07/03/2026 01:27

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The men from the boats will be on us in aninstant. Who taught you? My mother was an adept. As Hal and Sir Francis ran up beside him, he hefted the long oak shaftand thrust at the belly of another musketeer who rushed at him with hissword held high. It became a trial of strength and endurance.

Then its head fell back to earth with a thump and, with onelast snorting breath, it lay still. All that morning the team of greys stoodpatiently in the traces with Aboli soothing them at intervals. They areclose behind! Hal turned and looked up the steep stream bed behind him. A green-jacketed soldier had spotted him.