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Leanora looked at Parkun. She pitied the young man and understood him. She was sorry for what had happened to him, yet the thought of what he had done horrified her. The most horrifying thought was that she was not sure if she herself would have had the courage to act differently in his stead. She turned her eyes away to avoid seeing the reflection of her own cowardice on his face.
She grasped Orin's arm tightly. The boy's face was very pale in the moonlight, but there was resolution in his eyes. Lea wanted to hug him, but that would have broken his courage or at least humiliated him. So she just gave him the bravest smile she could.
She led him behind the others. "We're the rearguard," she told him solemnly. "We have a very important duty. We must keep an eye on the surroundings and ensure that no one is following us. We two are young and we have good eyes and sharp ears." And we're the weakest fighters, and I want to keep you safe. She did not say that aloud. Orin nodded. His sister could not see if there was relief or disappointment on his face.
Ash cast a glance at his siblings. They would hopefully be most safe at the background. He knew Lea could take care of Orin and he also knew that she could take care of herself as well as he could of himself. Still, he was afraid for them, and for himself too, but that he did not admit.
Instead, he stepped to Parkun's side. He had noticed the man could hardly walk well, and they were in a hurry. "Will you let me help you?" he asked, offering his arm.
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