["Chapter\t9 Celaena\tstood\tbefore\tthe\trosewood\tmirror,\tsmiling. She\t ran\t a\t hand\t down\t her\t gown.\t Sea-foam\t white\t lace\t bloomed\t from\t the sweeping\tneckline,\twashing\tupon\ther\tbreast\tfrom\tthe\tpowder-green\tocean\tof\tsilk that\t made\t up\t the\t dress.\t A\t red\t sash\t covered\t the\t waist,\t forming\t an\t inverted\t peak that\t separated\t the\t bodice\t from\t the\t explosion\t of\t skirts\t beneath.\t Patterns\t of\t clear green\t beads\t were\t embroidered\t in\t whorls\t and\t vines\t across\t the\t whole\t of\t it,\t and bone-colored\tstitching\tstretched\talong\tthe\tribs.\tTucked\tinside\ther\tbodice\twas\tthe small\t makeshift\t hairpin\t dagger,\t though\t it\t poked\t mercilessly\t at\t her\t chest.\t She lifted\ther\thands\tto\ttouch\ther\tcurled\tand\tpinned\thair. She\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhat\tshe\tplanned\tto\tdo\tnow\tthat\tshe\twas\tdressed,\tespecially if\tshe\u2019d\tprobably\thave\tto\tchange\tbefore\tthe\tcompetition\tstarted,\tbut\u2014 Skirts\trustled\tfrom\tthe\tdoorway,\tand\tCelaena\traised\ther\teyes\tin\tthe\treflection to\t see\t Philippa\t enter\t behind\t her.\t The\t assassin\t tried\t not\t to\t preen\u2014and\t failed miserably.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tsuch\ta\tpity\tyou\tare\twho\tyou\tare,\u201d\tPhilippa\tsaid,\tturning\tCelaena to\t face\t her.\t \u201cI\t wouldn\u2019t\t be\t surprised\t if\t you\t managed\t to\t ensnare\t some\t lord\t into marriage.\t Maybe\t even\t His\t Highness,\t if\t you\t were\t charming\t enough.\u201d\t She adjusted\t the\t green\t folds\t of\t Celaena\u2019s\t dress\t before\t kneeling\t down\t to\t brush\t the assassin\u2019s\truby-colored\tslippers. \u201cWell,\t it\t seems\t rumor\t has\t already\t suggested\t that.\t I\t overheard\t a\t girl\t saying that\t the\t Crown\t Prince\t brought\t me\t here\t to\t woo\t me.\t I\t thought\t the\t entire\t court knew\tabout\tthis\tstupid\tcompetition.\u201d Philippa\trose.\t\u201cWhatever\tthe\trumors\tare,\tit\u2019ll\tall\tbe\tforgotten\tin\ta\tweek\u2014just you\t wait.\t Let\t him\t find\t a\t new\t woman\t he\t likes\t and\t you\u2019ll\t vanish\t from\t the whisperings\t of\t the\t court.\u201d\t Celaena\t straightened\t as\t Philippa\t fixed\t a\t stray\t curl. \u201cOh,\tit\u2019s\tnot\tmeant\tas\tan\toffense,\tpoppet.\tBeautiful\tladies\tare\talways\tassociated with\tthe\tCrown\tPrince\u2014you\tshould\tbe\tflattered\tthat\tyou\u2019re\tattractive\tenough\tto be\tconsidered\this\tlover.\u201d \u201cI\u2019d\trather\tnot\tbe\tseen\tthat\tway\tat\tall.\u201d \u201cBetter\tthan\tas\tan\tassassin,\tI\u2019d\twager.\u201d She\tlooked\tat\tPhilippa\tand\tthen\tlaughed. Philippa\t shook\t her\t head.\t \u201cYour\t face\t is\t much\t more\t pretty\t when\t you\t smile. Girlish,\teven.\tFar\tbetter\tthan\tthat\tfrown\tyou\talways\thave.\u201d \u201cYes,\u201d\t Celaena\t admitted,\t \u201cyou\t might\t be\t right.\u201d\t She\t made\t to\t sit\t down\t upon the\tmauve\tottoman. \u201cAh!\u201d\tPhilippa\tsaid,\tand\tCelaena\tfroze,\tstanding\tupright.\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\twrinkle\tthe fabric.\u201d","\u201cBut\tmy\tfeet\thurt\tin\tthese\tshoes.\u201d\tShe\tfrowned\tpitifully.\t\u201cYou\tcan\u2019t\tintend\tfor me\tto\tstand\tall\tday?\tEven\tthrough\tmy\tmeals?\u201d \u201cOnly\tuntil\tsomeone\ttells\tme\thow\tlovely\tyou\tlook.\u201d \u201cNo\tone\tknows\tyou\u2019re\tmy\tservant.\u201d \u201cOh,\t they\t know\t I\u2019ve\t been\t assigned\t to\t the\t lover\t the\t prince\t brought\t to Rifthold.\u201d Celaena\t chewed\t on\t her\t lip.\t Was\t it\t a\t good\t thing\t that\t no\t one\t knew\t who\t she truly\twas?\tWhat\twould\ther\tcompetition\tthink?\tPerhaps\ta\ttunic\tand\tpants\twould have\tbeen\tbetter. Celaena\treached\tto\tmove\ta\tcurl\tthat\titched\ther\tcheek,\tand\tPhilippa\tbatted\ther hand\taway.\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\truin\tyour\thair.\u201d The\t doors\t to\t her\t apartment\t slammed\t open,\t followed\t by\t an\t already\t familiar snarling\tand\tstomping\tabout.\tShe\twatched\tin\tthe\tmirror\tas\tChaol\tappeared\tin\tthe doorway,\tpanting.\tPhilippa\tcurtsied. \u201cYou,\u201d\t he\t began,\t then\t stopped\t as\t Celaena\t faced\t him.\t His\t brows\t lowered\t as his\teyes\ttraveled\talong\ther\tbody.\tHis\thead\tcocked,\tand\the\topened\this\tmouth\tas\tif to\tsay\tsomething,\tbut\tonly\tshook\this\thead\tand\tscowled.\t\u201cUpstairs.\tNow.\u201d She\tcurtsied,\tlooking\tup\tat\thim\tbeneath\tlowered\tlashes.\t\u201cWhere,\tpray\ttell,\tare we\tgoing?\u201d \u201cOh,\tdon\u2019t\tsimper\tat\tme.\u201d\tHe\tgrabbed\ther\tby\tthe\tarm,\tguiding\ther\tout\tof\tthe room. \u201cCaptain\tWestfall!\u201d\tPhilippa\tscolded.\t\u201cShe\u2019ll\ttrip\ton\ther\tdress.\tAt\tleast\tlet\ther hold\ther\tskirts.\u201d She\t actually\t did\t trip\t on\t her\t dress,\t and\t her\t shoes\t cut\t into\t her\t heels\t quite terribly,\tbut\the\twould\thear\tnone\tof\ther\tobjections\tas\the\tdragged\ther\tinto\tthe\thall. She\tsmiled\tat\tthe\tguards\toutside\ther\tdoor,\tand\ther\tsmile\tburst\tinto\ta\tgrin\tat\ttheir exchanged\tapproving\tglances.\tThe\tcaptain\u2019s\tgrip\ttightened\tuntil\tit\thurt.\t\u201cHurry,\u201d he\tsaid.\t\u201cWe\tcan\u2019t\tbe\tlate.\u201d \u201cPerhaps\t if\t you\u2019d\t given\t me\t ample\t warning,\t I\u2019d\t have\t dressed\t earlier\t and\t you wouldn\u2019t\t have\t to\t drag\t me!\u201d\t It\t was\t hard\t to\t breathe\t with\t the\t corset\t crushing\t her ribs.\tAs\tthey\thurried\tup\ta\tlong\tstaircase,\tshe\traised\ta\thand\tto\ther\thair\tto\tensure that\tit\thadn\u2019t\tfallen\tout. \u201cMy\t mind\t was\t elsewhere;\t you\t were\t fortunate\t to\t be\t dressed,\t though\t I\t wish you\u2019d\tworn\tsomething\tless\t.\t.\t.\tfrilly\tto\tsee\tthe\tking.\u201d \u201cThe\tking?\u201d\tShe\twas\tthankful\tthat\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tyet\teaten. \u201cYes,\tthe\tking.\tDid\tyou\tthink\tyou\twouldn\u2019t\tsee\thim?\tThe\tCrown\tPrince\ttold you\t the\t competition\t was\t to\t start\t today\u2014this\t meeting\t will\t mark\t the\t official beginning.\tThe\treal\twork\tbegins\ttomorrow.\u201d Her\tarms\tbecame\theavy\tand\tshe\tforgot\tall\tabout\ther\taching\tfeet\tand\tcrushed","ribs.\t In\t the\t garden,\t the\t queer,\t off-kilter\t clock\t tower\t began\t chiming\t the\t hour. They\t reached\t the\t top\t of\t the\t staircase\t and\t rushed\t down\t a\t long\t hallway.\t She couldn\u2019t\tbreathe. Nauseated,\tshe\tlooked\tout\tthe\twindows\tthat\tlined\tthe\tpassage.\tThe\tearth\twas far\tbelow\u2014far,\tfar\tbelow.\tThey\twere\tin\tthe\tglass\taddition.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\twant\tto\tbe there.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tbe\tin\tthe\tglass\tcastle.\t\u201cWhy\tdidn\u2019t\tyou\ttell\tme\tsooner?\u201d \u201cBecause\t he\t just\t decided\t to\t see\t you\t now.\t He\u2019d\t originally\t said\t this\t evening. Hopefully,\tthe\tother\tChampions\twill\tbe\tlater\tthan\tus.\u201d She\tfelt\tlike\tfainting.\tThe\tking. \u201cWhen\tyou\tenter,\u201d\the\tsaid\tover\this\tshoulder,\t\u201cstop\twhere\tI\tstop.\tBow\u2014low. When\tyou\traise\tyour\thead,\tkeep\tit\thigh\tand\tstand\tstraight.\tDon\u2019t\tlook\tthe\tking\tin the\t eye,\t don\u2019t\t answer\t anything\t without\t \u2018Your\t Majesty\u2019\t attached,\t and\t do\t not, under\t any\t circumstances,\t talk\t back.\t He\u2019ll\t have\t you\t hanged\t if\t you\t don\u2019t\t please him.\u201d She\thad\ta\tterrible\theadache\taround\ther\tleft\ttemple.\tEverything\twas\tsickly\tand frail.\t They\t were\t so\t high\t up,\t so\t dangerously\t high\t .\t .\t .\t Chaol\t stopped\t before rounding\ta\tcorner.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tpale.\u201d She\thad\tdifficulty\tfocusing\ton\this\tface\tas\tshe\tbreathed\tin\tand\tout,\tin\tand\tout. She\thated\tcorsets.\tShe\thated\tthe\tking.\tShe\thated\tglass\tcastles. The\tdays\tsurrounding\ther\tcapture\tand\tsentencing\thad\tbeen\tlike\ta\tfever\tdream, but\t she\t could\t perfectly\t visualize\t her\t trial\u2014the\t dark\t wood\t of\t the\t walls,\t the smoothness\t of\t the\t chair\t beneath\t her,\t the\t way\t her\t injuries\t still\t ached\t from\t the capture,\t and\t the\t terrible\t silence\t that\t had\t overtaken\t her\t body\t and\t soul.\t She\t had glanced\tat\tthe\tking\u2014only\tonce.\tIt\twas\tenough\tto\tmake\ther\treckless,\tto\twish\tfor any\tpunishment\tthat\twould\ttake\ther\tfar\tfrom\thim\u2014even\ta\tquick\tdeath. \u201cCelaena.\u201d\tShe\tblinked,\ther\tcheeks\tburning.\tChaol\u2019s\tfeatures\tsoftened.\t\u201cHe\u2019s just\t a\t man.\t But\t a\t man\t you\t should\t treat\t with\t the\t respect\t his\t rank\t demands.\u201d\t He began\twalking\twith\ther\tagain,\tslower.\t\u201cThis\tmeeting\tis\tonly\tto\tremind\tyou\tand the\t other\t Champions\t of\t why\t you\u2019re\t here,\t and\t what\t you\u2019re\t to\t do,\t and\t what\t you stand\tto\tgain.\tYou\u2019re\tnot\ton\ttrial.\tYou\twill\tnot\tbe\ttested\ttoday.\u201d\tThey\tentered\ta long\t hallway,\t and\t she\t spied\t four\t guards\t posted\t before\t large\t glass\t doors\t at\t the other\tend.\t\u201cCelaena.\u201d\tHe\tstopped\ta\tfew\tfeet\tfrom\tthe\tguards.\tHis\teyes\twere\trich, molten\tbrown. \u201cYes?\u201d\tHer\theartbeat\tsteadied. \u201cYou\t look\t rather\t pretty\t today,\u201d\t was\t all\t he\t said\t before\t the\t doors\t opened\t and they\twalked\tforward.\tCelaena\traised\ther\tchin\tas\tthey\tentered\tthe\tcrowded\troom.","Chapter\t10 She\tsaw\tthe\tfloor\tfirst.\tRed\tmarble,\tits\twhite\tveins\tilluminated\tin\tthe\tlight\tof\tthe sun,\twhich\tslowly\tvanished\tas\tthe\topaque\tglass\tdoors\tgroaned\tshut.\tChandeliers and\ttorches\thung\tall\taround.\tHer\teyes\tdarted\tfrom\tone\tside\tof\tthe\tlarge,\tcrowded chamber\t to\t the\t next.\t There\t were\t no\t windows,\t just\t a\t wall\t of\t glass\t looking\t out into\tnothing\tbut\tsky.\tNo\tescape,\tsave\tfor\tthe\tdoor\tbehind\ther. To\ther\tleft,\ta\tfireplace\toccupied\tmost\tof\tthe\twall,\tand\tas\tChaol\tled\ther\tfarther into\t the\t room,\t Celaena\t tried\t not\t to\t stare\t at\t the\t thing.\t It\t was\t monstrous,\t shaped like\ta\troaring,\tfanged\tmouth,\ta\tblazing\tfire\tburning\twithin.\tThere\twas\tsomething greenish\tabout\tthe\tflame,\tsomething\tthat\tmade\ther\tspine\tstraighten. The\t captain\t stopped\t in\t the\t open\t space\t before\t the\t throne,\t and\t Celaena\t halted with\t him.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t seem\t to\t notice\t their\t ominous\t surroundings,\t or\t if\t he\t did,\t he hid\tit\tfar\tbetter.\tShe\tpulled\ther\tgaze\tforward,\ttaking\tin\tthe\tcrowd\tthat\tfilled\tthe room.\t Stiffly,\t knowing\t that\t many\t eyes\t were\t upon\t her,\t Celaena\t dropped\t into\t a low\tbow,\ther\tskirts\twhispering. She\tfound\ther\tlegs\tweak\twhen\tChaol\tput\ta\thand\ton\ther\tback\tto\tmotion\ther\tto rise.\t He\t led\t her\t from\t the\t center\t of\t the\t room,\t where\t they\t took\t up\t a\t spot\t beside Dorian\tHavilliard.\tThe\tabsence\tof\tdirt\tand\tthree\tweeks\u2019\tworth\tof\thard\ttravel\thad a\tnoticeable\teffect\ton\this\tsmooth\tface.\tHe\twore\ta\tred-and-gold\tjacket,\this\tblack hair\tbrushed\tand\tshining.\tAn\texpression\tof\tsurprise\tcrossed\this\tfeatures\twhen\the beheld\t her\t in\t her\t finery,\t but\t it\t quickly\t melted\t into\t a\t wry\t grin\t as\t he\t looked toward\this\tfather.\tShe\tmight\thave\treturned\tit,\thad\tshe\tnot\tbeen\tfocusing\tso\tmuch on\tkeeping\ther\thands\tfrom\tshaking. The\t king\t spoke\t at\t last.\t \u201cNow\t that\t you\u2019ve\t all\t finally\t bothered\t to\t arrive, perhaps\twe\tcan\tbegin.\u201d It\twas\ta\tvoice\tshe\thad\theard\tbefore,\tdeep\tand\traspy.\tIt\tmade\ther\tbones\tcrack and\tsplinter,\tmade\ther\tfeel\tthe\tastonishing\tcold\tof\ta\twinter\tlong\tsince\tpast.\tHer eyes\t only\t dared\t to\t venture\t as\t far\t as\t his\t chest.\t It\t was\t broad,\t not\t entirely\t with muscle,\tand\tseemed\ttightly\trestrained\twithin\ta\tcrimson\tand\tblack\ttunic.\tA\tcape of\twhite\tfur\thung\tfrom\this\tshoulders,\tand\ta\tsword\twas\tsheathed\tat\this\tside.\tAtop its\thilt\tperched\ta\twyvern,\topen-mouthed\tand\tscreaming.\tNone\tthat\tcame\tbefore that\tbroad\tblade\tlived\tto\tsee\tanother\tday.\tShe\tknew\tthat\tsword. Nothung\twas\tits\tname. \u201cYou\t have\t all\t been\t retrieved\t from\t across\t Erilea\t for\t the\t purpose\t of\t serving your\tcountry.\u201d It\t was\t easy\t enough\t to\t tell\t the\t nobility\t from\t her\t competitors.\t Old\t and wrinkled,\t each\t nobleman\t wore\t fine\t clothes\t and\t decorative\t swords.\t Beside\t each","of\t them\t stood\t a\t man\u2014some\t tall\t and\t slender,\t some\t burly,\t some\t average,\t all\t of them\tsurrounded\tby\tat\tleast\tthree\tvigilant\tguards. Twenty-three\tmen\tstood\tbetween\ther\tand\tfreedom.\tMost\tof\tthem\thad\tenough bulk\tto\twarrant\ta\tdouble\ttake,\tbut\twhen\tshe\tscanned\ttheir\tfaces\u2014often\tscarred, pockmarked,\t or\t just\t plain\t hideous\u2014there\t was\t no\t spark\t behind\t their\t eyes,\t no shining\tkernel\tof\tcleverness.\tThey\u2019d\tbeen\tpicked\tfor\tmuscles,\tnot\tbrains.\tThree of\tthem\twere\tactually\tin\tchains.\tWere\tthey\tthat\tdangerous? A\t few\t of\t them\t met\t her\t gaze,\t and\t she\t stared\t right\t back,\t wondering\t if\t they thought\t she\t was\t a\t competitor\t or\t just\t a\t court\t lady.\t Most\t of\t the\t competitors\u2019 attention\t jumped\t right\t over\t her.\t She\t gritted\t her\t teeth.\t The\t dress\t had\t been\t a mistake.\tWhy\thad\tChaol\tnot\ttold\ther\tabout\tthe\tmeeting\tyesterday? A\t moderately\t handsome\t black-haired\t young\t man\t stared\t at\t her,\t though,\t and she\t willed\t her\t face\t into\t neutrality\t while\t his\t gray\t eyes\t took\t her\t in.\t He\t was\t tall and\tlean,\tbut\tnot\tgangly,\tand\the\tinclined\this\thead\tto\ther.\tShe\tstudied\thim\tfor\ta moment\tlonger,\tfrom\tthe\tway\the\tbalanced\this\tweight\tto\this\tleft,\tto\twhat\tfeature he\tfirst\tnoticed\twhen\this\teyes\tmoved\ton\tand\the\texamined\tthe\tother\tcompetitors. One\t was\t a\t gargantuan\t man\t standing\t beside\t Duke\t Perrington,\t who\t seemed crafted\t of\t muscle\t and\t steel\u2014and\t took\t pains\t to\t display\t it\t with\t his\t sleeveless armor.\tThe\tman\u2019s\tarms\tlooked\tcapable\tof\tcrushing\ta\thorse\u2019s\tskull.\tIt\twasn\u2019t\tthat he\t was\t ugly\u2014in\t fact,\t his\t tanned\t face\t was\t rather\t pleasant,\t but\t there\t was something\tnasty\tabout\this\tdemeanor,\tabout\this\tobsidian\teyes\tas\tthey\tshifted\tand met\ther\town.\tHis\tlarge,\twhite\tteeth\tgleamed. The\tking\tspoke.\t\u201cYou\tare\teach\tcompeting\tfor\tthe\ttitle\tof\tmy\tChampion\u2014my right-hand\tsword\tin\ta\tworld\tbrimming\twith\tenemies.\u201d A\tflicker\tof\tshame\tsparked\twithin\ther.\tWhat\twas\t\u201cChampion\u201d\tbut\ta\tdressed- up\t name\t for\t murderer?\t Could\t she\t actually\t stomach\t working\t for\t him?\t She swallowed.\tShe\thad\tto.\tShe\thad\tno\tother\tchoice. \u201cOver\tthe\tnext\tthirteen\tweeks,\tyou\tshall\teach\tdwell\tand\tcompete\tin\tmy\thome. You\twill\ttrain\tevery\tday,\tand\tbe\ttested\tonce\ta\tweek\u2014a\ttest\tduring\twhich\tone\tof you\twill\tbe\teliminated.\u201d\tCelaena\tdid\tthe\tcalculations.\tThere\twere\ttwenty-four\tof them\u2014and\tonly\tthirteen\tweeks.\tAs\tif\tsensing\ther\tquestion,\tthe\tking\tsaid,\t\u201cThese tests\t will\t not\t be\t easy,\t nor\t will\t your\t training.\t Some\t of\t you\t might\t die\t in\t the process.\t We\t will\t add\t additional\t elimination\t tests\t as\t we\t see\t fit.\t And\t if\t you\t fall behind,\tif\tyou\tfail,\tif\tyou\tdisplease\tme,\tyou\twill\tbe\tpacked\toff\tto\twhatever\tdark hole\tyou\tcame\tfrom. \u201cThe\tweek\tafter\tYulemas,\tthe\tfour\tremaining\tChampions\twill\tface\teach\tother in\t a\t duel\t to\t win\t the\t title.\t Until\t then,\t while\t my\t court\t is\t aware\t that\t some\t sort\t of contest\tis\tbeing\theld\tamong\tmy\tclosest\tfriends\tand\tadvisors\u201d\u2014he\twaved\ta\thuge, scarred\thand\tto\tencompass\tthe\troom\u2014\u201cyou\twill\tkeep\tyour\tbusiness\tprivate.\tAny","wrongdoing\ton\tyour\tpart,\tand\tI\u2019ll\tstake\tyou\tto\tthe\tfront\tgates.\u201d By\t accident,\t her\t gaze\t slipped\t onto\t the\t king\u2019s\t face,\t and\t she\t found\t his\t dark eyes\t staring\t into\t hers.\t The\t king\t smirked.\t Her\t heart\t threw\t itself\t backward\t and clung\tto\tthe\tbars\tof\ther\tribcage. Murderer. He\tshould\tbe\thanging\tfrom\tthe\tgallows.\tHe\thad\tkilled\tmany\tmore\tthan\tshe\u2014 people\t undeserving\t and\t defenseless.\t He\u2019d\t destroyed\t cultures,\t destroyed invaluable\t knowledge,\t destroyed\t so\t much\t of\t what\t had\t once\t been\t bright\t and good.\t His\t people\t should\t revolt.\t Erilea\t should\t revolt\u2014the\t way\t those\t few\t rebels had\tdared\tto\tdo.\tCelaena\tstruggled\tto\tmaintain\this\tgaze.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tretreat. \u201cIs\tthat\tunderstood?\u201d\tthe\tking\tasked,\tstill\tstaring\tat\ther. Her\thead\twas\theavy\tas\tshe\tnodded.\tShe\thad\tonly\tuntil\tYulemas\tto\tbeat\tthem all.\tOne\ttest\ta\tweek\u2014perhaps\tmore. \u201cSpeak!\u201d\tthe\tking\tbellowed\tto\tthe\troom,\tand\tshe\ttried\tnot\tto\tflinch.\t\u201cAre\tyou not\t grateful\t for\t this\t opportunity?\tDo\tyou\t not\twish\tto\tgive\t me\tyour\tthanks\tand allegiance?\u201d She\t bowed\t her\t head\t and\t stared\t at\t his\t feet.\t \u201cThank\t you,\t Your\t Majesty.\t I\t am most\t appreciative,\u201d\t she\t murmured,\t the\t sound\t blending\t in\t with\t the\t words\t of\t the other\tChampions. The\t king\t put\t a\t hand\t upon\t Nothung\u2019s\t hilt.\t \u201cThis\t should\t be\t an\t interesting thirteen\tweeks.\u201d\tShe\tcould\tfeel\this\tattention\tstill\tupon\ther\tface,\tand\tshe\tground her\tteeth.\t\u201cProve\ttrustworthy,\tbecome\tmy\tChampion,\tand\twealth\tand\tglory\twill be\tyours\teternal.\u201d Only\tthirteen\tweeks\tto\twin\ther\tfreedom. \u201cI\t am\t to\t depart\t next\t week\t for\t my\t own\t purposes.\t I\t will\t not\t return\t until Yulemas.\tBut\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tI\twon\u2019t\tbe\table\tto\tgive\tthe\tcommand\tto\texecute\tany\tof you,\t should\t I\t hear\t word\t of\t any\t trouble,\t or\t accidents.\u201d\t The\t Champions\t nodded once\tmore. \u201cIf\twe\u2019re\tfinished,\tI\u2019m\tafraid\tI\tmust\ttake\tmy\tleave,\u201d\tinterrupted\tDorian\tfrom beside\t her,\t and\t her\t head\t snapped\t up\t at\t the\t sound\t of\t his\t voice\u2014and\t his impertinence\tin\tinterrupting\this\tfather.\tHe\tbowed\tto\this\tfather,\tand\tnodded\tto\tthe mute\t councilors.\t The\t king\t waved\t his\t son\t away,\t not\t even\t bothering\t to\t look\t at him.\tDorian\twinked\tat\tChaol\tbefore\twalking\tfrom\tthe\troom. \u201cIf\tthere\tare\tno\tquestions,\u201d\tthe\tking\tsaid\tto\tthe\tChampions\tand\ttheir\tsponsors in\ta\ttone\tthat\tsuggested\tthat\tasking\tquestions\twould\tonly\tguarantee\ta\ttrip\tto\tthe gallows,\t\u201cthen\tyou\thave\tmy\tleave.\tDo\tnot\tforget\tthat\tyou\tare\there\tto\thonor\tme\u2014 and\tmy\tempire.\tBe\tgone,\tall\tof\tyou.\u201d Celaena\t and\t Chaol\t didn\u2019t\t speak\t as\t they\t strode\t down\t the\t hallway,\t quickly moving\tfrom\tthe\tthrong\tof\tcompetitors\tand\ttheir\tsponsors,\twho\tlingered\tto\tspeak","with\tone\tanother\u2014and\tsize\teach\tother\tup.\tWith\tevery\tstep\taway\tfrom\tthe\tking, steadying\t warmth\t returned.\t It\t wasn\u2019t\t until\t they\t rounded\t a\t corner\t that\t Chaol\t let out\ta\tdeep\tbreath\tand\tremoved\this\thand\tfrom\ther\tback. \u201cWell,\tyou\tmanaged\tto\tkeep\tyour\tmouth\tshut\u2014for\tonce,\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cBut\t how\t convincing\t she\t was\t in\t her\t nodding\t and\t bowing!\u201d\t said\t a\t cheerful voice.\tIt\twas\tDorian,\tleaning\tagainst\ta\twall. \u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing?\u201d\tChaol\tasked. Dorian\tpushed\toff\tthe\twall.\t\u201cWhy,\twaiting\tfor\tyou,\tof\tcourse.\u201d \u201cWe\u2019re\tto\tdine\tthis\tevening,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid. \u201cI\t was\t speaking\t to\t my\t Champion,\u201d\t Dorian\t said\t with\t a\t roguish\t wink. Remembering\thow\the\u2019d\tsmiled\tat\tthe\tcourt\tlady\tthe\tday\tof\ttheir\tarrival,\tshe\tkept her\t gaze\t ahead.\t The\t Crown\t Prince\t took\t up\t a\t place\t safely\t beside\t Chaol\t as\t they walked\ton.\t\u201cI\tapologize\tfor\tmy\tfather\u2019s\tgruffness.\u201d\tShe\tstared\tdown\tthe\thall,\tat the\tservants\twho\tbowed\tto\tDorian.\tHe\tignored\tthem. \u201cBy\tthe\tWyrd!\u201d\tDorian\tlaughed.\t\u201cHe\u2019s\ttrained\tyou\twell\talready!\u201d\tHe\tnudged Chaol\twith\this\telbow.\t\u201cFrom\tthe\tway\tyou\ttwo\tare\tblatantly\tignoring\tme,\tI\u2019d\tsay she\tcould\tpass\tfor\tyour\tsister!\tThough\tyou\tdon\u2019t\treally\tlook\tlike\teach\tother\u2014it would\tbe\thard\tto\tpass\toff\tsomeone\tso\tpretty\tas\tyour\tsister.\u201d Celaena\twas\tunable\tto\tkeep\ta\thint\tof\ta\tsmile\tfrom\ther\tlips.\tBoth\tshe\tand\tthe prince\thad\tgrown\tup\tunder\tstrict,\tunforgiving\tfathers\u2014well,\tfather\tfigure\tin\ther case.\tArobynn\thad\tnever\treplaced\tthe\tfather\tshe\u2019d\tlost,\tnor\thad\the\tever\ttried\tto. But\tat\tleast\tArobynn\thad\tan\texcuse\tfor\tbeing\tequal\tparts\ttyrannical\tand\tdoting. Why\thad\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\tlet\this\tson\tbecome\tanything\tbut\tan\tidentical\tcopy of\thimself? \u201cThere!\u201d\t Dorian\t said.\t \u201cA\t reaction\u2014thank\t the\t gods\t I\u2019ve\t amused\t her.\u201d\t He glanced\t behind\t them,\t making\t sure\t there\t was\t no\t one\t there,\t before\t his\t voice quieted.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tthink\tChaol\ttold\tyou\tour\tplan\tbefore\tthe\tmeeting\u2014risky,\ton\tall of\tour\tparts.\u201d \u201cWhat\tplan?\u201d\tShe\ttraced\ta\tfinger\talong\tthe\tbeading\ton\ther\tskirts,\twatching\tit shimmer\tin\tthe\tafternoon\tlight. \u201cFor\t your\t identity.\t Which\t you\t should\t keep\t quiet\t about;\t your\t competitors might\tknow\ta\tthing\tor\ttwo\tabout\tAdarlan\u2019s\tAssassin\tand\tuse\tit\tagainst\tyou.\u201d Fair\t enough,\t even\t if\t it\t had\t taken\t them\t weeks\t to\t bother\t to\t fill\t her\t in.\t \u201cAnd who,\texactly,\tam\tI\tto\tbe,\tif\tnot\ta\truthless\tkiller?\u201d \u201cTo\t everyone\t in\t this\t castle,\u201d\t Dorian\t said,\t \u201cyour\t name\t is\t Lillian\t Gordaina. Your\tmother\tis\tdead\tand\tyour\tfather\tis\ta\twealthy\tmerchant\tfrom\tBellhaven.\tYou are\tthe\tsole\their\tto\this\tfortune.\tHowever,\tyou\thave\ta\tdark\tsecret:\tyou\tspend\tyour nights\t as\t a\t jewel\t thief.\t I\t met\t you\t this\t summer\t after\t you\t tried\t to\t rob\t me\t while\t I was\t vacationing\t in\t Bellhaven,\t and\t I\t saw\t your\t potential\t then.\t But\t your\t father","discovered\tyour\tnightly\tfun,\tand\tremoved\tyou\tfrom\tthe\tlure\tof\tthe\tcity\tto\ta\ttown near\tEndovier.\tWhen\tmy\tfather\tdecided\tto\thave\tthis\tcompetition,\tI\tjourneyed\tto find\t you,\t and\t brought\t you\t here\t as\t my\t Champion.\t You\t can\t fill\t in\t the\t gaps yourself.\u201d She\traised\ther\tbrows.\t\u201cReally?\tA\tjewel\tthief?\u201d Chaol\t snorted,\t but\t Dorian\t went\t on.\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t rather\t charming,\t don\u2019t\t you\t think?\u201d When\t she\t didn\u2019t\t respond,\t the\t prince\t asked,\t \u201cDo\t you\t find\t my\t home\t to\t your liking?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\tvery\tfine\tindeed,\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tdully. \u201c\t \u2018Very\t fine\t indeed\u2019?\t Maybe\t I\t should\t move\t my\t Champion\t to\t even\t larger chambers.\u201d \u201cIf\tit\tpleases\tyou.\u201d Dorian\t chuckled.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t glad\t to\t find\t that\t seeing\t your\t competition\t hasn\u2019t damaged\tthat\tswagger\tof\tyours.\tWhat\u2019d\tyou\tmake\tof\tCain?\u201d She\t knew\t whom\t he\t meant.\t \u201cPerhaps\t you\t should\t start\t feeding\t me\t whatever Perrington\tis\tgiving\thim.\u201d\tWhen\tDorian\tcontinued\tstaring\tat\ther,\tshe\trolled\ther eyes.\t \u201cMen\t of\t his\t size\t usually\t aren\u2019t\t very\t fast,\t or\t very\t nimble.\t He\t could\t knock me\t out\t in\t one\t punch,\t probably,\t but\t he\u2019d\t have\t to\t be\t swift\t enough\t to\t catch\t me.\u201d She\t gave\t Chaol\t a\t quick\t glance,\t daring\t him\t to\t challenge\t her\t claim,\t but\t Dorian answered. \u201cGood.\t I\t thought\t so.\t And\t what\t of\t the\t others?\t Any\t potential\t rivals?\t Some\t of the\tChampions\thave\trather\tgruesome\treputations.\u201d \u201cEveryone\telse\tlooks\tpathetic,\u201d\tshe\tlied. The\t prince\u2019s\t smile\t grew.\t \u201cI\t bet\t they\t won\u2019t\t expect\t to\t be\t trounced\t by\t a beautiful\tlady.\u201d This\t was\t all\t a\t game\t to\t him,\t wasn\u2019t\t it?\t Before\t Celaena\t could\t ask,\t someone curtsied\t in\t the\t middle\t of\t their\t path.\t \u201cYour\t Highness!\t What\t a\t surprise!\u201d\t The voice\t was\t high,\t but\t smooth\t and\t calculated.\t It\t was\t the\t woman\t from\t the\t garden. She\u2019d\t changed\u2014she\t now\t wore\t a\t gown\t of\t white\t and\t gold\t that,\t despite\t herself, Celaena\tgreatly\tadmired.\tShe\twas\tunfairly\tstunning. And\tCelaena\twas\twilling\tto\tbet\ta\tfortune\tthat\tthis\twas\tanything\tbut\ta\tsurprise \u2014the\twoman\thad\tprobably\tbeen\twaiting\there\tfor\ta\twhile. \u201cLady\tKaltain,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid\ttersely,\this\tbody\ttensing. \u201cI\u2019ve\t just\t come\t from\t Her\t Majesty\u2019s\t side,\u201d\t said\t Kaltain,\t putting\t her\t back\t to Celaena.\tThe\tassassin\tmight\thave\tbothered\tto\tcare\tabout\tthe\tslight\tif\tshe\thad\tany interest\t in\t courtiers.\t \u201cHer\t Majesty\t wishes\t to\t see\t Your\t Highness.\t Of\t course,\t I informed\tHer\tMajesty\tthat\tYour\tHighness\twas\tin\ta\tmeeting\tand\tcould\tnot\tbe\u2014\u201d \u201cLady\t Kaltain,\u201d\t interrupted\t Dorian,\t \u201cI\u2019m\t afraid\t you\t haven\u2019t\t been\t introduced to\tmy\tfriend.\u201d\tCelaena\tcould\thave\tsworn\tthe\tyoung\twoman\tbristled.\t\u201cAllow\tme","to\tpresent\tthe\tLady\tLillian\tGordaina.\tLady\tLillian,\tmeet\tLady\tKaltain\tRompier.\u201d Celaena\tcurtsied,\trestraining\tthe\turge\tto\tkeep\twalking;\tif\tshe\thad\tto\tdeal\twith too\t much\t courtly\t nonsense,\t she\t might\t be\t better\t off\t back\t in\t Endovier.\t Kaltain bowed,\tthe\tgold\tstreaks\tin\ther\tdress\tglistening\tin\tthe\tsunlight. \u201cLady\tLillian\tis\tfrom\tBellhaven\u2014she\tarrived\tjust\tyesterday.\u201d The\twoman\tstudied\tCelaena\tfrom\tbeneath\tdark,\tshaped\teyebrows.\t\u201cAnd\thow long\twill\tyou\tbe\tstaying\twith\tus?\u201d \u201cOnly\ta\tfew\tyears,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid\twith\ta\tsigh. \u201c\t \u2018Only\u2019!\t Why,\t Your\t Highness!\t How\t droll!\t That\t is\t a\t very\t long\t stretch\t of time!\u201d\tCelaena\tstudied\tKaltain\u2019s\tnarrow,\tnarrow\twaist.\tWas\tit\treally\tthat\tsmall? Or\tcould\tshe\tbarely\tbreathe\tin\ther\tcorset? She\t caught\t a\t glance\t exchanged\t between\t the\t two\t men\u2014exasperation, annoyance,\t condescension.\t \u201cThe\t Lady\t Lillian\t and\t Captain\t Westfall\t are\t very close\t companions,\u201d\t Dorian\t said\t dramatically.\t To\t Celaena\u2019s\t delight,\t Chaol blushed.\t\u201cIt\twill\tfeel\tshort\tfor\tthem,\tI\tassure\tyou.\u201d \u201cAnd\tfor\tyou,\tYour\tHighness?\u201d\tKaltain\tsaid\tcoyly.\tA\tconcealed\tedge\tlingered beneath\ther\tvoice. Mischief\t coiled\t and\t sprang\t within\t her,\t but\t Dorian\t answered.\t \u201cI\t suppose,\u201d\t he drawled,\tturning\tthose\tbrilliant\tblue\teyes\ton\tCelaena,\t\u201cthat\tit\twill\tbe\tdifficult\tfor Lady\tLillian\tand\tI\tas\twell.\tPerhaps\tmore\tso.\u201d Kaltain\tsnapped\ther\tattention\tto\tCelaena.\t\u201cWherever\tdid\tyou\tfind\tthat\tdress?\u201d she\tpurred.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\textraordinary.\u201d \u201cI\thad\tit\tmade\tfor\ther,\u201d\tDorian\tsaid\tcasually,\tpicking\tat\this\tnails.\tThe\tassassin and\t the\t prince\t glanced\t at\t each\t other,\t their\t blue\t eyes\t reflecting\t the\t same\t intent. At\t least\t they\t had\t one\t common\t enemy.\t \u201cIt\t does\t look\t extraordinary\t on\t her, doesn\u2019t\tit?\u201d Kaltain\u2019s\t lips\t pursed\t for\t a\t moment,\t but\t then\t bloomed\t into\t a\t full\t smile. \u201cSimply\t stunning.\t Though\t such\t pale\t green\t tends\t to\t wash\t out\t women\t of\t pallid skin.\u201d \u201cThe\tLady\tLillian\u2019s\tpaleness\twas\ta\tsource\tof\tpride\tfor\ther\tfather.\tIt\tmakes\ther rather\tunusual.\u201d\tDorian\tlooked\tto\tChaol,\twho\tfailed\tin\this\tattempt\tto\tnot\tappear incredulous.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\tagree,\tCaptain\tWestfall?\u201d \u201cAgree\tabout\twhat?\u201d\the\tsnapped. \u201cHow\tunusual\tour\tLady\tLillian\tis!\u201d \u201cShame\t on\t you,\t Your\t Highness!\u201d\t Celaena\t chided,\t concealing\t her\t wicked amusement\t beneath\t a\t giggle.\t \u201cI\t pale\t in\t comparison\t to\t Lady\t Kaltain\u2019s\t fine features.\u201d Kaltain\t shook\t her\t head,\t but\t looked\t at\t Dorian\t as\t she\t spoke.\t \u201cYou\t are\t too kind.\u201d","Dorian\t shifted\t on\t his\t feet.\t \u201cWell,\t I\u2019ve\t dallied\t enough.\t I\t must\t attend\t to\t my mother.\u201d\t He\t bowed\t to\t Kaltain,\t then\t to\t Chaol.\t Finally,\t he\t faced\t Celaena.\t She watched\t with\t raised\t brows\t as\t he\t lifted\t her\t hand\t to\t his\t lips.\t His\t mouth\t was\t soft and\tsmooth\tupon\ther\tskin,\tand\tthe\tkiss\tsent\ta\tred-hot\tline\tof\tfire\tup\tthrough\ther arm\t that\t singed\t her\t cheeks.\t She\t fought\t against\t the\t urge\t to\t step\t back.\t Or\t smack him.\t\u201cUntil\tour\tnext\tmeeting,\tLady\tLillian,\u201d\the\tsaid\twith\ta\tcharming\tsmile.\tShe would\thave\thighly\tenjoyed\tseeing\tKaltain\u2019s\tface,\tbut\tshe\tdipped\tinto\ta\tcurtsy. \u201cWe\tmust\tbe\ton\tour\tway\tas\twell,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid\tas\tDorian\tstrode\toff,\twhistling to\t himself,\t his\t hands\t in\t his\t pockets.\t \u201cMay\t we\t escort\t you\t anywhere?\u201d\t It\t was\t an insincere\toffer. \u201cNo,\u201d\t Kaltain\t said\t flatly,\t the\t facade\t falling.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t meeting\t with\t His\t Grace, Duke\tPerrington.\tI\tdo\thope\twe\u2019ll\tsee\tmore\tof\teach\tother,\tLady\tLillian,\u201d\tshe\tsaid, watching\ther\twith\ta\tkeenness\tthat\twould\tmake\tany\tassassin\tproud.\t\u201cWe\tmust\tbe friends,\tyou\tand\tI.\u201d \u201cOf\t course,\u201d\t Celaena\t said.\t Kaltain\t swept\t past\t them,\t the\t skirts\t of\t her\t dress floating\tin\tthe\tair\taround\ther.\tThey\tresumed\twalking,\twaiting\tuntil\ther\tfootsteps had\t vanished\t from\t their\t ears\t before\t speaking.\t \u201cEnjoyed\t that,\t did\t you?\u201d\t Chaol growled. \u201cImmensely.\u201d\t Celaena\t patted\t Chaol\u2019s\t arm\t as\t she\t took\t it\t in\t her\t own.\t \u201cNow you\tmust\tpretend\tthat\tyou\tlike\tme,\tor\telse\teverything\twill\tbe\truined.\u201d \u201cYou\tand\tthe\tCrown\tPrince\tshare\tthe\tsame\tsense\tof\thumor,\tit\tseems.\u201d \u201cPerhaps\the\tand\tI\twill\tbecome\tdear\tfriends,\tand\tyou\twill\tbe\tleft\tto\trot.\u201d \u201cDorian\t is\t more\t inclined\t to\t associate\t with\t ladies\t of\t better\t breeding\t and beauty.\u201d\tShe\twhipped\ther\thead\tto\tlook\tat\thim.\tHe\tsmiled.\t\u201cHow\tvain\tyou\tare.\u201d She\tglared.\t\u201cI\thate\twomen\tlike\tthat.\tThey\u2019re\tso\tdesperate\tfor\tthe\tattention\tof men\t that\t they\u2019d\t willingly\t betray\t and\t harm\t members\t of\t their\t own\t sex.\t And\t we claim\tmen\tcannot\tthink\twith\ttheir\tbrains!\tAt\tleast\tmen\tare\tdirect\tabout\tit.\u201d \u201cThey\tsay\t that\ther\tfather\tis\tas\trich\tas\ta\tking,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tsuppose\tthat\u2019s part\t of\t why\t Perrington\t is\t so\t infatuated.\t She\t arrived\t here\t in\t a\t litter\t bigger\t than most\tpeasant\thuts;\tit\twas\tcarried\there\tfrom\ther\thome.\tA\tdistance\tof\talmost\ttwo hundred\tmiles.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdebauchery.\u201d \u201cI\tpity\ther\tservants.\u201d \u201cI\tpity\ther\tfather!\u201d\tThey\tchuckled,\tand\the\tlifted\tthe\tarm\tlinked\twith\thers\ta\tbit higher.\t She\t nodded\t to\t the\t guards\t outside\t her\t chambers\t as\t they\t stopped.\t She faced\tChaol.\t\u201cAre\tyou\teating\tlunch?\tI\u2019m\tstarved.\u201d He\tglanced\tat\tthe\tguards,\this\tsmile\tfading.\t\u201cI\thave\timportant\twork\tto\tdo.\tLike prepare\ta\tcompany\tof\tmen\tfor\tthe\tking\tto\tbring\twith\thim\ton\this\tjourney.\u201d She\t opened\t the\t door,\t but\t looked\t at\t him.\t The\t tiny\t freckle\t upon\t his\t cheek","moved\tupward\tas\ta\tsmile\tspread\tonce\tmore. \u201cWhat?\u201d\tshe\tasked.\tSomething\tsmelled\tdelicious\tinside\ther\tchambers,\tand\ther stomach\tgrumbled. Chaol\tshook\this\thead.\t\u201cAdarlan\u2019s\tAssassin,\u201d\the\tchuckled,\tand\tbegan\twalking back\t down\t the\t hall.\t \u201cYou\t should\t rest,\u201d\t he\t called\t over\t his\t shoulder.\t \u201cThe competition\t actually\t begins\t tomorrow.\t And\t even\t if\t you\u2019re\t as\t fantastic\t as\t you claim\tto\tbe,\tyou\u2019re\tgoing\tto\tneed\tevery\tmoment\tof\tsleep\tyou\tcan\tget.\u201d Though\t she\t rolled\t her\t eyes\t and\t slammed\t the\t door,\t Celaena\t found\t herself humming\tthroughout\ther\tmeal.","Chapter\t11 Celaena\tfelt\tas\tif\tshe\u2019d\tbarely\tclosed\ther\teyes\twhen\ta\thand\tjabbed\ther\tside.\tShe groaned,\twincing\tas\tthe\tdrapes\twere\tthrown\tback\tto\twelcome\tthe\tmorning\tsun. \u201cWake\tup.\u201d\tNot\tsurprisingly,\tit\twas\tChaol. She\t shimmied\t beneath\t the\t blankets,\t pulling\t them\t over\t her\t head,\t but\t he grabbed\t the\t covers\t and\t threw\t them\t to\t the\t floor.\t Her\t nightgown\t was\t wrapped around\ther\tthighs.\tCelaena\tshivered. \u201cIt\u2019s\t cold,\u201d\t she\t moaned,\t holding\ther\tknees\tto\ther\tbody.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tcare\t that she\t had\t only\t a\t few\t months\t to\t beat\t the\t other\t Champions\u2014she\t needed\t sleep.\t It would\t have\t been\t nice\t if\t the\t Crown\t Prince\t had\t considered\t springing\t her\t from Endovier\t earlier\t so\t she\t could\t have\t some\t time\t to\t regain\t her\t strength;\t how\t long had\the\tknown\tabout\tthis\tcompetition,\tanyway? \u201cGet\t up.\u201d\t Chaol\t ripped\t the\t pillows\t from\t beneath\t her\t head.\t \u201cNow\t you\u2019re wasting\t my\t time.\u201d\t If\t he\t noticed\t how\t much\t skin\t she\t was\t showing,\t he\t didn\u2019t react. Grumbling,\tCelaena\tslithered\tto\tthe\tedge\tof\tthe\tbed,\tdangling\ta\thand\tover\tthe edge\t to\t touch\t the\t floor.\t \u201cFetch\t my\t slippers,\u201d\t she\t mumbled.\t \u201cThe\t floor\u2019s\t like ice.\u201d He\tgrowled,\tbut\tCelaena\tignored\thim\tas\tshe\tgot\tto\ther\tfeet.\tShe\tstaggered\tand slouched\t into\t the\t dining\t room,\t where\t an\t enormous\t breakfast\t lay\t on\t the\t table. Chaol\t jerked\t his\t chin\t toward\t the\t food.\t \u201cEat\t up.\t The\t competition\t starts\t in\t an hour.\u201d Whatever\t nerves\t she\t felt,\t she\t kept\t them\t hidden\t from\t him\t as\t she\t gave\t an exaggerated\t sigh\t and\t collapsed\t into\t a\t chair\t with\t the\t grace\t of\t a\t large\t beast. Celaena\tscanned\tthe\ttable.\tYet\tagain,\tthere\twere\tno\tknives.\tShe\tstabbed\ther\tfork into\ta\tpiece\tof\tsausage. From\tthe\tdoorway,\tChaol\tasked,\t\u201cWhy,\tmight\tI\task,\tare\tyou\tso\ttired?\u201d She\tgulped\tdown\tthe\trest\tof\tthe\tpomegranate\tjuice\tand\twiped\ther\tmouth\ton\ta napkin.\t\u201cI\twas\tup\tuntil\tfour\treading,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cI\tsent\ta\tletter\tto\tyour\tprinceling, asking\t for\t permission\t to\t borrow\t books\t from\t the\t library.\t He\t granted\t my\t wish, and\tsent\tseven\tbooks\tfrom\this\tpersonal\tlibrary\tthat\tI\u2019m\tcommanded\tto\tread.\u201d Chaol\t shook\t his\t head\t in\t disbelief.\t \u201cIt\t isn\u2019t\t your\t place\t to\t write\t to\t the\t Crown Prince.\u201d She\t gave\t him\t a\t simpering\t smile\t and\t took\t a\t bite\t of\t ham.\t \u201cHe\t could\t have ignored\tthe\tletter.\tAnd\tbesides,\tI\u2019m\this\tChampion.\tNot\teveryone\tfeels\tobligated to\tbe\tas\tnasty\tto\tme\tas\tyou\tdo.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\tan\tassassin.\u201d","\u201cIf\tI\tsay\tI\u2019m\ta\tjewel\tthief,\twill\tyou\ttreat\tme\twith\tmore\tcourtesy?\u201d\tShe\twaved a\thand.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tanswer\tthat.\u201d\tShe\tspooned\tporridge\tinto\ther\tmouth,\tfound\tit\tto\tbe bland,\tand\tscooped\tfour\theaping\tmounds\tof\tbrown\tsugar\tinto\tthe\tgray\tmess. Would\t the\t competitors\t actually\t be\t worthy\t opponents?\t Before\t she\t could\t start worrying,\t she\t examined\t his\t black\t clothes.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t you\t ever\t wear\t normal clothing?\u201d \u201cHurry\tup,\u201d\twas\tall\the\tsaid.\tThe\tcompetition\tawaited. Suddenly\t not\t hungry,\t she\t pushed\t away\t her\t bowl\t of\t porridge.\t \u201cI\t should\t get dressed,\t then.\u201d\t She\t turned\t her\t head\t to\t call\t for\t Philippa,\t but\t paused.\t \u201cJust\t what sort\t of\t activities\t might\t I\t expect\t at\t the\t tournament\t today?\t So\t I\t can\t dress accordingly,\tof\tcourse.\u201d \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t know\u2014they\t don\u2019t\t give\t us\t the\t details\t until\t you\t arrive.\u201d\t The\t captain rose\t and\t drummed\t the\t pommel\t of\t his\t sword\t before\t calling\t to\t a\t servant\t as Celaena\t walked\t into\t her\t bedroom.\t Behind\t her,\t Chaol\t spoke\t to\t the\t servant\t girl. \u201cDress\ther\tin\tpants\tand\ta\tshirt\u2014something\tloose,\tnothing\tfrilly\tor\trevealing,\tand bring\t a\t cloak.\u201d\t The\t girl\t disappeared\t into\t the\t dressing\t room.\t Celaena\t followed after\t her,\t unceremoniously\t stripping\t down\t to\t her\t underclothes\t and\t enjoying\t it far\ttoo\tmuch\twhen\tChaol\u2019s\tcheeks\treddened\tbefore\the\tturned\taway. A\t few\t minutes\t later,\t Celaena\t frowned\t at\t herself\t as\t she\t hurried\t after\t the captain\tinto\tthe\tfoyer.\t\u201cI\tlook\tridiculous!\tThese\tpants\tare\tabsurd,\tand\tthis\tshirt\tis awful.\u201d \u201cStop\t whining.\t No\t one\t gives\t a\t damn\t about\t your\t clothes.\u201d\t He\t flung\t open\t the door\tto\tthe\thall,\tthe\tguards\toutside\tinstantly\tat\tattention.\t\u201cBesides,\tyou\tcan\ttake them\t off\t at\t the\t barracks.\t I\u2019m\t sure\t everyone\t will\t be\t thrilled\t to\t see\t you\t in\t your undergarments.\u201d\t She\t swore\t violently\t under\t her\t breath,\t pulling\t her\t green\t velvet cloak\ttight\taround\therself,\tand\ttrailed\tafter\thim. The\t Captain\t of\t the\t Guard\t rushed\t through\t the\t castle,\t still\t freezing\t with\t the early-morning\tchill,\tand\tthey\tsoon\tentered\tthe\tbarracks.\tGuards\tin\tvarious\tstates of\tarmor\tsaluted\tthem.\tAn\topen\tdoorway\trevealed\ta\tlarge\tmess\thall,\twhere\tmany of\tthe\tguards\twere\tjust\tsitting\tdown\tto\tbreakfast. Finally,\tChaol\tstopped\tsomewhere\ton\tthe\tground\tfloor.\tThe\tgiant\trectangular room\t they\t entered\t was\t the\t size\t of\t the\t Grand\t Ballroom.\t Lined\t with\t pillars\t that supported\t a\t mezzanine,\t the\t floor\t was\t checkered\t black-and-white\t tile,\t and\t the floor-to-ceiling\t glass\t doors\t that\t made\t up\t one\t entire\t wall\t were\t open,\t the gossamer\t curtains\t blowing\t in\t the\t chilly\t breeze\t that\t drifted\t in\t from\t the\t garden. Most\tof\tthe\ttwenty-three\tother\tChampions\twere\talready\tscattered\tthroughout\tthe room,\t sparring\t with\t what\t could\t only\t be\t their\t sponsors\u2019\t trainers.\t Everyone\t was carefully\t monitored\t by\t guards.\t None\t bothered\t to\t look\t at\t her,\t save\t for\t that slightly\t handsome\t young\t man\t with\t the\t gray\t eyes,\t who\t gave\t her\t a\t half\t smile","before\t returning\t to\t firing\t arrows\t at\t a\t target\t across\t the\t room\t with\t unnerving accuracy.\tShe\tlifted\ther\tchin\tand\tsurveyed\ta\track\tof\tweapons.\t\u201cYou\texpect\tme\tto use\ta\tmace\tan\thour\tafter\tsunrise?\u201d Six\t guards\t appeared\t in\t the\t doorway\t behind\t them,\t joining\t the\t dozens\t already in\t the\t chamber,\t swords\t at\t the\t ready.\t \u201cIf\t you\t attempt\t anything\t foolish,\u201d\t Chaol said\tquietly,\t\u201cthey\u2019ll\tbe\there.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tjust\ta\tjewel\tthief,\tremember?\u201d\tShe\tapproached\tthe\track.\tFoolish,\tfoolish decision\t to\t leave\t all\t those\t weapons\t out.\t Swords,\t sword-breakers,\t axes,\t bows, pikes,\t hunting\t daggers,\t maces,\t spears,\t throwing\t knives,\t wooden\t staves\t .\t .\t . While\t she\t generally\t preferred\t the\t stealth\t of\t a\t dagger,\t she\t was\t familiar\t with every\tweapon\there.\tShe\tglanced\taround\tthe\tsparring\troom\tand\thid\ther\tgrimace. So\twere\tmost\tof\tthe\tcompetitors,\tit\tseemed.\tAs\tshe\tinspected\tthem,\tshe\tcaught\ta movement\tin\tthe\tcorner\tof\ther\tvision. Cain\t entered\t the\t hall,\t flanked\t by\t two\t guards\t and\t a\t scarred,\t burly\t man\t who must\t have\t been\t his\t trainer.\t She\t squared\t her\t shoulders\t as\t Cain\t strode\t straight toward\ther,\this\tthick\tlips\tparting\tin\ta\tgrin. \u201cGood\t morning,\u201d\t he\t said,\t his\t voice\t raspy\t and\t deep.\t His\t dark\t eyes\t snaked along\t her\t body,\t then\t found\t her\t face\t again.\t \u201cI\u2019d\t have\t thought\t you\u2019d\t be\t running home\tby\tnow.\u201d She\t gave\t him\t a\t close-lipped\t smile.\t \u201cThe\t fun\u2019s\t just\t starting,\t isn\u2019t\t it?\u201d\t Cain returned\ther\tsmile\tand\tstalked\toff. It\twould\thave\tbeen\tso,\tso\teasy.\tSo\teasy\tto\twhirl\tand\tgrab\thim\tby\tthe\tneck\tand slam\t his\t face\t into\t the\t ground.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t even\t realize\t she\t was\t trembling\t with rage\tuntil\tChaol\tstepped\tinto\ther\tline\tof\tvision.\t\u201cSave\tit\tfor\tthe\tcompetition,\u201d\the said\tsoftly,\tbut\tnot\tweakly. \u201cI\u2019m\tgoing\tto\tkill\thim,\u201d\tshe\tbreathed. \u201cNo,\tyou\u2019re\tnot.\tIf\tyou\twant\tto\tshut\thim\tup,\tthen\tbeat\thim.\tHe\u2019s\tjust\ta\tbrute from\tthe\tking\u2019s\tarmy\u2014don\u2019t\twaste\tyour\tstrength\ton\thating\thim.\u201d She\trolled\ther\teyes.\t\u201cThank\tyou\tso\tmuch\tfor\tinterfering\ton\tmy\tbehalf.\u201d \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tneed\tme\tto\trescue\tyou.\u201d \u201cIt\tstill\twould\thave\tbeen\tnice.\u201d \u201cYou\tcan\tfight\tyour\town\tbattles.\u201d\tHe\tpointed\twith\this\tsword\tto\tthe\tweapons rack.\t\u201cPick\tone.\u201d\tHis\teyes\tshone\twith\tthe\tchallenge\tas\tshe\tuntied\ther\tcloak\tand tossed\tit\tbehind\ther.\t\u201cLet\u2019s\tsee\tif\tyou\tcan\tactually\tback\tup\tyour\tswaggering.\u201d She\u2019d\t shut\t Cain\t up\u2014in\t an\t unmarked\t grave\t for\t all\t eternity.\t But\t for\t now\t .\t .\t . Now,\tshe\u2019d\tmake\tChaol\teat\this\twords. All\t the\t weapons\t were\t finely\t made,\t and\t glistened\t in\t the\t sunlight.\t Celaena eliminated\ther\toptions\tone\tby\tone,\tseeing\teach\tweapon\tfor\twhat\tsort\tof\tdamage she\tmight\tdo\tto\tthe\tcaptain\u2019s\tface.","Her\t heart\t beat\t rapidly\t as\t she\t ran\t a\t finger\t across\t the\t blades\t and\t handles\t of each.\t She\t found\t herself\t torn\t between\t the\t hunting\t daggers\t and\t a\t lovely\t rapier with\t an\t ornate\t bell-guard.\t She\t could\t cut\t out\t his\t heart\t from\t a\t safe\t distance\t with that. The\t sword\t whined\t as\t she\t drew\t it\t from\t the\t stand\t and\t held\t it\t in\t her\t hands.\t It was\t a\t good\t blade\u2014strong,\t smooth,\t light.\t They\t wouldn\u2019t\t let\t her\t have\t a\t butter knife\ton\ther\ttable,\tbut\tthey\tgave\ther\taccess\tto\tthis? Why\tnot\twear\thim\tdown\ta\tbit? Chaol\ttossed\this\tcape\ton\ttop\tof\thers,\this\ttoned\tbody\tflexing\tthrough\tthe\tdark threads\t of\t his\t shirt.\t He\t drew\t his\t sword.\t \u201cOn\t your\t guard!\u201d\t He\t moved\t into defensive\tposition,\tand\tCelaena\tlooked\tat\thim\tdully. Who\tdo\tyou\tthink\tyou\tare?\tWhat\tsort\tof\tperson\tsays\t\u201cOn\tyour\tguard\u201d? \u201cAren\u2019t\t you\t first\t going\t to\t show\t me\t the\t basics?\u201d\t she\t said\t quietly\t enough\t for only\t him\t to\t hear,\t her\t sword\t dangling\t from\t one\t hand.\t She\t rubbed\t the\t hilt,\t her fingers\t contracting\t on\t the\t cool\t surface.\t \u201cI\t was\t in\t Endovier\t for\t a\t year,\t you realize.\tI\tcould\thave\teasily\tforgotten.\u201d \u201cFrom\t the\t amount\t of\t killing\t that\t went\t on\t in\t your\t section\t of\t the\t mines,\t I highly\tdoubt\tyou\u2019ve\tforgotten\ta\tthing.\u201d \u201cThat\twas\twith\ta\tpickax,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\ther\tsmile\tgrowing\tferal.\t\u201cAll\tI\thad\tto\tdo was\tcrack\ta\tman\u2019s\thead\topen\tor\thurl\tthe\tax\tinto\this\tstomach.\u201d\tThankfully,\tnone of\t the\t other\t Champions\t paid\t them\t any\t heed.\t \u201cIf\t you\t consider\t that\t sort\t of gracelessness\t equal\t to\t swordsmanship\t .\t .\t .\t what\t sort\t of\t fighting\t do\t you\t do, Captain\t Westfall?\u201d\t She\t put\t a\t spare\t hand\t over\t her\t heart\t and\t closed\t her\t eyes\t for emphasis. With\ta\tgrowl,\tthe\tCaptain\tof\tthe\tGuard\tlunged. But\tshe\thad\tbeen\twaiting\tfor\tsome\ttime\tnow,\tand\ther\teyes\tflew\topen\tas\tsoon as\this\tboots\tscraped\tagainst\tthe\tground.\tWith\ta\tturn\tof\ther\tarm\tshe\tbrought\tthe sword\tinto\tblocking\tposition,\ther\tlegs\tbracing\tfor\tthe\timpact\tas\tsteel\tstruck\tsteel. The\t noise\t was\t strange,\t somehow\t more\t painful\t than\t receiving\t the\t blow,\t but Celaena\t thought\t little\t of\t it\t when\t he\t charged\t again\t and\t she\t met\t his\t weapon, parrying\twith\tease.\tHer\tarms\tached\tas\tthey\twere\tshaken\tfrom\ttheir\tslumber,\tbut she\tcontinued\tto\tdeflect\tand\tparry. Swordplay\twas\tlike\tdancing\u2014certain\tsteps\tmust\tbe\tfollowed\tor\telse\tit\twould fall\t apart.\t Once\t she\t heard\t the\t beat,\t it\t all\t came\t rushing\t back.\t The\t other competitors\tfaded\taway\tinto\tshadows\tand\tsunlight. \u201cGood,\u201d\t he\t said\t through\t his\t teeth,\t blocking\t her\t thrust\t as\t she\t forced\t him\t to take\t a\t defensive\t stance.\t Her\t thighs\t burned.\t \u201cVery\t good,\u201d\t he\t breathed.\t He\t was pretty\tgood\thimself\u2014better\tthan\tgood,\tactually.\tNot\tthat\tshe\u2019d\ttell\thim\tthat. With\ta\tclang,\tthe\t two\tswords\tmet,\t and\tthey\t pressed\teach\tother\u2019s\tblades.\t He","was\tstronger,\tand\tshe\tgrunted\tat\tthe\tforce\trequired\tto\thold\ther\tsword\tagainst\this. But,\tstrong\tas\the\tmight\tbe,\the\twas\tnot\tas\tquick. She\t withdrew\t and\t feinted,\t her\t feet\t jabbing\t and\t flexing\t on\t the\t floor\t with birdlike\tgrace.\tCaught\toff-guard,\the\tonly\thad\ttime\tto\tdeflect,\this\tparry\tlost\tin\this size. She\t surged\t forward,\t her\t arm\t coming\t down\t again\t and\t again,\t twisting\t and turning,\t loving\t the\t smooth\t ache\t within\t her\t shoulder\t as\t the\t blade\t slammed against\this.\tShe\twas\tmoving\tfast\u2014fast\tlike\ta\tdancer\tin\ta\ttemple\tritual,\tfast\tlike\ta snake\tin\tthe\tRed\tDesert,\tfast\tlike\twater\tdown\tthe\tside\tof\ta\tmountain. He\t kept\t up,\t and\t she\t allowed\t him\t to\t advance\t before\t reclaiming\t the\t position. He\t tried\t to\t catch\t her\t unawares\t with\t a\t blow\t to\t the\t face,\t but\t her\t anger\t awoke\t as her\telbow\tsnapped\tup\tand\tdeflected,\tslamming\tinto\this\tfist\tand\tforcing\tit\tdown. \u201cSomething\t to\t remember\t when\t fighting\t me,\t Sardothien,\u201d\t he\t panted.\t The\t sun caught\tin\this\tgolden-brown\teyes. \u201cHmm?\u201d\tshe\tgrunted,\tlunging\tto\tdeflect\this\tnewest\tattack. \u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tlose.\u201d\tHe\tgrinned\tat\ther,\tand\tbefore\tshe\tcould\tcomprehend\tthe\twords, something\tcut\tinto\ther\tfeet\tand\u2014 She\thad\tthe\tsickening\tfeeling\tof\tfalling.\tShe\tgasped\tas\ther\tspine\tcollided\twith marble,\tthe\trapier\tflying\tfrom\ther\thand.\tChaol\tpointed\this\tblade\tat\ther\theart.\t\u201cI win,\u201d\the\tbreathed. She\tpushed\therself\tonto\ther\telbows.\t\u201cYou\thad\tto\tresort\tto\ttripping\tme.\tThat\u2019s hardly\twinning\tat\tall.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\tnot\tthe\tone\twith\tthe\tsword\tat\tmy\theart.\u201d The\t sound\t of\t clashing\t weapons\t and\t labored\t breathing\t filled\t the\t air.\t She flicked\ther\teyes\tto\tthe\tother\tChampions,\twho\twere\tall\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tsparring. All,\t of\t course,\t except\t Cain.\t He\t grinned\t broadly\t at\t her,\t and\t Celaena\t bared\t her teeth. \u201cYou\t have\t the\t skills,\u201d\t Chaol\t said,\t \u201cbut\t some\t of\t your\t moves\t are\t still undisciplined.\u201d She\tbroke\ther\tstare\twith\tCain\tand\tglared\tup\tinto\tChaol\u2019s\tface.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\tnever stopped\tme\tfrom\tkilling\tbefore,\u201d\tshe\tspat. Chaol\t chuckled\t at\t her\t agitation\t and\t pointed\t his\t sword\t at\t the\t rack,\t allowing her\t to\t get\t to\t her\t feet.\t \u201cPick\t another\u2014something\t different.\t Make\t it\t interesting, too.\tSomething\tthat\twill\tmake\tme\tsweat,\tplease.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019ll\t be\t sweating\t when\t I\t skin\t you\t alive\t and\t squish\t your\t eyeballs\t beneath my\tfeet,\u201d\tshe\tmuttered,\tpicking\tup\tthe\trapier. \u201cThat\u2019s\tthe\tspirit.\u201d She\t practically\t threw\t the\t rapier\t into\t place,\t and\t drew\t the\t hunting\t knives without\thesitation.","My\tdear\told\tfriends. A\twicked\tsmile\tspread\tacross\ther\tface.","Chapter\t12 Just\t as\t Celaena\t was\t about\t to\t launch\t herself\t and\t her\t knives\t at\t the\t captain, someone\t stomped\t a\t spear\t on\t the\t ground\t and\t called\t the\t room\t to\t attention.\t She faced\t the\t voice\t and\t found\t a\t stocky,\t balding\t man\t standing\t beneath\t the mezzanine. \u201cYour\t attention\t now,\u201d\t the\t man\t repeated.\t Celaena\t looked\t to\t Chaol,\t who nodded,\t taking\t the\t knives\t from\t her\t as\t they\t joined\t the\t twenty-three\t other competitors\t encircling\t the\t man.\t \u201cI\u2019m\t Theodus\t Brullo,\t Weapons\t Master\t and judge\tof\tthis\tcompetition.\tOf\tcourse,\tour\tking\u2019s\tthe\tfinal\tjudge\tof\tyou\tsorry\tlot, but\tI\u2019ll\tbe\tthe\tone\tdetermining\tevery\tday\tif\tyou\u2019re\tfit\tto\tbe\this\tChampion.\u201d He\tpatted\this\tsword\thilt,\tand\tCelaena\thad\tto\tadmire\tthe\tbeautiful\twoven\tgold of\t the\t pommel.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t been\t Weapons\t Master\t here\t for\t thirty\t years,\t and\t lived\t in this\tcastle\tfor\ttwenty-five\tmore\tthan\tthat.\tI\u2019ve\ttrained\tmany\ta\tlord\tand\tknight\u2014 and\tmany\ta\twould-be\tChampion\tof\tAdarlan.\tIt\twill\tbe\tvery\thard\tto\timpress\tme.\u201d Beside\t Celaena,\t Chaol\t stood\t with\t his\t shoulders\t thrown\t back.\t It\t occurred\t to her\tthat\tBrullo\tmight\thave\ttrained\tthe\tcaptain.\tGiven\thow\teasily\tChaol\thad\tkept up\twith\ther,\tif\tBrullo\thad\ttrained\thim,\tthen\tthe\tWeapons\tMaster\tmust\tlive\tup\tto his\t title.\t She\t knew\t better\t than\t anyone\t not\t to\t underestimate\t opponents\t based\t on their\tappearance. \u201cThe\t king\u2019s\t already\t told\t you\t all\t there\t is\t to\t know\t about\t this\t competition,\u201d Brullo\tsaid,\tholding\this\thands\tbehind\this\tback.\t\u201cBut\tI\tfigured\tyou\tlot\tare\titching to\t know\t more\t about\t each\t other.\u201d\t He\t pointed\t a\t stubby\t finger\t at\t Cain.\t \u201cYou. What\u2019s\t your\t name,\t occupation,\t and\t where\t do\t you\t hail\t from?\t And\t be\t honest about\tit\u2014I\tknow\tnone\tof\tyou\tare\tbakers\tand\tcandlestick\tmakers.\u201d Cain\u2019s\t insufferable\t grin\t returned.\t \u201cCain,\t soldier\t in\t the\t king\u2019s\t army.\t I\t hail from\t the\t White\t Fang\t Mountains.\u201d\t Of\t course\t he\t did.\t She\u2019d\t heard\t tales\t of\t the brutality\tof\tthe\tmountain\tfolk\tfrom\tthat\tregion,\tand\tseen\ta\tfew\tof\tthem\tup\tclose, seen\t the\t fierceness\t in\t their\t eyes.\t Many\t of\t them\t had\t rebelled\t against\t Adarlan\u2014 and\tmost\twound\tup\tdead.\tWhat\twould\this\tfellow\tmountain-dwellers\tsay\tif\tthey could\tsee\thim\tnow?\tShe\tgritted\ther\tteeth;\twhat\twould\tthe\tpeople\tof\tTerrasen\tsay if\tthey\tcould\tsee\ther\tnow? Brullo,\thowever,\teither\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\tor\tdidn\u2019t\tcare,\tand\tdidn\u2019t\teven\tgive\ta\tnod before\t he\t pointed\t to\t the\t man\t to\t Cain\u2019s\t right.\t Celaena\t immediately\t liked\t him. \u201cAnd\tyou?\u201d A\t slender,\t tall\t man\t with\t thinning\t blond\t hair\t surveyed\t the\t circle\t and\t sneered. \u201cXavier\tForul.\tMaster\tThief\tof\tMelisande.\u201d\tMaster\tThief!\tThat\tman?\tOf\tcourse, she\t realized,\t his\t reed-thinness\t probably\t aided\t in\t slipping\t into\t houses.\t Maybe\t it","wasn\u2019t\ta\tbluff. One\t by\t one,\t the\t twenty-one\t other\t competitors\t introduced\t themselves.\t There were\t six\t more\t seasoned\t soldiers\u2014all\t of\t them\t thrown\t out\t of\t the\t army\t for questionable\t behavior,\t which\t must\t have\t been\t truly\t questionable,\t given\t that Adarlan\u2019s\t army\t was\t notorious\t for\t ruthlessness.\t Then\t there\t were\t the\t three\t other thieves\u2014including\t the\t dark-haired,\t gray-eyed\t Nox\t Owen,\t whom\t she\u2019d\t actually heard\t of\t in\t passing,\t and\t who\u2019d\t been\t giving\t her\t such\t charming\t smiles\t all morning.\t The\t three\t mercenaries\t looked\t ready\t to\t boil\t someone\t alive,\t and\t then there\twere\tthe\ttwo\tshackled\tmurderers. As\t his\t name\t suggested,\t Bill\t Chastain,\t the\t Eye\t Eater,\t ate\t the\t eyes\t of\t his victims.\t He\t looked\t surprisingly\t plain,\t with\t mousy\t brown\t hair,\t tan\t skin,\t and average\theight,\tthough\tCelaena\thad\ttrouble\tnot\tstaring\tat\this\tscar-flecked\tmouth. The\t other\t murderer\t was\t Ned\t Clement,\t who\u2019d\t gone\t for\t three\t years\t under\t the name\t Scythe,\t for\t the\t weapon\t he\u2019d\t used\t to\t torture\t and\t hack\t apart\t temple priestesses.\tIt\twas\ta\twonder\tthey\thadn\u2019t\texecuted\teither\tman,\tthough\tfrom\ttheir tanned\tskin,\tshe\tguessed\tthey\u2019d\tspent\tthe\tyears\tsince\ttheir\tcaptures\ttoiling\tunder the\tsun\tin\tCalaculla,\tthe\tsouthern\tsister\tlabor\tcamp\tto\tEndovier. Next\tcame\ttwo\tscarred,\tsilent\tmen\twho\tseemed\tto\tbe\tcronies\tof\tsome\tfar-off warlord,\tand\tthen\tthe\tfive\tassassins. She\t immediately\t forgot\t the\t names\t of\t the\t first\t four:\t a\t gangly,\t haughty\t boy;\t a hulking\tbrute;\ta\tdisdainful\trunt\tof\ta\tman;\tand\ta\tsniveling,\thawk-nosed\tprat\twho claimed\the\thad\tan\taffinity\tfor\tknives.\tThey\tweren\u2019t\teven\tin\tthe\tAssassins\tGuild \u2014not\t that\t Arobynn\t Hamel\t would\t ever\t allow\t them\t in.\t Membership\t required years\t of\t training\t and\t a\t more-than-impressive\t track\t record.\t While\t these\t four might\t be\t skilled,\t they\t lacked\t the\t refinement\t that\t Arobynn\t favored\t in\t his followers.\tShe\u2019d\thave\tto\tkeep\tan\teye\ton\tthem,\tbut\tat\tleast\tthey\tweren\u2019t\tthe\tSilent Assassins\tfrom\tthe\twindswept\tdunes\tof\tthe\tRed\tDesert.\tThose\twould\tbe\tworthy of\ther\u2014they\u2019d\tmake\ther\tsweat\ta\tbit.\tShe\u2019d\tspent\ta\tmonth\ttraining\twith\tthem\tone burning\t summer,\t and\t her\t muscles\t still\t ached\t at\t the\t memory\t of\t their\t grueling exercises. The\t last\t assassin,\t who\t called\t himself\t Grave,\t made\t her\t pause.\t He\t was\t slight and\t short,\t with\t the\t kind\t of\t wicked\t face\t that\t made\t people\t quickly\t look\t away. He\u2019d\t entered\t the\t room\t wearing\t shackles,\t and\t only\t had\t them\t removed\t when\t his guards\u2014all\t five\t of\t them\u2014gave\t him\t a\t stern\t warning.\t Even\t now,\t they\t stood nearby,\t watching\t him\t relentlessly.\t As\t he\t introduced\t himself,\t Grave\t flashed\t an oily\t smile,\t revealing\t his\t brown\t teeth.\t Her\t disgust\t didn\u2019t\t improve\t when\t Grave ran\tan\teye\tover\ther\tbody.\tAn\tassassin\tlike\tthat\tnever\tstopped\tat\tjust\tkilling.\tNot if\this\tvictim\twas\tfemale.\tShe\twilled\therself\tto\thold\this\thungry\tgaze. \u201cAnd\tyou?\u201d\tBrullo\tsaid,\tcutting\tinto\ther\tthoughts.","\u201cLillian\t Gordaina,\u201d\t she\t said,\t holding\t her\t chin\t high.\t \u201cJewel\t thief\t from Bellhaven.\u201d Some\t of\t the\t men\t sniggered,\t and\t she\t clenched\t her\t teeth.\t They\u2019d\t stop\t their laughing\t if\t they\t knew\t her\t true\t name,\t if\t they\t knew\t that\t this\t \u201cjewel\t thief\u201d\t could skin\tthem\talive\twithout\ta\tknife. \u201cFine,\u201d\t Brullo\t said,\t waving\t a\t hand.\t \u201cYou\t all\t have\t five\t minutes\t to\t put\t away your\tweapons\tand\tcatch\tyour\tbreath.\tThen\twe\u2019re\ton\ta\tmandatory\trun\tto\tsee\thow fit\t you\t are.\t Those\t of\t you\t who\t can\u2019t\t run\t the\t distance\t go\t home,\t or\t back\t to whatever\t prison\t your\t sponsors\t found\t you\t rotting\t in.\t Your\t first\t Test\t is\t in\t five days;\tconsider\tus\tmerciful\tit\u2019s\tnot\tsooner.\u201d With\t that,\t everyone\t scattered,\t the\t Champions\t murmuring\t to\t their\t trainers about\twhatever\tcompetitor\tthey\tdeemed\tthe\tbiggest\tthreat.\tCain\tor\tGrave,\tmost likely.\t Certainly\t not\t a\t jewel\t thief\t from\t Bellhaven.\t Chaol\t remained\t beside\t her, watching\t the\t Champions\t stride\t off.\t She\t hadn\u2019t\t spent\t eight\t years\t building\t a reputation\tand\ta\tyear\tlaboring\tin\tEndovier\tto\tbe\tdisregarded\tlike\tthis.\t\u201cIf\tI\thave to\tcall\tmyself\ta\tjewel\tthief\tagain\u2014\u201d Chaol\traised\this\tbrows.\t\u201cYou\u2019ll\tdo\twhat,\texactly?\u201d \u201cDo\t you\t know\t how\t insulting\t it\t is\t to\t pretend\t to\t be\t some\t nobody\t thief\t from\t a small\tcity\tin\tFenharrow?\u201d He\t stared\t her\t down,\t quiet\t for\t a\t moment.\t \u201cAre\t you\t that\t arrogant?\u201d\t She bristled,\tbut\the\twent\ton.\t\u201cIt\twas\tfoolish\tto\tspar\twith\tyou\tjust\tnow.\tI\u2019ll\tadmit\tthat I\t hadn\u2019t\t realized\t you\u2019d\t be\t that\t good.\t Thankfully,\t no\t one\t noticed.\t And\t do\t you want\tto\tknow\twhy,\tLillian?\u201d\tHe\ttook\ta\tstep\tcloser,\this\tvoice\tlowering.\t\u201cBecause you\u2019re\tsome\tpretty\tlittle\tgirl.\tBecause\tyou\u2019re\ta\tnobody\tjewel\tthief\tfrom\ta\tsmall city\t in\t Fenharrow.\t Look\t around.\u201d\t He\t half-turned\t to\t the\t other\t Champions.\t \u201cIs anyone\t staring\t at\t you?\t Are\t any\t of\t them\t sizing\t you\t up?\t No.\t Because\t you\u2019re\t not real\t competition.\t Because\t you\t don\u2019t\t stand\t between\t them\t and\t whatever\t freedom or\twealth\tthey\u2019re\tlooking\tfor.\u201d \u201cExactly!\tIt\u2019s\tinsulting!\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t smart,\t that\u2019s\t what\t it\t is.\t And\t you\u2019re\t going\t to\t keep\t a\t low\t profile throughout\t this\t entire\t competition.\t You\u2019re\t not\t going\t to\t excel,\t and\t you\u2019re\t not going\tto\ttrounce\tthose\tthieves\tand\tsoldiers\tand\tunknown\tassassins.\tYou\u2019re\tgoing to\t stay\t solidly\t in\t the\t middle,\t where\t no\t one\t will\t look\t your\t way,\t because\t you\u2019re not\t a\t threat,\t because\t they\u2019ll\t think\t that\t you\u2019ll\t be\t eliminated\t sooner\t or\t later,\t and they\t should\t focus\t their\t attention\t on\t getting\t rid\t of\t bigger,\t stronger,\t faster Champions\tlike\tCain. \u201cBut\t you\u2019re\t going\t to\t outlast\t them,\u201d\t Chaol\t continued.\t \u201cAnd\t when\t they\t wake up\ton\tthe\tmorning\tof\tthe\tfinal\tduel\tand\tfind\tthat\tyou\tare\ttheir\topponent,\tand\tthat you\t have\t beaten\t them,\t the\t look\t on\t their\t faces\t will\t make\t all\t of\t the\t insults\t and","lack\t of\t attention\t worthwhile.\u201d\t He\t extended\t his\t hand\t to\t lead\t her\t outside.\t \u201cSo, what\tdo\tyou\thave\tto\tsay\tabout\tthat,\tLillian\tGordaina?\u201d \u201cI\t can\t look\t out\t for\t myself,\u201d\t she\t said\t lightly,\t taking\t his\t hand.\t \u201cBut\t I\t have\t to say\t that\t you\u2019re\t rather\t brilliant,\t Captain.\t So\t brilliant,\t actually,\t that\t I\t might\t give you\tone\tof\tthe\tjewels\tI\tplan\tto\tsteal\tfrom\tthe\tqueen\ttonight.\u201d Chaol\tchuckled,\tand\tthey\tstrode\toutside\tto\twhere\tthe\trunning\tcontest\tawaited. \u2022 Her\t lungs\t burned\t and\t her\t legs\t were\t leaden,\t but\t she\t kept\t running,\t kept\t her position\t in\t the\t middle\t of\t the\t pack\t of\t Champions.\t Brullo,\t Chaol,\t and\t the\t other trainers\u2014along\t with\t three\t dozen\t armed\t guards\u2014followed\t them\t around\t the game\t park\t on\t horseback.\t Some\t of\t the\t Champions,\t Grave,\t Ned,\t and\t Bill included,\t had\t been\t given\t long\t manacles.\t She\t supposed\t it\t was\t a\t privilege\t that Chaol\thadn\u2019t\tlocked\ther\tup,\ttoo.\tBut\tto\ther\tsurprise,\tCain\tled\tthe\tpack,\tand\twas nearly\tten\tyards\tin\tfront\tof\tthe\trest\tof\tthem.\tHow\tcould\the\tpossibly\tbe\tthat\tfast? The\tsound\tof\tcrunching\tleaves\tand\tlabored\tbreathing\tfilled\tthe\twarm\tautumn air,\tand\tCelaena\tkept\ther\tgaze\ton\tthe\tdamp\tand\tgleaming\tdark\thair\tof\tthe\tthief\tin front\tof\ther.\tOne\tstep\tafter\tanother,\tone\tbreath\tin,\tone\tbreath\tout.\tBreathe\u2014she had\tto\tremember\tto\tkeep\tbreathing. Ahead,\t Cain\t turned\t a\t corner,\t heading\t north\u2014back\t toward\t the\t castle.\t Like\t a flock\t of\t birds,\t they\t followed\t him.\t One\t step\t after\t another,\t never\t slowing\t down. Let\t them\t all\t watch\t Cain,\t let\t them\t plot\t against\t him.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t need\t to\t win\t the race\tto\tprove\tshe\twas\tbetter\u2014she\twas\tbetter\twithout\tany\tkind\tof\tvalidation\tthat the\t king\t could\t give\t her!\t She\t missed\t a\t breath,\t and\t her\t knees\t wobbled,\t but\t she kept\tupright.\tThe\trun\twould\tbe\tover\tsoon.\tSoon. She\t hadn\u2019t\t even\t dared\t to\t look\t behind\t her\t to\t see\t if\t any\t had\t fallen.\t She\t could feel\t Chaol\u2019s\t eyes\t on\t her,\t though,\t reminding\t her\t to\t keep\t in\t the\t middle.\t At\t least he\thad\tthat\tmuch\tfaith\tin\ther. The\t trees\t parted,\t revealing\t the\t field\t that\t lay\t between\t the\t game\t park\t and\t the stables.\t The\t end\t of\t the\t path.\t Her\t head\t spun,\t and\t she\t would\t have\t cursed\t at\t the stitch\t that\t lanced\t through\t her\t side\t had\t she\t had\t any\t breath\t to\t do\t so.\t She\t had\t to stay\tin\tthe\tmiddle.\tStay\tin\tthe\tmiddle. Cain\tcleared\tthe\ttrees\tand\traised\this\tarms\tabove\this\thead\tin\tvictory.\tHe\tran\ta few\t more\t feet,\t slowing\t his\t pace\t to\t cool\t down,\t and\t his\t trainer\t cheered\t for\t him. Celaena\u2019s\tonly\tresponse\twas\tto\tkeep\ther\tfeet\tmoving.\tOnly\ta\tfew\tyards\tleft.\tThe light\tof\tthe\topen\tfield\tgrew\tbrighter\tand\tbrighter\tas\tit\tapproached.\tStars\tflashed before\ther\teyes,\tswarming\tin\ther\tvision.\tShe\thad\tto\tstay\tin\tthe\tmiddle.\tYears\tof training\twith\tArobynn\tHamel\thad\ttaught\ther\tthe\tdangers\tof\tgiving\tup\ttoo\teasily.","Then,\t she\t was\t through\t the\t trees,\t and\t the\t open\t field\t surrounded\t her\t in\t an explosion\tof\tspace\tand\tgrass\tand\tblue\tsky.\tThe\tmen\tin\tfront\tof\ther\tslowed\tto\ta stop.\tIt\twas\tall\tshe\tcould\tdo\tto\tkeep\tfrom\tsinking\tto\ther\tknees,\tbut\tshe\tmade\ther legs\tslow,\tslow,\tslow,\tmade\ther\tfeet\twalk,\tmade\therself\ttake\tbreath\tafter\tbreath as\tthe\tstars\tcontinued\tbursting\tbefore\ther\teyes. \u201cGood,\u201d\t Brullo\t said,\t reining\t his\t horse\t and\t surveying\t whoever\t had\t first returned.\t\u201cGet\twater.\tWe\u2019ve\tgot\tmore\ttraining\tafter\tthis.\u201d Through\tthe\tspots\tin\ther\tvision,\tshe\tsaw\tChaol\tstop\this\thorse.\tHer\tfeet\tmoved of\t their\t own\t accord\t toward\t him,\t then\t past,\t back\t to\t the\t woods.\t \u201cWhere\t are\t you going?\u201d \u201cI\tdropped\tmy\tring\tback\tthere,\u201d\tshe\tlied,\tdoing\ther\tbest\tto\tlook\tscatterbrained. \u201cJust\tgive\tme\ta\tmoment\tto\tfind\tit.\u201d\tWithout\twaiting\tfor\this\tapproval,\tshe\tentered the\ttrees\tto\tthe\tsneers\tand\tsnickers\tof\tthe\tChampions\twho\thad\toverheard.\tFrom the\t approaching\t crashing\t noises,\t she\t knew\t another\t Champion\t was\t on\t his\t way out.\t She\t stepped\t into\t the\t cover\t of\t the\t bushes,\t stumbling\t as\t the\t world\t became dark\tand\tlight\tand\ttilted.\tShe\thad\tbarely\tsunk\tto\ther\tknees\twhen\tshe\tvomited. She\t heaved\t and\t heaved\t until\t she\t had\t nothing\t left\t inside.\t The\t straggling Champion\t passed\t by.\t On\t trembling\t limbs,\t she\t grappled\t onto\t a\t nearby\t tree\t and hauled\t herself\t upright\t again.\t She\t found\t Captain\t Westfall\t standing\t across\t the path,\twatching\ther\twith\tpursed\tlips. She\twiped\ther\tmouth\ton\tthe\tback\tof\ther\twrist\tand\tsaid\tnothing\tto\thim\tas\tshe exited\tthe\twoods.","Chapter\t13 It\twas\tlunchtime\twhen\tBrullo\treleased\tthem\tfor\tthe\tday,\tand\tto\tsay\tthat\tCelaena was\t hungry\t would\t be\t a\t severe\t understatement.\t She\t was\t halfway\t through\t her meal,\t shoveling\t meat\t and\t bread\t down\t her\t throat,\t when\t the\t dining\t room\t door opened.\t\u201cWhat\tare\tyou\tdoing\there?\u201d\tshe\tsaid\tthrough\ta\tmouthful. \u201cWhat?\u201d\t said\t the\t Captain\t of\t the\t Guard,\t taking\t a\t seat\t at\t the\t table.\t He\u2019d changed\this\tclothes\tand\ttaken\ta\tbath.\tHe\tpulled\ta\tplatter\tof\tsalmon\ttoward\thim and\t piled\t it\t on\t his\t plate.\t Celaena\t made\t a\t disgusted\t face,\t her\t nose\t crinkling. \u201cYou\tdon\u2019t\tcare\tfor\tsalmon?\u201d \u201cI\thate\tfish.\tI\u2019d\trather\tdie\tthan\teat\tit.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s\tsurprising,\u201d\the\tsaid,\ttaking\ta\tbite. \u201cWhy?\u201d \u201cBecause\tyou\tsmell\tlike\tone.\u201d She\t opened\t her\t mouth\t to\t expose\t the\t ball\t of\t bread\t and\t beef\t that\t she\t was chewing.\t He\t shook\t his\t head.\t \u201cYou\t might\t fight\t well,\t but\t your\t manners\t are\t a disgrace.\u201d She\twaited\tfor\thim\tto\tmention\ther\tearlier\tvomiting,\tbut\the\tdidn\u2019t\tcontinue.\t\u201cI can\tact\tand\ttalk\tlike\ta\tlady,\tif\tit\tpleases\tme.\u201d \u201cThen\t I\t suggest\t that\t you\t begin\t to\t do\t so.\u201d\t After\t a\t pause,\t he\t asked,\t \u201cHow\t are you\tenjoying\tyour\ttemporary\tfreedom?\u201d \u201cIs\tthat\ta\tsnide\tremark\tor\tan\thonest\tquestion?\u201d He\ttook\ta\tbite\tof\tfish.\t\u201cWhichever\tyou\tlike.\u201d The\t window\t revealed\t the\t afternoon\t sky,\t slightly\t pale,\t but\t still\t lovely.\t \u201cI\u2019m enjoying\tit,\tfor\tthe\tmost\tpart.\tEspecially\tnow\tthat\tI\thave\tbooks\tto\tread\twhenever you\tlock\tme\tin\there.\tI\tdon\u2019t\tsuppose\tyou\u2019d\tunderstand.\u201d \u201cOn\tthe\tcontrary.\tI\tmight\tnot\thave\tas\tmuch\ttime\tto\tread\tas\tyou\tand\tDorian\tdo, but\tthat\tdoesn\u2019t\tmean\tI\tlove\tbooks\tany\tless.\u201d She\t bit\t into\t an\t apple.\t It\t was\t tart,\t with\t a\t sweet,\t honey-like\t aftertaste.\t \u201cOh? And\t what\t books\t do\t you\t love?\u201d\t He\t named\t a\t few,\t and\t she\t blinked.\t \u201cWell,\t those are\tgood\tchoices\u2014for\tthe\tmost\tpart.\tWhat\tothers?\u201d\tshe\tasked,\tand\tsomehow,\tan hour\t flew\t by,\t carrying\t them\t on\t the\t wings\t of\t conversation.\t Suddenly,\t the\t clock chimed\tone,\tand\the\trose. \u201cThe\tafternoon\tis\tyours\tto\tspend\tin\tany\tway\tthat\tyou\tlike.\u201d \u201cWhere\tare\tyou\tgoing?\u201d \u201cTo\trest\tmy\tlimbs\tand\tmy\tlungs.\u201d \u201cYes,\t well,\t hopefully\t you\u2019ll\t read\t something\t of\t quality\t before\t I\t see\t you again.\u201d","He\tsniffed\tthe\tair\tas\the\twalked\tout\tof\ther\troom.\t\u201cHopefully\tyou\u2019ll\ttake\ta\tbath before\tI\tsee\tyou\tagain.\u201d Sighing,\t Celaena\t called\t to\t her\t servants\t to\t draw\t her\t bath.\t An\t afternoon\t of reading\ton\tthe\tbalcony\tbeckoned. \u2022 The\t following\t dawn,\t Celaena\u2019s\t bedroom\t door\t opened,\t and\t a\t familiar\t stalking gait\t echoed\t through\t the\t room.\t Chaol\t Westfall\t stopped\t short\t when\t he\t found\t the assassin\t dangling\t from\t the\t beam\t of\t the\t bedroom\t doorway,\t repeatedly\t hoisting herself\tup\tto\ttouch\ther\tchin\tto\tthe\twooden\tbar.\tSweat\tsoaked\ther\tundershirt\tand ran\t in\t rivulets\t down\t her\t pale\t skin.\t She\u2019d\t been\t exercising\t for\t an\t hour\t already. Her\tarms\tquivered\tas\tshe\tlifted\therself\tagain. Though\tshe\tmight\tpretend\tto\tbe\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\tthe\tpack,\tthere\twas\tno\treason to\t train\t like\t it.\t Even\t if\t every\t repetition\t made\t her\t body\t scream\t for\t her\t to\t stop. She\twasn\u2019t\tthat\tout\tof\tshape\u2014after\tall,\ther\tpickax\tin\tthe\tmines\thad\tbeen\theavy. And\tit\tdefinitely\thad\tnothing\tto\tdo\twith\ther\tfellow\tcompetitors\twalloping\ther\tat the\trace\tyesterday. She\talready\thad\tan\tedge\ton\tthem.\tShe\tjust\tneeded\tit\tto\tbe\ta\tbit\tsharper. She\t didn\u2019t\t pause\t her\t exercising\t as\t she\t smiled\t at\t him,\t panting\t through\t her clenched\tteeth.\tTo\ther\tsurprise,\the\tsmiled\tback. \u2022 By\tthat\t afternoon,\ta\t vicious\t rainstorm\tarrived,\t and\t Chaol\t permitted\t Celaena\t to walk\t around\t the\t castle\t with\t him\t after\t she\u2019d\t finished\t training\t with\t the\t other Champions\t for\t the\t day.\t Though\t he\t spoke\t little,\t she\t was\t glad\t to\t be\t out\t of\t her rooms,\tand\tdressed\tin\tone\tof\ther\tnew\tgowns\u2014a\tlovely\tlilac\tsilk\tdress\twith\tpale pink\t lace\t accents\t and\t pearl\t beading.\t But\t then\t they\t rounded\t a\t corner\t and\t nearly collided\t with\t Kaltain\t Rompier.\t The\t assassin\t would\t have\t grimaced,\t but\t she forgot\t all\t about\t Kaltain\t as\t her\t eyes\t fell\t upon\t her\t companion.\t It\t was\t an\t Eyllwe woman. She\t was\t stunning,\t long\t and\t lean,\t each\t of\t her\t features\t perfectly\t formed\t and smooth.\t Her\t loose\t white\t dress\t contrasted\t with\t her\t creamy\t brown\t skin,\t and\t a three-plated\tgold\ttorque\tcovered\tmuch\tof\ther\tchest\tand\tneck.\tBracelets\tof\tivory and\t gold\t glimmered\t around\t her\t wrists,\t and\t her\t feet\t were\t sandaled\t beneath matching\t anklets.\t A\t thin\t circlet\t comprising\t dangling\t gold\t and\t jewels\t crowned her\t head.\t She\t had\t two\t male\t guards\t with\t her,\t armed\t to\t the\t teeth\t with\t an assortment\t of\t curved\t Eyllwe\t daggers\t and\t swords,\t both\t of\t them\t studying\t Chaol","and\tCelaena\tclosely\u2014weighing\tthe\tthreat. The\tEyllwe\tgirl\twas\ta\tprincess. \u201cCaptain\t Westfall!\u201d\t Kaltain\t said,\t and\t curtsied.\t Beside\t her,\t a\t short\t man dressed\tin\tthe\tred-and-black\tgarb\tof\ta\tcouncilman\tbowed\tto\tthe\tpair. The\tEyllwe\tprincess\tstood\tperfectly\tstill,\ther\tbrown\teyes\twary\tas\tshe\ttook\tin Celaena\tand\ther\tcompanion.\tCelaena\toffered\ther\ta\tslight\tsmile,\tand\tthe\tprincess stepped\tcloser,\ther\tguards\ttensing\tslightly.\tShe\tmoved\twith\tan\teasy\tgrace. Kaltain\tgestured\tto\tthe\tgirl,\tpoorly\thidden\tdistaste\twritten\tacross\ther\tbeautiful face.\t\u201cThis\tis\tHer\tRoyal\tHighness\tthe\tPrincess\tNehemia\tYtger\tof\tEyllwe.\u201d Chaol\t bowed\t low.\t The\t princess\t nodded,\t barely\t a\t dip\t of\t her\t chin.\t Celaena knew\t the\t name\u2014she\t had\t often\t heard\t the\t Eyllwe\t slaves\t in\t Endovier\t boast\t of Nehemia\u2019s\t beauty\t and\t bravery.\t Nehemia,\t the\t Light\t of\t Eyllwe,\t who\t would\t save them\tfrom\ttheir\tplight.\tNehemia,\twho\tmight\tsomeday\tpose\ta\tthreat\tto\tthe\tKing of\t Adarlan\u2019s\t rule\t over\t her\t home\t country\t when\t she\t ascended\t to\t the\t throne. Nehemia,\t they\t whispered,\t who\t smuggled\t information\t and\t supplies\t to\t the\t rebel groups\thiding\tin\tEyllwe.\tBut\twhat\twas\tshe\tdoing\there? \u201cAnd\tthe\tLady\tLillian,\u201d\tKaltain\tadded\tbriskly. Celaena\tdropped\tinto\tthe\tlowest\tcurtsy\tshe\tcould\tgive\twithout\tfalling\tand\tsaid in\tEyllwe,\t\u201cWelcome\tto\tRifthold,\tYour\tHighness.\u201d Princess\t Nehemia\t smiled\t slowly,\t and\t the\t others\t gaped.\t The\t councilman beamed,\t wiping\t the\t sweat\t from\t his\t brow.\t Why\t hadn\u2019t\t they\t sent\t Nehemia\t with the\t Crown\t Prince,\t or\t even\t Perrington?\t Why\t was\t the\t princess\t herded\t around\t by Kaltain\tRompier? \u201cThank\tyou,\u201d\tthe\tprincess\treplied,\ther\tvoice\tlow. \u201cI\t imagine\t you\u2019ve\t had\t a\t long\t journey,\u201d\t Celaena\t continued\t in\t Eyllwe.\t \u201cHave you\tarrived\ttoday,\tYour\tHighness?\u201d Nehemia\u2019s\tguards\texchanged\tglances,\tand\tNehemia\u2019s\tbrows\trose\tslightly.\tNot too\tmany\tnortherners\tspoke\ttheir\tlanguage.\t\u201cYes,\tand\tthe\tqueen\tsent\tthis\tone\u201d\u2014 Nehemia\t jerked\t her\t head\t at\t Kaltain\u2014\u201cto\t bring\t me\t around\t with\t that\t sweating worm\t of\t a\t man\t as\t well.\u201d\t The\t princess\t narrowed\t her\t eyes\t at\t the\t small councilman,\twho\twrung\this\thands\tand\tdabbed\this\tforehead\twith\ta\thandkerchief. Perhaps\t he\t knew\t what\t sort\t of\t threat\t Nehemia\t posed;\t but\t why\t bring\t her\t to\t the castle? Celaena\t ran\t her\t tongue\t across\t her\t teeth,\t trying\t not\t to\t laugh.\t \u201cHe\t seems\t a\t bit nervous.\u201d\t She\t had\t to\t change\t the\t subject\t or\t else\t she\u2019d\t indeed\t laugh.\t \u201cWhat\t do you\tmake\tof\tthe\tcastle?\u201d \u201cIt\u2019s\t the\t most\t foolish\t thing\t I\u2019ve\t ever\t seen,\u201d\t Nehemia\t said,\t scanning\t the ceiling\t as\t if\t she\t could\t see\t through\t the\t stone\t and\t into\t the\t glass\t sections.\t \u201cI\u2019d sooner\tenter\ta\tcastle\tmade\tof\tsand.\u201d","Chaol\twatched\tthem,\tsomewhat\tdisbelievingly. \u201cI\u2019m\t afraid\t I\t haven\u2019t\t understood\t a\t word\t you\u2019ve\t said,\u201d\t Kaltain\t interrupted. Celaena\ttried\tnot\tto\troll\ther\teyes\u2014she\u2019d\tforgotten\tthe\twoman\twas\tthere. \u201cWe,\u201d\t the\t princess\t said,\t struggling\t for\t the\t word\t in\t the\t common\t language, \u201cwere\ttalking\twith\tthe\tweather.\u201d \u201cAbout\tthe\tweather,\u201d\tKaltain\tcorrected\tsharply. \u201cWatch\tyour\tmouth,\u201d\tCelaena\tsnapped\tbefore\tshe\tcould\tthink. Kaltain\tgave\tCelaena\ta\tvicious\tlittle\tsmile.\t\u201cIf\tshe\u2019s\there\tto\tlearn\tour\tways,\tI should\tcorrect\ther\tso\tshe\tdoesn\u2019t\tsound\tfoolish.\u201d Here\t to\t learn\t their\t ways,\t or\t for\t something\t else\t entirely?\t The\t faces\t of\t the princess\tand\ther\tguards\twere\tunreadable. \u201cYour\t Highness,\u201d\t Chaol\t said,\t stepping\t forward,\t a\t subtle\t movement\t to\t keep himself\tbetween\tNehemia\tand\tCelaena.\t\u201cAre\tyou\thaving\ta\ttour\tof\tthe\tcastle?\u201d Nehemia\tchewed\ton\tthe\twords\tand\tthen\tlooked\tto\tCelaena,\tbrows\thigh\u2014as\tif she\u2019d\texpected\ta\ttranslation\tby\tnow.\tA\tsmile\ttugged\ton\tthe\tcorners\tof\tCelaena\u2019s lips.\tNo\twonder\tthe\tcouncilman\twas\tsweating\tso\tprofusely.\tNehemia\twas\ta\tforce to\tbe\treckoned\twith.\tCelaena\ttranslated\tChaol\u2019s\tquestion\twith\tease. \u201cIf\tyou\tconsider\tthis\tstructure\tof\tmadness\tto\tbe\ta\tcastle,\u201d\tNehemia\treplied. Celaena\tturned\tto\tChaol.\t\u201cShe\tsays\tyes.\u201d \u201cI\tnever\tknew\tso\tmany\twords\tto\tmean\tone,\u201d\tKaltain\tsaid\twith\tfaux\tsweetness. Celaena\u2019s\tnails\tdug\tinto\ther\tpalms. I\u2019m\tgoing\tto\trip\tyour\thair\tout. Chaol\t took\t another\t step\t toward\t Nehemia\u2014effectively\t blocking\t Celaena\u2019s path\t to\t Kaltain.\t Smart\t man.\t He\t put\t a\t hand\t on\t his\t chest.\t \u201cYour\t Highness,\t I\t am the\tCaptain\tof\tthe\tRoyal\tGuard.\tPlease\tallow\tme\tto\tescort\tyou.\u201d Celaena\t translated\t again,\t and\t the\t princess\t nodded.\t \u201cGet\t rid\t of\t her,\u201d\t she\t said flatly\t to\t Celaena,\t and\t then\t waved\t a\t hand\t toward\t Kaltain.\t \u201cI\t don\u2019t\t care\t for\t her temperament.\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re\t dismissed,\u201d\t Celaena\t said\t to\t Kaltain,\t flashing\t a\t bright\t smile.\t \u201cThe princess\ttires\tof\tyour\tcompany.\u201d Kaltain\tstarted.\t\u201cBut\tthe\tqueen\u2014\u201d \u201cIf\t that\t is\t Her\t Highness\u2019s\t wish,\t then\t it\t will\t be\t granted,\u201d\t Chaol\t interrupted. Though\this\tfeatures\twere\ta\tmask\tof\tprotocol,\tshe\tcould\thave\tsworn\tshe\tglimpsed a\t glimmer\t of\t amusement\t in\t his\t eyes.\t Celaena\t wanted\t to\t hug\t him.\t She\t didn\u2019t bother\t to\t nod\t her\t farewell\t to\t Kaltain\t as\t the\t princess\t and\t the\t councilman\t joined them\tand\tthey\tstrode\tdown\tthe\thall,\tleaving\tthe\tfuming\tlady\tbehind. \u201cAre\t all\t of\t your\t royal\t women\t like\t that?\u201d\t the\t princess\t said\t to\t Celaena\t in Eyllwe. \u201cLike\tKaltain?\tUnfortunately,\tYour\tHighness.\u201d","Nehemia\t examined\t the\t assassin,\t and\t Celaena\t knew\t she\t was\t taking\t in\t her clothes,\t her\t gait,\t her\t posture\u2014everything\t Celaena\t herself\t had\t observed\t about the\tprincess\talready.\t\u201cBut\tyou\u2014you\u2019re\tnot\tlike\tthem.\tHow\tdo\tyou\tknow\thow\tto speak\tEyllwe\tso\twell?\u201d \u201cI\u201d\u2014Celaena\tthought\tof\ta\tlie\u2014\u201cstudied\tit\tfor\tseveral\tyears.\u201d \u201cYou\tuse\tthe\tintonation\tof\tthe\tpeasants.\tIs\tthat\ttaught\tin\tyour\tbooks?\u201d \u201cI\tknew\tan\tEyllwe\twoman\twho\ttaught\tit\tto\tme.\u201d \u201cA\t slave\t of\t yours?\u201d\t Her\t tone\t sharpened,\t and\t Chaol\t flicked\t his\t eyes\t toward them. \u201cNo,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid\thurriedly.\t\u201cI\tdon\u2019t\tbelieve\tin\tkeeping\tslaves.\u201d\tSomething twisted\tin\ther\tgut\tat\tthe\tthought\tof\tall\tthose\tslaves\tshe\u2019d\tleft\tbehind\tin\tEndovier, all\t those\t people\t doomed\t to\t suffer\t until\t they\t died.\t Just\t because\t she\u2019d\t left Endovier\tdidn\u2019t\tmean\tEndovier\thad\tceased\tto\tbe. Nehemia\u2019s\t voice\t was\t soft.\t \u201cThen\t you\t are\t very\t unlike\t your\t court companions.\u201d Celaena\tcould\tonly\tmanage\ta\tnod\tto\tthe\tprincess\tas\tthey\tturned\ttheir\tattention to\tthe\thall\tahead.\tServants\tdarted\tpast,\teyes\twide\twhen\tthey\tbeheld\tthe\tprincess and\ther\tguards.\tAfter\ta\tmoment\tof\tsilence,\tCelaena\tsquared\ther\tshoulders.\t\u201cWhy are\tyou\tin\tRifthold,\tif\tI\tmight\task?\u201d\tShe\tadded:\t\u201cYour\tHighness.\u201d \u201cYou\t don\u2019t\t need\t to\t bother\t calling\t me\t that.\u201d\t The\t princess\t toyed\t with\t one\t of the\tgold\tbangles\taround\ther\twrist.\t\u201cI\tcame\tat\tthe\trequest\tof\tmy\tfather,\tthe\tKing of\t Eyllwe,\t to\t learn\t your\t language\t and\t customs\t so\t I\t might\t better\t serve\t Eyllwe and\tmy\tpeople.\u201d Given\twhat\tshe\u2019d\theard\tof\tNehemia,\tCelaena\tdidn\u2019t\tthink\tthat\twas\tthe\tentirety of\t it,\t but\t she\t smiled\t politely\t as\t she\t said,\t \u201cHow\t long\t will\t you\t remain\t in Rifthold?\u201d \u201cUntil\tmy\tfather\tsends\tfor\tme\tagain.\u201d\tShe\tstopped\tplaying\twith\ther\tbracelets as\tshe\tfrowned\tat\tthe\train\tpounding\tthe\twindows.\t\u201cIf\tI\u2019m\tfortunate,\tI\u2019ll\tonly\tbe here\tuntil\tspring.\tUnless\tmy\tfather\tdecides\tthat\ta\tman\tfrom\tAdarlan\tmight\tmake me\ta\tgood\tconsort,\tand\tthen\tI\u2019ll\tbe\there\tuntil\tthat\tmatter\tis\tsettled.\u201d\tSeeing\tthe annoyance\tin\tthe\tprincess\u2019s\teyes,\tCelaena\tfelt\ta\tshred\tof\tpity\tfor\twhatever\tman her\tfather\tchose. A\t thought\t struck\t her,\t and\t Celaena\t tilted\t her\t head\t to\t the\t side.\t \u201cWhom\t would you\t marry?\t Prince\t Dorian?\u201d\t It\t was\t prying,\t and\t a\t bit\t impertinent\u2014and\t she regretted\tthe\tquestion\tthe\tsecond\tit\tcame\tout. But\tNehemia\tjust\tclicked\ther\ttongue.\t\u201cThat\tpretty\tboy?\tHe\tgrinned\tat\tme\tfar too\t much\u2014and\t you\t should\t only\t see\t how\t he\t winked\t at\t the\t other\t women\t in\t the court.\t I\t want\t a\t husband\t to\t warm\t my\t bed,\t and\t my\t bed\t alone.\u201d\t She\t glanced sidelong\t at\t the\t assassin,\t giving\t her\t another\t head-to-toe\t examination.\t Celaena","caught\t the\t princess\u2019s\t eyes\t lingering\t on\t the\t few\t scars\t on\t her\t hands.\t \u201cWhere\t are you\tfrom,\tLillian?\u201d Celaena\tcasually\thid\ther\thands\tin\tthe\tfolds\tof\ther\tgown.\t\u201cBellhaven\u2014a\tcity\tin Fenharrow.\t It\u2019s\t a\t fishing\t port.\t Smells\t terrible.\u201d\t That\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t lie.\t Every\t time she\u2019d\t visited\t Bellhaven\t for\t a\t mission,\t the\t reek\t of\t fish\t made\t her\t gag\t if\t she\t got too\tnear\tthe\tdocks. The\tprincess\tchuckled.\t\u201cRifthold\tsmells\tterrible.\tToo\tmany\tpeople.\tAt\tleast\tin Banjali,\t the\t sun\t burns\t up\t everything.\t And\t my\t father\u2019s\t river\t palace\t smells\t like lotus\tblossoms.\u201d Chaol\tcleared\this\tthroat\tbeside\tthem,\tobviously\ttired\tof\tbeing\texcluded\tfrom the\t conversation,\t and\t Celaena\t grinned\t at\t him.\t \u201cDon\u2019t\t be\t so\t glum,\u201d\t she\t said\t in the\tcommon\ttongue.\t\u201cWe\tmust\tcater\tto\tthe\tprincess.\u201d \u201cStop\tyour\tgloating,\u201d\the\tsaid,\this\tbrows\tlow.\tHe\tput\ta\thand\ton\tthe\thilt\tof\this sword,\t and\t Nehemia\u2019s\t guards\t stepped\t closer\t to\t him.\t Though\t Chaol\t might\t be Captain\tof\tthe\tGuard,\tCelaena\tdidn\u2019t\tdoubt\tfor\ta\tmoment\tthat\tNehemia\u2019s\tguards would\tput\thim\tdown\tif\the\tbecame\ta\tthreat.\t\u201cWe\u2019re\tonly\tbringing\ther\tback\tto\tthe king\u2019s\t council.\t I\u2019m\t going\t to\t have\t a\t word\t with\t them\t about\t allowing\t Kaltain\t to show\ther\taround.\u201d \u201cDo\tyou\thunt?\u201d\tNehemia\tinterrupted\tin\tEyllwe. \u201cMe?\u201d\tThe\tprincess\tnodded.\t\u201cOh\u2014er,\tno,\u201d\tCelaena\tsaid,\tthen\tswitched\tback to\tEyllwe.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tmore\tof\ta\treader.\u201d Nehemia\t looked\t toward\t a\t rain-splattered\t window.\t \u201cMost\t of\t our\t books\t were burned\t five\t years\t ago,\t when\t Adarlan\t marched\t in.\t It\t didn\u2019t\t make\t a\t difference\t if the\tbooks\twere\tabout\tmagic\u201d\u2014her\tvoice\tquieted\tat\tthe\tword,\teven\tthough\tChaol and\tthe\tcouncilman\tcouldn\u2019t\tunderstand\tthem\u2014\u201cor\thistory.\tThey\tjust\tburned\tthe libraries\twhole,\talong\twith\tthe\tmuseums\tand\tuniversities\t.\t.\t.\u201d A\t familiar\t ache\t filled\t her\t chest.\t Celaena\t nodded.\t \u201cEyllwe\t wasn\u2019t\t the\t only country\twhere\tthat\thappened.\u201d Something\t cold\t and\t bitter\t glittered\t in\t Nehemia\u2019s\t eyes.\t \u201cNow,\t most\t of\t the books\t we\t receive\t are\t from\t Adarlan\u2014books\t in\t a\t language\t I\t can\t barely understand.\t That\u2019s\t also\t what\t I\t must\t learn\t while\t I\u2019m\t here.\t There\t are\t so\t many things!\u201d\t She\t stomped\t her\t foot,\t her\t jewelry\t clinking.\t \u201cAnd\t I\t hate\t these\t shoes! And\tthis\tmiserable\tdress!\tI\tdon\u2019t\tcare\tif\tit\u2019s\tEyllwe\tsilk\tand\tI\u2019m\tsupposed\tto\tbe representing\t my\t kingdom\u2014the\t material\u2019s\t been\t itching\t me\t ever\t since\t I\t put\t it on!\u201d\t She\t stared\t at\t Celaena\u2019s\t elaborate\t gown.\t \u201cHow\t can\t you\t stand\t wearing\t that enormous\tthing?\u201d Celaena\tpicked\tat\tthe\tskirts\tof\ther\tdress.\t\u201cIt\tbreaks\tmy\tribs,\tto\tbe\thonest.\u201d \u201cWell,\tat\tleast\tI\u2019m\tnot\tthe\tonly\tone\tsuffering,\u201d\tNehemia\tsaid.\tChaol\tstopped before\t a\t door\t and\t informed\t the\t six\t sentries\t posted\t outside\t to\t watch\t the\t women","and\tthe\tprincess\u2019s\tguards.\t\u201cWhat\u2019s\the\tdoing?\u201d \u201cReturning\t you\t to\t the\t council\t and\t ensuring\t that\t Kaltain\t doesn\u2019t\t lead\t you around\tagain.\u201d Nehemia\u2019s\t shoulders\t slumped\t slightly.\t \u201cI\u2019ve\t only\t been\t here\t for\t a\t day,\t and\t I wish\tto\tleave.\u201d\tShe\tlet\tout\ta\tlong\tsigh\tthrough\ther\tnose,\tand\tagain\tturned\tto\tthe window,\t as\t if\t she\t could\t see\t all\t the\t way\t back\t to\t Eyllwe.\t Suddenly,\t she\t grabbed Celaena\u2019s\thand\tand\tsqueezed\tit.\tHer\tfingers\twere\tsurprisingly\tcalloused\u2014in\tall the\tspots\twhere\tthe\thilt\tof\ta\tsword\tor\tdagger\tmight\trest.\tCelaena\u2019s\teyes\tmet\twith those\tof\tthe\tprincess\tand\tshe\tdropped\ther\thand. Perhaps\t the\t rumors\t were\t correct\t about\t her\t association\t with\t the\t rebels\t in Eyllwe\t.\t.\t. \u201cWill\tyou\tkeep\tme\tcompany\twhile\tI\u2019m\there,\tLady\tLillian?\u201d Celaena\tblinked\tat\tthe\trequest\u2014feeling,\tdespite\therself,\thonored.\t\u201cOf\tcourse. When\tI\u2019m\tavailable,\tI\u2019ll\tgladly\tattend\tyou.\u201d \u201cI\thave\tattendants.\tI\twish\tfor\tsomeone\tto\ttalk\tto.\u201d Celaena\t couldn\u2019t\t help\t it\u2014she\t beamed.\t Chaol\t entered\t into\t the\t hallway\t once more,\t and\t bowed\t to\t the\t princess.\t \u201cThe\t council\t would\t like\t to\t see\t you.\u201d\t Celaena translated. Nehemia\t let\t out\t a\t low\t groan,\t but\t thanked\t Chaol\t before\t turning\t to\t Celaena. \u201cI\u2019m\tglad\twe\tmet,\tLady\tLillian,\u201d\tNehemia\tsaid,\ther\teyes\tbright.\t\u201cPeace\tbe\twith you.\u201d \u201cAnd\twith\tyou,\u201d\tthe\tassassin\tmurmured,\twatching\ther\tleave. She\t never\t had\t many\t friends,\t and\t the\t ones\t she\t had\t often\t disappointed\t her. Sometimes\t with\t devastating\t consequences,\t as\t she\u2019d\t learned\t that\t summer\t with the\tSilent\tAssassins\tof\tthe\tRed\tDesert.\tAfter\tthat,\tshe\u2019d\tsworn\tnever\tto\ttrust\tgirls again,\tespecially\tgirls\twith\tagendas\tand\tpower\tof\ttheir\town.\tGirls\twho\twould\tdo anything\tto\tget\twhat\tthey\twanted. But\tas\tthe\tdoor\tclosed\tbehind\tthe\tivory\ttrain\tof\tthe\tEyllwe\tprincess,\tCelaena wondered\tif\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\twrong. \u2022 Chaol\tWestfall\twatched\tthe\tassassin\teat\tlunch,\ther\teyes\tdarting\tfrom\tone\tplate\tto the\tnext.\tShe\thad\timmediately\tstripped\tfrom\ther\tgown\tupon\tentering\ther\trooms, and\tnow\tsat\tin\ta\trose-and-jade\tdressing\trobe\tthat\tsuited\ther\twell. \u201cYou\u2019re\t awfully\t quiet\t today,\u201d\t she\t said,\t her\t mouth\t full\t of\t food.\t Would\t she never\t stop\t eating?\t She\t ate\t more\t than\t anyone\t he\t knew\u2014including\t his\t guards. She\t had\t multiple\t helpings\t of\t every\t course\t at\t each\t meal.\t \u201cEnthralled\t by\t the Princess\tNehemia?\u201d\tThe\twords\twere\tbarely\tdistinguishable\tfrom\ther\tchewing.","\u201cThat\t headstrong\t girl?\u201d\t He\t immediately\t regretted\t the\t remark\t as\t her\t eyes narrowed.\tA\tlecture\twas\tcoming\ton,\tand\the\twas\tin\tno\tmood\tto\tbe\tpatronized.\tHe had\tmore\timportant\tthings\ton\this\tmind.\tBefore\tdeparting\tthis\tmorning,\tthe\tking hadn\u2019t\t taken\t any\t of\t the\t guards\t he\u2019d\t suggested\t he\t bring\t on\t his\t journey,\t and refused\tto\tsay\twhere\the\twas\tgoing,\tor\tto\taccept\this\toffer\tof\taccompaniment. Not\tto\tmention\tthe\tfact\tthat\ta\tfew\tof\tthe\troyal\thounds\thad\tgone\tmissing,\tonly to\t have\t their\t half-eaten\t remains\t found\t in\t the\t northern\t wing\t of\t the\t palace.\t That was\tworrisome;\twho\twould\tdo\tsuch\ta\tgruesome\tthing? \u201cAnd\twhat\u2019s\twrong\twith\theadstrong\tgirls?\u201d\tshe\tpressed.\t\u201cOther\tthan\tthe\tfact that\tthey\u2019re\tnot\twooden-headed\tninnies\twho\tcan\tonly\topen\ttheir\tmouths\tto\tgive orders\tand\tgossip?\u201d \u201cI\tjust\tprefer\ta\tcertain\ttype\tof\twoman.\u201d Thankfully,\t it\t was\t the\t right\t thing\t to\t say,\t because\t she\t batted\t her\t eyelashes. \u201cAnd\twhat\ttype\tof\twoman\tis\tthat?\u201d \u201cNot\tan\tarrogant\tassassin.\u201d She\tpouted.\t\u201cSuppose\tI\twasn\u2019t\tan\tassassin.\tWould\tyou\tfancy\tme\tthen?\u201d \u201cNo.\u201d \u201cWould\tyou\tprefer\tLady\tKaltain?\u201d \u201cDon\u2019t\tbe\ta\tfool.\u201d\tIt\twas\teasy\tto\tbe\tmean,\tbut\tit\twas\talso\tgetting\tfar\ttoo\teasy to\t be\t nice.\t He\t took\t a\t bite\t of\t bread.\t She\t watched\t him,\t her\t head\t angled.\t He sometimes\t felt\t that\t she\t looked\t at\t him\t the\t way\t a\t cat\t regards\t a\t mouse.\t He\t just wondered\thow\tlong\tit\twould\ttake\tfor\ther\tto\tpounce. She\t shrugged,\t and\t took\t a\t bite\t from\t an\t apple.\t There\t was\t something\t girlish about\ther,\ttoo.\tOh,\the\tcouldn\u2019t\tstand\ther\tcontradictions! \u201cYou\u2019re\tstaring,\tCaptain.\u201d He\t almost\t apologized,\t but\t stopped.\t She\t was\t a\t haughty,\t vulgar,\t utterly impertinent\tassassin.\tHe\twished\tfor\tthe\tmonths\tto\tfly\tby,\tfor\ther\tto\tbe\tappointed Champion,\t and\t then,\t once\t her\t years\t of\t servitude\t were\t over,\t to\t be\t gone.\t He hadn\u2019t\tslept\twell\tsince\tthey\u2019d\ttaken\ther\tout\tof\tEndovier. \u201cYou\thave\tfood\tin\tyour\tteeth,\u201d\the\tsaid.\tShe\tpicked\tit\tout\twith\ta\tsharp\tnail\tand turned\ther\thead\tto\tthe\twindow.\tThe\train\tslid\tdown\tthe\tglass.\tWas\tshe\tlooking\tat the\train,\tor\tsomething\tbeyond? He\t sipped\t from\t his\t goblet.\t Despite\t her\t arrogance,\t she\t was\t clever,\t and relatively\tkind,\tand\tsomewhat\tcharming.\tBut\twhere\twas\tthat\twrithing\tdarkness? Why\tdidn\u2019t\tit\tshow\titself\tso\the\tcould\tjust\tthrow\ther\tinto\tthe\tdungeon\tand\tcall\toff this\t ridiculous\t competition?\t There\t was\t something\t great\t and\t deadly\t concealed within\ther,\tand\the\tdidn\u2019t\tlike\tit. He\u2019d\t be\t ready\u2014when\t the\t time\t came,\t he\u2019d\t be\t waiting.\t He\t just\t wondered which\tone\tof\tthem\twould\tsurvive.","Chapter\t14 For\t the\t next\t four\t days,\t Celaena\t awoke\t before\t dawn\t to\t train\t in\t her\t room,\t using whatever\tshe\tcould\tto\texercise\u2014chairs,\tthe\tdoorway,\teven\ther\tbilliards\ttable\tand cue\t sticks.\t The\t balls\t made\t for\t remarkable\t balance\t tools.\t Around\t dawn,\t Chaol usually\t showed\t up\t for\t breakfast.\t Afterward,\t they\t ran\t through\t the\t game\t park, where\the\tkept\tpace\tat\ther\tside.\tAutumn\thad\tfully\tcome,\tand\tthe\twind\tsmelled\tof crisp\tleaves\tand\tsnow.\tChaol\tnever\tsaid\tanything\twhen\tshe\tdoubled\tover,\thands on\ther\tknees,\tand\tvomited\tup\ther\tbreakfast,\tnor\tdid\the\tcomment\ton\tthe\tfact\tthat she\tcould\tgo\tfarther\tand\tfarther\teach\tday\twithout\tstopping\tfor\tbreath. Once\t they\u2019d\t finished\t their\t run,\t they\t trained\t in\t a\t private\t room\t far\t from\t her competitors\u2019\t eyes.\t Until,\t that\t is,\t she\t collapsed\t to\t the\t ground\t and\t cried\t that\t she was\t about\t to\t die\t of\t hunger\t and\t fatigue.\t At\t lessons,\t the\t knives\t remained Celaena\u2019s\tfavorite,\tbut\tthe\twooden\tstaff\tbecame\tdear;\tnaturally,\tit\thad\tto\tdo\twith the\t fact\t that\t she\t could\t freely\t whack\t him\t and\t not\t chop\t off\t an\t arm.\t Since\t her initial\t meeting\t with\t Princess\t Nehemia,\t she\t hadn\u2019t\t seen\t or\t heard\t from\t the princess\u2014not\teven\tchatter\tfrom\tthe\tservants. Chaol\talways\tcame\tfor\tlunch,\tand\tafterward,\tshe\tjoined\tthe\tother\tChampions for\t a\t few\t more\t hours\t of\t training\t under\t Brullo\u2019s\t watchful\t eye.\t Most\t of\t their training\twas\tjust\tto\tmake\tsure\tthey\tcould\tactually\tuse\tweapons.\tAnd,\tof\tcourse, she\t kept\t her\t head\t down\t throughout\t it\t all,\t doing\t enough\t to\t keep\t Brullo\t from critiquing\ther,\tbut\tnot\tenough\tto\tmake\thim\tpraise\ther\tthe\tway\the\tdid\tCain. Cain.\t How\t she\t loathed\t him!\t Brullo\t practically\t worshipped\t the\t man\u2014and even\t the\t other\t Champions\t nodded\t their\t respect\t when\t he\t passed\t by.\t No\t one bothered\t to\t comment\t on\t how\t perfect\t her\t form\t was.\t Was\t this\t how\t the\t other assassins\t at\t the\t Assassins\u2019\t Keep\t had\t felt\t all\t those\t years\t she\t had\t spent\t hogging Arobynn\t Hamel\u2019s\t attention?\t But\t here,\t it\t was\t hard\t to\t focus\t when\t Cain\t was nearby,\t taunting\t and\t sneering,\t waiting\t for\t her\t to\t make\t one\t mistake.\t Hopefully he\t wouldn\u2019t\t distract\t her\t at\t the\t first\t elimination\t test.\t Brullo\t hadn\u2019t\t given\t them any\tindication\twhat\tthey\tmight\tbe\ttested\tfor,\tand\tChaol\twas\tjust\tas\tclueless. The\tday\tbefore\tthe\tfirst\tTest,\tshe\tknew\tsomething\twas\twrong\tlong\tbefore\tshe got\tto\tthe\ttraining\thall.\tChaol\thadn\u2019t\tshown\tup\tfor\tbreakfast,\tbut\trather\tsent\ther guards\tto\tbring\ther\tto\tthe\ttraining\thall\tto\tpractice\ton\ther\town.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tshow\tup for\tlunch,\teither,\tand\tby\tthe\ttime\tshe\twas\tescorted\tto\tthe\thall,\tshe\twas\tbrimming with\tquestions. Without\t Chaol\t to\t stand\t near,\t she\t lingered\t beside\t a\t pillar,\t watching\t the competitors\tfile\tin,\tflanked\tby\tguards\tand\ttheir\ttrainers.\tBrullo\twasn\u2019t\tthere\tyet \u2014another\toddity.\tAnd\tthere\twere\tfar\ttoo\tmany\tguards\tin\tthe\ttraining\thall\ttoday.","\u201cWhat\t do\t you\t suppose\t this\t is\t about?\u201d\t Nox\t Owen,\t the\t young\t thief\t from Perranth,\tasked\tfrom\tbeside\ther.\tAfter\tproving\thimself\tsomewhat\tskilled\tduring practice,\tmany\tof\tthe\tother\tcompetitors\thad\tsought\thim\tout,\tbut\the\tstill\topted\tto keep\tto\thimself. \u201cCaptain\t Westfall\t didn\u2019t\t train\t me\t this\t morning,\u201d\t she\t offered.\t What\t was\t the harm\tin\tadmitting\tthat? Nox\theld\tout\this\thand.\t\u201cNox\tOwen.\u201d \u201cI\t know\t who\t you\t are,\u201d\t she\t said,\t but\t shook\t his\t hand\t anyway.\t His\t grip\t was solid,\this\thand\tcalloused\tand\tscarred.\tHe\u2019d\tseen\this\tfair\tshare\tof\taction. \u201cGood.\t I\u2019ve\tfelt\ta\t bit\tinvisible\twith\tthat\thulking\tlout\tshowing\t off\tthese\t past few\tdays.\u201d\tHe\tjerked\this\tchin\ttoward\tCain,\twho\twas\tin\tthe\tmiddle\tof\texamining his\t bulging\t biceps.\t A\t large\t ring\t of\t black,\t iridescent\t stone\t glimmered\t on\t Cain\u2019s finger\u2014strange\tthat\the\u2019d\twear\tit\tto\tpractice.\tNox\twent\ton.\t\u201cDid\tyou\tsee\tVerin? He\t looks\t like\t he\u2019s\t going\t to\t be\t sick.\u201d\t He\t pointed\t to\t the\t loudmouthed\t thief\t that Celaena\t wanted\t to\t knock\t out\t cold.\t Normally,\t Verin\t could\t be\t found\t near\t Cain, taunting\t the\t other\t Champions.\t But\t today\t he\t stood\t alone\t by\t the\t window,\t face pale\tand\teyes\twide. \u201cI\theard\thim\ttalking\tto\tCain,\u201d\tsaid\ta\ttimid\tvoice\tbehind\tthem,\tand\tthey\tfound Pelor,\t the\t youngest\t assassin,\t standing\t nearby.\t She\u2019d\t spent\t half\t a\t day\t watching Pelor\u2014and\t while\t she\t only\t pretended\t to\t be\t mediocre,\t he\t truly\t could\t use\t the training. Assassin\t indeed.\t His\t voice\t hasn\u2019t\t even\t deepened\t yet.\t How\t did\t he\t wind\t up here? \u201cWhat\u2019d\t he\t say?\u201d\t Nox\t put\t his\t hands\t in\t his\t pockets.\t His\t clothes\t weren\u2019t\t as ratty\tas\tthe\tother\tcompetitors\u2019;\tthe\tmere\tfact\tthat\tshe\u2019d\tactually\theard\this\tname implied\the\tmust\thave\tbeen\ta\tgood\tthief\tin\tPerranth. Pelor\u2019s\t freckled\t face\t paled\t a\t bit.\t \u201cBill\t Chastain\u2014the\t Eye\t Eater\u2014was\t found stone\tcold\tdead\tthis\tmorning.\u201d A\tChampion\twas\tdead?\tAnd\ta\tnotorious\tkiller\tat\tthat.\t\u201cHow?\u201d\tshe\tdemanded. Pelor\tswallowed\thard.\t\u201cVerin\tsaid\tit\twasn\u2019t\tpretty.\tLike\tsomeone\tripped\thim wide\t open.\t He\t passed\t the\t body\t on\t his\t way\t here.\u201d\t Nox\t cursed\t under\t his\t breath, and\t Celaena\t studied\t the\t other\t Champions.\t A\t hush\t had\t fallen\t on\t the\t group,\t and clusters\t of\t them\t stood\t together,\t whispering.\t Verin\u2019s\t story\t was\t spreading\t fast. Pelor\twent\ton.\t\u201cHe\tsaid\tChastain\u2019s\tbody\twas\tin\tribbons.\u201d A\tchill\tsnaked\tdown\ther\tspine,\tbut\tshe\tshook\ther\thead,\tjust\tas\ta\tguard\tentered and\ttold\tthem\tthat\tBrullo\thad\tordered\tthem\tto\thave\tfree\trein\tof\tthe\ttraining\thall today\t and\t to\t practice\t what\t they\t wanted.\t Needing\t to\t distract\t herself\t from\t the image\tforming\tin\ther\tmind,\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tbother\tto\tsay\tgood-bye\tto\tNox\tand\tPelor as\t she\t strode\t to\t the\t weapons\t rack\t and\t gathered\t a\t belt\t strapped\t with\t throwing","knives. She\t took\t up\t a\t place\t near\t the\t archery\t targets;\t Nox\t joined\t her\t a\t moment\t later, and\t started\t firing\t his\t knives\t at\t the\t target.\t He\t hit\t the\t second\t ring,\t but\t never\t got any\t closer\t to\t the\t center.\t His\t skill\t with\t knives\t wasn\u2019t\t nearly\t as\t good\t as\t his archery. She\t drew\t a\t dagger\t from\t the\t belt.\t Who\t would\t have\t killed\t one\t of\t the Champions\tso\tbrutally?\tAnd\thow\thad\tthey\tgotten\taway\twith\tit,\tif\tthe\tbody\twas in\t the\t hall?\t This\t castle\t was\t swarming\t with\t guards.\t A\t Champion\t was\t dead,\t and just\ta\tday\tbefore\ttheir\tfirst\tTest;\twould\tthis\tstart\ta\tpattern? Her\t focus\t narrowed\t to\t the\t small,\t black\t dot\t in\t the\t center\t of\t the\t target.\t She steadied\t her\t breathing\t as\t she\t cocked\t her\t arm,\t letting\t her\t wrist\t go\t loose.\t The sounds\tof\tthe\tother\tChampions\tfaded.\tThe\tblackness\tof\tthe\tbull\u2019s-eye\tbeckoned, and\tas\tshe\texhaled,\tshe\tsent\tthe\tdagger\tflying. It\tsparkled,\ta\tshooting\tstar\tof\tsteel.\tShe\tsmiled\tgrimly\tas\tit\tstruck\thome. Beside\t her,\t Nox\t swore\t colorfully\t when\t his\t dagger\t hit\t the\t third\t ring\t on\t his target,\tand\ther\tsmile\tbroadened,\tdespite\tthe\tshredded\tcorpse\tthat\tlay\tsomewhere in\tthe\tcastle. Celaena\tdrew\tanother\tdagger,\tbut\tpaused\tas\tVerin\tcalled\tto\ther\tfrom\tthe\tring where\t he\t sparred\t with\t Cain.\t \u201cCircus\t tricks\t ain\u2019t\t much\t use\t when\t you\u2019re\t the King\u2019s\t Champion.\u201d\t She\t shifted\t her\t gaze\t to\t him,\t but\t kept\t positioned\t toward\t the target.\t\u201cYou\u2019d\tbe\tbetter\toff\ton\tyour\tback,\tlearning\ttricks\tuseful\tto\ta\twoman.\tIn fact,\t I\t can\t teach\t you\t some\t tonight,\t if\t you\u2019d\t like.\u201d\t He\t laughed,\t and\t Cain\t joined with\thim.\tCelaena\tgripped\tthe\thilt\tof\ta\tdagger\tso\thard\tthat\tit\thurt. \u201cDon\u2019t\tlisten\tto\tthem,\u201d\tNox\tmurmured.\tHe\ttossed\tanother\tdagger,\tmissing\tthe bull\u2019s-eye\tagain.\t\u201cThey\twouldn\u2019t\tknow\tthe\tfirst\tthing\tto\tdo\twith\ta\twoman,\teven if\tone\twalked\tstark\tnaked\tinto\ttheir\tbedroom.\u201d Celaena\tthrew\ther\tdagger,\tand\tthe\tblade\tclanged\tas\tit\tlanded\ta\thair\u2019s\tbreadth from\tthe\tone\tshe\u2019d\talready\tembedded\tin\tthe\tbull\u2019s-eye. Nox\u2019s\t dark\t brows\t rose,\t accentuating\t his\t gray\t eyes.\t He\t couldn\u2019t\t have\t been older\tthan\ttwenty-five.\t\u201cYou\u2019ve\tgot\timpressive\taim.\u201d \u201cFor\ta\tgirl?\u201d\tshe\tchallenged. \u201cNo,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tand\tthrew\tanother\tdagger.\t\u201cFor\tanyone.\u201d\tThe\tdagger\tyet\tagain missed\t the\t mark.\t He\t stalked\t to\t the\t target,\t yanking\t out\t all\t six\t daggers\t and shoving\t them\t in\t their\t sheaths\t before\t returning\t to\t the\t throwing\t line.\t Celaena cleared\ther\tthroat. \u201cYou\u2019re\t standing\t wrong,\u201d\t she\t said,\t quietly\t enough\t so\t the\t other\t Champions couldn\u2019t\thear.\t\u201cAnd\tyou\u2019re\tholding\tyour\twrist\tincorrectly.\u201d Nox\t lowered\t his\t arm.\t She\t took\t up\t her\t stance.\t \u201cLegs\t like\t this,\u201d\t she\t said.\t He studied\t her\t for\t a\t moment,\t then\t positioned\t his\t legs\t similarly.\t \u201cBend\t slightly\t at","the\t knees.\t Shoulders\t back;\t loosen\t your\t wrist.\t Throw\t when\t you\t exhale.\u201d\t She demonstrated\tfor\thim,\tand\ther\tdagger\tfound\tits\tmark. \u201cShow\tme\tagain,\u201d\tNox\tsaid\tappreciatively. She\t did\t so,\t and\t struck\t the\t target.\t Then\t she\t threw\t with\t her\t left\t hand,\t and fought\ther\twhoop\tof\ttriumph\tas\tthe\tblade\tsank\tinto\tthe\thandle\tof\tanother\tdagger. Nox\tfocused\ton\tthe\ttarget\tas\the\tbrought\tup\this\tarm.\t\u201cWell,\tyou\u2019ve\tjust\tput\tme to\tshame,\u201d\the\tsaid,\tlaughing\tunder\this\tbreath\tas\the\tlifted\this\tdagger\thigher. \u201cKeep\tyour\twrist\teven\tlooser,\u201d\twas\ther\treply.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\tall\tabout\thow\tyou\tsnap\tit.\u201d Nox\tobeyed,\tand\tas\the\texhaled\ta\tlong\tbreath,\this\tdagger\tflew.\tIt\tdidn\u2019t\thit\tthe bull\u2019s-eye,\tbut\tit\tcame\twithin\tthe\tinner\tcircle.\tHis\tbrows\trose.\t\u201cThat\u2019s\ta\tbit\tof\tan improvement.\u201d \u201cJust\ta\tbit,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tand\theld\ther\tground\tas\the\tgathered\ttheir\tknives\tfrom\tthe two\t targets\t and\t handed\t hers\t back.\t She\t sheathed\t them\t in\t her\t belt.\t \u201cYou\u2019re\t from Perranth,\t right?\u201d\t she\t asked.\t Though\t she\u2019d\t never\t been\t to\t Perranth,\t Terrasen\u2019s second\t largest\t city,\t the\t mention\t of\t her\t homeland\t still\t spiked\t a\t bolt\t of\t fear\t and guilt.\tIt\thad\tbeen\tten\tyears\tsince\tthe\troyal\tfamily\thad\tbeen\tbutchered,\tten\tyears since\tthe\tKing\tof\tAdarlan\thad\tmarched\this\tarmy\tin,\tten\tyears\tsince\tTerrasen\tmet its\t doom\t with\t bowed\t heads\t and\t silence.\t She\t shouldn\u2019t\t have\t mentioned\t it\u2014she didn\u2019t\tknow\twhy\tshe\tmentioned\tit,\tactually. She\tschooled\ther\tfeatures\tinto\tpolite\tinterest\tas\tNox\tnodded.\t\u201cThis\tis\tmy\tfirst time\tout\tof\tPerranth,\tactually.\tYou\tsaid\tyou\twere\tfrom\tBellhaven,\tdidn\u2019t\tyou?\u201d \u201cMy\tfather\tis\ta\tmerchant,\u201d\tshe\tlied. \u201cAnd\twhat\tdoes\the\tthink\tabout\ta\tdaughter\twho\tsteals\tjewels\tfor\ta\tliving?\u201d She\tconceded\ta\tsmile\tand\thurled\ta\tknife\tinto\tthe\ttarget.\t\u201cHe\twon\u2019t\tbe\tinviting me\thome\tfor\ta\twhile,\tthat\u2019s\tfor\tcertain.\u201d \u201cAh,\tyou\u2019re\tin\tgood\thands,\tthough.\tYou\u2019ve\tgot\tthe\tbest\ttrainer\tout\tof\tanyone. I\u2019ve\t seen\t you\t two\t running\t at\t dawn.\t I\t have\t to\t beg\t mine\t to\t put\t down\t the\t bottle and\tlet\tme\ttrain\toutside\tof\tlessons.\u201d\tHe\tinclined\this\thead\ttoward\this\ttrainer,\twho sat\tagainst\tthe\twall,\tthe\thood\tof\this\tcape\tover\this\teyes.\t\u201cSleeping,\tyet\tagain.\u201d \u201cThe\tCaptain\tof\tthe\tGuard\tis\t a\tpain\tin\tmy\tass\tat\ttimes,\u201d\tshe\tsaid,\tchucking another\tknife,\t\u201cbut\tyou\u2019re\tright\u2014he\u2019s\tthe\tbest.\u201d Nox\t was\t quiet\t for\t a\t moment\t before\t he\t said:\t \u201cThe\t next\t time\t we\t pair\t off\t for lessons,\tfind\tme,\twill\tyou?\u201d \u201cWhy?\u201d\t She\t reached\t for\t another\t dagger,\t but\t found\t she\u2019d\t depleted\t her\t stock again. Nox\t threw\t another\t dagger,\t and\t it\t hit\t the\t bull\u2019s-eye\t this\t time.\t \u201cBecause\t my gold\u2019s\ton\tyou\twinning\tthis\twhole\tdamn\tthing.\u201d She\t smiled\t a\t little.\t \u201cLet\u2019s\t hope\t you\t won\u2019t\t be\t eliminated\t at\t the\t Test tomorrow.\u201d\t She\t scanned\t the\t training\t hall\t for\t any\t sign\t of\t the\t challenge\t to\t come","the\t following\t morning,\t but\t found\t nothing\t out\t of\t the\t ordinary.\t The\t other competitors\t remained\t mostly\t quiet\u2014save\t for\t Cain\t and\t Verin\u2014and\t many\t of them\t were\t pale\t as\t snow.\t \u201cAnd\t let\u2019s\t hope\t neither\t of\t us\t winds\t up\t like\t the\t Eye Eater,\u201d\tshe\tadded,\tand\tmeant\tit. \u2022 \u201cDon\u2019t\tyou\tever\tdo\tanything\tother\tthan\tread?\u201d\tsaid\tChaol.\tShe\tstarted\tfrom\ther chair\t on\t the\t balcony\t as\t he\t took\t a\t seat\t beside\t her.\t The\t late-afternoon\t sunlight warmed\t her\t face,\t and\t the\t last\t balmy\t breeze\t of\t autumn\t rushed\t through\t her unbound\thair. She\t stuck\t out\t her\t tongue.\t \u201cShouldn\u2019t\t you\t be\t looking\t into\t the\t Eye\t Eater\u2019s murder?\u201d\tHe\tnever\tcame\tto\ther\trooms\tafter\tlunch. Something\t dark\t flitted\t across\t his\t eyes.\t \u201cThat\u2019s\t none\t of\t your\t business.\t And don\u2019t\ttry\tto\tpry\tdetails\tfrom\tme\tabout\tit,\u201d\the\tadded\tas\tshe\topened\ther\tmouth.\tHe pointed\tto\tthe\tbook\tin\ther\tlap.\t\u201cI\tsaw\tat\tlunch\tthat\tyou\u2019re\treading\tThe\tWind\tand the\tRain,\tand\tI\tforgot\tto\task\twhat\tyou\tthought.\u201d He\u2019d\t really\t come\t to\t talk\t about\t a\t book\t when\t a\t Champion\u2019s\t corpse\t had\t been found\t that\t morning?\t \u201cIt\u2019s\t a\t bit\t dense,\u201d\t she\t admitted,\t holding\t up\t the\t brown volume\tin\ther\tlap.\tWhen\the\tdidn\u2019t\treply,\tshe\tasked,\t\u201cWhy\tare\tyou\treally\there?\u201d \u201cI\thad\ta\tlong\tday.\u201d She\tmassaged\tan\tache\tin\ther\tknee.\t\u201cBecause\tof\tBill\u2019s\tmurder?\u201d \u201cBecause\t the\t prince\t dragged\t me\t into\t a\t council\t meeting\t that\t lasted\t for\t three hours,\u201d\the\tsaid,\ta\tmuscle\tin\this\tjaw\tfeathering. \u201cI\tthought\tHis\tRoyal\tHighness\twas\tyour\tfriend.\u201d \u201cHe\tis.\u201d \u201cHow\tlong\thave\tyou\tbeen\tfriends?\u201d He\t paused,\t and\t she\t knew\t he\t was\t contemplating\t how\t she\t might\t use\t the information\tagainst\thim,\tweighing\tthe\trisk\tof\ttelling\ther\tthe\ttruth.\tShe\twas\tabout to\tsnap\tat\thim\twhen\the\tsaid:\t\u201cSince\twe\twere\tyoung.\tWe\twere\tthe\tonly\tboys\tof our\t age\t in\t the\t castle\u2014at\t least\t of\t high\t rank.\t We\t had\t lessons\t together,\t played together,\ttrained\ttogether.\tBut\twhen\tI\twas\tthirteen,\tmy\tfather\tmoved\tmy\tfamily back\tto\tour\thome\tin\tAnielle.\u201d \u201cThe\t city\t on\t the\t Silver\t Lake?\u201d\t It\t somehow\t made\t sense\t that\t Chaol\u2019s\t family ruled\t Anielle.\t The\t citizens\t of\t Anielle\t were\t warriors\t from\t birth,\t and\t had\t been guardians\tagainst\tthe\thordes\tof\tthe\twild\tmen\tfrom\tthe\tWhite\tFang\tMountains\tfor generations.\t Thankfully,\t things\t had\t gotten\t a\t little\t easier\t for\t the\t warriors\t of Anielle\tin\tthe\tpast\tten\tyears;\tthe\tWhite\tFang\tmountain\tmen\thad\tbeen\tone\tof\tthe first\tpeoples\tto\tbe\tput\tdown\tby\tAdarlan\u2019s\tconquering\tarmies,\tand\tvery\trarely\tdid","their\t rebels\t make\t it\t to\t slavery.\t She\u2019d\t heard\t tales\t of\t mountain\t men\t killing\t their wives\t and\t children,\t then\t themselves,\t rather\t than\t be\t taken\t by\t Adarlan.\t The thought\t of\t Chaol\t going\t up\t against\t hundreds\t of\t them\u2014against\t men\t built\t like Cain\u2014made\ther\ta\tlittle\tsick. \u201cYes,\u201d\t Chaol\t said,\t fiddling\t with\t the\t long\t hunting\t knife\t at\t his\t side.\t \u201cI\t was slotted\t to\t join\t the\t Royal\t Council,\t like\t my\t father;\t he\t wanted\t me\t to\t spend\t some time\t among\t my\t own\t people,\t and\t learn\t .\t .\t .\t whatever\t it\t is\t councilmen\t learn.\t He said\t that\t with\t the\t King\u2019s\t army\t now\t in\t the\t mountains,\t we\t could\t move\t our interests\t from\t fighting\t the\t mountain\t folk\t to\t politics.\u201d\t His\t golden\t eyes\t were distant.\t\u201cBut\tI\tmissed\tRifthold.\u201d \u201cSo\t you\t ran\t away?\u201d\t She\t marveled\t that\t he\t was\t volunteering\t this\t much\u2014 hadn\u2019t\the\trefused\tto\ttell\ther\talmost\tanything\tabout\thimself\twhile\ttraveling\tfrom Endovier? \u201cRan\t away?\u201d\t Chaol\t chuckled.\t \u201cNo.\t Dorian\t convinced\t the\t Captain\t of\t the Guard\t to\t take\t me\t as\t his\t apprentice,\t with\t the\t help\t of\t Brullo.\t My\t father\t refused. So\tI\tabdicated\tmy\ttitle\tas\tLord\tof\tAnielle\tto\tmy\tbrother\tand\tleft\tthe\tnext\tday.\u201d The\tcaptain\u2019s\tsilence\tsuggested\twhat\the\tcould\tnot\tsay.\tThat\this\tfather\thadn\u2019t objected.\tWhat\tof\this\tmother?\tHe\tloosed\ta\tlong\tbreath.\t\u201cWhat\tabout\tyou,\tthen?\u201d She\t crossed\t her\t arms.\t \u201cI\t thought\t you\t didn\u2019t\t want\t to\t know\t anything\t about me.\u201d There\t was\t a\t ghost\t of\t a\t smile\t on\t his\t face\t as\t he\t watched\t the\t sky\t melt\t into\t a smear\t of\t tangerine.\t \u201cWhat\t do\t your\t parents\t make\t of\t their\t daughter\t being Adarlan\u2019s\tAssassin?\u201d \u201cMy\tparents\tare\tdead,\u201d\tshe\tsaid.\t\u201cThey\tdied\twhen\tI\twas\teight.\u201d \u201cSo\tyou\u2014\u201d Her\t heart\t thundered\t in\t her\t chest.\t \u201cI\t was\t born\t in\t Terrasen,\t then\t I\t became\t an assassin,\tthen\tI\twent\tto\tEndovier,\tand\tnow\tI\u2019m\there.\tAnd\tthat\u2019s\tit.\u201d Silence\t fell;\t then\t he\t asked,\t \u201cWhere\u2019d\t you\t get\t that\t scar\t on\t your\t right\t hand?\u201d She\t didn\u2019t\t need\t to\t glance\t at\t the\t jagged\t line\t that\t ran\t along\t the\t top\t of\t her\t hand, just\tabove\ther\twrist.\tShe\tflexed\ther\tfingers. \u201cWhen\t I\t was\t twelve,\t Arobynn\t Hamel\t decided\t I\t wasn\u2019t\t nearly\t as\t skilled\t at swordplay\twith\tmy\tleft\thand.\tSo\the\tgave\tme\ta\tchoice:\teither\the\tcould\tbreak\tmy right\t hand,\t or\t I\t could\t do\t it\t myself.\u201d\t The\t phantom\t memory\t of\t the\t blinding\t pain lanced\t through\t her\t hand.\t \u201cThat\t night,\t I\t put\t my\t hand\t against\t a\t doorframe,\t and slammed\tthe\tdoor\tshut\ton\tit.\tI\tsplit\tmy\thand\twide\topen\tand\tbroke\ttwo\tbones.\tIt took\tmonths\tto\theal\u2014months\tduring\twhich\tI\tcould\tonly\tuse\tmy\tleft\thand.\u201d\tShe gave\thim\ta\tvicious\tsmile.\t\u201cI\tbet\tBrullo\tnever\tdid\tthat\tto\tyou.\u201d \u201cNo,\u201d\t he\t said\t quietly.\t \u201cNo,\t he\t didn\u2019t.\u201d\t He\t cleared\t his\t throat\t and\t stood.\t \u201cThe first\tTest\tis\ttomorrow.\tAre\tyou\tready?\u201d","\u201cOf\tcourse,\u201d\tshe\tlied. He\t remained\t standing\t there\t for\t a\t moment\t longer,\t studying\t her.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t see\t you tomorrow\t morning,\u201d\t he\t said,\t and\t left.\t In\t the\t silence\t that\t followed\t in\t his\t wake, she\t contemplated\t his\t story,\t the\t paths\t that\t had\t made\t them\t so\t different,\t but\t so similar.\tShe\twrapped\ther\tarms\taround\therself,\ta\tcold\twind\tpicking\tup\tthe\tskirts of\ther\tdress\tand\tblowing\tthem\tbehind\ther.","Chapter\t15 Though\tshe\u2019d\tnever\tadmit\tit,\tCelaena\tdidn\u2019t\treally\tknow\twhat\tto\texpect\tat\ttheir first\tTest.\tWith\tall\tthe\ttraining\tover\tthe\tpast\tfive\tdays\tand\tfiddling\twith\tvarious weapons\t and\t techniques,\t her\t body\t ached.\t Which\t was\t another\t thing\t she\u2019d\t never admit,\teven\tthough\thiding\tthe\tthrobbing\tpain\tin\ther\tlimbs\twas\tnearly\timpossible. As\t Celaena\t and\t Chaol\t entered\t the\t giant\t sparring\t room\t in\t the\t morning,\t she glanced\tat\ther\tcompetitors\tand\tremembered\tshe\twasn\u2019t\tthe\tonly\tone\twho\thadn\u2019t a\tclue\twhat\tto\texpect.\tA\ttowering\tblack\tcurtain\thad\tbeen\tswept\tacross\thalf\tof\tthe room,\tblocking\tthe\tother\thalf\tfrom\tsight.\tWhatever\tlay\tbeyond\tthat\tcurtain,\tshe realized,\twas\tto\tdecide\tthe\tfate\tof\tone\tof\tthem. The\tnormal\truckus\thad\tbeen\treplaced\tby\ta\trustling\tquiet\u2014and\trather\tthan\tmill about,\tthe\tcompetitors\tlingered\tby\ttheir\ttrainers\u2019\tsides.\tShe\tkept\tclose\tto\tChaol, which\t wasn\u2019t\t a\t change\t from\t the\t ordinary.\t But\t the\t sponsors\t atop\t the\t mezzanine looking\t over\t the\t black-and-white\t checkered\t floor\t were.\t Her\t throat\t tightened\t as her\t gaze\t met\t with\t that\t of\t the\t Crown\t Prince.\t Aside\t from\t sending\t her\t his\t books, she\t hadn\u2019t\t seen\t or\t heard\t from\t him\t since\t the\t meeting\t with\t the\t king.\t He\t flashed her\ta\tgrin,\tthose\tsapphire\teyes\tgleaming\tin\tthe\tmorning\tlight.\tShe\toffered\thim\ta tight\tsmile\tin\treturn\tand\tquickly\tlooked\taway. Brullo\t stood\t by\t the\t curtain,\t a\t scarred\t hand\t upon\t his\t sword,\t and\t Celaena studied\tthe\tscene.\tSomeone\tstepped\tto\ther\tside.\tShe\tknew\twho\tit\twas\tbefore\the spoke.\t\u201cIt\u2019s\ta\tbit\tdramatic,\tdon\u2019t\tyou\tthink?\u201d She\tglanced\tsidelong\tat\tNox.\tChaol\ttensed\tnext\tto\ther,\tand\tshe\tcould\tfeel\thim watching\tthe\tthief\tclosely,\tno\tdoubt\twondering\tif\tshe\tand\tNox\twere\tformulating some\t escape\t plan\t that\t would\t include\t the\t deaths\t of\t every\t member\t of\t the\t royal family. \u201cAfter\t five\t days\t of\t mindless\t training,\u201d\t she\t replied\t quietly,\t all\t too\t aware\t that very\tfew\tpeople\twere\tspeaking\tin\tthe\thall,\t\u201cI\u2019m\tglad\tfor\ta\tbit\tof\texcitement.\u201d Nox\tlaughed\tunder\this\tbreath.\t\u201cWhat\tdo\tyou\tthink\tit\tis?\u201d She\t shrugged,\t keeping\t her\t attention\t on\t the\t curtain.\t More\t and\t more competitors\twere\tarriving,\tand\tsoon\tthe\tclock\twould\tstrike\tnine\u2014the\ttime\twhen the\t Test\t would\t begin.\t Even\t if\t she\t knew\t what\t was\t behind\t the\t curtain,\t she certainly\t wouldn\u2019t\t help\t him.\t \u201cHopefully\t it\u2019s\t a\t pack\t of\t man-eating\t wolves\t that we\t have\t to\t take\t on\t with\t our\t bare\t hands.\u201d\t She\t looked\t at\t him\t fully\t now,\t a\t half smile\ton\ther\tlips.\t\u201cWouldn\u2019t\tthat\tbe\tfun?\u201d Chaol\tsubtly\tcleared\this\tthroat.\tNow\twas\tnot\tthe\ttime\tfor\ttalking.\tShe\tstuffed her\t hands\t into\t the\t pockets\t of\t her\t black\t pants.\t \u201cBest\t of\t luck,\u201d\t she\t said\t to\t Nox before\t she\t strode\t toward\t the\t curtain,\t Chaol\t following\t her.\t When\t they\t were\t far","enough\taway,\tshe\tasked\tunder\ther\tbreath,\t\u201cNo\tidea\twhat\u2019s\tbehind\tthat\tcurtain?\u201d Chaol\tshook\this\thead. She\tadjusted\tthe\tthick\tleather\tbelt\tslung\tlow\tacross\ther\thips.\tIt\twas\tthe\tkind\tof belt\t intended\t to\t bear\t the\t weight\t of\t multiple\t weapons.\t Its\t lightness\t now\t only reminded\ther\tof\twhat\tshe\u2019d\tlost\u2014and\twhat\tshe\thad\tto\tgain.\tThe\tdeath\tof\tthe\tEye Eater\tyesterday\thad\tbeen\tfortunate\tin\tone\taspect:\tone\tless\tman\tto\tcompete\twith. She\tglanced\tup\tat\tDorian.\tHe\tcould\tprobably\tsee\twhat\twas\tbehind\tthe\tcurtain from\this\tplace\ton\tthe\tmezzanine.\tWhy\tnot\thelp\ther\tcheat\ta\tlittle?\tShe\tflicked\ther attention\t to\t the\t other\t sponsors\u2014noblemen\t in\t fine\t clothing\u2014and\t ground\t her teeth\t at\t the\t sight\t of\t Perrington.\t He\t smirked\t as\t he\t watched\t Cain,\t who\t was stretching\tout\this\tmuscular\tarms.\tHad\the\talready\ttold\tCain\twhat\twas\tbeyond\tthe curtain? Brullo\t cleared\t his\t throat.\t \u201cAttention\t now!\u201d\t he\t called\t to\t them.\t All\t of\t the competitors\t tried\t to\t look\t calm\t as\t he\t strode\t to\t the\t center\t of\t the\t curtain.\t \u201cYour first\tTest\thas\tarrived.\u201d\tHe\tgrinned\tbroadly,\tas\tif\twhatever\tthe\tcurtain\tconcealed was\tgoing\tto\ttorment\tthe\thell\tout\tof\tthem.\t\u201cAs\tHis\tMajesty\thas\tordered,\tone\tof you\twill\tbe\teliminated\ttoday\u2014one\tof\tyou\twill\tbe\tdeemed\tunworthy.\u201d Just\tget\ton\twith\tit!\tshe\tthought,\ther\tjaw\tclenched\ttight. As\tif\the\u2019d\tread\ther\tthoughts,\tBrullo\tsnapped\this\tfingers,\tand\ta\tguard\tstanding by\tthe\twall\tpulled\tthe\tcurtain\tback.\tInch\tby\tinch,\tit\tswayed\taway,\tuntil\u2014 Celaena\tbit\tdown\ther\tlaugh.\tArchery?\tIt\twas\tan\tarchery\tcontest? \u201cRules\t are\t simple,\u201d\t Brullo\t said.\t Behind\t him,\t five\t targets\t were\t staggered\t at various\tdistances\tthrough\tthe\thall.\t\u201cYou\tget\tfive\tshots\u2014one\tper\ttarget.\tThe\tone with\tthe\tworst\taim\tgoes\thome.\u201d Some\tcompetitors\tbegan\tmurmuring,\tbut\tit\twas\tall\tshe\tcould\tdo\tto\tkeep\tfrom beaming.\t Unfortunately,\t Cain\t didn\u2019t\t bother\t to\t hide\t his\t triumphant\t grin.\t Why couldn\u2019t\the\thave\tbeen\tthe\tChampion\twho\twas\tfound\tdead? \u201cYou\u2019ll\t go\t one\t at\t a\t time,\u201d\t Brullo\t said,\t and\t behind\t them\t a\t pair\t of\t soldiers rolled\t out\t a\t cart\t of\t bows\t and\t quivers\t loaded\t with\t arrows.\t \u201cForm\t a\t line\t at\t the table\tto\tdetermine\tyour\torder.\tThe\tTest\tbegins\tnow.\u201d She\t expected\t them\t to\t rush\t to\t the\t long\t table\t stacked\t with\t identical\t bows\t and arrows,\t but\t apparently\t none\t of\t the\t twenty-one\t other\t competitors\t were\t in\t much of\ta\thurry\tto\tgo\thome.\tCelaena\tmade\tto\tjoin\tthe\tforming\tline,\tbut\tChaol\tgrasped her\tshoulder.\t\u201cDon\u2019t\tshow\toff,\u201d\the\twarned. She\tsmiled\tsweetly\tand\tpried\this\tfingers\toff\ther.\t\u201cI\u2019ll\ttry\tnot\tto,\u201d\tshe\tpurred, and\tjoined\tthe\tline. \u2022","It\t was\t an\t enormous\t leap\t of\t faith\t to\t give\t them\t arrows,\t even\t if\t the\t tips\t were blunted.\tA\tdull\thead\twouldn\u2019t\tstop\tit\tfrom\tgoing\tthrough\tPerrington\u2019s\tthroat\u2014or Dorian\u2019s,\tif\tshe\twanted. Though\t the\t thought\t was\t entertaining,\t she\t kept\t her\t attention\t on\t the competitors.\t With\t twenty-two\t Champions\t and\t five\t shots\t each,\t the\t Test\t took\t a dreadfully\tlong\ttime.\tThanks\tto\tChaol\tpulling\ther\taside,\tshe\u2019d\tbeen\tin\tthe\tback of\tthe\tline\u2014not\tdead\tlast,\tbut\tthree\tfrom\tthe\tend.\tFar\tenough\tback\tthat\tshe\thad to\twatch\teveryone\telse\tgo\tbefore\ther,\tincluding\tCain. The\t other\t competitors\t did\t well\t enough.\t The\t giant\t circular\t targets\t were composed\t of\t five\t colored\t rings\u2014yellow\t marking\t the\t center,\t with\t only\t a\t tiny black\tdot\tto\tmark\tthe\tbull\u2019s-eye.\tEach\ttarget\tgot\tsmaller\tthe\tfarther\tback\tit\twas placed,\t and\t because\t the\t room\t was\t so\t long,\t the\t final\t target\t was\t nearly\t seventy yards\taway. Celaena\tran\ther\tfingers\talong\tthe\tsmooth\tcurve\tof\ther\tyew\tbow.\tArchery\twas one\t of\t the\t first\t skills\t Arobynn\t had\t taught\t her\u2014a\t staple\t of\t any\t assassin\u2019s training.\tTwo\tof\tthe\tassassins\tfurther\tproved\tit\twith\teasy,\tskilled\tshots.\tThough they\tdidn\u2019t\thit\tthe\tbull\u2019s-eyes,\tand\ttheir\tshots\tgot\tsloppier\tthe\tfarther\tthe\ttarget, whoever\ttheir\tmasters\thad\tbeen,\tthey\u2019d\tknown\twhat\tthey\twere\tteaching. Pelor,\t the\t gangly\t assassin,\t wasn\u2019t\t yet\t strong\t enough\t to\t manage\t a\t longbow, and\t barely\t made\t any\t shots.\t When\t he\t finished,\t his\t eyes\t gleaming\t with resentment,\tthe\tChampions\tsniggered,\tand\tCain\tlaughed\tthe\tloudest. Brullo\u2019s\t face\t was\t grim.\t \u201cDidn\u2019t\t anyone\t ever\t teach\t you\t how\t to\t use\t a\t bow, boy?\u201d Pelor\t lifted\t his\t head,\t glaring\t at\t the\t Weapons\t Master\t with\t surprising brazenness.\t\u201cI\u2019m\tmore\tskilled\tin\tpoisons.\u201d \u201cPoisons!\u201d\tBrullo\tthrew\this\thands\tup.\t\u201cThe\tking\twants\ta\tChampion\u2014and\tyou couldn\u2019t\t shoot\t a\t cow\t in\t a\t pasture!\u201d\t The\t Weapons\t Master\t waved\t Pelor\t off.\t The other\tChampions\tlaughed\tagain,\tand\tCelaena\twanted\tnothing\tmore\tthan\tto\tsmile with\tthem.\tBut\tPelor\ttook\ta\tshuddering\tbreath,\this\tshoulders\trelaxing,\tand\tjoined the\t other\t finished\t competitors.\t If\t he\t wound\t up\t being\t eliminated,\t where\t would they\tbring\thim?\tTo\tprison\u2014or\tsome\tother\thellhole?\tDespite\therself,\tCelaena\tfelt badly\tfor\tthe\tboy.\tHis\tshots\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tthat\tbad. It\t was\t Nox,\t actually,\t who\t surprised\t her\t most,\t with\t three\t bull\u2019s-eyes\t into\t the nearer\ttargets\tand\tthe\ttwo\tfinal\tshots\talong\tthe\tborder\tof\tthe\tinner\tring.\tPerhaps she\tshould\tconsider\thim\tfor\tan\tally.\tFrom\tthe\tway\tthe\tother\tcompetitors\twatched him\tas\the\tstrode\tto\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\troom,\tshe\tknew\tthey\twere\tthinking\tthe\tsame thing. Grave,\tthe\trepulsive\tassassin,\tdid\tfine,\tshe\tsupposed.\tFour\tbull\u2019s-eyes,\tand\tthe final\tshot\tright\ton\tthe\tborder\tof\tthe\tinnermost\tring.\tBut\tthen\tCain\tstepped\tup\tto","the\twhite\tline\tpainted\tat\tthe\tback\tof\tthe\troom,\tdrew\tback\this\tyew\tbow,\this\tblack ring\tglinting,\tand\tfired. Again,\tand\tagain,\tand\tagain,\twithin\tthe\tspan\tof\ta\tfew\tseconds. And\t when\t the\t sound\t of\t his\t final\t shot\t stopped\t echoing\t in\t the\t suddenly\t silent chamber,\tCelaena\u2019s\tstomach\tturned\tover.\tFive\tbull\u2019s-eyes. Her\t one\t consolation\t was\t that\t none\t of\t them\t had\t been\t on\t that\t black\t dot\u2014the absolute\tcenter.\tOne\thad\tcome\tclose,\tthough. For\t some\t reason,\t the\t line\t started\t moving\t quickly.\t All\t she\t could\t think\t about was\t Cain\u2014Cain\t getting\t applauded\t by\t Perrington,\t Cain\t getting\t clapped\t on\t the back\tby\tBrullo,\tCain\tgetting\tall\tof\tthat\tpraise\tand\tattention,\tnot\tbecause\the\twas\ta mountain\tof\tmuscle,\tbut\tbecause\the\tactually\tdeserved\tit. Suddenly,\tCelaena\tfound\therself\tstanding\tat\tthe\twhite\tline,\tlooking\tat\tthe\tvast length\t of\t the\t room\t before\t her.\t Some\t of\t the\t men\t chuckled\u2014albeit\t quietly\u2014and she\t kept\t her\t head\t held\t high\t as\t she\t reached\t over\t her\t shoulder\t for\t an\t arrow\t and nocked\tit\tinto\ther\tbow. They\u2019d\t done\t some\t archery\t practice\t a\t few\t days\t earlier,\t and\t she\u2019d\t been excellent.\tOr,\tas\texcellent\tas\tshe\tcould\tbe\twithout\tattracting\tattention.\tAnd\tshe\u2019d killed\t men\t from\t longer\t shots\t than\t the\t farthest\t target.\t Clean\t shots,\t too.\t Right through\tthe\tthroat. She\ttried\tto\tswallow,\tbut\ther\tmouth\twas\tdry. I\t am\t Celaena\t Sardothien,\t Adarlan\u2019s\t Assassin.\t If\t these\t men\t knew\t who\t I\t was, they\u2019d\tstop\tlaughing.\tI\tam\tCelaena\tSardothien.\tI\tam\tgoing\tto\twin.\tI\twill\tnot\tbe afraid. She\tpulled\tback\ther\tbow,\tthe\tsore\tmuscles\tin\ther\tarm\taching\twith\tthe\teffort. She\tshut\tout\tnoise,\tshut\tout\tmovement,\tshut\tout\tanything\tother\tthan\tthe\tsound\tof her\tbreathing\tas\ther\tfocus\tnarrowed\ton\tthe\tfirst\ttarget.\tShe\ttook\ta\tsteady\tbreath. As\tshe\texhaled,\tshe\tlet\tthe\tarrow\tfly. Bull\u2019s-eye. The\t tightness\t in\t her\t stomach\t abated,\t and\t she\t sighed\t through\t her\t nose.\t It wasn\u2019t\tan\tabsolute\tbull\u2019s-eye,\tbut\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\taiming\tfor\tit,\tanyway. Some\tmen\tstopped\tlaughing,\tbut\tshe\tpaid\tthem\tno\theed\tas\tshe\tnocked\tanother arrow\t and\t fired\t at\t the\t second\t target.\t She\t aimed\t for\t the\t edge\t of\t the\t innermost ring,\t which\t she\t hit\t with\t deadly\t precision.\t She\t could\t have\t made\t an\t entire\t circle of\tarrows,\tif\tshe\u2019d\twanted.\tAnd\tif\tshe\u2019d\thad\tenough\tammunition. She\t got\t another\t bull\u2019s-eye\t on\t the\t third\t target\u2014aiming\t for\t the\t edge,\t but landing\t within\t the\t border.\t She\t did\t the\t same\t for\t the\t fourth\t target,\t but\t aimed\t for the\topposite\tside\tof\tthe\tbull\u2019s-eye.\tWhere\tshe\taimed,\tthe\tarrow\tmet\tits\tmark. As\t she\t reached\t for\t her\t last\t arrow,\t she\t heard\t one\t of\t the\t competitors,\t a\t red- haired\tmercenary\tnamed\tRenault,\tsnigger.\tShe\tclenched\ther\tbow\ttightly\tenough","for\tthe\twood\tto\tgroan,\tand\tpulled\tback\ther\tfinal\tshot. The\t target\t was\t little\t more\t than\t a\t blur\t of\t color,\t so\t far\t back\t that\t its\t bull\u2019s-eye was\ta\tgrain\tof\tsand\tin\tthe\tvastness\tof\tthe\troom.\tShe\tcouldn\u2019t\tsee\tthe\tlittle\tdot\tin its\t center\u2014the\t dot\t that\t no\t one\t had\t yet\t to\t touch,\t even\t Cain.\t Celaena\u2019s\t arm trembled\twith\teffort\tas\tshe\tpulled\tthe\tstring\tback\ta\tbit\tfarther\tand\tfired. The\t arrow\t hit\t the\t absolute\t center,\t obliterating\t the\t black\t dot.\t They\t stopped laughing. No\t one\t said\t anything\t to\t her\t when\t she\t stalked\t away\t from\t the\t line\t and\t tossed her\t bow\t back\t onto\t the\t cart.\t Chaol\t only\t scowled\t at\t her\u2014obviously,\t she\t hadn\u2019t been\t that\t inconspicuous\u2014but\t Dorian\t smiled.\t She\t sighed\t and\t joined\t the competitors\twaiting\tfor\tthe\tcompetition\tto\tfinish,\tkeeping\twell\taway\tfrom\tall\tof them. When\ttheir\tmarks\twere\tcompared\tby\tBrullo\thimself,\tone\tof\tthe\tarmy\tsoldiers, not\tyoung\tPelor,\twound\tup\tbeing\teliminated.\tBut\tthough\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tlost\tby\tany means,\tCelaena\tcouldn\u2019t\tstand\u2014absolutely\tcould\tnot\tstand\u2014the\tfeeling\tthat\tshe hadn\u2019t\treally\twon\tanything\tat\tall.","Chapter\t16 Despite\t her\t attempt\t to\t keep\t her\t breathing\t steady,\t Celaena\t gasped\t for\t air\t as\t she ran\t beside\t Chaol\t in\t the\t game\t park.\t If\t he\t was\t winded,\t he\t didn\u2019t\t show\t it,\t other than\tthe\tgleam\tof\tsweat\ton\this\tface\tand\tthe\tdampness\tof\this\twhite\tshirt. They\tran\ttoward\ta\thill,\tits\ttop\tstill\tshrouded\tin\tmorning\tmist.\tHer\tlegs\tbuckled at\t the\t sight\t of\t the\t incline,\t and\t her\t stomach\t rose\t in\t her\t throat.\t Celaena\t let\t out\t a loud\t gasp\t to\t get\t Chaol\u2019s\t attention\t before\t she\t slowed\t to\t a\t stop,\t and\t braced\t her hands\tagainst\ta\ttree\ttrunk. She\t took\t a\t shuddering\t breath,\t holding\t on\t tightly\t to\t the\t tree\t as\t she\t vomited. She\t hated\t the\t warmth\t of\t the\t tears\t that\t leaked\t from\t her\t eyes,\t but\t couldn\u2019t\t wipe them\taway\tas\tshe\theaved\tagain,\tgagging.\tChaol\tstood\tnearby,\tjust\twatching.\tShe leaned\t her\t brow\t into\t her\t upper\t arm,\t calming\t her\t breathing,\t willing\t her\t body\t to ease.\tIt\thad\tbeen\tthree\tdays\tsince\tthe\tfirst\tTest,\tten\tsince\ther\tarrival\tin\tRifthold, and\tshe\t was\t still\t horribly\tout\t of\t shape.\tThe\t next\telimination\t was\tin\t four\t days, and\t though\t training\t had\t resumed\t as\t usual,\t she\t had\t started\t waking\t up\t a\t little earlier\tthan\tnormal.\tShe\twould\tnot\tlose\tto\tCain,\tor\tRenault,\tor\tany\tof\tthem. \u201cDone?\u201d\t Chaol\t asked.\t She\t lifted\t her\t head\t to\t give\t him\t a\t withering\t glare,\t but everything\t spun,\t dragging\t her\t down\t with\t it,\t and\t she\t retched\t again.\t \u201cI\t told\t you not\tto\teat\tbefore\twe\tleft.\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\tdone\tbeing\tsmug?\u201d \u201cAre\tyou\tdone\tvomiting\tyour\tguts\tup?\u201d \u201cFor\t the\t time\t being,\u201d\t she\t snapped.\t \u201cPerhaps\t I\t won\u2019t\t be\t so\t courteous\t next time,\tand\tI\u2019ll\tjust\tvomit\tall\tover\tyou\tinstead.\u201d \u201cIf\tyou\tcan\tcatch\tme,\u201d\the\tsaid\twith\ta\thalf\tsmile. She\twanted\tto\tpunch\tthe\tsmirk\toff\this\tface,\tbut\tas\tshe\ttook\ta\tstep,\ther\tknees shook,\t and\t she\t put\t her\t hands\t against\t the\t tree\t again,\t waiting\t for\t the\t retching\t to renew.\t Out\t of\t the\t corner\t of\t her\t eye\t she\t saw\t him\t looking\t at\t her\t back,\t most\t of which\twas\texposed\tby\ther\tdamp,\twhite\tundershirt.\tShe\tstood.\t\u201cAre\tyou\tenjoying looking\tat\tmy\tscars?\u201d He\t sucked\t on\t his\t lower\t lip\t for\t a\t moment.\t \u201cWhen\t did\t you\t get\t those?\u201d\t She knew\the\tmeant\tthe\tthree\tenormous\tlines\tthat\tran\tdown\ther\tback. \u201cWhen\t do\t you\t think?\u201d\t she\t said.\t He\t didn\u2019t\t reply,\t and\t she\t looked\t up\t at\t the canopy\t of\t leaves\t above\t them.\t A\t morning\t breeze\t sent\t them\t all\t shuddering, ripping\t a\t few\t from\t where\t they\t clung\t to\t the\t skeletal\t branches.\t \u201cThose\t three,\t I received\tmy\tfirst\tday\tin\tEndovier.\u201d \u201cWhat\tdid\tyou\tdo\tto\tdeserve\tit?\u201d \u201cDeserve\t it?\u201d\t She\t laughed\t sharply.\t \u201cNo\t one\t deserves\t to\t be\t whipped\t like\t an","animal.\u201d\t He\t opened\t his\t mouth,\t but\t she\t cut\t him\t off.\t \u201cI\t arrived\t in\t Endovier,\t and they\tdragged\tme\tinto\tthe\tcenter\tof\tthe\tcamp,\tand\ttied\tme\tbetween\tthe\twhipping posts.\tTwenty-one\tlashes.\u201d\tShe\tstared\tat\thim\twithout\tentirely\tseeing\thim\tas\tthe ash-gray\t sky\t turned\t into\t the\t bleakness\t of\t Endovier,\t and\t the\t hiss\t of\t the\t wind became\tthe\tsighing\tof\tslaves.\t\u201cThat\twas\tbefore\tI\thad\tbefriended\tany\tof\tthe\tother slaves\u2014and\tI\tspent\tthat\tfirst\tnight\twondering\tif\tI\twould\tmake\tit\tuntil\tmorning, if\tmy\tback\twould\tbecome\tinfected,\tor\tif\tI\twould\tbleed\tout\tand\tdie\tbefore\tI\tknew what\twas\thappening.\u201d \u201cNo\tone\thelped\tyou?\u201d \u201cOnly\t in\t the\t morning.\t A\t young\t woman\t slipped\t me\t a\t tin\t of\t salve\t while\t we were\t waiting\t in\t line\t for\t breakfast.\t I\t never\t got\t to\t thank\t her.\t Later\t that\t day,\t four overseers\t raped\t and\t killed\t her.\u201d\t She\t clenched\t her\t hands\t into\t fists\t as\t her\t eyes stung.\t\u201cThe\tday\tI\tsnapped,\tI\tstopped\tby\ttheir\tsection\tof\tthe\tmines\tto\trepay\tthem for\t what\t they\t did\t to\t her.\u201d\t Something\t frozen\t rushed\t through\t her\t veins.\t \u201cThey died\ttoo\tquickly.\u201d \u201cBut\tyou\twere\ta\twoman\tin\tEndovier,\u201d\tChaol\tsaid,\this\tvoice\trough\tand\tquiet. \u201cNo\tone\tever\t.\t.\t.\u201d\tHe\ttrailed\toff,\tunable\tto\tform\tthe\tword. She\tgave\thim\ta\tslow,\tbitter\tsmile.\t\u201cThey\twere\tafraid\tof\tme\tto\tbegin\twith.\tAnd after\tthe\tday\tI\talmost\ttouched\tthe\twall,\tnone\tof\tthem\tdared\tto\tcome\ttoo\tclose\tto me.\tBut\tif\tone\tguard\ttried\tto\tget\ttoo\tfriendly\t.\t.\t.\tWell,\the\u2019d\tbecome\tthe\texample that\t reminded\t the\t others\t I\t could\t easily\t snap\t again,\t if\t I\t felt\t like\t it.\u201d\t The\t wind stirred\t around\t them,\t ripping\t strands\t of\t hair\t from\t her\t braid.\t She\t didn\u2019t\t need\t to voice\t her\t other\t suspicion\u2014that\t perhaps\t somehow\t Arobynn\t had\t bribed\t the guards\tin\tEndovier\tfor\ther\tsafety.\t\u201cWe\teach\tsurvive\tin\tour\town\tway.\u201d Celaena\t didn\u2019t\t quite\t understand\t the\t softness\t in\t the\t look\t he\t gave\t her\t as\t he nodded.\tShe\tonly\tstared\tat\thim\tfor\ta\tmoment\tlonger\tbefore\tshe\tburst\tinto\ta\trun, up\ttoward\tthe\thill\u2014where\tthe\tfirst\trays\tof\tsunshine\tbegan\tto\tpeek\tthrough. \u2022 The\t following\t afternoon,\t the\t Champions\t stood\t gathered\t around\t Brullo,\t who lectured\t them\t on\t different\t weapons\t and\t other\t nonsense\t she\u2019d\t learned\t years\t ago and\t didn\u2019t\t need\t to\t hear\t again.\t She\t was\t just\t contemplating\t whether\t she\t could sleep\t while\t standing\t up\t when,\t from\t the\t corner\t of\t her\t eye,\t a\t sudden\t movement by\tthe\tbalcony\tdoors\tcaught\ther\tattention.\tCelaena\tturned\tjust\tin\ttime\tto\tsee\tone of\tthe\tlarger\tChampions\u2014one\tof\tthe\tdischarged\tsoldiers\u2014shove\ta\tnearby\tguard, knocking\t him\t to\t the\t ground.\t The\t guard\u2019s\t head\t hit\t the\t marble\t with\t a\t crack,\t and he\twas\tinstantly\tunconscious.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tdare\tto\tmove\u2014none\tof\tthe\tChampions did\u2014as\tthe\tman\thurtled\ttoward\tthe\tdoor,\ttoward\tthe\tgardens\tand\tescape.","But\t Chaol\t and\t his\t men\t moved\t so\t fast\t that\t the\t fleeing\t Champion\t didn\u2019t\t have time\tto\ttouch\tthe\tglass\tdoor\tbefore\tan\tarrow\twent\tclean\tthrough\this\tthroat. Silence\t fell,\t and\t half\t of\t the\t guards\t encircled\t the\t Champions,\t hands\t on\t their swords,\t while\t the\t others,\t Chaol\t included,\t rushed\t to\t the\t dead\t Champion\t and fallen\tguard.\tBows\tgroaned\tas\tthe\tarchers\ton\tthe\tmezzanine\tpulled\ttheir\tstrings taut.\t Celaena\t kept\t still,\t as\t did\t Nox,\t who\t was\t standing\t close\t beside\t her.\t One wrong\t movement\t and\t a\t spooked\t guard\t could\t kill\t her.\t Even\t Cain\t didn\u2019t\t breathe too\tdeeply. Through\t the\t wall\t of\t Champions,\t guards,\t and\t their\t weapons,\t Celaena\t beheld Chaol\tkneeling\tby\tthe\tunconscious\tguard.\tNo\tone\ttouched\tthe\tfallen\tChampion, who\t lay\t facedown,\t his\t hand\t still\t outstretched\t toward\t the\t glass\t door.\t Sven\t had been\this\tname\u2014though\tshe\tdidn\u2019t\tknow\twhy\the\u2019d\tbeen\texpelled\tfrom\tthe\tarmy. \u201cGods\tabove,\u201d\tNox\tbreathed,\tso\tsoftly\tthat\this\tlips\tbarely\tmoved.\t\u201cThey\tjust\t. .\t .\t killed\t him.\u201d\t She\t thought\t about\t telling\t him\t to\t shut\t up,\t but\t even\t snapping\t at him\tseemed\trisky.\tSome\tof\tthe\tother\tChampions\twere\tmurmuring\tto\teach\tother, but\t no\t one\t dared\t to\t take\t a\t step.\t \u201cI\t knew\t they\t were\t serious\t about\t not\t letting\t us leave,\t but\t .\t .\t .\u201d\t Nox\t swore,\t and\t she\t felt\t him\t glance\t sidelong\t at\t her.\t \u201cI\t was granted\timmunity\tby\tmy\tsponsor.\tHe\ttracked\tme\tdown\tand\tsaid\tI\twouldn\u2019t\tgo\tto prison\t if\t I\t lost\t the\t competition.\u201d\t At\t that\t point,\t she\t knew\t he\t was\t speaking\t more to\t himself,\t and\t when\t she\t didn\u2019t\t respond,\t Nox\t stopped\t talking.\t She\t stared\t and stared\tat\tthe\tdead\tChampion. What\thad\tmade\tSven\trisk\tit?\tAnd\twhy\there,\tright\tnow?\tThere\twere\tstill\tthree days\tuntil\ttheir\tsecond\tTest;\twhat\thad\tmade\tthis\tmoment\tso\tspecial?\tThe\tday\tshe snapped\tat\tEndovier,\tshe\thadn\u2019t\tbeen\tthinking\tabout\tfreedom.\tNo,\tshe\u2019d\tpicked the\ttime\tand\tplace,\tand\tstarted\tswinging.\tShe\u2019d\tnever\tmeant\tto\tescape. The\tsunlight\tshone\tthrough\tthe\tdoors,\tilluminating\tthe\tChampion\u2019s\tsplattered blood\tlike\tstained\tglass. Maybe\the\u2019d\trealized\the\thad\tno\tchance\tof\twinning,\tand\tthat\tthis\tkind\tof\tdeath was\t far\t better\t than\t returning\t to\t whatever\t place\t he\u2019d\t come\t from.\t If\t he\u2019d\t wanted to\tescape,\the\twould\thave\twaited\tuntil\tdark,\twhen\the\twas\taway\tfrom\teveryone\tat the\t competition.\t Sven\t had\t wanted\t to\t prove\t a\t point,\t she\t understood,\t and understood\tonly\tbecause\tof\tthat\tday\tshe\thad\tcome\twithin\ta\tfingertip\tof\ttouching the\twall\tat\tEndovier. Adarlan\t could\t take\t their\t freedom,\t it\t could\t destroy\t their\t lives\t and\t beat\t and break\t and\t whip\t them,\t it\t could\t force\t them\t into\t ridiculous\t contests,\t but,\t criminal or\tnot,\tthey\twere\tstill\thuman.\tDying\u2014rather\tthan\tplaying\tin\tthe\tking\u2019s\tgame\u2014 was\tthe\tonly\tchoice\tleft\tto\thim. Still\t staring\t at\t his\t outstretched\t hand,\t forever\t pointing\t toward\t an\t unreachable horizon,\t Celaena\t said\t a\t silent\t prayer\t for\t the\t dead\t Champion,\t and\t wished\t him","well.","Chapter\t17 With\t heavy\t eyelids,\t Dorian\t Havilliard\t tried\t not\t to\t slouch\t as\t he\t sat\t upon\t his throne.\tMusic\tand\tchatter\tflitted\tthrough\tthe\tair,\twooing\thim\tto\tsleep.\tWhy\tmust his\tmother\tinsist\ton\this\tattending\tcourt?\tEven\tthe\tweekly\tafternoon\tvisit\twas\ttoo much.\tBut\tit\twas\tbetter\tthan\tstudying\tthe\tcorpse\tof\tthe\tEye\tEater,\twhich\tChaol had\t spent\t the\t past\t few\t days\t investigating.\t He\u2019d\t worry\t about\t that\t later\u2014if\t it became\tan\tissue.\tWhich\tit\twouldn\u2019t,\tif\tChaol\twas\tlooking\tinto\tit.\tIt\thad\tprobably just\tbeen\ta\tdrunken\tbrawl. And\t then\t there\t was\t the\t Champion\t who\u2019d\t tried\t to\t escape\t this\t afternoon. Dorian\t shuddered\t at\t the\t thought\t of\t what\t it\t must\t have\t been\t like\t to\t witness\t it\u2014 and\t at\t the\t mess\t Chaol\t had\t to\t deal\t with,\t from\t the\t injured\t soldier\t to\t the\t sponsor who\u2019d\t lost\t his\t Champion\t to\t the\t dead\t man\t himself.\t What\t had\t his\t father\t been thinking\twhen\the\tdecided\tto\thost\tthis\tcontest? Dorian\tglanced\tat\this\tmother,\tseated\ton\ta\tthrone\tbeside\this\town.\tShe\tcertainly didn\u2019t\t know\t anything\t about\t it,\t and\t probably\t would\t have\t been\t horrified\t if\t she knew\t what\t kind\t of\t criminals\t were\t living\t under\t her\t roof.\t His\t mother\t was\t still beautiful,\tthough\ther\tface\twas\ta\tbit\twrinkled\tand\tcracked\twith\tpowder,\tand\ther auburn\thair\thad\ta\tfew\tsilver\tstreaks.\tToday\tshe\twas\tswathed\tin\tyards\tof\tforest- green\t velvet\t and\t floating\t scarves\t and\t shawls\t of\t gold,\t and\t her\t crown\t upheld\t a sparkling\t veil\t that\t gave\t Dorian\t the\t distinct\t impression\t she\t was\t wearing\t a\t tent upon\ther\thead. Before\t them,\t the\t nobility\t strutted\t across\t the\t floor\t of\t the\t court,\t gossiping, scheming,\t seducing.\t An\t orchestra\t played\t minuets\t in\t a\t corner,\t and\t servants slipped\tthrough\tthe\tgathered\tnobles\tin\ta\tdance\tof\ttheir\town\tas\tthey\trefilled\tand cleared\tplates\tand\tcups\tand\tsilverware. Dorian\t felt\t like\t an\t ornament.\t Of\t course,\t he\t was\t wearing\t an\t outfit\t of\t his mother\u2019s\tchoosing,\tsent\tto\thim\tthis\tmorning:\ta\tvest\tof\tdark\tbluish-green\tvelvet, with\talmost\tridiculously\tbillowy\twhite\tsleeves\tbursting\tfrom\tthe\tblue-and-white- striped\t shoulders.\t The\t pants,\t mercifully,\t were\t light\t gray,\t though\t his\t chestnut suede\tboots\tlooked\ttoo\tnew\tfor\tmasculine\tpride. \u201cDorian,\t my\t dear.\t You\u2019re\t sulking.\u201d\t He\t gave\t Queen\t Georgina\t an\t apologetic grin.\t\u201cI\treceived\ta\tletter\tfrom\tHollin.\tHe\tsends\this\tlove.\u201d \u201cDid\the\tsay\tanything\tof\tinterest?\u201d \u201cOnly\tthat\the\tloathes\tschool\tand\twishes\tto\tcome\thome.\u201d \u201cHe\tsays\tthat\tevery\tletter.\u201d The\tQueen\tof\tAdarlan\tsighed.\t\u201cIf\tyour\tfather\tdidn\u2019t\tprevent\tme,\tI\u2019d\thave\thim home.\u201d","\u201cHe\u2019s\tbetter\toff\tat\tschool.\u201d\tWhen\tit\tcame\tto\tHollin,\tthe\tfarther\taway\the\twas, the\tbetter. Georgina\t surveyed\t her\t son.\t \u201cYou\t were\t better\t behaved.\t You\t never\t disobeyed your\t tutors.\t Oh,\t my\t poor\t Hollin.\t When\t I\t am\t dead,\t you\u2019ll\t care\t for\t him,\t won\u2019t you?\u201d \u201cDead?\tMother,\tyou\u2019re\tonly\u2014\u201d \u201cI\tknow\thow\told\tI\tam.\u201d\tShe\twaved\ta\tring-encrusted\thand.\t\u201cWhich\tis\twhy\tyou must\tmarry.\tAnd\tsoon.\u201d \u201cMarry?\u201d\tDorian\tground\this\tteeth.\t\u201cMarry\twhom?\u201d \u201cDorian,\t you\t are\t the\t Crown\t Prince.\t And\t already\t nineteen,\t at\t that.\t Do\t you wish\tto\tbecome\tking\tand\tdie\twithout\tan\their\tso\tHollin\tcan\ttake\tthe\tthrone?\u201d\tHe didn\u2019t\t answer.\t \u201cI\t thought\t so.\u201d\t After\t a\t moment,\t she\t said,\t \u201cThere\t are\t plenty\t of young\t women\t who\t might\t make\t a\t good\t wife.\t Though\t a\t princess\t would\t be preferred.\u201d \u201cThere\tare\tno\tprincesses\tleft,\u201d\the\tsaid\ta\tbit\tsharply. \u201cExcept\tfor\tthe\tPrincess\tNehemia.\u201d\tShe\tlaughed\tand\tput\ta\thand\ton\this.\t\u201cOh, don\u2019t\tworry.\tI\twouldn\u2019t\tforce\tyou\tto\tmarry\ther.\tI\u2019m\tsurprised\tyour\tfather\tallows for\t her\t to\t still\t bear\t the\t title.\t The\t impetuous,\t haughty\t girl\u2014do\t you\t know\t she refused\tto\twear\tthe\tdress\tI\tsent\ther?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m\t sure\t the\t princess\t has\t her\t reasons,\u201d\t Dorian\t said\t warily,\t disgusted\t by\t his mother\u2019s\tunspoken\tprejudice.\t\u201cI\u2019ve\tonly\tspoken\tto\ther\tonce,\tbut\tshe\tseemed\t.\t.\t. lively.\u201d \u201cThen\t perhaps\t you\t shall\t marry\t her.\u201d\t His\t mother\t laughed\t again\t before\t he could\trespond. Dorian\tsmiled\tweakly.\tHe\tstill\tcouldn\u2019t\tfigure\tout\twhy\this\tfather\thad\tgranted the\tKing\tof\tEyllwe\u2019s\trequest\tthat\this\tdaughter\tvisit\ttheir\tcourt\tto\tbecome\tbetter acquainted\t with\t the\t ways\t of\t Adarlan.\t As\t far\t as\t ambassadors\t went,\t Nehemia wasn\u2019t\texactly\tthe\tbest\tchoice.\tNot\twhen\the\u2019d\theard\trumors\tof\ther\tsupport\tof\tthe Eyllwe\trebels\u2014and\ther\tefforts\tto\tshut\tdown\tthe\tlabor\tcamp\tat\tCalaculla.\tDorian couldn\u2019t\t blame\t her\t for\t that,\t though,\t not\t after\t he\u2019d\t seen\t the\t horror\t that\t was Endovier,\t and\t the\t destruction\t it\t had\t wrought\t upon\t Celaena\t Sardothien\u2019s\t body. But\t his\t father\t never\t did\t anything\t without\t a\t reason\u2014and\t from\t the\t few\t words he\u2019d\t exchanged\t with\t Nehemia,\t he\t couldn\u2019t\t help\t but\t wonder\t if\t she\t had\t her\t own motivations\tin\tcoming\there,\ttoo. \u201cIt\u2019s\t a\t pity\t that\t Lady\t Kaltain\t has\t an\t agreement\t with\t Duke\t Perrington,\u201d\t his mother\t went\t on.\t \u201cShe\u2019s\t such\t a\t beautiful\t girl\u2014and\t so\t polite.\t Perhaps\t she\t has\t a sister.\u201d Dorian\t crossed\t his\t arms,\t swallowing\t his\t repulsion.\t Kaltain\t stood\t at\t the\t far end\tof\tthe\tcourt,\tand\the\twas\tall\ttoo\taware\tof\ther\teyes\tcreeping\tover\tevery\tinch","of\thim.\tHe\tshifted\tin\this\tseat,\this\ttailbone\taching\tfrom\tsitting\tfor\tso\tlong. \u201cWhat\tabout\tElise?\u201d\tthe\tqueen\tsaid,\tindicating\ta\tblond\tyoung\twoman\tclad\tin lavender.\t\u201cShe\u2019s\tvery\tbeautiful.\tAnd\tcan\tbe\tquite\tplayful.\u201d As\tI\u2019ve\talready\tlearned. \u201cElise\tbores\tme,\u201d\the\tsaid. \u201cOh,\tDorian.\u201d\tShe\tput\ta\thand\tover\ther\theart.\t\u201cYou\u2019re\tnot\tabout\tto\tinform\tme that\t you\t wish\t to\t marry\t for\t love,\t are\t you?\t Love\t does\t not\t guarantee\t a\t successful marriage.\u201d He\t was\t bored.\t Bored\t of\t these\t women,\t bored\t of\t these\t cavaliers\t who masqueraded\tas\tcompanions,\tbored\tof\teverything. He\u2019d\thoped\this\tjourney\tto\tEndovier\twould\tquell\tthat\tboredom,\tand\tthat\the\u2019d be\tglad\tto\treturn\thome,\tbut\the\tfound\thome\tto\tbe\tthe\tsame.\tThe\tsame\tladies\tstill looked\tat\thim\twith\tpleading\teyes,\tthe\tsame\tserving\tgirls\tstill\twinked\tat\thim,\tthe same\tcouncilmen\tstill\tslipped\tpieces\tof\tpotential\tlegislation\tunder\this\tdoor\twith hopeful\t notes.\t And\t his\t father\t .\t .\t .\t his\t father\t would\t always\t be\t preoccupied\t with conquest\u2014and\t wouldn\u2019t\t stop\t until\t every\t continent\t bore\t Adarlan\u2019s\t flag.\t Even gambling\t over\t the\t so-called\t Champions\t had\t become\t achingly\t dull.\t It\t was\t clear Cain\tand\tCelaena\twould\tultimately\tface\teach\tother,\tand\tuntil\tthen\t.\t.\t.\twell,\tthe other\tChampions\tweren\u2019t\tworth\this\ttime. \u201cYou\u2019re\t sulking\t again.\t Are\t you\t upset\t over\t something,\t my\t pet?\t Have\t you heard\t from\t Rosamund?\t My\t poor\t child\u2014how\t she\t broke\t your\t heart!\u201d\t The\t queen shook\ther\thead.\t\u201cThough\tit\twas\tover\ta\tyear\tago\t.\t.\t.\u201d\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\treply.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t want\tto\tthink\tabout\tRosamund\u2014or\tabout\tthe\tboorish\thusband\tshe\u2019d\tleft\thim\tfor. Some\t nobles\t started\t dancing,\t weaving\t in\t and\t out\t among\t each\t other.\t Many were\t his\t age,\t but\t he\t somehow\t felt\t as\t if\t there\t existed\t a\t vast\t distance\t between them.\tHe\tdidn\u2019t\tfeel\tolder,\tnor\tdid\the\tfeel\tany\twiser,\tbut\trather\the\tfelt\t.\t.\t.\tHe\tfelt .\t.\t. He\t felt\t as\t if\t there\t were\t something\t inside\t him\t that\t didn\u2019t\t fit\t in\t with\t their merriment,\t with\t their\t willing\t ignorance\t of\t the\t world\t outside\t the\t castle.\t It\t went beyond\t his\t title.\t He\t had\t enjoyed\t their\t company\t early\t in\t his\t adolescence,\t but\t it had\t become\t apparent\t that\t he\u2019d\t always\t be\t a\t step\t away.\t The\t worst\t of\t it\t was\t that they\tdidn\u2019t\tseem\tto\tnotice\the\twas\tdifferent\u2014or\tthat\the\tfelt\tdifferent.\tWere\tit\tnot for\tChaol,\the\twould\thave\tfelt\timmensely\tlonely. \u201cWell,\u201d\t his\t mother\t said,\t snapping\t her\t ivory\t fingers\t at\t one\t of\t her\t ladies-in- waiting,\t \u201cI\u2019m\t sure\t your\t father\t has\t you\t busy,\t but\t when\t you\t find\t a\t moment\t to bother\t thinking\t of\t me,\t and\t the\t fate\t of\t your\t kingdom,\t look\t through\t this.\u201d\t His mother\u2019s\t lady\t curtsied\t as\t she\t extended\t to\t him\t a\t folded\t piece\t of\t paper,\t stamped with\this\tmother\u2019s\tbloodred\tseal.\tDorian\tripped\tit\topen,\tand\this\tstomach\ttwisted at\tthe\tlong\tline\tof\tnames.\tAll\tladies\tof\tnoble\tblood,\tall\tof\tmarriageable\tage.","\u201cWhat\tis\tthis?\u201d\the\tdemanded,\tfighting\tthe\turge\tto\trip\tup\tthe\tpaper. She\t gave\t him\t a\t winning\t smile.\t \u201cA\t list\t of\t potential\t brides.\t Any\t one\t of\t them would\tbe\tsuitable\tto\ttake\tthe\tcrown.\tAnd\tall,\tI\u2019ve\tbeen\ttold,\tare\tquite\tcapable\tof producing\theirs.\u201d Dorian\tstuffed\tthe\tlist\tof\tnames\tinto\t the\tpocket\tof\this\tvest.\t The\t restlessness within\t him\t would\t not\t cease.\t \u201cI\u2019ll\t think\t about\t it,\u201d\t he\t said,\t and\t before\t she\t could reply,\t he\t stepped\t from\t the\t awning-covered\t podium.\t Immediately,\t five\t young women\tflocked\tto\thim\tand\tbegan\tasking\thim\tto\tdance,\thow\the\tfared,\tif\the\twould attend\t the\t Samhuinn\t ball.\t Around\t and\t around\t their\t words\t circled,\t and\t Dorian stared\tat\tthem\tblankly.\tWhat\twere\ttheir\tnames? He\tpeered\tover\ttheir\tjewel-encrusted\theads\tto\tfind\tthe\tpath\tto\tthe\tdoor.\tHe\u2019d suffocate\t if\t he\t remained\t here\t for\t too\t long.\t With\t only\t polite\t good-byes,\t the Crown\tPrince\tstrode\tfrom\tthe\tjangle\tand\tjingle\tof\tthe\tcourt,\tthe\tlist\tof\twould-be brides\tburning\ta\thole\tthrough\this\tclothes\tand\tstraight\tinto\this\tskin. Dorian\tput\this\thands\tin\this\tpockets\tas\the\tstrode\tdown\tthe\thalls\tof\tthe\tcastle. The\tkennels\twere\tempty\u2014the\tdogs\twere\tat\tthe\ttrack.\tHe\u2019d\twished\tto\tinspect\tone of\tthe\tpregnant\thounds,\tthough\the\tknew\tit\twas\timpossible\tto\tpredict\tthe\toutcome of\t the\t litter\t until\t she\t gave\t birth.\t He\t hoped\t the\t pups\t would\t be\t pure,\t but\t their mother\t had\t a\t tendency\t to\t escape\t from\t her\t pen.\t She\t was\t his\t fastest,\t but\t he\u2019d never\tbeen\table\tto\tquell\tthe\twildness\twithin\ther. He\t didn\u2019t\t really\t know\t where\t he\t was\t going\t now;\t he\t just\t needed\t to\t walk\u2014 anywhere. Dorian\tloosened\tthe\ttop\tbutton\ton\this\tvest.\tThe\tclash\tof\tswords\techoed\tfrom an\t open\t doorway,\t and\t he\t paused.\t He\t faced\t the\t Champions\u2019\t training\t room,\t and even\tthough\ttraining\twas\tsupposed\tto\tbe\tover\tby\tnow,\tthere\u2014 There\tshe\twas. Her\t golden\t hair\t shone\t as\t she\t wove\t in\t and\t out\t of\t a\t knot\t of\t three\t guards,\t her sword\tlittle\tmore\tthan\ta\tsteel\textension\tof\ther\thand.\tShe\tdidn\u2019t\tbalk\tat\tthe\tguards as\tshe\tdodged\tand\ttwirled\taround\tthem. Someone\t began\t clapping\t to\t the\t left,\t and\t the\t four\t dueling\t figures\t stopped, panting.\t Dorian\t watched\t a\t grin\t spread\t across\t the\t assassin\u2019s\t face\t as\t she\t beheld the\t source.\t The\t sheen\t of\t sweat\t illuminated\t her\t high\t cheekbones,\t and\t her\t blue eyes\tsparkled.\tYes,\tshe\twas\ttruly\tlovely.\tBut\u2014 Princess\t Nehemia\t approached,\t clapping.\t She\t was\t clad\t not\t in\t her\t usual\t white gown,\tbut\trather\tin\ta\tdark\ttunic\tand\tloose\ttrousers,\tand\tshe\tclutched\tan\tornately carved\twooden\tstaff\tin\tone\thand. The\t princess\t clasped\t the\t assassin\t on\t the\t shoulder,\t and\t said\t something\t to\t the girl\t that\t made\t her\t laugh.\t Dorian\t looked\t around.\t Where\t was\t Chaol\t or\t Brullo? Why\t was\t Adarlan\u2019s\t Assassin\t here\t with\t the\t Princess\t of\t Eyllwe?\t And\t with\t a"]
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