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be Cheysuli。
They have not lied。。。 she whispered silently。 They have said the truth＋that it is better to he part of an accursed race with a god…gift in the blood； than to be a Uriess Homanan。
Cm circled and flew toward mem again； dark eyes brightened by me flames of the sconces and candleracks。 He slowed； stall…ing with broad wings； and settled himself upon the back of the throne。 He mantled once； then perched in perfect silence on the dark lion throne of Homana。
There； Uren； have we made the man take notice？
Alix laughed joyously within her mind； weling her god…gift； and felt me hawk's approval。
Shaine stumbled away from her； but neither did he go near me
throne with its hawk headpiece。 The Mujhar's hand raised and pointed at the bird。
〃Is this your doing？ Do you summon the familiars of demons？〃
〃He is a lir； my lord；〃 she said evenly。 〃Surely you recall them。 Hale had one； did be not？〃
〃Go from here！〃 Shaine cried hoarsely。 〃Leave this place！ I will not suffer a Cheysuli within Homana…Mujhar！〃
〃Willingly； my lord grandsire；〃 she said clearly。 〃Nor will I suffer a foolishly vain man longer than I must。〃
His face contorted。 〃Leave this place before I have my guard take you！〃
Alix was so angry she ached with it。 She turned her rigid back on me Mujhar and walked to me open doors at the end of the ball。 There she swung around once more。
〃I see now why Lindir took her leave of you； my lord。 I only wonder she did not do it sooner。〃
Alix went unaccosted into the darkness of the cobbled bailey
courtyard。 As she picked up her skirts to hasten toward the tall
gates she heard the clash of gold and gems at her girdle and
realized she fled with some of me Mujhar's riches。 Then she
hardened her heart and determined to keep mem； if only to have
a legacy of her mother。 She had no coin； the gems would serve；
Alix glanced over her shoulder apprehensively； expecting to be followed。 From all accounts Shame was too vain to let such an affront to his pride go unremarked； if she did not win free or Homana…Mujhar quickly she might soon taste the hospitality of his dungeons。 When she turned back； hitching her skirts higher； she saw a shadow detach itself from （he wall and e at her。
She stumbled back in alarm as the looming figure caught her。
Before she could cry out a hand fastened firmly over her mourn。
〃Be silent！〃 hissed a whisper。
By the gods； Shaine will have me slain！ She struggled against the hard body； fighting the guardsman with all her strength。 The hand clenched against her jaw painfully； restraining her teeth as she sought to bite。 Her free hand clawed for this face and missed； dragging across a bare arm and stopping against the warmth of embossed metal。
Alix froze。
*W