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somehow see through his deception.
From the way the guard studied the document, Rydah suspected he couldn t read.
All the better. He hoped the Damon seal would impress him.  Wait here, the guard
barked and took the document to a scribe waiting inside.
Long lapars passed. Just as he was beginning to panic, the guard returned abruptly,
handed him the document, then waved him through.
Rydah slapped the reins quickly and the carriage leaped forward. He slowed it
immediately, fearful his nervousness might give them away. He headed the carriage
toward the main stables, where he would be expected to drop it off.
After securing a promise from the stableboy to feed and water his horse, Rydah
took one end of Jenya s chain and walked toward the imposing stone palace.
 This had better work, or we ll both end up in prison probably in a cell next to
Symal, Rydah whispered out of the side of his mouth. He held the chain loosely, and
only yanked on it when guards were present.
 I could think of no other way to get us close to the Acolyte, m lord.
 I know. It is a good plan. I m surprised a slave would think of it. Rydah couldn t
help admire his prize. Not only did she promise to be an excellent breeder, she had
intelligence as well!
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J.W. McKenna
He had tried to find flaw in Jenya s plan, but even as he did, he began to come up
with answers to his own arguments. It was Rydah s idea to forge Bandar s handwriting,
but he hadn t stopped there.
As they entered the castle, two more guards stopped them.
 Your business, m lord? The first guard asked. He wore the Warrior cloak, but
with markings that put him at the highest tier of his caste. He was more deferential than
the gate guard, probably because he assumed the Damon already had passed scrutiny.
 We re on our way to see Acolyte Lepdar to deliver my breeder for his seed,
Rydah replied smoothly, handing the man his second forged document one using
Lepdar s name throughout instead of Bandar s.
Rydah had not seen the Acolyte s handwriting, so he simply copied Bandar s again.
He hoped the son would have a similar writing style, including the signature. The
guard studied it, his brow furrowed. Rydah was impressed the guard could read.
 I don t understand, er, Lord Rydah. The Acolyte is, um, indisposed at the moment.
He can t possibly see your breeder this sun.
Rydah put an edge into his voice.  Really? We made these plans a few moons ago.
Has something come up that would prevent him from honoring our signed
agreement?
The guard fidgeted.  Um. I m not able to say, m lord. Perhaps if you could come
again another sun& 
 But I ve already driven many leagues to come here on the Acolyte s request,
Rydah protested.  I should have been contacted.
 Yes, but 
 My breeder is ready for seed this very sun! I insist that I at least be given a short
audience with the Acolyte so that we may clear up this most distressing development.
Rydah pulled himself up to this full height. He was a good two calabons taller than the
guard. He glowered down at the Warrior, daring him to refuse a Damon.
Jenya stared at the ground, her chain rattling softly as she trembled. The guard
glanced over, taking in her beauty. Rydah could see his mind working: What would the
Acolyte say when he found out this guard sent away a breeder he had agreed to mate
with? The guard hesitated.  Wait here, sire. He turned and spoke a few words to a
second guard, then trotted off up the corridor carrying the document with him.
Rydah now could only hope that the Acolyte saw the document, not Bandar or
Kendam, and if Lepdar did see it, he d remember the name of the lord who had spoken
to him at the old farmhouse. If he was too preoccupied to worry about a third-tier
Damon, Rydah and Jenya would be in the dungeon within the next ten lapars, charged
with attempted sedition and forgery.
The wait turned out to be fifteen agonizing lapars. Rydah was really beginning to
lose his nerve again when the first guard returned.
 This way, m lord. He bowed.
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Lord of Avalon
Rydah felt a wave of relief wash through him. He glanced over at Jenya to see her
eyes widen with relief. Rydah felt a new bond form between them. She had risked her
life to stand by her master. His affection for her grew.
He tried to act nonchalant as they followed the Warrior through a series of
corridors. The guard stopped outside a door.  The Acolyte will see you here.
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J.W. McKenna
Chapter Fifteen
Acolyte Lepdar stood by the window, looking out. He turned when he heard the
door open and his face creased into a nervous smile that came and went quickly.
Rydah noticed they were alone. Thank Rand!
 What news do you bring? As you predicted, my father is holding Symal under
house arrest. They won t let me see her. They say she s not in prison, but I fear she will
be soon.
Rydah approached the Acolyte, bowing deeply.  Forgive my deception on getting
into the palace, my Acolyte.
Lepdar waved his hand.  Yes, yes. Please. Tell me what news you bring.
Rydah reached into his bag.  As you know, my Acolyte, I m a scribe. I ve copied
many documents from the high priests, including those of our ancestors. Many rynes
ago, when breeders were first becoming accepted in our society, conflicts arose between
Noblewomen and Lords. The Noblewomen objected to breeders, as they felt they
infringed upon their rights, but the priests were adamant that they would solve the
problems caused by weak offspring. A number of edicts were written in the past to
smooth over these issues, most of which have fallen into disuse over the rynes as
Noblewomen have seen the wisdom of having fresh breeders among our leaders.
Rydah stepped forward and handed Acolyte Lepdar a document, covered in
spidery writing.  I came across this several rynes ago and only remembered it vaguely,
that s why I couldn t speak accurately of it at the farmhouse. But if you read through
this document written by High Priest Nidlet, I think it might give you the solution to
your problem.
The Acolyte reacted to the name as he accepted the document. High Priest Nidlet
was revered among the Avalonians. He had died more than seventy rynes ago, but his
words live on in scrolls and sermons. Even Bandar had been known to quote him
frequently.
The Acolyte read quickly, then looked up.  Is this right?
Rydah nodded.  This document sets for the terms of a Repall a marriage in name
only. It was named after Acolyte Repall, who found himself in a similar situation to
yours, except he was heir to the throne. He loved a Noblewoman, but his father had
pledged him to a distant princess. The princess, like Wenelle, also had a man she loved,
and she did not want to leave her priestdom to live here. The Noblewoman and the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]