tdo\twas\tspend the\t rest\t of\t the\t night\t mopping\t blood\t and\t vomit\t off\t the\t floor\t and\t hauling\t broken furniture\t into\t the\t alley.\t After\t she\u2019d\t rung\t the\t last-call\t bell,\t the\t men\t had\t finished their\tdrinks,\tgrumbling\tand\tlaughing,\tand\tdispersed\twith\tlittle\tto\tno\tharassment. Unsurprisingly,\t Jessa\t had\t vanished\t with\t her\t sailor,\t and\t given\t that\t the\t alley was\t empty,\t Yrene\t could\t only\t assume\t the\t young\t woman\t had\t gone\t elsewhere with\thim.\tLeaving\ther,\tyet\tagain,\tto\tclean\tup. Yrene\tpaused\tas\tshe\tdumped\tthe\tless-disgusting\trubbish\tinto\ta\tneat\tpile\talong the\t far\t wall.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t much:\t stale\t bread\t and\t stew\t that\t would\t be\t gone\t by morning,\tsnatched\tup\tby\tthe\thalf-feral\turchins\troaming\tthe\tstreets. What\twould\ther\tmother\tsay\tif\tshe\tknew\twhat\thad\tbecome\tof\ther\tdaughter? Yrene\t had\t been\t only\t eleven\t when\t those\t soldiers\t burned\t her\t mother\t for\t her magic.\tFor\tthe\tfirst\tsix\tand\ta\thalf\tyears\tafter\tthe\thorrors\tof\tthat\tday,\tshe\u2019d\tlived with\t her\t mother\u2019s\t cousin\t in\t another\t village\t in\t Fenharrow,\t pretending\t to\t be\t an absolutely\t ungifted\t distant\t relative.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t hard\t disguise\t to\t maintain:\t her powers\ttruly\thad\tvanished.\tBut\tin\tthose\tdays\tfear\thad\trun\trampant,\tand\tneighbor had\tturned\ton\tneighbor,\toften\tselling\tout\tanyone\tformerly\tblessed\twith\tthe\tgods\u2019 powers\tto\twhatever\tarmy\tlegion\twas\tclosest.\tThankfully,\tno\tone\thad\tquestioned Yrene\u2019s\t small\t presence;\t and\t in\t those\t long\t years,\t no\t one\t looked\t her\t way\t as\t she helped\t the\t family\t farm\t struggle\t to\t return\t to\t normal\t in\t the\t wake\t of\t Adarlan\u2019s forces.","But\t she\u2019d\t wanted\t to\t be\t a\t healer\u2014like\t her\t mother\t and\t grandmother.\t She\u2019d started\t shadowing\t her\t mother\t as\t soon\t as\t she\t could\t talk,\t learning\t slowly,\t as\t all the\t traditional\t healers\t did.\t And\t those\t years\t on\t that\t farm,\t however\t peaceful\t (if tedious\t and\t dull),\t hadn\u2019t\t been\t enough\t to\t make\t her\t forget\t eleven\t years\t of training,\tor\tthe\turge\tto\tfollow\tin\ther\tmother\u2019s\tfootsteps.\tShe\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tclose\tto her\tcousins,\tdespite\ttheir\tcharity,\tand\tneither\tparty\thad\treally\ttried\tto\tbridge\tthe gap\t caused\t by\t distance\t and\t fear\t and\t war.\t So\t no\t one\t objected\t when\t she\t took whatever\t money\t she\u2019d\t saved\t up\t and\t walked\t off\t the\t farm\t a\t few\t months\t before her\teighteenth\tbirthday. She\u2019d\tset\tout\tfor\tAntica,\ta\tcity\tof\tlearning\ton\tthe\tsouthern\tcontinent\u2014a\trealm untouched\t by\t Adarlan\t and\t war,\t where\t rumor\t claimed\t magic\t still\t existed.\t She\u2019d traveled\ton\tfoot\tfrom\tFenharrow,\tacross\tthe\tmountains\tinto\tMelisande,\tthrough Oakwald,\teventually\twinding\tup\tat\tInnish\u2014where\trumor\talso\tclaimed\tone\tcould find\t a\t boat\t to\t the\t southern\t continent,\t to\t Antica.\t And\t it\t was\t precisely\t here\t that she\u2019d\trun\tout\tof\tmoney. It\twas\twhy\tshe\u2019d\ttaken\tthe\tjob\tat\tthe\tPig.\tFirst,\tit\thad\tjust\tbeen\ttemporary,\tto earn\t enough\t to\t afford\t the\t passage\t to\t Antica.\t But\t then\t she\u2019d\t worried\t she wouldn\u2019t\thave\tany\tmoney\twhen\tshe\tarrived,\tand\tthen\tthat\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\thave\tany money\tto\tpay\tfor\ther\ttraining\tat\tthe\tTorre\tCesme,\tthe\tgreat\tacademy\tof\thealers and\t physicians.\t So\t she\u2019d\t stayed,\t and\t weeks\t had\t turned\t into\t months.\t Somehow the\tdream\tof\tsailing\taway,\tof\tattending\tthe\tTorre,\thad\tbeen\tset\taside.\tEspecially as\tNolan\tincreased\tthe\trent\ton\ther\troom\tand\tthe\tcost\tof\ther\tfood\tand\tfound\tways to\t lower\t her\t salary.\t Especially\t as\t that\t healer\u2019s\t stomach\t of\t hers\t allowed\t her\t to endure\tthe\tindignities\tand\tdarkness\tof\tthis\tplace. Yrene\t sighed\t through\t her\t nose.\t So\t here\t she\t was.\t A\t barmaid\t in\t a\t backwater town\twith\thardly\ttwo\tcoppers\tto\ther\tname\tand\tno\tfuture\tin\tsight. There\t was\t a\t crunch\t of\t boots\t on\t stone,\t and\t Yrene\t glared\t down\t the\t alley.\t If Nolan\t caught\t the\t urchins\t eating\t his\t food\u2014however\t stale\t and\t disgusting\u2014he\u2019d blame\t her.\t He\u2019d\t say\t he\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t charity\t and\t take\t the\t cost\t out\t of\t her\t paycheck. He\u2019d\t done\t it\t once\t before,\t and\t she\u2019d\t had\t to\t hunt\t down\t the\t urchins\t and\t scold them,\tmake\tthem\tunderstand\tthat\tthey\thad\tto\twait\tuntil\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tnight\tto get\tthe\tfood\tshe\tso\tcarefully\tlaid\tout. \u201cI\t told\t you\t to\t wait\t until\t it\u2019s\t past\u2014\u201d\t she\t started,\t but\t paused\t as\t four\t figures stepped\tfrom\tthe\tmist. Men.\tThe\tmercenaries\tfrom\tbefore. Yrene\twas\tmoving\tfor\tthe\topen\tdoorway\tin\ta\theartbeat,\tbut\tthey\twere\tfast\u2014 faster. One\t blocked\t the\t door\t while\t another\t came\t up\t behind\t her,\t grabbing\t her\t tight","and\t pulling\t her\t against\t his\t massive\t body.\t \u201cScream\t and\t I\u2019ll\t slit\t your\t throat,\u201d\t he whispered\tin\ther\tear,\this\tbreath\thot\tand\treeking\tof\tale.\t\u201cSaw\tyou\tmaking\tsome hefty\ttips\ttonight,\tgirl.\tWhere\tare\tthey?\u201d Yrene\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tshe\twould\thave\tdone\tnext:\tfought\tor\tcried\tor\tbegged or\tactually\ttried\tto\tscream.\tBut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tto\tdecide. The\tman\tfarthest\tfrom\tthem\twas\tyanked\tinto\tthe\tmist\twith\ta\tstrangled\tcry. The\tmercenary\tholding\ther\twhirled\ttoward\thim,\tdragging\tYrene\talong.\tThere was\ta\truffle\tof\tclothing,\tthen\ta\tthump.\tThen\tsilence. \u201cVen?\u201d\tthe\tman\tblocking\tthe\tdoor\tcalled. Nothing. The\t third\t mercenary\u2014standing\t between\t Yrene\t and\t the\t mist\u2014drew\t his\t short sword.\tYrene\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ttime\tto\tcry\tout\tin\tsurprise\tor\twarning\tas\ta\tdark\tfigure slipped\t from\t the\t mist\t and\t grabbed\t him.\t Not\t in\t front,\t but\t from\t the\t side,\t as\t if they\u2019d\tjust\tappeared\tout\tof\tthin\tair. The\tmercenary\tthrew\tYrene\tto\tthe\tground\tand\tdrew\tthe\tsword\tfrom\tacross\this back,\ta\tbroad,\twicked-looking\tblade.\tBut\this\tcompanion\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tshout.\tMore silence. \u201cCome\t out,\t you\t bleedin\u2019\t coward,\u201d\t the\t ringleader\t growled.\t \u201cFace\t us\t like\t a proper\tman.\u201d A\tlow,\tsoft\tlaugh. Yrene\u2019s\tblood\twent\tcold.\tSilba,\tprotect\ther. She\tknew\tthat\tlaugh\u2014knew\tthe\tcool,\tcultured\tvoice\tthat\twent\twith\tit. \u201cJust\tlike\thow\tyou\tproper\tmen\tsurrounded\ta\tdefenseless\tgirl\tin\tan\talley?\u201d With\tthat,\tthe\tstranger\tstepped\tfrom\tthe\tmist.\tShe\thad\ttwo\tlong\tdaggers\tin\ther hands.\tAnd\tboth\tblades\twere\tdark\twith\tdripping\tblood.","CHAPTER 3 Gods.\tOh,\tgods. Yrene\u2019s\t breath\t came\t quickly\t as\t the\t girl\t stepped\t closer\t to\t the\t two\t remaining attackers.\tThe\tfirst\tmercenary\tbarked\ta\tlaugh,\tbut\tthe\tone\tby\tthe\tdoor\twas\twide- eyed.\tYrene\tcarefully,\tso\tcarefully,\tbacked\taway. \u201cYou\tkilled\tmy\tmen?\u201d\tthe\tmercenary\tsaid,\tblade\theld\taloft. The\tyoung\twoman\tflipped\tone\tof\ther\tdaggers\tinto\ta\tnew\tposition.\tThe\tkind\tof position\t that\t Yrene\t thought\t would\t easily\t allow\t the\t blade\t to\t go\t straight\t up through\t the\t ribs\t and\t into\t the\t heart.\t \u201cLet\u2019s\t just\t say\t your\t men\t got\t what\t was coming\tto\tthem.\u201d The\tmercenary\tlunged,\tbut\tthe\tgirl\twas\twaiting.\tYrene\tknew\tshe\tshould\trun\u2014 run\t and\t run\t and\t not\t look\t back\u2014but\t the\t girl\t was\t only\t armed\t with\t two\t daggers, and\tthe\tmercenary\twas\tenormous,\tand\u2014 It\t was\t over\t before\t it\t really\t started.\t The\t mercenary\t got\t in\t two\t hits,\t both\t met with\t those\t wicked-looking\t daggers.\t And\t then\t she\t knocked\t him\t out\t cold\t with\t a swift\tblow\tto\tthe\thead.\tSo\tfast\u2014unspeakably\tfast\tand\tgraceful.\tA\twraith\tmoving through\tthe\tmist. He\tcrumpled\tinto\tthe\tfog\tand\tout\tof\tsight,\tand\tYrene\tdidn\u2019t\tlisten\ttoo\thard\tas the\tgirl\tfollowed\twhere\the\u2019d\tfallen. Yrene\twhipped\ther\thead\tto\tthe\tmercenary\tin\tthe\tdoorway,\tpreparing\tto\tshout\ta warning\tto\ther\tsavior.\tBut\tthe\tman\twas\talready\tsprinting\tdown\tthe\talley\tas\tfast as\this\tfeet\tcould\tcarry\thim. Yrene\thad\thalf\ta\tmind\tto\tdo\tthat\therself\twhen\tthe\tstranger\temerged\tfrom\tthe mist,\tblades\tclean\tbut\tstill\tout.\tStill\tready. \u201cPlease\t don\u2019t\t kill\t me,\u201d\t Yrene\t whispered.\t She\t was\t ready\t to\t beg,\t to\t offer everything\tin\texchange\tfor\ther\tuseless,\twasted\tlife. But\t the\t young\t woman\t just\t laughed\t under\t her\t breath\t and\t said,\t \u201cWhat\t would have\tbeen\tthe\tpoint\tin\tsaving\tyou,\tthen?\u201d","Celaena\thadn\u2019t\tmeant\tto\tsave\tthe\tbarmaid. It\thad\tbeen\tsheer\tluck\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tspotted\tthe\tfour\tmercenaries\tcreeping\tabout the\tstreets,\tsheer\tluck\tthat\tthey\tseemed\tas\teager\tfor\ttrouble\tas\tshe\twas.\tShe\thad hunted\t them\t into\t that\t alley,\t where\t she\t found\t them\t ready\t to\t hurt\t that\t girl\t in unforgivable\tways. The\t fight\t was\t over\t too\t quickly\t to\t really\t be\t enjoyable,\t or\t be\t a\t balm\t to\t her temper.\tIf\tyou\tcould\teven\tcall\tit\ta\tfight. The\t fourth\t one\t had\t gotten\t away,\t but\t she\t didn\u2019t\t feel\t like\t chasing\t him,\t not\t as the\t servant\t girl\t stood\t in\t front\t of\t her,\t shaking\t from\t head\t to\t toe.\t Celaena\t had\t a feeling\t that\t hurling\t a\t dagger\t after\t the\t sprinting\t man\t would\t only\t make\t the\t girl start\tscreaming.\tOr\tfaint.\tWhich\twould\t\u2026\tcomplicate\tthings. But\t the\t girl\t didn\u2019t\t scream\t or\t faint.\t She\t just\t pointed\t a\t trembling\t finger\t at Celaena\u2019s\tarm.\t\u201cYou\u2014you\u2019re\tbleeding.\u201d Celaena\t frowned\t down\t at\t the\t little\t shining\t spot\t on\t her\t bicep.\t \u201cI\t suppose\t I am.\u201d A\t careless\t mistake.\t The\t thickness\t of\t her\t tunic\t had\t stopped\t it\t from\t being\t a troublesome\twound,\tbut\tshe\u2019d\thave\tto\tclean\tit.\tIt\twould\tbe\thealed\tin\ta\tweek\tor less.\tShe\tmade\tto\tturn\tback\tto\tthe\tstreet,\tto\tsee\twhat\telse\tshe\tcould\tfind\tto\tamuse her,\tbut\tthe\tgirl\tspoke\tagain. \u201cI\u2014I\tcould\tbind\tit\tup\tfor\tyou.\u201d She\t wanted\t to\t shake\t the\t girl.\t Shake\t her\t for\t about\t ten\t different\t reasons.\t The first,\t and\t biggest,\t was\t because\t she\t was\t trembling\t and\t scared\t and\t had\t been utterly\tuseless.\tThe\tsecond\twas\tfor\tbeing\tstupid\tenough\tto\tstand\tin\tthat\talley\tin the\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tnight.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tfeel\tlike\tthinking\tabout\tall\tthe\tother\treasons \u2014not\twhen\tshe\twas\talready\tangry\tenough. \u201cI\t can\t bind\t myself\t up\t just\t fine,\u201d\t Celaena\t said,\t heading\t for\t the\t door\t that\t led into\t the\t White\t Pig\u2019s\t kitchens.\t Days\t ago,\t she\u2019d\t scoped\t out\t the\t inn\t and\t its surrounding\tbuildings,\tand\tnow\tcould\tnavigate\tthem\tblindfolded. \u201cSilba\t knows\t what\t was\t on\t that\t blade,\u201d\t the\t girl\t said,\t and\t Celaena\t paused. Invoking\t the\t Goddess\t of\t Healing.\t Very\t few\t did\t that\t these\t days\u2014unless\t they were\t\u2026 \u201cI\u2014my\t mother\t was\t a\t healer,\t and\t she\t taught\t me\t a\t few\t things,\u201d\t the\t girl stammered.\t\u201cI\tcould\u2014I\tcould\t\u2026\tPlease\tlet\tme\trepay\tthe\tdebt\tI\towe\tyou.\u201d \u201cYou\twouldn\u2019t\towe\tme\tanything\tif\tyou\u2019d\tused\tsome\tcommon\tsense.\u201d The\tgirl\tflinched\tas\tthough\tCelaena\thad\tstruck\ther.\tIt\tonly\tannoyed\ther\teven more.\tEverything\tannoyed\ther\u2014this\ttown,\tthis\tkingdom,\tthis\tcursed\tworld. \u201cI\u2019m\tsorry,\u201d\tthe\tgirl\tsaid\tsoftly. \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tapologizing\tto\tme\tfor?\tWhy\tare\tyou\tapologizing\tat\tall?\tThose","men\thad\tit\tcoming.\tBut\tyou\tshould\thave\tbeen\tsmarter\ton\ta\tnight\tlike\tthis\u2014when I\u2019d\t bet\t all\t my\t money\t that\t you\t could\t taste\t the\t aggression\t in\t that\t filthy\t damned taproom.\u201d It\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tgirl\u2019s\tfault,\tshe\thad\tto\tremind\therself.\tNot\ther\tfault\tat\tall\tthat\tshe didn\u2019t\tknow\thow\tto\tfight\tback. The\t girl\t put\t her\t face\t in\t her\t hands,\t her\t shoulders\t curving\t inward.\t Celaena counted\tdown\tthe\tseconds\tuntil\tthe\tgirl\tburst\tinto\tsobs,\tuntil\tshe\tfell\tapart. But\tthe\ttears\tdidn\u2019t\tcome.\tThe\tgirl\tjust\ttook\ta\tfew\tdeep\tbreaths,\tthen\tlowered her\t hands.\t \u201cLet\t me\t clean\t your\t arm,\u201d\t she\t said\t in\t a\t voice\t that\t was\t \u2026\t different, somehow.\tStronger,\tclearer.\t\u201cOr\tyou\u2019ll\twind\tup\tlosing\tit.\u201d And\tthe\tslight\tchange\tin\tthe\tgirl\twas\tinteresting\tenough\tthat\tCelaena\tfollowed her\tinside. She\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tabout\tthe\tthree\tbodies\tin\tthe\talley.\tShe\thad\ta\tfeeling\tno\tone but\tthe\trats\tand\tcarrion-feeders\twould\tcare\tabout\tthem\tin\tthis\ttown.","CHAPTER 4 Yrene\t brought\t the\t girl\t to\t her\t room\t under\t the\t stairs,\t because\t she\t was\t half- afraid\tthat\tthe\tmercenary\twho\u2019d\tgotten\taway\twould\tbe\twaiting\tfor\tthem\tupstairs. And\t Yrene\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t see\t any\t more\t fighting\t or\t killing\t or\t bleeding,\t strong stomach\tor\tno. Not\t to\t mention\t she\t was\t also\t half-afraid\t to\t be\t locked\t in\t the\t suite\t with\t the stranger. She\t left\t the\t girl\t sitting\t on\t her\t sagging\t bed\t and\t went\t to\t fetch\t two\t bowls\t of water\t and\t some\t clean\t bandages\u2014supplies\t that\t would\t be\t taken\t out\t of\t her paycheck\t when\t Nolan\t realized\t they\t were\t gone.\t It\t didn\u2019t\t matter,\t though.\t The stranger\thad\tsaved\ther\tlife.\tThis\twas\tthe\tleast\tshe\tcould\tdo. When\t Yrene\t returned,\t she\t almost\t dropped\t the\t steaming\t bowls.\t The\t girl\t had removed\ther\thood\tand\tcloak\tand\ttunic. Yrene\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tto\tremark\ton\tfirst: That\t the\t girl\t was\t young\u2014perhaps\t two\t or\t three\t years\t younger\t than\t Yrene\u2014 but\tfelt\told. That\t the\t girl\t was\t beautiful,\t with\t golden\t hair\t and\t blue\t eyes\t that\t shone\t in\t the candlelight. Or\t that\t the\t girl\u2019s\t face\t would\t have\t been\t even\t more\t beautiful\t had\t it\t not\t been covered\t in\t a\t patchwork\t of\t bruises.\t Such\t horrible\t bruises,\t including\t a\t black\t eye that\thad\tundoubtedly\tbeen\tswollen\tshut\tat\tsome\tpoint. The\tgirl\twas\tstaring\tat\ther,\tquiet\tand\tstill\tas\ta\tcat. It\t wasn\u2019t\t Yrene\u2019s\t place\t to\t ask\t questions.\t Especially\t not\t when\t this\t girl\t had dispatched\t three\t mercenaries\t in\t a\t matter\t of\t moments.\t Even\t if\t the\t gods\t had abandoned\t her,\t Yrene\t still\t believed\t in\t them;\t they\t were\t still\t somewhere,\t still watching.\t She\t believed,\t because\t how\t else\t could\t she\t explain\t being\t saved\t just now?\t And\t the\t thought\t of\t being\t alone\u2014truly\t alone\u2014was\t almost\t too\t much\t to bear,\teven\twhen\tso\tmuch\tof\ther\tlife\thad\tgone\tastray. The\t water\t sloshed\t in\t the\t bowls\t as\t Yrene\t set\t them\t down\t on\t the\t tiny\t table beside\ther\tbed,\ttrying\tto\tkeep\ther\thands\tfrom\ttrembling\ttoo\tmuch.","The\tgirl\tsaid\tnothing\twhile\tYrene\tinspected\tthe\tcut\ton\ther\tbicep.\tHer\tarm\twas slender,\tbut\trock-hard\twith\tmuscle.\tThe\tgirl\thad\tscars\teverywhere\u2014small\tones, big\t ones.\t She\t offered\t no\t explanation\t for\t them,\t and\t it\t seemed\t to\t Yrene\t that\t the girl\twore\ther\tscars\tthe\tway\tsome\twomen\twore\ttheir\tfinest\tjewelry. The\t stranger\t couldn\u2019t\t have\t been\t older\t than\t seventeen\t or\t eighteen,\t but\t \u2026\t but Adarlan\thad\tmade\tthem\tall\tgrow\tup\tfast.\tToo\tfast. Yrene\tset\tabout\twashing\tthe\twound,\tand\tthe\tgirl\thissed\tsoftly.\t\u201cSorry,\u201d\tYrene said\t quickly.\t \u201cI\t put\t some\t herbs\t in\t there\t as\t an\t antiseptic.\t I\t should\t have\t warned you.\u201d\tYrene\tkept\ta\tstash\tof\tthem\twith\ther\tat\tall\ttimes,\talong\twith\tother\therbs\ther mother\t had\t taught\t her\t about.\t Just\t in\t case.\t Even\t now,\t Yrene\t couldn\u2019t\t turn\t away from\ta\tsick\tbeggar\tin\tthe\tstreet,\tand\toften\twalked\ttoward\tthe\tsound\tof\tcoughing. \u201cBelieve\tme,\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\tthrough\tworse.\u201d \u201cI\tdo,\u201d\tYrene\tsaid.\t\u201cBelieve\tyou,\tI\tmean.\u201d\tThose\tscars\tand\ther\tmangled\tface spoke\tvolumes.\tAnd\texplained\t the\t hood.\tBut\twas\tit\tvanity\t or\tself-preservation that\tmade\ther\twear\tit?\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tyour\tname?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tnone\tof\tyour\tconcern,\tand\tit\tdoesn\u2019t\tmatter.\u201d Yrene\t bit\t her\t tongue.\t Of\t course\t it\t was\t none\t of\t her\t business.\t The\t girl\t hadn\u2019t given\t a\t name\t to\t Nolan,\t either.\t So\t she\t was\t traveling\t on\t some\t secret\t business, then.\t\u201cMy\tname\tis\tYrene,\u201d\tshe\toffered.\t\u201cYrene\tTowers.\u201d A\tdistant\tnod.\tOf\tcourse,\tthe\tgirl\tdidn\u2019t\tcare,\teither. Then\tthe\tstranger\tsaid,\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\tthe\tdaughter\tof\ta\thealer\tdoing\tin\tthis\tpiece\tof shit\ttown?\u201d No\tkindness,\tno\tpity.\tJust\tblunt,\tif\tnot\talmost\tbored,\tcuriosity. \u201cI\t was\t on\t my\t way\t to\t Antica\t to\t join\t their\t healers\u2019\t academy\t and\t ran\t out\t of money.\u201d\t She\t dipped\t the\t rag\t into\t the\t water,\t wrung\t it\t out,\t and\t resumed\t cleaning the\tshallow\twound.\t\u201cI\tgot\twork\there\tto\tpay\tfor\tthe\tpassage\tover\tthe\tocean,\tand \u2026\tWell,\tI\tnever\tleft.\tI\tguess\tstaying\there\tbecame\t\u2026\teasier.\tSimpler.\u201d A\t snort.\t \u201cThis\t place?\t It\u2019s\t certainly\t simple,\t but\t easy?\t I\t think\t I\u2019d\t rather\t starve in\tthe\tstreets\tof\tAntica\tthan\tlive\there.\u201d Yrene\u2019s\tface\twarmed.\t\u201cIt\u2014I\t\u2026\u201d\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\thave\tan\texcuse. The\t girl\u2019s\t eyes\t flashed\t to\t hers.\t They\t were\t ringed\t with\t gold\u2014stunning.\t Even with\tthe\tbruises,\tthe\tgirl\twas\talluring.\tLike\twildfire,\tor\ta\tsummer\tstorm\tswept\tin off\tthe\tGulf\tof\tOro. \u201cLet\t me\t give\t you\t a\t bit\t of\t advice,\u201d\t the\t girl\t said\t bitterly,\t \u201cfrom\t one\t working girl\t to\t another:\t Life\t isn\u2019t\t easy,\t no\t matter\t where\t you\t are.\t You\u2019ll\t make\t choices you\tthink\tare\tright,\tand\tthen\tsuffer\tfor\tthem.\u201d\tThose\tremarkable\teyes\tflickered. \u201cSo\t if\t you\u2019re\t going\t to\t be\t miserable,\t you\t might\t as\t well\t go\t to\t Antica\t and\t be miserable\tin\tthe\tshadow\tof\tthe\tTorre\tCesme.\u201d","Educated\t and\t possibly\t extremely\t well-traveled,\t then,\t if\t the\t girl\t knew\t the healers\u2019\tacademy\tby\tname\u2014and\tshe\tpronounced\tit\tperfectly. Yrene\tshrugged,\tnot\tdaring\tto\tvoice\ther\tdozens\tof\tquestions.\tInstead,\tshe\tsaid, \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\thave\tthe\tmoney\tto\tgo\tnow,\tanyway.\u201d It\t came\t out\t sharper\t than\t she\t intended\u2014sharper\t than\t was\t smart,\t considering how\t lethal\t this\t girl\t was.\t Yrene\t didn\u2019t\t try\t to\t guess\t what\t manner\t of\t working\t girl she\tmight\tbe\u2014mercenary\twas\tabout\tas\tdark\tas\tshe\u2019d\tlet\therself\timagine. \u201cThen\t steal\t the\t money\t and\t go.\t Your\t boss\t deserves\t to\t have\t his\t purse lightened.\u201d Yrene\tpulled\tback.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tno\tthief.\u201d A\troguish\tgrin.\t\u201cIf\tyou\twant\tsomething,\tthen\tgo\ttake\tit.\u201d This\t girl\t wasn\u2019t\t like\t wildfire\u2014she\t was\t wildfire.\t Deadly\t and\t uncontrollable. And\tslightly\tout\tof\ther\twits. \u201cMore\t than\t enough\t people\t believe\t that\t these\t days,\u201d\t Yrene\t ventured\t to\t say. Like\tAdarlan.\tLike\tthose\tmercenaries.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tto\tbe\tone\tof\tthem.\u201d The\t girl\u2019s\t grin\t faded.\t \u201cSo\t you\u2019d\t rather\t rot\t away\t here\t with\t a\t clean conscience?\u201d Yrene\tdidn\u2019t\thave\ta\treply,\tso\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tanything\tas\tshe\tset\tdown\tthe\trag and\tbowl\tand\tpulled\tout\ta\tsmall\ttin\tof\tsalve.\tShe\tkept\tit\tfor\therself,\tfor\tthe\tnicks and\tscrapes\tshe\tgot\twhile\tworking,\tbut\tthis\tcut\twas\tsmall\tenough\tthat\tshe\tcould spare\t a\t bit.\t As\t gently\t as\t she\t could,\t she\t smeared\t it\t onto\t the\t wound.\t The\t girl didn\u2019t\tflinch\tthis\ttime. After\ta\tmoment,\tthe\tgirl\tasked,\t\u201cWhen\tdid\tyou\tlose\tyour\tmother?\u201d \u201cOver\teight\tyears\tago.\u201d\tYrene\tkept\ther\tfocus\ton\tthe\twound. \u201cThat\t was\t a\t hard\t time\t to\t be\t a\t gifted\t healer\t on\t this\t continent,\t especially\t in Fenharrow.\t The\t King\t of\t Adarlan\t didn\u2019t\t leave\t much\t of\t its\t people\u2014or\t royal family\u2014alive.\u201d Yrene\t looked\t up.\t The\t wildfire\t in\t the\t girl\u2019s\t eyes\t had\t turned\t into\t a\t scorching blue\t flame.\t Such\t rage,\t she\t thought\t with\t a\t shiver.\t Such\t simmering\t rage.\t What had\tshe\tbeen\tthrough\tto\tmake\ther\tlook\tlike\tthat? She\t didn\u2019t\t ask,\t of\t course.\t And\t she\t didn\u2019t\t ask\t how\t the\t young\t woman\t knew where\tshe\twas\tfrom.\tYrene\tunderstood\tthat\ther\tgolden\tskin\tand\tbrown\thair\twere probably\tenough\tto\tmark\ther\tas\tbeing\tfrom\tFenharrow,\tif\ther\tslight\taccent\tdidn\u2019t give\ther\taway. \u201cIf\t you\t managed\t to\t attend\t the\t Torre\t Cesme,\u201d\t the\t girl\t said,\t her\t anger\t shifting as\tif\tshe\thad\tshoved\tit\tdown\tdeep\tinside\ther,\t\u201cwhat\twould\tyou\tdo\tafterward?\u201d Yrene\tpicked\tup\tone\tof\tthe\tfresh\tbandages\tand\tbegan\twrapping\tit\taround\tthe girl\u2019s\t arm.\t She\u2019d\t dreamed\t about\t it\t for\t years,\t contemplated\t a\t thousand\t different","futures\twhile\tshe\twashed\tdirty\tmugs\tand\tswept\tthe\tfloors.\t\u201cI\u2019d\tcome\tback.\tNot to\there,\tI\tmean,\tbut\tto\tthe\tcontinent.\tGo\tback\tto\tFenharrow.\tThere\tare\ta\t\u2026\ta\tlot of\tpeople\twho\tneed\tgood\thealers\tthese\tdays.\u201d She\tsaid\tthe\tlast\tpart\tquietly.\tFor\tall\tshe\tknew,\tthe\tgirl\tmight\tsupport\tthe\tKing of\tAdarlan\u2014might\treport\ther\tto\tthe\tsmall\ttown\tguard\tfor\tjust\tspeaking\till\tof\tthe king.\tYrene\thad\tseen\tit\thappen\tbefore,\tfar\ttoo\tmany\ttimes. But\t the\t girl\t looked\t toward\t the\t door\t with\t its\t makeshift\t bolt\t that\t Yrene\t had constructed,\t at\t the\t closet\t that\t she\t called\t her\t bedroom,\t at\t the\t threadbare\t cloak draped\t over\t the\t half-rotted\t chair\t against\t the\t opposite\t wall,\t then\t finally\t back\t at her.\tIt\tgave\tYrene\ta\tchance\tto\tstudy\ther\tface.\tSeeing\thow\teasily\tshe\u2019d\ttrounced those\tmercenaries,\twhoever\thad\tharmed\ther\tmust\tbe\tfearsome\tindeed. \u201cYou\u2019d\treally\tcome\tback\tto\tthis\tcontinent\u2014to\tthe\tempire?\u201d There\twas\tsuch\tquiet\tsurprise\tin\ther\tvoice\tthat\tYrene\tmet\ther\teyes. \u201cIt\u2019s\tthe\tright\tthing\tto\tdo,\u201d\twas\tall\tYrene\tcould\tthink\tof\tto\tsay. The\t girl\t didn\u2019t\t reply,\t and\t Yrene\t continued\t wrapping\t her\t arm.\t When\t she\t was finished,\t the\t girl\tshrugged\t on\ther\t shirt\tand\t tunic,\ttested\t her\tarm,\t and\t stood.\t In the\tcramped\tbedroom,\tYrene\tfelt\tso\tmuch\tsmaller\tthan\tthe\tstranger,\teven\tif\tthere were\tonly\ta\tfew\tinches\u2019\tdifference\tbetween\tthem. The\t girl\t picked\t up\t her\t cloak\t but\t didn\u2019t\t don\t it\t as\t she\t took\t a\t step\t toward\t the closed\tdoor. \u201cI\tcould\tfind\tsomething\tfor\tyour\tface,\u201d\tYrene\tblurted. The\t girl\t paused\t with\t a\t hand\t on\t the\t doorknob\t and\t looked\t over\t her\t shoulder. \u201cThese\tare\tmeant\tto\tbe\ta\treminder.\u201d \u201cFor\twhat?\tOr\u2014to\twhom?\u201d\tShe\tshouldn\u2019t\tpry,\tshouldn\u2019t\thave\teven\tasked. She\tsmiled\tbitterly.\t\u201cFor\tme.\u201d Yrene\tthought\tof\tthe\tscars\tshe\u2019d\tseen\ton\ther\tbody\tand\twondered\tif\tthose\twere all\treminders,\ttoo. The\tyoung\twoman\tturned\tback\tto\tthe\tdoor,\tbut\tstopped\tagain.\t\u201cWhether\tyou stay,\tor\tgo\tto\tAntica\tand\tattend\tthe\tTorre\tCesme\tand\treturn\tto\tsave\tthe\tworld,\u201d she\tmused,\t\u201cyou\tshould\tprobably\tlearn\ta\tthing\tor\ttwo\tabout\tdefending\tyourself.\u201d Yrene\t eyed\t the\t daggers\t at\t the\t girl\u2019s\t waist,\t the\t sword\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t even\t needed to\t draw.\t Jewels\t embedded\t in\t the\t hilt\u2014real\t jewels\u2014glinted\t in\t the\t candlelight. The\tgirl\thad\tto\tbe\tfabulously\twealthy,\tricher\tthan\tYrene\tcould\tever\tconceive\tof being.\t\u201cI\tcan\u2019t\tafford\tweapons.\u201d The\tgirl\thuffed\ta\tlaugh.\t\u201cIf\tyou\tlearn\tthese\tmaneuvers,\tyou\twon\u2019t\tneed\tthem.\u201d Celaena\t took\t the\t barmaid\t into\t the\t alley,\t if\t only\t because\t she\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to","wake\tthe\tother\tinn\tguests\tand\tget\tinto\tyet\tanother\tfight.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\treally\tknow why\t she\u2019d\t offered\t to\t teach\t her\t to\t defend\t herself.\t The\t last\t time\t she\u2019d\t helped anybody,\tit\thad\tjust\tturned\taround\tto\tbeat\tthe\thell\tout\tof\ther.\tLiterally. But\t the\t barmaid\u2014Yrene\u2014had\t looked\t so\t earnest\t when\t she\t talked\t about helping\tpeople.\tAbout\tbeing\ta\thealer. The\t Torre\t Cesme\u2014any\t healers\t worth\t their\t salt\t knew\t about\t the\t academy\t in Antica\twhere\tthe\tbest\tand\tbrightest,\tno\tmatter\ttheir\tstation,\tcould\tstudy.\tCelaena had\t once\t dreamed\t of\t dwelling\t in\t the\t fabled\t cream-colored\t towers\t of\t the\t Torre, of\t walking\t the\t narrow,\t sloping\t streets\t of\t Antica\t and\t seeing\t wonders\t brought\t in from\tlands\tshe\u2019d\tnever\theard\tof.\tBut\tthat\twas\ta\tlifetime\tago.\tA\tdifferent\tperson ago. Not\t now,\t certainly.\t And\t if\t Yrene\t stayed\t in\t this\t gods-forsaken\t town,\t other people\t were\t bound\t to\t try\t to\t attack\t her\t again.\t So\t here\t Celaena\t was,\t cursing\t her own\tconscience\tfor\ta\tfool\tas\tthey\tstood\tin\tthe\tmisty\talley\tbehind\tthe\tinn. The\t bodies\t of\t the\t three\t mercenaries\t were\t still\t out\t there,\t and\t Celaena\t caught Yrene\tcringing\tat\tthe\tsound\tof\tscurrying\tfeet\tand\tsoft\tsqueaking.\tThe\trats\thadn\u2019t wasted\tany\ttime. Celaena\t gripped\t the\t girl\u2019s\t wrist\t and\t held\t up\t her\t hand.\t \u201cPeople\u2014men\u2014 usually\t don\u2019t\t hunt\t for\t the\t women\t who\t look\t like\t they\u2019ll\t put\t up\t a\t fight.\t They\u2019ll pick\tyou\tbecause\tyou\tlook\toff-guard\tor\tvulnerable\tor\tlike\tyou\u2019d\tbe\tsympathetic. They\u2019ll\t usually\t try\t to\t move\t you\t to\t another\t location\t where\t they\t won\u2019t\t need\t to worry\tabout\tbeing\tinterrupted.\u201d Yrene\u2019s\t eyes\t were\t wide,\t her\t face\t pale\t in\t the\t light\t of\t the\t torch\t Celaena\t had dropped\t just\t outside\t the\t back\t door.\t Helpless.\t What\t was\t it\t like\t to\t be\t helpless\t to defend\tyourself?\tA\tshudder\tthat\thad\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\tthe\trats\tgnawing\ton\tthe dead\tmercenaries\twent\tthrough\ther. \u201cDo\t not\t let\t them\t move\t you\t to\t another\t location,\u201d\t Celaena\t continued,\t reciting from\t the\t lessons\t that\t Ben,\t Arobynn\u2019s\t Second,\t had\t once\t taught\t her.\t She\u2019d learned\tself-defense\tbefore\tshe\u2019d\tever\tlearned\tto\tattack\tanyone,\tand\tto\tfirst\tfight without\tweapons,\ttoo. \u201cFight\t back\t enough\t to\t convince\t them\t that\t you\u2019re\t not\t worth\t it.\t And\t make\t as much\tnoise\tas\tyou\tcan.\tIn\ta\tshit-hole\tlike\tthis,\tthough,\tI\tbet\tno\tone\twill\tbother coming\t to\t help\t you.\t But\t you\t should\t still\t start\t screaming\t your\t head\t off\t about\t a fire\u2014not\t rape,\t not\t theft,\t not\t something\t that\t cowards\t would\t rather\t hide\t from. And\tif\tshouting\tdoesn\u2019t\tdiscourage\tthem,\tthen\tthere\tare\ta\tfew\ttricks\tto\toutsmart them. \u201cSome\t might\t make\t them\t drop\t like\t a\t stone,\t some\t might\t get\t them\t down temporarily,\tbut\tas\tsoon\tas\tthey\tlet\tgo\tof\tyou,\tyour\tbiggest\tpriority\tis\tgetting\tthe","hell\taway.\tYou\tunderstand?\tThey\tlet\tyou\tgo,\tyou\trun.\u201d Yrene\t nodded,\t still\t wide-eyed.\t She\t remained\t that\t way\t as\t Celaena\t took\t the hand\t she\u2019d\t lifted\t and\t walked\t her\t through\t the\t eye-gouge,\t showing\t her\t how\t to shove\t her\t thumbs\t into\t the\t corner\t of\t someone\u2019s\t eyes,\t crook\t her\t thumbs\t back behind\t the\t eyeballs,\t and\u2014well,\t Celaena\t couldn\u2019t\t actually\t finish\t that\t part,\t since she\tliked\t her\t own\t eyeballs\t very\t much.\t But\t Yrene\t grasped\t it\t after\t a\t few\t times, and\tdid\tit\tperfectly\twhen\tCelaena\tgrabbed\ther\tfrom\tbehind\tagain\tand\tagain. She\t then\t showed\t her\t the\t ear\t clap,\t then\t how\t to\t pinch\t the\t inside\t of\t a\t man\u2019s upper\t thigh\t hard\t enough\t to\t make\t him\t scream,\t where\t to\t stomp\t on\t the\t most delicate\t part\t of\t the\t foot,\t what\t soft\t spots\t were\t the\t best\t to\t hit\t with\t her\t elbow (Yrene\t actually\t hit\t her\t so\t hard\t in\t the\t throat\t that\t Celaena\t gagged\t for\t a\t good minute).\t And\t then\t told\t her\t to\t go\t for\t the\t groin\u2014always\t try\t to\t go\t for\t a\t strike\t to the\tgroin. And\t when\t the\t moon\t was\t setting,\t when\t Celaena\t was\t convinced\t that\t Yrene might\tstand\ta\tchance\tagainst\tan\tassailant,\tthey\tfinally\tstopped.\tYrene\tseemed\tto be\tholding\therself\ta\tbit\ttaller,\ther\tface\tflushed. \u201cIf\t they\t come\t after\t you\t for\t money,\u201d\t Celaena\t said,\t jerking\t her\t chin\t toward where\t the\t mercenaries\t lay\t in\t a\t heap,\t \u201cthrow\t whatever\t coins\t you\t have\t far\t away from\t you\t and\t run\t in\t the\t opposite\t direction.\t Usually\t they\u2019ll\t be\t so\t occupied\t by chasing\tafter\tyour\tmoney\tthat\tyou\u2019ll\thave\ta\tgood\tchance\tof\tescape.\u201d Yrene\tnodded.\t\u201cI\tshould\u2014I\tshould\tteach\tall\tthis\tto\tJessa.\u201d Celaena\t didn\u2019t\t know\t or\t care\t who\t Jessa\t was,\t but\t she\t said,\t \u201cIf\t you\t get\t the chance,\tteach\tit\tto\tany\tfemale\twho\twill\ttake\tthe\ttime\tto\tlisten.\u201d Silence\tfell\tbetween\tthem.\tThere\twas\tso\tmuch\tmore\tto\tlearn,\tso\tmuch\telse\tto teach\ther.\tBut\tdawn\twas\tabout\ttwo\thours\taway,\tand\tshe\tshould\tprobably\tgo\tback to\ther\troom\tnow,\tif\tonly\tto\tpack\tand\tgo.\tGo,\tnot\tbecause\tshe\twas\tordered\tto\tor because\tshe\tfound\ther\tpunishment\tacceptable,\tbut\t\u2026\tbecause\tshe\tneeded\tto.\tShe needed\tto\tgo\tto\tthe\tRed\tDesert. Even\t if\t it\t was\t only\t to\t see\t where\t the\t Wyrd\t planned\t to\t lead\t her.\t Staying, running\t away\t to\t another\t land,\t avoiding\t her\t fate\t \u2026\t she\t wouldn\u2019t\t do\t that.\t She couldn\u2019t\t be\t like\t Yrene,\t a\t living\t reminder\t of\t loss\t and\t shoved-aside\t dreams.\t No, she\u2019d\tcontinue\tto\tthe\tRed\tDesert\tand\tfollow\tthis\tpath,\twherever\tit\tled,\thowever much\tit\tstung\ther\tpride. Yrene\t cleared\t her\t throat.\t \u201cDid\t you\u2014did\t you\t ever\t have\t to\t use\t these maneuvers?\tNot\tto\tpry.\tI\tmean,\tyou\tdon\u2019t\thave\tto\tanswer\tif\u2014\u201d \u201cI\u2019ve\t used\t them,\t yes\u2014but\t not\t because\t I\t was\t in\t that\t kind\t of\t situation.\t I\t \u2026\u201d She\t knew\t she\t shouldn\u2019t\t say\t it,\t but\t she\t did.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t usually\t the\t one\t who\t does\t the hunting.\u201d","Yrene,\t to\t her\t surprise,\t just\t nodded,\t if\t a\t bit\t sadly.\t There\t was\t such\t irony,\t she realized,\t in\t them\t working\t together\u2014the\t assassin\t and\t the\t healer.\t Two\t opposite sides\tof\tthe\tcoin. Yrene\twrapped\ther\tarms\taround\therself.\t\u201cHow\tcan\tI\tever\trepay\tyou\tfor\u2014\u201d But\t Celaena\t held\t up\t a\t hand.\t The\t alley\t was\t empty,\t but\t she\t could\t feel\t them, could\thear\tthe\tshift\tin\tthe\tfog,\tin\tthe\tscurrying\tof\tthe\trats.\tPockets\tof\tquiet. She\t met\t Yrene\u2019s\t stare\t and\t flicked\t her\t eyes\t toward\t the\t back\t door,\t a\t silent command.\tYrene\thad\tgone\twhite\tand\tstiff.\tIt\twas\tone\tthing\tto\tpractice,\tbut\tto\tput lessons\tinto\taction,\tto\tuse\tthem\t\u2026\tYrene\twas\tmore\tof\ta\tliability.\tCelaena\tjerked her\tchin\tat\tthe\tdoor,\tan\torder\tnow. There\twere\tat\tleast\tfive\tmen\u2014two\ton\teither\tend\tof\tthe\talley\tconverging\tupon them,\tand\tone\tmore\tstanding\tguard\tby\tthe\tbusier\tend\tof\tthe\tstreet. Yrene\twas\tthrough\tthe\tback\tdoor\tby\tthe\ttime\tCelaena\tdrew\ther\tsword.","CHAPTER 5 In\t the\t darkened\t kitchen,\t Yrene\t leaned\t against\t the\t back\t door,\t a\t hand\t on\t her hammering\t heart\t as\t she\t listened\t to\t the\t melee\t outside.\t Earlier,\t the\t girl\t had\t the element\tof\tsurprise\u2014but\thow\tcould\tshe\tface\tthem\tagain? Her\t hands\t trembled\t as\t the\t sound\t of\t clashing\t blades\t and\t shouts\t filtered through\t the\t crack\t beneath\t the\t door.\t Thumps,\t grunts,\t growls.\t What\t was happening? She\tcouldn\u2019t\tstand\tit,\tnot\tknowing\twhat\twas\thappening\tto\tthe\tgirl. It\twent\tagainst\tevery\tinstinct\tto\topen\tup\tthe\tback\tdoor\tand\tpeer\tout. Her\tbreath\tcaught\tin\ther\tthroat\tat\tthe\tsight: The\t mercenary\t who\t had\t escaped\t earlier\t had\t returned\t with\t more\t friends\u2014 more\t skilled\t friends.\t Two\t were\t facedown\t on\t the\t cobblestones,\t pools\t of\t blood around\tthem.\tBut\tthe\tremaining\tthree\twere\tengaged\twith\tthe\tgirl,\twho\twas\u2014was \u2014 Gods,\tshe\tmoved\tlike\ta\tblack\twind,\tsuch\tlethal\tgrace,\tand\u2014 A\thand\tclosed\tover\tYrene\u2019s\tmouth\tas\tsomeone\tgrabbed\ther\tfrom\tbehind\tand pressed\t something\t cold\t and\t sharp\t against\t her\t throat.\t There\t had\t been\t another man;\the\tcame\tin\tthrough\tthe\tinn. \u201cWalk,\u201d\the\tbreathed\tin\ther\tear,\this\tvoice\trough\tand\tforeign.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee him,\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell\tanything\tabout\thim\tbeyond\tthe\thardness\tof\this\tbody,\tthe\treek of\this\tclothes,\tthe\tscratch\tof\ta\theavy\tbeard\tagainst\ther\tcheek.\tHe\tflung\topen\tthe door\tand,\tstill\tholding\tthe\tdagger\tto\tYrene\u2019s\tneck,\tstrode\tinto\tthe\talley. The\tyoung\twoman\tstopped\tfighting.\tAnother\tmercenary\thad\tgone\tdown,\tand the\ttwo\tbefore\ther\thad\ttheir\tblades\tpointed\tat\ther. \u201cDrop\t your\t weapons,\u201d\t the\t man\t said.\t Yrene\t would\t have\t shaken\t her\t head,\t but the\tdagger\twas\tpressed\tso\tclose\tthat\tany\tmovement\tshe\tmade\twould\thave\tslit\ther own\tthroat. The\t young\t woman\t eyed\t the\t men,\t then\t Yrene\u2019s\t captor,\t then\t Yrene\t herself. Calm\u2014utterly\t calm\t and\t cold\t as\t she\t bared\t her\t teeth\t in\t a\t feral\t grin.\t \u201cCome\t and get\tthem.\u201d","Yrene\u2019s\t stomach\t dropped.\t The\t man\t had\t only\t to\t shift\t his\t wrist\t and\t he\u2019d\t spill her\tlife\u2019s\tblood.\tShe\twasn\u2019t\tready\tto\tdie\u2014not\tnow,\tnot\tin\tInnish. Her\t captor\t chuckled.\t \u201cBold\t and\t foolish\t words,\t girl.\u201d\t He\t pushed\t the\t blade harder,\t and\t Yrene\t winced.\t She\t felt\t the\t dampness\t of\t her\t blood\t before\t she realized\the\u2019d\tcut\ta\tthin\tline\tacross\ther\tneck.\tSilba\tsave\ther. But\tthe\tgirl\u2019s\teyes\twere\ton\tYrene,\tand\tthey\tnarrowed\tslightly.\tIn\tchallenge,\tin a\tcommand.\tFight\tback,\tshe\tseemed\tto\tsay.\tFight\tfor\tyour\tmiserable\tlife. The\ttwo\tmen\twith\tthe\tswords\tcircled\tcloser,\tbut\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tlower\ther\tblade. \u201cDrop\t your\t weapons\t before\t I\t cut\t her\t open,\u201d\t Yrene\u2019s\t captor\t growled.\t \u201cOnce we\u2019re\tdone\tmaking\tyou\tpay\tfor\tour\tcomrades,\tfor\tall\tthe\tmoney\tyou\tcost\tus\twith their\tdeaths,\tmaybe\twe\u2019ll\tlet\ther\tlive.\u201d\tHe\tsqueezed\tYrene\ttighter,\tbut\tthe\tyoung woman\tjust\twatched\thim.\tThe\tmercenary\thissed.\t\u201cDrop\tyour\tweapons.\u201d She\tdidn\u2019t. Gods,\tshe\twas\tgoing\tto\tlet\thim\tkill\ther,\twasn\u2019t\tshe? Yrene\t couldn\u2019t\t die\t like\t this\u2014not\t here,\t not\t as\t a\t no-name\t barmaid\t in\t this horrible\tplace.\tWouldn\u2019t\tdie\tlike\tthis.\tHer\tmother\thad\tgone\tdown\tswinging\u2014her mother\thad\tfought\tfor\ther,\thad\tkilled\tthat\tsoldier\tso\tYrene\tcould\thave\ta\tchance to\tflee,\tto\tmake\tsomething\tof\ther\tlife.\tTo\tdo\tsome\tgood\tfor\tthe\tworld. She\twouldn\u2019t\tdie\tlike\tthis. The\t rage\t hit,\t so\t staggering\t that\t Yrene\t could\t hardly\t see\t through\t it,\t could hardly\tsee\tanything\texcept\ta\tyear\tin\tInnish,\ta\tfuture\tbeyond\ther\tgrasp,\tand\ta\tlife she\twas\tnot\tready\tto\tpart\twith. She\t gave\t no\t warning\t before\t she\t stomped\t down\t as\t hard\t as\t she\t could\t on\t the bridge\t of\t the\t man\u2019s\t foot.\t He\t jerked,\t howling,\t but\t Yrene\t brought\t up\t her\t arms, shoving\tthe\tdagger\tfrom\ther\tthroat\twith\tone\thand\tas\tshe\tdrove\ther\telbow\tinto\this gut.\t Drove\t it\t with\t every\t bit\t of\t rage\t she\t had\t burning\t in\t her.\t He\t groaned\t as\t he doubled\t over,\t and\t she\t slammed\t her\t elbow\t into\t his\t temple,\t just\t as\t the\t girl\t had shown\ther. The\tman\tcollapsed\tto\this\tknees,\tand\tYrene\tbolted.\tTo\trun,\tto\thelp,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t know. But\tthe\tgirl\twas\talready\tstanding\tin\tfront\tof\ther,\tgrinning\tbroadly.\tBehind\ther, the\ttwo\tmen\tlay\tunmoving.\tAnd\tthe\tman\ton\this\tknees\u2014 Yrene\t dodged\t aside\t as\t the\t young\t woman\t grabbed\t the\t gasping\t man\t and dragged\t him\t into\t the\t dark\t mist\t beyond.\t There\t was\t a\t muffled\t scream,\t then\t a thump. And\t despite\t her\t healer\u2019s\t blood,\t despite\t the\t stomach\t she\u2019d\t inherited,\t Yrene barely\tmade\tit\ttwo\tsteps\tbefore\tshe\tvomited. When\tshe\twas\tdone,\tshe\tfound\tthe\tyoung\twoman\twatching\ther\tagain,\tsmiling","faintly.\t\u201cFast\tlearner,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\tHer\tfine\tclothes,\teven\ther\tdarkly\tglittering\truby brooch,\t were\t covered\t with\t blood.\t Not\t her\t own,\t Yrene\t noted\t with\t some\t relief. \u201cYou\tsure\tyou\twant\tto\tbe\ta\thealer?\u201d Yrene\t wiped\t her\t mouth\t on\t the\t corner\t of\t her\t apron.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t know what\t the\t alternative\t was\u2014what\t this\t girl\t might\t be.\t No,\t all\t she\t wanted\t was\t to smack\ther.\tHard. \u201cYou\t could\t have\t dispatched\t them\t without\t me!\t But\t you\t let\t that\t man\t hold\t a knife\tto\tmy\tthroat\u2014you\tlet\thim!\tAre\tyou\tinsane?\u201d The\tgirl\tsmiled\tin\tsuch\ta\tway\tthat\tsaid\tyes,\tshe\twas\tmost\tcertainly\tinsane.\tBut she\tsaid,\t\u201cThose\tmen\twere\ta\tjoke.\tI\twanted\tyou\tto\tget\tsome\treal\texperience\tin\ta controlled\tenvironment.\u201d \u201cYou\t call\t that\t controlled?\u201d\t Yrene\t couldn\u2019t\t help\t shouting.\t She\t put\t a\t hand\t to the\talready\tclotted\tslice\tin\ther\tneck.\tIt\twould\theal\tquickly,\tbut\tmight\tscar.\tShe\u2019d have\tto\tinspect\tit\timmediately. \u201cLook\t at\t it\t this\t way,\t Yrene\t Towers:\t now\t you\t know\t you\t can\t do\t it.\t That\t man was\ttwice\tyour\tweight\tand\thad\talmost\ta\tfoot\ton\tyou,\tand\tyou\tdowned\thim\tin\ta few\theartbeats.\u201d \u201cYou\tsaid\tthose\tmen\twere\ta\tjoke.\u201d A\tfiendish\tgrin.\t\u201cTo\tme,\tthey\tare.\u201d Yrene\u2019s\t blood\t chilled.\t \u201cI\u2014I\u2019ve\t had\t enough\t of\t today.\t I\t think\t I\t need\t to\t go\t to bed.\u201d The\t girl\t sketched\t a\t bow.\t \u201cAnd\t I\t should\t probably\t be\t on\t my\t way.\t Word\t of advice:\t wash\t the\t blood\t out\t of\t your\t clothes\t and\t don\u2019t\t tell\t anyone\t what\t you\t saw tonight.\t Those\t men\t might\t have\t more\t friends,\t and\t as\t far\t as\t I\u2019m\t concerned,\t they were\tthe\tunfortunate\tvictims\tof\ta\thorrible\trobbery.\u201d\tShe\theld\tup\ta\tleather\tpouch heavy\twith\tcoins\tand\tstalked\tpast\tYrene\tinto\tthe\tinn. Yrene\t spared\t a\t glance\t at\t the\t bodies,\t felt\t a\t heavy\t weight\t drop\t into\t her stomach,\tand\tfollowed\tthe\tgirl\tinside.\tShe\twas\tstill\tfurious\twith\ther,\tstill\tshaking with\tthe\tremnants\tof\tterror\tand\tdesperation. So\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tsay\tgood-bye\tto\tthe\tdeadly\tgirl\tas\tshe\tvanished.","CHAPTER 6 Yrene\t did\t as\t the\t girl\t said\t and\t changed\t into\t another\t gown\t and\t apron\t before going\t to\t the\t kitchens\t to\t wash\t the\t blood\t from\t her\t clothes.\t Her\t hands\t were shaking\t so\t badly\t that\t it\t took\t longer\t than\t usual\t to\t wash\t the\t clothing,\t and\t by\t the time\t she\t finished,\t the\t pale\t light\t of\t dawn\t was\t creeping\t through\t the\t kitchen window. She\thad\tto\tbe\tup\tin\t\u2026\twell,\tnow.\tGroaning,\tshe\ttrudged\tback\tto\ther\troom\tto hang\tthe\twet\t clothes\tto\t dry.\t If\t someone\tsaw\ther\t laundry\tdrying,\t it\twould\t only raise\t suspicion.\t She\t supposed\t she\u2019d\t have\t to\t be\t the\t one\t to\t pretend\t to\t find\t the bodies,\ttoo.\tGods,\twhat\ta\tmess. Wincing\t at\t the\t thought\t of\t the\t long,\t long\t day\t ahead\t of\t her,\t trying\t to\t make sense\t of\t the\t night\t she\u2019d\t just\t had,\t Yrene\t entered\t her\t room\t and\t softly\t shut\t the door.\tEven\tif\tshe\ttold\tsomeone,\tthey\tprobably\twouldn\u2019t\tbelieve\ther. It\twasn\u2019t\tuntil\tshe\twas\tdone\thanging\ther\tclothes\ton\tthe\thooks\tembedded\tin\tthe wall\t that\t she\t noticed\t the\t leather\t pouch\t on\t the\t bed,\t and\t the\t note\t pinned\t beneath it. She\tknew\twhat\twas\tinside,\tcould\teasily\tguess\tbased\ton\tthe\tlumps\tand\tedges. Her\tbreath\tcaught\tin\ther\tthroat\tas\tshe\tpulled\tout\tthe\tnote. There,\tin\telegant,\tfeminine\thandwriting,\tthe\tgirl\thad\twritten: No\t name,\t no\t date.\t Staring\t at\t the\t paper,\t she\t could\t almost\t picture\t the\t girl\u2019s feral\tsmile\tand\tthe\tdefiance\tin\ther\teyes.\tThis\tnote,\tif\tanything,\twas\ta\tchallenge \u2014a\tdare. Hands\tshaking\tanew,\tYrene\tdumped\tout\tthe\tcontents\tof\tthe\tpouch. The\t pile\t of\t gold\t coins\t shimmered,\t and\t Yrene\t staggered\t back,\t collapsing\t into the\trickety\tchair\tacross\tfrom\tthe\tbed.\tShe\tblinked,\tand\tblinked\tagain. Not\tjust\tgold,\tbut\talso\tthe\tbrooch\tthe\tgirl\thad\tbeen\twearing,\tits\tmassive\truby","smoldering\tin\tthe\tcandlelight. A\thand\tto\ther\tmouth,\tYrene\tstared\tat\tthe\tdoor,\tat\tthe\tceiling,\tthen\tback\tat\tthe small\tfortune\tsitting\ton\ther\tbed.\tStared\tand\tstared\tand\tstared. The\t gods\t had\t vanished,\t her\t mother\t had\t once\t claimed.\t But\t had\t they?\t Had\t it been\t some\t god\t who\t had\t visited\t tonight,\t clothed\t in\t the\t skin\t of\t a\t battered\t young woman?\tOr\thad\tit\tmerely\tbeen\ttheir\tdistant\twhispers\tthat\tprompted\tthe\tstranger to\twalk\tdown\tthat\talley?\tShe\twould\tnever\tknow,\tshe\tsupposed.\tAnd\tmaybe\tthat was\tthe\twhole\tpoint. Wherever\tyou\tneed\tto\tgo\t\u2026 Gods\t or\t fate\t or\t just\t pure\t coincidence\t and\t kindness,\t it\t was\t a\t gift.\t This\t was\t a gift.\tThe\tworld\twas\twide-open\u2014wide-open\tand\thers\tfor\tthe\ttaking,\tif\tshe\tdared. She\tcould\tgo\tto\tAntica,\tattend\tthe\tTorre\tCesme,\tgo\tanywhere\tshe\twished. If\tshe\tdared. Yrene\tsmiled. An\t hour\t later,\t no\t one\t stopped\t Yrene\t Towers\t as\t she\t walked\t out\t of\t the\t White Pig\tand\tnever\tlooked\tback. Washed\tand\tdressed\tin\ta\tnew\ttunic,\tCelaena\tboarded\tthe\tship\tan\thour\tbefore dawn.\t It\t was\t her\t own\t damn\t fault\t that\t she\t felt\t hollow\t and\t light-headed\t after\t a night\t without\t rest.\t But\t she\t could\t sleep\t today\u2014sleep\t the\t whole\t journey\t across the\tGulf\tof\tOro\tto\tthe\tDeserted\tLand.\tShe\tshould\tsleep,\tbecause\tonce\tshe\tlanded in\t Yurpa,\t she\t had\t a\t trek\t across\t blistering,\t deadly\t sands\u2014a\t week,\t at\t least, through\tthe\tdesert\tbefore\tthe\treached\tthe\tMute\tMaster\tand\this\tfortress\tof\tSilent Assassins. The\t captain\t didn\u2019t\t ask\t questions\t when\t she\t pressed\t a\t piece\t of\t silver\t into\t his palm\tand\twent\tbelowdecks,\tfollowing\this\tdirections\tto\tfind\ther\tstateroom.\tWith the\thood\tand\tblades,\tshe\tknew\tnone\tof\tthe\tsailors\twould\tbother\ther.\tAnd\twhile she\tnow\thad\tto\tbe\tcareful\twith\tthe\tmoney\tshe\thad\tleft,\tshe\tknew\tshe\u2019d\thand\tover another\tsilver\tpiece\tor\ttwo\tbefore\tthe\tvoyage\twas\tdone. Sighing,\tCelaena\tentered\ther\tcabin\u2014small\tbut\tclean,\twith\ta\tlittle\twindow\tthat looked\tout\tonto\tthe\tdawn-gray\tbay.\tShe\tlocked\tthe\tdoor\tbehind\ther\tand\tslumped onto\t the\t tiny\t bed.\t She\u2019d\t seen\t enough\t of\t Innish;\t she\t didn\u2019t\t need\t to\t bother watching\tthe\tdeparture. She\u2019d\tbeen\ton\ther\tway\tout\tof\tthe\tinn\twhen\tshe\u2019d\tpassed\tthat\thorrifically\tsmall closet\tYrene\tcalled\ta\tbedroom.\tWhile\tYrene\thad\ttended\tto\ther\tarm,\tCelaena\thad been\t astounded\t by\t the\t cramped\t conditions,\t the\t rickety\t furniture,\t the\t too-thin blankets.\tShe\u2019d\tplanned\tto\tleave\tsome\tcoins\tfor\tYrene\tanyway\u2014if\tonly\tbecause","she\twas\tcertain\tthe\tinnkeeper\twould\tmake\tYrene\tpay\tfor\tthose\tbandages. But\tCelaena\thad\tstood\tin\tfront\tof\tthat\twooden\tdoor\tto\tthe\tbedroom,\tlistening to\tYrene\twash\ther\tclothes\tin\tthe\tnearby\tkitchen.\tShe\tfound\therself\tunable\tto\tturn away,\t unable\t to\t stop\t thinking\t about\t the\t would-be\t healer\t with\t the\t brown-gold hair\t and\t caramel\t eyes,\t of\t what\t Yrene\t had\t lost\t and\t how\t helpless\t she\u2019d\t become. There\t were\t so\t many\t of\t them\t now\u2014the\t children\t who\t had\t lost\t everything\t to Adarlan.\t Children\t who\t had\t now\t grown\t into\t assassins\t and\t barmaids,\t without\t a true\tplace\tto\tcall\thome,\ttheir\tnative\tkingdoms\tleft\tin\truin\tand\tash. Magic\t had\t been\t gone\t all\t these\t years.\t And\t the\t gods\t were\t dead,\t or\t simply didn\u2019t\tcare\tanymore.\tYet\tthere,\tdeep\tin\ther\tgut,\twas\ta\tsmall\tbut\tinsistent\ttug.\tA tug\t on\t a\t strand\t of\t some\t invisible\t web.\t So\t Celaena\t decided\t to\t tug\t back,\t just\t to see\thow\tfar\tand\twide\tthe\treverberations\twould\tgo. It\t was\t a\t matter\t of\t moments\t to\t write\t the\t note\t and\t then\t stuff\t most\t of\t her\t gold pieces\tinto\tthe\tpouch.\tA\theartbeat\tlater,\tshe\u2019d\tset\tit\ton\tYrene\u2019s\tsagging\tcot. She\u2019d\t added\t Arobynn\u2019s\t ruby\t brooch\t as\t a\t parting\t thought.\t She\t wondered\t if\t a girl\tfrom\travaged\tFenharrow\twouldn\u2019t\tmind\ta\tbrooch\tin\tAdarlan\u2019s\troyal\tcolors. But\tCelaena\twas\tglad\tto\tbe\trid\tof\tit,\tand\thoped\tYrene\twould\tpawn\tthe\tpiece\tfor the\t small\t fortune\t it\t was\t worth.\t Hoped\t that\t an\t assassin\u2019s\t jewel\t would\t pay\t for\t a healer\u2019s\teducation. So\t maybe\t it\t was\t the\t gods\t at\t work.\t Maybe\t it\t was\t some\t force\t beyond\t them, beyond\tmortal\tcomprehension.\tOr\tmaybe\tit\twas\tjust\tfor\twhat\tand\twho\tCelaena would\tnever\tbe. Yrene\t was\t still\t washing\t her\t bloodied\t clothes\t in\t the\t kitchen\t when\t Celaena slipped\tout\tof\ther\troom,\tthen\tdown\tthe\thall,\tand\tleft\tthe\tWhite\tPig\tbehind. As\t she\t stalked\t through\t the\t foggy\t streets\t toward\t the\t ramshackle\t docks, Celaena\t had\t prayed\t Yrene\t Towers\t wasn\u2019t\t foolish\t enough\t to\t tell\t anyone\u2014 especially\tthe\tinnkeeper\u2014about\tthe\tmoney.\tPrayed\tYrene\tTowers\tseized\ther\tlife with\t both\t hands\t and\t set\t out\t for\t the\t pale-stoned\t city\t of\t Antica.\t Prayed\t that somehow,\t years\t from\t now,\t Yrene\t Towers\t would\t return\t to\t this\t continent,\t and maybe,\tjust\tmaybe,\theal\ttheir\tshattered\tworld\ta\tlittle\tbit. Smiling\t to\t herself\t in\t the\t confines\t of\t her\t cabin,\t Celaena\t nestled\t into\t the\t bed, pulled\ther\thood\tlow\tover\ther\teyes,\tand\tcrossed\ther\tankles.\tBy\tthe\ttime\tthe\tship set\tsail\tacross\tthe\tjade-green\tgulf,\tthe\tassassin\twas\tfast\tasleep.","THE ASSASSIN AND\tTHE DESERT","CHAPTER 1 There\twas\tnothing\tleft\tin\tthe\tworld\texcept\tsand\tand\twind. At\t least,\t that\u2019s\t how\t it\t seemed\t to\t Celaena\t Sardothien\t as\t she\t stood\t atop\t the crimson\t dune\t and\t gazed\t across\t the\t desert.\t Even\t with\t the\t wind,\t the\t heat\t was stifling,\t and\t sweat\t made\t her\t many\t layers\t of\t clothes\t cling\t to\t her\t body.\t But sweating,\t her\t nomad\t guide\t had\t told\t her,\t was\t a\t good\t thing\u2014it\t was\t when\t you didn\u2019t\t sweat\t that\t the\t Red\t Desert\t became\t deadly.\t Sweat\t reminded\t you\t to\t drink. When\t the\t heat\t evaporated\t your\t perspiration\tbefore\t you\t could\trealize\t you\t were sweating,\tthat\u2019s\twhen\tyou\tcould\tcross\tinto\tdehydration\tand\tnot\tknow\tit. Oh,\tthe\tmiserable\theat.\tIt\tinvaded\tevery\tpore\tof\ther,\tmade\ther\thead\tthrob\tand her\tbones\tache.\tThe\tmuggy\twarmth\tof\tSkull\u2019s\tBay\thad\tbeen\tnothing\tcompared to\tthis.\tWhat\tshe\twouldn\u2019t\tgive\tfor\tjust\tthe\tbriefest\tof\tcool\tbreezes! Beside\t her,\t the\t nomad\t guide\t pointed\t a\t gloved\t finger\t toward\t the\t southwest. \u201cThe\t sessiz\t suikast\t are\t there.\u201d\t Sessiz\t suikast.\t The\t Silent\t Assassins\u2014the legendary\torder\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tsent\there\tto\ttrain\twith. \u201cTo\tlearn\tobedience\tand\tdiscipline,\u201d\tArobynn\tHamel\thad\tsaid.\tIn\tthe\theight\tof summer\t in\t the\t Red\t Desert\t was\t what\t he\u2019d\t failed\t to\t add.\t It\t was\t a\t punishment. Two\t months\t ago,\t when\t Arobynn\t had\t sent\t Celaena\t along\t with\t Sam\t Cortland\t to Skull\u2019s\t Bay\t on\t an\t unknown\t errand,\t they\u2019d\t discovered\t that\t he\u2019d\t actually dispatched\t them\t to\t trade\t in\t slaves.\t Needless\t to\t say,\t that\t hadn\u2019t\t sat\t well\t with Celaena\tor\tSam,\tdespite\ttheir\toccupation.\tSo\tthey\u2019d\tfreed\tthe\tslaves,\tdeciding\tto damn\tthe\tconsequences.\tBut\tnow\t\u2026\tAs\tpunishments\twent,\tthis\twas\tprobably\tthe worst.\tGiven\tthe\tbruises\tand\tcuts\tthat\twere\tstill\thealing\ton\ther\tface\ta\tmonth\tafter Arobynn\thad\tbestowed\tthem,\tthat\twas\tsaying\tsomething. Celaena\tscowled.\tShe\tpulled\tthe\tscarf\ta\tbit\thigher\tover\ther\tmouth\tand\tnose\tas she\ttook\ta\tstep\tdown\tthe\tdune.\tHer\tlegs\tstrained\tagainst\tthe\tsliding\tsand,\tbut\tit was\t a\t welcome\t freedom\t after\t the\t harrowing\t trek\t through\t the\t Singing\t Sands, where\t each\t grain\t had\t hummed\t and\t whined\t and\t moaned.\t They\u2019d\t spent\t a\t whole day\t monitoring\t each\t step,\t careful\t to\t keep\t the\t sand\t beneath\t them\t ringing\t in harmony.\t Or\t else,\t the\t nomad\t had\t told\t her,\t the\t sands\t could\t dissolve\t into","quicksand. Celaena\t descended\t the\t dune,\t but\t paused\t when\t she\t didn\u2019t\t hear\t her\t guide\u2019s footsteps.\t\u201cAren\u2019t\tyou\tcoming?\u201d The\t man\t remained\t atop\t the\t dune,\t and\t pointed\t again\t to\t the\t horizon.\t \u201cTwo miles\t that\t way.\u201d\t His\t use\t of\t the\t common\t tongue\t was\t a\t bit\t unwieldy,\t but\t she understood\thim\twell\tenough. She\tpulled\tdown\tthe\tscarf\tfrom\ther\tmouth,\twincing\tas\ta\tgust\tof\tsand\tstung\ther sweaty\tface.\t\u201cI\tpaid\tyou\tto\ttake\tme\tthere.\u201d \u201cTwo\t miles,\u201d\t he\t said,\t adjusting\t the\t large\t pack\t on\t his\t back.\t The\t scarf\t around his\thead\tobscured\this\ttanned\tfeatures,\tbut\tshe\tcould\tstill\tsee\tthe\tfear\tin\this\teyes. Yes,\tyes,\tthe\tsessiz\tsuikast\twere\tfeared\tand\trespected\tin\tthe\tdesert.\tIt\thad\tbeen a\tmiracle\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tfound\ta\tguide\twilling\tto\ttake\ther\tthis\tclose\tto\ttheir\tfortress. Of\tcourse,\toffering\tgold\thad\thelped.\tBut\tthe\tnomads\tviewed\tthe\tsessiz\tsuikast\tas little\tless\tthan\tshadows\tof\tdeath\u2014and\tapparently,\ther\tguide\twould\tgo\tno\tfarther. She\t studied\t the\t westward\t horizon.\t She\t could\t see\t nothing\t beyond\t dunes\t and sand\tthat\trippled\tlike\tthe\tsurface\tof\ta\twindblown\tsea. \u201cTwo\tmiles,\u201d\tthe\tnomad\tsaid\tbehind\ther.\t\u201cThey\twill\tfind\tyou.\u201d Celaena\t turned\t to\t ask\t him\t another\t question,\t but\t he\t had\t already\t disappeared over\tthe\tother\tside\tof\tthe\tdune.\tCursing\thim,\tshe\ttried\tto\tswallow,\tbut\tfailed.\tHer mouth\twas\ttoo\tdry.\tShe\thad\tto\tstart\tnow,\tor\telse\tshe\u2019d\tneed\tto\tset\tup\ther\ttent\tto sleep\tout\tthe\tunforgiving\tmidday\tand\tafternoon\theat. Two\tmiles.\tHow\tlong\tcould\tthat\ttake? Taking\t a\t sip\t from\t her\t unnervingly\t light\t waterskin,\t Celaena\t pulled\t her\t scarf back\tover\ther\tmouth\tand\tnose\tand\tbegan\twalking. The\tonly\tsound\twas\tthe\twind\thissing\tthrough\tthe\tsand. Hours\t later,\t Celaena\t found\t herself\t using\t all\t of\t her\t self-restraint\t to\t avoid leaping\t into\t the\t courtyard\t pools\t or\t kneeling\t to\t drink\t at\t one\t of\t the\t little\t rivers running\talong\tthe\tfloor.\tNo\tone\thad\toffered\ther\twater\tupon\ther\tarrival,\tand\tshe didn\u2019t\tthink\ther\tcurrent\tescort\twas\tinclined\tto\tdo\tso\teither\tas\the\tled\ther\tthrough the\twinding\thalls\tof\tthe\tred\tsandstone\tfortress. The\ttwo\tmiles\thad\tfelt\tmore\tlike\ttwenty.\tShe\thad\tbeen\tjust\tabout\tto\tstop\tand set\t up\t her\t tent\t when\t she\u2019d\t crested\t a\t dune\t and\t the\t lush\t green\t trees\t and\t adobe fortress\thad\tspread\tbefore\ther,\thidden\tin\tan\toasis\tnestled\tbetween\ttwo\tmonstrous sand\tdunes. After\t all\t that,\t she\t was\t parched.\t But\t she\t was\t Celaena\t Sardothien.\t She\t had\t a reputation\tto\tuphold.","She\t kept\t her\t senses\t alert\t as\t they\t walked\t farther\t into\t the\t fortress\u2014taking\t in exits\t and\t windows,\t noting\t where\t sentries\t were\t stationed.\t They\t passed\t a\t row\t of open-air\ttraining\trooms\tin\twhich\tshe\tcould\tsee\tpeople\tfrom\tall\tkingdoms\tand\tof all\t ages\t sparring\t or\t exercising\t or\t just\t sitting\t quietly,\t lost\t in\t meditation.\t They climbed\t a\t narrow\t flight\t of\t steps\t that\t went\t up\t and\t up\t into\t a\t large\t building.\t The shade\t of\t the\t stairwell\t was\t wonderfully\t cool.\t But\t then\t they\t entered\t a\t long, enclosed\thall,\tand\tthe\theat\twrapped\taround\ther\tlike\ta\tblanket. For\t a\t fortress\t of\t supposedly\t silent\t assassins,\t the\t place\t was\t fairly\t noisy,\t with the\t clatter\t of\t weapons\t from\t the\t training\t rooms,\t the\t buzzing\t of\t insects\t in\t the many\t trees\t and\t bushes,\t the\t chatter\t of\t birds,\t the\t gurgle\t of\t all\t that\t crystal-clear water\trunning\tthrough\tevery\troom\tand\thall. They\tapproached\tan\topen\tset\tof\tdoors\tat\tthe\tend\tof\tthe\thallway.\tHer\tescort\u2014a middle-aged\tman\tflecked\twith\tscars\tthat\tstood\tout\tlike\tchalk\tagainst\this\ttan\tskin \u2014said\t nothing\t to\t her.\t Beyond\t the\t doors,\t the\t interior\t was\t a\t mixture\t of\t shadow and\tlight.\tThey\tentered\ta\tgiant\tchamber\tflanked\tby\tblue-painted\twooden\tpillars that\t supported\t a\t mezzanine\t on\t either\t side.\t A\t glance\t into\t the\t darkness\t of\t the balcony\t informed\t her\t that\t there\t were\t figures\t lurking\t there\u2014watching,\t waiting. There\twere\tmore\tin\tthe\tshadows\tof\tthe\tcolumns.\tWhoever\tthey\tthought\tshe\twas, they\tcertainly\tweren\u2019t\tunderestimating\ther.\tGood. A\tnarrow\tmosaic\tof\tgreen\tand\tblue\tglass\ttiles\twove\tthrough\tthe\tfloor\ttoward the\tdais,\techoing\tthe\tlittle\trivers\ton\tthe\tlower\tlevel.\tAtop\tthe\tdais,\tseated\tamong cushions\tand\tpotted\tpalms,\twas\ta\twhiterobed\tman. The\t Mute\t Master.\t She\t had\t expected\t him\t to\t be\t ancient,\t but\t he\t seemed\t to\t be around\tfifty.\tShe\tkept\ther\tchin\theld\thigh\tas\tthey\tapproached\thim,\tfollowing\tthe tile\tpath\tin\tthe\tfloor.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\ttell\tif\tthe\tMaster\u2019s\tskin\thad\talways\tbeen\tthat tan\tor\tif\tit\twas\tfrom\tthe\tsun.\tHe\tsmiled\tslightly\u2014he\u2019d\tprobably\tbeen\thandsome in\t his\t youth.\t Sweat\t oozed\t down\t Celaena\u2019s\t spine.\t Though\t the\t Master\t had\t no visible\t weapons,\t the\t two\t servants\t fanning\t him\t with\t palm\t leaves\t were\t armed\t to the\tteeth.\tHer\tescort\tstopped\ta\tsafe\tdistance\tfrom\tthe\tMaster\tand\tbowed. Celaena\t did\t the\t same,\t and\t when\t she\t raised\t herself,\t she\t removed\t the\t hood from\tover\ther\thair.\tShe\twas\tsure\tit\twas\ta\tmess\tand\tdisgustingly\tgreasy\tafter\ttwo weeks\tin\tthe\tdesert\twith\tno\twater\tto\tbathe\tin,\tbut\tshe\twasn\u2019t\there\tto\timpress\thim with\ther\tbeauty. The\t Mute\t Master\t looked\t her\t up\t and\t down,\t and\t then\t nodded.\t Her\t escort nudged\t her\t with\t an\t elbow,\t and\t Celaena\t cleared\t her\t dry\t throat\t as\t she\t stepped forward. She\t knew\t the\t Mute\t Master\t wouldn\u2019t\t say\t anything;\t his\t self-imposed\t silence was\twell-known.\tIt\twas\tincumbent\tupon\ther\tto\tmake\tthe\tintroduction.\tArobynn","had\ttold\ther\texactly\twhat\tto\tsay\u2014ordered\ther\twas\tmore\tlike\tit.\tThere\twould\tbe no\tdisguises,\tno\tmasks,\tno\tfake\tnames.\tSince\tshe\thad\tshown\tsuch\tdisregard\tfor Arobynn\u2019s\tbest\tinterests,\the\tno\tlonger\thad\tany\tinclination\tto\tprotect\thers.\tShe\u2019d debated\t for\t weeks\t how\t she\t might\t find\t a\t way\t to\t protect\t her\t identity\u2014to\t keep these\t strangers\t from\t knowing\t who\t she\t was\u2014but\t Arobynn\u2019s\t orders\t had\t been simple:\t she\t had\t one\t month\t to\t win\t the\t Mute\t Master\u2019s\t respect.\t And\t if\t she\t didn\u2019t return\t home\t with\t his\t letter\t of\t approval\u2014a\t letter\t about\t Celaena\t Sardothien\u2014 she\u2019d\tbetter\tfind\ta\tnew\tcity\tto\tlive\tin.\tPossibly\ta\tnew\tcontinent. \u201cThank\tyou\tfor\tgranting\tme\tan\taudience,\tMaster\tof\tthe\tSilent\tAssassins,\u201d\tshe said,\tsilently\tcursing\tthe\tstiffness\tof\ther\twords. She\t put\t a\t hand\t over\t her\t heart\t and\t dropped\t to\t both\t knees.\t \u201cI\t am\t Celaena Sardothien,\t prot\u00e9g\u00e9e\t of\t Arobynn\t Hamel,\t King\t of\t the\t Northern\t Assassins.\u201d Adding\t\u201cNorthern\u201d\tseemed\tappropriate;\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tthe\tMute\tMaster\twould be\tmuch\tpleased\tto\tlearn\tthat\tArobynn\tcalled\thimself\tKing\tof\tall\tthe\tAssassins. But\twhether\tor\tnot\tit\tsurprised\thim,\this\tface\trevealed\tnothing,\tthough\tshe\tsensed some\tof\tthe\tpeople\tin\tthe\tshadows\tshifting\ton\ttheir\tfeet. \u201cMy\tmaster\tsent\tme\there\tto\tbeseech\tyou\tto\ttrain\tme,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tchafing\tat\tthe words.\tTrain\ther!\tShe\tlowered\ther\thead\tso\tthe\tMaster\twouldn\u2019t\tsee\tthe\tire\ton\ther face.\t\u201cI\tam\tyours.\u201d\tShe\ttilted\ther\tpalms\tfaceup\tin\ta\tgesture\tof\tsupplication. Nothing. Warmth\tworse\tthan\tthe\theat\tof\tthe\tdesert\tsinged\ther\tcheeks.\tShe\tkept\ther\thead down,\ther\tarms\tstill\tupheld.\tCloth\trustled,\tthen\tnear-silent\tsteps\techoed\tthrough the\tchamber.\tAt\tlast,\ttwo\tbare,\tbrown\tfeet\tstopped\tbefore\ther. A\tdry\tfinger\ttilted\ther\tchin\tup,\tand\tCelaena\tfound\therself\tstaring\tinto\tthe\tsea- green\teyes\tof\tthe\tMaster.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tmove.\tWith\tone\tmovement,\tthe\tMaster could\tsnap\ther\tneck.\tThis\twas\ta\ttest\u2014a\ttest\tof\ttrust,\tshe\trealized. She\t willed\t herself\t into\t stillness,\t focusing\t on\t the\t details\t of\t his\t face\t to\t avoid thinking\t about\t how\t vulnerable\t she\t was.\t Sweat\t beaded\t along\t the\t border\t of\t his dark\t hair,\t which\t was\t cropped\t close\t to\t his\t head.\t It\t was\t impossible\t to\t tell\t what kingdom\t he\t hailed\t from;\t his\t hazelnut\t skin\t suggested\t Eyllwe.\t But\t his\t elegant, almond-shaped\t eyes\t suggested\t one\t of\t the\t countries\t in\t the\t distant\t southern continent.\tRegardless,\thow\thad\the\twound\tup\there? She\t braced\t herself\t as\t his\t long\t fingers\t pushed\t back\t the\t loose\t strands\t of\t her braided\t hair,\t revealing\t the\t yellowing\t bruises\t still\t lingering\t around\t her\t eyes\t and cheeks,\tand\tthe\tnarrow\tarc\tof\tthe\tscab\talong\ther\tcheekbone.\tHad\tArobynn\tsent word\tthat\tshe\twould\tbe\tcoming?\tHad\the\ttold\thim\tthe\tcircumstances\tunder\twhich she\u2019d\tbeen\tpacked\toff?\tThe\tMaster\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tat\tall\tsurprised\tby\ther\tarrival. But\t the\t Master\u2019s\t eyes\t narrowed,\t his\t lips\t forming\t a\t tight\t line\t as\t he\t looked\t at","the\t remnants\t of\t the\t bruises\t on\t the\t other\t side\t of\t her\t face.\t She\t was\t lucky\t that Arobynn\twas\tskilled\tenough\tto\tkeep\this\tblows\tfrom\tpermanently\tmarring\ther.\tA twinge\tof\tguilt\twent\tthrough\ther\tas\tshe\twondered\tif\tSam\thad\thealed\tas\twell.\tIn the\t three\t days\t following\t her\t beating,\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t seen\t him\t around\t the\t Keep. She\u2019d\t blacked\t out\t before\t Arobynn\t could\t deal\t with\t her\t companion.\t And\t since that\tnight,\teven\tduring\ther\ttrip\tout\there,\teverything\thad\tbeen\ta\thaze\tof\trage\tand sorrow\tand\tbone-deep\tweariness,\tas\tif\tshe\twere\tdreaming\twhile\tawake. She\t calmed\t her\t thundering\t heart\t just\t as\t the\t Master\t released\t her\t face\t and stepped\t back.\t He\t motioned\t with\t a\t hand\t for\t her\t to\t rise,\t which\t she\t did,\t to\t the relief\tof\ther\taching\tknees. The\tMaster\tgave\ther\ta\tcrooked\tsmile.\tShe\twould\thave\techoed\tthe\texpression \u2014but\t an\t instant\t later\t he\t snapped\t his\t fingers,\t triggering\t four\t men\t to\t charge\t at her.","CHAPTER 2 They\t didn\u2019t\t have\t weapons,\t but\t their\t intent\t was\t clear\t enough.\t The\t first\t man, clad\tin\tthe\tloose,\tlayered\tclothing\tthat\teveryone\there\twore,\treached\ther,\tand\tshe dodged\t the\t sweeping\t blow\t aimed\t at\t her\t face.\t His\t arm\t shot\t past\t her,\t and\t she grabbed\t it\t by\t the\t wrist\t and\t bicep,\t locking\t and\t twisting\t his\t arm\t so\t he\t grunted with\tpain.\tShe\twhirled\thim\taround,\tcareening\thim\tinto\tthe\tsecond\tattacker\thard enough\tthat\tthe\ttwo\tmen\twent\ttumbling\tto\tthe\tground. Celaena\tleapt\tback,\tlanding\twhere\ther\tescort\thad\tbeen\tstanding\tonly\tseconds before,\tcareful\tto\tavoid\tcrashing\tinto\tthe\tMaster.\tThis\twas\tanother\ttest\u2014a\ttest\tto see\tat\twhat\tlevel\tshe\tmight\tbegin\ther\ttraining.\tAnd\tif\tshe\twas\tworthy. Of\tcourse\tshe\twas\tworthy.\tShe\twas\tCelaena\tSardothien,\tgods\tbe\tdamned. The\t third\t man\t pulled\t out\t two\t crescent-shaped\t daggers\t from\t the\t folds\t of\t his beige\ttunic\tand\tslashed\tat\ther.\tHer\tlayered\tclothing\twas\ttoo\tcumbersome\tfor\ther to\tdart\taway\tfast\tenough,\tso\tas\the\tswiped\tfor\ther\tface,\tshe\tbent\tback.\tHer\tspine strained,\tbut\tthe\ttwo\tblades\tpassed\toverhead,\tslicing\tthrough\tan\terrant\tstrand\tof her\thair.\tShe\tdropped\tto\tthe\tground\tand\tlashed\tout\twith\ta\tleg,\tsweeping\tthe\tman off\this\tfeet. The\t fourth\t man,\t though,\t had\t come\t up\t behind\t her,\t a\t curved\t blade\t flashing\t in his\t hand\t as\t he\t made\t to\t plunge\t it\t through\t her\t head.\t She\t rolled,\t and\t the\t sword struck\tstone,\tsparking. By\t the\t time\t she\t got\t to\t her\t feet,\t he\u2019d\t raised\t the\t sword\t again.\t She\t caught\t his feint\tto\tthe\tleft\tbefore\the\tstruck\tat\ther\tright.\tShe\tdanced\taside.\tThe\tman\twas\tstill swinging\t when\t she\t drove\t the\t base\t of\t her\t palm\t straight\t into\t his\t nose\t and slammed\ther\tother\tfist\tinto\this\tgut.\tThe\tman\tdropped\tto\tthe\tfloor,\tblood\tgushing from\t his\t nose.\t She\t panted,\t the\t air\t ragged\t in\t her\t already-burning\t throat.\t She really,\treally\tneeded\twater. None\tof\tthe\tfour\tmen\ton\tthe\tground\tmoved.\tThe\tMaster\tbegan\tsmiling,\tand\tit was\tthen\tthat\tthe\tothers\tgathered\taround\tthe\tchamber\tstepped\tcloser\tto\tthe\tlight. Men\t and\t women,\t all\t tan,\t though\t their\t hair\t showed\t the\t range\t of\t the\t various kingdoms\t on\t the\t continent.\t Celaena\t inclined\t her\t head.\t None\t of\t them\t nodded","back.\tCelaena\tkept\tone\teye\ton\tthe\tfour\tmen\tbefore\ther\tas\tthey\tgot\tto\ttheir\tfeet, sheathed\t their\t weapons,\t and\t stalked\t back\t to\t the\t shadows.\t Hopefully\t they wouldn\u2019t\ttake\tit\tpersonally. She\tscanned\tthe\tshadows\tagain,\tbracing\therself\tfor\tmore\tassailants.\tNearby,\ta young\t woman\t watched\t her,\t and\t she\t flashed\t Celaena\t a\t conspirator\u2019s\t grin. Celaena\t tried\t not\t to\t look\t too\t interested,\t though\t the\t girl\t was\t one\t of\t the\t most stunning\tpeople\tshe\u2019d\tever\tbeheld.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tjust\ther\twine-red\thair\tor\tthe\tcolor\tof her\teyes,\ta\tred-brown\tCelaena\thad\tnever\tseen\tbefore.\tNo,\tit\twas\tthe\tgirl\u2019s\tarmor that\t initially\t caught\t her\t interest:\t ornate\t to\t the\t point\t of\t probably\t being\t useless, but\tstill\ta\twork\tof\tart. The\tright\tshoulder\twas\tfashioned\tinto\ta\tsnarling\twolf\u2019s\thead,\tand\ther\thelmet, tucked\t into\t the\t crook\t of\t her\t arm,\t featured\t a\t wolf\t hunched\t over\t the\t noseguard. Another\t wolf\u2019s\t head\t had\t been\t molded\t into\t the\t pommel\t of\t her\t broadsword.\t On anyone\telse,\tthe\tarmor\tmight\thave\tlooked\tflamboyant\tand\tridiculous,\tbut\ton\tthe girl\t\u2026\tThere\twas\ta\tstrange,\tboyish\tsort\tof\tcarelessness\tto\ther. Still,\t Celaena\t wondered\t how\t it\t was\t possible\t not\t to\t be\t sweltering\t to\t death inside\tall\tthat\tarmor. The\tMaster\tclapped\tCelaena\ton\tthe\tshoulder\tand\tbeckoned\tto\tthe\tgirl\tto\tcome forward.\t Not\t to\t attack\u2014a\t friendly\t invitation.\t The\t girl\u2019s\t armor\t clinked\t as\t it moved,\tbut\ther\tboots\twere\tnear-silent. The\t Master\t used\t his\t hands\t to\t form\t a\t series\t of\t motions\t between\t the\t girl\t and Celaena.\tThe\tgirl\tbowed\tlow,\tthen\tgave\ther\tthat\twicked\tgrin\tagain.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tAnsel,\u201d she\tsaid,\ther\tvoice\tbright,\tamused.\tShe\thad\ta\tbarely\tperceptible\tlilt\tto\ther\taccent that\t Celaena\t couldn\u2019t\t place.\t \u201cLooks\t like\t we\u2019re\t sharing\t a\t room\t while\t you\u2019re here.\u201d\t The\t Master\t gestured\t again,\t his\t calloused,\t scarred\t fingers\t creating rudimentary\t gestures\t that\t Ansel\t could\t somehow\t decipher.\t \u201cSay,\t how\t long\t will that\tbe,\tactually?\u201d Celaena\tfought\ther\tfrown.\t\u201cOne\tmonth.\u201d\tShe\tinclined\ther\thead\tto\tthe\tMaster. \u201cIf\tyou\tallow\tme\tto\tstay\tthat\tlong.\u201d With\t the\t month\t that\t it\t took\t to\t get\t here,\t and\t the\t month\t it\t would\t take\t to\t get home,\tshe\u2019d\tbe\taway\tfrom\tRifthold\tthree\tmonths\tbefore\tshe\treturned. The\t Master\t merely\t nodded\t and\t walked\t back\t to\t the\t cushions\t atop\t the\t dais. \u201cThat\t means\t you\t can\t stay,\u201d\t Ansel\t whispered,\t and\t then\t touched\t Celaena\u2019s shoulder\t with\t an\t armor-clad\t hand.\t Apparently\t not\t all\t the\t assassins\t here\t were under\ta\tvow\tof\tsilence\u2014or\thad\ta\tsense\tof\tpersonal\tspace.\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\tstart\ttraining tomorrow,\u201d\tAnsel\twent\ton.\t\u201cAt\tdawn.\u201d The\t Master\t sank\t onto\t the\t cushions,\t and\t Celaena\t almost\t sagged\t with\t relief. Arobynn\t had\t made\t her\t think\t that\t convincing\t him\t to\t train\t her\t would\t be\t nearly","impossible.\tFool.\tPack\ther\toff\tto\tthe\tdesert\tto\tsuffer,\twould\the! \u201cThank\t you,\u201d\t Celaena\t said\t to\t the\t Master,\t keenly\t aware\t of\t the\t eyes\t watching her\tin\tthe\thall\tas\tshe\tbowed\tagain.\tHe\twaved\ther\taway. \u201cCome,\u201d\t Ansel\t said,\t her\t hair\t shimmering\t in\t a\t ray\t of\t sunlight.\t \u201cI\t suppose you\u2019ll\twant\ta\tbath\tbefore\tyou\tdo\tanything\telse.\tI\tcertainly\twould,\tif\tI\twere\tyou.\u201d Ansel\tgave\ther\ta\tsmile\tthat\tstretched\tthe\tsplattering\tof\tfreckles\tacross\tthe\tbridge of\ther\tnose\tand\tcheeks. Celaena\t glanced\t sidelong\t at\t the\t girl\t and\t her\t ornate\t armor,\t and\t followed\t her from\tthe\troom.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tthe\tbest\tthing\tI\u2019ve\theard\tin\tweeks,\u201d\tshe\tsaid. Alone\t with\t Ansel\t as\t they\t strode\t through\t the\t halls,\t Celaena\t keenly\t felt\t the absence\t of\t the\t long\t daggers\t usually\t sheathed\t in\t her\t belt.\t But\t they\u2019d\t been\t taken from\ther\tat\tthe\tgate,\talong\twith\ther\tsword\tand\ther\tpack.\tShe\tlet\ther\thands\tdangle at\ther\tsides,\tready\tto\treact\tto\tthe\tslightest\tmovement\tfrom\ther\tguide.\tWhether\tor not\tAnsel\tnoticed\tCelaena\u2019s\treadiness\tto\tfight,\tthe\tgirl\tswung\ther\tarms\tcasually, her\tarmor\tclanking\twith\tthe\tmovement. Her\t roommate.\t That\t was\t an\t unfortunate\t surprise.\t Sharing\t a\t room\t with\t Sam for\ta\tfew\tnights\twas\tone\tthing.\tBut\ta\tmonth\twith\ta\tcomplete\tstranger?\tCelaena studied\t Ansel\t out\t of\t the\t corner\t of\t her\t eye.\t She\t was\t slightly\t taller,\t but\t Celaena couldn\u2019t\t see\t much\t else\t about\t her,\t thanks\t to\t the\t armor.\t She\u2019d\t never\t spent\t much time\taround\tother\tgirls,\tsave\tthe\tcourtesans\tthat\tArobynn\tinvited\tto\tthe\tKeep\tfor parties\tor\ttook\tto\tthe\ttheater,\tand\tmost\tof\tthem\twere\tnot\tthe\tsort\tof\tperson\tthat Celaena\t cared\t to\t know.\t There\t were\t no\t other\t female\t assassins\t in\t Arobynn\u2019s guild.\t But\t here\t \u2026\t in\t addition\t to\t Ansel,\t there\t had\t been\t just\t as\t many\t women\t as men.\t In\t the\t Keep,\t there\t was\t no\t mistaking\t who\t she\t was.\t Here,\t she\t was\t only another\tface\tin\tthe\tcrowd. For\tall\tshe\tknew,\tAnsel\tmight\tbe\tbetter\tthan\ther.\tThe\tthought\tdidn\u2019t\tsit\twell. \u201cSo,\u201d\tAnsel\tsaid,\ther\tbrows\trising.\t\u201cCelaena\tSardothien.\u201d \u201cYes?\u201d Ansel\tshrugged\u2014or\tat\tleast\tshrugged\tas\twell\tas\tshe\tcould,\tgiven\tthe\tarmor.\t\u201cI thought\tyou\u2019d\tbe\t\u2026\tmore\tdramatic.\u201d \u201cSorry\t to\t disappoint,\u201d\t Celaena\t said,\t not\t sounding\t very\t sorry\t at\t all.\t Ansel steered\tthem\tup\ta\tshort\tstaircase,\tthen\tdown\ta\tlong\thall.\tChildren\tpopped\tin\tand out\tof\tthe\trooms\talong\tthe\tpassage,\tbuckets\tand\tbrooms\tand\tmops\tin\thand.\tThe youngest\tlooked\tabout\teight,\tthe\teldest\tabout\ttwelve. \u201cAcolytes,\u201d\tAnsel\tsaid\tin\tresponse\tto\tCelaena\u2019s\tsilent\tquestion.\t\u201cCleaning\tthe rooms\tof\tthe\tolder\tassassins\tis\tpart\tof\ttheir\ttraining.\tTeaches\tthem\tresponsibility","and\thumility.\tOr\tsomething\tlike\tthat.\u201d\tAnsel\twinked\tat\ta\tchild\twho\tgaped\tup\tat her\t as\t she\t passed.\t Indeed,\t several\t of\t the\t children\t stared\t after\t Ansel,\t their\t eyes wide\twith\twonder\tand\trespect;\tAnsel\tmust\tbe\twell\tregarded,\tthen.\tNone\tof\tthem bothered\tto\tlook\tat\tCelaena.\tShe\traised\ther\tchin. \u201cAnd\thow\told\twere\tyou\twhen\tyou\tcame\there?\u201d\tThe\tmore\tshe\tknew\tthe\tbetter. \u201cI\thad\tbarely\tturned\tthirteen,\u201d\tAnsel\tsaid.\t\u201cSo\tI\tnarrowly\tmissed\thaving\tto\tdo the\tdrudgery\twork.\u201d \u201cAnd\thow\told\tare\tyou\tnow?\u201d \u201cTrying\tto\tget\ta\tread\ton\tme,\tare\tyou?\u201d Celaena\tkept\ther\tface\tblank. \u201cI\tjust\tturned\teighteen.\tYou\tlook\tabout\tmy\tage,\ttoo.\u201d Celaena\t nodded.\t She\t certainly\t didn\u2019t\t have\t to\t yield\t any\t information\t about herself.\tEven\tthough\tArobynn\thad\tordered\ther\tnot\tto\thide\ther\tidentity\there,\tthat didn\u2019t\t mean\t she\t had\t to\t give\t away\t details.\t And\t at\t least\t Celaena\t had\t started\t her training\t at\t eight;\t she\t had\t several\t years\t on\t Ansel.\t That\t had\t to\t count\t for something.\t\u201cHas\ttraining\twith\tthe\tMaster\tbeen\teffective?\u201d Ansel\tgave\ther\ta\trueful\tsmile.\t\u201cI\twouldn\u2019t\tknow.\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\there\tfor\tfive\tyears, and\t he\u2019s\t still\t refused\t to\t train\t me\t personally.\t Not\t that\t I\t care.\t I\u2019d\t say\t I\u2019m\t pretty damn\tgood\twith\tor\twithout\this\texpertise.\u201d Well,\tthat\twas\tcertainly\todd.\tHow\thad\tshe\tgone\tso\tlong\twithout\tworking\twith the\t Master?\t Though,\t many\t of\t Arobynn\u2019s\t assassins\t never\t received\t private lessons\twith\thim,\teither.\t\u201cWhere\tare\tyou\tfrom,\toriginally?\u201d\tCelaena\tasked. \u201cThe\t Flatlands.\u201d\t The\t Flatlands\t \u2026\t Where\t in\t hell\t were\t the\t Flatlands?\t Ansel answered\tfor\ther.\t\u201cAlong\tthe\tcoast\tof\tthe\tWestern\tWastes\u2014formerly\tknown\tas the\tWitch\tKingdom.\u201d The\tWastes\twere\tcertainly\tfamiliar.\tBut\tshe\u2019d\tnever\theard\tof\tthe\tFlatlands. \u201cMy\t father,\u201d\t Ansel\t went\t on,\t \u201cis\t Lord\t of\t Briarcliff.\t He\t sent\t me\t here\t for training,\t so\t I\t might\t \u2018make\t myself\t useful.\u2019\t But\t I\t don\u2019t\t think\t five\t hundred\t years would\tbe\tenough\tto\tteach\tme\tthat.\u201d Despite\therself,\tCelaena\tchuckled.\tShe\tstole\tanother\tglance\tat\tAnsel\u2019s\tarmor. \u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\tget\thot\tin\tall\tthat\tarmor?\u201d \u201cOf\t course,\u201d\t Ansel\t said,\t tossing\t her\t shoulder-length\t hair.\t \u201cBut\t you\t have\t to admit\t it\u2019s\t rather\t striking.\t And\t very\t well\t suited\t for\t strutting\t about\t a\t fortress\t full of\tassassins.\tHow\telse\tam\tI\tto\tdistinguish\tmyself?\u201d \u201cWhere\t did\t you\t get\t it\t from?\u201d\t Not\t that\t she\t might\t want\t some\t for\t herself;\t she had\tno\tuse\tfor\tarmor\tlike\tthat. \u201cOh,\t I\t had\t it\t made\t for\t me.\u201d\t So\u2014Ansel\t had\t money,\t then.\t Plenty\t of\t it,\t if\t she could\t throw\t it\t away\t on\t armor.\t \u201cBut\t the\t sword\u201d\u2014Ansel\t patted\t the\t wolf-shaped","hilt\t at\t her\t side\u2014\u201cbelongs\t to\t my\t father.\t His\t gift\t to\t me\t when\t I\t left.\t I\t figured\t I\u2019d have\tthe\tarmor\tmatch\tit\u2014wolves\tare\ta\tfamily\tsymbol.\u201d They\t entered\t an\t open\t walkway,\t the\t heat\t of\t the\t midafternoon\t sun\t slamming into\tthem\twith\tfull\tforce.\tYet\tAnsel\u2019s\tface\tremained\tjovial,\tand\tif\tthe\tarmor\tdid indeed\t make\t her\t uncomfortable,\t she\t didn\u2019t\t show\t it.\t Ansel\t looked\t her\t up\t and down.\t\u201cHow\tmany\tpeople\thave\tyou\tkilled?\u201d Celaena\talmost\tchoked,\tbut\tkept\ther\tchin\thigh.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tsee\thow\tthat\tis\tany\tof your\tconcern.\u201d Ansel\t chuckled.\t \u201cI\t suppose\t it\u2019d\t be\t easy\t enough\t to\t find\t out;\t you\t must\t leave some\t indication\t if\t you\u2019re\t so\t notorious.\u201d\t Actually,\t it\t was\t Arobynn\t who\t usually saw\t to\t it\t that\t word\t got\t out\t through\t the\t proper\t channels.\t She\t left\t very\t little behind\t once\t her\t job\t was\t finished.\t Leaving\t a\t sign\t felt\t somewhat\t \u2026\t cheap.\t \u201cI\u2019d want\teveryone\tto\tknow\tthat\tI\u2019d\tdone\tit,\u201d\tAnsel\tadded. Well,\tCelaena\tdid\twant\teveryone\tto\tknow\tthat\tshe\twas\tthe\tbest,\tbut\tsomething about\tthe\tway\tAnsel\tsaid\tit\tseemed\tdifferent\tfrom\ther\town\treasoning. \u201cSo,\t which\t of\t you\t looks\t worse?\u201d\t Ansel\t asked\t suddenly.\t \u201cYou,\t or\t the\t person who\t gave\t those\t to\t you?\u201d\t Celaena\t knew\t that\t she\t meant\t the\t fading\t bruises\t and cuts\ton\ther\tface. Her\tstomach\ttightened.\tIt\twas\tgetting\tto\tbe\ta\tfamiliar\tfeeling. \u201cMe,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid\tquietly. She\t didn\u2019t\t know\t why\t she\t admitted\t it.\t Bravado\t might\t have\t been\t the\t better option.\t But\t she\t was\t tired,\t and\t suddenly\t so\t heavy\t with\t the\t weight\t of\t that memory. \u201cDid\t your\t master\t do\t that\t to\t you?\u201d\t Ansel\t asked.\t This\t time,\t Celaena\t stayed silent,\tand\tAnsel\tdidn\u2019t\tpush\ther. At\tthe\tother\tend\tof\tthe\twalkway,\tthey\ttook\ta\tspiral\tstone\tstaircase\tdown\tinto an\t empty\t courtyard\t where\t benches\t and\t little\t tables\t stood\t in\t the\t shade\t of\t the towering\t date\t trees.\t Someone\t had\t left\t a\t book\t lying\t atop\t one\t of\t the\t wooden tables,\t and\t as\t they\t passed\t by,\t Celaena\t glimpsed\t the\t cover.\t The\t title\t was\t in\t a scrawling,\tstrange\tscript\tthat\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\trecognize. If\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\talone,\tshe\tmight\thave\tpaused\tto\tflip\tthrough\tthe\tbook,\tjust\tto\tsee words\t printed\t in\t a\t language\t so\t different\t from\t anything\t she\t knew,\t but\t Ansel continued\ton\ttoward\ta\tpair\tof\tcarved\twooden\tdoors. \u201cThe\t baths.\t It\u2019s\t one\t of\t the\t places\t here\t where\t silence\t is\t actually\t enforced,\t so try\tto\tkeep\tquiet.\tDon\u2019t\tsplash\ttoo\tmuch,\teither.\tSome\tof\tthe\tolder\tassassins\tcan get\t cranky\t about\t even\t that.\u201d\t Ansel\t pushed\t one\t of\t the\t doors\t open.\t \u201cTake\t your time.\t I\u2019ll\t see\t to\t it\t that\t your\t things\t are\t brought\t to\t our\t room.\t When\t you\u2019re\t done, ask\t an\t acolyte\t to\t take\t you\t there.\t Dinner\t isn\u2019t\t for\t a\t few\t hours;\t I\u2019ll\t come\t by\t the"]
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