11/03/2026 12:35

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But the feeling remained that it had been terrible, the sort ofdream no one should have after the Ostrak Procedures, and certainly notafter the spiritual training of the Masters of Ka-Shok. She countedthe carpeted steps, skipping the one that always squeaked. Thesound they made was easily distinguished at some distance, but alsoeasily dismissed as small night creatures. The test wasover.

That is not a threat. She turned,gesturing. If any force available to Smolen is able to do that, it is theSmoleni army itself. He gave a fourthman a compass and sent him up a tree to give him azimuths and rangeestimates as needed.