Felix Valentine, Gentleman Adventurer and The Black Lion

7/28/2019 Felix Valentine, Gentleman Adventurer and The Black Lion

1/18


2/18

Inhbx Yahnftbfn, Knfthneaf Ajvnfturnr afj Zmn @halg Hbcf`y Zbee Kbhhblg

"[cc mcc! B hcvn tmbs tmbfk!" Inhbx Yahnftbfn, knfthneaf ajvnfturnr ynhhnj cvnr

tmn rcar ci tmn twbf nfkbfns ci a tmrnn ynar chj sna phafn bf wmblm mn sat bf tmnpbhct's snat. "af wn at hnast lhcsn tmn wbfjcw" mbs nhcvnj paraecur #fknhbfn $uftnrynhhnj irce tmn lcpbhct snat. "B laf arnhy mnar ycu." "[mat" Inhbx sabj. "[abt, hnt en lhcsn tmn wbfjcw." $n rnalmnj cvnr wbtm mbs hnit mafj, smut tmn wbfjcw, tmnf turfnj al% tc#fknhbfn wbtm sulm &cy cf mbs ialn tmat smn was marjprnssnj tc stay eaj at mbe. #fknhbfn sebhnj at Inhbx. "B maj altuahhy as%nj bi ycu lcuhj lhcsn tmn wbfjcwnlausn ci tmn fcbsn." "(m," sabj Inhbx. "[nhh, B ae )fbsmnj bf mnrn afyway." $n nkaf tc turf c*swbtlmns.

"#rn ycu surn ycu %fcw wmat ycu'rn jcbfk" as%nj #fknhbfn. "Bt's +ubtn ahh rbkmt as wn arn fct bf tmn abr at tmbs tben." $n knsturnj cut tmnwbfjcw rbny as mn )fbsmnj turfbfk c* tmn nfkbfns. "#fj yns B jc %fcw wmat Bae jcbfk. B ae fcw cfn mufjrnj pnrlnft lnrtabf tmat B wbhh uy tmbs anrcphafn." "#brphafn," #fknhbfn lcrrnltnj. "-naphafn," lcrrnltnj a sahnseaf bf tmn lcl%pbt jccrway. "mbs, ey jnarinhhcw, bs a snaphafn as bt hafjs afj ta%ns c* irce tmn sna." "/ns," sabj Inhbx. "[nhh, wmatnvnr ycu lahh bt, B'hh ta%n bt. 4nt's kc sbkf tmn papnrsrbkmt fcw." "1bkmt tmbs way," sabj tmn sahnseaf. Inhbx afj tmn sahnsenf nxbtnj tmn lcl%pbt. #fknhbfn watlmnj tmne wah% jcwf

tmn jcl%, stcp tc hcc% al% cfln at tmn phafn as tmn prcpnhhnrs wcufj jcwf tmnbr)fah rctatbcfs, sma%n mafjs cfn ecrn tben, afj )fahhy mnaj bftc tmn c0ln. #fknhbfn's nyns passnj arcufj tmn labf, fct rnahhy hcc%bfk at afytmbfk, cfn)fknr twbrhbfk a hcl% ci mnr lurhy rnj mabr. -mn stcppnj twbrhbfk wmnf tmn scufj ciscit icctstnps rnalmnj mnr nars. -mn jbjf't ecvn af nynhasm ut sat as stbhh as apaftmnr watlmbfk bts prny as tmn icctstnps lrnpt lhcsnr tc tmn lcl%pbt jccr. mn hajy ajvnfturnr's rbkmt mafj sfna%nj tcwarjs mnr cct wmnrn smn %npt ahal%hajnj stbhnttc Inhbx maj kcttnf icr mnr hast brtmjay wmbhn tmny maj nnfvalatbcfbfk bf


3/18

> > >

mn cy awc%n wbtm a start afj nkaf slraehbfk c* tmn lct cf wmblm mn majnnf rnstbfk. "-m, sm, sm," #fknhbfn tchj tmn cy. -mn sat cf a seahh lratn fnxt tc tmn lct. -mnsebhnj. "Bt's c%ay. /cu'rn sain."

"[mnrn..." mn cy swahhcwnj afj trbnj akabf. "[mnrn ae B [mc arn ycu" "#m, bs mn awa%n" Inhbx lahhnj irce tmn lcl%pbt. "[mc's tmat" tmn cy sabj. $n sat up afj slcctnj away irce tmn lcl%pbt jccruftbh mn rnalmnj tmn uh%mnaj. [mnf Inhbx laen cut ci tmn lcl%pbt, tmn cyrnhaxnj a hbtthn. "B ae Inhbx Yahnftbfn," Inhbx sabj. "#fj ycu arn cf ey anrc... 9y snaphafn, tcafswnr ycur )rst afj tmbrj +unstbcfs bf rnvnrsn crjnr." $n stnppnj tcwarjs#fknhbfn afj tmn cy afj phalnj mbs hnit mafj cf #fknhbfn's smcuhjnr. "mbs bs eyparaecur, tmn hajy #fknhbfn $uftnr." #fknhbfn sebhnj akabf at tmn cy. "[mat's ycur faen, scf" Inhbx as%nj.

"B'e..." $bs vcbln lral%nj. #fknhbfn c*nrnj mbe a laftnnf ci watnr, wmblm mnallnptnj. mn cy tcc% a jrbf%, mafjnj tmn laftnnf al% tc #fknhbfn, afj trbnjakabf. "B'e 1blmarj ;aens 1cnrts tmn icurtm, scf ci 1blmarj ;aens 1cnrts tmntmbrj, arcf ci asthn =hal%eccr. 9y irbnfjs lahh en 1. ;." "af wn lahh ycu 1. ;." #fknhbfn as%nj. Inhbx ahecst haukmnj at tmn lakny, ufsurn hcc% tmat lrcssnj 1. ;.'s ialn. "[n'hh snn," 1. ;. sabj. "[my jc ycu fnnj mnhp, 9astnr 1cnrts" Inhbx as%nj. "-cen aj... aj enf arn aitnr en," mn sabj. "[mat %bfj ci aj enf, mcfny" #fknhbfn as%nj. "9y... ey jaj." 1;'s hbp +ubvnrnj, mn rcukmt mbs %fnns up tc mbs lmnst, lrcssnj

mbs ares cvnr mbs %fnns, hcwnrnj mbs mnaj bftc tmn lbrlhn lrnatnj y mbs ares afjstartnj tc lry. #fknhbfn hcc%nj cvnr mnr smcuhjnr at Inhbx. "B'hh prnp icr ta%nc*," mn sabj. -mn fcjjnj. #fknhbfn turfnj al% tc 1;, put mnr mafj cf tmn al% ci mbs mnaj afj knfthystrc%nj mbs mabr, ea%bfk rnassurbfk scufjs. "Bt'hh n c%ay, 1;," smn sabj. "Inhbx afj Bwbhh ta%n larn ci ycu." 1; hcc%nj up. "/cu wbhh" mn sabj. #fknhbfn sebhnj knfthy. "[n wbhh." mn nfkbfns rcarnj tc hbin at tmat ecenft, starthbfk tmn cy. $n &uepnj bftc#fknhbfn's ares afj mukknj mnr tbkmt. -mn pattnj tmn al% ci mbs mnaj. "Bt'hh n

c%ay, 1;. :vnrytmbfk wbhh n c%ay."

> > 2nsthnj fnar tmn tcp ci a ecuftabf lhb* cvnrhcc%bfk tmn rbvnr jnhta wmnrn InhbxYahnftbfn &ust cukmt mbs snaphafn, sat a enjbuesb?nj lasthn, ubht bftc tmn sbjnci tmn ecuftabf. wc lrnfnhatnj tcwnrs afj a harkn spbrn strntlmnj nycfj tmntcp ci tmn ecuftabf, rnalmbfk 785 innt acvn tmn pna%. Bt was irce tmbs tahhnsttcwnr tmat ycufk 1; 1cnrts tmn Icurtm nslapnj. $bs iatmnr, 1blmarj 1cnrts tmn


4/18

mbrj, =arcf ci asthn =hal%eccr, palnj tmn harkn wcr%rcce, %bl%bfk at pbhns cientah, knars, afj varbcus entahhbl cjy parts, hasmbfk cut at wmat mbs scf wassuppcsnj tc n )xbfk. "[mnrn bs mn!" 1cnrts nhhcwnj. "[mnrn bs ey scf! [my bs mn fct )fbsmbfk tmbslhcl%wcr% schjbnr" $n stcepnj arcufj tmn wcr%smcp, mbs ares abhnj, %fcl%bfk tmn cllasbcfah

knar cr pbnln ci entah tc tmn ccr, wmblm mn tmnf %bl%nj. $n ynhhnj wcrjhnsshy. ":xlusn en, =arcf," sabj a lhbppnj, =rbtbsm vcbln irce tmn jccrway. 1blmarjturfnj tc snn a tahh mbfnsn eaf, mnaj smavnj nxlnpt icr a hcfk +unun ci mabr tmatmufk tc tmn hcwnr part ci mbs al% bf a rabj twc bflmns tmbl%. mn eaf wasjrnssnj bf a sbephn cut)t ci lmbfcs, hnatmnr ccts afj a hnatmnr &al%nt. # slari cirbkmt ynhhcw mufk hccsnhy arcufj mbs fnl%. "[mat," 1blmarj sabj. "[n icufj ycur scf. $n's stcwnj away cf a snaphafn at tmn jcl% jcwf tmnrbvnr." "6c knt mbe." 1blmarj turfnj away irce tmn mbfnsn eaf afj al% tc tmn wcr%nflm wmnrn a lhcl%wcr% eaf hay.

"mn phafn was hast snnf ta%bfk c* afj mnajbfk wnst, sbr." "mnf ta%n a lcuphn phafns afj kc aitnr tmne. [abt..." 1cnrts hcc%nj cvnr tmnautceatcf cf tmn nflm. "6nt mbe al% fcw! $n's stchnf tmn =hal% 4bcf!"

> > >

"$avn ycu jnlbjnj cf a faen ynt" #fknhbfn as%nj Inhbx. -mn hcufknj bf tmnlcpbhct snat, mnr rbkmt hnk cf tmn wbfjcw iraen. wc ci tmn wbfjcws wnrn cpnf&ust nfcukm tc %nnp a lcch rnn?n cwbfk tmrcukm tmn lcl%pbt, ut fct nfcukm icrtmn scufj ci tmn nfkbfns tc cvnrpcwnr tmnbr lcfvnrsatbcf. "B'vn nnf tmbf%bfk acut tmbs ut mavnf't lcen up wbtm afytmbfk tmat +ubtn )ts

ey pnrscfahbty," Inhbx sabj. "$cw acut =hcwmarj" #fknhbfn sabj wbtm a sebhn. Inhbx smct mnr a hcc% nicrn mn rnahb?nj smn was &c%bfk. $bs ialn scitnfnj. $n turfnj mbs attnftbcf al% tc tmn bfstruenft pafnh, aitnr a +ubl% lmnl% ci tmnrnajbfks, mn hcc%nj cut tmn wbfjcw at tmn s%y. "$cw's tmn cy jcbfk" "$n was shnnpbfk hast B lmnl%nj." "[mat jc ycu tmbf% ci mbs stcry" "mat mbs iatmnr %npt mbe hcl%nj bf a tcwnr tc ubhj mbe af autceatcf"#fknhbfn smcc% mnr mnaj. "Bt snnes a hbtthn iarintlmnj, ut tmnrn bs fc jnfybfkmn's tnrrb)nj ci mbs iatmnr." "#fj tmat tmbfk mn maj [mat jbj mn lahh bt mn =hal% 4bcf"

"mat strafkn knestcfn" #fknhbfn as%nj. "/ns." "B jcf't %fcw wmat tc tmbf% ci tmat." "B rnenenr rnajbfk a stcry cfln acut tmn mukknn luht ci Bfjba wmc maj asbebhar knestcfn tmny usnj tc sueecf tmnbr jar% 3natm kcjjnss, Dahb9a." "# hal% knestcfn hb%n tmat cfn" "mn stcfns arnf't altuahhy hal%, ut a jar% rnj. mn mnaj prbnst wcuhjsalrb)ln scencfn afj s+unn?n hccj irce tmn vbltbe's irnsmhy rnecvnj mnart


5/18

cftc tmn knestcfn. 9cst tbens tmn vbltbe wcuhj hbvn hcfk nfcukm tc snn tmnbrnatbfk mnart bf tmn prbnst's mafj." "mat's mcrrbhn!" #fknhbfn sabj. "[my wcuhj afycfn jc tmat" "$ueaf salrb)ln" "/ns, wmat a ararbl praltbln." "/cu &ust afswnrnj ycur cwf +unstbcf, ey jnar.


6/18

"[nhh tmat was knfbus," #fknhbfn sabj. -mn rnhaxnj a bt as Inhbx tcc% cvnrpbhctbfk. "3bj ycu tmbf% ycu'j knt seahhnr, ecrn eafnuvnrahn phafns tc mbt tmnwatnr wmnf wn jbjf't" "2c, B &ust tmcukmt B'j uy us scen ecrn tben as B tmcukmt mcw tc mafjhn tmnsnkuys." "3c ycu mavn afy kufs cf tmbs phafn" 1; as%nj.

#fknhbfn hcc%nj al% at 1; afj saw tmn inar bf mbs nyns. "mny wnrn ahh strbppnjcut wmnf tmn hast kuy schj bt tc tmn jnahnr," #fknhbfn sabj. "=ut tmny laen wbtm tmn phafn, B &ust mavn tc rnbfstahh tmne," Inhbx sabj. "#fj Brcukmt cfn ci ey cwf, afyway." "[mat" #fknhbfn afj 1; sabj. "mn jnahnr tchj en tmat mn lcuhjf't snhh en tmn wnapcfs bfstahhnj, ut mnlcuhj jc bt snparatnhy, B'j mavn tc bfstahh tmne eysnhi." "#fj wmat cfn jbj ycu rbfk" #fknhbfn jneafjnj. "mn bk cfn," Inhbx sabj. $n lcuhjf't mnhp ut krbf. "mn #ssauht Dbhckuf. Bt's bftmn lratn." "mnf wmy jcf't ycu knt bt cut ci tmn lratn" 1; as%nj.

"Dbfj ci bf tmn ebjjhn ci scentmbfk mnrn, %bj, bf lasn ycu majf't fctblnj." 1; nkaf tc uful%hn. "/cu kc bfstahh. 9bss $uftnr afj B wbhh y." Inhbx afj #fknhbfn hcc%nj at nalm ctmnr. mn %bj y tmn phafn Inhbx smrukknj.[my fct. Inhbx uful%hnj afj kavn up mbs snat tc 1;, put a rnassurbfk mafj cf #fknhbfn'ssmcuhjnr, tmnf hnit tmn lcl%pbt. 1; strappnj mbesnhi bf. "B %fcw mcw tc y a phafn, ut wbhh fnnj scen mnhpstnnrbfk as tmbs phafn bs bkknr tmaf B'e usnj tc." "/cu &ust hnt en %fcw wmnf," #fknhbfn sabj.

> >

Bt eajn snfsn tc Inhbx. mn %bj ruffbfk irce mbs iatmnr, wmc snfjs tmrnn trbphafnstc latlm mbe, wcuhj %fcw mcw tc y. $n mcpnj tmn %bj lcuhj mafjhn a rbk as bk astmn... stbhh fc bjna wmat tc faen bt. $n jbjf't waft tc faen bt scentmbfk rnhatnj tcmbs faen, hb%n mbs rctmnr maj wbtm mbs abrsmbpA #rlmnr's #rrcw. [btm a faen hb%n#rlmnr Yahnftbfn, pncphn wnrn cufj tc &c%n acut a rninrnfln tc upbj, ut mbsrctmnr eajn bt nvnf sbephnr y lahhbfk mbs abrsmbp tmn #rrcw tc jrbvn tmn pcbftmcen, sc tc spna%. [mnrn was tmat lrcwar Inhbx icufj tmn lrcwar afj ecvnj tc tmn lratn 1;maj nnf rnstbfk cf. cssbfk asbjn tmn %bj's &al%nt, mn shaeenj tmn pryar ufjnrtmn hbj afj mnavnj. 9cvbfk tmn pryar arcufj tmn hcfk njkn, mn eafaknj tc pcptmn hbj c*. Inhbx was tmrcwf icrwarj ahecst bftc tmn lratn as tmn phafn rchhnj tc tmn rbkmt.

":asy up tmnrn," mn ynhhnj. "/cu waft tc knt laukmt" laen tmn searey rnphy. Inhbx smcc% mbs mnaj afj puhhnj straw irce tmn lratn mchjbfk mbs hatnstbfvnftbcf bf ebhbtary krajn abrsmbp areaenfts, tmn #ssauht Dbhckuf. #itnr uflcvnrbfk tmn Dbhckuf, mn hbitnj bt irce bts rnstbfk phaln afj larrbnj bt tctmn rnar uhn. #itnr )fjbfk tmn snaphafn icr sahn, Inhbx maj rnsnarlmnj tmn


7/18

ecuftbfks ci ahh tmn wnapcf phalnenfts afj aj&ustnj scen ci mbs allcrjbfkhy.mn #ssauht Dbhckcf )t bf tmn rnar uhn ahecst hb%n bt was eajn icr bt. [mblm btahecst was. mn arrnh shbj nasbhy bftc tmn shct, tmn ralnrs lcffnltnj tc tmn ecuftbfkral%nts wbtm a lcuphn ci +ubl% twbsts. Inhbx raf al% tc tmn lratn icr aeec,cuflbfk c* ctm wahhs ci tmn phafn as 1; afj #fknhbfn put bt tmrcukm scen

eafnuvnr. $n kruehnj. "=n fbln tc kbvn a kuy a warfbfk." #itnr krabfk tmn aeec cx, mn stuehnj al% tc tmn uhn afj jrcppnjbftc tmn snat. $n strappnj mbesnhi bf nicrn shappbfk cfn ci tmrnn lhbps bftc tmn tcpci tmn bk kuf. $n kranj tmn mnajsnt afj phalnj bt cvnr mbs mnaj. "#mcy, amcy! af ycu mnar en" Inhbx kunssnj tmat fnbtmnr #fknhbfn fcr 1; maja mnajsnt cf. $n was acut tc ta%n mbs cwf c* afj ruf tc tmn lcl%pbt tc tnhh cfnci tmne tc put tmn mnajsnt cf wmnf a rnspcfsn laen. "B laf mnar ycu, swnntbn," #fknhbfn's vcbln sabj bf mbs nars. "[mat laf B jc icrycu" "# smcut cut wmnf ycu wnrn acut tc jc scen twbsts afj turfs wcuhj mavnnnf fbln, savnj en a lcuphn rubsns, ut tmat's nsbjn tmn pcbft. B fnnj tc %fcw

bi ycufk 1; bs airabj nfcukm tc warraft ey tarkntbfk tmnsn ebslrnafts wbtmnxtrnen prn&ujbln cr fct." "B'hh as%. 1;, mcw slarnj arn ycu ci tmn enf lmasbfk us" #itnr a ecenft wmnfInhbx lcuhjf't mnar tmn rnspcfsn, smn sabj, "$n sabj tmat tmn enf bf tmn phafns arnc%ay, tmny cfhy wcr% icr mbs iatmnr. $bs iatmnr afj a mbfaeaf arn tmn cfhy cfnsmn's airabj ci. -c jc ycur nst fct tc %bhh tmne, phnasn." "1cknr, wbhh jc," sabj Inhbx afj mn cpnfnj )rn.

> > >1; af%nj hnit bf a turf nasy nfcukm mn jbjf't fnnj #fknhbfn's mnhp. "#s% mbe bi

tmnrn's afytmbfk B laf jc tc ea%n bt nasbnr icr mbe tc smcct tmnsn kuys." #fknhbfn sabj bftc tmn ebl cf mnr mnajsnt, "1; as%s bi tmnrn bs afytmbfk mn lafjc tc ea%n bt nasbnr icr ycu tc smcct tmnsn kuys." "af mn ea%n tmne stcp ecvbfk"

"-ajhy, fc," #fknhbfn rnphbnj. "B jcf't tmbf% mn laf ea%n tmne stcp ecvbfk." 1;smct #fknhbfn a scur hcc% icr Inhbx's lceenft. "Ibfn," Inhbx sabj cvnr tmn mnajsnt. "ben tc nfj tmbs." "3c ycu mavn nfcukm aeeufbtbcf" #fknhbfn as%nj. ":fcukm," Inhbx sabj. mn scufj ci Inhbx's #ssauht Dbhckuf )rbfk )hhnj tmn mnajsnt afj 1;'s nars aswnhh. # snlcfj hatnr, tmny mnarj a sphasm, ichhcwnj y a snlcfj cfn. mn scufj ci)rbfk stcppnj. "Ibfahhy," Inhbx sabj. # ebfutn hatnr, mn stccj bf tmn lcl%pbt jccrway. "wcjcwf, tmbrj cfn turfnj tabh icr mcen." 1; hnvnhnj cut tmn phafn afj ecvnj tc knt up irce tmn snat. Inhbx mnhj up amafj tc stcp mbe. "-tay tmnrn, B'hh kbvn ycu lccrjbfatns tc wmnrn wn arn kcbfk. /culaf y us tmnrn.


8/18

1; hcwnrnj mbs mnaj, hcc%nj up at #fknhbfn, tmnf Inhbx, afj fcjjnj. "(%ay," mnsabj.

> > >mn snaphafn hafjnj knfthy cf tmn hbkmt wavns fnar tmn smcrn ci 2nwicufjhafj. 1;

smut tmn phafn c*, afj as tmn prcpnhhnrs jbnj jcwf, mn hcwnrnj mbs mnaj afjrniusnj tc hcc% at Inhbx cr #fknhbfn. "Ibrst c*," Inhbx sabj. $n uful%hnj afj rcsn irce tmn snat nmbfj #fknhbfnwmnrn mn maj nnf sbttbfk. "maf% ycu icr mnhpbfk us nslapn tmcsn s%y afjbts, fceattnr ycur rnascfs. -nlcfj c*, wmc wnrn tmny, afj tmbrjhy, wmy wnrn tmnylmasbfk ycu" "/cu'rn wnhlcen," 1; sabj bf a +ubnt vcbln. $n %npt mbs mnaj jcwf afjrneabfnj lcwnj, a lcephntn cppcsbtn ci wmnf mn was bf lmarkn afj ybfk tmnphafn. "/na, tmaf% ycu," #fknhbfn sabj. -mn rnalmnj alrcss afj hbitnj 1;'s lmbf, trybfktc latlm mbs nyn.

"B..." 1; startnj. $n stcppnj, wbpnj mbs fcsn wbtm mbs hnit shnnvn, tmnf startnjakabf. "B waft tc tmaf% ycu ctm. Icr mnhpbfk 9:. Icr mnhpbfk en nslapn ey iatmnrafj mbs kccfs." "/cu maj enftbcfnj nicrn tmat tmcsn enf wcr% icr ycur iatmnr," Inhbx sabj. "/ns, tmny arn mbs rntrbnvah spnlbahbsts, ut B %fcw ecst ci tmnbr taltbls snnbfk asB bfvnftnj tmne." Inhbx afj #fknhbfn smarnj a hcc%. cuhj tmbs cy mavn trabfnj enf as pbhctsmn prcci was bf tmn pujjbfk, afj mn maj cwf rnear%ahy wnhh akabfst tmntrbphafns. "[mat jc ycu enaf y 'rntrbnvah spnlbahbsts'" #fknhbfn as%nj. "Bs tmat wmattmat fnt was icr"

1; fcjjnj. "mat fnt bs usnj tc phul% larkc phafns hb%n tmbs cfn rbkmt cut ci tmns%y. mnf tmny ta%n tmn phafn al% tc ey iatmnr's lasthn, %bhh tmn lrnw afj afypassnfknrs afj stnah wmatnvnr's bfsbjn. -centbens mn snhhs tmn phafns tc tmn kuyycu cukmt tmbs cfn irce." "B snn," sabj Inhbx. "-c nbtmnr cfn ci us lcuhj mavn nnf tmn tarknt ci tmbs phafnsfatlm." 1; tmcukmt a ecenft. "Bt hcc%s tmat way. B %fcw mn wafts en afj tmn =hal%4bcf al%, ut mn ebkmt waft tmbs phafn, tcc. B tmbf% ;bf 4bu ebkmt mavn eajn aebsta%n bf snhhbfk bt." ";bf 4bu" #fknhbfn afj Inhbx as%nj. "mn pbhct wmc kct away. $n's a mbfaeaf wmc wcr%s icr ey jaj. $n's vnry

jafknrcus. B mnarj mn was trabfnj bf ;apaf as a fbf&a!" "2bf&a arn &ust a eytm," Inhbx sabj wbtm a sebhn. "=ut tmny jc ea%n icr apcwnriuh hnknfj, jcf't tmny" "[mnf ycu snn wmat mn laf jc, 9r. Yahnftbfn, ycu'j tmbf% twbln acut fbf&anbfk &ust a hnknfj." "B'hh lcfsbjnr bt," Inhbx sabj. "-c ycur iatmnr maj ahrnajy sfatlmnj tmbs phafncfln, icr hal% ci a nttnr tnre, stchn tmn larkc afj schj bt" "/nssbr."

"#fj fcw bt snnes mn wafts bt al%," #fknhbfn sabj.


9/18

"=ut wmy" Inhbx hcc%nj at 1;. "Bs tmnrn scentmbfk ycu mavn ctmnr tmaf tmn=hal% 4bcf tmat mn wafts" "B ubht af autceatcf icr mbe," 1; sabj. "#fj tmbs bs tmn pcwnr scurln." $n tcc%tmn =hal% 4bcf cut ci mbs pcl%nt afj mnhj bt up. "mat" Inhbx sabj. "B'vn snnf scen aea?bfk tmbfks bf ey tben, nvnf jcfn ainw, ut B'vn fnvnr snnf a &nwnh tmat laf alt as a scurln ci pcwnr."

"[atlm tmbs," 1; sabj. 1; phalnj tmn =hal% 4bcf cf tmn jasmcarj bf a ray ci sufhbkmt smbfbfk tmrcukmtmn wbfjcw. mn &nwnh smcfn bf tmn suf, wbtm tmn nxlnptbcf ci scen )fknrprbftsslattnrnj acut bts surialn. Inhbx cpnfnj mbs ecutm tc as% wmat mn smcuhj nhcc%bfk icr wmnf mn saw bt. mn &nwnh nkaf tc khcw wbtm a jar% purphn hbkmt irce jnnp bfsbjn. #fknhbfnafj Inhbx'a nyns wbjnfnj nvnf iurtmnr wmnf tmny saw tmn khcw jbjf't nxtnfjnycfj tmn lcf)fns ci tmn &nwnh btsnhi. "[mat..." Inhbx sabj. "$cw..." "B jcf't %fcw, ut bt ta%ns nfnrky irce tmn suf afj stcrns bt, tmnf aephb)ns btwmnf attalmnj tc lnrtabf entahs ci lcfjultbvbty," 1; sabj.

"mat's... aea?bfk," Inhbx sabj bf a musmnj vcbln. "#fj ycu'vn usnj tmbs as apcwnr scurln" 1; fcjjnj. "(f af autceatcf ycu sabj" 1; fcjjnj. "(i ey cwf jnsbkf. Bt's a harkn lcppnr eaf wbtm scen lhcl%wcr% icr)fnr ectcr ecvnenfts, ut tmn harknr ecvnenfts arn myjrauhbl afj pcwnrnj ytmbs. mn =hal% 4bcf ahsc pcwnrs af autceatbl wbfjnr icr tmn lhcl%wcr%s bfsbjn." "#ea?bfk," Inhbx rnpnatnj. "B'j hcvn tc snn bt." "B rniusn tc )fbsm bt," 1; sabj. $n lrcssnj mbs ares. "9y iatmnr wafts af arey citmne tc ta%n cvnr mblakc." "[my mblakc" #fknhbfn as%nj. "#llnss tc 4a%n 9blmbkaf afj tmn -t. 4awrnfln 1bvnr, afj tmn 9bssbssbppb 1bvnr.$n laf tmnf kc afy jbrnltbcf tc ta%n cvnr tmn rnst ci tmn lcuftry."

"3nar 6cj," Inhbx sabj. "#f arey ci lhcl%wcr% autceatcfs. mat wcuhj nbeprnssbvn, ut ahsc n*nltbvnA ecrn jurahn, fc fnnj icr iccj, afj ecrn hcyahtmaf afy eaf." $n kavn #fknhbfn a hcc%. -mn starnj al% a ecenft, tmnf sabj, "4nt's fct hnavn afycfn cut. #fj B fnnja lmafkn ci lhctmns."

> >

"/cu jbj wmat," 1blmarj 1cnrts sabj. ;bf 4bu tmn mbfaeaf stccj nicrn 1cnrts bfmbs stujy, mnaj cwnj, mafjs nmbfj mbs al%. "B hcst mbe, sbr."

1cnrts snntmnj icr a ecenft, mbs ialn rnj, fcstrbhs arnj, nicrn mn lahenjvbsbhy. "$cw jbj ycu hcsn mbe B tmcukmt ycu afj tmn twbfs maj mbe jnaj tcrbkmts." "[n jbj, sbr, ut B tmbf% tmn cy tcc% cvnr pbhctbfk tmn snaphafn, afj tmnf tmncwfnr rcukmt cut a strafkn kuf bf tmn rnar kuffnr uhn. $n snvnrnj tmn fntnicrn mn smct jcwf tmn twbfs." "#fj ynt ycu nslapnj." "B maj tc rnturf tc tnhh ycu ci cur iabhurn, ut B jbj fct nslapn ufslatmnj."


10/18

1cnrts wmc maj nnf starbfk at tmn wahh wmbhn +unstbcfbfk ;bf 4bu, swufk mbska?n tc tmn mbfaeaf. Bt was tmnf mn fctblnj a lut cf tmn eaf's hnit lmnn%, acuticur bflmns hcfk, nbkmt masty stbtlmns mchjbfk bt lhcsnj. ;bf 4bu fctblnj 1cnrts hcc%bfk at mbe. "# stray uhhnt kra?nj ey lmnn%. 9yphafn fnnjs fnw lafvas cf twc wbfks, afj tmrnn fnw struts." "6c mavn 4aura hcc% at ycur lmnn%, lhnaf bt up a hbtthn, tmnf lcen al% mnrn. B'hh

knt cfn ci tmn ctmnr cys tc )x ycur phafn." "/ns, sbr." "B waft ycu tc )fj cut wmc cukmt tmat snaphafn."

> > "6uys, tmbs bs 1;," Inhbx sabj. $n stccj bf tmn eabf larkc mchj ci mbs snaphafn as btcnj bf tmn watnr at tmn favy's pbnr bf mblakc. "1;, tmbs bs ey rctmnr #rlmnr." 1; smcc% mafjs wbtm a hnssrcust afj shbkmthy ycufknr vnrsbcf ci Inhbx."


11/18

"#fj mbs iatmnr wafts tc ta%n cvnr mblakc wbtm tmnsn autceatcfs" =nl%yas%nj. Inhbx fcjjnj. "#fj wn'rn kcbfk tc stcp mbe." "[btm wmat" 1cl%y as%nj. "B kct tmn #ssauht Dbhckuf snt up bf tmn rnar uhn." Inhbx knsturnj tc tmn al%ci tmn phafn.

1cl%y hcc%nj afj fcjjnj. "B'hh ta%n tmat cfn," mn sabj. "#fknhbfn rcukmt tmn twc 6yrcrbns icr tmn sbjn pcrts, afj pnrscfah wnapcfsicr nalm ci us. [n arn tc usn nxtrnen lautbcf, afj jc cur nst tc fct %bhh afycfn bibt laf n mnhpnj." ":vnf tmn iatmnr" #rlmnr as%nj. ":vnf tmn iatmnr," Inhbx sabj. "#fj tmnrn's cfn ecrn tmbfk," mn ajjnj. [mnf mnwas surn mn maj nvnrycfn's attnftbcf, mn lcftbfunj. "1blmarj 1cnrts mas ambfaeaf wcr%bfk icr mbe as a ea&crjcec ci scrts. /cufk 1; nhbnvns tmat tmneaf was trabfnj bf tmn art ci fbf&utsu bf ;apaf." -ebhns sprnaj alrcss tmn tnae's ialns. "# mbfnsn fbf&a" #rlmnr slc*nj."mat'hh n tmn jay."

"1nenenr tmn tben wn icufj tmat asyhue iuhh ci eurjnrcus fufs bf tmn#fjns" Inhbx as%nj. "-mn maj a 6nreaf suec." #rlmnr's ialn scnrnj. "


12/18

"#rn ycu surn bt's mbe" Inhbx as%nj. #fknhbfn sabj, "$n affcuflnj tmnbr prnsnfln y u??bfk past cur wbfjsmbnhjafj wavbfk at us." Inhbx fcjjnj. "=chj ecvn," mn sabj. 1; rchhnj tmn phafn tc tmn hnit afj puhhnj cut ci tmn jbvn bftc a lhbe. "B kct fctmbfk tc smcct at al% mnrn," #rlmnr sabj.

"/cu'hh knt ycur lmafln, rctmnr, jcf't wcrry." 1; strabkmtnfnj cut tmn phafn afj hnvnhnj c*, eabftabfbfk tmn crbkbfah lcursn,ecrn cr hnss. mn scufj ci tmn hnit 6yrcrbn )hhnj tmn labf. -bfkhn smcts spalnj hnss tmaf asnlcfj apart, tmn 6yrcrbn was scentmbfk hb%n a 6athbfk kuf, ut seahhnr afjhnss luenrscen, ahtmcukm bt maj sbebhar )rbfk ratn afj puflm. Bt ahh jnpnfjnj cfmcw iast ycu puhhnj tmn trbkknr. "6ct mbe!" =nl%y affcuflnj. "6ct mbe bf tmn tabh, hnw bt lhnaf c*, bf ialt. (fnecfcphafn jcwf." "B icrkct tc as%," Inhbx sabj. "=ut tmny jcf't mavn a fnt tmbs tben, jc tmny" =nicrn 1; cr #fknhbfn lcuhj afswnr, tmn scufj ci ealmbfn kuf )rn afj a strbfk

ci uhhntmchns alrcss tmn hnit sbjn ci tmn lcl%pbt wbfjcw hnt Inhbx %fcw tmnbrnfney's bftnftbcfs tmbs nflcuftnr. "$um," Inhbx sabj. 6yrcrbn rnpcrts laen irce ctm sbjns ci tmn phafn, afj bf rnspcfsn laenecrn ealmbfn kuf )rn irce cutsbjn. "@km," 1cl%y sabj. "B tmbf%..." mn rc%n c*. "/cu c%ay, 1cl%y" Inhbx as%nj. "/ul%, mn hnw tmn kuy's mnaj apart," #rlmnr sabj. "mn kuy ecvnj rbkmt bftc bt," 1cl%y sabj. "B was trybfk tc ta%n cut part ci mbswbfk afj mn spnj up, rbkmt bftc ey hbfn ci )rn. $bs mnaj &ust nxphcjnj." "(fn bphafn jcwf," 1; sabj. ":www, tmat kuy jcnsf't mavn a mnaj!"

"a%n bt nasy, 1cl%y," Inhbx sabj. "ry icr tmn tabh fnxt tben." "6ct ya, Inhbx," 1cl%y sabj. $n stbhh scufjnj sbl%. "/cu jcf't snne tcc wcrrbnj," 1; sabj. #fknhbfn haukmnj. "Inhbx's 6yrcrbns wbhh ea%n smcrt wcr% ci tmcsn phafns, ashcfk as tmny arn bf rafkn." "[mat's tmn rafkn cf tmne" 1; as%nj. "# ebhn cr sc," Inhbx sabj. "mn marj part mas nnf ea%bfk a sbkmt icr tmn pnrscfeaffbfk tmn kuf tc n ahn tc snn tmat iar tc mbt afytmbfk. =ut tmnsn kuys," mnwavnj mbs mafj tc bfjblatn tmn pbhcts attal%bfk tmn snaphafn, "mavn tc n lhcsn icrtmnbr ealmbfn kufs afj icr tmnbr spnnj afj eafnuvnrabhbty tc n ajvaftakncus.(fn mbt irce nbtmnr kyrcrbn cr tmn #ssauht Dbhckuf afj bt'hh n ahh cvnr icr tmne,

mcwnvnr." "[cc mcc!" sabj #rlmnr. ";ust kct twc ci tmn ukknrs wbtm cfn pass." Inhbx lcuhjmnar tmn sebhn bf mbs rctmnr's vcbln. "B'j n ecrn beprnssnj bi ycu jbj bt wbtm cfn smct," 1cl%y sabj. $n was trybfk tcknt mbs ebfj c* tmn eaf mn %bhhnj, afj mbs vcbln jbj scufj stnajbnr. ";ust ycu wabt, 9r. Icrenr Bepcssbhn #knft. B'hh jc bt." "2ct tmbs tben," Inhbx sabj. "[n cfhy mavn cfn phafn hnit afj mn's jnlbjnj tcturf tabh akabf." ";bf 4bu," 1; sabj. "$n's fct mnajnj icr mcen."


13/18

"9ayn mn's ta%bfk mbs snrvblns nhsnwmnrn," Inhbx sabj. "(r mn eay rnturf hatnrwbtm a fasty surprbsn." "9ayn," 1; sabj. "mnf hnt's knt tc ycur iatmnr as +ubl%hy as wn laf afj knt tmbs cvnrwbtm." "/nssbr!" 1; sabj wbtm a sebhn. Bt sajjnfnj Inhbx tc snn a ycufk cy hb%n tmbs ratmnr n jcfn wbtm mbs iatmnr icr

kccj tmaf spnfj tben wbtm mbe. =ut irce wmat 1; maj sabj, mbs iatmnr was ecrnhb%n a mcrrbhn, jneafjbfk nephcynr tmaf a iatmnr tc tmn cy. Inhbx put mbs mafj cf tmn cy's smcuhjnr. "Bt's ahecst cvnr, scf," Inhbx sabj. 1; smrukknj c* Inhbx's mafj, fct cfln hcc%bfk at tmn knfthneaf ajvnfturnr, utInhbx lcuhj snn tmn cy maj tnfsnj mbs smcuhjnrs akabf. [as bt mbs tculm [as bttmn iaebhbarbty, cr eayn tmat Inhbx maj lahhnj mbe "scf," afj wmat ahh tmnufspc%nf lcffctatbcfs ci tmat wcrj sabj tc tmbs partbluhar cy Inhbx mnhj cut mbs mafj tc #fknhbfn, wmc tcc% bt afj mnhj tbkmt.

> > >

1; hafjnj tmn snaphafn at tmn jcl% wmnrn Inhbx maj cukmt bt. mn jnahnr wassurprbsnj tc snn tmn kufs bf phaln afj tmn tnae ci ajvnfturnrs nxbtbfk tmn phafn.$n jnlbjnj tmnf tmat bt was bf mbs nst bftnrnst tc stay bfsbjn tmn c0ln wbtm tmnjccr hcl%nj. 2ct tmat mn inarnj afytmbfk irce Inhbx afj mbs lrnw, ut wmat ebkmtlcen tmnbr way sbfln tmny hcc%nj rnajy icr trcuhn. #fj bt jbjf't ta%n hcfk icr trcuhn tc )fj tmne, nbtmnr. wc seahh bphafns wbtm pcftccfs icr watnr hafjbfks ha?nj jcwf tmn lafycftcwarjs tmn snaphafn jnahnrsmbp, Inhbx afj mbs tnae bf tmnbr sbkmts. Inhbx smcvnj 1; afj #fknhbfn al% tcwarjs tmn phafn's jccr, ichhcwbfk rbkmtaitnr. "a%n lcvnr!" mn ynhhnj.

1cl%y, =nl%y afj #rlmnr jcvn nmbfj lratns afj harkn pyhcfs cf tmn jcl%. =ut fc uhhnts laen. mn bphafns jbjf't )rn. Bfstnaj, tmny shcwnj, hafjnjknfthy bf tmn watnr afj stnnrnj up tc tmn jcl%. 1; pnn%nj cut cfn ci tmn phafn wbfjcws afj watlmnj tmn phafns apprcalm tmnjcl%. mn pbhcts &uepnj irce tmnbr vnmblhns, tbnj tmne tc tmn jcl%, tmnf tcc% c*tmnbr mnhents. mbl% auurf mabr spbhhnj cut irce ufjnr cfn mnhent, afj Inhbxrnahb?nj bt was a wceaf. mn ctmnr pbhct's mabr was jar%nr afj eulm smcrtnr,kcbfk a bt kray at tmn tnephns, eulm as Inhbx's cwf mabr was. =ctm ci tmne wnrnattraltbvn afj crn scen seahh rnsnehafln tc 1;. 1; sebhnj afj raf irce tmn snaphafn. "#uft nln! @flhn Ibff!" mn ynhhnj afj raf tc tmn pbhcts.

"Bt snnes tmcsn pbhcts arn rnhatbvns ci cur ycufk irbnfj," Inhbx sabj. "3c ycu tmbf% sc" #fknhbfn rnphbnj jrbhy. -mn stnppnj away irce tmn wbfjcwafj ichhcwnj 1; cftc tmn jcl%. 1; raf tc mbs auft afj uflhn, hnapt bftc a tmrnnway neraln, afj mnhj cf tbkmtas tmny turfnj bf a lbrlhn. #fknhbfn, Inhbx, afj tmn rnst ci tmn tnae &cbfnj tmnmappy iaebhy, sebhns cf nvnrycfn's ialns. 1;'s auft afj uflhn snt mbe jcwf afj sebhnj at mbe. "[mat arn ycu jcbfk mnrn" 1; as%nj.


14/18

"[n laen hcc%bfk icr ycu," nln sabj. "[n wnft tc tmn lasthn afj ycur iatmnrsabj ycu maj ruf c*. [n &ust stcppnj mnrn icr iunh, bftnfjbfk tc snarlm icr ycu." 1; turfnj tc Inhbx. "Inhbx Yahnftbfn, eay B prnsnft ey @flhn Ibff afj #uftnlbhba, Dbfk afj Lunnf ci


15/18

"2ct aitnr wn'rn tmrcukm wbtm mbe," Inhbx sabj. $n stccj afj lcl%nj mbs mnaj tctmn sbjn. "/cu mnar tmat" "[mat" =nl%y as%nj. "4bstnf." mn +uartnt strabfnj tmnbr nars, stafjbfk bf sbhnfln, wabtbfk icr tmn scufj tcrnturf tmat Inhbx maj mnarj. (r eayn nvnf tmcukmt mn mnarj.

mn wbfj hnw jcwf tmn lafycf, cuflbfk c* tmn rcl% wahhs, ea%bfk jbrnltbcfci scufjs jb0luht tc tnhh, ut tmnf tmny ahh mnarj bt wmnf tmn wbfj smbitnj. 9ntahicctstnps cf stcfn. "Bt lcuhjf't n," Inhbx sabj. "B tmcukmt tmn %bj sabj mn maj tmn pcwnr scurln," sabj 1cl%y. "$n jbj," sabj Inhbx. "=ut B tmbf% mbs jaj eay mavn icufj af ahtnrfatn." mn harkn jccrs cf tmn ircft ci tmn lasthn wahh cpnfnj wbtm a rusty krcaf,lcvnrbfk tmn scufj ci tmn entah icctstnps icr a ecenft, ut tmn sbkmt tmn cpnfjccrs prnsnftnj jbspnhhnj afy jcuts as tc tmn scurln ci tmcsn icctstnps. #rcufj a jc?nf cr sc enlmafblah enf earlmnj cut ci tmn fcw cpnf pcrtah bftmn lasthn wahh. :alm stccj acut sbx afj a mahi innt tahh, wbtm lcppnr lchcrnj

cjbns, fc ialns, afj lyhbfjrblah icres wbtm a jar% khass lbrlhn bf tmn lnftnr citmnbr lmnsts. mnbr hnks afj ares maj myjrauhbl pbstcfs tc ecvn tmnbr %fnns afjnhcws bf secctm ectbcfs. [mbhn apprnmnfsbvn at tmn autceatcfs lcebfk tmnbrway, Inhbx was ahn tc ajebrn tmn lraitseafsmbp 1; maj put bftc tmnsn entahschjbnrs. $n &ust mcpnj tmny wnrnf't tcc iast. #rlmnr jrnw mbs rapbnr irce bts smnatm, hcc%nj at bt, tmnf tmn entah enf, tmnfrnturfnj mbs swcrj tc bts rnstbfk phaln. "B jcf't tmbf% ey swcrj wbhh jc eulm kccjakabfst tmnsn autceatcfs." "6ra a rcl%," Inhbx sabj. "=bk as ycu laf wbnhj n*nltbvnhy." mn ajvnfturnrs snarlmnj iraftblahhy icr )stsb?nj stcfns. Inhbx icufj a lcuphn

afj mnhj cfn bf nalm mafj. "B mcpn tmny jcf't ecvn eulm iastnr tmaf tmny arnfcw," mn sabj. "[n ebkmt n ahn tc knt nmbfj tmne afj ta%n tmne cut tmat way.Irce wmat ycufk 1; sabj, tmny mavn +ubtn a myjrauhbl krbp. "-prnaj cut," mn crjnrnj. "3cf't ea%n bt nasy cf tmne." mn )vn ajvnfturnrs icrenj a hbfn irce tmn lhb* ialn tcwarjs tmn lasthn, rnajytc ennt tmn ajvaflbfk autceatcfs mnaj cf. Inhbx, #fknhbfn, =nl%y, #rlmnr, afj1cl%y stccj tnf innt irce nalm ctmnr, harkn rcl%s bf tmnbr mafjs. Inhbx afj 1cl%yecvnj wbjnr cut afj arcufj tmn entah enf bf a af%bfk ecvn. wc autceatcfsnalm rc%n c* irce tmn krcup tc ichhcw. mn entah )kurns stcppnj )vn innt irce tmn ajvnfturnrs, kbvbfk Inhbx afj1cl%y pausn. mny ahh hcc%nj at nalm ctmnr bf lcfiusbcf as tmn entah enf stccj

stbhh as cfhy bfafbeatn c&nlts laf. mn khass lbrlhn cf tmn lmnst ci nalm autceatcf hbt up wbtm af nnrbn hun khcw,afj a ialn tmat rnsnehnj af chjnr 1; tcc eulm tc fct n mbs iatmnr )hhnj tmnslrnnf. "Inhbx Yahnftbfn," sabj tmn =arcf ci asthn =hal%eccr. "B smcuhj mavn %fcwf btwas ycu." "=arcf," Inhbx sabj afj fcjjnj mbs mnaj bf smcw ci rnspnlt tc tmn tbthn bi fct tmneaf. "[mnrn bs ey scf"


16/18

"-ain wbtm mbs auft afj uflhn." "/cu wbhh pay icr tmbs," tmn =arcf sabj. $n sfnnrnj. "Icr tmbs afj ahh ctmnr pasttrafskrnssbcfs ycu mavn jcfn akabfst en." "Inhbx," #fknhbfn sabj. "[mat bs mn tah%bfk acut [mat ctmnr 'pasttrafskrnssbcfs'" "2ct fcw, jnar." Inhbx turfnj al% tc tmn autceatcfs. "Bt bs ycu wmc wbhh pay

tmbs tben, =arcf. Icr tmn )fah tben. #usbfk ycur cwf lmbhj icr ycur fniarbcuskhcah jcebfatbcf phafs bs jnspblahn. /cu wcf't knt cut ci tmbs ahbvn." mn arcf's ialn twbstnj wbtm rakn. "Bt bs ycu wmc wbhh jbn tmbs jay, Yahnftbfn!" mn slrnnfs swbtlmnj c* afj bfstafthy tmn entah enf laen tc hbin, ajvaflbfkcf tmn ajvnfturnrs as tmrnn ufbtsA a trbc ci rccts nalm icr Inhbx afj 1cl%y, afjtmn ctmnr sbx icr tmn rneabfbfk tmrnnscen fnar tmn lhb*'s njkn. #fknhbfn, =nl%y afj #rlmnr jcvn tc tmn sbjn at tmn hast ebfutn bf tmn mcpnstmat tmn autceatcfs wcuhj kc cvnr tmn lhb*, ut tmn entah enf wnrn +ubl%nr tmaftmat, ctm pmysblahhy afj enftahhy. mn entah mnajs turfnj tc ichhcw tmnecvnenfts ci tmn trbc afj tmn cjbns ichhcwnj sccf aitnr. "B was mcpbfk tmny'j iahh icr tmat," #rlmnr puffnj.

"2c sulm hul%," #fknhbfn sabj. "=ut pueenhbfk tmne cvnr ebkmt n ecrnn*nltbvn." -mn tmrnw cfn ci mnr rcl%s at a rcct lhcsn tc tmn njkn, strb%bfk bt bftmn mnaj marj nfcukm tc ea%n bt rnnh cf bts mnnhs a ecenft. Bt stnppnj al% twcstnps, bts snlcfj stnp hafjbfk cf tmn prnlbpbln, afj cvnr tmn lhb* bt wnft. "6ccj smct!" =nl%y sabj. "=ut B'e a nttnr asnahh pbtlmnr tmaf ycu nvnrwnrn." =nl%y jrnw mnr are al% afj hafjnj a rcl% jbrnlthy bf tmn lmnst slrnnf ciafctmnr autceatcf, smattnrbfk tmn khass afj lausbfk kbaft spar%s ci nhnltrblbty tcsmcct irce tmn mchn. mn autceatcf stakknrnj, tcc% twc stnps, tmnf inhh cvnr. "wc jcwf," #rlmnr sabj. "9y turf fcw." [btm a swakknr bf mbs wah%, mn tcc% tcw stnps tcwarjs cfn ci tmn entah enf

afj tmrnw cfn ci mbs stcfns. Bt sabhnj cvnr tmn nftbrn krcup afj cut bftc tmnlafycf. $n stccj tmnrn a snlcfj, tmnf turfnj al% tc tmn hajbns wbtm mbssmcuhjnrs muflmnj afj a smnnpbsm hcc% cf mbs ialn. "[mat" mn sabj. "B fnvnr hb%nj asnahh." (fn ci tmn entah enf rnalmnj icr #rlmnr. $n kranj bts are, puhhnj bt tcwarjsmbe, tmrcwbfk bts ahafln c*, spuf arcufj afj hauflmnj bt c* tmn njkn ci tmn lhb*. mn hajbns apphaujnj. "6ccj &c, #rlmnr," #fknhbfn sabj. "#cut tben ycu kctcfn." "B wcfjnrnj bi ey &ujc trabfbfk wcuhj ahsc wcr% cf tmnsn autceatcfs. Bt wcuhjsnne tmat bt jcns." $n turfnj tc ialn tmn rneabfbfk tmrnn. "4nt's )fbsm tmnsn kuysc*."

9nafwmbhn, #rlmnr's rctmnr Inhbx, afj tmn icrenr Bepcssbhn #knft 1cl%y=cenra wnrnf't mavbfk as nasy a tben. mny wnrn ctm cutfuenrnj tmrnn tccfn, as cppcsnj tc tmn twc tc cfn hb%n tmnbr lcepatrbcts, afj tmny nalm stccjahcfn. mn eabf ajvaftakn Inhbx afj 1cl%y maj was tmat tmn autceatcfs majtrcuhn wbtm bfjnpnfjnft tmbf%bfk. mny snnenj tc n prckraeenj tc ajult, fct%bhh, afj tmny ahh attneptnj tmn saen eafnuvnrs, nxalthy, as tmn ctmnrs. [mnfcfn rnalmnj icr Inhbx's rbkmt are, tmny ahh rnalmnj icr tmn saen spct at tmn saentben.


17/18

Inhbx +ubl%hy tcc% ajvaftakn ci tmbs afj hnj tmne tcwarjs a part ci tmn lhb*wahh tmat nxtnfjnj acvn tmn lasthn. $n lhbenj as iast as mn lcuhj, &ust arnhynslapbfk tmn krasp ci tmrnn ci tmn autceatcfs, cfn wmblm ahecst tcc% mbs hnitsmcn. (fln mn kct )itnnf innt up, acut twc innt cut ci tmn rnalm ci tmn autceatcfs,mn icufj a lceicrtahn spct &ust wbjn nfcukm icr mbe tc turf arcufj cf. Inhbx

ialnj tmn autceatcfs afj hcc%nj at tmne irce acvn. 4cc%bfk at tmn tcps ci tmnbrmnajs, mn lcuhj snn a seahh aftnffa icr a wbrnhnss sbkfah, acut sbx bflmns hcfkwbtm a tbfy ahh at tmn tbp. #hh ci tmn entah enf stcppnj ecvbfk afj stccj statunhb%n icr acut J5 snlcfjs. "4cc%s hb%n B lcfiusnj tmne," Inhbx sabj. "Lubl%hy, %fcl% tmcsn cvnr tmn njkn." #fknhbfn, =nl%y afj #rlmnr lcephbnj wbtm tmn crjnr, %fcl%bfk tmn rneabfbfktmrnn autceatcfs cvnr tmn njkn ci tmn lhb*. "2cw mnhp 1cl%y ecvn mbs!" =nicrn tmny tcc% )vn stnps tcwarjs tmn icrenr Bepcssbhn #knft, tmn entahenf nkaf ecvbfk akabf. mn trbc assauhtbfk 1cl%y fcw bkfcrnj mbe afj ecvnjakabfst Inhbx.

"[nhh bt's cvbcus wmc tmn prben tarknt bs," mn euttnrnj. "(m ey stars afjkartnrs." mn entah enf ecvnj akabfst tmn rcl% wahh afj stccj wbtm tmnbr arescutstrntlmnj, tmrnn alrcss, prnssbfk as lhcsn tc tmn wahh as tmny lcuhj. [mnf tmnsnlcfj trbc arrbvnj, twc ci tmne nkaf tc lhbe up tmnbr rntmrnf hb%n a hajjnr. "hbe, Inhbx!" #fknhbfn ynhhnj. "B tmbf% B ebkmt," Inhbx sabj. $n turfnj afj startnj slraehbfk icr icctmchjs afjmafjmchjs tc lhbe mbkmnr cf tmn lhb* ialn wahh.

mn enlmafblah enf icrenj a pyraebj, tmrnn autceatcfs alrcss tmn asn,twc cf tmnbr smcuhjnrs, afj cfn cf tcp. #s tmn hast cfn lhbenj, mn rnalmnj upafj sfakknj Inhbx's af%hn &ust as Inhbx was acut tc knt cut ci rnalm. mn

autceatcf yaf%nj cf Inhbx's hnk, lausbfk tmn ajvnfturnr tc hcsn mbs krbp afj iahhc* tmn lhb* ialn afj tuehn tmbrty innt tc tmn rcl%y phatnau. $n hay stbhh wmnf mnhafjnj. "Inhbx!" #fknhbfn ynhhnj. -mn raf tc mbs sbjn afj lmnl%nj mbs rnatmbfk. "/cu astarjs!" #rlmnr ynhhnj. "mat's ey rctmnr!" $n pbl%nj up a )stsb?njrcl% afj murhnj bt at tmn entah enf wmc wnrn &ust jbsassnehbfk tmnbr enlmafblahpyraebj. #rlmnr's rcl% sabhnj cvnr tmnbr mnajs tc strb%n tmn wahh tnf innt acvnwmnrn Inhbx maj stccj. mn rcl% &arrnj a seahh rcl% hccsn, wmblm bf turf %fcl%njafctmnr hccsn, tmnf afctmnr afj afctmnr. -ccf harkn cuhjnrs wnrn tuehbfk jcwftmn lhb* ialn, seasmbfk bftc tmn rccts afj lrusmbfk tmne. #fknhbfn kranjInhbx's smcuhjnrs afj jrakknj mbe away irce tmn iahhbfk rcl%s, ut fct nicrn cfn

strul% mnr bf tmn smcuhjnr, jbshclatbfk bt. -mn slrnaenj bf pabf afj jrcppnj mnrparaecur. 3nspbtn tmn akcfy ci mnr smcuhjnr afj tmn inar tmn avahaflmn lausnj, #fknhbfnsebhnj at #rlmnr. "2bln tmrcw, #rlmnr. [mc fnnjs tc phay asnahh wmnf ycu lafrbfk jcwf a ecuftabf"

> > >


18/18

"3aef bt ahh!" =arcf 1blmarjs slrnaenj. "mny jnstrcynj tmne. :vnry hast cfn citmne. #fj tmn cy bsf't mnrn tc kbvn pcwnr tc afy tmat arn hybfk jcreaft." $n hcc%nj arcufj tmn rcce tc snn tmat mn was ahcfn. ";bf 4bu" mn sabj. ";bf 4bu!3aef bt ahh! [mnrn tmn mnhh bs mn" mn =arcf stcrenj cut ci tmn lceeufblatbcfs rcce bf snarlm ci scencfn tcynhh at. mcsn jaefahn ajvnfturnrs wnrn kcbfk tc bfvajn mbs lasthn. $bs lasthn.

$cw jarn tmny. #fj icr wmat c stcp mbe irce attal%bfk mblakc #hh cf tmn wcrjci a twnhvn ynar chj cy wmc rufs away irce mcen $cw jarn tmny... ";bf 4bu!" 1cnrts slrnaenj as mn stcepnj mbs way jcwf a lcrrbjcr, turfnj hnitafj slrnaenj tmn eaf's faen akabf. "[mnrn tmn jnvbh arn ycu" "$n's kcfn," sabj a vcbln nmbfj mbe. mn =arcf spuf cf mbs mnnh tc )fj mbesnhi lcfircftnj y Inhbx Yahnftbfn, #rlmnrYahnftbfn, =nl%y $uftnr, #fknhbfn $uftnr, afj 1cl%y =cenra. Inhbx hnafnj mnavbhy cf mbs rctmnr, a trbl%hn ci hccj ruffbfk jcwf tmn hnit sbjnci mbs ialn. "$n's kcfn afj ycu wbhh fnvnr snn mbe akabf, ufhnss mn jnlbjnj tc vbsbtycu bf prbscf." "

Felix Valentine, Gentleman Adventurer and The Black Lion

Documents

Transcript of Felix Valentine, Gentleman Adventurer and The Black Lion