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Thornden had difficulty finding his tongue for several seconds. He stared at the dark outline of Athanar without blinking, and then let out a breath.
“I do not understand you, my lord,” he said, finally. “Here I expected you to wish to beat me, and I find you trying to make it well. You leave angry enough to kill, by all appearances, and now you ask if we are to make it up and return back to the hall as equal friends, so that your men don’t split into yours against mine. Before I answer your question about how we are too enter, I must know – what are you going to do with me? What I said inside was true – though I did not say it in any manner than any could overhear – but that does not change the lie I gave you. And I will not go in with my hand upon your shoulder and yours on mine, if tomorrow I am to be hanged for aiding in the escape of a murderer and a deserter.”
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