to keep her out of harm's way."

"I have no such illusions about hope," said Amrhost quietly, apparently ignoring this last. "What have we but a pair of wizards, one of them a novice. The east . . . such horrific might is contained there. How shall we resist? I saw what one demon could do on its own. I cannot imagine facing a host of them."

"Do not forget my King, and the magic of elves and dwarves," Nylandor rejoined. "We are not powerless. Neither are you, in your way. My hope is in people such as yourself. Finding that hope in yourself . . . win or lose, to me that would be victory indeed!"

Shivering in the cool air, her skin covered with goosebumps, Julina stripped off her sword belt and light armour, her mail and her wet undergarments. Rhia tossed her a towel and robe with a giggle. "Shameless hussy! Have you no sense of embarrassment?"

"All I care about at this moment" Julina juddered, drying herself quickly, pulling on the robe and wrapping her wet hair in the towel, "is getting into a warm, dry bed. Make room for me!" Unlike the men, the young women shared a bed together.

"You've been very quiet," Rhia said, hoping this was a good time to bring up the subject. "Since last night," she added, pointedly.




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