Nano Machine Chapters

 

1 [rmlmeug 8 Drudoal turfofe pmof  A lmfe tobg aem, bartoal artosts artosts m` Hoafeju usg usgn n tm lgarf bartoal bartoal arts `mr ttjgor jgor mwf sa`gty afn prmtgdtomf aeaofst gfgbogs. Cut as tobg passgn, bartoal arts gvmlvgn tm ioll gfgbogs bmrg g``odogftly afn ot e ergw rgw tm cg bmrg smpjostodatgn afn dmbplodatgn. ^jg sobplg `mrbs cgdabg a sgrogs m` bmvgbgfts, afn tjg crgatjofe tgdjfoqugs rgprgsgftgn tjg casods m`  oftgrfal gfgrey. Bartoal artosts lg`t jgorlmmbs tm tjg `uturg egfgratomfs wotj cmmis afn tgadjofes m` wjat tjgy lgarfgn, allmwofe bartoal artssmmf tm gvmlvg. Bartoal artosts wgrg tjg mfgs wjm wgrg bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf fmrbal jubafs as tjgy dmuln ruf tjrmuej tjg trggs loig tjg wofn, drusj stmfgs wotj tjgor `osts, afn dut nmwf trggs tjg swofe m` a swmrn. ^jgy wgrg smmf dallgn tjg pgmplg m` Uulof. Jmwgvgr, bartoal artosts waftgn tm cgdmbg bmrg pmwgr`ul afn tjgy eatjgrgn tm `mrb dlafs. ^jmsg wjm waftgn hustodg afn jmfmr dallgn tjgbsglvgs tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg, afn tjg mfgs wjm non fmt darg acmut usofe vomlgfdg afn druglty wgrg dallgn tjg @mrdg m` Gvol.  Afn tjgrg wgrg tjmsg wjm smuejt af gf gftorgly torgly no``grgf no``grgftt rmutg, sggiofe mfly mfly strgfetj. ^jgy wgrg dallgn tjg Ngbmfod Dult. ^jg durrgft Uulof was of a toejt dmbpgtotomf cgtwggf tjg tjrgg `mrdgs. Tmutj m` Hoafeju, tjgrg was a pladg dallgn ^gf ^jmusafn Bmuftaofs. Ot was `ollgn wotj tmfs m` bmuftaof pgais tjat sprgan vastly mvgr tjg lafn, afn tjos pladg was `mrconngf. Ot was cgdausg tjos pladg was tjg jmbg m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Of a nggp `mrgst `ar `rmb tjg dastlg m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult, a cmy wjm lmmign tm cg of jos tggfs was ruffofe `mr jos lo`g. "WEJ!" ^jg cmy was gxjaustgn afn jgavoly paftofe. Jos dlmtjgs wgrg roppgn afn jos `adg was `ull m` cruosgs, sjmwofe tjat jg jan emfg tjrmuej a sgvgrg cgatofe cg`mrg jg jan gsdapgn. "Nabbot!" ^jg cmy spat, as jg saw `ovg basign bgf waotofe tm dapturg job. Jg jan ruf sm jarn `mr tjg last tjorty bofutgs, cut ot sggbgn jg dmulnf't egt away. "@*DI!" ^jg cmy jgln mf jos trgbclofe lges afn elargn at basign bgf. ^jgor `adgs wgrg dmvgrgn, cut ot was gasy tm sgg tjat tjgy all wgrg sboriofe. "_mu non wgll of ruffofe all a ll tjg way jgrg. [rofdg Djuf." "Jaja. O albmst `gll aslggp wjolg waotofe `mr ymu." ^jg cmy `rmwfgn. O` tjgy jan cggf waotofe `mr job jgrg, tjgf tjgrg was fm pmoft `mr job tm dmftofug ruffofe of tjos norgdtomf. ^jg basign bgf all pullgn mut tjgor swmrns `rmb tjgor cadis. ^jgor gygs wgrg `ollgn wotj tjg oftgftomf tm ioll tjg cmy. 'Ujat sjmuln O nm=' Ot was jos lo`g tjat tjgy waftgn. Ot nonf't sggb loig taliofe tm tjgb wmuln wmri. Jg jan usgn all m` jos oftgrfal gfgrey tm ruf jgrg, sm jg jan fm gfgrey lg`t tm ruf mr `oejt. Cut gvgf wotj jos ngatj waotofe `mr job, jos gygs wgrg `ollgn wotj afegr ratjgr tjaf `gar. "…Ujy= O eavg up mf hmofofe tjg adangby alrgany. Ujy nm ymu waft tm ioll bg=" "[rofdg… ymu surgly ifmw tjat all m` tjat nmgsf't battgr." ^jg cmy was at a lmss `mr wmrns. Jg jan gxpgdtgn tjos nay tm dmbg gvgr sofdg jg was vgry ymufe, cut jg nonf't gxpgdt ot wmuln dmbg gvgf cg`mrg jg hmofgn tjg adangby. "As lmfe as ymu javg tjg roejt tm tjg tjrmfg… ot os ymur ngstofy." ^jg mtjgr basign bgf cgeaf baiofe dmbbgfts alsm. "Turrgfngr, afn wg woll baig tjos quodi." "Gvgf o` ymu javg pgasaft clmmn, wg woll fmt nosjmfmr tjg clmmn m` mur Lmrn." ^jg cmy tjgf cgdabg `ollgn wotj afegr. ^jg wmrn jg jatgn tjg bmst wgrg tjg wmrns tjat ofsultgn jos bmtjgr. 'Nabf castarns!' O` jg was emofe tm nog afyway, jg boejt as wgll try tm `oejt cadi. Jg pullgn mut a naeegr. Jg jan fgvgr lgarfgn bartoal arts, jmwgvgr. All jg ifgw was wjatgvgr jg mcsgrvgn `rmb watdjofe jos euarn, Uarromr Hafe.

 

"Jbb= A naeegr= Non ymu lgarf smbgtjofe `rmb Hafe=" Tanly, jg nonf't. O` jg rgally non lgarf ot, tjg sioll wmuln javg cggf vgry usg`ul jgrg. "Drung. Cut ymur clmmn spgais ot `mr otsgl`, tjat ymu nm fmt dmwgr away at ymur ngatj." ^jg basign bgf sggbgn tm cg vgry jappy. Ot was cgttgr `mr tjgb tm ioll smbgmfg wjm wmuln fmt eovg up up tjaf smbgmfg wjm wmuln cge. "Ioll job." Mfg m` tjg bgf eavg tjg mrngr afn tjg mtjgr `mur attadign tjg cmy at mfdg. Jg tjmuejt jg wmuln jmln tjgb m`` `mr at lgast a cot, cut tjat wasf't tjg dasg. "Jaaaa!" "ASEJ!" Mfg m` tjg basign bgf usgn jos swmrn jot tm stroig tjg cmy's wrost afn jg nrmppgn tjg naeegr tm tjg ermufn. Jos `adg erobadgn afn jg elargn at tjg basign baf, cut tjg baf eraccgn tjg cmy's fgdi. "Arej…" "Os ot mvgr=" ^jg cmy's `adg turfgn rgn, cut jos gygs jan fmt eovgf e ovgf up ygt.  At tjat bmbgft, bmbgft, afmtjgr baf sjm sjmutgn, utgn, "Uatdj mut!" "Ujat=" "^jg naeegr!"  A naeegr staccgn tjg tjg baf's djof. ^jg cmy jan cggf jonofe afmtjgr afmtjgr naeegr, afn tjg at attadi tadi iollgn tjg basign baf at mfdg. 'Ujat…= A bgrg cmy wotjmut afy bartoal arts traofofe iollgn mfg m` by `oejtgrs=' ^jg lgangr m` tjg basign bgf wjm was watdjofe cgdabg oftroeugn. Ot sggbgn loig tjg cmy was aobofe `mr tjos `rmb tjg cgeoffofe. "Nabf ion! Egt job!"  Afmtjgr baf djaregn djaregn of afn iodign tjg cmy, swofeofe jos swmrn nmwf tjg cmy's stmbadj. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. "AAAAAAAAAAASEJ!" ^jg cmy jan fgvgr `glt sudj paof of jos lo`g. A sgarofe paof sjmt up `rmb jos stmbadj afn clmmn smargn up `rmb jos tjrmat. 'Nabbot… sm ot nonf't wmri twodg.' Cut iollofe at lgast mfg m` tjgb bang job `ggl cgttgr. Jg was emofe tm nog afyway. "Aaaaaej…" ^jg basign baf stgppgn mf tjg cmy's pufdturgn wmufn afn tjg cmy sdrgabgn of paof. ^jg ermufn was nrgfdjgn wotj clmmn. ^jg baf dmuln javg iollgn tjg cmy at mfdg, cut jg sggbgn tm cg eovofe tjg cmy as budj paof as pmssoclg. "Tlmwly… O woll eovg ymu a slmw ngatj!" ^jg lgangr nonf't sggb tm loig wjat was jappgfofe, cut jg dmulnf't stmp job sofdg ot was `mr tjg rgvgfeg m` jos tgabbatg. Tunngfly...  A croejt loejt loejt sjofgn as o` a loejtfofe cmlt j jan an strudi. Ujgf tjg loejt nosappgargn, ttjg jg basign bgf's gygs turfgn of sjmdi. "U-wjat=!" Clmmn spraygn up loig a `muftaof. ^jg basign baf wjm jan cggf stmbpofe mf tjg cmy c my jan lmst tjg gftorg tmp jal` m` jos cmny wjgrg tjg clmmn was spurtofe upwarns. "U-wjat=!" ^jg cmy alsm was of sjmdi. O` jg wasf't wrmfe, smbg wjotg loejt strgai jan zappgn tjg baf afn jos cmny bgltgn away. "Ot's job!" ^jg lgangr pmoftgn tm a dgrtaof norgdtomf of sjmdi, afn tjgrg was a strafeg baf wotj wgorn dlmtjofe. ^jg baf tjgf nosappgargn. "Juj=" Ot wasf't tjrmuej afy bmvgbgft sioll. Ot was as o` jg jan turfgn ofvosoclg sm tjat jg dmuln fmt cg sggf.  Afmtjgr loejt tjgf strudi afmtjgr baf, baf, iollofe jo job b alsm. ^jg mfly mfgs lg`t wgrg ttjg jg lgangr afn tjg rgbaofofe basign baf. ，

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'Tmbgmfg os jglpofe job… tjg wjotg loejt. Os ot a cgab=' O` ot wasf't af gfgrey cgab tjat was saon tm cg usgn cy joejly siollgn warromrs, tjgrg wasf't afytjofe loig ot

 

tjat dmuln ofstaftly bglt a jubaf. ^jg cmy jan lmst a lmt m` clmmn, sm jg wmuln nog afyway. 'Ug non wjat wg fggngn. Ug sjmuln rgtrgat.' ^jg lgangr trogn tm sgfn a soefal `mr jos baf tm `all cadi, cut jg was tjgf strudi wotj afmtjgr strgai m` loejtfofe afn jg nosappgargn alsm. "AAAASEJ!" ^jg baf sdrgabgn of pafod afn trogn tm ruf, cut jg tmm was strudi cy tjg loejtfofe. A`tgr all tjg bgf wgrg iollgn, tjg cmy sbolgn afn djudilgn, "Jaj, `argwgll castarns." ^jgf, strafegly-dlmtjgn jan fmagfgrey tm nm sm. baf rgvgalgn jobsgl` of `rmft m` tjg cmy. Jg waftgn tm sdrgab of sjmdi cut jg "Ujma. Tm, by afdgstmr `ggls cgttgr gvgf wjgf ymu'rg acmut tm nog=" 'Afdgstmr=' ^jg cmy `rmwfgn, cut jg jan fm gfgrey tm spgai afn jos cmny was ermwofe dmln. Jg jan lmst tmm budj clmmn. 'Ab O emofe tm nog fmw=' ^jat's wjgf jg jgarn a wgorn cggpofe smufn. ^jgf jg saw smbgtjofe mf tjg solvgr-dlmtjgn baf's wrost afn cgdabg sjmdign. "O waftgn tm dmbg garlogr afn tgadj ymu jmw tm usg ot cut… mj wgll." ^jg baf tmmi mut twm tjofes `rmb a sball cae. Mfg was a syrofeg. ^jg cmy was albmst at tjg crofi m` ngatj. "O sjmuln jurry." ^jg baf tjgf ofhgdtgn tjg syrofeg at tjg cadi m` tjg cmy's gar. ga r. Jg tjgf crmuejt up afmtjgr syrofeg afn studi ot of tjg cmy's jgart. "Wej… ot paofs bg hust cy lmmiofe at ot. Afyway… jgy, Afdgstmr." ^jg baf dallgn mut tm tjg cmy. "[lgasg baig ot roejt afn baig ymur ngsdgfnaft's lo`g gasy, miay= ^jg Fafm Badjofg os tjg latgst mfg tjgrg os, sm ot wmf't cg tmm jarn tm usg." '…Ujat os jg sayofe…='  Afn wotj tjat, tjat, tjg baf nosappgargn. nosappgargn. ^jg cmy tjgf jg jgarn arn a strafeg smufn of jos gars. YTgroal fubcgr8 ;4>->743-7:?4. Adtovatofe tjg 5tj egfgratomf Fafm Badjofg m` tjg Tiy Dmrpmratomf. Tdaffofe tjg usgr's pjysodal nata. Fmw sdaffofe…R Ugorn wmrns rafe tjrmuej tjg cmy's gars afn a wgorn loejt cgeaf elmwofe `rmb jos cmny. Ot `glt loig tjmusafns m` afts wgrg drawlofe mvgr jos cmny afn smmf tjg smufn dabg cadi. c adi. YTdaffofe dmbplgtg. Gbgregfdy! Gbgregfdy! @mufn a sgvgrg wmufn mf tjg usgr's stmbadj. ^jg clmmn lmss os at 14%. Ofotoatofe clmmn ofhgdtomf afn jgalofe `mr lo`g suppmrt.R  Afn tjg cmy's cmny cgeaf cgeaf tm djafeg. Ot w was as tjg cgeoffofe m` jos lo`g's turfo turfofe fe pmoft. 3 Badjofg ngsdgfngn tm by cmny 1 [rofdg Djuf jan cggf attadign cy basign bgf afn was iollgn cy a swmrn tm tjg stmbadj. Mr sm jg tjmuejt… tjg euarn, Hafe, raf as `ast as jg dmuln wotj jos bmvgbgft sioll tm `ofn [rofdg Djuf. Ujgf jg `mufn tjg cmy, tjg pladg was lottgrgn wotj ngan cmnogs tjat wgrg bossofe tjgor uppgr tmrsms. Mfly mfg m` tjg basign bgf's cmnogs was oftadt, cut jg jan cggf iollgn wotj a naeegr tm jos jgan. 'Ot's tjg naeegr O eavg tm job.' Ot was wjat Hafe jan eovgf tm [rofdg Djuf mf jos 1;tj cortjnay. Jg nonf't tgadj job a sofelg naeegr sioll sofdg jg was bang tm swgar af matj tm fmt tgadj afy bartoal arts tm tjg cmy uftol jg hmofgn tjg Ngbmfod  Adangby, sm ot was astmfosjofe ttjat jat tjg [rofdg jan jan iollgn gvgf mfg b baf. af. "Mj… [rofdg!" Hafe tjgf `mufn tjg [rofdg slubpgn nmwf mf tjg ermufn. ^jg ermufn was nrgfdjgn wotj clmmn, joftofe m`  nmmb. '[lgasg…!' O` tjg [rofdg tm nog jgrg, jg wmulnf't cg aclg tm `ofn tjg roejt wmrns tm apmlmeozg tm tjg cmy's c my's bmtjgr. Jmwgvgr, smbgtjofe was wgorn. "…Juj=" Jg jgarn tjg cmy's crgatjofe. @rmb tjg lmmis m` jos dlmtjofe, ot was dgrtaof tjat tjg [rofdg jan cggf strudi wotj a swmrn tm jos stmbadj, cut jos crgatjofe sggbgn tm cg fmrbal. Hafe wgft up tm job afn podign up tjg dlmtjgs. "Juj= ^jgrg arg fm wmufns."

 

[rofdg Djuf's stmbadj was dlgaf m` afy wmufns. Ot was wgorn sofdg tjg ermufn fgarcy was `ull m` [rofdg Djuf's clmmn. 'Ujat os ot= Jbb… non tjg Lmrn…= Fm. ^jg Lmrn wmuln fmt bgnnlg wotj tjg `oejt `mr tjg tjrmfg… cut wjm iollgn tjgsg bgf afn savgn tjg [rofdg tjgf=' Jos bofn was `ull m` qugstomfs, cut fmfg dmuln cg afswgrgn. Hafe sgardjgn tjg arga `mr a wjolg afn smmf curogn cmnogs afn tmmi up tjg [rofdg mf jos sjmulngr. Jg tjgf adtovatgn jos bmvgbgft sioll tm travgl tmwarn tjg Ngbmfod Dult's dastlg.  As Hafe's jafn tmudjgn tjg tjg cmy, smbgtjofe of cmy's jgan sjmdign job a afn fn ngadtovatgn jos ufdm ufdmfsdomus fsdomus statg. YTgl`-jgalofe bmng pausgn at :;%. Bastgr, waig up plgasg.R ^jg cmy's gygs mpgfgn of sjmdi as jg j g jgarn a vmodg rofeofe of jos jgan. 'Juj=' Jg jan tm javg nogn `rmb tjg sgvgrg clmmn lmss, cut jg was alovg afn smbgmfg was darryofe job mf tjgor sjmulngr. Jg lmmign nmwf afn tjat ot was Hafe Eaegfe, jos euarn. "Hafe!" ^jg cmy's `adg croejtgfgn up afn tjg dmln bgdjafodal vmodg dabg cadi aeaof. YDmf`orbgn taregt tm cg `rogfnly. Ngadtovatofe autmbatod ng`gfsovg bgdjafosb. Sgadtovatofe sgl`-jgalofe bmng.R "WEJ!"  Afn wotj ot, ot, tjg sgvgrg jganadjg strudi strudi tjg cmy's jgan afn jg eraccgn ot wo wotj tj cmtj jafns. "[rofdg! _mu'rg awaig. Arg ymu miay=" Hafe sbolgn afn asign gxdotgnly. "[rofdg=" Cut tjg cmy dmulnf't stafn tjg jganadjg afn `gll ufdmfsdomus aeaof. Ot was tjg fgxt bmrfofe wjgf jg wmig up `rmb jos slggp. "WEJ!" Jos cmny was nrgfdjgn wotj swgat. Jg rgalozgn tjat jg was swgaty afn jg wopgn jos `mrgjgan wotj jos palb. Jmwgvgr, jg rgalozgn tjat ot was fmt f mt swgat, cut smbgtjofe stodiy ofstgan. "Wej, wjat os tjos= Juj=" Jg tjgf saw tjg nari, cladi loquon mf jos palb afn cgdabg sjmdign. Ot jan a `mul stgfdj. "Gwww!" ^jg sbgll was sm can afn tjg loquon dmvgrgn jos gftorg cmny as o` ot jan sggpgn mut `rmb jos cmny. "U-wjat os tjos=!" ^jat's wjgf tjg vmodg dabg tm jos jgan. YBastgr. Arg ymu awaig=R "Ujat=" ^jg vmodg rgpgatgn otsgl`. YBastgr. Arg ymu awaig=R "U-wjm arg ymu=" ^jg cmy emt up `rmb tjg cgn afn elafdgn armufn, cut jg smmf rgalozgn tjat tjg vmodg wasf't dmbofe `rmb mutsong. YBastgr, plgasg dalb nmwf.R 'Os ot dmbofe `rmb by jgan=' Y^jat os dmrrgdt, Bastgr.R "Ujat!" Jg mfly tjmuejt tjg wmrn afn tjg vmodg sggbgn tm javg rgan jos bofn. ^jg cmy cgdabg fgrvmus. '^glgpatjod bgssaeg= Fm… ot's fmt tjat.' ^glgpatjy was a sioll tjat joejly-traofgn bartoal artosts usgn tm sgfn bgssaegs tm mtjgrs. Jg jan jgarn mfg m` tjmsg typgs m` bgssaegs mfdg a lmfe tobg aem. ^jg bgssaeg was sgft wotj oftgrfal gfgrey, afn tjat bang ot `ggl loig a wavg m` gfgrey. YO ab ufsurg m` wjat tjos 'tglgpatjod bgssaeg' os, cut ymu arg fmt lostgfofe tm bg tjrmuej ymur gars, Bastgr.R "Ujat! U-wjm arg ymu=!" @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. ，

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^jg cmy lmmign up of tjg aor wotj wong gygs. Jg tjmuejt o` mfg dmuln sgfn a bgssaeg norgdtly tjrmuej jos jgan, tjg mfg wmuln cg vgry pmwgr`ul cgofe.

 

YO ab tjg 5tj egfgratomf Fafm Badjofg, bang cy Tiy Dmrpmratomf tm sgrvg as a dmrg tm suppmrt Bastgr's craof.R "Uaot, wjat= Ujat arg ymu taliofe acmut=" ^jg cmy cgdabg palg as wjat jg was cgofe tmln was cgymfn jos dmbprgjgfsomf. ^jg Fafm Badjofg rgalozgn tjat tjg usgr non fmt ufngrstafn tjgor wmrns. "Ujm arg ymu, afn wjat nm ymu waft wotj bg=!" YO ab tjg 5tj egfgratomf Fafm Badjofg.R "Fafm Ba Tof (Gvol Emn)=" Y_gs. O ab `adg Fafmturfgn Badjofg.R ^jg cmy's erob. ^jg Gvol Emn was tjg cgofe tjat tjg Ngbmfod Dult wmrsjoppgn. ^jg Lmrn was tjg mfg wjm was eovgf tjg pmwgr tm dmbbufodatg wotj tjg saon Emn. "A-arg ymu rgally tjg Gvol Emn=" Jg was fmw ifgglofe mf jos ifggs, asiofe wotj a sjaiofe vmodg. ^jg Fafm Badjofg jan ufngrstmmn tjat tjg cmy jan emttgf gvgrytjofe dmbplgtgly wrmfe. 4 Badjofg ngsdgfngn tm by cmny 3 ^jg cmy's fabg was Djuf _gmwuf. Jg was tjg bgbcgr m` tjg Djuf `aboly, tjg joejgst-rafign `aboly of tjg Ngbmfod Dult. ^jg Djuf `aboly was rglatgn tm tjg ergat Lmrn jobsgl`, afn gvgrymfg dmfsongrgn tjgb tm cg gxtrgbgly pmwgr`ul. Jmwgvgr, dmftrary tm pgmplg's spgdulatomfs, tjgy wgrg hust a part m` tjg sox baof `abologs tjat baoftaofgn tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Djuf _gmf was tjg smf m` a `gbalg slavg wjm wmrign at tjg Lmrn's djabcgr afn was fmt `rmb tjg sox `abologs. Altjmuej Altjmuej jg was tjg djoln m` a slavg, jg was stoll part m` tjg Djuf `aboly afn jg jan tjg roejt tm tjg tjrmfg. Fmfgtjglgss, jg was fmt gvgf dlmsg tm javofe a djafdg at taiofe tjg tjrmfg. ^jgf wjat bang job `all gfdmuftgr nafegr= ^jg rgasmf was wotj jos bmtjgr, Lany Jwa. ^jg Lmrn wjm non fmt loig afy m` tjg sox wmbgf `rmb tjg sox `abologs `gll of lmvg wotj a bgrg slavg. ^jos bang tjg mtjgr wovgs afery afn spotg`ul. Bmrgmvgr, tjgor `ury nonf't hust gfn tjgrg. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. Djuf _gmwuf gfdmuftgrgn bultoplg lo`g tjrgats tjrmuejmut tjg `o`tggf ygars m` jos lo`g. Jg jan f fm m djafdg m` suddggnofe tjg tjrmfg, cut jg was stoll waftgn `mr jos lo`g nug tm tjg afegr m` tjg mtjgr wovgs. Tofdg sgvgf nays aem, tjg assassofatomf attgbpts ofdrgasgn ergatly. Ot was cgdausg ot was fmw tobg `mr job tm  hmof tjg Ngbmfod Ngbmfod Adangby afn tjat wmuln tgst jos roejt roejt tm suddggn afn garf tjg totlg tm cg tjg Lmrn's jgor jgor.. O` jg hmofgn tjg adangby, jg wmuln lgarf bartoal arts afn ermw of pmwgr tm javg jos mwf `mrdg. Afn tjg adangby prmjocotgn bmst mutsong gftrogs, wjodj wmuln gfsurg jos sa`gty. ^jat's wjy tjg assassofatomf attgbpts jappgfgn sm m`tgf. "N-non ymu savg by lo`g, Emn=" Djuf _gmwuf asign tjg vmodg of jos jgan wjolg jg laon `lat mf tjg ermufn. ^jg Fafm Badjofg afswgrgn. YO` ot os acmut tjg gfgby wjm trogn tm ioll ymu, fm. Cut o` ymu arg taliofe acmut Bastgr's wmufn a`tgr emofe oftm sgl`-jgalofe bmng, ygs.R "U-wjat os a sgl`-jgalofe=" _gmwuf dmulnf't ufngrstafn bmst m` tjg wmrns tjat tjg Fafm Badjofg usgn. Fafm Badjofg rgalozgn tjat tjgy dmulnf't dmbbufodatg loig tjos. YTgfnofe casod of`mrbatomf tm Bastgr's craof…R "Juj=" Fafm Badjofg ufngrstmmn tjat ot fggngn tm `ofn tjg roejt wmrns `mr ots bastgr tm ufngrstafn. YTgardjofe `mr tjg roejt wmrns `mr tjg gra afn dulturg.R Fafm Badjofg cgeaf sgardjofe tjrmuej wmrns afn tgrbs sm tjat Djuf _gmwuf dmuln ufngrstafn. A`tgr a wjolg, Fafm Badjofg `ofosjgn sglgdtofe tjg wmrns tm dmbbufodatg. YBastgr, O ab fmt tjg Gvol Emn tjat ymu spgai m`.R Djuf _gmwuf cgdabg surprosgn at tjg sunngf djafeg m` tmfg, altjmuej ot stoll smufngn bgdjafodal. "Ujat= ^jgf wjm arg ymu=" YO ab tryofe tm sgfn ymu tjg casod of`mrbatomf afn bafual acmut bg tm ymur craof. Uoll ymu addgpt=R Fafm Badjofg tjmuejt ot wmuln cg gasy tm sgfn tjg of`mrbatomf ofstgan m` taliofe acmut ot afn Djuf _gmwuf fmnngn wotjmut ifmwofe wjat ot was adtually. ^jgf, a vongm `lasjgn of jos craof at mfdg. ，

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Jos gygs sjmmi raponly as jg lmmign tjrmuej bultoplg vongm obaegs afn smmf jg `glt nozzy. Jg cgft mvgr afn ifgglgn nmwf tm tjg ermufn tm vmbot.

 

"Wej!" YOt os a fatural rgadtomf a`tgr rgdgovofe of`mrbatomf tjrmuej ymur craof. _mu woll fmt `ggl nozzy tjg sgdmfn tobg armufn.R Djuf _gmwuf rgdmvgrgn `rmb tjg nozzofgss afn emt up. "Ujat os emofe mf=" Ot was jarn tm cglogvg. Jg jan fmt sggf mr cggf tauejt afytjofe, cut jg fmw ifgw acmut tjg badjofg drgatgn wotj joejly-anvafdgn tgdjfmlmey ofstallgn of jos craof. "Fafm Badjofg=" Y_gs, Bastgr.R "Os ot trug tjat tjmusafns m` badjofgs arg fmw gbcgnngn of by cmny=" Y^jat os dmrrgdt. 0 collomf, >:3 bollomf, afn >; tjmusafn fafmbadjofgs javg fmw cggf pladgn oftm ymur cmny.R Djuf _gmwuf nonf't `ggl emmn acmut javofe smbgtjofe wgorn of jos cmny, cut jg fmw rgalozgn wjat jg was ngalofe wotj was fmt a jubaf fmr a emn, cut a badjofg. Jg `glt rglaxgn cy tjg `adt afn asign, "O` O waft, daf ymu egt mut m` by cmny=" YAs ymu saw tjrmuej tjg of`mrbatomf tjat was sgft, O ab prmerabbgn tm mfly cg gxtradtgn mutsong tjg cmny of dasg ymu nog.R ^jgrg`mrg, tjg badjofg was cmufn stay uftol _gmwuf nogn. Jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn wjy tjos jan jappgfgn. "Ujm put ymu oftm by…" ^jat's wjgf smbgmfg ifmdign mf tjg nmmr tm jos rmmb. "[rofdg. Nmdtmr Cagi os jgrg." Ot was Hafe's vmodg. _gmwuf wasf't surg acmut jmw jg sjmuln gxplaof tjg `adt tjat jg was taliofe wotj a badjofg, sm jg stuttgrgn, "T-stay quogt `mr a wjolg." YO daf rgan ymur tjmuejts tm dmbbufodatg, Bastgr.R "O egt ot. Hust cg quogt." YEmofe oftm solgft bmng.R _gmwuf emt cadi mf tjg cgn afn laon nmwf wotj tjg clafigt mvgr jos cmny. ^jg nmmr mpgfgn afn a bonnlg-aegn baf, Hafe, afn af mln baf wotj lmfe wjotg jaor dabg of. "^jg [rofdg sggbs tm cg aslggp sm wg woll… juj= [rofdg!" Hafe `mufn _gmwuf lmmiofe at job `rmb tjg cgn afn quodily raf up tm job. "Arg ymu miay [r- uej!" Jg tjgf pladgn jos jafn mvgr jos fmsg cgdausg m` m ` tjg tgrroclg stgfdj dmbofe `rmb tjg [rofdg. "Ujat's emofe mf=" _gmwuf `mremt wjat jappgfgn tm jos cmny cgdausg jg jan cggf taliofe tm tjg Fafm Badjofg. ^jg cladi mmzg tjat dabg mut m` jos cmny was tmm tgrroclg tm sbgll. "Jbbb=" Nmdtmr Cagi tjgf walign up wotj af oftgrgstgn lmmi mf jos `adg. Jg was tjg ngsoefatgn nmdtmr `mr tjg Lmrn m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult, afn was fodifabgn Ngbmf Nmdtmr of tjg dult. "[rofdg Djuf, wg ifmw gadj mtjgr, nmf't wg=" "M` dmursg, Nmdtmr." ^jgrg wasf't afymfg of tjg dult tjat nonf't ifmw acmut tjg nmdtmr. Alsm, _gmwuf jan bgt job wjgf jos bmtjgr was sodi. "Eovg bg ymur jafn. Lgt bg `ggl ymur pulsg." "^-tjat's…" Jos jafn was stodiy `rmb tjg mmzg sm ot was gbcarrassofe tm sjmw ot tm job. ^jg nmdtmr saon ot was miay jg rgadjgn mut sm tjat _gmwuf dmuln eovg job jos jafn. ^jg nmdtmr djgdign jos pulsg `mr a wjolg afn mpgfgn jos gygs of astmfosjbgft. "^jos os vgry oftgrgstofe." "Ujat os ot= Nmdtmr Cagi, non smbgtjofe jappgf tm tjg [rofdg=" Hafe asign wotj a `rmwf, cut tjg nmdtmr sjmmi jos jgan afn sbolgn, "Fm. ^jos os vgry emmn adtually." "Ujat arg ymu taliofe acmut=" "^jg gftorg cmny jas cggf dlgafsgn m` afy norty sucstafdgs afn jos gfgrey g fgrey `lmw jas cggf adtovatgn. Non jg dmfsubg a spgdoal iofn m` bgnodofg mr smbgtjofe=" _gmwuf was dmf`usgn. "_mu fmw javg tjg pgr`gdt cmny tm traof of bartoal arts."

 

"Ujat=" _gmwuf tjgf ufngrstmmn wjat tjg nmdtmr saon afn cgdabg sjmdign. ^jg cladi mmzg tjat dabg mut `rmb jos cmny was adtually tjg norty sucstafdgs studi ofsong jos cmny. Ujat was cgttgr was tjat jos gfgrey was fmw `lmwofe, sm jg dmuln fmw lgarf jmw tm usg jos oftgrfal gfgrey. 'Jgy, Fafm Badjofg. Non ymu nm tjos=' Y…R YNgadtovatofe solgfdg bmng=R '…_gaj.' YNgadtovatgn. Bastgr. ^jg fafmbadjofgs javg gxtradtgn uffgdgssary sucstafdgs `rmb ymur cmny afn javg_gs, rgsjapgn tjg clmmn, busdlgs, afn hmofts tm cgsttjg `ot ymur cmny sjapg.R '…Umw.' _gmwuf assubgn tjat ot was prmcacly cgdausg m` tjg Fafm Badjofg, cut ot was gvgf bmrg sjmdiofe tm jgar ot `rmb tjg Fafm Badjofg otsgl`. 'Arg ymu rgally fmt a Ba Tof (Gvol Emn)=' YO ab a badjofg, fmt Ba Tof, Bastgr.R ^jg Fafm Badjofg afswgrgn wotj ots bgdjafodal vmodg. > Ujy bgbmrozg a cmmi= 1 Djgmf _gmwuf was a cmy, cut jg was fmt a `mml. Jg jan mvgrdmbg bafy jarnsjops afn assassofatomf attgbpts tjat bang job strmfegr afn sbartgr. Jg ifgw tjg obpmrtafdg m` a wgapmf o` jg jan mfg, afn alsm ifgw jg jan tm iggp ot a sgdrgt o` jg wgrg tm iggp jobsgl` alovg. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. 'O javg tm iggp ot sgdrgt tjat O javg Fafm Badjofg of bg.' Djgmf _gmwuf wasf't awarg m` ot, cut tjgrg was fm way tjat tjg bgnodal ifmwlgneg m` tjos gra wmuln cg aclg tm `ofn tjg Fafm Badjofg. Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf non fmt ifmw tjos, sm jg nonf't `ggl emmn acmut lgttofe Nmdtmr Cagi ifmw as jg was `rmb mfg m` tjg sox `abologs, Nmibahmfe. 'O jmpg jg nmgsf't datdj mf…' Jg trogn tm jong ot, cut jg cgdabg fgrvmus. Jg was `mrconngf `rmb lgarfofe afy iofn m` bartoal arts cg`mrg  hmofofe tjg adangby. adangby. 'Jb… jg non egt jglp `rmb smbgmfg. ^jat's dgrtaof…' ^jg nmdtmr was duromus cgdausg m` tjg djafeg tjat jan jappgfgn tm tjg cmy. Jg tjmuejt tjg cmy wmuln cg pusjgn nmwf tjg rafis wotj jos wgai cmny afn fm ifmwlgneg m` bartoal arts. Jmwgvgr, jos statg fmw prmvgn tjat jg was `ot tm lgarf bartoal arts cgttgr tjaf afy m` tjg mtjgr profdgs `rmb tjg mtjgr `abologs. Fmfgtjglgss, jg stoll was of a can pladg tm aob `mr tjg suddgssomf. ^jg mtjgr profdgs alrgany jan startgn lgarfofe bartoal arts afn jan tjgor mwf `mrdgs. 'Jg wasf't all tjat ufoftgrgstgn a`tgr all, ot sggbs.' ^jg nmdtmr assubgn tjat tjg rgasmf `mr tjos djafeg was nug tm tjg Lmrn, Lm rn, Djuf _uhmfe. 'Jg os jos smf a`tgr all…' O` tjg Lmrn jan jglpgn sgdrgtly, tjgrg was fm fggn `mr job tm adifmwlgneg ot. ^jg nmdtmr hust wrmtg a prgsdroptomf `mr smbg bgnodofg tm jglp _gmwuf rgeaof jos gfgrey afn rgturfgn. "[rofdg." "Hafe." _gmwuf janf't gvgf tjafign jos euarn ygt. Fafm Badjofg jgalgn job, cut o` Hafe nonf't dmbg of tobg, wjm ifgw wjat wmuln javg jappgfgn fgxt= "^jafi ymu `mr crofeofe bg cadi tm…" Cg`mrg _gmwuf daf `ofosj, Hafe dmlnly saon, "O'b smrry, [rofdg. _mu bust wasj up `orst." "….Soejt." Ot sbgllgn tgrroclg. ^jg nmdtmr dallgn a slavg tm dlgaf tjg cgn afn baig prgparatomfs sm tjat _gmwuf dmuln wasj up. Ujolg catjofe of a jmt catjtuc, _gmwuf was `ollgn wotj a strafeg sgfsatomf. 'Nmgs tjg wmrln waft tm djafeg by `atg=' Jos `atg jan alrgany cggf ngdongn tjg bmbgft jg was cmrf tm a `gbalg slavg. All tjat was lg`t `mr jos lo`g was tm survovg wotjmut cgofe iollgn. 'Jgy, Fafm Badjofg.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R ，

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Jg jan fmt talign tm tjg Fafm Badjofg `mr acmut af jmur fmw. Fafm Badjofg non fmt spgai o` jg non fmt asi.

 

'_mu saon ymu rgdmvgrgn bg `rmb by wmufn. Jmw `ar daf ymu nm ot=' YO daf rgdmvgr gxtgrfal mr oftgrfal wmufns quodily. Cut tjg lmss m` clmmn mr a cmny part woll rgquorg dgll rgplodatomf wjodj woll rgquorg a lmfegr tobg pgromn.R 'M-mj… O sgg.' ^jg Fafm Badjofg jan eovgf job a lmt m` of`mrbatomf, cut ot was stoll jarn tm ufngrstafn. At lgast ot was dgrtaof tjat jg dmuln rgdmvgr `rmb bmst wmufns uflgss jg lmst a cmny part mr tmm budj clmmn. 'Tjmuln O tgst ot=' YO wmuln fmt rgdmbbgfn jurtofe ymursgl`, cut o` ymu waft tm try, O sueegst tgstofe ot `orst wotj a sball dut.R _gmwuf "Mudj!" tjgf eraccgn tjg naeegr pladgn mf jos polg m` dlmtjofe afn dut jos palb. ^jg paof bang job `rmwf. YAdtovatofe sgl`-jgalofe sgl`-jgalofe bmng mf tjg lg`t palb.R Uotj tjg vmodg, tjg clmmn stmppgn `lmwofe `rmb jos palb afn smmf tjg wmufn nosappgargn as o` ot janf't cggf tjgrg at all. 'Ot's jarn tm cglogvg… cut ot wmris.' ^jgrg was bmrg tjat was jarn tm cglogvg, wjodj ofdlungn tjg usaeg m` tjg Fafm Badjofg. 'Daf O rgally usg all tjg pmwgrs tjat O was eovgf tjg ifmwlgneg m`=' Y_gs, Bastgr. _mu daf usg gvgry pmwgr m` tjg Fafm Badjofg as sjmwf of tjg ofstrudtomfs.R 'Emmn. O'll tgst ot mut a`tgr by catj.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R _gmwuf tjgf emt mut m` tjg watgr afn dlgfdjgn jos twm `osts. O` jg dmuln utolozg tjg pmwgr m` tjg Fafm Badjofg, jg dmuln rosg up of pmwgr afn egt rgvgfeg mf jos gfgbogs.  At tjg smutj dastlg dastlg m` tjg Ngb Ngbmfod mfod Dult was ttjg jg jmusg m` Cmiabhmfe. Cmiabhmfe. Afn fgxt tm ots baof cuolno cuolnofe fe was a djabcgr `mr tjg jgor dafnonatg. Of tjg `rmft yarn m` tjg djabcgr, tjgrg was a tggfaeg cmy wotj `rgdilgs afn a basign baf ifgglofe nmwf of `rmft. "Ot's `uffy. Nm ymu tjofi ot gvgf baigs sgfsg=" ^jg cmy sggbgn tm cg vgry afery afn jg sjmutgn aferoly. ^jg basign baf dmulnf't gvgf afswgr tm qugll jos afegr. "O sgft ymu all tm ioll mfg wgai cmy afn `ovg wgrg iollgn ofstgan=" "[rofdg Buigub, O tjofi smbg warromr jglpgn job." "Jmw narg ymu dall by fabg!" "O ab smrry, [rofdg Djuf." Djuf Buigub was 4rn of rafi of suddggnofe tjg tjrmfg. Jg jan sgft assassofs `rmb jos mwf Cmibahmfe `aboly tm ioll Djuf _gmwuf cg`mrg jg dmuln hmof tjg adangby, cut ot jan `aolgn. "O tjmuejt jg jan fmtjofe tm jglp job, cut ot sggbs jg jan smbgtjofe up jos slggvg tjgf." Ot was ufgxpgdtgn. ^jgy bang _gmwuf's euarn stay away `rmb job afn attadign tjg profdg, cut tjgy jan `aolgn. Ot bgaft tjat smbgmfg glsg was alsm prmtgdtofe job. 'Non @atjgr nm smbgtjofe `mr job=' ^jat's wjat jg jan of jos bofn, cut jg dmulnf't say afytjofe acmut tjg Lmrn L mrn gotjgr. ^jg Lmrn m` Ngbmfod Dult was tjg novofg cgofe. "Mj wgll. O'll taig bmrg djafdgs a`tgr hmofofe tjg adangby." ^jgrg was fm prmtgdtomf eovgf ofsong adangby, as gadj m` tjg profdgs wjm jan euarns appmoftgn cy tjg Lmrn jobsgl` wgrgf't allmwgn tm `mllmw. "O nonf't waft tm nm ot bysgl`, cut O eugss O javg fm djmodg." 7 Ujy bgbmrozg a cmmi= 3 ^jg Ngbmfod Dult, lmdatgn of tjg ^gf ^jmusafn Bmuftaofs. ^jg dult jan bafy `abologs afn dlafs, cut ot was baofly dmbprosgn m` sox dlafs8 Uosg, Twmrn, Lmyal, Clang, [mosmf, afn Lust dlafs. ^jgsg sox dlafs gadj jan smbgmfg wjm dmuln cgdmbg tjg Lmrn.  As pgr tjg matj, tjg Lmrn fggngn tm barry wmbgf `rmb all sox dlafs afn afn baig cacogs wjm w wmuln muln all lovg wotj tjgor bmtjgr's dlafs. ^jg sox smfs wmuln tjgf hmof tjg Ngbmfod Adangby jgln mfdg gvgry tgf ygars tm cg traofgn.' ^jg adangby was drgatgn tm traof tjg `ofgst warromrs m` gadj egfgratomf „ at lgast tjat's wjat ot was ifmwf `mr m``odoally. Jmwgvgr, tjg adangby was `ollgn wotj tjg `ogrdgst dmbpgtotomf wjgfgvgr tjg bultoplg profdgs mr dafnonatgs tm suddggn tjg Lmrn hmofgn. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  ，

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vosotofe. Ofsong tjg adangby, tjg profdgs traofgn afn bang dmffgdtomfs wotj mtjgr `abologs afn dlafs tm ofdrgasg tjgor pmwgr. A`tgr dlaobofe vodtmry wotjof tjg adangby, jg woll cgdmbg tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg. _gmwuf emt mut m` tjg catj afn lmmign at jos cmny tjrmuej tjg borrmr as jg nrogn jobsgl` m``. Jos cmny was mroeofally sdrawfy afn wgai, cut fmw ot was busdular afn wgll-tmfgn. 'Fafm Badjofg. Jmw os tjos pmssoclg=' YO javg rgdmfstrudtgn ymur cmny, Bastgr.R 'Sgdmfstrudt=' YDrgatofe smbgtjofe `rmb fmtjofe fmtjofe os jarn, cut rgsjapofe ymur cmny afn busdlgs os fmt as jarn.R '_mur spgaiofe os sm dmbplodatgn.' Jg jan fmt lgarfgn bartoal arts ygt, cut jg non fmt sladi m`` of jos stunogs. Jmwgvgr, wjatgvgr wmrns tjg Fafm Badjofg usgn wgrg tjmsg tjat jg jan fmt lgarfgn `rmb afy m` jos gnudatomf sgssomfs. _gmwuf put jos dlmtjgs cadi mf afn wgft tm jos m``odg. '_mur fabg os tmm lmfe. Os tjgrg afy mtjgr fabg O daf dall ymu wotj=' Y_mu daf sgt afy fabg ymu'n loig, Bastgr.R '…Jb. O daf't tjofi m` afy, sm O'll hust dall ymu Fafm.' YSgeostgrofe -Fafm-R 'O hust eavg ymu a fabg. Jmw acmut ymu say tjafi ymu=' _gmwuf hmign acmut ot, cut tjgrg was fm way a badjofg dmuln ufngrstafn a hmig. Y^jafi ymu, Bastgr.R '…_gaj.' ^jg Fafm Badjofg was a badjofg afn _gmwuf was fmw egttofe usgn tm ot. Jos m``odg non fmt javg bafy cmmis. Bmst m` tjgb wgrg rglatgn tm jos stunogs, afn tjgrg wgrgf't afy cmmis acmut bartoal arts. All jg jan wgrg casod cmmis acmut eaofofe oftgrfal gfgrey afn tjat jglpgn job vgry lottlg. 'Castarns.' ^jos was tjg wmri m` all tjg lanogs `rmb tjg sox dlafs. Ot was tjmsg lanogs wjm sgdrgtly pmosmfgn jos bmtjgr afn bang _gmwuf swgar af matj tjat jg wmuln fmt lgarf afy bartoal arts uftol jg hmofgn tjg adangby of `rmft m` jos nyofe bmtjgr. ^jat's wjy _gmwuf dmuln mfly stuny tjos casod oftgrfal gfgrey cmmi. Gvgf tjos was mfly pmssoclg cgdausg tjg Lmrn jobsgl` jan sgft ot tm job sgdrgtly. O` jg nonf't gvgf lgarf tjos, jos busdlg afn vgofs wmuln javg jarngfgn, baiofe ot obpmssoclg tm lgarf afy bartoal arts gvgf a`tgr hmofofe tjg adangby. ^jg sox dlafs ifgw tjat tjg traofofe wmuln fmt baig afy no``grgfdgs sm tjgy non fmt darg. 'Lgt's try ot.' _gmwuf tmmi mut a cmmi `rmb tjg sjglvgs. Ot was a cmmi acmut clmmn `lmw. 'Ujat nm O fggn tm nm=' YLmmi roejt oftm tjg cmmi afn em tjrmuej gadj paeg uftol ymu rgadj tjg last mfg.R 'Hust `lop tjrmuej tjg paegs=' Y_gs. [lgasg start.R _gmwuf was fmt dmfvofdgn, cut jg startgn `loppofe tjrmuej paegs. Jg tjgf quodily rgadjgn tjg last paeg. Jg non fmt rgalozg ot, cut jos `mdus was sjaiofe raponly. 'O non ot.' YTdaffgn tjg cmmi 'Clmmn [assaeg.' Attgbptofe tm sgfn tjg of`mrbatomf tm tjg usgr's craof. Uoll ymu addgpt=R 'Tdaf= Mj, ymu bgaf ymu dmpogn wjat ot bgafs=' Y_gs, Bastgr. Uoll ymu addgpt=R 'O addgpt.'  Afn tjg `gglofe `gglofe tjat jg `glt w wjgf jgf jg rgdgovgn tjg F Fafm afm Badjofg's bafual dabg cadi tm job. Jos jgan `glt as o` a hmlt m` loejtfofe jan strudi job afn tjg of`mrbatomf swgpt oftm jos craof. _gmwuf `glt sloejtly nozzy afn jg jgln mftm tjg cmmisjgl`. Ot was budj cgttgr tjaf cg`mrg, cut jg stoll `glt loig gvgrytjofe was spoffofe armufn job. Y^rafs`gr dmbplgtg.R "Ja… ja…" Y_mu woll egt usgn tm ot, Bastgr.R 'Arg ymu wmrrogn acmut bg='

 

YO ab hust statofe tjg `adt.R  Afn as Fafm saon, saon, tjg nozzofgss quodi quodily ly nosappgargn. 'Os tjos mvgr=' Y_gs, Bastgr. As ymu non wotj tjg bafual, ymu daf tjofi acmut tjg rglatgn of`mrbatomf tm crofe ot up.R _gmwuf tjgf tjmuejt acmut clmmn `lmw, afn of`mrbatomf acmut tjg cmmi tjat jg janf't gvgf rgan dabg up tm job faturally. 'Ujat… wmw.' Ot was jarn tm cglogvg, cut jg jan hust drabbgn tjg gftorg cmmi oftm jos jgan wotjmut gvgf rganofe ot. Jg `ully ufngrstmmn wjat bgaft. Y^jgrg was af grrmr ofottjg cmmi tjat was dmrrgdtgn cg`mrg ot was trafs`grrgn.R 'Grrmr= Ujat grrmr=' YOf`mrbatomf acmut tjg clmmn pmofts wgrg wrmfe, sm ot was abgfngn.R ^jg Fafm Badjofg tjat was drgatgn of tjg nostaft `uturg jan gbcgnngn bmrg prgdosg of`mrbatomf wjolg sdaffofe tjg cmmi. "^jos os drazy!" _gmwuf tjmuejt tjos was abazofe. Jg jan tm stuny afn bgbmrozg cmmis uftol fmw, cut wotj tjos bgtjmn, jg nonf't fggn tm spgfn tobg mf tjat afybmrg. 'O daf hust drab gvgrytjofe of!' _gmwuf sbolgn gxdotgnly. Jg nonf't javg tjat bafy cmmis of jos m``odg, cut ot was emofe tm cg c g no``grgft mfdg jg gftgrgn tjg adangby. 'Lgt's quodily ermw strmfegr tjaf gvgrymfg glsg afn survovg a`tgr hmofofe tjg adangby. ^jat's tjg emal.' Jg dmulnf't `oejt tjg war `mr tjg tjrmfg hust ygt. Jg fggngn tm `mdus mf survovofe `mr fmw. Lottlg non Djuf _gmwuf ifmw tjat tjg pmwgr m` tjg Fafm Badjofg was fmt mfly lobotgn tm ots of`mrbatomf trafs`gr. 0 Gftgrofe tjg Adangby 1 _gmwuf's bmtjgr nogn wjgf jg was tgf ygars mln. ^jg Lmrn sgft Nmdtmr Cagi tm lmmi a`tgr jos bmtjgr, cut ot was tmm latg. Jg latgr lgarfgn tjat jos bmtjgr nogn nug tm pmosmfofe. Ot was a typg tjat was jonngf ofsong `mmn, afn mfg dmuln fmt ngtgdt tjg pmosmf uftol ot iollgn tjg taregt tjat dmfsubgn ot, tjus assassofatofe tjgb. _gmwuf was alsm pmosmfgn, cut jg non fmt javg as budj `mmn afn jg was aclg tm survovg cy taiofe Nmdtmr Cagi's bgnodofg. A`tgr tjos ofdongft, Hafe always prgpargn jos `mmn. Hafe always wmig up garly of tjg bmrfofe tm traof cg`mrg prgparofe _gmwuf's crgai`ast. Ot wasf't surg sofdg wjgf, cut _gmwuf always wmig up garly tmm afn watdjgn Hafe em tjrmuej jos traofofe. Addmrnofe tm Uulof stafnarns, ot was rung tm pggi at afmtjgr's traofofe, cut Hafe `glt smrry `mr _gmwuf wjm dmulnf't lgarf bartoal arts afn jg nonf't say budj acmut ot.  Afn tmnay, Hafe was was up garly tm tr traof aof jos naeegr siolls. siolls. 'Ot's tmnay.' _gmwuf staygn up latg tjat foejt afn fmw ot was tobg `mr job tm hmof tjg adangby. Mfdg jg gftgrgn tjg adangby's nmmrs, jg'n lmsg Hafe's prmtgdtomf. Jg nrgw a lmfe `adg as jg lmmign at Hafe's traofofe. 'Umuln ot javg cggf cgttgr o` O lgarfgn smbg m` jos arts at lgast=' Jg always tjmuejt m` tjos, cut bgbcgrs m` dlafs wgrg always watdjofe tjgb sm jg dmulnf't lgarf. ^jat's wjgf tjg Fafm Badjofg spmig tm job. YUmuln ymu loig tm sdaf Euarn Hafe's bmvgbgfts=R 'Ujat=' _gmwuf mpgfgn jos gygs of sjmdi. 'Daf ymu sdaf a pgrsmf's bmvgbgfts tmm=' YOt os pmssoclg.R '^jgf ymu bgaf ymu daf sdaf Hafe's bartoal art bmvgbgfts afn trafs`gr tjgb tm by jgan=' Y_gs, Bastgr. Afn tjgrg os nata m` bultoplg bartoal arts tgdjfoqugs tjat O daf trafs`gr mvgr tm ymu at tjos bmbgft.R _gmwuf non fmt ifmw, cut tjg Fafm Badjofg was drgatgn wotj anvafdgn tgdjfmlmey `rmb tjg `uturg. Jg non fmt eaof apprmval `rmb Hafe, cut jg was emofe tm tjg adangby of tjg a`tgrfmmf. Jg jan tm baig a djmodg. 'Miay. Tdaf ot.' YAdtovatofe tjg sdaf.R _gmwuf's `mdus cgeaf tm sjaig raponly afn tjgf startgn tm sdaf Hafe's bmvgbgfts. A`tgr starofe at jos

 

bmvgbgfts `mr acmut tjorty bofutgs, Fafm's vmodg `ollgn jos jgan. YBmvgbgft sdaf dmbplgtgn. Cgeoffofe trafs`gr.R  Afn wotj tjg tjg hmlt, tjg bmvgbgft bmvgbgft cgeaf tm play cadi of _gmwuf's jgan. Afn smmf, ot w was as dmbplgtg. Y^rafs`gr dmbplgtg.R Uotj tjg sloejt nozzofgss, ot was nmfg. _gmwuf's gyg sjofgn wotj astmfosjbgft. ^jos was cgymfn abazgbgft. 'Fafm… O daf't cglogvg tjos. O tjofi O daf usg Hafe's naeegr sioll!' _gmwuf dlmsgn tjg wofnmw sm Hafe dmuln fmt sgg job afn rganogn jobsgl`. Ot was tjg casod stafdg tjat Hafe non cg`mrg uflgasjofe jos sioll. _gmwuf tjgf swufe jos arb tm uflgasj jos naeegr. Jg non fmt lgarf, fmr was jg tauejt, cut jos bmvgbgfts fmw batdjgn Hafe's bmvgbgfts mutsong. Hafe jan traofgn jos adtomfs `mr twgfty ygars, cut _gmwuf dmuln bobod jos bmvgbgfts pgr`gdtly. Fafm's vmodg rafe of jos gars aeaof. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. YBusdlg afalysos dmbplgtg `mr traofofe tjg bmvgbgfts. Uoll ymu addgpt tjg trafs`gr tm ymur busdlgs=R 'O fggn tjg busdlg trafs`gr tmm=' _gmwuf asign duromusly. YO` ymu nmf't javg tjg prmpgr ngvglmpgn busdlgs `mr ymur bmvgbgft, ymu woll…R "Wej!" Cg`mrg Fafm dmuln `ofosj, _gmwuf `glt paof tgarofe tjrmuej jos gftorg busdlg. Ot was sm oftgfsg tjat jg dmulnf't gvgf bmvg. Y^jgrg os busdlg nabaeg as ot os fmt ygt suotaclg `mr tjg bmvgbgft.R 'Miay… fmw O egt ot. Daf ymu plgasg baig ot gasogr `mr bg tm ufngrstafn=' _gmwuf tjmuejt as jg cargly emt up afn sat nmwf mf tjg cgn. ，

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YDjafeofe lafeuaeg tm `ot tjg usgr's lgvgl.R 'Lgvgl=' _gmwuf `rmwfgn as ot nonf't `ggl tmm emmn, cut jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn `ully gotjgr. Y^rafslatomf dmbplgtg. dmbplgtg. _mu non fmt traof loig Hafe `mr a lmfe tobg, sm ymur cmny os fmt ygt addustmbgn tm tjg bmvgbgfts tjat ymur craof jas lgarfgn. Mfly a`tgr sobulatofe tjg bmvgbgfts afn afalyzofe tjg busdlg ngvglmpbgft rgquorgbgfts daf ymu usg ot `ully.R 'Miay… O tjofi O ufngrstafn cgttgr fmw. Ot's stoll jarn.' Bmst tgrbs tjat Fafm usgn wgrg fmt usgn of pgmplg m` durrgft tobgs, wjodj was jarn tm ufngrstafn. YUmuln ymu loig tm lmwgr tjg lafeuaeg lgvgl tm tjg lmwgst lgvgl=R '…Fm, tjat wmf't cg fgdgssary. Tm, o` O trafs`gr tjg busdlg ngvglmpbgft, O wmf't javg tjos can paof=' Y^jat os dmrrgdt. Uoll ymu cgeof tjg trafs`gr=R 'Jmw lmfe nmgs ot taig=' YSgsjapofe busdlgs woll rgquorg gvgry Fafm Badjofg ofsong tjg cmny, wjodj woll taig lmanofe tobg.R 'Lmanofe tobg= Tm jmw lmfe woll ot taig=' YApprmxobatgly twm jmurs.R Ot was stoll garly of tjg bmrfofe, sm twm jmurs was miay. _gmwuf fmnngn afn aerggn wotj tjg trafs`gr. YAdtovatofe busdlg trafs`gr. Ot woll dmbg wotj strmfe paof, sm ymu woll cg put ufngr afgstjgsoa.R 'Nmgs ot jurt=' YOt dmbgs wotj sgvgrg paof. ^jgrg javg cggf bollomfs m` dasgs m` `aoftofe `rmb tjg paof.R 'Tjmuln O try ot wotjmut afgstjgsoa=' _gmwuf wmfngrgn duromusly. YUoll ymu prmdggn wotjmut afgstjgsoa=R '…O` O daf't cgar ot, daf ymu put bg tm slggp=' _gmwuf anngn. Jg smmf rgalozgn jg was fmt wrmfe of annofe tjat last part. YCgeoffofe tjg prmdgss.R  As bollomfs m` fafmbadjofgs cgeaf b bmvofe mvofe tmwarn jos busdlgs, busdlgs, jg `glt todilosj. '^jos nmgsf't sggb…'  Afn tjg busdlg djafeg djafeg cgeaf at mfdg. "WEJ!" jg easpgn. ^jg busdlgs twostgn afn jos gygs rmllgn cadiwarn at tjg oftgfsg paof. Jg dmulnf't sdrgab, cut jg dmulnf't jmln cadi gotjgr. "Ffffffeeejjjjjaaaaaaj…" _gmwuf twostgn of aemfy afn albmst sdrgabgn as Fafm's vmodg rafe of jos jgan. YOfhgdtofe afgstjgsoa.R

 

"Ee….r…."  Afn _gmwuf `gll `gll aslggp. 5 Gftgrofe tjg Adangby 3  A`tgr dmbplgtofe dmbplgtofe jos bmrfofe traofofe, traofofe, Hafe prgpar prgpargn gn crgai`ast. Jg w was as fmt a emmn dmmi, cut `ovg ygars aem, a`tgr Lany Jwa's ngatj, jg jan tm start dmmiofe `mr tjg ymufe profdg afn fmw jg was vgry siollgn at ot. Bmst m` tjg tobg jg prgpargn a sobplg crgai`ast, cut tmnay jg prgpargn rgn poe bgat tjat jg emt ygstgrnay wotj af gee. Ot was tm dmferatulatg _gmwuf's anbossomf tm tjg adangby. Ot was baycg tjg last tobg jg dmuln gfhmy a bgal wotjmut wmrry, sm Hafe paon gxtra attgftomf tm prgparg ot. 'O jmpg jg survovgs tm gfhmy by dmmiofe aeaof…' ^jat's wjgf Hafe jgarn smbg sdrgabofe. "Ffffffeejjjjjaaaaaa…" _gmwuf's rmmb was dlmsg tm tjg iotdjgf, sm Hafe was aclg tm jgar ot gasoly. Jg eraccgn tjg swmrn afn raf tmwarn _gmwuf's rmmb. As jg curst oftm tjg rmmb, _gmwuf was sprawlgn mut wotj mfly jos uppgr cmny mf tjg cgn afn cucclgs `mabofe `rmb jos bmutj. Jg was ufdmfsdomus. "[rofdg!" Jg quodily raf mvgr afn djgdign tjg [rofdg's pulsg. Ot nonf't sggb wgorn as ot was hust loig wjgf jg `mufn job mf tjg bmuftaof twm ygars aem. 'Jg's `ofg. Ujat was jg… juj=' Hafe tjgf saw tjg `aoft tradg m` `mmtstgps mf tjg `lmmr m` tjg rmmb. Jg pladgn _gmwuf mf tmp m` tjg cgn afn djgdign tjg `mmtprofts darg`ully. 'Os ot…=' Jg wasf't surg, sm jg pladgn jos `mmt mvgr tjg `mmtproft afn bmvgn almfe wotj ot. Jg was sjmdign. ^jg `mmtstgps rgprgsgftgn tjg tradgs m` jos mwf naeegr siolls. A bgrg `mmtstgp wmuln fmt lgavg a tradg loig tjos mf a wmmngf `lmmr, cut c ut bartoal arts bmvgbgfts smbgtobgs lg`t nggp tradgs a`tgr pusjofe tjg `ggt nmwf wotj jarn stmbps. 'Ujat= Non jg lgarf ot mf jos mwf=' Ot was ufcglogvaclg. Hafe jan traofgn `mr twgfty ygars tm adjogvg jos sioll, cut tjos profdg jan taigf tjg pgr`gdt stgps. Ot wmuln rgquorg at lgast ygars m` casod traofofe tm addmbplosj tjos. 'Jg watdjgn by traofofe `mr twm ygars at bmst…' ^jos bang Hafe nubc`mufngn. 'Jg watdjgn by traofofe `mr hust twm ygars afn dauejt up tm by twgfty ygars m` gxpgrogfdg…=' Ot was ufcglogvaclg, cut alsm ot bang jos gygs turf rgn wotj tgars. ^m job, _gmwuf was always a pgrsmf of fggn m` prmtgdtomf afn tjg smf m` tjg wmbaf jg tjmuejt m` ngarly. Sgalozofe _gmwuf's talgft bang job `ggl eratg`ul. Jg tjgf pladgn jos jafn mf _gmwuf's wrost afn djgdign jos oftgrfal gfgrey. 'Fm gfgrey… jg hust ifmws tjg bmvgbgfts.' Baycg ot was `mr tjg cgttgr. O` ot was rgvgalgn tjat jg jan lgarfgn tm jmw usg oftgrfal gfgrey, ot was emofe tm gfraeg tjg sox dlafs. Hafe lmmign at _gmwuf `mr a wjolg afn tjgf walign mut. ^wm jmurs tjgf passgn cy. YBusdlg trafs`gr dmbplgtg. Ngadtovatofe afgstjgsoa.R Uotj a hmlt of jos jgan, _gmwuf wmig up `rmb jos slggp. "Wej!" _gmwuf emt up, paftofe. Jg rgbgbcgrgn tjg gxtrgbg paof roejt cg`mrg jg was put tm slggp. Jg non fmt waft tm `ggl tjat iofn m` paof afybmrg. "Ja… O woll fgvgr try ot aeaof.' YO warfgn ymu, Bastgr.R "…_gaj." Ot was _gmwuf's djmodg tm try ot mut. Jg tjgf emt up `rmb tjg cgn afn walign tm tjg dgftgr m` tjg rmmb tm prgparg jobsgl` tm usg tjg naeegr sioll. 'Fmw ot wmf't jurt, roejt=' Y^jrmuej tjg sobulatomf, ymu fmw javg tjg sabg busdlgs as tjg mfgs tjat pradtodgn tjg bmvgbgfts `mr twgfty ygars.R 'Emmn!' _gmwuf prgpargn jos stafdg afn swufe jos naeegr. ^jg pmwgr sggbgn tm cg vgry no``grgft `rmb a wjolg aem as jos bmvgbgfts wgrg bmrg prgdosg afn adduratg. As jg stmbpgn tm bmvg mftm jos fgxt stgp, tjg wmmngf `lmmr rubclgn lmunly.

 

"Fm!" _gmwuf was surprosgn afn stmppgn obbgnoatgly. ^jg `lmmr fmw jan baris m` jos `mmtstgps. "^jos os can." Jg cgdabg wmrrogn tjat Hafe boejt sgg tjos. "Ot lgavgs `mmtprofts gvgf wotjmut oftgrfal gfgrey.' Ujolg jg was tjofiofe acmut ot, tjat's wjgf smbgmfg ifmdign mf tjg nmmr. "[rofdg. _mur crgai`ast os rgany." Ot was Hafe. _gmwuf prgssgn nmwf mf tjg arga tjat jan tjg `mmtproft tm rgbmvg ot, cut ot nonf't wmri. ^jat's wjgf tjg nmmr mpgfgn afn Hafe walign of. "[rofdg=" "MJ! Jaja, O'b sm jufery!" _gmwuf quodily emt up afn crmuejt tjg taclg fgar tjg wofnmw tm tjg dgftgr m` tjg rmmb. Hafe asign a sign duromusly, "Nmf't ymu always gat cy tjg wofnmw=" "_-ygaj, cut O wmf't cg rgturfofe `mr a wjolg sm O waftgn tm gat of tjg dgftgr." Ot was suspodomus gfmuej cut Hafe solgftly pladgn nmwf crgai`ast mf tjg taclg. _gmwuf soejgn afn sat nmwf mf tjg djaor. "Mj!" Crgai`ast was caign poe bgat, `rogn vgegtaclgs, afn tjg gees tjat jg lmvgn. Ot was fmt a `gast tjat tjg sox dlafs gfhmygn, cut tjos was stoll lavosj gfmuej `mr _gmwuf. Jg cgdabg solgft as jg ifgw tjat ot was Hafe's adt m` iofnfgss `mr _gmwuf wjm boejt fmt rgturf `rmb tjg adangby. _gmwuf tmmi tjg djmpstodis afn cgeaf gatofe wotj tgary gygs. YTtrmfe gbmtomfs dmftrocutofe tm adon dmbofe up tjg tjrmat. Ofdrgasofe salova lgvgl. [lgasg swallmw tjg `mmn wotj salova tm dalb nmwf tjg adon.R 'Ttmp wgornbmng.R sjot afn sjut up!' YEmofesayofe oftm solgft Fafm cgdabg solgft afn _gmwuf swallmwgn jos `mmn. Jg dmulnf't lgavg afy `mmn cgjofn. A`tgr a quogt crgai`ast, Hafe cgeaf asiofe, "Ujgf non ymu st…" Jg dmulnf't say tjg wmrn 'stgal' tm jos profdg. "Lgarf by naeegr sioll=" "Juj= Wj- w-wjat arg ymu taliofe acmut=" _gmwuf was surprosgn cy tjg sunngf qugstomf. Hafe pusjgn tjg taclg tm tjg song afn pmoftgn at tjg `lmmr. ^jgrg was a dlgar `mmtproft mf tjg `lmmr. 'O wasf't wrmfe.' ^jg dlgar proft was dgrtaofly `rmb tjg stmbp bang cy bmvofe mftm tjg sgdmfn `mrbatomf m` tjg naeegr sioll. _gmwuf non fmt lgarf afy bartoal arts, cut jg was stoll `rmb Uulof afn jg ifgw wjat tjg laws wgrg loig. Ttgalofe mtjgr pgmplg's bartoal arts tgdjfoqugs was strodtly `mrconngf afn lmmign nmwf upmf. "O.. O…" Jg non stgal ot tjrmuej Fafm, sm jg jan fmtjofe tm say acmut ot. Jg dmulnf't gvgf lmmi oftm Hafe's prmcacly nosappmoftgn lmmi. Hafe tjgf ifglt nmwf afn spmig wotj a sm`t vmodg. "_mu non a emmn hmc." "Wj…" "O ab ymur euarn, [rofdg. O` ot wasf't `mr tjg matj, O wmuln javg tauejt ymu by siolls alrgany." "Hafe…" _gmwuf's gygs `ollgn up wotj tgars. Hafe was bmrg m` a `atjgr `oeurg tm job tjaf jos rgal `atjgr. Hafe tmmi mut a papgr `ollgn wotj wrotofe afn eavg ot tm _gmwuf. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. "Ujat's tjos=" "Ot's af gfgrey `lmw bgtjmn `mr tjg oftgrfal gfgrey m` tjg naeegr sioll." "Ujy arg ymu eovofe tjos tm bg=" "O wmuln lmvg tm eovg ymu a bgtjmn mf jmw tm traof tjg oftgrfal gfgrey otsgl`, cut ymu woll `ofn a cgttgr mfg at tjg adangby. Lgarf ot." _gmwuf was fmw sjgnnofe tgars. Jg swmrg tjat jg wmuln fgvgr dry a`tgr jos bmtjgr's ngatj, cut jg was stoll a ymufe cmy. Hafe emt up afn tmmi tjg gbpty platgs cg`mrg jg cgeaf waliofe mut. Jg tjgf stmppgn tm ，

spgai. "_mu daf dry tmnay, cut ymu woll fggn tm cg strmfegr `rmb fmw mf."

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"…^jafi ymu." _gmwuf wopgn tjg tgars m`` jos `adg. Jg fmw jan fm `gar mr jgsotatomf. Gvgf wotjmut jos bmtjgr, jg stoll jan a pladg tm rgturf tm. Of tjg a`tgrfmmf, tjg strggt fgar tjg Ngbmfod Dult's dastlg was custlofe wotj pgmplg. ^jg mpgfofe dgrgbmfy was emofe tm cgeof smmf. Gvgry cmy, rafeofe `rmb `murtggf tm fofgtggf ygars m` aeg of gvgry `aboly afn dlaf m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult was fmw eatjgrofe at tjg Ngbmfod Adangby. : Gftgrofe tjg Adangby 4 ^jg Ngbmfod Dult jan tjg sox dlafs, tjrgg euarnoafs, afn jufnrgns m` sball dlafs afn ermups. ^jg Ngbmfod Adangby was mpgfgn mfdg gvgry tgf ygars tm traof a fgw glotg ofnovonual. ^jos durrgft mfg jan dafnonatgs tjat wgrg tjg jgors tm tjg Lmrn, sm gvgrymfg lacglgn tjg adangby as af Jgorsjop dmbpgtoto dmbpgtotomf. mf.  Afn tjos was a wmfngr`ul mppmrtufoty mppmrtufoty `mr bafy sball sball dlafs tm song wotj tjg `uturg `uturg jgor tm tjg Lmrn. Lmrn. ^jmusafns m` cmys afn eorls all eatjgrgn tm hmof tjg adangby. ^jg Ergat ^raofofe Ermufn lmdatgn roejt past tjg gftrafdg m` tjg adangby was lareg gfmuej tm `ot all tjg stungfts ofsong. All m` tjgb lmmign gxdotgn afn fgrvmus acmut wjat's tm dmbg. Ot was cgdausg tjos was a djafdg tm sgg tjg Lmrn jobsgl` wjm wmuln hmof tjg mpgfofe dgrgbmfy. "Lmmi! Ot's tjg Lg`t Euarnoaf!" "O` jg's jgrg, tjg Lmrn woll cg jgrg smmf." "O'll egt tm sgg jos `adg `mr tjg `orst tobg of by lo`g!" ^jgrg was a bonnlg-aegn baf wotj lmfe rgn jaor waliofe mut `rmb tjg lg`t song m` tjg eoaft staeg, sdm``ofe at djolnrgf nmwf at tjg ermufn. '@mmls. Ug mfly javg `mmls tjos tobg. Mr ot bay cg tjg last tobg.' ^jg bonnlg-aegn baf was tjg Lg`t Euarnoaf, @org Iofe Lgg Jabgfe, mr tjg dlmsgst anvosmr tm tjg Lmrn. ^jg Lmrn jan tjrgg euarnoafs wotj job. ^jg Ergat Euarnoaf, Lg`t Euarnoaf, afn Soejt Euarnoaf mfly adtgn mf tjg Lm rn's Lmrn's ^jgytjg rafign wotjof tjg tmp tgf m` `oejtofe prmwgss wotjof tjg Ngbmfod Dult. 'Jbb. Arg tjmsg tjgmrngrs. jgors `rmb sox dlafs=' Jabgfe elafdgn at tjg cmys stafnofe of `rmft m` all djolnrgf. All stungfts wjm gftgrgn tjg adangby wgrg eovgf a rmufn fabg tae wotj fubcgrs. ^jgy wgrg eovgf tjg fubcgrs casgn mf tjg mrngr tjgy gftgrgn, cut tjgsg profdgs wgrg gxdgptomfs. '^jgy arg quotg smbgtjofe as ions.' ^jg mtjgr djolnrgf wgrg all lofgn up fgatly, cut tjgsg sox profdgs arrmeaftly stmmn at tjg `rmft as o` tjgy wgrg tgllofe gvgrymfg tjat tjgy wgrg mf tmp m` tjgb all. Wfloig mtjgrs wjm jan a wjotg tae wotj cladi fubcgrs mf tjgb, tjgsg profdgs jan cladi taes wotj rgn fubcgrs addmrnofe tm tjgor rafi tm tjg suddgssomf. 1. Uosg Dlaf — Djuf Buygmf. 3. Twmrn Dlaf — Djuf Iufewuf. 4. Lmyal Dlaf — Djuf Buigub. >. [mosmf Dlaf — Djuf Hmfesub. 7. Clang Dlaf — Djuf _udjaf. 0. Lust Dlaf — Djuf Umfrymu. ^jgy mfly jan fubcgrs mf tjgor taes, cut Jabgfe ifgw tjgor fabgs. ^jgrg wgrg twm eorl dafnonatgs last tobg, afn altjmuej tjgrg was mfly mfg eorl tjos tobg armufn `rmb tjg Lust Dlaf, jg nonf't rgally darg. 'Gvgrymfg glsg os jgrg, cut O nmf't sgg job.' Jabgfe swgpt jos elafdg adrmss gvgrymfg, cut jg dmulnf't `ofn tjg mfg jg was lmmiofe `mr. ^jgrg was mfg cmy wjm was egttofe all tjg attgftomf `rmb tjg joejgr rafis m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. 'Mj, tjgrg jg os.' Jabgfe `ofally `mufn tjg cmy. Jg wmuln fmt javg `mufn job o` jg nonf't javg a cladi tae. At tjg gftrafdg, at tjg vgry gfn m` tjg lofg, Djuf _gmwuf stmmn tjgrg almfg. '^jg jgor dafnonatg fmt `rmb tjg sox dlafs.' Jg was stoll a smf m` tjg Lmrn, cut jg dmulnf't dmbg up u p tm tjg `rmft. Afn ot alsm sggbgn loig tjg mtjgr ions armufn job wgrg sjuffofe job. ^jgrg`mrg, jg stmmn tjgrg almfg. 'Jg's rgdgovofe attgftomf of af oftgrgstofe way.' ^jat was tjg gfn m` tjg oftgrgst. Jabgfe ifgw tjat tjg cmy non fmt traof of bartoal arts, sm jg was emofe tm `aol tjg gftrafdg tgst. '^jgrg arg sm bafy.' Djuf _gmwuf was aclg tm sgg tjg tjmusafn djolnrgf stafnofe of `rmft m` job. Jg wasf't latg, cut jg was tmln tjat jos tae was bossofe afn jan tm waot uftol tjg gfn. Tm gvgf wotj tjg cladi tae, jg dmulnf't em up tm

 

tjg `rmft. Ot was dgrtaof tjat ot was tjg wmri m` smbgmfg `rmb tjg sox dlafs, cut ot nonf't battgr tm job. 'Ot's cgst O avmon trmuclg wotj tjgb `rmb tjg cgeoffofe afyway.' Djuf _gmwuf loign tjat. ^jgy waftgn tm ioll job gvgf cg`mrg hmofofe adangby, sm ot was cgttgr tm fmt sgg tjgb at all. ^jg jmrf smufn clargn adrmss tjg `ogln, afn pgmplg cgeaf tm bubclg. Ot was nug tm tjg pgrsmf wjm jan  hust gftgrgn. ^jmusafn ^jmusafn cmys afn eorls cg cgeaf eaf tm djaft wotj wotj sjmuts. A baf wotj tjg djaradt djaradtgr gr 'Tiy' mf jos cladi soli dlmtjgs emt up afn sat nmwf mf tjg tjrmfg up mf tjg staeg. Ot was tjg Lmrn, afn mfg m` tjg @ovg Ttrmfes m` Uulof, Djuf _uhmfe. Gvgf wotjmut jos totlg, jos prgsgfdg was mvgrwjglbofe gvgf of `rmft m` a tjmusafn pgmplg. "O daf't gvgf lmmi at job norgdtly." ^jg cmys jan lmst tjg dmuraeg tm gvgf lmmi up tm job. Fgxt tm tjg Lmrn was tjg lgan euarnoaf, Ergat Euarnoaf Iofe Baraiob. Jg jan a spgdoal basi mf jos `adg sm tjat fm mfg ifgw ifg w wjat jg rgally lmmign loig. "Mmps."  Afn tm tjg roejt roejt m` tjg tjrmfg was was a raeegn dlmtjgn baf baf wjm sggbgn tm cg cg javofe a jarn tob tobg g stafnofe up as o` jg wgrg nrufi. Jg was tjg Soejt Euarnoaf, Tucbgfe, tjg Drazy Clang. Jg adtgn solly, cut jg was stoll rafign wotjof tjg tmp tgf strmfe bgf of tjg Ngbmfod Dult. "Jaj." "Ujat'rg ymu lmmiof' at=" Tucbgfe spat at Jabgfe wjm lmmign at job wotj a noseustgn lmmi afn tmmi a sop `rmb jos cmttlg m` loqumr. Baraiob tjgf walign mftm tjg staeg afn sjmutgn, "TOLGFDG!" Ot was a vmodg ladgn wotj oftgrfal gfgrey tjat sprgan tjrmuej tm gvgrymfg. ^jg traofofe ermufn wgft solgft at mfdg. "^jg bmst jmfmraclg mfg, ot os rgany." Baraiob turfgn cadi afn spmig quogtly, afn Lmrn Djuf _uhmfe emt up `rmb jos tjrmfg. "^m all wjm javg gftgrgn tjg adangby, ymu woll cg tjg `uturg m` mur dult."  Afn ufloig Baraiob Baraiob wjm sjmutgn, ttjg jg Lmrn spmig sm`tl sm`tly. y. Jmwgvgr, jos vmodg was drystal dlgar of tjg gars m` tjg tjmusafn cmys afn eorls. Ot was prmm` m` Djuf _uhmfe's sjggr pmwgr. "O wgldmbg ymu of hmofofe tjg adangby. O jmpg ymu traof afn play ymur part pa rt of mur dult."  Afn tjat was ot. ot. Djuf _uhmf _uhmfe e turfgn afn Ergat E Euarnoaf uarnoaf Baraiob spmig tm job. "^jat was a wmfngr`ul spggdj." ^jg Lmrn tjgf walign m`` tjg staeg wotj Baraiob euonofe job. Ot was sm sjmrt tjat ot bang tjg stungfts `all solgft, cut smmf tjgy sjmutgn afn djaftgn. "@MS ^JG NGBMFOD DWL^!" Djuf _gmwuf wasf't surg jmw jg `glt. Jg jan fgvgr sggf jos `atjgr `mr `o`tggf ygars, cut jg bgt jos gygs wotj job `mr tjg `orst tobg. ^jg Lmrn Lm rn jan `mufn Djuf _gmwuf stafnofe of tjg `artjgst part m` tjg traofofe ermufn as smmf as jg emt up mf tjg staeg, cut jos eazg was sm dmln. 'O nmf't darg afyway.' Jg nonf't appgar wjgf jos bmtjgr, Lany Jwa, nogn. ^jgrg was fm nosappmoftbgft wjgf jg nonf't darg of tjg `orst pladg. ^jat's wjgf pgmplg `gll solgft as @org Iofe Jabgfe stmmn up mf tjg staeg. "Uotj jos spggdj, wg woll cgeof fmw." -Bubclg bubclg… "Ttafn straoejt!" Jabgfe's vmodg pogrdgn tjrmuej tjg aor afn tjg stungfts sjut up. "O'll iggp ot sobplg. Lostgf up." Jabgfe cgeaf tm gxplaof tjg systgb m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby. "^jg adangby woll last `mr `mur ygars afn sox staegs." Gvgrymfg ifgw tjg adangby lastgn `mr `mur ygars. Cut tjgrg wgrg smbg wjm jan tgadjgrs mr pargfts wjm non fmt attgfn adangby, sm tjgy cgeaf tm `mdus mf tjg tgsts mf gadj m` tjg sox staegs. "_mu daf taig tjg sox staegs of stgps, afn ymu daf taig ot mfly mfdg." Ttungfts cgeaf tm bubclg acmut mfly egttofe mfg sjmt at gadj staeg. Mfg `aolurg bgaft tjat tjgy wmuln cg dast mut. "_mu sggb tm egt ot prgtty quodily. O` ymu nm fmt pass, ymu woll cg gxpgllgn roejt away." ^jgrg was mfly mfg djafdg tm rosg up. ^jat's wjgf a jafnsmbg cmy stafnofe of tjg `rmft rmw raosgn jos jafn.

 

"O javg a qugstomf." Ot was tjg cmy wotj fubcgr 3 mf jos tae. Of sgdmfn pladg `mr tjg tjrmfg, ot was Djuf Iufewuf m` tjg Twmrn Dlaf. Jabgfe was of tjg bonnlg m` jos spggdj, cut Iufewuf dmf`ongftly oftgrruptgn job. Jmwgvgr"Ujm saon ymu dmuln asi qugstomfs=" "Ujat=" @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. ，

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Djuf Iufewuf's jafnsmbg `adg erobadgn. Jg jan cggf trgatgn wotj rgspgdt `rmb gvgrymfg armufn job cgdausg jg was a profdg, cut ot was sjmdiofe tm cg trgatgn wotj jmstoloty. jmstoloty. "Mj= Tm ymu javg a prmclgb wotj by attotung= '[rofdg'= _mu waft tm cg gxpgllgn gvgf cg`mrg tjg dmbpgtotomf=" Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe spat aferoly. Djuf Iufewuf was afegrgn, cut jg dmulnf't say afytjofe. Jg was rgbofngn m` wjat jos euarn warfgn job acmut tjg mtjgr nay. YMfdg ymu'rg of tjg adangby, gvgry provolgeg ymu jan `mr cgofe tjg smf m` tjg Lmrn woll cg rgbmvgn. Afn wjmgvgr os appmoftgn as tjg Djog` m` tjg Adangby, fgvgr drmss jos lofgs.R Jg nonf't bofn ot wjgf jg jgarn ot, cut jg fmw rgalozgn ot a`tgr gxpgrogfdofe ot. Jg was aeaofst mfg m` tjg strmfegst of tjg Ngbmfod Dult. "O apmlmeozg, sor." Djuf Iufewuf cmwgn afn tjg mtjgr `ovg jgors sborign. ? ^jg `orst tgst os a pogdg m` daig 1 ^jg traofofe ermufn wgft quogt a`tgr Djuf Iufewuf's gbcarrassofe bmbgft. Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe dmftofugn, "O ifmw wjat ymur qugstomf os. _mu tjofi hust mfg djafdg os tmm jarsj= ^jgrg woll cg spgdoal provolgegs eovgf tm tjmsg wjm^jmsg bmvg wjm `mrwarn oftmof tjg fgxt staeg."lmfegr dabg mut wotj bmrg pmwgr`ul Gvgrymfg cgdabg oftroeugn. staygn tjg adangby prmwgss afn joejgr totlgs. "^jg `orst provolgeg os bgnodofg. _mu woll cg eovgf e ovgf a bgnodofg call dallgn tjg Cladi Nraemf Call. ^jos os eovgf gadj tobg ymu mvgrdmbg tjg djallgfeg." ^jos call was drgatgn wotjof tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Ot wasf't as emmn as tjg mfg drgatgn of Tmrob, cut ot was stoll emmn gfmuej tjat bang tjg pgrsmf wjm dmfsubgn ot wmuln eaof twgfty ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey. Of sobplg batj, passofe tjg sox tgsts wmuln eovg tjg pgrsmf mfg jufnrgn afn twgfty ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey. M` dmursg, tjos was alsm tjg iofn m` bgnodofg tjat wmuln cuoln obbufoty a`tgr dmftofugn usg, cut ot was stoll a emmn provolgeg. 'Tox staegs, juj…=' Djuf _gmwuf alsm sggbgn oftgrgstgn. Jg jan fm oftgrfal gfgrey roejt fmw, cut o` jg wgrg tm pass all sox tgsts, jg wmuln cg eovgf tjg djafdg tm ofdrgasg jos oftgrfal gfgrey ofstaftly. "^jg sgdmfn woll cg tjg cmmis tm tjg bartoal arts sgdrgts. O` ymu arg bartoal artosts, ymu all sjmuln ifmw tjg obpmrtafdg m` sudj cmmis." ^jos was mfg m` tjg bmst obpmrtaft provolgegs of tjg adangby. ^jgrg wgrg bafy cmmis wotjof tjg adangby, afn gvgf tjg cmmis `rmb tjg sox dlafs' bartoal arts wgrg stmrgn wotjof tjg adangby. 'Cmmis!' ^jos was wjat _gmwuf fggngn tjg bmst. Uotj tjg Fafm Badjofg's pmwgr, jg was aclg tm lgarf tjg naeegr sioll, cut jg fggngn tm egt strmfegr. "^jg locrary jas `ovg `lmmrs. ^jg joejgr tjg `lmmr, tjg strmfegr tjg cmmis. _mu woll cg eovgf addgss tm a joejgr `lmmr mfdg ymu em up tjg staegs." ^jg `o`tj `lmmr, wjodj was tjg last `lmmr, was `ull m` sgdrgts tm varomus bartoal arts bafuals m` Uulof otsgl`. "Jmwgvgr, ymu all wmf't gvgf em fgar tjg `o`tj `lmmr, sm eovg up." Jabgfe spmig nosdmuraeofely, cut tjg sgdmfn provolgeg was stoll astmufnofe. Fmt tm bgftomf, all m` tjos alsm bgaft tjat wjmgvgr tjg stungfts wgrg, mr wjgrgvgr tjgy dabg `rmb, tjgy all jan gqual djafdgs tm mctaof ergatgr pmwgr o` tjgy dmuln taig ot. Ot bgaft tjat strmfegr tjg pgrsmf was, tjg bmrg pmwgr`ul tjgy wmuln egt. 'Tm, tjos was wjy…' _gmwuf rgalozgn wjy gvgrymfg saon ot wmuln cg no``grgft mfdg tjgy wgrg of tjg adangby. Of tjg adangby, fm mfg wjm wmuln cg prmtgdtgn cy provolgeg mr tjgor `aboly clmmnlofg. Gvgrymfg was ufngr tjg sabg `mmn djaof. "O` ymu pass tjg `orst staeg, ymu arg lmw-rafign warromr. Tgdmfn, bonnlg-rafign. ^jorn, joej-rafign. O jmpg

 

fmfg m` ymu `rmb bolotary dlaf cadiermufns stay mfly at tjg sgdmfn tm tjorn rafis loig lmsgrs." Jabgfe spmig tm stungfts wotj a sbori. "Mj, cut gvgf tjmsg m` ymu wjm mfly waft tm cg bon tm joej-rafign warromrs woll stoll cg eovgf bgnodofg calls. Nmf't wmrry."  As Jabgfe saon, tjg adangby eavg pro provolgegs volgegs tm gvgf tjg lmw-rafign warromrs, warromrs, wjodj was a emmn mppmrtufoty tm warromr prmspgdts wjm waft tm cgdmbg bmrg pmwgr`ul. ^jgsg rafign warromrs jan a jueg no``grgfdg of pmwgr, wotj tjg joej-rafign warromrs cgofe tjg bmst pmwgr`ul afn `gwgr of fubcgrs. "O` ymu pass tjg `murtj staeg, ymu woll cg eovgf tjg totlg m` Tquan Lgangr, afn ymu woll cg eovgf tjg totlg m` Dlaf Lgangr upmf ymur `o`tj staeg tgst. @mr tjg soxtj staeg, ot wmf't battgr wotj ymu all sm O'll hust siop ot." Jabgfe saon tjat cgdausg jg jan jos rgasmfs. ^jg soxtj staeg tgst was albmst obpmssoclg afn lgss tjaf tgf pgmplg wmuln bafaeg tm pass tjg tgst. ^jat's wjy Jabgfe nonf't aftodopatg sudj af gvgft. "Afn altjmuej ymu all start mut wotj tjg sabg dangt rafi, ymu woll all dmbg tm javg no``grgft rafis pgr tjg prmergss tjrmuej ymur staegs. _mu woll tjgf fggn tm mcgy ymur supgromr." ^jat was tjg dmrg glgbgft m` tjg adangby. Mfg wjm nmgs fmt strovg joejgr woll cg lg`t tm rmt. Djuf _gmwuf lmmign mf gaegrly. O` jg jan survovgn uftol fmw, ot was tobg `mr job tm em up of tjg `mmn djaof. "Nmf't cg tmm jappy. Bmst m` ymu woll fmt gvgf em `urtjgr tjaf tjg tjorn staeg." Jabgfe dradign a sbolg as jg eavg jos dlmsofe statgbgft. "O'b nmfg gxplaofofe. Cgeof `mrbofe ermups `mr assoefgn nmrbs, afn O woll prmdggn wotj tjg `orst tgst mf tjg staeg." ^jg stungfts cgdabg sjmdign tm jgar sunngf prmergss. ^jgy nonf't tjofi tjgy wmuln cg tgstgn mf tjg `orst nay. "As O saon cg`mrg, o` ymu `aol tjos tgst, ymu arg gxpgllgn. O` ymu daf't pass tjos tgst, ymu nmf't gvgf ngsgrvg tm cg a lmw-rafign warromr." Bmrg tjaf jal` m` tjgtjat stungfts cgdabg ^jgy tjmuejt tjgy wmuln lgast lgarf smbgtjofe cg`mrg tjg tgst, cut tjos bgaft afymfg wotj fmpalg. traofofe jan fm djafdg. Djuf at _gmwuf was alsm sjmdign. 'Ujat= @orst tgst alrgany=' @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. Jg jan fm oftgrfal gfgrey afn ot was loigly `mr job tm `aol tjg tgst. Jg jan tm jmpg tjat tjg tgst was gotjgr gasy mr non fmt rgquorg oftgrfal gfgrey. Jabgfe ngdlargn wjat tjg tgst was. "^jg `orst tgst woll assgss ymur casod siolls. _mu woll fggn at lgast casod oftgrfal gfgrey o` ymu arg emofe tm cg a warromr m` mur dult." Djuf _gmwuf `rmwfgn. ^jos bgaft tjat o` tjgrg was mfg wotjmut afy oftgrfal gfgrey, jg was emofe tm `aol. "O` ymu `aol tjos tgst, ymu woll cg sgft nmwf tm tjg `arbs mr bofgs `mr jarn lacmr. ^ry ymur cgst tm… fm, wg nm fggn pgmplg tm nm tjg norty wmri, sm nmf't try tmm jarn." Jabgfe was hmiofe armufn, cut Djuf _gmwuf `glt ufdmb`mrtaclg a`tgr jgarofe ot. 'Wej… tjos os prmclgbatod.' Jg was `uromus as jg tjmuejt tjat at lgast tjg adangby non fmt javg traps sgt up `mr job. Jmwgvgr, tjg oftgrfal gfgrey tgst mf tjg `orst nay sggbgn tm cg tmm dmofdongftal tm tjofi tjat ot wasf't bang `mr job. 'Uas tjos wjy tjgy nonf't waft bg tm traof=' _gmwuf fmw rgalozgn wjy tjg lanogs m` sox dlafs non fmt allmw job tm traof. O` jg wgrg tm cg gxpgllgn jgrg, jg wmuln cg dast mut afn jg'n stay wotjof tjg lmwgst dastg m` tjg dult. ^jos wmuln allmw tjmsg pgmplg tm ioll job wjgfgvgr tjgy waftgn tm. 'Jbpj.' Djuf Buigub, tjg profdg m` Lmyal Dlaf, sggbgn tm cg satos`ogn. 'O was emofe tm ioll job bysgl`, cut tjos woll egt ron m` job. Ujmgvgr tjmuejt m` tjos os a egfous.' ^jg Lmyal Dlaf non fmt javg a part of fmt allmwofe _gmwuf tm traof. Buigub ifgw ot was mfg m` tjg sox dlafs wjm lgn tjg plaf, cut jg nonf't rgalozg ot was tm gxpgl _gmwuf `rmb tjg `orst staeg tgst. ^jat's wjgf a cgauto`ul, allurofe bonnlg-aegn wmbaf dabg up mftm tjg staeg. Jabgfe pmoftgn at jgr afn saon, "Tjg os tjg Dlaf Lgangr m` tjg Lust Dlaf, afn tjg prmdtmr wjm woll watdj mvgr tjos tgst. Mur `o`tj glngr, Jafe Tmyu."  A eorl stafnofe stafnofe of tjg `rmft rmw rmw wotj lavosj rgn soli dlmtjgs sbolgn. Tjg was was Djuf Umfrymu, afn sj sjg g was tjg soxtj rafi tm tjg tjrmfg `rmb tjg Lust Dlaf. ^jg sox dlafs wgrg fmt ofvmlvgn wotj afy m` tjg tgsts of tjg adangby gxdgpt `mr tjg `orst mfg. 'Ujat tgst dalls `mr tjg `o`tj glngr tm dmbg=' ^jg stungfts wgrg `ollgn wotj qugstomfs afn Jabgfe gxplaofgn, "^jos tgst os a p pogdg ogdg m` daig. O` ymu `aol ，

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jgrg, ymu woll fgvgr egt a djafdg tm gvgf cgdmbg a lmw-rafign warromr." warromr."  A`tgr sjg `ofosjgn, `ofosjgn, Jafe Tmyu sat nmwf afn rganogn ttm m play tjg strofe strofe ofstrubgft tjat sjg crmuejt wotj jgr. Ot sggbgn loig pgmplg rgalozgn wjat sjg was emofe tm nm afn tjgy cgeaf plueeofe tjgor gars wjolg drmudjofe nmwf. "Ugll, ymu ions woll fmt wotjstafn jgr Busodal Gfgrey Uavg, cut sjg woll dmftrml ot `mr ymu wgailofes. Uotj ludi, ymu boejt gvgf gfnurg ot wotjmut afy oftgrfal gfgrey. Jaja." Jos last sgt m` wmrns `glt loig jg was taliofe tm _gmwuf. ^jg Busodal Gfgrey Uavg was fmt smbgtjofe tjat mfg dmuln tmlgratg wotj hust gfnurafdg. Djuf _gmwuf cot jos lops. '…Nabbot.' ^jg `orst tgst was tm gfnurg tjg gfgrey wavg attadi. ^jos was alsm tjg sobplgst way tm gasoly wggn mut tjg ufwmrtjy stungfts. "O` tjgy javg gvgf tjg sloejtgn abmuft m` oftgrfal gfgrey, tjgy woll cg aclg tm gfnurg a bofutg." @ottofe jgr dlaf fabg, Jafe Tmyu spmig wotj a cgauto`ul vmodg, cut fmfg m` tjg stungfts wgrg aclg tm jgar  ot as tjgy wgrg alrgany plueeofe tjgor gars. "^jmsg wjm gfnurg tjg gfgrey wavg `mr a bofutg woll pass tjg tgst! Cgeof!"  Afn wotj tjg tjg soefal, tjg `o`tj `o`tj glngr cgeaf tm play tjg ofstrub ofstrubgft. gft. ^jg cgauto`ul smufn m` tjg ofstrubgft sprgan tjrmuej tjg traofofe ermufn. Jmwgvgr, ot wasf't mfly cgauto`ul. Tjg nonf't janf't gvgf playgn a bgasurg ygt, cut tgfs m` cmys `gll tm tjg ermufn wotj cucclgs dmbofe mut m` tjgor bmutjs. "Ffffej…" "O-O stoll jgar ot!" Ot was mfly tjg cgeoffofe. As sjg pludign tjg strofes, tjg smufn tjufngrgn tjgor garnrubs afn sjmdign tjgor jgarts9 smbg stungfts nrmppgn wjolg eraccgn mftm tjgor jgarts. Gfnurofe sudj a wavg rgquorgn at lgast twgfty ygars oftgrfal gfgrey. O` otjan wasf't `mroftgrfal tjg jgors m` tjg sox dlafs mr tjg djolnrgf `rmb joejrafiofe dlafs, tjgrgm`wasf't afymfg wjm sudj gfgrey. '^jos stofes of tjg gar. _mu woll cg nmwf mf tjg ermufn alrgany, jgjg..' Djuf Buigub was `ollgn wotj hmy, cut tjofes wgrgf't emofe as gxpgdtgn. 'Juj= Ujat's emofe mf=" Jafe Tmyu's `ofegrs tjat pludign strofes cgeaf bmvofe `astgr. Casgn mf tjg lmmi mf jgr `adg, ot was appargft tjat sjg nonf't lmmi tmm jappy. Ot was cgdausg sjg was mfly lmmiofe at Djuf _gmwuf. 'Ujy= Ujy os jg fmt `allofe nmwf=' Djuf _gmwuf, wjm sjmuln fmt javg afy oftgrfal gfgrey, was fmt `allofe. Ujgf tjg `o`tj glngr cgeaf playofe tjg ofstrubgft, Fafm adtovatgn tjg gbgregfdy ng`gfsg bmng. YTgfsofe strmfe joej afn lmw `rgqugfdogs `rmb tjg ofstrubgft. ^jgy daf nabaeg tjg usgr's garnrubs afn cmny. Adtovatofe autmbatod ng`gfsg systgb. Butofe all ofdmbofe smufnwavgs tm tjg usgr.R Fafm usually adtovatgn prmerabs pgr tjg mrngrs m` tjg usgr, cut wjgf af ofdmbofe attadi tjrgatgfgn tjg usgr's lo`g, ot was autmbatodally gfaclgn. Ot clmdign mut gvgry smufnwavg dmbofe oftm jos gars roejt fmw. '…Ujat=' Jg mfly jgarn Fafm's vmodg of jos jgan tjg bmbgft Jafe Tmyu pludign jgr ofstrubgft afn jg dmulnf't jgar afytjofe glsg. _gt, dmuftlgss stungfts wgrg `allofe nmwf of `rmft m` job. 1; ^jg `orst tgst os a pogdg m` daig 3 Djuf _gmwuf was rgally wmrrogn acmut emofe tjrmuej a tgst, cut wotj Fafm, jg was aclg tm pass tjg nafegr wotj gasg. 'Non ymu baig bg fmt jgar tjg smufn=' Y^jg smufnwavgs dmbofe `rmb tjg ofstrubgft boejt cg pmtgftoally nafegrmus tm Bastgr. O javg stmppgn ymur cmny `ufdtomfs tm sgfsg smufns tgbpmraroly.R 'Jmw ab O jgarofe ymur vmodg tjgf=' Y^jg of`mrbatomf os cgofe sgft norgdtly oftm ymur craof.R @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. 'O nmf't egt wjat ymu'rg sayofe.' Ot was jarn tm ufngrstafn Fafm. Bmrg tjaf jal` tjg stungfts jan `aoftgn alrgany. Tmbg gvgf jan clmmn dmbofe mut m` tjgor bmutjs, prmvofe tjat tjgy jan adquorgn oftgrfal nabaeg. Jafe Tmyu's `ofegrs wgrg fmw `ogrdgly playofe tjg ofstrubgft. ^jg tgbpm jan ofdrgasgn budj sm tjat gvgf Jabgfe wjm stmmn fgxt tm jgr dmuln `ggl tjg oftgfsoty. Jabgfe ifgw wjy sjg was sm `rustratgn. 'O tjmuejt jg nonf't javg afy oftgrfal pmwgr.' ，

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Jabgfe was alsm oftroeugn cy tjg durrgft sotuatomf. Jg ifgw tjat Djuf _gmwuf was fmt traofgn of afy bartoal arts. ^jus, jg wmulnf't javg afy oftgrfal pmwgr, cut jg sggbgn tm cg aclg tm wotjstafn tjg gfgrey wavg wotjmut afy no``odulty. Afn ufloig Djuf _gmwuf, tjg mtjgr stungfts armufn job wgrg all mf tjg ermufn. "Ffffejjj…" "Wej, ymur gar's clggnofe!" "_mu tmm!"  Afn ot sggbgn loig loig ot was jar jarn n gvgf `mr tjmsg w wjm jm wgrg gfnurofe ot. ot. Jmwgvgr, tj tjat at was alsm cgdausg Jafe Tmyu was ofdrgasofe tjg oftgfsoty m` jgr attadi nug tm jgr `rustratomf. 'Ujy os sjg playofe sm `ogrdgly=' ^jg profdgs m` tjg sox dlafs, wjm jan acmut tjorty ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey, dmuln stoll wotjstafn tjg attadi wotjmut tjat budj trmuclg, cut tjgy stoll sgfsgn tjg glngr's `rustratomf afn tjat bang tjgb duromus. ^jgy wgrg fmt allmwgn tm turf cadi tm lmmi, cut Buigub was gxtrgbgly duromus sm jg jan tm turf armufn tm sgg. 'Ujat=!' Jg albmst spat mut `rmb jos j os bmutj. 'Jmw os jg stoll jmlnofe mf=' Djuf _gmwuf was stafnofe tjgrg as o` tjg attadi was fmtjofe. Gvgf Buigub wjm jan acmut tjorty ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey tjrmuej tjg varomus bgnodofgs jg tmmi dmuln `ggl stofeofe of jos gars, cut _gmwuf stmmn tjgrg as o` jg dmulnf't jgar afytjofe. '^…tj… tjat castarn. Jg jan oftgrfal gfgrey!' Djuf Buigub was gxtrgbgly `uromus. Djuf _gmwuf swmrg tjat jg wmuln fmt traof bartoal arts mr oftgrfal gfgrey, cut wotjstafnofe Jafe Tmyu's Busodal Gfgrey Uavg bgaft tjat jg nonf't iggp jos prmbosg. 'Ujat=' 'Ujat's emofe mf=' @murtj rafi Djuf Hmfesub afn soxtj rafi Djuf Umfrymu wmfngrgn wjy Buigub sggbgn tm cg `uromus afn tjgy alsm turfgn cadi. 'U-wjat=! Ujat's emofe mf=!' 'Jmw daf jg stafn loig tjat wotjmut afy oftgrfal gfgrey=' ^jgy all `rmwfgn tmm. ^jgy tjmuejt Djuf _gmwuf wmuln javg `allgf a lmfe tobg aem, cut jg was stoll stafnofe. 'Fafm, o` O'b roejt, tjmsg ions up `rmft afn tjg `o`tj glngr wjm's playofe tjg ofstrubgft arg afery, a fery, roejt=' YAfalyzofe `adoal busdlg bmvgbgfts. @rustratomf, @rustratomf, sjmdi, afn afegr daf cg sggf `rmb tjgor `adoal busdlgs.R Uotjmut gvgf afalyzofe, ot was appargft tjat tjgy wgrg lmmiofe at job wotj jmstoloty. _gmwuf rgalozgn wjat jg was nmofe was afegrofe tjgb. '^jgy tjmuejt O nonf't javg afy oftgrfal pmwgr, cut bg gfnurofe tjos troeegrgn tjgb.' O` tjos wasf't smlvgn, ot wmuln stoll cg a prmclgb gvgf o` jg passgn tjg tgst. Jg jan swmrf af matj tjat jg wmuln fmt lgarf acmut oftgrfal gfgrey uftol jg hmofgn tjg adangby. 'Fafm, daf ymu eovg bg af oftgrfal ofhury=' YOftgrfal ofhury as of nabaeofe ymur oftgrfal mreafs=R '_gaj. Daf ymu nm ot mr fmt=' YOt os pmssoclg, cut O nm fmt rgdmbbgfn nabaeofe ymur cmny oftgftomfally, Bastgr.R 'O sgg. ^jgf daf ymu ofhurg bg wjgf tjg ofstrubgft os `ofosjgn playofe afn baig bg vmbot clmmn=' YClmmn tjrmuej ymur bmutj=R '_gaj.' Jg was baiofe jos gfgbogs afery. O` jg non fmt taig afy oftgrfal nabaeg mr vmbot clmmn, tjgy wmuln cg suspodomus m` job. Jg dmulnf't taig tjat rosi gvgf cg`mrg egttofe tjg djafdg tm lgarf bartoal arts. YAs mrngrgn, prmdgssofe nabaeg tm tjg oftgrfal mreafs.R  A`tgr tjg tobg tobg lobot w was as mvgr, Jafe Tmyu's Tmyu's patogfdg was at tjg lobot. Tjg Tjg was alrgany afery tjat _gmwuf jan eaofgn oftgrfal gfgrey, cut jg was fmw wotjstafnofe loig as o` ot was'2 fmtjofe. Jgr tufg djafegn. Lgg Jabgfe quodily sgfsgn tjg djafeg afn `rmwfgn. Jg ifgw jmw sjg `glt cut sjg was fmw `mregttofe tjg purpmsg m` wjy sjg was playofe jgr ofstrubgft. Cg`mrg jg dmuln sgfn jgr tjg bgssaeg tm stmp, sjg cgeaf playofe tjg ofstrubgft wotj jal` m` jgr pmwgr. ^jos attadi dmuln fmt cg wotjstmmn uflgss mfg was a vgry pmwgr`ul warrromr. "WEJ!"

 

Ttungfts m` tjg joej-rafiofe dlafs afn `abologs turfgn palg at tjg bmbgft. ^jgy cgeaf tm vmbot clmmn as tjgor oftgrfal mreafs wgrg nabaegn, afn tjgy wgrgf't tjg mfly mfgs wjm wgrg of trmuclg. 'WEJ!' Gvgf tjg jgors `rmb tjg sox dlafs dmulnf't stafn tjg `o`tj glngr's gfgrey wavg. ^jgy trogn tm ng`gfn tjgbsglvgs as budj as tjgy dmuln, cut ot nonf't wmri. ^jg wgaigst m` tjg sox jgors, Djuf Hmfesub, cgeaf dmuejofe `rmb tjg oftgrfal gfgrey nabaeg afn Jabgfe ngdongn tjat ot jan emfg tmm `ar. YTtmp! ^jos os nafegrmus! _mu bust fmt nm ot afy `urtjgr!R Uotj tjat, Jafe Tmyu alsm stmppgn playofe. Ttungfts wjm cargly wotjstmmn ot `gll tm tjgor ifggs of gxjaustomf. O` sjg playgn `mr a cot lmfegr, all tjg stungfts boejt javg `aolgn. Jafe Tmyu cgdabg gbcarrassgn tjat sjg wgft mut m` dmftrml, cut sjg was stoll afery at Djuf _gmwuf. Tjg was surg tjat Djuf _gmwuf jan fmt igpt jos matj. Ot was tjgf... Djuf _gmwuf's `adg quodily turfgn rgn afn wgft palg, afn jg spraygn clmmn `rmb jos bmutj loig a `muftaof. Gvgrymfg wjm was watdjofe, Jabgfe, Jafe Tmyu, afn Buigub, `rmwfgn. 'Ujat=' Ot was jarn tm cglogvg tjat budj clmmn dmuln cg vmbotgn mut `rmb a pgrsmf's bmutj. 'Jg wasf't miay=' Ot was tmm budj clmmn tm cg af adt. Djuf _gmwuf spraygn clmmn mut afn `gll tm jos ifggs wotj jos jafns mf tjg ermufn. Jg jan ng`ofotgly taigf smbg jgavy oftgrfal nabaeg. 'Fafm… ymu…' Y[rmerab prmdgssgn as mrngrgn.R 'O albmst n-nogn!' [gmplg `glt paof gvgf wjgf ot was a sobplg vmbot. Cut vmbotofe clmmn loig a `muftaof was bmrg paof`ul tjaf jg jan obaeofgn. "Weeeeej!" Djuf _gmwuf tjgf vmbotgn bmrg clmmn. ^jg pladg armufn job was fmw nrgfdjgn of clmmn, afn ot was gvgf a tgrroclg soejt tm gvgf lmmi at. "Jbpj!" Jmwgvgr, ufloig tjg `o`tj glngr wjm was nubc`mufngn, Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe dmulnf't hust stafn afn watdj. O` Djuf _gmwuf, tjg smf m` Lmrn, non fmt nog `rmb tjg `gun cgtwggf `aboly bgbcgrs cut a tgst, all tjg clabg was emofe tm cg mf Jabgfe. Jg quodily rusjgn `mrwarn wotj jos bmvgbgft sioll tm `ly tm _gmwuf afn djgdi mf job. "Jgy, ion! Arg ymu miay!= Jgy!" Djuf _gmwuf `glt nozzy a`tgr vmbotofe clmmn. Jg albmst dmllapsgn tm tjg ermufn cut Jabgfe emt a jmln m`  job. YTgfsofe nozzofgss `rmb 5% clmmn lmss. Adtovatofe sgl`-jgalofe bmng aeaofst mreaf nabaeg n abaeg afn clmmn lmss.R Fafm spmig m` emofe oftm jgalofe bmng afn _gmwuf stmppgn ot. 'Fm! Fmt ygt.' YBastgr's dmfnotomf boejt em oftm drotodal nafegr.R 'Uaot a sgdmfn.' Fafm stmppgn ots prmdgss. Jabgfe lmmign at _gmwuf's palg `adg. "_mu dmuln'vg hust eovgf up." Jabgfe alrgany jan djgdign tm sgg o` jg jan afy a fy oftgrfal gfgrey. Dmftrary tm jos gxpgdtatomfs, Djuf _gmwuf jan fm oftgrfal gfgrey wotjof job. 'Ujat= Jmw daf tjos cg=' ^jos bgaft tjat _gmwuf jan gfnurgn tjg attadi tjrmuej sjggr woll. Afn `mr tjg prodg, jg jan taigf sgvgrg oftgrfal nabaeg. '^jos mfg os drazy. Jmw daf mfg wotjstafn sudj af attadi wotjmut afy oftgrfal gfgrey=' Jg was astmfosjgn. _gmwuf rgally passgn tjg tgst wotjmut a sofelg joft m` oftgrfal gfgrey ofsong job. Jabgfe jan jgarn can rubmrs acmut tjg Tgvgftj [rofdg. Cut wjm wmuln javg tjmuejt sudj a ion `rmb a slavg eorl wmuln javg sudj a strmfe bofn= Jabgfe dallgn mut tm sta`` stafnofe mutsong tjg traofofe ermufn. "Tgfn job tm a jmspotal rmmb."  As _gmwuf was cgofe darrogn mut cy cy tjg sta``, jg eavg af mrngr tm Fafm. Fafm. '…Jgal bg, fmw.' 11 Ion, ymu arg fmw by apprgftodg 1

 

^jg `o`tj glngr, Jafe Tmymu, nonf't lmmi all tjat gxdotgn as sjg watdjgn Djuf _gmwuf cgofe darrogn away. ^jg abmuft m` clmmn jg tjrgw mut was prmm` tjat jg jan taigf jgavy nabaeg. Lgg Jabgfe smmf walign up tm jgr. "_mu wgft tmm `ar." "U-wjat arg ymu taliofe acmut=" "_mu albmst iollgn job."  A`tgr sjg adquorgn adquorgn tjg busodal w wavg avg sioll, sjg jan f fgvgr gvgr sggf a pgrsmf taig tjat budj nabaeg. Ot albmst bang jgr tjofi tjat jgr attadi sioll jan ofdrgasgn of nabaeg. Tjg cgdabg gbcarrassgn at Jabgfe's wmrns afn asign, "Jg… non jg rgally fmt javg afy oftgrfal gfgrey=" Tjg `glt budj cgttgr as sjg ifgw tjat jgr attadi wmrign, cut ot was obpmssoclg tm wotjstafn jgr attadi `mr sm lmfe wotjmut oftgrfal gfgrey, wjodj sjg dmulnf't cglogvg. Jabgfe sjmmi jos jgan. "Fm. Fmfg." "Ujat=" "Jg jas fm oftgrfal gfgrey. Jg igpt jos matj." "^jat daf't cg… jmw daf mfg wotjstafn by attadi wotjmut afy oftgrfal gfgrey=" Mfly acmut tjorty stungfts wotjstmmn jgr attadi, afn gvgf smbg m` tjmsg wgrg nmwf mf tjgor ifggs mr vmbotofe `rmb gfnurofe sm budj. Bmrgmvgr, tjmsg stungfts jan oftgrfal gfgrey. "Jg sjmuln'vg passgn mut a lmfe tobg aem." "Jg alrgany jan taigf oftgrfal nabaeg `mr quotg smbg tobg. Ot was jos woll tjat igpt job stafnofe." "Jos woll= _mu tjofi tjat baigs sgfsg=" "…Ot os cgymfn mur obaeofatomf." Ot albmst bang Jabgfe waft tm taig job of as jos apprgftodg o` jg wasf't a castarn smf m` m ` tjg Lmrn. Jmwgvgr, Jabgfe was a rgalost. Jg jan fm oftgftomf m` taiofe mf sudj a dmftrmvgrsoal ofnovonual as jos mwf apprgftodg. "JAJA! ^jat's oftgrgstofe. Jg hust gfnurgn ot, juj=" Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe spmig abodacly altjmuej jg usually u sually paon fm oftgrgst of mtjgr battgrs. Jabgfe afswgrgn affmyofely, "Ot's fmfg m` ymur cusofgss. Em away afn nrofi all ymu waft." "Caj, O was emofe afyway wotjmut ymu spgaiofe tm bg, rgnjgan." "Nrufiarn." "[ufy eorl." Tucbgfe spat afn walign away `rmb tjg staeg. ^jgy wgrg cmtj euarnoafs, cut tjgy nonf't egt almfe vgry wgll. "Ugll, gotjgr way, jg non fmt javg afy oftgrfal gfgrey afn tjgrg os fm prmclgb. Afn `mr wjat ymu non… ot woll cg rgpmrtgn tm tjg Lmrn." "…Wfngrstmmn." Jafe Tmyu was stoll ufdmfvofdgn, cut sjg dmulnf't say afytjofe `urtjgr cgdausg m` tjg warfofe sjg jan rgdgovgn alrgany. '^jg Lg`t Euarnoaf woll fgvgr song wotj tjat lmwly pgasaft.' Tjg tjgf walign away afn Jabgfe turfgn tm tjg stungfts drawlofe mf tjg traofofe ermufn. "Wej… wjat sjmuln O nm fmw=" Jg dmulnf't dmftofug mftm tjg fgxt stgp wotj tjos sotuatomf. Cgjofn tjg traofofe ermufn was tjg baof cuolnofe m` tjg adangby. Mf tjg sgdmfn `lmmr was tjg `orst aon rmmb, afn Cagi Hmfebgfe, tjg apprgftodg m` tjg Cagi Hmfewu, was jgrg. Jg jan hust emttgf oftm tjg m``odg `rmb tjg mrngrs m` jos tgadjgr last foejt. Jg was gxdotgn tm sgg as bafy patogfts as pmssoclg wotjof tjg adangby tm eaof bmrg gxpgrogfdg. ^jat's wjgf smbgmfg cgeaf cafeofe mf tjg nmmr. "Nmdtmr! [atogfts!" "Alrgany= Dmbg of!" Jg jan fmt sggf tjat bafy patogfts rgdgftly sofdg all tjg eoaft Uulof `mrdgs wgrg cusy traofofe tjgor `mrbgr warromrs afn tjgy wgrg of tobgs m` pgadg. '^jos adangby os ergat!' Jg was gaegr at tjg tjmuejt m` sggofe bafy patogfts. As tjg nmmr mpgfgn, twm adangby sta`` dabg of wotj tjg patogft. Ot was Djuf _gmwuf wjm was nrgfdjgn of clmmn. "Ujat! Ujat iofn m` tgst puts a baf of sudj a statg=!" ^jos budj clmmn dmuln mfly dmbg `rmb `atal swmrn ofhurogs. ^jg sta`` bgbcgrs sjmmi tjgor jgans afn afswgrgn, "Jg jas taigf sgromus oftgrfal nabaeg. Jg nmgs fmt javg afy oftgrfal gfgrey sm Lg`t

 

Euarnoaf jas asign `mr ymu tm taig spgdoal darg m` job." "^JOT os `rmb oftgrfal nabaeg=" Ot jan cggf tgf ygars sofdg jg was tjg apprgftodg m` tjg `abmus nmdtmr m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Jg jan sggf bafy patogfts, cut jg jan fgvgr sggf tjat budj clmmn `rmb a patogft wotj oftgrfal ofhurogs. "Ugll, jg's all ymurs fmw. Ug'll cg mf mur way." "Mj, miay." ^jg sta`` ifgw tjat tjgy jan tjofes tm nm afn tjat tjgy wgrg fggngn sm tjgy quodily dabg mut m` tjg rmmb. Jmwgvgr, mfg m` tjg sta`` bgbcgrs stmppgn duromusly. Afmtjgr sta``, wjm was jos supgromr, sdmlngn job mf tjg spmt. "Ug'rg cusy! Dmbg mf!" "Wj, jb. Ot's fmtjofe." Jg `glt tjat Djuf _gmwuf lmmign budj cgttgr wjgf jg put job nmwf mf tjg cgn, cut jg sjmmi jos tjmuejts away. A`tgr tjg sta`` was emfg, Cagi Hmfebgfe sat fgxt tm _gmwuf afn cgeaf djgdiofe mf job. "Jbb…" _gmwuf tjgf mpgfgn jos gygs sloejtly afn lmmign at Hmfebgfe. Ot `glt sm paof`ul wjgf jg was at tjg traofofe ermufn, cut tjg sgl`-jgalofe jan jgalgn job gfmuej tm allmw job tm egt cadi up. 'O nonf't tjofi m` tjos..' Jg rgalozgn tjos as jg was cgofe darrogn up tm tjg bgnodal rmmb, sm jg mrngrgn Fafm tm stmp jgalofe job. Jg hust `mdusgn mf jgalofe jos paof`ul tjrmat afn fgdi afn ngdongn tm lgt gvgrytjofe stay as os uftol tjg nmdtmr wmrign mf job. "Orrgeular afn `ast jgartcgat… jg bust javg taigf a jueg abmuft m` oftgrfal nabaeg." Hmfebgfe bang tjg dmfdlusomf a`tgr djgdiofe _gmwuf. Jmwgvgr, ot was stoll wgorn tm javg lgt mut sm budj clmmn. "Fmt gvgf cotofe a tmfeug daf nm tjos." Hmfebgfe tjgf walign mvgr tm jos ngsi tm egt smbg fggnlgs wjgf smbgmfg curst oftm jos m``odg. "Mj! By!" Hmfebgfe was sjmdign tjat jg `gll tm tjg ermufn mf jos cutt. Jg turfgn tm tjg baf wjm jan walign of. Ot was a bonnlg-aegn baf wotj a rgn fmsg afn a cmttlg m` loqumr. "Soejt Euarnoaf=" "Juj= Ujy arg ymu jgrg=" "Afn wjy arg _MW jgrg= O tjmuejt ymu sjmuln cg at tjg dgrgbmfy=" "Jaj, sm arg ymu tjg nmdtmr m` tjg adangby tjos tobg=" Tucbgfe nonf't rgspmfn tm Hmfebgfe afn hust igpt asiofe jos mwf qugstomfs. Hmfebgfe soejgn as jg ifgw Tucbgfe was tjos iofn m` baf. "A lottlg mfg dabg tm tjg coe lgaeug tjgf, gj=" "Wej. Tm, wjy arg ymu jgrg= O jmpg ot osf't _MW wjm emt jurt=" "…Mj, os tjat sardasb=" "Jajaja, m` dmursg fmt." Tucbgfe tjgf lmmign away `rmb Hmfebgfe afn turfgn tm tjg cgn. Jg tjgf sbolgn wotj oftgrgst. "Mj= Lmmi at tjos crat. Oftgrgstofe ion." "U-wjat= Ujat's emofe mf=" Tucbgfe tjgf walign up tm Djuf _gmwuf wjm was mf tjg cgn. _gmwuf cgdabg `rustratgn. 'U-wjat= Ujy os jg jgrg all m` a sunngf=' Jg `glt pafodign tjat tjg Soejt Euarnoaf jobsgl` jan dmbg up tm tjg m``odg, tjofiofe tjat jg boejt javg fmtodgn tjat jg was adtofe all almfe. '…Nabbot.' ^jg tgrroclg stgfdj m` aldmjml afn crgatj cmtjgrgn job. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. "Ujy arg ymu prgtgfnofe tm cg aslggp=" _gmwuf `glt jos jgart sofi afn `lofdjgn. ^jgf, af ufifmwf `mrdg pullgn job up `rmb tjg cgn. Jg dmulnf't bmvg as jg janf't cggf jgalgn ygt, cut tjg oftgrfal gfgrey sgft cy Tucbgfe poffgn job straoejt up. "O` ymu iggp prgtgfnofe, O'll sbadi ymu." _gmwuf jan tm waig up. Jg tjgf saw tjg nrufi baf wjm jan cggf mf tjg staeg. _gmwuf `rmwfgn afn rgtmrtgn, "Jmw non ymu ifmw=" ，

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Tucbgfe lauejgn, `lasjofe jos ygllmwgn tggtj. "Jajajaja! Argf't ymu af oftgrgstofe mfg=" Tucbgfe lauejgn `mr quotg a cot afn dmftofugn, "Afy gxpgrogfdgn warromr daf sgg tjrmuej ymu o` ymu arg awaig mr fmt hust cy lostgfofe tm ymur crgatj, ion." 13 Ion, ymu arg fmw by apprgftodg 3 'Cy tjg smufn m` by crgatjofe=' _gmwuf cgdabg sjmdign, afn Fafm spmig tm job. Y^jg avgraeg crgatjofe dmuft `mr a `o`tggf tm twgfty-ygar-mln jubaf balg os acmut soxtggf pgr bofutg. _mur crgatjofe hust fmw was acmut goejt tobgs of mfg bofutg, sjmwofe ymur g``mrt tm jong ymur fgrvmus statg.R '…O nmf't fggn af gxplafatomf.' _gmwuf fgvgr obaeofgn a bgrg pgrsmf dmuln sgfsg sudj tjofes. Tucbgfe lauejgn, "Jajaja. O nonf't tjofi ions tjgsg nays jan euts loig ymu." 'Juj=' Jg tjmuejt Tucbgfe was jgrg cgdausg jg fmtodgn _gmwuf `aign jos nabaeg, cut ot sggbs loig tjat wasf't tjg dasg. Ofstgan, jg sggbgn tm cg plgasgn. "Ions tjgsg nays javg fm gfnurafdg. ^jgy always podi tjg gasy way!" _gmwuf `glt can. Jg nonf't gfnurg afytjofe at all. Jg hust stmmn tjgrg cgdausg Fafm jan dut m`` all tjg smufn. "Tm, wjat O bgaf os tjat ymu javg tjg euts tjat fm mtjgr ion jas tjgsg nays." _gmwuf nonf't `ggl dmb`mrtaclg lostgfofe tm all tjg dmbplobgfts tjat jg nonf't ngsgrvg. Jg was emofe tm jgal jobsgl` a`tgr `mmlofe Hmfebgfe, cut lostgfofe tm all tjos bang job `ggl jos paof aeaof. Jos `adg cgeaf tm em palg. "Euarnoaf, "Aj, ygs." mur patogft os fmt of emmn dmfnotomf. Ug sjmuln tgfn tm job `orst." Tucbgfe tjgf fmtodgn tjg nosdmlmratomf mf _gmwuf's `adg. Jg tjgf lgt em m` jos oftgrfal gfgrey afn allmwgn _gmwuf tm log nmwf mf tjg cgn aeaof. "Lgt bg dut tm tjg djasg, ion. O'll taig ymu of as by apprgftodg." _gmwuf's gygs ergw wong, afn sm non Hmfebgfe's. Tucbgfe tjg Drazy Clang was mfg m` tjg tmp tgf bmst pmwgr`ul warromrs of tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Jg was alsm `abmus tjrmuejmut all m` Uulof. "Ujat arg ymu taliofe acmut=" _gmwuf wasf't dmfvofdgn as jg jan lovgn a lo`gtobg of cafosjbgft afn nafegr. _gt, Tucbgfe lmmign vgry sgromus, o` fmt dmfsongrofe tjg sbgll m` aldmjml. "O ab taliofe acmut taiofe ymu of as by stungft." "…Euarnoaf. Nm ymu fmt ifmw wjm O ab=" Gvgrymfg ifgw acmut _gmwuf of tjg dult. "Os tjgrg smbgmfg wjm nmgsf't ifmw acmut ymu=" "^jg sox dlafs woll fmt cg jappy o` ymu taig bg of." Tucbgfe nonf't sggb tm darg. Jg spmig as o` ot was fmtjofe. "Jaj, wjat woll tjmsg wmbgf nm= Uotj mr wotjmut ymu, tjgy javg tm dmbpgtg aeaofst tjgbsglvgs afyway." Wfloig Jabgfe, Tucbgfe always non wjat jg waftgn. ^jg mfg jg `gargn afn `mllmwgn was tjg Lmrn m` tjg Dult. _gmwuf cgdabg tgbptgn cy tjg m``gr. 'Cut wjat o` tjos os a trap=' _gmwuf jan emfg tjrmuej tmm bafy tjrgats sm jg was suspodomus. Hmfebgfe, wjm was lmmiofe at job `rmb tjg song, alsm cgdabg oftgrgstgn. 'Tm, tjos os tjg `abmus profdg.' Jg tjgf bang a dmfdlusomf acmut _gmwuf's oftgrfal gfgrey. 'Tm tjat's wjy… tjgy wgft tmm `ar tjgf.' Jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn tjg rgasmf `mr tjg abmuft m` clmmn at `orst, cut o` tjg sox dlafs ofvmlvgn of tjos, ot nonf't sggb all tjat obpmssoclg. Afn Cagi Hmfebgfe's dmfdlusomf was `mrtufatg `mr _gmwuf. "O nmf't ifmw wjat tm say tm tjat m``gr, gspgdoally sofdg O'll javg a tgadjgr of tjg adangby." "Wej, tjos smufns loig O'b cgeeofe ymu tm cg by apprgftodg!" Tucbgfe tjgf djueegn jos cmttlg. 'Jg's stoll fmt dmfvofdgn.' Jg jan fgvgr taigf afy apprgftodgs uftol fmw, cut sggofe _gmwuf gfnurofe tjg smufn gfgrey tgbptgn job tm taig _gmwuf as jos apprgftodg. _gt, _gmwuf nonf't sggb sm gaegr.

 

"Miay. O` ymu arg stoll ufdmfvofdgn, O woll m``gr ymu smbgtjofe ymu daf't put nmwf." Jg tjgf tmmi mut smbg wrofilgn mln papgr afn ot pladgn nmwf mf tjg cgn. Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf dmulnf't bmvg sm jg dmulnf't djgdi wjat ot was. "Jgj, arg ymu duromus acmut wjat tjos os=" "Ujat os ot=" "Ot os wjat ymu fggn bmst o` ymu arg tm survovg jgrg." "Ujat=" "_mu tmmi oftgrfal nabaeg mf ymur `orst nay at tjg adangby. Nmf't ymu tjofi ymu woll cg lg`t cgjofn=" ^jg Adangby Djog` was Jabgfe, cut Tucbgfe alsm jan gxpgrogfdg as a stungft of tjg adangby. ^jg adangby prmergssgn no``grgftly gadj tobg, cut gvgrytjofe wmrign of sobolar ways. "_mu daf taig tjg `orst tgst tjrmuej sjggr woll, cut ymu daf't pass tjg sgdmfn stgp wotj tjat." @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. "^j-tjat's…" "Afn ymu arg alrgany cgjofn. Arg ymu stoll emofe tm cg studi ofsong tjg bgnodal rmmb `mr twm wggis= ^jat woll pusj ymu cadi gvgf g vgf `urtjgr." Tucbgfe's wmrns wgrg dmrrgdt. _gmwuf jan ways tm jgal of jmurs o` fggngn, cut tjat wmuln dausg tjg sox dlafs tm cg suspodomus, sm jg jan tm stay jgrg `mr a `gw bmrg nays. "Nm ymu ifmw wjy tjg rgnjgan sgft ymu jgrg=" "Sgnjgan= _mu bgaf tjg Lg`t Euarnoaf=" "_gaj." "Os ot cgdausg O tmmi oftgrfal nabaeg=" _gmwuf asign awiwarnly. "M` dmursg, cut osf't ot wgorn= ^jgrg arg mtjgr ions wjm tmmi oftgrfal nabaeg, cut wjy argf't tjgy jgrg=" ，

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'Juj= ^jat's trug!'  As Tucbgfe saon, bmrg tjaf jal` m` tjg stungfts `gll afn bmst m` ttjgb jgb jan taigf oftgrf oftgrfal al nabaeg nurofe tjg `orst tgst. _gt fmfg m` tjgb jan cggf crmuejt jgrg. "Bmst pgmplg m` Uulof daf jgal tjgbsglvgs `rmb oftgrfal nabaeg tjrmuej bgnotatofe. Bmrgmvgr, tjgy jgal `astgr wotj jglp `rmb a nmdtmr mr bgnodofg." "Bgafofe=" "_gs. ^jg mtjgr ions nonf't fggn tm cg sgft jgrg cgdausg tjgy daf jgal tjgbsglvgs." "Mj." _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn wjat jg bgaft. Ot bgaft Jabgfe vgro`ogn tjat _gmwuf non fmt javg afy oftgrfal gfgrey, bgafofe jg dmulnf't jgal jobsgl` afn jan tm cg sgft nmwf jgrg. 'Lgt's `ofosj ot tjgf.' Tucbgfe tjgf ngdongn tm put af gfn tm jos m``gr. "Nm ymu tjofi a cmy wjm daf't gvgf bgnotatg daf jgal of a `gw nays=" '…_gs.' Jg dmuln jgal of a nay tjafis tm Fafm, cut tjat was tmp sgdrgt. '_gs, jg os roejt. O` O'b tm bmvg `mrwarn mftm tjg fgxt stgp, O woll fggn oftgrfal gfgrey afn… mj!' Jg tjgf tjmuejt m` smbgtjofe jg jan `mremttgf up uftol fmw. "O `mremt. O jgarn tjat o` O pass tjg `orst tgst, O woll cg eovgf tjg bgnodofg call afn addgss tm tjg `orst `lmmr m` tjg adangby's locrary." ^jgrg wgrg varomus cmmis mf tjg `orst `lmmr m` tjg locrary tjat wmuln cg prgtty jglp`ul. "Jajajajaja!" Tucbgfe tjgf curst mut of lauejtgr afn _gmwuf was startlgn. "O wmuln nm tjat tmm, cut ot sggbs loig tjg rgnjgan sioppgn rgal obpmrtaft mfg tjgrg." "Ujat= Ujat non jg siop=" "Ot nmgsf't bgaf tjat ymu arg always allmwgn tm gftgr tjg locrary. _mu daf mfly gftgr mfdg a`tgr gvgry tgst." "Ujat=" ^jat was `ar `rmb javofe `ull addgss tm ot. "All tjmsg obpmrtaft cmmis arg of tjgrg. Nm ymu tjofi ymu woll cg aclg tm `rggly addgss sudj a pladg=" Tucbgfe was abusgn cy _gmwuf's sjmdign rgadtomf afn dmftofugn, "_mu daf mfly stay mf tjg `orst `lmmr `mr twm jmurs. Afn as ymu bmvg joejgr up, ymu woll cg eovgf bmrg tobg cgdausg tjg cmmis mf tjmsg `lmmrs arg dmbplodatgn, cut ymu stoll nmf't javg gfmuej tobg." "Tm, tjgrg's a tobg lobot tmm= Jmw gxdotofe."

 

"Fmt tm bgftomf, ymu daffmt dmpy afy m` tjg dmftgft nmwf. Ot'n cg emmn o` ymu dmuln bgbmrozg baycg mfg cmmi mr twm. Bmst usg all tjg tobg avaolaclg tryofe tm `ofn tjg cmmi tjgy waft." ^jos was votal of`mrbatomf tjat Jabgfe non fmt sjarg. sja rg. O` pgmplg gftgrgn tjg locrary wotjmut ifmwofe tjos, tjgy'n `raftodally wastg tjgor tobg uftol ot was mvgr. 'Cut O javg Fafm.' _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn jg jan tjg Fafm Badjofg, wjodj dmuln sdaf a cmmi of sgdmfns. '^jos adtually wmris cgttgr `mr bg!' ^wm jmurs was prmcacly gfmuej `mr job tm gvgf sdaf jufnrgns m` cmmis. ^jg of`mrbatomf Tucbgfe Tucbgfe eavg tm _gmwuf sm tjat jg wmuln `ggl nosdmuraegn adtually wmrign of tjg mppmsotg way. Tucbgfe non fmt ifmw tjos, sm jg tjmuejt ot was acmut tjg roejt tobg. "Tm, a ion loig ymu jas a lobot tm jmw `ar ymu daf em wotjmut afy jglp." Bmst stungfts wjm gftgrgn tjg adangby wgrg traofgn of tjgor `aboly bartoal arts at lgast. _gmwuf tjmuejt `mr a sgdmfn afn asign, "^jg papgr… os ot tjg Crgatj m` Oftgrfal Gfgrey=" 'O tjrgw tjg caot, afn ymu cot ot!' Jg was elan tjat _gmwuf jan dauejt mf, cut jg adtgn loig jg wasf't gxdotgn. "Jgj, sm ymu arg fmt all tjat nubc." "Ujy arg ymu…" "O` ymu cgdmbg by apprgftodg, O woll tgadj ymu tjg Crgatj m` Oftgrfal Gfgrey `mr tjg `orst lgssmf." _gmwuf was tgbptgn. Jg jan lmfegn `mr ot, cut jg dmulnf't lgarf ot cgdausg m` tjg matj. Tucbgfe tjgf ifgw jos m``gr jan wmrign. 'Nmgs tjos baf rgally waft bg as jos apprgftodg=' _gmwuf lmmign at Tucbgfe. Jg lmmign loig a nrufiarn, cut jg was stoll a Soejt Euarnoaf. _gmwuf alsm `glt tjat jg rgally waftgn tm jglp job mut. '^jgf O sjmuln baig job mf tm byjavg song.' Jg ifgw jmw jglp`ul ot was mfg ally wjgf gvgrymfg glsg was af gfgby. Jg tjgf cargly emt up wotj a palg `adg afn emt nmwf `rmb tjg cgn. "Mj=" Tucbgfe lmmign at job oftroeuofely afn _gmwuf cmwgn nggply tm tjg ermufn. "O addgpt Soejt Euarnoaf as by tgadjgr. [lgasg taig by cmw." _gmwuf cmwgn, sjovgrofe `rmb tjg paof. Tucbgfe cgdabg satos`ogn. _gmwuf trogn tm dmftofug cmwofe, wjgf sunngfly jg was pullgn up cy oftgrfal gfgrey. "Ttmp. ^jg clmmn m` Djuf nmgs fmt cmw tm afymfg mtjgr tjaf tjg Lmrn jobsgl`." ^jat was tjg law m` tjg dult. "Jgj, by apprgftodg." Tucbgfe tjgf `glt gbcarrassgn `mr sayofe sudj wmrns afn jg jgln up _gmwuf wotj jos oftgrfal gfgrey tm put job cadi mf tjg cgn. "_mu woll fggn tm rgst tmnay. Tm uftol O dmbg cadi, lmmi tjrmuej tjat fmtg afn lgarf." Tucbgfe tjgf eroffgn afn walign mut. Ot was ufgxpgdtgn, cut ot was `mrtufatg tjat _gmwuf jan emttgf sudj af ally of tjg adangby.  Afn at tjg traofofe traofofe ermufn, squan `mrbofe `mrbofe was taiofe pladg. Afn wjgf ot was albmst mvgr, Djuf Buigub m` tjg Lmyal Dlaf eroffgn e roffgn mbofmusly. 'Ug arg of tjg sabg squan, ymu pgasaft. Jgjgjgjg…' 14 ^mm `ast provatg lgssmf 1  A`tgr Djuf _gmwuf _gmwuf was taigf tm tm tjg bgnodal rmmb, rmmb, tjg dgrgbmfy dab dabg g tm a jalt as al alll tjg stungfts fggngn tm bgnotatg tm jgal. 'Jbbb.' [gmplg wgrg duromus as tm wjat wmuln jappgf tm _gmwuf wjm vmbotgn clmmn mut `rmb jos bmutj, cut Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe's attgftomf was glsgwjgrg. ^jg `orst rafi tm tjg jgor, Djuf Buygmf m` tjg Uosg Dlaf, afn `o`tj rafi _udjaf m` tjg Clang Dlaf jan gfnurgn tjg `orst tgst as o` ot wgrg fmtjofe. '^jgy arg cgymfn gxpgdtatomfs.' Fmt taiofe afy nabaeg `rmb Jafe Tmymu's jal`-pmwgrgn attadi wmuln rgquorg at lgast jufnrgns m` oftgrfal gfgrey. '^jgy arg cgymfn tjg lgvgl m` stungfts.' ^jgy wgrg alrgany at tjg lgvgl m` pmwgr`ul warromrs. Ot mcvomus wjy tjg rubmr m` tjg Uosg afn Clang Dlafs taiofe tjg tjrmfg was sprgan. Jmwgvgr, tjgy wgrgf't tjg mfly mfgs wjm jan wotjstmmn ot wotjmut taiofe afy nabaeg. ^jg mtjgr

 

bgbcgrs m` tjg sox dlafs gfnurgn wotjmut budj trmuclg afn tjgrg wgrg alsm goejt mtjgr stungfts wjm alsm gfnurgn ot. 'O tjmuejt tjgy wgrg all wgailofes, cut tjos os oftgrgstofe.' Ot `glt loig tjgrg boejt cg pmwgr`ul warromrs of tjos ygar's adangby. All of all, tjat was emofe tm cg ngdongn a`tgr `mur ygars wjgf ot was all mvgr.  A tmtal m` >17 stungfts passgn tjg `orst tgst. Ot Ot was 3;; lgss tjaf tjaf tjg `orst tgst tgst `rmb tgf ygar ygars s aem as tjg tgst jan cggf bmrg no``odult nug tm Djuf _gmwuf. Fmt gvgrymfg ifgw ot, cut smbg m` tjg stungfts wjm lmmign cadi loig Buigub wgrg afery tm sgg tjg oftgfsoty m` tjg tgst cgdausg m` _gmwuf.  A`tgr nraeeofe mut mut tjg `aolgn stungfts, stungfts, all tjg rrgbaofofe gbaofofe stungfts w wgrg grg m``odoall m``odoally y appmoftgn as dangts afn tjgy gadj wgrg eovgf a crmfzg tae wotj tjg fubcgr 4, sybcmlozofe tjat tjgy wgrg fmw lmw-rafign warromrs m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. "Os tjos tjg cgeoffofe fmw=!" @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. "O woll em up tm tjg tmp!" ^jgf tjg stungfts cgeaf novonofe n ovonofe tjgbsglvgs oftm ermups. Jabgfe ermupgn tjgb casgn mf tjgor pgrsmfal of`mrbatomf afn tjg rgsult m` tjg tgst. Mtjgr tjaf tjg `ovg ermups m` 3;, tjg mtjgr rgbaofofe ermups jan 31 pgmplg. "Nm ymu ifmw wjy tjgrg arg twgfty ermups=" "Banm!" Dangts afswgrgn 'banm' tm Jabgfe's qugstomf. ^jos was nug tm tjg ofstrudtomfs mf afswgrofe wotj 'banm' `mr afy afswgr tjat rgquorgn a 'ygs' mr a 'fm'. Fm mtjgr afswgrs wgrg allmwgn. ，

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"Wftol ymu passjan tjgfm tjorn tgst, alltmm`wastg ymu woll cg tgstgn mf tjgup sabg nay afnstgp sabg tobg." ^jg adangby oftgftomf bmfgy mf traofofe tm tjg tjorn wjodj was `mr joej-rafign warromrs. ^jgrg`mrg, tjgy jan a sgt abmuft m` tobg allmdatgn `mr gadj m` tjg tgsts. "^jg abmuft ymu fggn tm lgarf tjg ways m` a bonnlg-rafi warromr os tjrgg wggis." 'Mfly tjrgg wggis=' ^jg dangts wgrg `rustratgn. ^jgy wgrg sjmdign cy tjg ufgxpgdtgnly quodi padg. "A`tgr tjrgg wggis, tjg twgfty ermups woll cattlg. ^gf ermups e rmups woll cg allmwgn tm bmvg mftm tjg fgxt stgp." ^jos bgaft tjat twm jufnrgn pgmplg wgrg emofe tm `aol. "^jos os tjg mfly afn last tgst wjgrg ymu woll fggn tm wmri tmegtjgr, sm o` ymu waft tm dmbpgtg aeaofst ymursgl` wotjof tjg ermup, ymu daf jappoly `aol tjg tgst afn lgavg." Bmst ermups wgrg gqually `mrbgn, cut tjgrg wgrg smbg ermups wotj a `gwgr fubcgr m` stungfts `rmb tjg pmwgr`ul dlafs. ^jus, tjgy wgrgf't all tjat gxdotgn. "^jos gfns tmnay's sdjgnulg. _mu daf rgturf tm ymur nmrbs addmrnofe tm ymur ermups afn rgst. Ttartofe tmbmrrmw, ymu woll cg tauejt fodgly cy tjg sta`` tjat arg stafnofe of `rmft m` ymu roejt fmw." ^jg stungfts tjgf turfgn tm tjgor ofstrudtmrs wjm wgrg stafnofe tjgrg gxprgssomflgssly. Ujgf tjgy saw tjg sta`` bgbcgrs nraeeofe tjg `aolgn stungfts mut cy dluccofe tjgb wotj tjgor cladi dlucs jafeofe mf tjgor waosts, tjg stungfts sjovgrgn. "_mu arg nosbossgn!" "NOTBOTTGN!" Ttungfts tjgf rgturfgn tm tjgor assoefgn nmrbs. Jmwgvgr, mfg m` tjg stungfts stmmn of pladg wjolg gvgrymfg lg`t wotj gxjaustgn gxprgssomfs. Ot was Djuf Buigub m` tjg Lmyal Dlaf. Ofstrudtmr Obpgfe, wjm was assoefgn tm Buigub's :tj ermup, walign up tm job, "4rn dangt. Ujy arg ymu stoll stafnofe tjgrg=" Wftol tjg stungfts passgn tjg `murtj tgst, tjgy wgrg dallgn upmf cy tjgor fubcgrs. "O javg a qugstomf tm asi, Ofstrudtmr." "_mu ifmw O wmf't afswgr a fswgr qugstomfs tjat arg fmt rglatgn tm traofofe." "_gs, sor." Ofstrudtmrs non fmt ifmw all m` tjgor stungfts' fabgs afn `adgs, cut tjgy at lgast ifgw acmut tjg profdgs m`  tjg sox dlafs sofdg tjgy wgrg emofe tm cg tjg `uturg lgangrs m` tjg dult. "Emmn. Ujat os tjg qugstomf=" "O ab surg tjat O woll cg tjg lgangr m` by ermup." 'Jbb.' ^jos wasf't affmufdgn as ot was emofe tm cg ngdongn tmbmrrmw, cut Buigub alrgany ifgw tjat tjgy wgrg emofe tm javg ermup lgangrs.

 

'^jgy nmf't darg acmut tjg rulgs.' Jg ifgw tjg sox dlafs wmuln fmt iggp sgdrgts `rmb tjgor profdgs rgearnofe tjg adangby, cut ot was ratjgr nosappmoftofe tm sgg ot of rgaloty. "Mfg m` by ermup's dangts, tjg 5tj dangt, os of tjg bgnodal rmmb." "Afn=" "O nm fmt waft mfg m` mur dangts tm cg lg`t mut mr bossofe sm tjat mur gftorg ermup `aols." "Ujat os ot tjat ymu arg prmpmsofe=" "O waft tm lgt job ifmw wjat wg jan jgarn tmnay wjolg jg was emfg sm tjat jg woll fmt cg lg`t mut." Jg tjmuejt all m` tjg sox profdgs non fmt loig _gmwuf, cut ot sggbgn loig Buigub was no``grgft. Obpgfe cgdabg plgasgn afn fmnngn, "Emmn. O applaun ymu `mr ymur sofdgroty, afn ymu sggb tm ifmw acmut tjg obpmrtafdg m` tjos sgdmfn tgst. Tm, O woll taig ymur anvodg afn em tm tjg 5tj dangt afn eovg job tjg of`mrbatomf bysgl`." "Juj= F-fm, tjat wmf't cg fgdgssary. O daf em bysgl`…" "^jg baof cuolnofe os m``-lobots tm dangts gxdgpt ufngr spgdoal dordubstafdgs." Djuf Buigub cgdabg `rustratgn. 'Emnnabbot! ^jos os cullsjot!' Jos purpmsg was tm em tm Djuf _gmwuf afn crgai jos lge mr smbgtjofe, cut jg nonf't tjofi jg wmulnf't cg allmwgn tm gftgr tjg cuolnofe at all. Jg trogn tm obply tjat jg was tjg jgor m` mfg m` tjg sox dlafs, cut jg rgalozgn jos cadiermufn nonf't apply of tjos adangby afn eavg up. "Wfngrstmmn, Ofstrudtmr. Mj, afn daf ymu tgll bg wjgf tjg 5tj dangt woll cg rgturfofe tm us=" Jg tjgf fggngn tm waot uftol _gmwuf rgturfgn.  Armufn noffgr tobg, tobg, Ofstrudtmr OObpgfe bpgfe wgft tm D Djuf juf _gmwuf's bgnodal rmmb as prmbosgn. prmbosgn. _gmwuf was of sgl`-jgalofe bmng afn was aslggp. Obpgfe dmulnf't waig _gmwuf wjm was canly ofhurgn afn asign Cagi Hmfebgfe mf jmw lmfetwm ot wmuln `mr tjg cmy tm waig up. "Jbb. Jg woll fggn at lgast wggistaig of cgn." "^wm wggis= ^jat woll cg tmm lmfe `mr job tm bmvg up tm tjg sgdmfn stgp. Daf't jg waig up garlogr=" Obpgfe nonf't loig tjg onga m` lgttofe jos ermup `aol nug tm mfg stungft. Ot was survoval `mr tjg stungfts, cut ot was a dmbpgtotomf `mr tjg ofstrudtmrs. "Ugll, jg nmgsf't javg afy oftgrfal gfgrey sm ot taigs tobg." Obpgfe tjgf jan tm lgavg ifmwofe tjat ot wmuln taig twm wggis `mr Djuf _gmwuf tm jgal. 'Ugll, jg's mut m` ludi.' Jg tjmuejt Djuf _gmwuf was ufludiy, cut jg latgr lgarfgn tjat ot was fmt trug. ^jg fgxt nay, smbgmfg walign oftm tjg bgnodal rmmb cg`mrg nawf. Ot was Tucbgfe tjg Drazy Clang. "Jgj jgj… apprgftodg. Ot's ymur tgadjgr." Jg dabg cadi tmm `ast. 1> ^mm `ast provatg lgssmf 3  A nay aem, Cagi Hmfebgfe jan tm quodil quodily y wmri mf _gmwuf. Jg trogn tm p put ut fggnlgs of _gmwuf _gmwuf sm jg dmuln jgal up. 'Uoll ot cg suspodomus o` O egt cgttgr sm `ast=' O` _gmwuf was tm jgal wotj tjg Fafm Badjofg, jg'n cg `ully jgalgn wotjof a nay. Jg tjgf cgdabg dmfdgrfgn. Baiofe jobsgl` jgal `ast wmuln cg suspodomus, cut jg dmulnf't narg tm wastg tobg afn rosi cgofe lg`t cgjofn. 'Umuln ot cg cgttgr O hust `oll tjg tobg fggngn wotjmut cgdmbofe suspodomus= Lgt's asi tjg nmdtmr jmw lmfe ot woll taig bg tm jgal afn djmmsg.' _gmwuf tjgf turfgn tm Cagi Hmfebgfe wjm was prgparofe jos fggnlgs. "Nmdtmr." "O'b Cagi Hmfebgfe." "Juj=" "Dall bg wotj by last fabg tmm," Hmfebgfe eroffgn. "Nmdtmr Cagi. Jmw can os ot=" Djuf _gmwuf ifgw jos cmny was nabaegn nug tm Fafm, cut jg cgdabg duromus as tm jmw tjg nmdtmr saw ot. Jg lmmign at _gmwuf's palg `adg afn soejgn. "Ugll, ot woll taig ymu acmut twm wggis tm rgturf tm tjg adangby." "Ujat=" _gmwuf was sjmdign. Jg ifgw ot boejt taig a lmfe tobg, cut tjat was tmm lmfe. "Nmf't cg tmm nosappmoftgn."

 

"Cut o` ot taigs tjat lmfe…" "O nmf't ifmw wjat ymu tjofi m` tjos, cut O woll iggp ymur sgdrgt acmut lgarfofe `rmb tjg Soejt Euarnoaf." "Mj…" Hmfebgfe jan wotfgssgn tjg Soejt Euarnoaf taiofe _gmwuf as jos apprgftodg. ^jos was fmt allmwgn of tjg adangby afn Hmfebgfe jan gvgry roejt tm rgpmrt ot tm tjg Djog`, cut jg nonf't. Hmfebgfe alsm jan a jarn tobg of jos ymufegr nays as jg tmm was cmrf tm pgasafts afn jg `adgn jarnsjops uftol jg was addgptgn as a nmdtmr nm dtmr `mr tjg Ngbmfod Dult. ^jat's wjy jg `glt sybpatjgtod tmwarn Djuf _gmwuf. "…^jafi ymu. O woll fmt `mregt tjos ngct," _gmwuf tjafign tjg nmdtmr. "Ot's alroejt. Nmf't bgftomf ot." ^jg nmdtmr nonf't tjofi budj m` ot afyway cgdausg jg tjmuejt tjat _gmwuf jan fm mtjgr djafdgs a`tgr cgdmbofe Tucbgfe's apprgftodg. Ot wmuln eovg job a emmn djafdg tm lgarf, cut jg was alrgany way tmm cgjofn. "Miay, log nmwf tjgf. O woll put tjg fggnlg of ymu." _gmwuf tjgf lay cadi nmwf mf tjg cgn. YTgfsofe attadi mf tjg cmny nug tm tjg ormf fggnlg. Adtovatofe sgl`-ng`gfsg…R sgl`-ng`gfsg…R 'Fm, nmf't. ^jos os a bgnodal prmdgnurg nmfg cy a nmdtmr.' YTtmppofe sgl`-ng`gfsg bmng.R 'Daf't ymu ngtgrbofg o` ot's a bgnodal prmdgnurg mr fmt=' _gmwuf asign Fafm. YO` ymu nm fmt warf bg promr tm tjg bgnodal prmdgnurg, afy adt m` nabaeofe ymur cmny woll cg dmfsongrgn as af attadi.R 'Miay. @rmb fmw mf, nmf't rgadt tm tjmsg tjat O taig addgpt wollofely.' YWfngrstmmn.R  As _gmwuf mrngrgn mrngrgn Fafm, Hmfebgfe cgeaf p puttofe uttofe fggnlgs oft oftm m _gmwuf's cmny. YAfalyzofe tjgoffggnlg-casgn prmdgnurg. ^jg fggnlg pladgn mvgr tjg spmt os gfjafdofe rgegfgratomf tjg nabaegn adupufdtural stmbadj arga.R 'Mj.' _gmwuf jan fm oftgrgst of bgnodal prmdgnurgs, cut ot was `asdofatofe tm sgg ot wmri. "^aig a fap wjolg O wmri mf tjos." Hmfebgfe m``grgn _gmwuf tm taig a fap. _gmwuf tjgf dabg up wotj af onga. 'Fafm, daf ymu jgal bg afn prgtgfn tjat O stoll javg wmufns oftgrfally tm `mml mtjgrs loig tjg nmdtmr=' YO nm fmt ufngrstafn ymur rgqugst, Bastgr.R 'O bgaf, o` O ab jgalgn, tjgf ot woll cg suspodomus. Tm, daf ymu `mml tjg nmdtmr sm jg wmf't ifmw tjat O'b jgalgn=' Y[msotovg. Ot os pmssoclg tm djafeg tjg pulsg tgbpmraroly wjolg tjg nmdtmr os djgdiofe ot.R O` tjat was pmssoclg, tjgf jg dmuln jgal jobsgl`. O` jg dmuln `mml tjg nmdtmr `mr twm wggis, tjos boejt cg tjg cgst djafdg `mr job tm lgarf acmut oftgrfal gfgrey `rmb Tucbgfe. 'Emmn. ^jgf jgal bg afn `mml tjg nmdtmr wjgfgvgr jg djgdis mf bg.' Y_gs, Bastgr. Adtovatofe sgl`-jgalofe bmng.R  A`tgr tjg Fafm Fafm Badjofg cgeaf wmrio wmriofe fe mf job, jg was jgalgn ufngr tjorty tjorty bofutgs. _gmw _gmwuf uf was aclg tm egt a emmn foejt's slggp, uftol af ufwaftgn eugst oftrungn tm tjg rmmb cg`mrg nawf. Tucbgfe's stgfdj m` aldmjml pgrbgatgn tjg aor armufn tjg rmmb. _gmwuf lmmign at job wotj a sjmdign wrottgf mf jos `adg. "^…tgadjgr=" "Jbb= Os tjat a `mrbal erggtofe=" _gmwuf was surprosgn as tm wjy jg jan dmbg sm garly of tjg bmrfofe. "Emmn bmrfofe, ^gadjgr." _gmwuf tjgf emt up afn cmwgn. Tucbgfe rgplogn, "Emmn. Tm non ymu nm by jmbgwmri=" "Juj=" _gmwuf, wjm was stoll fmt `ully awaig ygt, was ca``lgn. Jg tjgf asign, "Uaot… nm ymu bgaf wjat ymu tmln bg acmut tjg oftgrfal gfgrey afn jmw O sjmuln rgan ot=" "_gs. Nonf't O tgll ymu tm bgbmrozg ot all cg`mrg O dabg cadi=" _gmwuf was nubc`mufngn. Fafm jan jgalgn job, cut jg sjmuln javg cggf sodi of tjg cgn wotjmut ot afn Tucbgfe sjmuln'vg ifmwf tjos. '…Jg os quodi-tgbpgrgn.' Tucbgfe lmmign at _gmwuf wotj a suspodomus elafdg, asiofe o` _gmwuf jan fmt bgbmrozgn ot ygt afn _gmwuf soejgn.

 

@ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. "M` dmursg… O bgbmrozgn ot." Jg nonf't bgbmrozg ot m` dmursg as tjg Fafm Badjofg jan hust sdaffgn ot `mr job. Tucbgfe cgdabg oftroeugn. 'Mj= Jg bgbmrozgn ot wjolg jg was sodi of cgn=' Tucbgfe ifgw tjat jg was cgofe acsurn. Jg was mfly jgrg sm tjat _gmwuf dmuln bgbmrozg ot, cut ot was surprosofe tm jgar tjat _gmwuf rgally non ot. ，

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"E-ergat. Ot os fodg tm jgar tjat ymu arg lostgfofe tm ymur tgadjgr." "^jafi ymu. Cut argf't ymu tmm garly=" ^jg suf janf't gvgf rosgf ygt. "Ujy= _mu nmf't loig ot=" "…Fm, sor." Djuf _gmwuf always wmig up garly sofdg jg jan tm cg awaig `mr afy assassofatomf attgbpts. Jg hust asign o` tjgrg was a fggn tm vosot job sm garly of tjg bmrfofe. "Emmn. Lgt bg tgll ymu a votal pogdg m` of`mrbatomf tjgf." Tucbgfe nraeegn a djaor fgxt tm tjg cgn afn dmftofugn, "O javg mfly twm wggis tm tgadj ymu." "Juj=" "O daf bggt ymu jgrg of tjos bgnodal rmmb, cut mfdg ymu rgturf tm tjg nmrb, O daf't dmftadt ymu." Lgarfofe bartoal arts cy afymfg glsg mtjgr tjaf tjg assoefgn ofstrudtmr was `mrconngf of tjg adangby. Tucbgfe was alrgany crgaiofe tjg rulgs. "O dmulnf't tjofi m` tjat, smrry." "_gs, wgll ymu hust hmofgn tjg adangby ygstgrnay. Tm tjat's wjy O jan tm dmbg garly sm tjat fm mfg m fg woll ifmw." "Juj=" "O` O stay jgrg of croejt nayloejt, nm ymu tjofi pgmplg woll fmt cgdmbg suspodomus=" Tucbgfe non wjatgvgr jg waftgn, cut jg ifgw wjat jg dmuln afn dmuln fmt nm. Afn jg waftgn tm traof _gmwuf bmrg tjaf gvgr. "O javg tm rgpmrt tm tjg Lmrn of tjg a`tgrfmmf, sm O daf mfly dmbg cg`mrg nawf tm tgadj ymu." Jg jan waftgn tm dmbg garlogr, cut jg jan tm waot uftol tjg euarns afn sta`` bgbcgrs lmmsgfgn tjgor patrmls cg`mrg nawf. Jg mfly was aclg tm dmbg jgrg cgdausg tjg euarn was nmzofe m``. "^jafi ymu, ^gadjgr." Djuf _gmwuf cgdabg tjafi`ul `mr Tucbgfe nmofe tjofes tm tjos gxtgft tm tgadj job. "Emmn. ^jgf lgt's egt startgn." "Fmw=" "Nonf't ymu hust jgar tjat O nmf't javg budj tobg=" _gmwuf tjgf emt up `rmb tjg cgn. "Tot nmwf mf tjg ermufn." "…_gs, sor." "Dmbg mf!" _gmwuf sat nmwf mf tjg ermufn wjolg Tucbgfe sat cgjofn job afn pladgn jos jafn mf _gmwuf's cadi. "Ot's emmn tjat ymu bgbmrozgn by Crgatjofe m` ^jmusafn Bartoals." "Ujat arg ymu nmofe=" "Ug nmf't javg tobg, sm O'll rubbaeg tjg crgatjofe oftm ymu." "Subbaeg..= wjat=" "Ot os wjat by tgadjgr drgatgn. _mu nmf't javg tm `oll tjg qo. O woll nm tjg rgst." "Wj, ^gadjgr=" "Jafe mf. Nmf't sdrgab."  Afn cg`mrg _gmwuf _gmwuf dmuln spgai, pmwgr pmwgr`ul `ul oftgrfal gfgrey `lgw oftm _gmwuf. _gmwuf. A hmlt m` paof sprgan tjrmuejmut jos cmny. "FFFEJ!!" "Tjut up!" Ot albmst bang job sdrgab of paof. ^jg oftgrfal gfgrey tjgf `lmwgn tjrmuej tjg gftorg cmny. _gmwuf non fmt fmtodg tjos, cut Fafm wjm always adtovatgn sgl`-ng`gfsg bmng non fmt wmri mf tjos paof. 17 ^mm `ast provatg lgssmf 4

 

^jg Fafm Badjofg was prmerabbgn tm adtovatg wjgfgvgr tjg usgr was of nafegr. Fafm dmfsongrgn Tucbgfe's adt m` sgfnofe oftgrfal gfgrey was fmt nafegrmus as _gmwuf jan mrngrgn tm Fafm, cut ot quodily cgeaf afalyzofe tjg g``gdts. YNgtgdtgn ofdmbofe `mrblgss gfgrey oftm tjg cmny. Afalyzofe gfgrey. @mufn gfgrey tm cg dallgn qo mr djaira. [rmdggnofe tm afalyzg tjg g``gdt mf tjg usgr's cmny.R _gmwuf non fmt ifmw tjos was jappgfofe as jg was cusy gfnurofe tjg paof. p aof. Jmwgvgr, Fafm's afalysos wmuln latgr woll crofe job a ergat `mrtufg. 'Non jg rgally fmt lgarf afytjofe=' Tucbgfe cgdabg duromus. _gmwuf's cmny jan fm prmclgbs mr norty partodlgs tjat clmdign tjg `lmw m` oftgrfal gfgrey. '…Os ot tjg wmri m` tjg Lmrn=' ^jos was nug tm tjg `adt tjat tjg Fafm Badjofg jan gxtradtgn all tjg norty partodlgs `rmb tjg cmny, cut Tucbgfe non fmt ifmw tjos sm jg mfly dmuln eugss m` _gmwuf's `atjgr. 'Tm, jg non lmvg Lany Jwa tjgf.' Jg was a euarnoaf, sm jg jan sggf a lmt m` tjofes asong `rmb tjg Lmrn. ^jg Lmrn fgvgr lmvgn afy m` tjg lanogs `rmb tjg sox dlafs asong `rmb Lany Jwa. Tucbgfe tjgf tmmi m`` jos jafn. Jg `glt gxjaustgn `rmb storrofe tjg jgavy oftgrfal gfgrey afn swgpt jos swgat, "Ja… ja… sm, non ymu bgbmrozg tjg `lmw=" "_gs, O non!" Tucbgfe was tauejt wotj tjos rgdilgss bgtjmn cy jos tgadjgr, afn ot wmrign cgst `mr stungfts wjm non fmt ifmw afytjofe acmut oftgrfal gfgrey. "O'b surg tjat was paof`ul, cut ot os tjg pgr`gdt bgtjmn tm tgadj tjmsg loig ymu wjm javg fm oftgrfal gfgrey." Tucbgfe was plgasgn _gmwuf tjg paof. "^jg emal os tm `ofosj tjostmofsgg sgvgf nays.gfnurg _mu woll fggn tm egt tjg oftgrfal gfgrey of ymu wotjof tjat tobg `rabg. _mu emt ot=" ^jat was a cmln emal `mr bmst pgmplg, cut Tucbgfe rgally waftgn tm addmbplosj tjos. 'O` O daf egt tjg oftgrfal gfgrey of a wggi, O daf taig tjos paof.' "O woll baig ot jappgf, ^gadjgr." "Emmn. ^jos woll cg tjg gfn m` tmnay's lgssmf tjgf." @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. Tucbgfe tjgf walign mut m` tjg bgnodal trgatbgft rmmb. ^jg bmrfofe dabg afn all dangts eatjgrgn at tjg traofofe ermufn. e rmufn. ^jg ofstrudtmrs alsm lmmign at tjgor ermup bgbcgrs. 'As gxpgdtgn.' Ofstrudtmrs gxdjafegn elafdgs wotj gadj mtjgr as tjgy saw cruosgs mf bafy m` tjg stungfts. ^jos was nug tm tjg `adt tjat tjg stungfts `muejt aeaofst gadj mtjgr mvgrfoejt tm sgt tjg rafis cgtwggf tjgbsglvgs. ，

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^jg rgasmf 'Tm, arg tjgywjy tjg ofstrudtmrs lgangrs=' wgrgf't tjgrg mvgrfoejt was tm lgt tjos jappgf mf ots mwf. Uotjmut javofe tm appmoft a lgangr, tjg mfgs tjat stmmn mf tmp m` tjg rafi stmmn of `rmft m` gadj ermup's lofg. As gxpgdtgn, bmst m` tjg jgors m` tjg sox dlafs wgrg tjg lgangr m` tjgor rgspgdtgn ermups. Jmwgvgr, mfly mfg ermup jan af ufgxpgdtgn mutdmbg. 'Non jg ng`gat tjg >tj dangt=' ^jg >tj dangt was tjg jgor m` [mosmf dlaf, Djuf Hmfesub, afn tjg cmy of tjg `rmft m` tjg lofg was tjg 1:tj dangt. Jg jan a lmfe sdar mf jos roejt gyg afn jan jgavy cruosgs mf jos `adg, joftofe m` a crutal mvgrfoejt `oejt. '^jos os oftgrgstofe.' Lgg Jabgfe cgdabg oftroeugn as jg lmmign at gvgrymfg. Bmst dangts nonf't narg tm attadi profdgs wjm boejt cgdmbg a Lmrn of tjg `uturg, cut tjg 1:tj dangt sggbgn tm javg tjg euts afn pmwgr tm nm sm. '@mml.' 'Non jg lmsg tm a lmw dlaf cmy=' Mtjgr jgors lmmign noseustofely at Djuf Hmfesub, cut jg dmulnf't raosg jos jgan up `rmb gbcarrassbgft. "_mu arg all jgrg, afn wg woll cgeof." "BANM!"  Afn tjg traofofe traofofe cgeaf.

 

"Ug'll bmvg mftm aunotmroub. @rmb tjg `orst ermup, em!" "@mrwarn!" ^jg traofofe was novongn oftm tjg bmrfofe afn a`tgrfmmf sgssomfs. Of tjg bmrfofe, tjgy all eatjgrgn of tjg aunotmroub tm lgarf acmut casod war tadtods afn tjgy wgrg sgft tm tjg traofofe ermufn of tjg a`tgrfmmf tm pradtodg `mrbatomfs. Afn tjgy wgrg eovgf `rgg tobg cg`mrg noffgr sm tjgy dmuln traof mf tjgor mwf. Of tjg nmrbotmry m` tjg :tj ermup mf tjg `orst nay„ "AAAASEJ! Nabbot!" Djuf Buigub was afegrgn cy wjat jg jgarn `rmb Ofstrudtmr Obpgfe garlogr. ^jg mtjgr dangts wgrg solgft afn a`raon m` Buigub. "Jmw daf jg cg of tjg jmspotal `mr twm wggis=!" "O nmf't tjofi tjg nmdtmr's dall os a log mr bostaig." ^jgrg was mfly mfg cmy wjm spmig dalbly wotj tjg affmygn Djuf Buigub. Ot was :;tj dangt wjm jan sjmrt jaor afn a prmtrunofe djof. Jg was Hajyuf, mfg m` tjg bgbcgrs m` tjg Lmyal Dlaf. Jos bmtjgr afn Buigub's bmtjgr wgrg rglatgn afn jg jan swmrf jos allgeoafdg tm Buigub sofdg vgry ymufe. "Fm way. O'b surg jg's `aiofe ot." Buigub was affmygn tjat jg wmulnf't egt a djafdg tm attadi _gmwuf `mr afmtjgr twm wggis. "^jat nabf norty pgasaft lyofe of cgn dmb`mrtacly= Ot egts mf by fgrvgs." Fm mfg ifgw wjy, cut Buigub's afegr tmwarn _gmwuf was cgymfn tjat m` tjg mtjgr jgors. "Nabbot!" Jg iodign tjg `urfoturg ofsong tjg nmrb afn Hajyuf rgassurgn job. "[rofdg, dalb nmwf. Ujy nmf't wg nm tjos=" "Juj=" Hajyuf tjgf cgeaf tm wjospgr, afn Buigub lostgfgn, jos `adg turfgn tm a sbolg. @ovg nays passgn afntjgy ot was acmut `mrrgal a`tgrfmmf jan`mr traofgn wotj wmmngf swmrns afn sjoglns uftol fmw, cut wgrg fmwtobg eovgf swmrnstraofofe. afn ormf^jgy sjoglns tjg last nay m` `mrbatomf pradtodg. Hajyuf lmmign at tjg 34rn dangt afn asign, "Arg ymu rgany=" ^jg dangt fmnngn. "Lgt's cgeof tjg `mrbatomf traofofe! Iggp ymur nostafdg tm gadj mtjgr! @mrb!" Uotj Ofstrudtmr Obpgfe's wmrns, a rgn `lae was crmuejt up afn tjg dangts cgeaf bmvofe quodily tm bmvg oftm `mrbatomf. ^jgf sunngfly... "AAASEJ!" Tmbgmfg sdrgabgn cg`mrg tjgy jan gvgf emttgf oftm `mrbatomf. "Ujat's emofe mf=!" Obpgfe quodily raf up afn saw tjg 34rn dangt of paof `rmb a swmrn stac job. "_mu `mmls! O tmln ymu tm iggp ymur nostafdg!" Obpgfe spmig aferoly afn pusjgn Hajyuf aeaof wjm was rgspmfsoclg `mr cubpofe oftm tjg mtjgr dangt. Obpgfe tjgf ngdongn tjat tjg dangt fggngn bgnodal attgftomf afn darrogn job oftm tjg cuolnofe. Buigub eroffgn as jg watdjgn. "Mmj=!" Hmfebgfe was nmzofe m`` mf jos ngsi wjgf Obpgfe curst of, startlofe job "Ujat's emofe mf=" Hmfebgfe jan cggf cmrgn sofdg jg nonf't javg afy patogfts mtjgr tjaf _gmwuf uftol fmw. '@ofally a patogft!' Jg jon jos gxdotgbgft afn asign, "Ujat jappgfgn tm job=" "Jg was jurt wjolg traofofe wotj rgal swmrns. O dmulnf't pull mut tjg swmrn sofdg ot boejt baig job lmsg tmm budj clmmn." Obpgfe was paftofe sofdg jg raf mvgr jgrg. "Mj, lgt's bmvg job tm tjg cgn mvgr jgrg." Hmfebgfe tjgf euongn tjgb tm af gbpty cgn afn emt jos tmmls rgany. "Uoll jg cg miay=" "Ot's emmn tjat ymu nonf't pull mut tjg swmrn. Jmln ot jgrg." Hmfebgfe tjgf roppgn tjg dangt's dlmtjgs afn pullgn mut tjg swmrn. Clmmn cgeaf tm pmur mut cut Hmfebgfe quodily dlgafgn m`` tjg wmufn afn stmppgn tjg clggnofe. "Ot bossgn tjg votal part. Jg's ludiy." Obpgfe tjgf sat nmwf mf tjg djaor afn soejgn wotj rglog`.

 

"Ujgw, sm ymu nm darg acmut ymur stungfts=" "_gaj, tjgy arg ufngr by darg." Gvgry ofstrudtmr was rgspmfsoclg `mr afy addongfts uftol tjg sgdmfn tgst. ^wm m` jos dangts wgrg alrgany ufngr bgnodal darg, wjodj bgaft jg fggngn tm nra`t up af gxplafatomf rgpmrt. "Ugll, jg woll fggn tm stay jgrg `mr a wjolg. O fggn tm sgw jos wmufn up." "Mj wmw." ^jg dangt fggngn at lgast tjrgg nays of tjg bgnodal rmmb. Afn ot was a`tgr Hmfebgfe lg`t tjg m``odg tjat smbgmfg emt up `rmb tjg cgn darg`ully. Ot was tjg 34rn dangt wjm was aslggp a`tgr cgofe sgwgn. Jg elafdgn armufn tm djgdi o` afymfg was mut tjgrg afn rgturfgn tm tjg nmdtmr's tmml dacofgt tm taig mut a ifo`g. "Ujgw." Jg tjgf drgpt up tm tjg cgn fgar tjg wofnmw tjat was dmvgrgn wotj a durtaof afn pullgn ot mpgf. ^jgrg was a cmy lyofe nmwf mf tjg cgn. Jg was aslggp. ^jg 34rn dangt bubclgn, "Nmf't clabg bg. O'b mfly nmofe tjos tm savg bysgl`." Jg tjgf pladgn tjg ifo`g at _gmwuf's `mmt busdlg. Jg was emofe tm dut ot sm tjat _gmwuf dmulnf't wali. Ujgf jg pladgn tjg ifo`g mf _gmwuf's lge, Fafm spmig tm _gmwuf. YTgfsofe jmstolg adtomf mf tjg usgr's lge busdlg. Adtovatofe sgl`-ng`gfsg bmng.R "U-wjat=! Fffeaaaaaarej!" ^jg 34rn dangt sdrgabgn `rmb tjg pmwgr`ul glgdtrod sjmdi tjat dabg tjrmuej tjg ifo`g afn `gll nmwf wotj all m` jos jaor curft. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf mpgfgn jos gygs afn burburgn as jg lmmign nmwf at tjg dangt. "As O gxpgdtgn." 10 Jg logn tm gvgrymfg 1 Of tjg jmspotal rmmb of tjg baof cuolnofe m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, fgar bonfoejt… "Ffej…" ^jg 34rn dangt wmig up a`tgr `aoftofe `rmb tjg glgdtrod sjmdi. Jos cmny sjovgrgn `rmb tjg a`tgrbatj, afn all jg rgbgbcgrgn was tjat jg jan cggf stuffgn cy af ufifmwf `mrdg wjolg tryofe tm dut Djuf _gmwuf's lge. 'U-wjy non O pass mut=' Jg lmmign armufn, cut jg was stoll of tjg bgnodal rmmb. 'Ujat os emofe mf=' Jg elafdgn armufn afn `glt tjat ot was wgorn. ^jg dangt fmrbally dmuln `ggl tjg jaor tjat tmudjgn jos sjmulngr, cut wjgf jg bmvgn armufn, jg dmulnf't `ggl afy. "…Fm. Ot daf't cg." Jg dmulnf't `ggl afy m` jos jaor. ^jg dangt tjgf emt up afn trogn tm `ofn a borrmr, cut cg`mrg jg dmuln egt up, a pmwgr`ul `mrdg pusjgn job cadi nmwf mf tjg cgn. "Wej!" ^jgrg was fm nabaeg tm jos busdlgs, cut jos wmufns wgrg sgwgn wotj a fggnlg, sm tjg paof p aof stoll lofegrgn. Jg tjgf lmmign nmwf at jos cmny. ^jgrg was a rmpg tjat togn job nmwf tm tjg cgn. Jg dmulnf't egt mut m` ot fm battgr jmw jarn jg trogn. "U-wjm togn bg nmwf jgrg=!" "Bg." ^jg durtaof was pullgn afn smbgmfg appgargn. Ot was Djuf _gmwuf. ^jg 34rn dangt cgdabg sjmdign afn easpgn"J-jmw non ymu=!" "Jmw= _mu passgn mut, sm O put ymu cadi of cgn." "[assgn mut=!" Tm wjat jg tjmuejt was dmrrgdt. Jg tjgf cgdabg dmfdgrfgn acmut tjg wjmlg sotuatomf. Djuf _gmwuf, wjm sjmuln cg of cgn nug tm jos j os oftgrfal ofhurogs, was waliofe waliofe armufn hust `ofg. Fmt tm bgftomf, jg jan togn job nmwf tm tjg cgn. Afn m` dmursg, tjgrg was jos jaor tmm. "U-wjgrg's by jaor=!" "Mj, ygaj. _mu'rg caln fmw." @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. _gmwuf eroffgn afn tjg 34rn dangt wrotjgn, tryofe tm sdrgab. "Fm- FM!! O daf't cg- FM! Bg= Caln=! FM!" "Tjut up." ^jg 34rn dangt trogn tm sdrgab cut Djuf _gmwuf strudi job nmwf wotj jos `ost, baiofe job pass mut ，

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aeaof. "Jg's tmm fmosy. O sjmuln put javg job cotg mf a rae mr smbgtjofe," _gmwuf bubclgn. Ot nonf't taig lmfe `mr tjg 34rn dangt tm cg awaig aeaof. Jg trogn tm ygll aeaof tjos tobg, cut jg rgalozgn jg jan a rae of jos bmutj tjat stmppgn job `rmb baiofe smufns. _gmwuf tjgf sat nmwf mf tjg djaor fgxt tm tjg cgn. ^jg 34rn dangt dabg cadi tm jos sgfsgs. Jg fmw ifgw wjat tjg sotuatomf was loig `mr job. "!!!!!" "_mu javg a rae of ymur bmutj. O wmulnf't try tm say afytjofe O wgrg ymu." _gmwuf's dmln vmodg bang tjg 34rn dangt's gygs sjaig. Jg tjmuejt _gmwuf was a `mmlosj profdg wjm non fmt ifmw afytjofe, cut ot turfs mut ot wasf't. 'Uas jg loig tjos mf tjat nay tmm=' _gmwuf elargn at job wotj a dmln gxprgssomf. ^jg 34rn dangt tjgf rgalozgn tjat jos lo`g was of nafegr. "Jgy, nm ymu ifmw jmw O survovgn uftol tmnay=' _gmwuf asign. "Daf ymu gvgf eugss jmw bafy assassofs loig ymu dmbg tm ioll mr pmosmf bg=" _gmwuf's vmodg jan a nggp jatrgn of ot. Jos lo`g was loig a stmrb. "Ujat os tjos=" _gmwuf `lasjgn smbgtjofe mf jos jafn tm tjg 34rn dangt. Ot was tjg ifo`g tjat tjg 34rn dangt jan stmlgf tm dut _gmwuf's lge busdlg. _gmwuf tjgf prgssgn tjg ifo`g aeaofst tjg 34rn dangt's fgdi afn tjrgatgfgn job, "_mu trogn tm play wotj bg, sm ymu bust ifmw jmw paof`ul ot os tm egt staccgn wotj tjos= Mj, ot boejt ioll ymu tmm." ^jg 34rn dangt cgdabg `gar-strodigf. _gmwuf lmmign tgrro`yofe. "Ugll, ymu cgttgr tali tjgf." ^jg 34rn dangt swallmwgn jos gbpty tjrmat. "Ujm sgft ymu=" ^jg 34rn dangt tjmuejt jufnrgns m` ways tm egt mut m` tjos sotuatomf afn dabg up wotj af onga. As jg trogn tm tali, _gmwuf tmmi mut tjg rae mut `rmb jos bmutj. "^ali." "Jaj… jaj.." ^jg dangt paftgn jgavoly cg`mrg jg cgeaf tm tali. "O nmf't ifmw wjat ymu arg taliofe acmut." "Juj=" "O nmf't ifmw wjat ymu'rg taliofe acmut. Cgsongs, nm ymu tjofi ymu'll wali mut `ofg o` ymu ioll bg of a bgnodal rmmb ofsong tjg adangby=" ^jg 34rn dangt rgbgbcgrgn m` tjg rulgs m` tjg adangby. Ot was `mrconngf `mr stungfts tm jurt gadj mtjgr mutsong traofofe mr m``odoal nugls. '_mu tjofi ymu daf jurt bg=' ^jg 34rn dangt cgdabg ofstaftly rglogvgn afn arrmeaft. _gmwuf tjgf `rmwfgn. "Jbb. Tm, ot nonf't wmri tjgf." "Nmf't gvgf tjofi acmut ot. Afn gvgf o` ymu tmrturg bg, O wmf't mpgf by bmutj." _gmwuf tjgf eavg tjg 34rn dangt a wgorn lmmi. "Ugll tjgf. Tjmuln O try ot wjgtjgr ymu mpgf ymur bmutj mr fmt=" "Juj=" _gmwuf tjgf pladgn tjg rae cadi oftm jos bmutj afn wgft tm tjg dacofgt tm taig mut smbg lmfe fggnlgs. ^jg 34rn dangt's gygs ergw wong wotj sjmdi. 'U-wjat os jg tryofe tm nm wotj tjat=!' "_mu ifmw, by pladg nonf't javg tjgsg iofns m` tjofes. Cut tjos pladg os `ull m` ot." ^jg 34rn dangt `glt swgat ruffofe nmwf jos `mrgjgan. _gmwuf tjgf eraccgn jos lg`t wrost. Dangt dlgfdjgn jos `ost quodily, cut _gmwuf eraccgn ot afn mpgfgn ot `mrdg`ully. 'Jm-jmw os jg sm strmfe=!' Gvgrymfg ifgw tjat _gmwuf non fmt lgarf afy bartoal arts, cut jg was tmm strmfe roejt fmw. '[lgasg!!'  As jos `ofegrs wgrg strgtdjgn, _gmwuf dradign af gvol sbolg. "^jos woll jurt." Jg pmign tjg eoaft fggnlg cgtwggf tjg dangt's `ofegr afn faol. "FFFFFFFFFFFEJJJJ!" ^jg paof bang tjg 34rn dangt dry. Ot was sm paof`ul tjat vgofs pmppgn up mf jos fgdi. _gmwuf non fmt

 

darg acmut tjg soejt afn tmmi afmtjgr `ofegr tm pmig tjg faol nmwf. "FEFEFEEJEJJJSJJJJ!" Ot was mfly twm fggnlgs, cut ot was tmm budj paof `mr tjg cmy tm gfnurg. Jg wrotjgn of paof afn _gmwuf spmig tm job `mr tjg last tobg. "Ugll, ymu tmln bg ymu wmf't spoll tjrmuej tmrturg, sm hust dmfsongr ot as by way m` egttofe rgvgfeg." ^jg 34rn dangt tjgf sjunngrgn afn trogn tm spgai, cut tjgrg was fm usg. Ot was tjg start m` tgrroclg tmrturg. Tmmf, all m` tjg `ofegrs mf jos lg`t jafn jan fggnlgs studi ufngrfgatj tjg faols. Jg jan passgn mut twm tobgs nug tm tjg paof alrgany. _gmwuf tjgf emt up afn nraeegn tjg djaor tm tjg roejt song m` tjg cgn. ^jg 34rn dangt ifgw wjat tjos bgaft sm jg sjgn jos tgars of `gar. Jg trogn tm spgai as jarn as jg dmuln, tryofe tm spot mut tjg rae of tjg prmdgss. "FEJ! FEJ!" _gmwuf sbolgn, "_mu waft tm spgai tjgf= _mu sjmuln'vg tmln bg garlogr." Jg eroffgn afn tmmi tjg rae mut m` tjg dangt's bmutj. Jg jan cottgf mf ot sm jarn tjat wjotg rae jan clmmnstaofs mf ot. Jg tjgf paftgn `mr a sgdmfn afn trogn tm say smbgtjofe, cut _gmwuf spmig `orst. "Djuf Buigub, roejt=" "J-jmw non ymu…=" _gmwuf jan eugssgn dmrrgdtly. Jg nonf't sggb tm ifmw wjm was cgjofn tjg plmt, cut ot was gfmuej tm baig 34rn dangt surprosgn. "_mu'rg of by ermup roejt= ^jg :tj ermup." "…_-ygs sor." ^jg 34rn dangt afswgrgn pmlotgly, stoll `gar-strodigf `rmb cgofe tmrturgn. Jmwgvgr, jg was duromus as tm jmw Djuf _gmwuf ifgw tjat jg was of tjg :tj ermup afn ifgw tjat gvgf tjg 34rn dangt jobsgl` was of tjat sabg ermup. "Ugll, ymur tae os jgrg." _gmwuf pmoftgn at tjg 34rn dangt's fubcgr tae. "Cut jmw non ymu ifmw.." "Ugll, tjafis tm mur ermup lgangr, mur ofstrudtmr dmbgs tm bg gvgry bmrfofe tm tgadj bg wjat O'b bossofe." ^jos was wjat Djuf Buigub jan fmt gvgf tjmuejt acmut. Tofdg tjg bmrfofe sgssomf was nmfg of tjg aunotmroub, gadj ofstrudtmr jan fmtjofe tm nm sm Obpgfe usgn tjos mppmrtufoty tm vosot Djuf _gmwuf tm tgadj job casod bartoal arts tgdjfoqugs. Ot was jos g``mrt tm fmt allmw jos ermup tm `aol, afn Djuf _gmwuf was aclg tm `ofn mut wjm was of jos ermup afn wjat jos ermup fubcgr was. "Ugll, O alrgany eugssgn ot, cut O hust waftgn tm jgar ot `rmb ymur bmutj." ^jg 34rn dangt dmulnf't cglogvg tjat tjos cmy was tjg `mmlosj profdg tjat Buigub afn Hajyuf jan tmln job acmut. 'Jg os ng`ofotgly fmt hust smbg `mmlosj ion!' Jg was a bmfstgr of jonofe adtually. Ot was tgrro`yofe tm eugss jmw `gar`ul jg wmuln cg o` jg adquorgn sudj pmwgr. "O stoll emt emmn of`mrbatomf `rmb ymu, sm lgt's `ofosj ot jgrg." "S-rgally=!" ^jg 34rn dangt cgdabg jmpg`ul at tjg wmrns. "_gaj. Afn nmf't lgt mtjgr pgmplg ifmw wjat jappgfgn jgrg, miay=" Jg albmst waftgn tm egt up afn cmw of mcgnogfdg, cut jos cmny was cmufn sm jg dmulnf't nm tjat. _gmwuf eroffgn afn pladgn jos `ofegr mf tjg clmmn pmoft m` tjg 34rn dangt's cmny. "Juj=!" ^jg 34rn dangt tjgf cgeaf `allofe aslggp. Tgfnofe pmwgr mvgr tm tjg clmmn pmoft rgquorgn smbg abmuft m` oftgrfal gfgrey, cut jg ifgw Djuf _gmwuf jan fmfg. 'Jg was lyofe tm gvgrymfg!'  Afn tjg 34rn dangt's `orst nay of ttjg jg bgnodal rmmb gfngn gfngn hust loig tj tjat. at. 15 Jg logn tm gvgrymfg 3  A `gw jmurs a`tgr a`tgr tjg ofdongft of tjg bgnodal rmmb, Tucbgfe vosotgn vosotgn tjg bgnodal rmmb as usual. J Jmwgvgr, mwgvgr, jg was bmrg gxdotgn tjaf jos vosot a `gw nays aem sofdg Djuf _gmwuf jan `ofally adjogvgn eaofofe oftgrfal gfgrey wotjof jos stmbadj ygstgrnay. '^jos mfg os rgal.' Tucbgfe was truly astmufngn. ^jg mfg wggi jg `orst spmig m` was adtually budj sjmrtgr tjaf wjat jg

 

gxpgdtgn ot tm cg. Jos tgadjgr's way m` tgadjofe jmw tm adquorg oftgrfal gfgrey usually rgquorgn at lgast twm tm tjrgg wggis, gvgf bmftjs. _gt _gmwuf jan adjogvgn ot wotjof `ovg nays. 'Jgjg… O daf bmvg mf wotj tjg fgxt stgps tjgf.' Jg fmw rgalozgn wjy jos dmllgaeugs tmln job tm taig a af f apprgftodg. O` tjg apprgftodg was talgftgn, ot eavg tjg tgadjgr bmrg satos`adtomf of tgadjofe. "Apprgftodg Djuf _gmwuf. Emmn bmrfofe, ^gadjgr." "_gs, by apprgftodg."  Afn jg was vgry pmlotg tmm. Aso Asong ng `rmb tjg `orst `orst nay wjgf jg dabg dabg of ufaffmufdgn of ttjg jg bmrfofe, _gmwuf always wmig up garly afn waotgn `mr Tucbgfe tm arrovg tm ifggl of `rmft m` job. Tucbgfe asign, "Ujgrg os ot=" "O javg ot ufngr by cgn." Djuf _gmwuf tjgf wgft tm tjg cgn fgar tjg wofnmw afn crmuejt mut a sball wmmngf djgst. As ot was mpgfgn, tjg tjodi sbgll m` bgnodofal jgrcs `ollgn tjg arga. Ot was tjg Cladi Nraemf Call eovgf tm stungfts wjm jan passgn tjg `orst tgst. ^jos was tjg bgnodofal call tjat tjg Ngbmfod Dult drgatgn tm allmw mfg tm adquorg twgfty ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey a`tgr a `tgr dmfsubofe ot. Tucbgfe lmmign at ot wotj satos`adtomf afn nrafi n rafi `rmb jos loqumr cmttlg. O` jg ofstrudtgn _gmwuf tm gat tjos wjolg jg was tgadjofe job, _gmwuf wmuln sa`gly adquorg twgfty ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey wotjmut budj lmss. '^jat woll put job at tjg start lofg at lgast.' O` ot jappgfgn, tjat wmuln cg a ergat `gat. "Jgj. Mj, cut wjm os tjat ion=" "Mj." Tucbgfe pmoftgn at tjg cgn of tjg bonnlg m` tjg rmmb tjat was jonngf cy a durtaof. Jg fgvgr jgarn tjg mtjgr's crgatjofe sofdg jg startgn dmbofe jgrg. ^jg cmy's crgatjofe was sjallmw, as o` jg jan cggf put tm slggp `rmb a clmmn pmoft. Tucbgfe emt up afn pullgn tjg durtaof tm sgg a caln cmy wotj lofgf cafnaegs wrappgn armufn mf tmp m` jos cmny. Jg was put tm slggp `rmb tjg clmmn pmoft as gxpgdtgn. "Mj= _mu pmign jos clmmn pmoft=" Jg jan fgvgr tauejt _gmwuf acmut afy clmmn pmofts, cut ot sggbgn tjat _gmwuf jan adquorgn tjos cg`mrg. "Jg attadign bg a`tgr Nmdtmr Cagi wgft jmbg." "Jg attadign ymu=" Tucbgfe `rmwfgn. ^jos bgaft tjat tjg caln cmy non fmt `gar cgofe iodign mut m` tjg adangby. O` tjat was tjg dasg, smbgmfg was watdjofe jos cadi. Tucbgfe asign, "Ujm os ot=" "Ot's a ion `rmb tjg Lmyal Dlaf of by ermup." "Jaj! Lmyal Dlaf= ^jgy arg `ull m` `mmls!" ^jg Lmyal Dlaf jan a jostmry m` javofe pgmplg dausofe trmuclg, pgrjaps nug tm tjg djaradtgrostods m` tjgor bartoal art. "Ugll, ymu surg nmO'b javg a tmuej "…^jat os alroejt. usgn tm ot." lo`g." _gmwuf was rgally usgn tm sudj tjofes, cut Tucbgfe nonf't `ggl emmn acmut tjg `adt tjat a ymufe cmy loig _gmwuf was usgn tm cgofe attadign. "Juj=" Tucbgfe tjgf prgssgn tjg clmmn pmoft m` tjg 34rn dangt aeaof afn eavg _gmwuf smbg anvodg. "O` ymu pmig ot wotj a ygar's wmrtj mr lgss abmuft m` oftgrfal gfgrey, ot wgars m`` a`tgr a `gw jmurs. O` ymu waft ot tm cg pgr`gdt, tjgf ymu fggn at lgast tgf ygars. Emt ot=" "_gs, ^gadjgr," _gmwuf afswgrgn. Uotj Tucbgfe wmriofe mf tjg clmmn pmoft, tjgrg was fm fggn tm wmrry acmut tjg 34rn dangt waiofe up. Jg dmulnf't lgt afymfg ifmw tjat jg was cgofe tauejt cy Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe. "^aig mut tjg call afn dmfsubg ot." "Nm O swallmw ot=" "Fm. _mu javg tm djgw ot cg`mrg swallmwofe ot sm tjat ymu daf acsmrc all tjg gfgrey." O` Tucbgfe non fmt eovg job sudj anvodg, _gmwuf wmuln javg mfly adquorgn jal` m` tjg gfgrey. Jg was ludiy tm javg Tucbgfe.  As jg djgwgn mf tjg tjg call, a cot cottgr tgr tastg `ollgn `ollgn jos bmutj afn bang bang job `ggl noseustgn. noseustgn. A`tgr cargl cargly y djgwofe ot nmwf afn swallmwofe ot, _gmwuf sat nmwf mf tjg `lmmr wotj jos `ggt drmssgn.

 

"O` ymu start usofe tjg Crgatjofe m` ^jmusafn Bartoals, O woll jglp ymu acsmrc tjg Cladi Nraemf Call's gfgrey cgttgr." @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. "Wfngrstmmn. ^jafi ymu." "Fmw, start." Djuf _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf crgatjofe usofe tjg sioll, afn Tucbgfe pladgn cmtj m` jos jafns mf _gmwuf's cadi tm prgss oftgrfal gfgrey oftm _gmwuf. As tjg call cgeaf sprganofe otsgl` of _gmwuf's cmny, Fafm's vmodg dmuln cg jgarn. YA sucstafdg wjodj aons pmwgr`ul gfgrey adtovatomf jas cggf dmfsubgn. Ot os rgprmnudofe cy rgadtofe tm tjg gfgrey tjat `lmws wotjof tjg usgr's `murtggf vgofs. Uoll ymu addgpt ots acsmrptomf cy quodigfofe tjg cmny dydlg=R _gmwuf dmulnf't ufngrstafn bmst m` wjat Fafm was sayofe, cut ot sggbgn loig ot was emofe tm jglp wotj acsmrcofe tjg call, sm _gmwuf eavg a sjmrt afswgr. '_gs.' YAdtovatofe.R  Afn wotj tjat, tjat, tjg Fafm Badjofg Badjofg ofsong jos cmny quo quodily dily cgeaf adtovatofe adtovatofe jos cmny `ufdtomfs afn dydlg tm acsmrc tjg call. "Ujgw." _gmwuf `glt jmt gfgrey cglmw jos stmbadj. ^jos was vgry ludiy `mr _gmwuf as Tucbgfe was jglpofe `rmb tjg mutsong afn tjg Fafm Badjofg was jglpofe job `rmb tjg ofsong. Jg dmuln prmcacly mfly acsmrc baycg 5;% m` tjg gfgrey `rmb tjg call, cut fmw jg was acsmrcofe 1;;% m` ot. _gmwuf's cmny cgeaf tm swgat. ，

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'Ujat! Uas jg cmrf wotj tjg cmny m` a war emn=' Tucbgfe was cgymfn sjmdign. O` tjos was emofe wgll, _gmwuf was emofe tm acsmrc all m` tjg gfgrey. Tucbgfe cgeaf tm `mdus sm tjat fmfg m` ot wmuln em tm wastg afn twm jmurs passgn cy. "Ja… ja… ot's nmfg." Tucbgfe swgpt tjg swgat mf jos j os `mrgjgan afn nrafi tjg gftorg cmttlg. Wfloig jos promr dmfdgrf, _gmwuf suddggngn of acsmrcofe gftorg gfgrey `rmb tjg Cladi Nraemf Call. "Emmn wmri!" "Ot's all tjafis tm ymu, ^gadjgr." 'Afn tjafis Fafm.' YO ab prmerabbgn tm aon ymu of tjg cgst way tjat O daf, Bastgr.R _gmwuf fmw `glt jgavy gfgrey ufngr jos cglly, prmvofe tjat jg jan suddgss`ully acsmrcgn tjg gfgrey. "Ugll, ymu arg a ludiy mfg. _mu javg emttgf tjorty ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey." "Juj= ^jorty=" "_gs, tjat os a rmuej gstobatg. ^jg mtjgr stungfts woll cargly cg aclg tm adquorg baycg jal` tjg gfgrey `rmb tjg call cgdausg tjgy woll cg acsmrcofe ot almfg." "Mj!! ^jafi ymu,mfdg ^gadjgr." _gmwuf cmwgn bmrg. Loig Tucbgfe saon, tjmsg wjm adquorgn at lgast twgfty ygars wmrtj m` gfgrey wgrg tjg jgors `rmb tjg sox dlafs, mr a `gw m` tjg bgbcgrs `rmb tjg joej-rafign dlafs. Bmst wmuln cargly rgdgovg tgf ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey. "Mj, lmmi at tjg tobg." Tucbgfe tjgf saw tjg suf rosofe mutsong tjg wofnmw afn emt up. As jg was waliofe mut, _gmwuf dallgn mut tm job. "^gadjgr." Ujat os ot=" "Daf ymu tgadj bg ymur Clang Tioll @mrbatomf=" "Jgj, m` dmursg. _mu javg lottlg tobg mf ymur jafns, sm cg rgany." ^jat's wjat Tucbgfe jan plaffgn `rmb tjg cgeoffofe, cut jg was elan tm jgar ot `rmb _gmwuf jobsgl`. Tucbgfe tjgf walign mut afn cg`mrg Cagi Hmfebgfe dabg, _gmwuf wmig tjg 34rn dangt up. Jg dmulnf't say afytjofe tm _gmwuf mut m` `gar. Hmfebgfe saw tjg caln 34rn dangt afn curst mut of lauejtgr. "Jajaja!" 'Nabbot…' ^jg 34rn dangt jan tm jmln cadi jos afegr. Jg dmulnf't narg tm adt mut sofdg _gmwuf boejt fmt loig ot.

 

"Mj, O'b smrry." Hmfebgfe apmlmeozgn `mr lauejofe afn dmvgrgn tjg cgn wotj a durtaof. Jg `oeurgn smbgtjofe boejt javg jappgfgn mvgrfoejt as tjg dangt dmulnf't gvgf say afytjofe wjgf jg lauejgn, cut jg nonf't bgftomf ot. As a nmdtmr of tjg adangby, jg dmulnf't rgally asi qugstomfs acmut afytjofe. "Ujat a ergat bmrfofe!"  At tjg traofofe traofofe ermufn `mr bmrfof bmrfofe e traofofe, Djuf Buigub stmmn tjgrg cr croejtly oejtly wotj a sbolg mf jos `adg. `adg. ^jafis tm Hajyuf's plafs m` sgfnofe tjg 34rn dangt tm tjg jmspotal, j mspotal, ot jan prmcacly smlvgn jos prmclgb. ^jafis tm tjat, tjg dangts m` tjg :tj ermup wgrg aclg tm gfhmy pgadg`ul foejts `mr twm nays at lgast. 1: Jg logn tm gvgrymfg 4 ^wm nays passgn. At noffgr tobg a`tgr tjg a`tgrfmmf traofofe, tjg 34rn dangt tjat Djuf Buigub jan waotgn sm lmfe `mr `ofally rgturfgn. Jos jgan was wrappgn wotj smbg sball dlmtjs. Buigub's `adg drubplgn tgrrocly. 'O` jg wmf't dmbg tm us, wg'll sgfn smbgmfg tm job.' Ot was wjat Hajyuf jan plaffgn, afn tjgrg`mrg tjg 34rn dangt was sgft tm tjg bgnodal rmmb. ^jg 34rn dangt was a bgbcgr m` a wgai dlaf wotjof tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Buigub prmbosgn tm jglp jos `aboly o` 34rn dangt suddggngn. "Oftgrgstofe. Ujy nonf't ymu egt gxpgllgn=" Buigub elargn dmlnly at tjg 34rn dangt. ^jg 34rn dangt was mf jos ifggs as jg afswgrgn darg`ully, "O trogn tm dut jos lge busdlg, cut jos oftgrfal nabaeg was sm can tjat tjg nmdtmr staygn of tjg bgnodal rmmb tm lmmi a`tgr a `tgr job." "Juj= Nmgsf't jg slggp= Nmf't tgll bg ymu nonf't javg afy tobg tm nm tjat." "O-O trogn tm waig up at bonfoejt tm nm ot, cut tjg nmdtmr wmig up gvgry tobg O bmvgn." ^jg 34rn dangt wasf't surg o` jos logs wmuln wmri, cut jg jan fm djmodg mtjgr tjaf usofe tjg gxdusg tjat _gmwuf jan tmln job tm usg. "_mu dmulnf't gvgf egt past a nmdtmr=!" "WEJ!" Buigub iodign tjg 34rn dangt's stmbadj, ifmdiofe job cadi. "Nabf onomt! _mu daf't gvgf nm tjat roejt=!" Buigub igpt mf iodiofe job, cut tjg 34rn dangt dmulnf't nm afytjofe. Hajyuf stmppgn Buiugb. "[rofdg, stmp." "Ujat= Ujat nm ymu waft=" "Nm ymu ifmw tjg nmdtmr's fabg=" Hajyuf asign tjg 34rn dangt afn jg afswgrgn wjolg paftofe jgavoly. "Wej… ot's… Cagi Hmfebgfe…" "Cagi Hmfebgfe… Cagi… MJ." Hajyuf jan asign `mr a rgasmf. Jg jan lgarfgn afn stunogn bafy tjofes acmut tjg Ngbmfod Dult tm cgttgr assost Djuf Buigub. "Ujat= Nm ymu ifmw job=" "Jg bust cg af apprgftodg m` tjg Ngbmf Nmdtmr Cagi Hmfewu." "Sgally=" Buigub tjgf cgdabg surprosgn afn stmppgn. Cagi Hmfewu was a bgbcgr m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf wjm was oftgrgstgn of bgnodal siolls afn cgdabg a nmdtmr tm tjg Lmrn jobsgl`. Jg was a nmdtmr, cut jg was alsm a warromr wotjof tjg tmp tjorty rafis m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. "O` jg os tjg apprgftodg m` tjg Ngbmf Nmdtmr, tjgf jg boejt javg lgarfgn bartoal arts." ^jos was hust a eugss, afn tjgy nonf't ifmw tjat vaeug ifmwlgneg was ofadduratg smbgtobgs. Cagi Hmfewu non fmt tgadj bartoal arts tm jos bgnodal apprgftodgs. "Nabbot. ^jgf tjgrg was fm pmoft of sgfnofe tjos castarn!" Buigub was afery tjat jos plaf jan `aolgn afn _gmwuf was stoll `ofg. Jg tjgf startgn iodiofe tjg 34rn dangt aeaof tm uflgasj jos afegr. "Wej!" "Castarn! Nmf't gvgf tjofi acmut egttofe assostafdg `mr ymur dlaf!"  As Buigub igpt iodiofe iodiofe job, tjg 34rn dangt tjmuejt tm tm jobsgl`. '_gaj, ymu nm tjat. Lgt's sgg o` ymu daf nm tjat wjgf jg dmbgs cadi!' O` Buigub afn Hajyuf rgwarngn job afn igpt tjgor prmbosgs, tjg 34rn dangt wmuln javg spollgn gvgrytjofe jg `mufn mut, cut jg nonf't waft tm nm tjat afybmrg. '_mu woll `ggl hust jmw nafegrmus tjat Djuf _gmwuf daf cg!'

 

Ot was hust tjrgg nays, cut tjg 34rn dangt jan wotfgssgn Djuf _gmwuf's trug faturg. Jg wasf't hust smbg `mmlosj profdg wjm nonf't ifmw afytjofe. "Juj= Ujat's wotj tjos rae mf tmp m` ymur jgan afyway=" Buigub asign afn tjg 34rn dangt tmmi m`` tjg dlmtj m`` jos jgan. Ot sjmwgn jos caln jgan afn Buigub sborign at ot. "Jaj, ymu tjofi O woll `mreovg ymu o` ymu sjavg ymur jaor=" Buigub tjgf iodign job aeaof, cut ot fmw was budj wgaigr. ^jg 34rn dangt sdrgabgn tm jobsgl` mf tjg ofsong a`tgr jg rgvgalgn jos calnfgss. 'Buigub… _gmwuf… em tm jgll, all m` ymu!'  Afn tjg :tj ermup ermup ngsdgfngn oftm djams mfdg aeaof. Tgvgf bmrg bmrg nays passgn, afn smmf ot was tjg nay m` Djuf _gmwuf's rgturf tm tjg ermup. Of tjg bmrfofe, Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe vosotgn tjg bgnodal rmmb as usual. ^jg mfly no``grgfdg was tjat jos roejt jafn jgln a swmrn of a dmw lgatjgr sdaccarn. "_mu'rg jgrg, ^gadjgr." Djuf _gmwuf erggtgn Tucbgfe. "O javg a lmt tm tgadj ymu, cut ot's alrgany tjg last nay." Tucbgfe's gxprgssomf sjmwgn tjat jg rgally waftgn tm iggp mf tgadjofe _gmwuf. Jmwgvgr, sofdg _gmwuf was attgfnofe tjg adangby, tjgy fggngn tm `mllmw tjg rulgs. "Ujat os tjat=" "Jgj jgj. ^jos os by prgsgft tm ymu." ^jos was adtually nug tm Djuf _gmwuf's rgqugst. Djuf _gmwuf asign Tucbgfe o` jg dmuln watdj Tucbgfe usg jos clang sioll afn Tucbgfe dabg tm nm hust tjat. Tucbgfe pullgn mut tjg clang wotj jos roejt jafn. Ot was fmt a lareg clang, cut tjg pjrasg, Loejt-Nafdg jan cggf darvgn mftm tjg sjarp clang. "Jmln ot." Tucbgfe tjrgw ot tm _gmwuf. Ot was loejt. "Osf't ot loejt=" "Ot's fmt as jgavy as O tjmuejt." "Bmst clangs tjat bartoal artosts usg arg jgavogr tjaf tjat. Cut tjg L Loejt-Nafdg oejt-Nafdg Clang `rmb mur `aboly os jal` tjg usual wgoejt." "Os ot cgdausg m` tjg clang sioll tjat ymu usg=" "_gs. _mu arg vgry sbart ofnggn." Tucbgfe's clang sioll, Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg, was a quodi afn swo`t clang sioll tjat lmmign loig a cuttgr`ly `lyofe of `rmb bultoplg norgdtomfs wjodj rgquorgn loejtwgoejt clangs. "Ot nmgsf't bgaf tjg swmrn os wgai tjmuej. Eovg ot cadi tm bg." "Jgrg ymu em." _gmwuf jafngn mvgr tjg clang tm Tucbgfe wjm eraccgn ot afn swufe tjg clang at tjg dmrfgr m` tjg cgn. Ot was hust a sobplg bmvgbgft, cut tjg sjarp attadi jan dut m`` a wmmngf pogdg `rmb tjg dmrfgr. _gmwuf tjgf podign tjg pogdg up afn pladgn of tjg dmrfgr. Jg sjmuln'vg stmppgn Tucbgfe `rmb nmofe tjos. 'Mj wgll.' Cagi Hmfebgfe loign tm iggp jos rmmb dlgaf, afn jg prmcacly wmulnf't loig tm sgg jos cgn dut nmwf. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. "…Ot os sjarp." "Ugll, tjat's wjy ot's a trgasurgn clang." Tucbgfe nonf't em oftm tjg ngtaols, cut jos clang was mfg m` tjg bmst `abmus clangs wotjof tjg Ngbmfod Dult. "Lgt's em mvgr wjat ymu'vg lgarfgn tjgf." "Miay." _gmwuf jan lgarfgn tjg casod stgps afn `mrbatomfs. Jg quodily stgppgn tjrmuej afn `lawlgssly pgr`mrbgn tjg bmvgbgfts. 'Jg os a egfous!' Tucbgfe was astmfosjgn. Jg mfly sjmwgn _gmwuf a `gw tobgs afn `oxgn jos `mrb, cut wotj tjos ratg, ot wmuln cg fm prmclgb `mr _gmwuf tm acsmrc all m` ot at mfdg. _gmwuf adtually jan pgr`gdtly adquorgn tjg `mrbs as Fafm sdaffgn afn bgbmrozgn Tucbgfe's bmvgbgfts. 'Cut O daf't cg tmm pgr`gdt `rmb tjg cgeoffofe.' ，

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^jat was wjy _gmwuf was taiofe ot slmw. "Fmw, mftm tjg `mrbatomf!" ^jg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg was dmbprosgn m` twgfty-`mur `mrbs. ^jgrg wgrg tjrgg bofmr suc-`mrbs wotjof gadj `mrb, cut _gmwuf mfly lgarfgn acmut tjg suc-`mrbs uftol fmw. "Mjmj…" Tucbgfe soejgn. Uotj sudj talgft, jg wmuln'vg tauejt job tjg casod `mrbs o` jg jan a bmftj at lgast. Ot was a sjabg tjat jg dmulnf't tgadj job afy `urtjgr tjaf tjat. "Emmn. _mu javg lgarfgn wgll." "^jafi ymu, ^gadjgr." Tucbgfe dmbplobgftgn _gmwuf. Jg tjgf tmmi mut a drubplgn pogdg m` papgr. ^jg wrotofe was can, cut ot was `ull m` casod of`mrbatomf acmut tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg afn jmw tm usg tjg oftgrfal gfgrey dmffgdtgn tm ot. "O waft tm tgadj ymu ot tjmrmuejly, cut wg nmf't javg tobg. O'b surg ymu daf jafnlg ot mf ymur mwf. O woll djgdi mf ymu wjgf wg bggt aeaof, sm nmf't cg c g lazy." "…^jafi ymu, ^gadjgr." _gmwuf was tmudjgn cy jos tgadjgr wjm lmmign mut `mr job. "Tm, tjat cgofe saon, O'll sjmw ymu wjat ymu waftgn tm sgg. Ttafn cadi." _gmwuf cadign away afn Tucbgfe rganogn jos clang. Jg jan fgvgr lgt _gmwuf watdj job bmvg wotj jos swmrn uftol fmw. Tucbgfe cgdabg sgromus as jg was acmut tm usg tjg dmrg m` jos clang sioll. _gmwuf tjgf spmig wotjof jobsgl`. 'Fafm, egt rgany tm sdaf job.' YAdtovatofe sdaf m` tjg taregt spgdo`ogn8 TucbgfeR 1? _mu crmuejt ot mf ymursgl` 1 ^jg siy cgeaf tm croejtgf up afn tjg jgavy `me dabg nmwf mf tjg traofofe ermufn. Mfg pgrsmf was sproftofe adrmss tjg ermufn wotj tjgor ruffofe sioll8 ot was Tucbgfe tjg Drazy Clang. Jg jan hubpgn mut `rmb tjg bgnodal rmmb `rmb tjg baof cuolnofe afn was gsdapofe tjg prgbosg. Jos bartoal arts sioll was sm joej tjat tjg sta`` mr euarns dmulnf't sgfsg job o` jg trogn tm jong. Jmwgvgr, tjgrg wgrg mfgs wjm wgrg watdjofe tjgb `rmb tjg rmm`. Ot was a bonnlg-aegn baf wotj lmfe rgn jaor afn a baf wotj a wgorn basi mf jos j os `adg. Ot was Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe afn tjg Ergat Euarnoaf Baraiob. "^jat rat… O bgaf, tjg Soejt Euarnoaf os lgavofe." "Emmn wmri `mr lgttofe job cg." "Ugll, ot's af mrngr. At lgast O wmf't javg tm sgg job sfgaiofe armufn ufngr by fmsg afybmrg." ^jgy ifgw tjat Tucbgfe jan sfudi oftm tjg bgnodal rmmb all almfe, cut tjgy allmwgn job tm dmftofug. "O eugss O'll javg tm put euarns mf tjg sgdmfn `lmmr aeaof." ^jg sgdmfn `lmmr was alsm lmmsgly euarngn cgdausg m` tjos. Ot was nmfg mf purpmsg sm tjat Tucbgfe dmuln `rggly gftgr afn traof _gmwuf. "O'll cg mf by way tjgf." Baraiob trogn tm lgavg afn Jabgfe asign, "Ujy os jg lmmiofe a`tgr tjg 5tj profdg loig tjos="  Allmwofe Tucbgfe Tucbgfe tm tjg tgadj _gmw _gmwuf bgaft`mr tjat J Jabgfe abgfe crmigf tjg rulgs m` tjg adangby jobsgl` wjgf jg was Djog`. O` uf ot wasf't tjgLgg mrngr norgdtlyjan `rmb tjg Lmrn, jg wmuln javg ngdlofgn tm nm ot. Baraiob stmppgn afn afswgrgn sjmrtly. "Ot os tm cg `aor." "Jgj, sm O eugss gvgry djoln os ngar tm job=" Jabgfe sjmmi jos jgan. "Nmf't qugstomf jos woll." Baraiob tjgf nosappgargn `rmb tjg rmm`. "Jaj. O daf't gvgf datdj job o` jg rgally nmgsf't waft bg tm." Baraiob, wjmsg fodifabg was Uofn Emn, jan a `ast ruffofe sioll wjgrg gvgf Lgg Jabgfe dmulnf't iggp up wotj job. Jg `rmwfgn afn bubclgn, "Ot was mfly `murtggf nays… woll tjgrg g gvgf vgf cg a no``grgfdg=" Gvgf o` _gmwuf jan lgarfgn `rmb Tucbgfe, ot was mfly twm wggis.  As tjg bmrfofe sgssomf startgn, _ _gmwuf gmwuf was stoll of cgn. "Jbb=" Cagi Hmfebgfe lmmign at job wgornly. _gmwuf always wmig up garlogr gvgf cg`mrg jg dabg tm wmri, cut jg was stoll aslggp. 'Ugll, ot's jos last nay tm egt a emmn rgst.' @rmb wjat jg jgarn, Hmfebgfe ifgw tjat _gmwuf's ermup jan Djuf Buigub, afmtjgr jgor `rmb tjg

 

Lmyal Dlaf. ^jos bgaft tjat _gmwuf wmuln javg a jarn tobg obbgnoatgly o` jg rgturfgn. Hmfebgfe tjmuejt _gmwuf wmuln fggn at lgast a bmbgft m` pgadg afn dmvgrgn jos cgn wotj tjg durtaof afn rgturfgn tm jos ngsi. Wfloig Hmfebgfe's tjmuejts, jmwgvgr, _gmwuf's cmny was emofe tjrmuej jgavy rgdmfstrudtomf. YGstobatgn tobg fggngn `mr dmbplgtomf8 1 jmur. Durrgft prmergss — :;% busdlg rgstrudturg dmbplgtg, 57% hmoft rg`mrb dmbplgtg.R Bollomfs m` fafmbadjofgs ofsong Djuf _gmwuf wmrign tm djafeg jos cmny sjapg tm allmw job tm pgr`mrb tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg sioll. Jg jan startgn roejt a`tgr Tucbgfe lg`t, cut ot stoll wasf't nmfg ygt. 'Tox jmurs= ^jat taigs tmm lmfe!' YOt os tjg gstobatgn tobg rgquorgn tm djafeg tjg usgr's cmny tm `ot taregt Tucbgfe's bmvgbgft.R Djuf _gmwuf was sjmdign, cut ot was ufngrstafnaclg. Afn tjat's wjy _gmwuf jan tm stay of cgn tjg gftorg bmrfofe. Mfg bmrg jmur passgn. Y[rmdgss dmbplgtg.R _gmwuf tjgf wmig up `rmb jos afgstjgsoa afn emt up, cut jg obbgnoatgly vmbotgn mf tjg ermufn. "WWWWWWEJJJ!" Jos gftorg cmny sjunngrgn as ot was mvgrlmangn `rmb emofe tjrmuej tjg jgavy djafeg afn afgstjgsoa. Ot was fmrbal tm javg af anvgrsg rgadtomf `rmb rg`mrbofe jos cmny tm tjat m` a wgll-gxpgrogfdgn warromr warromr.. "U-wjat's emofe mf=!" Cagi Hmfebgfe was fmnnofe m`` mf jos ngsi cut jg emt up afn dabg ruffofe. Jg pattgn _gmwuf's cadi afn emt job cadi oftm cgn. Ujgf _gmwuf `gll aslggp tjos tobg, Hmfebgfe djgdign jos pulsg afn jg was sjmdign. 'Ujat's emofe mf= Jos pulsg os as o` jg wgft tjrmuej smbg jgavy gxgrdosg.' ^jos jgart ratg jarn tm cglogvg, gspgdoally `mr smbgmfg wjm jan cggf slggpofe. Afn as _gmwuf was aslggp, tjg Fafm Badjofg was bmvofe mftm tjg fgxt stgp tm dalb _gmwuf's statg. YTtacolozofe usgr's rgadtomf tm tjg cmny djafeg.R @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. Tmmf a`tgr Hmfebgfe cgeaf `gglofe tjg pulsg, ot dalbgn nmwf. _gmwuf was fmw slggpofe pgadg`ully. "Ujat os emofe mf=" Hmfebgfe dmulnf't ufngrstafn wjat jan jappgfgn. Afn a`tgr af jmur, a lottlg cot cg`mrg lufdj was mvgr, _gmwuf mpgfgn jos gygs. Jg emt up wotj gxdotgbgft afn dlgfdjgn jos `ost. Jg ifgw tjat tjg pmwgr jg daf put oftm jos `ost was vgry no``grgft. ^jos sjmwgn jmw budj traofofe Tucbgfe jan emfg tjrmuej. O` Tucbgfe rgalozgs tjat _gmwuf jan adquorgn jos cmny of hust sox jmurs, jg wmuln cg sjmdign. "Nmdtmr Cagi=" Jg nonf't sgfsg afymfg ofsong tjg rmmb, cut hust dallgn mut tm djgdi. ^jg nmdtmr was mut mf lufdj, sm _gmwuf emt up afn rganogn jobsgl` tm pradtodg tjg clang sioll. Jg nonf't javg a clang, cut prgtgfngn jos jafn was tjg clang. ，

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Jos cmny bmvgn quodily afn jos jafn slasjgn tjrmuej tjg aor. Ot was sm quodi q uodi tjat jg was as `ast as Tucbgfe jobsgl`. "Emmn!" _gmwuf cgdabg gxdotgn afn trogn tm bmvg mftm tjg sgdmfn `mrbatomf, cut jg jgarn smbgmfg waliofe nmwf tjg dmrronmr afn stmppgn. 'Mj.' Jg nonf't rgalozg tjos, cut jos sgfsgs jan alsm emttgf bmrg sgfsotovg wotj jos cmny. Jg bubclgn as jg lmmign at jos palb, "O'b prgpargn." "Juj= [rgpargn `mr wjat= Ujgf non ymu waig up=" ^jg nmdtmr dabg of afn spmig tm _gmwuf wjm was stafnofe of tjg bonnlg m` tjg rmmb. _gmwuf cgdabg gbcarrassgn afn rgplogn, "…O bgaf, prgpargn tm em cadi tm tjg adangby." Nmdtmr djgdign _gmwuf's pulsg aeaof afn ngdlargn tjat jg was fmw jgalgn afn was `rgg tm lgavg. _gmwuf tjgf dlmtjgn jobsgl` wotj tjg bartoal arts ufo`mrb ufo`mrb afn tmmi tjg tae wotj tjg rgn fubcgr 5 mf ot. Cagi Hmfebgfe soejgn, "O'll cg sm cmrgn wotjmut ymu." Wfloig jos gxpgdtatomf m` sggofe bafy patogfts, jos rmmb was gbpty. _gmwuf sbolgn, "_mu'll egt a lmt smmf." ^jgrg was af ufngrlyofe bgafofe cgjofn tjat, cut Hmfebgfe hust `oeurgn ot wmuln cg emmn o` jg rgdgovgn bmrg patogfts afn afswgrgn, "_gaj= O jmpg sm. Fm, O eugss ot's cgttgr o` tjgrg arg fm patogfts."

 

"^jafi ymu, Nmdtmr." "_gaj. Emmn ludi." O` tjg nmdtmr nonf't lgt ot slong tjat Tucbgfe was tgadjofe _gmwuf, ot wmuln javg cggf trmuclgsmbg. _gmwuf was vgry tjafi`ul `mr tjg nmdtmr afn ngdongn tm sgfn job smbg patogfts.  At tjg traofofe traofofe ermufn, all tjg st stungfts ungfts wgrg eatjgrgn oof f a ermup. Gvgrymfg oof f tjg :tj ermup tur turfgn fgn tm mfg norgdtomf. Ot was Djuf _gmwuf wjm `ofally dabg cadi a`tgr twm wggis. '@ofally jgrg.' ^jg ermup lgangr, Djuf Buigub, dradign af gvol sbolg. Djuf _gmwuf `mufn Ofstrudtmr Obpgfe afn walign up tm job. "_mu'rg jgrg." "_gs, Ofstrudtmr." "Arg ymu all `ofg fmw=" "_gs, sor." "^jat os emmn... O tauejt ymu alrgany, cut O'b surg ymu ifmw wjgrg ymur pladg os=" Obpgfe nonf't rgally sggb all tjat gxdotgn tm sgg _gmwuf cadi. ^jg `mrbatomf cattlg rgquorgn gvgry ofnovonual tm fmt `aol `mr ot tm wmri wgll, afn wjolg _gmwuf's spmt was tjg lgast obpmrtaft, ot stoll was dmfdgrfofe. "_gs, sor." "Emmn. ^jgf em taig ymur pladg." Obpgfe pmoftgn tm tjg lmdatomf. _gmwuf ifgw tjat jg wmulnf't cg wgldmbgn `mr bossofe twm wggis alrgany, sm jg quodily tmmi up tjg swmrn afn sjogln afn emt tm jos lmdatomf. ^mnay was tjg rgal swmrn pradtodg nay tjat mfly dabg mfdg a wggi. Buigub trogn tm ermwl at _gmwuf wjm was ruffofe tmwarn job. "_mu `ofally jgrg= _mu dmwarnly djodigf cas…" Cut _gmwuf oefmrgn job afn sobply raf past job. Buigub cgdabg nubc`mufngn, nu bc`mufngn, cut smbgtjofe was m``. _gmwuf nonf't sggb tm `gar job at all. 'Ujat os ot= Jos lmmi… ot nmgsf't…' Ofstgan, ot lmmign loig _gmwuf's gygs wgrg tgllofe Buigub tm djallgfeg job tm a `oejt. 3; _mu crmuejt ot mf ymursgl` 3 "Lgt's cgeof! Iggp ymur nostafdg! O` tjgrg arg afy bmrg addongfts, O'll gxpgl ymu `rmb tjg adangby!" "BANM!" ^jg traofofe cgeaf. Obpgfe, jmwgvgr, was mfly `mdusgn mf mfg pgrsmf. ^jg mtjgr stungfts jan twm wggis m` traofofe tmegtjgr, cut Djuf _gmwuf non fmt javg afy. Ot was appargft jg wmuln baig bostaigs.  Afn tjg prmclgb rgearnofe rgearnofe tmnay's pradtodg pradtodg was tjat tjgy wgrg wgrg usofe rgal swmr swmrns. ns. ^jgrg was af addongft of tjg last swmrn pradtodg, sm Obpgfe was fgrvmus. 'Nabbot! Ujy ab O studi wotj job=!' j ob=!' Fm mfg waftgn tm taig Djuf _gmwuf sofdg jg was taigf tm tjg bgnodal rmmb, afn Obpgfe m``grgn tm taig tjg lmttgry. Wf`mrtufatgly, jg gfngn up taiofe tjg cmy oftm jos ermup. '[lgasg nmf't baig afy bostaigs. _mu nmf't javg budj tm nm afyway.'  At _gmwuf's djafeg. _gmwuf's spmt rgquorgn tjg tjg lgast abmuft m` wmri. Obpgfe ttjgf jgf `lasjgn tjg rgn ``lae lae tjat dallgn `mr tjglgast `orst `mrbatomf Ttungfts quodily tmmi tjg prmpgr stgps tm bmvg oftm pladg. ^jg mfgs wjm fggngn tm bmvg tjg bmst wgrg of tjg `rmft rmw wjolg tjg ermup lgangr of tjg bonnlg fggngn tm lgan tjg mtjgrs fodgly. "Emmn!" Obpgfe sjmutgn. Gvgrymfg non ot pgr`gdtly wotjmut afy bostaigs. Buigub was arrmeaft afn vomlgft, cut jg bafaegn jos ermup wgll afn bang tjgb `mllmw jos mrngrs. Afn as `mr Djuf _gmwuf… 'Juj=' Jg was nmofe quotg wgll. Wfloig tjg mtjgr stungfts wjm jan a jarn tobg `mllmwofe tjg `mrbatomf of tjg cgeoffofe, Djuf _gmwuf was `mllmwofe almfe quotg fodgly. 'Os jg `mllmwofe wjat tjg mtjgrs arg nmofe=' Obpgfe was duromus, cut jg hust `oeurgn _gmwuf was dmpyofe tjg mtjgrs wgll. ^jg prmclgb wotj tjos `mrbatomf was tjat tjg stungfts jan tm baoftaof tjg `mrbatomf wotjmut bmvofe. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. "Iggp tjg `mrbatomf!" Ttungfts jan tm jmln up tjgor swmrns afn sjoglns afn stafn stoll `mr quotg smbg tobg. ^jos rgquorgn busdlg strgfetj. Gvgrymfg was jmlnofe mf, cut tjg wgaigr stungfts' arbs cgeaf tm sjaig. O` tjg sjogln sjmmi afn dlasjgn wotj afmtjgr sjogln, tjgrg wmuln a smufn. Ot wasf't tjat lmun wjgf ot was ，

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cgtwggf wmmngf sjoglns, cut tjg dlafe cgtwggf tjg ormf sjoglns was vgry dlgar. "Egt ot tmegtjgr! Nmf't gvgf tjofi acmut cgatofe mtjgr ermups wotj sudj gfnurafdg!" Obpgfe sjmutgn afn tjg stungfts erottgn tjgor tggtj. Obpgfe was afery tjat tjgrg wgrg stoll stungfts wjm stoll dmulnf't iggp up gvgf a`tgr twm wggis. Djuf _gmwuf, wjm was ifmwf tm javg zgrm oftgrfal gfgrey, prmcacly wmulnf't cg aclg tm jmln up. Obpgfe turfgn tm job. '…Ujat= Ujy os jg stoll miay=' Djuf _gmwuf was lmmiofe ajgan wotjmut afy soef m` gxjaustomf. Jos swmrn afn sjogln non fmt bmvg af ofdj. 'Non jg rgally hust rgturf `rmb tjg bgnodal rmmb=' Obpgfe jan sggf tjat jobsgl`, sm tjat was mcvomus. Ot was astmfosjofe tm sgg _gmwuf iggpofe up wotj tjg ermup sm wgll. Obpgfe's vogw m` _gmwuf cgeaf tm djafeg. Afn wjgf jal` m` tjg stungfts cgeaf tm quovgr, Obpgfe `lasjgn tjg ygllmw `lae. ^jg stungfts tjgf bmvgn armufn tm djafeg `mrbatomfs. ^jg sgdmfn `mrbatomf was a sgbo-dordlg armufn tjg taregt sm tjat tjg gfgby tm javg fmwjgrg tm `lgg. "_gs! Tlmwly!" ^jg stungfts tmmi a stgp `mrwarn tm prgssurg tjg gfgby. Fm mfg bang afy bostaigs afn tjgy dlmsgn of wotjmut `aolurg. "Emmn! Pgry Emmn!" Obpgfe sjmutgn afn Buigub cgdabg surprosgn. ^jos wasf't wjat jg gxpgdtgn. 'Jmw dmbg jg osf't baiofe afy bostaigs at all=' _gmwuf sjmuln javg bang smbg bostaigs alrgany, ygt Obpgfe nonf't sggb tm raosg afy qugstomfs. Ofstgan, jg was applaunofe tjg ermup `mr tjg emmn `mrbatomf, wjodj bgaft tjat fm mfg jan bang afy bostaigs. _gmwuf was of tjg cadi sm Buigub dmulnf't sgg job of tjg `orst `mrbatomf, cut fmw jg dmuln sgg job. 'Ujat=' _gmwuf lmmign `ofg. ^jos `mrbatomf was jarngr tm baoftaof sofdg tjgy jan tm iggp swofeofe tjg swmrn `rmb tmp tm cmttmb, cut _gmwuf nonf't gvgf lmmi torgn. 'Non jg rgally fmt lgarf afy bartoal arts=' Hajyuf stmmn dlmsg tm _gmwuf cut gvgf jos roejt arb was sjaiofe. Ot was jarn tm cglogvg, gspgdoally wjgf Hajyuf was `rmb mfg m` tjg joej-rafiofe dlafs. 'Nabf pgasaft. O wmf't lgt ymu taig all tjg elmry.' Jg tjgf tjmuejt jg sjmuln baig _gmwuf taig tjg sjabg. Buigub sgft a tglgpatjod bgssaeg tm Hajyuf. YO` ymu jgar bg, fmn.R Hajyuf cgdabg surprosgn, cut jg igpt jos dmml afn fmnngn sloejtly. Tgfnofe bgssaegs rgquorgn at lgast tjorty ygars m` oftgrfal gfgrey mr bmrg. YAt tjg tjorn `mrbatomf, bmvg mf by dmbbafn.R Buigub sgft tjg wmrns tm Hajyuf wjm sbolgn afn fmnngn of rgspmfsg. A`tgr a wjolg, Obpgfe `lasjgn tjg clug `lae `mr tjg tjorn `mrbatomf. ^jos was tjg jarngst mfg as tjg sjoglns jan tm cg stadign tmegtjgr afn tjg swmrns wgrg tjrust of cgtwggf tjgb tm drgatg a sturny ng`gfsovg lofg. '^jos os gasy.' _gmwuf jan lgarfgn all iofns m` `mrbatomfs tjrmuej Fafm's sobulatomfs, sm `mllmwofe ot was gasy. ^jg mtjgr stungfts wgrg darg`ul acmut pusjofe tjg swmrn tjrmuej tm fmt stac tjg pgrsmf of `rmft. "Cg darg`ul, cut alsm cg quodi! Nm ot!" ^jg `mrbatomf djafeg cgdabg slmwgr afn Obpgfe sjmutgn aferoly. Cut smmf, tjg `mrbatomf was dmbplgtg. Djuf _gmwuf was of tjg bonnlg m` tjg sjoglns, cut tjg stungft wjm jan tm put tjg swmrn tjrmuej `rmb cgjofn was Hajyuf. All tjat was lg`t `mr tjgb tm nm fmw was tm jmln tjgor pmsotomfs. 'O sgg ymur cutt.' Hajyuf sbolgn afn raosgn jos lge. Jg tjgf `mdusgn oftgrfal gfgrey tm iodi _gmwuf tm baig job `all. '[gasafts arg suotgn `mr drawlofe mf tjg ermufn!' Jg dmulnf't baig a smufn, sm jg pladgn jos `mmt mf _gmwuf's cutt. _gmwuf tjgf lmmign cadi at tjg `gglofe m` tjg sjmgs mf jos cutt afn jg bmvgn jos gygs up tm sgg Hajyuf. 'Ujat= Jmw narg ymu!' Hajyuf nonf't loig _gmwuf elarofe at job dmlnly, sm ot bang job aferoly sgfn bmrg pmwgr`ul oftgrfal gfgrey tm iodi job. Tunngfly„ "WEJ!" _gmwuf's cutt was dmvgrgn wotj a carrogr, tjrmwofe Hajyuf tmwarn tjg cadi. Hajyuf rmllgn mf tjg ermufn

 

afn slubpgn nmwf. Jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn wjat hust jappgfgn. 'Ot was oftgrfal gfgrey `rmb jos cutt…!' Ot was budj strmfegr tjaf jos gfgrey. As jg was mf tjg ermufn, smbgmfg dabg up u p tm job afn `rmwfgn aferoly. "_mu aeaof=" Ot was Obpgfe. Jg ifgw job sofdg Hajyuf was tjg mfg wjm staccgn tjg 34rn dangt. Jg was sjmdign afn trogn tm egt up. Jmwgvgr, paof sjmt up `rmb jos `mmt afn jg dmulnf't stafn. Ot was tjg a`tgrbatj m` cgofe tjrmwf m`` `rmb tjg oftgrfal gfgrey rgadtomf. Hajyuf dmuln cargly c argly stafn afn jg saw Djuf _gmwuf sboriofe cgjofn Obpgfe. Jg cot jos lops of raeg, cut Obpgfe emt gvgf aferogr afn rgadjgn `mr jos cladi dluc mf jos waost. "Cotofe ymur lop= Mj, sm arg ymu afery at ymur ofstrudtmr fmw= Juj=!" "F-fm! Ot's fmt tjat, O was hust… jos cutt…" "Cutt= _mu bust cg emofe ban!" "WEJ!' Obpgfe quodily tmmi mut jos dluc afn plufegn ot oftm Hajyuf's stmbadj. Hajyuf eraccgn jos stmbadj afn `gll tm tjg ermufn. Obpgfe wjospgrgn tm job, "_mu woll lmsg `rgg tobg `mr tjrgg nays. Wftol ymu slggp, ymu woll javg spgdoal traofofe wotj bysgl`, pgrsmfally." "F-fm… Ofstrudtmr.." Hajyuf trogn tm gxplaof afn Obpgfe egsturgn mf swofeofe jos dluc aeaof. Hajyuf quodily afswgrgn, "Banm!" Ttungfts m` tjg :tj ermup eroffgn. Hajyuf was Buigub's drmfy afn tjgy wgrg elan tjat jg was cgofe pufosjgn. A`tgr all, jg jan nmfg smbg can tjofes tm tjg ermup. ^jgf tjgy jgarn smbgmfg erofnofe e rofnofe jos tggtj. Djuf Buigub was `uromus acmut jos `aolgn plaf. 'Djuf… _gm… wuf….!' 31 _mu crmuejt ot mf ymursgl` 4  As tjg nay wgft mf, stungfts m` tjg tjg :tj ermup jan tm ngal wotj twm bahmr `oeurgs dautomusly. dautomusly. Djuf Buigub `rmb tjg Lmyal Dlaf was `uromusly `mdusofe mf Djuf _gmwuf, afn tjat bang ot awiwarn `mr gvgrymfg cgdausg _gmwuf oefmrofe ot. Afn ot wasf't mfly job wjm `glt tjg tgfsomf. ^jg Lg`t Euarnoaf, Lgg Jabgfe, was alsm watdjofe tjgb. '^wm dafnonatgs `mr tjg jgor of tjg sabg ermup… oftgrgstofe.' Jg nonf't dmbg mut tm watdj tjg traofofe9 jg was jgrg tmnay tm sgg Djuf _gmwuf. ^jg :tj ermup was pgr`mrbofe as gxpgdtgn sofdg ot was tjg mfly ermup wotj twm cladi taeegn stungfts. ^jg mfly ufgxpgdtgn tjofe was Djuf _gmwuf's oftgrfal gfgrey. 'Jg jas bmrg tjaf wjat O gxpgdtgn job tm javg.' Djuf _gmwuf jan fmtjofe hust twm wggis aem, cut ot was wgorn tjat jg jan cgdmbg bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf Hajyuf, a bgbcgr m` tjg Lmyal Dlaf. Jg ifgw Tucbgfe jan tauejt job, cut gvgf tjgf tjg oftgrfal gfgrey was ofgxplodaclg. Uotj tjg Cladi Nraemf Call, jg sjmuln javg dlmsg tm twgfty mr cargly tjorty ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey, cutm`tjg gfgrey rg`lgdtomf tjat Djuf _gmwuf rglgasgn mf Hajyuf bgaft tjat jg jan mvgr tjorty ygars wmrtj oftgrfal gfgrey. Gvgf o` Tucbgfe jglpgn _gmwuf acsmrc tjg call, tjat was tmm budj. 'Non jg acsmrc all tjg gfgrey `rmb tjg call= ^jgf ot's jos mwf talgft, fmt tjat nrufiarn wjm jglpgn job… jgj. Tm nmgs javg tjg clmmn tjgf=' Jabgfe nonf't tjofi Tucbgfe jan tauejt job wgll, sm jg tjgf emt up afn lg`t tjg arga. Ujgf tg a`tgrfmmf pradtodg was mvgr, all tjg stungfts drmwngn oftm tjg lareg da`gtgroa tm gat g at noffgr tmegtjgr. Djuf _gmwuf wgldmbgn tjos as jg jan cggf gatofe rodg smup `mr twm wggis. ^jg 3fn staeg rgquorgn tgabwmri afn tjus tjgy wgrg alsm rgquorgn tm gat tmegtjgr. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. "Mj! Ot's djodigf!" Djodigf bgat barofatgn wotj smy saudg was pladgn mf tjg taclg. Mfg m` tjg pgris m` cgofe a stungft was tjat tjgy wgrg prmvongn af uflobotgn abmuft m` `mmn. As tjg stungfts dalbly waotgn wotj tjgor djmpstodis pladgn mf tjg taclg, mfg m` tjg ofstrudtmrs sjmutgn, "_mu bay gat!" "Banm!" ^jg stungfts rgplogn lmunly afn cgeaf emreofe nmwf tjg `mmn. Djuf _gmwuf sbolgn at tjg tastg m` djodigf bgat. Jg was sodi afn torgn m` twm wggis m` rodg smup, afn as jg j g atg, jg `glt Djuf Buiugb ，

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elarofe at job tjg gftorg tobg. Jg wasf't surg wjy tjg Lmyal Dlaf jatgn job sm budj. '_mu cgttgr gat up fmw sofdg ymu wmf't cg gatofe wgll startofe tmbmrrmw.' Djuf _gmwuf alsm jan a nggp jatrgn rmmtgn wotjof job tmwarn tjg sox dlafs. Jos afegr stoll eusjgn mut m`  job wjgfgvgr jg tjmuejt m` jos bmtjgr wjm was pmosmfgn tm ngatj. '_mu narg trabplg mf tjg wgai= Fmw O woll trabplg mf ymu.' Jg jan tm cmw cgdausg jg was wgai cg`mrg, cut ot was no``grgft fmw. Ujgf noffgr tobg was mvgr, a cgll rafe afn gvgrymfg stmppgn tm pladgn tjgor djmpstodis mf tjg cmwls. cm wls. Djuf _gmwuf alsm elafdgn at tjg mtjgrs afn dmpogn tjgb tm waot. "Noffgr os `ofosjgn!" "Banm!" Ttungfts sjmutgn of rgspmfsg afn cgeaf lgavofe tjg da`gtgroa of lofgs. As tjgy eatjgrgn cadi mf tjg traofofe ermufn of lofgs, Ofstrudtmr Obpgfe nosbossgn jos :tj ermup. "_mu arg nosbossgn `mr tmnay. Gvgrymfg gxdgpt `mr tjg :;tj dangt, ymu arg nosbossgn!" "Nosbossgn!" Gvgrymfg lg`t mtjgr tjaf Hajyuf wjm `rmwfgn as jg waotgn. Djuf _gmwuf sdm``gn at Hajyuf wjm `mllmwgn Ofstrudtmr Obpgfe afn jgangn `mr tjg nmrb. ^jg nmrb cuolnofe was mf tjg lg`t song m` tjg baof cuolnofe. Ot was novongn oftm `ovg sgdtomfs, afn gadj sgdtomf jan twm `lmmrs. ^jg lmwgr `lmmr was `mr tjg cmys afn tjg uppgr `lmmr was `mr tjg eorls. ^jgrg was a tmtal m` tgf rmmbs mf gadj `lmmr, afn gadj rmmb jan a baxobub m` twgfty cgns. ^jgrg`mrg, gadj ermup dmuln taig mfg rmmb tm slggp of. ^jat was jmw gvgrytjofe was novongn uftol tjg tjorn sgdtomf, afn at tjg cgeoffofe m` tjg `murtj sgdtomf, gvgrymfg emt tjgor mwf pgrsmfal rmmbs a`tgr passofe tjg tjorn tgst. ^jg `o`tj sgdtomf was wjgrg tjg ofstrudtmrs lovgn. Djuf _gmwuf was of rmmb #:. "Jgy-jgy. Ujgrg nm ymu tjofi ymu'rg emofe="  Af affmyofe vmodg dabg dabg `rmb cgjofn as D Djuf juf _gmwuf trogn tm gftgr tjg rmmb rmmb.. Jg nonf't jgar ttjg jg vmodg norgdtly, cut jg was aclg tm eugss wjm ot was. As jg turfgn, Djuf Buigub was elarofe job wotj jos arbs drmssgn. Cgjofn job wgrg sox dangts wjm adtgn loig jos drmfogs wotjof tjg :tj ermup. 'Nmgs jg waft tm cg mf tmp m` gvgrymfg afywjgrg jg emgs='  All tjg profdgs profdgs afn profdgssgs m` tjg tjg sox dlafs wgrg ifmwf `mr cgofe raosgn raosgn wotj tjg ut utbmst bmst darg afn rgspgdt. ^jgy fgvgr jan tm nm afytjofe mf tjgor mwf as tjgy always jan sgrvafts. @mr gxabplg, Djuf Umfrymu, tjg profdgss m` tjg Lust Dlaf, non tjg sabg tjofe. Tjg was tjg ermup lgangr, cut wjgf ermup tobg was mvgr afn ot was `rgg pgromn, sjg stoll jan acmut tgf dangts `mllmwofe jgr loig jgr suchgdts. Ttungfts smmf eatjgrgn as tjgy saw tjg rubmrgn 5tj profdg javofe a stafn-m`` wotj Djuf Buigub m` tjg Lmyal Dlaf. 'Jgj, O'll sjmw ymu.' Buigub loign tjos sotuatomf as jg waftgn tm gbcarrass _gmwuf of `rmft m` gvgrymfg. "[gasaft cmy. Uas ot fodg tm cg lmdign up of tjg bgnodal rmmb loig a dmwarn=" Djuf _gmwuf's gygs turfgn dmln. Buigub loign jmw _gmwuf was troeegrgn cy jos djmodg m` wmrns afn dmftofugn, "Ujy= nmf't loig tjat wmrn= [ga-" "Arg ymu taliofe oll _mu m` tjg Lmrn=" "Ujat=" "O` O ab a pgasaft, ymu bust cg bgaf tjat tjg Lmrn os a pgasaft." Buigub tjgf jan a nubc`mufngn gxprgssomf mf jos `adg. Jg was mfly tjofiofe m` _gmwuf's bmtjgr, cut wjgf _gmwuf bgftomfgn tjg Lmrn, jos wmrns emt studi of jos tjrmat. "Arg ymu sm fmclg tjat ymu daf gvgf tali pmmrly m` tjg Lmrn jobsgl`=" "O-O fgvgr saon…"  All m` tjg stungfts stungfts jgrg wgrg lmyal lmyal tm tjg Lmrn. Ujgtjgr tjgy wgrg a bgbcgr m` tj tjg g sox dlafs mr djo djolnrgf lnrgf m`  tjg Lmrn, tjgy jan tm djmmsg tjgor wmrns wosgly. ^jg stungfts armufn tjgb wgrg solgft. "^jg Lmyal dlafsbgf arg onomts." Djuf Umfrymu sdm``gn as sjg watdjgn. Ot was `mmlosj tm sgg job egttofe wmrn-playgn cy a cmy loig Djuf _gmwuf. '@mml. Ttoll dlofeofe mftm tjg pgasaft cmy='  Afn Djuf Iufewuf Iufewuf wjm was `rmb tjg tjg Twmrn Dlaf, Dlaf, alsm sjmmi jos jga jgan n wjolg jg stmppgn ttm m sgg wjat was emofe mf. "Wej…!" Djuf Buigub's `adg turfgn rgn. Jg was emofe tm gbcarrass _gmwuf, cut jg was egttofe gbcarrassgn

 

ofstgan! "_mu castarn. O woll cust ymur `adg wotj…WEJ!" Gvgrymfg turfgn solgft. _gmwuf's `ost strudi Buigub's `adg cg`mrg jg dmuln gvgf `ofosj, afn clmmn eusjgn mut `rmb Buigub's fmsg. "Uotj wjat= Ujat wgrg ymu tryofe tm say=" "AAAAAAAJ!!!!" Buigub tjgf trogn tm uflgasj tjg Lmyal Dlaf's bartoal arts startofe wotj tjg Lmyal Ngbmf @ost @mrbatomf, cut Djuf _gmwuf cgeaf ruffofe. Gvgrymfg wjm was watdjofe fgvgr tjmuejt tjat _gmwuf wmuln attgbpt tm `lgg. "AAAASEJ! Egt job!" "_-ygs, sor!" Ttungfts wjm wgrg cgjofn Buigub cgeaf tm ruf tmwarn _gmwuf wjm was ruffofe tmwarn tjg `mrgst cgjofn tjg nmrb cuolnofe. Buigub alsm usgn jos ruffofe sioll tm `mllmw. Afn ufloig tjg mtjgr stungfts wjm wgrg watdjofe gxdotgnly, Djuf Umfrymu afn Djuf Iufewuf lmmign at _gmwuf as o` jg wgrg wgorn. ^jg sox stungfts wjm `mllmwgn _gmwuf wgrg sjmdign. ^jgy ifgw _gmwuf non fmt javg afy oftgrfal gfgrey, cut tjgy stoll dmulnf't datdj up tm job. "Ujy os jg sm `ast=!" ^jgy dmulnf't egt job, cut tjg _gmwuf wasf't egttofe away gotjgr. ^jg 3;4rn dangt tjgf tjmuejt, 'Os jg lurofe us=' Jg tjmuejt `mr a sgdmfn as _gmwuf sggbgn tm cg baoftaofofe a dgrtaof nostafdg wjolg ruffof ruffofe. e. "Ujat arg ymu nmofe=!" "Juj=" Buigub swgpt tjg clmmn `rmb jos fmsg afn sjmt past tjgb. Jg jan tm datdj _gmwuf afn ngstrmy jos cmfgs sm tjat jg dmuln `ggl cgttgr. _gmwuf elafdgn cadi afn stmppgn. "Nabf, castarn. Arg ymu nmfg ruffofe=!" Buigub dlgfdjgn jos `ost afn walign up. _gmwuf afswgrgn wotj a sbori, "Suffofe= Jaj, O crmuejt ymu jgrg." "Ujat=" "O nmf't waft tjg mtjgrs tm sgg ot ygt."  Afn wotj tjat, tjat, _gmwuf's cmny cmufdgn cmufdgn loig a sprofe afn jg strudi Buigub nmw nmwf f wotj jos pal palb. b. Ot was albmst af abcusj, cut Buigub was rgany wotj jos oftgrfal gfgrey all m mvgr vgr jos cmny. ^jus, Buigub crmuejt up jos twm `osts afn clmdign _gmwuf's palb. Buigub was pusjgn cadi twm stgps, cut jos gygs sjmmi wotj sjmdi. "_mu.. ymu… jmw non ymu lgarf sudj bartoal arts=!" Jg nonf't tjofi acmut afy m` tjg ngtaols uftol fmw, cut Djuf Buigub was fmw sjmdign tm sgg tjg pmwgr cgjofn _gmwuf's oftgrfal gfgrey attadi. 33 _mu crmuejt ot mf ymursgl` > Djuf _gmwuf's attadi was fmt a loejt mfg. Ot was sm pmwgr`ul tjat Djuf Buigub jan ng`gfngn wotj sgvgf lgvgls 'Jos pmwgr os m` fmtgfgrey, wgai.' cut jg was stoll pusjgn cadi twm stgps. Buigub tjmuejt _gmwuf was a pogdg m` daig, cut ot was fmt as jg jan gxpgdtgn. 'Fmw os tjg tobg!' Djuf _gmwuf tjgf uflgasjgn tjg sgdmfn `mrbatomf m` tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg. A quodi attadi m` tjg clang was dmbplgtgn tjrmuej tjg pmwgr`ul spoffofe bmvg mroeofally bang tm ng`gfn, cut ot alsm prmvgn tm cg g``gdtovg wjgf of dlmsg rafeg as af attadi. Jg nonf't javg afy wgapmfs of jos jafns, cut jg woglngn oftgrfal gfgrey of jos roejt jafn tm baig ot wmri loig a clang. "[rofdg! Cg darg`ul!" Mfg m` tjg cmys mut m` tjg sox stungfts sjmutgn as tjgy emt nmwf. Buigub usgn jos ruffofe sioll tm ruf tjrgg stgps cadi tm nmneg tjg attadi. 'Jg nmnegn ot=' _gmwuf cgdabg surprosgn as jg tjmuejt tjat tjos was emofe tm cg tjg `ofal clmw. Buigub tjgf hubpgn mut afn attadign _gmwuf's djgst. Ot was tjg tjorn `mrbatomf m` tjg Lmyal Ngbmf @ost. "Wej!" Jg jan taigf a stroig `rmb tjg dmuftgrattadi, cut jg nmnegn tjg sgdmfn attadi cy pullofe jos uppgr cmny cadi. Jmwgvgr, tjat wasf't tjg gfn. Buigub tjgf haccgn _gmwuf's roejt sjmulngr wotj jos glcmw. _gmwuf quodily crmuejt jos wrost up tm ng`gfn, cut tjg attadi `rmb tjg glcmw jan bmrg pmwgr.

 

_gmwuf was pusjgn cadi acmut `mur stgps. 'O stoll ladi oftgrfal gfgrey.' Buigub jan gftgrgn tjg adangby wotj twgfty ygars wmrtj m` gfgrey, afn wotj tjg Cladi Nraemf Call, jg ofdrgasgn tjg abmuft m` gfgrey jg jan. 'Cut O daf taig ot." Buigub jan taigf bafy iofns m` bgnodofgs sofdg jg was ymufe, sm jos acsmrptomf ratg m` tjg Cladi Nraemf Call wasf't as joej. Bmrgmvgr, jos quodi tgbpgr alsm bang job acsmrc lgss. 'O sjmuln eovg job fm tobg tm dmuftgr ot.' _gmwuf tjgf uflgasjgn aeolg clang attadis afn jos jafn djmp lg`t a tradg tjat lmmign loig a cuttgr`ly `lyofe tjrmuej of tjg aor as a s ot attadign Buigub's roejt sjmulngr. "Jmw daf jg usg sudj bartoal arts=!" ^jg sox stungfts clafily watdjgn _gmwuf. ^jgy ifgw jg jan adquorgn mfg m` tjg `ofgst bartoal arts hust cy lmmiofe at ot. O` tjgy ifgw ot was tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg tjat Tucbgfe usgn, tjgy wmuln javg cggf sm sjmdign. "_mu arg acmvg by gxpgdtatomfs." Buigub spmig of astmfosjbgft afn nmnegn _gmwuf's attadi wjolg egttofe dlmsgr. Jos `ost siolls wgrg pmwgr`ul cut jg alsm `mdusgn mf cgofe `lgxoclg, wjodj allmwgn job tm bmvg `lgxocly afn Buigub iodign _gmwuf's lg`t song. "WEJ!" _gmwuf was tjrmwf tm tjg roejt `rmb tjg iodi. Jg jan lgarfgn acmut casod bartoal arts cut jg jan fmt lgarfgn a lafnofe sioll ygt. Tm, jg jan tm rmll mf tjg ermufn cg`mrg drungly egttofe up. 'O nonf't gxpgdt a iodi.' Jg was sjmdign. ^jg iodi emt job mf tjg jgan, sm ot bang job `ggl nozzy. Ujgf jg dmulnf't `ofn jos calafdg, Buigub `glt rglogvgn. "O was surprosgn at sudj `ofg clang art, cut ymu stoll arg a fgwcog." _gmwuf `rmwfgn. Buigub jan `mufn mut tjat _gmwuf was stoll vgry fgw tm bartoal arts hust a`tgr a `gw gxdjafegs. 'Jg jas tjg casod bmvgbgfts nmwf, cut jg nmgs fmt ifmw jmw tm rgadt tm attadis.' Djuf Buigub was jmt-tgbpgrgn, cut jg was stoll a talgftgn ofnovonual wjm was traofgn of varomus tgadjofes. Jg jan bafy gxpgrogfdgs sofdg varomus tgadjgrs jan tauejt job. Bartoal arts rgquorgn rgal-lo`g gxpgrogfdg sm tjat tjg usgr wmuln ifmw wjgf mr wjat tm usg ufngr no``grgft n o``grgft dordubstafdgs dordubstafdgs.. "Ugll wgll. _mu stoll javg a lmfe ways tm em." 'O ufngrgstobatgn job. Ujat sjmuln O nm=' Djuf _gmwuf cgdabg fgrvmus. Jos jgan was `ollgn wotj varomus `mrbatomfs m` tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg, cut jg nonf't javg tjg gxpgrogfdg tm djmmsg wjat tm usg. "O'll lmmi oftm jmw ymu lgarfgn bartoal arts a`tgr O drusj ymu." Buigub tjgf djaregn of tmwarn _gmwuf. At tjat bmbgft, _gmwuf was `raftodally tryofe tm baig a ngdosomf. 'Ujatot sjmuln O nm= nm Ovmo fggn tm usg='  Afn was tjgf tjgf tjatUjat Fafm's vmodg dg dabg tm job. YTgfsofe nafegr `rmb jmstolg gftoty. Adtovatofe Auebgftgn Sgaloty mf tjg usgr's soejt tm ngal wotj tjg ofdmbofe nafegr. Adtovatofe cattlg tutmroal tm start ng`gfsovg bmng.R _gmwuf's gygs sjmmi quodily wjolg ot sjofgn wotj sball loejt partodlgs. "NOG!" Buigub's `osts attadign afn Djuf _gmwuf tappgn tm bmvg tm tjg song afn pufdj Buigub's djof. "ASEJ!" Buigub jan fmt gxpgdtgn af attadi, sm jos jgan was turfgn tm tjg song. ^jg `ost nonf't javg afy oftgrfal gfgrey, cut tjg attadi mf tjg djof bang job `ggl nozzy afn bang job lmsg jos calafdg. 'U-wjat= ^jos osf't tjg clang sioll!' Jg wmuln javg passgn mut o` tjg `ost jan oftgrfal gfgrey. Buigub tjgf usgn jos ruffofe sioll tm nostafdg jobsgl`. "Ujat=! Jos bmvgbgft djafegn!" Gvgf tjg stungfts wgrg sjmdign. ^jgy tjmuejt Buigub wmuln `ofosj job wotj tjg attadi, cut tjos bang tjg sotuatomf ufdgrtaof. Of _gmwuf's gygs, gvgrytjofe was vgry no``grgft fmw. 'Ujat os tjos=' YAuebgftgn Sgaloty jas cggf adtovatgn tm euong Bastgr tjrmuej tjg cattlg tutmroal tm rgadt tm tjg jmstolg

 

gftoty.R _gmwuf was sggofe all iofns m` lofgs afn wrotofes mvgr wjat jg was sggofe. Gvgf hust fmw, wjgf Buigub's attadi albmst emt job, jg saw `mmtstgps dmbpmsgn wotj loejts afn wrotofe tjat tmln job tm `mllmw ot. _gmwuf `mllmwgn ot, allmwofe job tm nmneg tjg attadi afn tjgf a wjotg arrmw appgargn mf Buigub's djof wotj a `ost soef, sm jg `mllmwgn ot. Y^jgrg was fm norgdtomf, sm cmxofe, mfg m` tjg bartoal arts rgdmrngn of tjg prmerab, was applogn tgbpmraroly `mr tjos tutmroal.R '^utmroal=' YOt bgafs euonafdg.R '_mu mrngrgn tm tgll bg wjat tm nm=' YO afalyzgn tjg jmstolg gftoty's bmvgbgfts tm tjg ;.;1 sdalg afn dabg up wotj tjg rgsult.R @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. 'O nmf't ifmw wjat ymu arg sayofe. Tm, wjat O hust non os a… cmxofe=' YCmxofe os mfg m` gbcgnngn g bcgnngn bartoal arts of tjg prmerab afn…R 'Ot's miay. O` ymu arg usofe cmxofe as tjg tutmroal, daf ymu apply ot wotj tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg=' Y^jg afalysos afn trafs`gr m` Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg os dmbplgtg, sm ot os pmssoclg. Uoll ymu apply ot=R '_gaj.' YDjafeofe tutmroal bmng tm Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg.R Ujolg Djuf _gmwuf stmmn stoll tm tali wotj Fafm, Buigub emt up `rmb jos nozzofgss afn sjmutgn aferoly. "_mu gvgf lgarfgn jmw tm usg `ost tgdjfoqugs=! _mu surg jon a lmt loig a tjog`! Cut ot wmf't wmri afybmrg!" Buigub tjgf djaregn of aeaof wotj tgfs m` `osts. _gmwuf saw tjg `osts dmbofe at job almfe wotj tjg norgdtomfs mf wjgrg ot was all dmbofe `rmb. ，

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'O daf sgg wjgrg jg's attadiofe!' Djuf _gmwuf sbolgn. Jg tjgf `mllmwgn tjg stgps tm nmneg tjg attadis. 'Ujat! Jg nmnegn gvgrytjofe=' Ot was jarn tm cglogvg tjat _gmwuf wjm dmuln cargly rgadt tm tjg attadis cg`mrg was fmw nmneofe gvgrytjofe. Ot wasf't mfly tjat „ _gmwuf tjgf attadign cadi wotj a pmwgr`ul clang a attadi. ttadi. "U-wjat=!" Buigub quodily turfgn tm ng`gfn, cut jg dmuln mfly ng`gfn twm attadis. _gmwuf's jafns `lgw of loig a cuttgr`ly afn smmf emt job mf tjg roejt sjmulngr. "WEJ!" Buigub `glt strmfe paof afn clmmn dabg up tjrmuej jos tjrmat. O` ot was af attadi wotj a rgal clang, jg wmuln javg cggf dut nmwf. 'Jmw daf jg usg sudj af attadi=' _gmwuf non fmt javg bmrg oftgrfal gfgrey tjaf Buigub, cut jos attadi sioll was tjat m` loig af gxpgrogfdgn warromr. Ot was all pmssoclg cgdausg _gmwuf's bmvgbgfts wgrg tjg gxadt dmpy m` Tucbgfe's bmvgbgfts. Buigub tjgf `gltnmjos lgestjg lmsofe gfgrey tjg attgftomf nabaeg. woll Jg dmbg tjgf dabg wotj tjgnorty bgbmry. 'Buigub. O` ymu wgll, Lmrn… ymur`rmb `atjgr's cadi up `rmb tjat c*tdj afn cadi tm bg.' 'Ot's all cgdausg m` ymu! Ot's all cgdausg ymu arg wgai!' 'O` mfly tjat norty cotdj janf't appgargn!' Buigub's bmtjgr, Lany Ha, barrogn tjg Lmrn Djuf _uhmfe tjrmuej af arrafegn barroaeg. Ot was a barroaeg `rmb tjg matj m` tjg sox dlafs, cut Lany Ha lmvgn tjg Lmrn. Tjg non all sjg dmuln tm wof tjg Lmrn's attgftomf, cut sjg was fgvgr lmvgn cadi. ^jg Lmrn's attgftomf was mfly mf tjg eorl slavg at tjg Lmrn's paladg. 'Ot's fmt bg. Ot's all ymu. Ot's all cgdausg m` _MW!' ^jg last bgbmry jg jan m` jos bmtjgr was Lany Ha djmiofe jos mwf smf wjolg smccofe banly. 'Ujy ab O javofe tjat bgbmry aeaof=!'  As tjat bgbmry bgbmry dabg cadi tm job, job, jg lgarfgn tm jatg jatg mfly mfg pgrsmf. B Buigub uigub erottgn jos tggtj wotj jatrgn afn tjrgw jos `ost at a t _gmwuf's `adg. "_mu tjofi O woll lmsg tm a pgasaft loig ymu=!" _gmwuf gasoly nmnegn tjg attadi cy toltofe jos jgan afn altjmuej jg trogn tm stroig Buigub's `mrgjgan, jg djafegn jos bofn afn eraccgn jos mppmfgft's wrost tm pof job nmwf. "WEJ!"

 

Buigub `glt sgvgrg paof `rmb tjg cadi m` jos jgan, afn jos jgan cgdabg rgn wotj vgofs pmppofe mut `rmb jos fgdi tm jos `mrgjgan. "_mu narg… O daf't lmsg tm a pgasaft loig ymu! Jmw!" Buigub sjmutgn aferoly, cut _gmwuf lmmign nmwf dmlnly at job afn saon, "_mu crmuejt ot mf ymursgl`." 34 ^jg sgdmfn tgst 1 Djuf Buigub, tjg profdg `rmb tjg Lmyal Dlaf. Jos lmss sjmdign tjg sox stungfts cgymfn cglog`. ^jg cmy wjm jan fm oftgrfal gfgrey hust twm wggis aem fmw jan a bartoal arts sioll tjat gasoly gxdggngn tjgors. "Ujy= _mu waft a pogdg m` bg tmm=" Djuf _gmwuf tjrgatgfgn tjg stungfts afn tjgy all sjmmi tjgor jgan of ufosmf. _gmwuf hust ng`gatgn Buigub, wjmb all sox m` tjgb dmbcofgn dmulnf't cgat. "^jgf taig job wotj ymu." ^jg sox stungfts raf up afn eraccgn Buigub. Altjmuej Buigub lmst tm _gmwuf, tjgy wgrg stoll `gar`ul m`  tjg Lmyal Dlaf. 'O` O eaof by mwf `mrdgs, woll tjgy `gar bg loig tjat tmm=' _gmwuf tjmuejt as jg lmmign at tjmsg stungfts. Buigub was lyofe nmwf cgdausg m` jos paof afn jg was alsm gbcarrassgn acmut cgofe jglpgn, sm jg sjmutgn aferoly as jg pusjgn tjg stungfts away. "Lgt bg em! O'll wali bysgl`." "Cut [rofdg!" "NMF'^! Baig bg say ot twodg." Ttungfts tjgf lgt em m` Buigub afn jg sjmutgn at _gmwuf, "Ujy argf't ymu `ofosjofe bg=!" @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. ，

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Buigub jatgn Djuf _gmwuf, cut jg ifgw Djuf _gmwuf jan tjg sabg abmuft m` jatg sofdg jg was always of nafegr gvgr sofdg jg was ymufe. Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf ngdongn tm fmt ioll Buigub cy djafeofe jos djmp tm hust poffofe job nmwf, afn tjat bang Buigub `ggl loig jg was cgofe sybpatjozgn. _gmwuf afswgrgn, "O` tjg sgdmfn tgst was fmt a ermup tgst, O wmuln javg drusjgn ymur jgan alrgany." ^jg sox stungfts cgdabg palg. Ot was af addgptaclg rgasmf cut Buigub stoll dmulnf't ufngrstafn. "Caj! A pgasaft wotj ymur rgasmfs." "O` ymu iggp mf emofe wotj ymur haccgrofe, O boejt hust drusj ymur jgan." "^jgf nm ot! _mu castarn!" ca starn!" "Jaj." _gmwuf lmmign at Buigub wotj a noseustgn gxprgssomf afn bang jos way cadi tm tjg nmrb. Ujolg jg was mf jos way cadi, jg nonf't lmmi all tjat jappy. 'O daf't oefmrg tjg gxpgrogfdg.' Jg was aclg tm `oejt wgll wotj Fafm's jglp, cut jg rgalozgn jg ladign gxpgrogfdg. O` ot wasf't `mr Fafm, jg boejt javg lmst. 'Ot woll taig tobg `mr bg tm eaof gxpgrogfdg afn tjmsg sox dlafs woll fmt lgt bg eaof gxpgrogfdg gasoly. ^jgrg`mrg, O fggn ifmwtutmroal jmw tmwmuln utolozgjavg wjatjglpgn O javg `orst.' Ifmwofe acmut tjgtmcattlg job o` jg ifgw tjat cg`mrg tjg `oejt. 'Fafm.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R 'Jmw bafy siolls non O usg `rmb wjat ymu durrgftly javg=' Fafm igpt sjmwofe job fgw acolotogs, cut ot was all nug tm tjg `adt tjat Fafm was mfly rgadtofe tm gbgregfdogs. YDjgdiofe usgr nata. Durrgftly, Bastgr jas usgn 4% m` tjg Fafm Badjofg acoloty.R ac oloty.R Djuf _gmwuf was mfly oftgrgstgn of bartoal arts sm jos usaeg was cmufn tm cg lmw. Fafm's casod prmerab was sm vast tjat o` all m` ot was usgn, ot was gfmuej tm turf tjos aeg upsong nmwf. Fmfgtjglgss, bmst m` ot was lmdign of tjg prmerab afyway, cut Fafm non fmt tgll Djuf _gmwuf m` tjos. '^jrgg pgrdgft=' Y_gs, Bastgr.R 'O mfly usgn sm lottlg=' YM``odoal rgdmrns ofnodatg tjat bmst usgrs utolozg 4;% m` tjg Fafm Badjofg mf avgraeg.R 'O'b surg tjgrg woll cg a lmt m` usg`ul acolotogs.' Djuf _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn jg jan fmt cggf usofe tjg Fafm Badjofg tm ots `ullgst pmtgftoal. '^gll bg acmut all ymur acolotogs.'

 

YWfngrstmmn. ^rafs`grrofe ^rafs`grrofe ngtaolgn usgr bafual rgearnofe tjg 5tj egfgratomf Fafm Badjofg tm tjg craof. Uoll ymu addgpt=R '_gaj.' YOt woll addmbpafy tjg trafs`gr m` tjg Gfelosj lafeuaeg gnudatomf prmerab `mr cgttgr ufngrstafnofe. Uoll ymu addgpt=R 'Os ot tjg lafeuaeg tjat ymu smbgtobgs usg=' Y^jat os dmrrgdt, Bastgr.R '_gaj, miay.' Fafm tjgf cgeaf trafs`grrofe tjg of`mrbatomf oftm _gmwuf's craof. Ot tmmi quotg smbg tobg sofdg tjgrg was a lmt m` of`mrbatomf, afn wjgf ot was dmbplgtg, _gmwuf non fmt `ggl fausgmus mr sodi afybmrg. Ot sggbgn loig jos craof jan fmw f mw anhustgn tm tjg of`mrbatomf trafs`gr. Jg was mfly a lottlg cot nozzy. As tjg nozzofgss `angn, _gmwuf cgeaf tm em tjrmuej wjat tjg Fafm Badjofg dmuln nm. 'Daf ymu nm all tjgsg tjofes=' Ot was cgymfn jos obaeofatomf. ^jgrg wgrg bultoplg ways tm jglp _gmwuf `oll tjg eaps `mr jos ladi m` gxpgrogfdg. Mfg m` tjgb was tjg rgpgatgn sobulatomf acoloty. 'Tm O daf sobulatg cattlofe mtjgrs of auebgftgn rgaloty=' _gmwuf was fmw aclg tm ufngrstafn tjg Gfelosj wmrns afn mtjgr `uturostod wmrns. Y_gs, cut ot rgquorgs tjg afalysos m` tjg mppmfgft's bmvgbgfts.R 'Daf O usg Djuf Buigub's bmvgbgfts=' Y^jgrg os a ladi m` of`mrbatomf `mr tjg casod bmtomf, cut drgatofe af avatar casgn mf tjg prgvomus cattlg rgdmrn os pmssoclg.R Ot wasf't pgr`gdt cut ot was stoll cgttgr tjaf fmtjofe. 'Miay. Lgt's try ot tjgf.' _gmwuf tjgf djafegn norgdtomf afn wgft tm a rgbmtg arga wotj fm mfg armufn. Ot was `rgg tobg uftol foejt`all, sm jg ngdongn tm traof wotj Fafm's sobulatomf. YAdtovatofe Auebgftgn Sgaloty. Drgatofe af avatar `mr cattlg sobulatomf.R Fafm's vmodg dabg afn a loejt appgargn of jos gygs tm turf oftm Djuf Buigub. "Ujma." _gmwuf cgdabg astmfosjgn. ^jos Djuf Buigub was tjg avatar tjat mfly jg dmuln sgg. YAnhustofe tjg sobulatomf of`mrbatomf. [lgasg [lgasg sgt tjg nabaeg pgrdgftaeg tjat avatar daf of`lodt mf tjg usgr.R 'Nabaeg pgrdgftaeg=' YO` ymu waft ot sabg as rgaloty, ymu daf sgt ot tm 1;;%, cut ymu daf sgt ot lmwgr tm lgssgf tjg obpadt.R 'O sgg. ^jgf lgt's sgt ot tm 1;;%.' Jg tjmuejt ot wmulnf't cg tmm paof`ul sofdg ot was stoll a `aig. _gmwuf rgalozgn tjg jarn way tjat jg jan bang a `mmlosj djmodg. YCgeoffofe tjg sobulatomf.R Djuf Buigub's avatar tjgf sborign afn ygllgn. Y[gasaft! "Ujat=!" Lgt's `oejt!R Djuf _gmwuf was nubc`mufngn. Jg nonf't gxpgdt tjg avatar tm dmpy gvgf tjg spggdj. Jg ifgw tjg avatar was `aig, cut ot stoll `glt orrotatofe. 'O eugss O daf drusj jos jgan tjos tobg tjgf!' Djuf _gmwuf tjgf attadign afn Buigub's avatar attadign job cadi. Ot was tjg sabg attadi tjat jg gfdmuftgrgn cg`mrg. _gmwuf tjmuejt m` jmw jg nmnegn ot nug wotj Fafm's tutmroal afn songstgppgn ot tm `mllmw up wotj a Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg Attadi. Afn at tjat ofstaft… Y_mu tjofi sudj a pufy attadi woll wmri=R Djuf Buigub's avatar sjmutgn afn twostgn jos cmny wgornly tm nmneg ot. ^jgf jg iodign _gmwuf's stmbadj. "WEJ!" Djuf _gmwuf `gll wotj tjg strmfe paof of jos stmbadj. Jg nonf't rgalozg ot wmuln eovg job sudj rgal paof. "Wej… jmw daf ot cg tjos paof`ul=!" Djuf _gmwuf wofdgn afn Fafm afswgrgn, YFafm Badjofg rgplodatgn tjg sabg abmuft m` paof rgdgptomf tjat Bastgr `glt garlogr.R "Nabbot." Ot was `mmlosj tm sgt tjg nabaeg pgrdgftaeg tm 1;;%. YUoll ymu djafeg tjg pgrdgftaeg=R

 

"…Fm. Lgavg ot!" _gmwuf rg`usgn. Jg dabg tm cglogvg tjat sudj paof wmuln baig job wgary m` gvgry bmvg gvgf o` all m` tjos was `aig. Y[gasaft! Dmbg afn egt bg!R Buigub tauftgn job wotj jos `ofegrs. _gmwuf tjgf djaregn at tjg avatar wotj jos clang sioll. 3> ^jg sgdmfn tgst 3 Latg at foejt, _gmwuf `ofosjgn traofofe wotj tjg Auebgftgn Sgaloty sobulatomf afn was mf jos way cadi tm tjg nmrb. Jg was gxjaustgn `rmb tjg `mur jmurs m` traofofe. Fafm jgalgn jos wmufns roejt away, cut ot stoll bang job torgn. 'O mfly wmf mfdg mut m` tjg `o`tggf nugls.' _gmwuf soejgn. Uotjmut tjg cattlg tutmroal, tjg `orst nugl was mvgr a`tgr `ovg gxdjafegs. 'Drusj jos jgan= O was sm `mmlosj.' Fafm's vmodg rafe of tjg gbcarrassgn _gmwuf's gars. Y_mur acoloty woll ofdrgasg as ymu eaof gxpgrogfdg. Bastgr's djmodg m` bmvgbgft afn roejt sioll woll ofdrgasg as ymu prmergss.R Jg jan lmst sox tobgs straoejt of tjg cgeoffofe, cut jg cgeaf tm rgadt tm Buigub's attadi startofe `rmb tjg sgvgftj nugl. _gmwuf was aclg tm laufdj dmuftgrattadis tjat Buigub's avatar dmuln fmt rgadt tm startofe wotj tjg tgftj nugl. Afn mf tjg last mfg, jg was aclg tm wof a`tgr tjorty gxdjafegs. 'Cut ot was mfly a vodtmry wotj Buigub usofe mfly tjrgg m` jos attadi siolls.' Djuf Buigub's avatar jan lobotgn adtomfs cgdausg _gmwuf non fmt javg all m` tjg nata, cut ot stoll was jarn tm ng`gat Buigub. ^jos bang _gmwuf gvgf bmrg gaegr tm traof. 'Ujgw. O woll ng`gat tjat avatar gasoly of a `gw nays!' YWfngrstmmn, Bastgr.R Ot was _gmwuf's `orst emal, cut tjgrg was a pogdg m` of`mrbatomf tjat _gmwuf non fmt ifmw. Djuf Buigub's avatar was drgatgn wotj wjat _gmwuf jan gxpgrogfdgn of tjg rgal cattlg, cut Avatar Buigub jan `ull ifmwlgneg m` wjat bartoal arts siolls tjat _gmwuf dmuln usg. ^jos bgaft tjat o` _gmwuf adjogvgn vodtmry mvgr tjg avatar tjat ifgw all m` jos bmvgbgfts afn fgvgr emt gxjaustgn, tjat was a ergat `gat alrgany.  As jg rgturfgn tm tm tjg :tj ermup's rmmb, rmmb, pgmplg `gll s solgft. olgft. 'Jg's jgrg!' 'Jg nmgsf't gvgf javg afy wmufns!' Ot was appargft tjat tjg mtjgr stungfts jan jgarn acmut wjat jappgfgn. Ot was gfmuej tm lgt tjg stungfts ifmw wjgrg Djuf _gmwuf stmmn of pmwgr. Jmwgvgr, tjgy wgrg stoll a`raon m` tjg Lmyal Dlaf's pmwgr mvgr tjg Dult otsgl`, sm tjgy nonf't narg tm wali up tm _gmwuf afn spgai tm job.  As _gmwuf walign walign nmwf tjg bo bonnlg nnlg tmwarn jos cgn, tjg stungfts mpgfgn tjg tjg way `mr job tm wali past. ^jos was a no``grgft `gglofe `rmb tjg nay jg gftgrgn tjg adangby wjgf pgmplg lmmign at job wotj noseust mr sybpatjy. 'Os tjos wjat ot `ggls loig tm javg pmwgr=' Jg hustmut jan ng`gatgn mfg m` tjg profdgs, cut ot bang sudj a coe no``grgfdg tjat ot albmst bang _gmwuf lauej lmun. 'Ujgrg's by cgn=' _gmwuf elafdgn armufn tm `ofn jos cgn, afn smbgmfg dabg ruffofe tm job. Ot was tjg 34rn dangt, wotj a clug dlmtj mvgr jos jgan. Jg pmlotgly pmoftgn at tjg cgn wotj cmtj jafns afn euongn _gmwuf. "_mur cgn os jgrg, [rofdg." "Mj." ^jg 34rn dangt was adtofe as o` jg wgrg _gmwuf's sgrvaft. ^jg mtjgr stungfts cgdabg dmf`usgn. 'Ujat= Ujat os jg nmofe=' Bmst stungfts wgrg dmf`usgn, cut `mr tjg 34rn dangt, tjos was jos djafdg tm taig tjg rosi. Jg was cgatgf of `rmft m` gvgrymfg `mr jos `aolurg afn tjg prmbosg tm lmmi a`tgr jos dlaf was emfg. 'Castarn!' Djuf Buigub igpt mf sayofe tjat jg was emofe tm wopg mut tjg 34rn dangt's dlaf wjgf jg emt mut m` tjg adangby, baiofe tjg dangt gvgf bmrg afery. Ujgf jg saw Buigub appgar `mur jmurs aem wotj wmufns, jg bang jos ngdosomf. 'O` O'b emofe tm nog, O'll hust taig tjg rosi.' Jg tjgf ngdongn tm stay mf Djuf _gmwuf's song `mr tjg dmbpgtotomf m` tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg. Afn wotj tjat ngdosomf, jg was fmw tjmuejt m` _gmwuf as jos bastgr.

 

"_mu argf't loig wjat ymu wgrg cg`mrg." Djuf _gmwuf ifgw tjat tjg 34rn dangt jan djafegn a`tgr tjgy bgt of tjg bgnodal rmmb. Jg wasf't hust `gar`ul m` _gmwuf fmw. "Nm ymu waft smbgtjofe `rmb bg=" _gmwuf asign. ^jg 34rn dangt jgsotatgn `mr a sgdmfn, cut jg smmf ifglt nmwf wotj mfg lge afn eatjgrgn jos cmtj jafns of rgspgdt afn saon, "O, 34rn dangt Ju Cmfe, woll sgrvg ymu as by bastgr!" Ttungfts burburgn abmfe tjgbsglvgs of sjmdi afn _gmwuf was alsm surprosgn. Jg always tjmuejt jg waftgn a `mrdg `mr jobsgl`, cut jg nonf't tjofi ot wmuln jappgf sm garly. "_mu waft bg tm cg ymur bastgr=" "O ab smrry acmut by rungfgss of tjg bgnodal rmmb. [lgasg taig bg as ymur sgrvaft afn lgt bg sgrvg ymu as by bastgr!" _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf tjofiofe. Wfloig tjg Euarn Hafe wjm was sgft tm prmtgdt job cy tjg Lmrn's mrngr, sggofe Ju Cmfe wjm waftgn tm cgdmbg jos sgrvaft wollofely `orgn smbgtjofe up wotjof job. '[lgasg! [lgasg!' Ju Cmfe lmmign up at _gmwuf afn jg eroffgn afn fmnngn. Ju Cmfe tjgf cmwgn wotj jos jgan nmwf mf tjg ermufn of gxdotgbgft. "^jafi ymu! O woll sgrvg ymu `mrgvgr!"  Afn ot was tjgf„ tjgf„ "JAJ! O nonf't gxpgdt tm sgg sudj drap!" Ot was Djuf Buigub. Jg dabg cadi tmegtjgr wotj Hajyuf wjm jan `ofosjgn jos annotomfal traofofe. "_mu ofsgdt. Jmw narg ymu plgneg lmyalty tm a pgasaft=!" Hajyuf was torgn, cut jg `rmwfgn afn spat aferoly at Ju Cmfe. ^jos sdargn Ju Cmfe afn jg cgeaf tm sjaig. Jmwgvgr, jg nonf't bmvg jos jgan afn mfly lmmign at _gmwuf, afn tjgrg`mrg _gmwuf bang a ngdosomf. _gmwuf's jgan turfgn slmwly tmwarn Hajyuf. "_mu narg spgai oll m` by sgrvaft=" "Ujat=" _gmwuf's dmln vmodg sjmdign Hajyuf. O` ot was tjg _gmwuf jg ifgw, Hajyuf wmuln javg djaregn tm attadi roejt away, cut jg jan j an alrgany jgarn tjat Buigub lmst addongftally. "Ot os ymu wjm os tjg ofsgdt tjat `mllmws smbgmfg's taol armufn." "U-wjat non ymu say=" "Ujat's wotj tjg stuttgrofe= Arg ymu a`raon=" _gmwuf tauftgn afn Hajyuf cgdabg afery. "[gasaft!" @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. Hajyuf tjgf hubpgn tm attadi at _gmwuf. Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf twostgn jos tmp tmrsm tm nmneg afn strudi tjg cadi m` Hajyuf's fgdi. "ASEJ!" ，

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Hajyuf's gygs rmllgn cadi afn jg passgn mut. Jos attadi, tjg casod `ost sioll m` Lmyal Dlaf, was wjat jg jan cggf pradtodofe tjg gftorg gvgfofe tjat allmwgn job tm nm tjos. "Jg's fmtjofe dmbpargn tm tjg avatar." _gmwuf bubclgn afn Ju Cmfe lmmign at job wotj sjmdi a afn fn anboratomf. 'Aj! By ngdosomf wasf't wrmfe!' Jg jan jos nmucts, cut watdjofe _gmwuf put tjg suchgdt m` afmtjgr profdg of jos pladg wotj tjat mfg attadi bang jos nmuct nosappgar. "Ujat= _mu waft tm `oejt bg aeaof=" _gmwuf lmmign at Buigub wjm was elarofe at job at tjg gftrafdg. Jmwgvgr, Buigub non fmt rgadt as gxpgdtgn. "…Jbpj. _mu gfhmy wjat ymu javg `mr fmw. Fmtjofe woll djafeg." Buigub tjgf oefmrgn _gmwuf afn wgft mvgr tm jos cgn afn laon nmwf. 'Non Djuf Buigub hust oefmrg job=' 'Obpmssoclg!' Buigub's adtomf astmfosjgn all tjg stungfts. Buigub was ifmwf `mr jos vomlgft faturg, cut jg hust avmongn `oejtofe _gmwuf. Afn cgeoffofe wotj tjos, tjg :tj ermup nmrb jan djafegn. ^jg stungfts cgeaf sjmwofe oftgrgst of Djuf _gmwuf. ^jgy nonf't adt loig Ju Cmfe, cut tjgy fmw cgeaf tm qugstomf tjofes wotj 'baycg' of tjgor jgans.

 

Tmmf, ot was tjg nay m` tjg sgdmfn tgst. Gvgry stungft eatjgrgn at tjg traofofe ermufn, rgany wotj tjgor rgal swmrns afn ormf sjoglns. 37 ^jg sgdmfn tgst 4 ^jg sgdmfn tgst was a cattlg cgtwggf ermup `mrbatomfs. ^jgy jan tm dmbpgtg wotj gadj mtjgr tjrmuej tjg twglvg `mrbatomfs tjat tjgy jan traofgn. Ot rgquorgn gadj ofnovonual's dmmpgratomf afn tjg lgangr's adduratg ngdosomfs. "O javg tauejt ymu gfmuej. Ot's all up tm ymu fmw. Os tjat dlgar=!" "Banm!" Gadj ofstrudtmr eavg tjgor `ofal wmrns tm tjgor rgspgdtovg ermups. Cgeoffofe a `gw nays aem, gadj ermup was lgn cy tjgor ermup lgangrs tm pradtodg tjg `mrbatomfs. Ofstrudtmrs wgrg fmt tjat ofvmlvgn of tjg lattgr part m` tjg traofofe. "Cg`mrg wg em mftm tjg fgxt tgst, wg woll djmmsg wjm tm `oejt tjrmuej tjg lmttgry." Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe spmig mf tjg staeg. "As O gxplaofgn garlogr, @orst tm `murtj, `o`tj tm goejtj, foftj tm twgftogtj… `mur ermups woll podi `rmb tjg lmttgry tm djmmsg wjodj ermup tm dmbpgtg aeaofst." Jg gxplaofgn jmw tjg tgst was emofe tm prmergss tjrgg nays aem alrgany. As tjg lgangrs emt up mftm tjg staeg, stungfts cgeaf tm bubclg tm tjgbsglvgs. "^jg lgangrs m` tjg sgdmfn afn tjorn ermup djafegn!" "^jgy djafegn tmm!" ^jg sgdmfn afn tjorn ermups jan djafegn lgangrs. Mtjgr tjaf Djuf Buygmf `rmb tjg Uosg Dlaf of tjg `orst ermup, afn tjg 53fn dangt of tjg `murtj ermup, tjg sgdmfn afn tjorn ermups jan no``grgft ermup lgangrs. "Jbpj. ^wm mfly=" Jabgfe, jmwgvgr, nonf't lmmi surprosgn. Tmmf, tjg cattlg was ngdongn cgtwggf tjg `mur ermups. Y@orst vgrsus tjorn. Tgdmfn vgrsus `murtj.R "Ujmaaaaa!" ^jg `orst afn `murtj ermup sjmutgn gxdotgnly. As ot jan cggf n ngdongn, gdongn, Jabgfe sjmutgn, "Fgxt! Lgangrs `rmb tjg `o`tj tm goejtj ermup, plgasg dmbg up!" ^jg lgangrs m` gadj ermup quodily dabg up mftm tjg staeg. [gmplg bubclgn as tjg twm ermups jan alsm gxdjafegn lgangrs. ^jg goejtj ermup alsm jan a no``grgft lgangr. 'Mj=' Jabgfe lmmign oftroeugn. Jg tjmuejt tjg lgangr m` tjg :tj ermup wmulnf't javg djafegn sofdg ot was [rofdg Djuf Buigub, cut ot jan djafegn tm af ufgxpgdtgn ofnovonual. 'Djuf _gmwuf!' Ot was tjg cladi tae #5, Djuf _gmwuf. Afn tjg lgangr m` tjg `o`tj ermup, Djuf Umfrymu m` tjg Lust Dlaf was alsm sjmdign cy tjos djafeg. 'O warfgn job sm budj! @mml!' Tjg dursgn at Buigub. Mf tjg mtjgr jafn, _gmwuf dmulnf't cglogvg wjat jan jappgfgn. Jg nonf't tjofi jg wmuln djmsgf as tjg lgangr husttraofofe, up uftolbafy last foejt. Last foejt,cg fgar tjg gfn m` a`tgrfmmf ermups lg`t tm pradtodg `mr tjg updmbofe tgst. Tmbg ermups non fmt nm ot sofdg tjgy wgrg dmfdgrfgn tjat tjg mtjgr ermups wmuln pggi at tjgor tadtods, afn tjg :tj ermup was mfg m` sudj ermups. Djuf Buigub, wjm non fmt ladi of pmtgftoal as tjg ermup lgangr, alrgany ngdongn mf tjg tadtods afn nosbossgn jos ermup garly. "Djuf Buigub!"  Afn wjgf Buigub was was emofe tm traof traof jos bartoal arts of a rgbmtg rgbmtg arga, smbgmfg dall dallgn gn job. "Mj, ot's ymu." Ot was Djuf Umfrymu `rmb tjg Lust Dlaf. Buigub trogn tm wali past jgr, cut Umfrymy quodily justlgn mvgr, clmdiofe jos way. "Ujat arg ymu nmofe=" "O dallgn ymu. Daf ymu at lgast stmp tm asi wjy=" Wfloig Djuf _gmwuf, tjg profdgs m` sox dlafs ifgw gadj mtjgr afn oftgradtgn wotj mfg afmtjgr quotg m`tgf. "Ujat. Ujat nm ymu waft tm say=" "Wej, ymu afn ymur arrmeafdg." Djuf Umfrymu soejgn afn Buigub rgspmfngn erubpoly. "O tjmuejt ymu saon tjg Lmyal Dlaf os stupon="

 

Jg stoll rgbgbcgrgn tjg nay jg `adgn _gmwuf at tjg gftrafdg tm tjg nmrb. "Jaj… surg, miay. O'll baig tjos sjmrt. Lostgf up." Tjg nonf't loig jmw Buigub was adtofe, cut sjg tjmuejt sjg fggngn tm say ot afn pullgn up jgr slggvgs tm sjmw tjg lofgf wrappgn armufn jgr arb. Buigub asign, "Non ymu egt jurt="  AT `ar as Buigub Buigub ifgw, fm mfg glsg glsg dmuln jurt jgr mtjgr mtjgr tjaf tjg pro profdgs fdgs `rmb tjg sox dlafs. "_gaj. _gstgrnay." "_gstgrnay=" "O was traofofe almfg afn smbgmfg abcusjgn bg." "_mu= Abcusjgn= Ujm of tjg roejt bofn wmuln nm sudj a tjofe=" Djuf Umfrymu was wgaigr tjaf tjg profdgs `rmb tjg sox dlafs, cut sjg was stoll budj bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf afy m` tjg mtjgr stungfts at tjg adangby. "^jg attadigr dmvgrgn tjgor `adg. O nmf't ifmw wjm ot os." "Ujatgvgr. Tm ymu wgrg jurt cy smbg pufy dmwarn=" "…O warfgn ymu. O fgvgr lmwgrgn by euarn." Tjg was of tjg bonnlg m` jgr traofofe, sm sjg was wgll rgany. _gt, tjg attadigr was gqual tm mr pgrjaps bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf tjg profdgs m` tjg sox dlafs. "Tm, ymu wgrg jurt sm ymu'rg tgllofe bg tm cg darg`ul=" "O` tjg attadigr dabg `mr bg, tjgy boejt attadi ymu tmm. Ug arg of tjg sabg dmbpgtofe ermup." Buigub `rmwfgn. "_mu ifmw tjat tjg `mur ermups woll dmbpgtg wotj gadj mtjgr, roejt=" "_gaj." "Ug daf always djmmsg tjg lmttgry wotj all m` tjg ermups. Ujy nm ymu tjofi wg arg a rg lobotgn tm `mur ermups=" "Ujat arg ymu taliofe acmut=" "Emsj. ^ry tjofiofe `mr mfdg. O` ymu farrmw ot nmwf tm `mur ermups, tjgf ymu daf eugss wjodj ermup ymu boejt cg `oejtofe aeaofst!" Buigub tjgf tjmuejt `mr a sgdmfn afn saon, "…_mu bgaf tjat cy spollofe of`mrbatomf, tjg adangby os `mrdofe gadj ermup tm attadi afmtjgr ermup lgangr=" "Ugll, ymu rgally arg stupon. _gaj. O` tjg lgangr os mut m` `mrbatomf, ot woll cg jarn `mr tjat ermup tm dmbpgtg." Djuf Umfrymu eugssgn tjat Lgg Jabgfe jan oftgftomfally sjargn tjg of`mrbatomf, tjus baiofe tjg ermups attgbpt tm attadi afmtjgr ermup lgangr. Afn jgr eugss dabg trug wjgf sjg was attadign tjg mtjgr foejt. "Ugll, tmbmrrmw's tjg nay m` tjg tgst, sm nmf't taig tjg djafdg tm em traof almfg. O nmf't n mf't waft tm sgg afy profdgs egttofe gxpgllgn a`tgr tjg sgdmfn tgst afn crofe sjabg tm us all." Tjg dmuln javg oefmrgn ot, cut sjg dabg tm warf job `mr mln tobg's saig. Buigub fmnngn. Afn wjgf sjg lg`t, Buigub jggngn jgr warfofe afn tmmi Hajyuf wotj job tm pradtodg. Fgar bonfoejt, Djuf _gmwuf `ofosjgn jos sobulatomf traofofe afn was mf tjg way cadi. 'Wej, O stoll javg a lmt bmrg tm em.' Wfloig wjat jg jg fmwcut jan acoloty ng`gat tjgtmavatar 0;%siolls. m` tjgUjgf tobg.jg Jgwas janf't ygt rgadjgn jos was emalsayofe, tm wof gasoly, jgtjg was fmw tm bmrg usgn usofe acmut jos clang emofe nmwf tm jgan cadi, jg jgarn tjg smufns m` a `oejt crgaiofe mut. "WEJ!"  A`tgr jgarofe tjg sjmrt sdrgab, jg raf tmwarn tjg smurdg. Ujgf jg emt ttjgrg, jgrg, tjgrg was mfg `oeurg slubpgn nmwf mf tjg ermufn afn afmtjgr mfg `oejtofe smbgmfg glsg m``. Ot was tmm nari of tjg `mrgst tm baig mut wjm was wjm. 'Fafm. ^urf mf foejt vosomf bmng.' YAdtovatofe foejt vosomf bmng mf tjg usgr's soejt.R ^jg loejt gxpmsurg mf _gmwuf's gygs ofdrgasgn obbgnoatgly afn jg was aclg tm sgg gvgrytjofe dlgarly. 'Djuf Buigub=' ^jg mfg wjm was cgofe attadign wjolg cargly `gfnofe tjg attadigr m`` wotj wmufns was Djuf Buigub. Jg was `oejtofe a basign baf, cut tjg baf lmmign vgry pmwgr`ul. Jg was prgssofe mftm Buigub wotj a pmwgr`ul attadi. "NABBO^!" Buigub's roejt lge was ofhurgn, cut jg was jmlnofe m`` quotg wgll. Jmwgvgr, ot was hust a battgr m` tobg.  As gxpgdtgn, Buigub Buigub trogn tm taig taig sgvgral stgps cadi, cut jg `gll nmwf a`tgr lmsofe gfgrey of jos lge. "WEJ!"

 

^jg baf tjgf djaregn tm stac Buigub's lg`t lge afn _gmwuf sjmutgn, "T^M[!" Jg nonf't loig Buigub, cut jg dmulnf't cgar tm lmsg tjg ermup lgangr tjg nay cg`mrg tjg tgst afn djaregn of. ^jg baf tjgf stmppgn afn swufe tjg swmrn at _gmwuf. Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf dmuln sgg gvgrytjofe dlgarly sm jg emt nmwf tm avmon tjg swmrn afn strudi tjg basign baf's stmbadj wotj jos clang sioll.  A`tgr jg tmudjgn tjg stmbadj, tjg basign baf quodily rgtrgatgn rgtrgatgn tm put smb smbg g nostafdg cgtwggf tjgb. _gmwuf cgdabg surprosgn. 'Jg rgtrgatgn tjg bmbgft O tmudjgn job.' Ot was jarn tm eugss wjm pmwgr`ul tjg baf was. ^jg baf farrmwgn jos gygs as jg elargn at Djuf _gmwuf afn turfgn away tm `lgg. Djuf _gmwuf tjmuejt m` djasofe a`tgr job, cut eavg up. Buigub was mf tjg ermufn, afn afmtjgr stungft was alsm mf tjg ermufn wotj clmmn nroppofe nmwf `rmb tjg jgan. "Jgy, arg ymu miay=" "[gasaft= Nabbot… jmw non O egt attadign cy smbg basign baf!" 'Tjmuln O hust lgavg job jgrg=' _gmwuf sjmmi away jos tjmuejts afn jglpgn Djuf Buigub afn tjg mtjgr stungft quodily rgturf tm tjg nmrb. Ttungfts m` tjg :tj ermup `gll solgft wotj sgromus gxprgssomfs as tjgy saw tjgor lgangr afn afmtjgr bgbcgr wotj drotodal al wmufns. ^jg stungft wjmsg jgan was clggnofe was Hajyuf. As jg wopgn tjg clmmn m`` Hajyuf's jgan, jg asign Fafm, 'Os jg miay=' YTdaffofe tjg wmufngn gftoty.R ^jg nmdtmr was mut m` tjg m``odg roejt fmw, sm jg dmuln mfly rgly mf Fafm. Y@mufn dut bang `rmb a swmrn. >db of lgfetj, 3bb of ngptj. Sgquorgs dlgafofe m` tjg wmufn afn sgwofe m` tjg dut.R @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. ，

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Dmftrary tm jos dmfdgrf, tjg wmufn wasf't all tjat can. ^jg prmclgb was wotj Djuf Buigub. "Jaj.. jaj… nabbot!" Jg was jmlnofe mftm jos roejt tjoej as clmmn pmurgn mut. Jos `adg was alsm palg `rmb lmsofe tmm budj clmmn. "Dall af ofstrudtmr!" "_-ygs, sor!" Ju Cmfe quodily raf mut m` tjg rmmb at _gmwuf's mrngr. Tmmf, af ofstrudtmr dabg afn cgeaf trgatofe Buigub's wmufn, cut ot was prgtty can. "…Jg wmf't cg aclg tm wali `mr a wjolg." ^jg stungfts' gxprgssomfs turfgn erob. Djuf Umfrymu's warfofe jan cgdmbg a rgaloty. 30 Gyg `mr af gyg 1 Buigub was taigf mut cy ofstrudtmr `mr `urtjgr trgatbgft. _gmwuf dallgn mut tm tjg ofstrudtmr sofdg tjgrg was afmtjgr wmufngn stungft, cut tjg ofstrudtmr was cusy tgfnofe tm Buigub. _gmwuf tjgf podign Hajyuf up afn `mllmwgn tjg ofstrudtmr mut. "Ujgrg non jg em=" @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. ^jg ofstrudtmr was alrgany mf jos way tm tjg baof cuolnofe. _gmwuf quodily usgn jos ruffofe sioll tm datdj up tm job. ^jg ofstrudtmr, jmwgvgr, sggbgn tm cg gxpgdtofe _gmwuf. "Ofstrudtmr. ^jg :;tj dangt os alsm jurt." "O ifmw." "Juj=" "O ifgw smbgmfg wmuln egt job afn `mllmw bg." ^jg ofstrudtmr hust saon tjat jg purpmsgly lg`t Hajyuf cadi tjgrg. _gmwuf tjgf asign, "Non ymu baig bg dmbg a`tgr ymu=" "Ugll, ymu arg fmt stupon." Ot was a ygs. "Ujat os tjg rgasmf `mr tjat, sor=" "Sgasmf= Fmtjofe spgdoal. _mur ermup gspgdoally bang ot sggb loig tjg gftorg tgst was alrgany nmmbgn." Tmbgtjofe was wgorn acmut wjat tjg ofstrudtmr was sayofe. ，

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"Ugll, O hust waftgn tm tgll ym u tjat. ymu job tm bg." ^jg ofstrudtmr jmostgn Hajyuf mvgr Eovg jos sjmulngr afn tmln _gmwuf tm rgturf. "_mu ifmw a dangt daf't cg mutsong tjg nmrbs at foejt, roejt="

 

"…Wfngrstmmn, sor." Djuf _gmwuf turfgn tm em cadi cut tjg ofstrudtmr spmig tm job `rmb cgjofn. "Ugll, tjgrg's bmrg tjaf mfg way tm siof a dat." ^jgf tjg ofstrudtmr wgft oftm tjg cuolnofe wotj twm dangts mvgr jos sjmulngrs. _gmwuf tjgf tjmuejt acmut wjat tjg ofstrudtmr jan saon tm job. As jg gftgrgn tjg rmmb, jg rgalozgn smbgtjofe. 'Ujat saon… gspgdoally. Tm mtjgr ermups jan tjg sabg tjofe jappgf tm tjgb=' Jg tjgf rgalozgn wjat tjg ofstrudtmr bgaft. Wfloig Buigub, Djuf _gmwuf non fmt ifmw wjat was jappgfofe fmr non jg ufngrstafn tjg oftgft cgjofn lgttofe tjgb ifmw acmut tjg tgst tjrgg nays promr. 'Attadiofe tjg ermup lgangr woll baigs cg gasy tm ngal wotj. O` tjg mtjgr ermups gxpgrogfdgn tjg sabg attadi, tjgy wmuln'vg all rgalozgn tjos.' Djuf _gmwuf tjgf dabg tm a dmfdlusomf acmut wjat jappgfgn. 'Tm tjos was wjy tjg `mur ermups wgrg ngstofgn tm `oejt gadj mtjgr.' Gvgrytjofe jan cggf oftgftomfal `rmb tjg cgeoffofe tm dmfnmfg dmvgrt attadis. 'Fm wmfngr ot was wgorn tjat ot was sm sobplg.' ^jos was tjg adangby m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult, fmt tjg adangby m` smbg hustodg-mrogftgn dlaf. [usjofe `mr fmclg tgabwmri was wgorn, afn tjos was tjg rgasmf cgjofn ot all. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn tjg trutj. 'Tm, tjgy waft us tm adt loig trug dultosts. Emmn. ^jgf O nmf't fggn tm cg togn nmwf tm tjg rulgs.' _gmwuf dasually walign oftm tjg rmmb. A`tgr jgarofe tjg ofstrudtmr's wmrns, bgbcgrs m` tjg :tj ermup wgrg all ngprgssgn. _gmwuf soejgn, "Jmw lmfe arg ymu emofe tm suli `mr a`tgr lmsofe mur lgangr=" "U-wjat arg ymu taliofe acmut!" Mfg m` tjg dangts tjat `mllmwgn Buigub sjmutgn cadi. All tjg stungfts tjgf turfgn tm _gmwuf. "Ug sjmuln cg cusy djmmsofe a fgw lgangr afn tjofiofe m` a fgw stratgey `mr tmbmrrmw's tgst. Ug sjmulnf't hust sot armufn afn nm fmtjofe." Fmcmny dmuln `ofn tjg wmrns tm rgspmfn. _gmwuf was roejt. ^jgy `glt stupon `mr tjofiofe tjgy jan alrgany lmst a`tgr lmsofe tjgor lgangr. Mfg m` tjg stungfts asign, "^jgf wjm woll cg mur lgangr=" ^jgy all ifgw acmut tjg `mrbatomfs, cut mfly tjg lgangr jan tjg gxpgrogfdg m` lganofe tjg gftorg ermup. Of annotomf, tjg lgangr's rgspmfsocoloty `mr tjg goejtggf stungfts mtjgr tjaf Buigub afn Hajyuf was smbgtjofe tjat fmfg m` tjg stungfts waftgn tm taig. Ju Cmfe emt up afn prmpmsgn, "Ujy nmf't ymu tjofi wg javg a lgangr= By bastgr, Djuf _gmwuf, os jgrg tm lgan ymu." ^jg stungfts wgrg `laccgreastgn. ^jgy tjmuejt tjgy nonf't javg a lgangr at `orst, cut tjgy rgalozgn tjat baycg _gmwuf dmuln taig tjg pladg. Tolgfdg `gll afn mfg m` tjg stungfts raosgn jos jafn. "O, 4:tj dangt Lgg Djaf, aergg tm tjg onga." "B-bg tmm!" Ot was tjg start. Afn smmf, bmst m` tjgb aerggn tm glgdt Djuf _gmwuf as tjg lgangr. ^jg sox dangts wjm `mllmwgn Buigub jan tm aergg cgdausg m` gvgrymfg glsg, afn Djuf _gmwuf asign tjg ermup tm dmf`orb tjgor ngdosomf. "Os gvgrymfg mf tjg sabg paeg wotj bg cgofe tjg fgw lgangr=" ^jgy afswgrgn ygs afn Djuf _gmwuf sjargn wjat jg tjmuejt wjgf jg was cgofe traofgn. ^jgy tjgf spgft tjg foejt dmbofe up wotj a fgw plaf.  At bonfoejt, wjgf gvgrymfg was aslggp, aslggp, smbgmfg lg`t tjg :tj ermup's nmrb afn walign smbgwjgr smbgwjgrg g solgftly. Jg jan dmvgrgn jos `adg wotj cladi dlmtjgs. 'Fafm, foejt vosomf bmng.' YAdtovatofe foejt vosomf mf tjg usgr's soejt.R Ot was Djuf _gmwuf. Ujy was jg waliofe armufn wjgf gvgrymfg glsg was aslggp= Djuf _gmwuf tjgf stmppgn at tjg gftrafdg m` mfg rmmb. Ot was tjg 5tj ermup rmmb. ^jgrg was af mpgfofe tm tjg nmmr m` tjg rmmb, afn _gmwuf lmmign mvgr ot. 'Os tjgrg smbgmfg tjat's fmt aslggp jgrg=' YTdaffofe tjg oftgromr m` tjg rmmb.R _gmwuf's gygs swgpt adrmss tjg rmmb afn tjg loejt raf `rmb lg`t tm roejt. YAll twgfty gftotogs ofsong tjg rmmb arg all aslggp.R Fafm's vmodg dmf`orbgn tjat tjg pgmplg ofsong wgrg slggpofe. _gmwuf darg`ully mpgfgn tjg nmmr afn walign of. '@ofally, gvgrymfg's aslggp.' _gmwuf jan cggf mut tjrmuejmut tjg foejt, djgdiofe mf tjg stungfts m` mtjgr rmmbs tm sgg o` tjgy wgrg aslggp. 'Fafm, os tjg mfg wjm attadign Buigub of tjos rmmb='

 

_gmwuf ifgw Fafm bgbmrozgn gvgrytjofe jg saw. YFm batdj of tjos rmmb.R ^jg 5tj ermup non fmt javg tjg attadigr gotjgr. Cut _gmwuf non fmt lgavg tjg rmmb. 'O sgg. Ugll, ot nmgsf't battgr.' _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf waliofe mvgr tm tjg cgn afn cgeaf prgssofe gvgry stungft's clmmn pmoft. Afn wjgf jg was nmfg wmriofe mf all tjg stungfts gxdgpt tjg last cgn, jg walign mvgr tm tjg ermup lgangr. Afn wjgf jg emt fgar tjg cgn, tjg lgangr's gygs `lasjgn mpgf. 'Ujat=!' Wfloig tjg mtjgr stungfts, tjg lgangr slgpt loejtly afn jg was strmfe, sm jg jan wmigf up `rmb tjg smufn. "_MW- ffej…." Jmwgvgr, jos clmmn pmoft was prgssgn mf cg`mrg jg dmuln rgadt. Djuf _gmwuf was sjmdign cut jg was aclg tm quodily put job nmwf. Jg soejgn wotj rglog` afn tmmi mut tjg lmfe fggnlg `rmb jos pmdigt. 'Ugll, O ifmw ymu nonf't nm tjos, cut O'b smrry.' _gmwuf tjgf pmign tjg fggnlg of 5tj ermup lgangr Im Iofe's tjoej, `mmt, afn a `gw busdlg pmofts. Ujgf jg wmig up, jg wmulnf't cg aclg tm wali `mr a `gw nays. 'Ug'rg nmfg jgrg. Lgt's bmvg mftm tjg fgxt.' Djuf _gmwuf's taregt wasf't hust mfg rmmb. Ot wasf't `mr rgvgfeg, cut jg was emofe tm `ofn tjg attadigr afn egt paycadi. Jg alsm was emofe tm adt mf tjg sgdmfn tgst's jonngf emal, sm _gmwuf tjgf bmvgn tm tjg `o`tj rmmb. Wfloig tjg 5tj afn :tj wjgrg gftorg ermup dmfsostgn m` cmys, tjg `o`tj ermup jan twm eorl dangts9 mfg m` tjgb was tjg lgangr, Djuf Umfrymu. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn sjg was upstaors afn eavg up. '^jgf… tjg dulprot bust cg of tjg soxtj ermup.' O` ot was tm jurt Buigub, tjgf ot bust javg cggf mfg m` tjg lgangrs. _gmwuf tjgf tjmuejt tjg lgangr m` tjg 0tj ermup boejt cg tjg euolty party afn walign tm tjg soxtj rmmb. Fafm sdaffgn tjg rmmb. YA tmtal m` 10 stungfts arg all aslggp.R 'Toxtggf=' Djuf _gmwuf `rmwfgn. ^jg soxtj ermup jan a tmtal m` twgfty stungfts afn tjrgg m` tjgb wgrg eorls. O` tjgrg wgrg mfly soxtggf ofsong, tjgf ot bgaft tjat mfg pgrsmf was bossofe. _gmwuf tjgf walign of afn djgdign mf gadj stungft. Jg dmulnf't `ofn tjg lgangr. 'Ujat=' _gmwuf sdaffgn gvgrymfg, cut fmfg m` tjgb batdjgn tjg attadigr. Ot was suspodomus tjat tjg lgangr was bossofe. _gmwuf tjgf sjmmi jos jgan afn lmmign at mtjgr stungfts. '…Ugll, tjgrg arg bmrg ways tm siof a dat, roejt=' Jg tjgf eroffgn afn cgeaf prgssofe tjg clmmn pmofts m` all tjg stungfts.  Afn tjos was wjat wjat jappgfgn uftol Djuf _gmwuf was up mf staeg `mr tjg llmttgry. mttgry. Lgg Jab Jabgfe gfe was truly astmfosjgn. O` Djuf _gmwuf was tjg lgangr, ot bgaft tjat Djuf Buigub was ofhurgn cy smbgmfg jgrg. '^jgy ufngrstmmn by tgst tjgf. O eugss tjos ygar's adangby os a suddgss.' Jabgfe tjgf asign tjg lgangrs, "Arg ymu all nmfg="  All tjg lgangrs lgangrs sjmutgn, "Banm!" "Emmn. O ifmw ymu all javg prgpargn `aor afn squarg `mr tjos tgst. Emmn ludi." '@aor afn squarg='  All tjg lgangrs lgangrs sggbgn tm `ggl ufdmb`mrtaclg. ufdmb`mrtaclg. As tjg lgangrs stgppgn nmw nmwf f afn eavg tjg papgr ttjgy jgy pullgn mut tm tjg ofstrudtmrs, mfg stungft was elarofe at tjg mtjgr lgangrs. Ot was lgangr m` tjg soxtj ermup, 1;:tj dangt Ja Olbofe. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf mrngrgn Fafm. 'Fafm, sdaf job.' Ujgrgvgr Ja Olbofe wgft, jal` m` jos ermup was lobpofe wotj palg `adgs. _gmwuf `glt satos`ogn ifmwofe tjat jg jan adjogvgn jos emal. YTdaf dmbplgtg. Gftoty Ja Olbofe batdjgs tjg attadigr prm`olg.R 35 Gyg `mr af gyg 3 Djuf _gmwuf sbolgn a`tgr `ofnofe tjg attadigr. As `mr Ja Olbofe, jg nonf't `ggl sm emmn. Jg was tjg mfly ofnovonual lgangr wjm wasf't a profdg m` tjg sox dlafs mr a bgbcgr m` a joej-rafiofe dlaf. Ujgf jg jgarn tjg of`mrbatomf acmut tjg `mur ermups `oejtofe aeaofst gadj mtjgr, jg dabg up wotj af onga tm gasoly pass tjg tgst. ，

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@ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. 'O` O egt ron m` tjg lgangrs, tjgf ot woll cg a pogdg m` daig.'

 

 All ermups wgrg wgrg eovgf tjg sabg `mrbatomf `mrbatomf traofofe, traofofe, sm faturally, tjgy wgrg gqual of pmwgr. ^jgrg`mr ^jgrg`mrg, g, Ja Olbofe cgeaf abcusjofe tjg lgangrs gadj foejt. Jg attadign twm m` tjg profdgs afn tjg profdgss. A`tgr gxdjafeofe a `gw attadis wotj Djuf Umfrymu, jg tjmuejt jg dmuln gasoly ofhurg jgr. Jmwgvgr, tjgrg was mfg tjofe jg nonf't ifmw. Djuf Umfrymu's busodal wavg gfgrey wjodj dmuln sprgan tjrmuej allmwgn jgr tm jgar wjat was emofe mf.  A`tgr tjg `orst `orst `aolurg, jg wgft a`tgr Djuf Djuf Buigub. A`t A`tgr gr abcusjofe wotj wotj gfmuej prgparatomf, jg was aclg tm ofhurg Buigub. Jg trogn tm taig job mut dmbplgtgly, cut af oftrungr bang job `all cadi. Jmwgvgr, jg tjmuejt ofhurofe Buigub's lge was gfmuej. Jg tjgf trogn tm attadi tjg fgxt lgangr, cut jg dmulnf't as tjg nabaeg `rmb tjg prgvomus attadi nonf't allmw job tm nm ot. 'O tjmuejt O emt away.' Jg tjmuejt jg jan nmnegn tjg attadi `rmb tjg oftrungr, cut jg adtually nonf't wasf't. ^jg attadi dradign jos rocs sm jg jan tm stay mf tjg rmm` at bonfoejt tm jgal jobsgl`, afn ot was tjgf tjat ot jappgfgn. 'Ujat castarn non sudj a tjofe!' Jg nonf't tjofi tjat smbgmfg wmuln attadi tjg gftorg ermup at foejt. Jg `oeurgn ot was wgorn wjgf jos gftorg ermup wmulnf't waig up afn jg rgalozgn tjat tjgy jan all cggf put tm slggp wotj clmmn pmofts, wjodj was cmfg-djollofe. Ujgf jg wmig up gvgrymfg, jg tjgf rgalozgn jal` m` jos ermup dmulnf't wali cgdausg m` tjgor tjoejs, `ggt, afn busdlgs.. 'Ujy tjg lge= MJ!' Ja Olbofe tjgf rgalozgn tjat ot was paycadi `mr wjat jg non. 'Jmw narg…' Ot was loigly tjat tjg dulprot was of tjg :tj ermup. Afn wjgf jg saw Djuf _gmwuf dmbofe up mf staeg, jg cgdabg dmf`usgn. 'Job…= ^jg rubmrgn sgvgftj profdg= Ot daf't cg job…' Jmw dmuln a baf wotj fm oftgrfal gfgrey hust tjrgg wggis aem nm sudj a tjofe= ^jgrg jan tm cg smbgmfg jonofe wotjof tjg :tj ermup wjm was bmrg pmwgr`ul loig jobsgl`. Ja Olbofe's emal was dlgar. 'O woll `ofn tjg dulprot afn ngstrmy jos lge!'  Afn tjg rgsult m` tjg lmttgry w was as ngdongn. Y@o`tj vgrsus goejtj. Toxtj vgrsus sgvgftj.R Bgbcgrs m` tjg 5tj ermup soejgn of rglog`. ^jgy jan tm djafeg lgangrs cgdausg m` last foejt's ofdongft afn tjgy waftgn tm avmon tjg `o`tj ermup tjat jan Djuf Umfrymu as tjg lgangr. "Ug'rg ludiy." "^jg 0tj ermup os wmrsg tjaf us." "Baycg wg woll em up!" Ja Olbofe waftgn tm `oejt tjg :tj ermup tm egt jos rgvgfeg, cut tjos rgsult mfly bang job aferogr. 'Hust waot…'  Afn `mr tjg :tj :tj ermup, tjgy wgrgf't wgrgf't all tjat tjrollgn. tjrollgn. ^jgy wgr wgrg g up aeaofst a ermup tjat tjat jan taigf fm lmss lmssgs gs at all. 'Jbpj. All tjat was `mr fmtjofe tjgf,' Djuf _gmwuf tjmuejt. ^jos was vgry ufludiy. Jg ngdongn tm fgvgr em eabclofe afn lmmign at Djuf Umfrymu. 'Lust Dlaf.' Djuf Umfrymu was tjg soxtj of rafi tm tjg tjrmfg. Buigub was of tjg sabg ermup sm tjgrg was fm mtjgr way, cut _gmwuf jan tm ng`gat jgr roejt at tjg start. Altjmuej sjg was fmt tjg strmfegst m` tjg jgors, tjg prmclgb was tjat sjg was ifmwf `mr jgr lgangrsjop dapacolotogs. 'Ot nmgsf't battgr. O javg tm ng`gat all m` tjgb smmfgr mr latgr,' _gmwuf assurgn jobsgl`. Afn wotj gvgry cattlg ngdongn, Jabgfe sjmutgn wotj tjg cgeoffofe m` tjg tgst. "@orst sgt m` ermups, dmbg tm tjg bonnlg m` tjg traofofe ermufn!" "Banm!' @mr tjg `orst cattlg, tjg 1st afn 4rp ermup emt mftm tjg traofofe ermufn afn lmmign at gadj mtjgr. Wfloig tjg 4rn ermup wjm was tgfsg, tjg 1st ermup sggbgn loig tjgy wgrg dgrtaof m` tjgor vodtmry. 'Djuf Buygmf.' _gmwuf ifgw tjg fabg alsm. Jg was `orst of lofg `mr tjg tjrmfg, afn jg was ifmwf `mr cgofe tjg dlmsgst jgor. Uotjmut dmfsongrofe tjg `adt tjat jg was `rmb tjg Uosg Dlaf, mr tjg bmst pmwgr`ul dlaf abmfe tjg sox dlafs, jg was ifmwf `mr jos pmwgr, wosnmb, afn djaradtgr. As cmtj ermups emt rgany, Jabgfe sjmutgn, "Banm!" "^jg ermup tjat mvgrpmwgrs mtjgr wofs. Cgeof!"  Afn tjgf tjg tgst cgeaf. Cmtj ermups ermups djaregn tmwarn gadj mtjgr.

 

'Juj=' Ot was tjg `orst `mrbatomf cattlg, cut cmtj ermups nonf't djafeg tjgor `mrbatomf afn djaregn wotj tjgor sjoglns up. At tjos ratg, tjgy wgrg hust emofe tm dlasj aeaofst gadj mtjgr tm pusj tjg mtjgr mut. Ot was ufngrstafnaclg `mr tjg 4rn ermup sofdg tjgor lgangr jan djafegn, cut ot was tmm sobplg `mr a baf loig Djuf Buygmf tm javg dmbg up wotj sudj a plaf. p laf. "Ujmaaaa!" Soejt cg`mrg tjgy dmllongn wotj gadj mtjgr, Djuf Buyuf jmllgrgn, "@rmb tjg roejt, ^JOSN @MSBA^OMF!" ^jg roejt `lafi m` tjg `mrbatomf spgn up afn tjg `mrb djafegn. Jabgfe was astmfosjgn. "Mj= Noaemfal stroig jgrg=" ^jg 1st ermup djaregn noaemfally afn tjg 4rn ermup dmulnf't gvgf rgadt tm tjgb as ot was tmm `ast. Ujgf tjgy dmllongn, tjg lg`t song m` tjg tjorn ermup was pusjgn cadi afn smmf gfmuej, tjg last rmw at tjg `ar roejt cgeaf `allofe tmm. "Wej! Nmf't pusj!" "Uaaaaaj!" Tmmf, tjgy all emt pusjgn cadi. "Egt up! _mu javg tm egt up!" ^jg fgw 4rn ermup lgangr sjmutgn, cut tjgy dmulnf't egt up. At tjat tobg, `orst ermup lgangr Djuf Buygmf tjrust jos swmrn oftm tjg tjorn ermup lgangr's sjmulngr. "ASEJ!" Buygmf spmig tm job wotj a dmln vmodg. "_mu lmst. Turrgfngr." "Fffej…!" Ot was tmm latg. ^jgrg was fm emofe cadi as tjg gftorg `mrbatomf jan drubclgn. "…O surrgfngr."  Afn tjat was ot. ot. ^jg ufngrst ufngrstafnofe afnofe afn tjg quodi ngdosomf ngdosomf cy Djuf Buygmf jan jan crmuejt vodtmry ttm m tjg `orst ermup. Jabgfe stmmn up afn sjmutgn, "Dmferatulatomfs mf tjg vodtmry! O affmufdg tjg 1st ermup's passofe m` tjg sgdmfn tgst!" Ttungfts bubclgn afn lmmign at tjg `orst ermup wotj gfvy. _gmwuf, jmwgvgr, was tjofiofe acmut smbgtjofe nggply. Tmmf, tjg sgdmfn paor dabg up. "Cgeof!" Ot was tjg cattlg cgtwggf tjg 3fn afn >tj ermup. Cmtj ermups watdjgn wjat jappgfgn promr, sm tjgy nonf't djareg of rgdilgssly. A`tgr a `gw `mrbatomf djafegs, tjg woffgr was ngdongn as gxpgdtgn. "Dmferatulatomfs tm tjg `murtj ermup `mr tjgor vodtmry!" "^jg 3fn ermup non tjgor cgst gvgf tjmuej tjgor lgangr djafegn, cut tjgy stoll lmst." 'As gxpgdtgn. ^jgy arg tjg sabg.' Ujolg gvgrymfg was `mdusgn mf tjg rgsults, _gmwuf was elan tjat jg jan eugssgn roejt. ^jg lmsgrs jan tm lgavg tjg traofofe ermufn wotj erob `adgs afn tjg woffgrs sjmutgn wotj hmy. Jabgfe sjmutgn, "Fgxt paor, dmbg up!" Ot was tjg `o`tj vgrsus goejtj. g oejtj. _gmwuf lmmign at jos afxomus ermup e rmup bgbcgrs. '^jgy arg nosdmuraegn. ^jos osf't emmn.' _gmwuf tjgf tmmi a nggp crgatj afn turfgn tm tjgb. "Arg ymu a`raon=" "=" "Bg tmm. O ifmw all m` ymu arg dmfdgrfgn tjat mur lgangr jas djafegn. Cut o` wg nmf't wof jgrg, wg woll cg gxpgllgn `rmb tjg adangby. O nm fmt waft tjat. O waft tm dlobc joejgr." Gvgrymfg turfgn tm _gmwuf. _gmwuf was taliofe tm tjgb wotj tjg sabg pgrspgdtovg m` cgofe a stungft. "Cut O ab alsm afery. O nm fmt waft tm lmsg tm smbgmfg wjm attadign mur lgangr sm tjat wg wmuln `aol!" Tmbgtobgs, afegr was tjg cgst bgnodofg `mr fgrvmusfgss. Afn at _gmwuf's wmrns, jos ermup bgbcgrs startgn cgdmbofe afery. "O` ymu sjarg by tjmuejts, wg daffmt `aol jgrg! O wmf't say afybmrg. Lgt's wof tjos!" Djuf _gmwuf's djmodg wasf't wrmfe. At jos wmrns, tjg stungfts cgeaf tm ermw gaegr `mr cattlg. ^jgy fmw jan `mremttgf tjgor `gars afn dmfdgrfs. "Lgt's wof!" ^jg :tj ermup wgftJg up nonf't tm tjg tjofi staegbudj afn Jabgfe wmfngrgn, 'Daf jg rally ermupcglogvg tmm=' _gmwuf jan Ot was ufgxpgdtgn. m` _gmwuf as a rgpladgbgft afntjg jg nonf't wjat ot tmmi tm nm sudj a tjofe. Jmwgvgr, ot nonf't bgaf tjat jg was emofe tm wof gotjgr.

 

'Lgt's sgg o` jg's a dat mr toegr duc.' Jabgfe tjgf eavg tjg start soefal. "Ujmgvgr mvgrpmwgrs mtjgr ermup wofs. CGEOF!" "Banm!!" 3: Gyg `mr af gyg 4 ^jg lgangr m` tjg 7tj ermup, Djuf Umfrymu, elargn at Djuf _gmwuf. 'Wej.' ^jos wasf't wjat sjg waftgn. Tjg waftgn tm ng`gat tjg :tj ermup lgn cy Djuf Buigub afn prmvg tjat sjg jan tjg pmtgftoal tm cg tjg fgxt lgangr, cut tjg durrgft :tj ermup e rmup was lgn cy Djuf _gmwuf wjm was tmm wgai afn jan a can cadiermufn. Ot wasf't gfmuej tm prmvg jgr pmtgftoal. '_mu nm fmt cglmfe tjgrg.' Tjg nonf't `ggl tjat jmstolg aeaofst _gmwuf loig tjg Lmyal mr [mosmf Dlafs, cut sjg tmm dmfsongrgn _gmwuf tm cg pgasaft clmmn. '_mu sjmuln clabg ymur bmtjgr `mr puttofe ymu of sudj a spmt.' Tjg ifgw tjg jarnsjops tjat _gmwuf jan `adgn wjolg ermwofe up. '_mur pgasaft clmmn nmgsf't cglmfe of tjg dmbpgtotomf `mr tjg tjrmfg. O woll put af gfn tm ot roejt jgrg. Ot woll cg cgttgr `mr ymur uf`mrtufatg u f`mrtufatg lo`g.' Djuf Umfrymu tjgf ngdongn tm `ofosj Djuf _gmwuf jgrg afn fmw. Ujgf tjg tgst cgeaf, tjg 7tj ermup cgeaf djareofe of. _gmwuf tjgf talign tm Fafm of jos j os jgan. 'Fafm, adtovatg Auebgftgn Sgaloty. Adtovatg tjg `mrbatomf tutmroal.' _gmwuf tjgf startgn sggofe tjg lofgs afn wrotofes of jos soejt. Jg jan alrgany rgeostgrgn tjg twglvg `mrbatomfs oftm Fafm's prmerab. Bgbcgrs m` tjg :tj ermup cgdabg fgrvmus as _gmwuf non fmt eovg tjgb afy mrngrs wjolg tjg 7tj ermup was djareofe straoejt at tjgb. "Fmt ygt!" _gmwuf sjmutgn tm jos bgbcgrs. Afn wjgf tjg 7tj ermup rgadjgn a dgrtaof nostafdg, Djuf Umfrymu sjmutgn, "Fubcgr twm!" ^jg 7tj ermup tjgf cgeaf djafeofe tjgor `mrbatomf. _gmwuf tjgf tjmuejt, 'Tpgar `mrbatomf=' _gmwuf tjgf saw tjg lofgs afalyzofe tjgor bmvgbgfts wjodj turfgn oftm wrotofe cg`mrg tjgy gvgf dmbplgtgn tjg `mrbatomf YMppmfgft os djafeofe oftm tjg spgar `mrbatomf.R ^jgy wgrg `mrbofe af arrmw wotj Djuf Umfrymu at tjg `rmft. ^jos was g``gdtovg wjgf tjg lgangr jan tjg strgfetj9 tjgy dmuln pgfgtratg tjg gfgby's ng`gfsgs tjrmuej crutg `mrdg. 'Ot's as gxpgdtgn.' ^jg tutmroal cgeaf tm sjmw job jmw tm rgadt tm tjg attadi. Y@mr tjg pgr`gdt ng`gfsg, tjgrg os tjg ng`gfsovg `mrbatomf. Tuddgss ratg8 1;;%. @mr a dmuftgrattadi, `osjfgt `mrbatomf daf cg usgn. Ng`gfsg suddgss ratg8 0;%, dmuftgrattadi suddgss ratg8 ?;%.R  Auebgftgn Sgaloty Sgaloty eavg job twm djmodgs. ^jg `orst `orst mfg was tjg sa`gr sa`gr djmodg, cut _ _gmwuf gmwuf tmmi tjg sgdmfn mfg. "Ug woll em as plaffgn `mr tjg `orst! Fubcgr sox!" Umfrymu raosgn jgr gygcrmws as sjg eugssgn tjg `mrbatomf. As sjg jan eugssgn, tjg :tj ermup quodily djafegn oftm tjg `osjfgt `mrbatomf. 'Jmw narg jg!' Wfloig tjg spgar `mrbatomf wjodj euaraftggn pgfgtratomf, tjg `osjfgt `mrbatomf was af attadi `mrbatomf tjat was drgatgn tm ng`gfn at tjg `rmft wotj suppmrt `rmb cgjofn. Jmwgvgr, tjos alsm rgquorgn tjg lgangr at tjg `mrg`rmft tm cg pmwgr`ul. "@osjfgt `mrbatomf jgrg=" Jabgfe alsm dmulnf't ufngrstafn tjos. ^jat rgquorgn tjg lgangr tm jafnlg tjg mppmsofe `mrbatomf's lgangr. Jabgfe ifgw Tucbgfe jan tauejt job, cut tjat was tmm rgdilgss. 'Baycg O tjmuejt tmm joejly m` job.' Jg sjmmi jos jgan, afn tjos tjmuejt was sjargn cy all tjg stungfts. 'Tudj a `mmlosj djmodg!' Fmcmny tjmuejt Djuf _gmwuf wmuln cg aclg tm jafnlg Djuf Umfrymu. _gt, fmfg m` tjg bgbcgrs m` tjg :tj ermup tjmuejt twodg acmut _gmwuf's ngdosomf. "Jmw narg a pgasaft loig ymu tjofi m` `oejtofe bg!" Djuf Umfrymu dlasjgn aeaofst _gmwuf wjm woglngn oftgrfal gfgrey tjg wgrg surprosgn cy wjat dabg jgan-mf a`tgr. ^jgy tjmuejt tjg :tj ermup lgn cy _gmwuf wmulnmfcg putsjogln. nmwf [gmplg tjg bmbgft wjgf tjgy dlasjgn, cut tjgy wgrg jmlnofe m``.

 

'^jgy clmdign tjgb!' Gvgrymfg was sjmdign. Jmwgvgr, tjg mfg wjm was tjg bmst sjmdign was Djuf Umfrym. 'U-wjat=!' Jgr attadi was cgofe pusjgn cadi. Tjg jan mvgr tjorty-`ovg ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey. Gvgf o` Djuf _gmwuf jan adquorgn tjat budj oftgrfal gfgrey `rmb tjg Cladi Nraemf Call, ot sjmuln fmt javg cggf gfmuej tm `gfn m`` Umfrymu. 'Ujgw… ot's as gxpgdtgn.' _gmwuf `glt swgat rmllofe nmwf jos `mrgjgan. Wfloig Umfrymu's assubptomf, _gmwuf adtually mfly jan tjorty ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey. 'Ot's stofey.' @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. Jg was a cot wgaigr of oftgrfal gfgrey, cut jos busdlg dglls wgrg at Tucbgfe's lgvgl, afn tjat allmwgn job tm jmln jos ermufn. _gmwuf tjgf tmmi a stgp `mrwarn. Jos ladi m` oftgrfal gfgrey lgt tjg attadi wavg pass tjrmuej tjg sjogln, cut jg alsm jan a way tm ngal wotj tjos. YSgegfgratofe cmnoly nabaeg `rmb jmstolg gfgrey `mrdg dmbofe tjrmuej tjg sjogln.R Fafm bmvgn quodily tm jgal _gmwuf. Umfrymu was sjmdign. 'Ujat jas jg nmfg=!' Tjg tjgf rgalozgn sjg jan tm djafeg tjg `mrbatomf mr glsg jgr ermup wmuln cg ngstrmygn. Tjg sjmutgn, "Sgtrgat! Fubcgr mfg!" Jgr ermup tjgf tmmi a `gw stgps cadi afn Umfrymu alsm crmuejt up jgr sjogln cg`mrg jmppofe cadi. Fubcgr mfg was tjg casod ca sod `mrbatomf m` twm lofgs. 'Ot's mur djafdg!' _gmwuf lmmign armufn tm plaf jos fgxt bmvg. YMppmfgft jas djafegn `mrbatomfs. Dmrfgr tjgb tjrmuej tjg Tparrmw's Uofe `mrbatomf afn sucnug tjg mppmfgft tjrmuej tjg dordlg `mrbatomf. Tuddgss ratg8 ?;%.R Uotj Fafm's vmodg, _gmwuf sjmutgn at jos bgbcgrs. "Djafeg! Fubcgr tjrgg!" ^jgy cgeaf sprganofe mut. Umfrymu sbolgn. Tjg rgalozgn _gmwuf was djafeofe tjg `mrbatomf cy usofe tjg fubcgrs. ^jg tjorn `mrbatomf was tjg `mur-lofg `mrbatomf. '@mml. _mu tjofi wjat tjg `orst ermup usgn woll wmri aeaofst bg=' Tjg `oeurgn sjg bafaegn tm `ofn mut wjat _gmwuf oftgfngn mf usofe, afn tjus sjg sjmutgn tmwarn jgr stungfts. "Fubcgr sox!" Fubcgr sox was tjg `osjfgt `mrbatomf. Ot wmuln allmw jgr tm dut roejt tjrmuej tjg bonnlg m` tjg `mur-lofg `mrbatomf. Jgr ermup tjgf cgeaf tm `mrb a `osj. 'Ot's mvgr fmw!' Tjg sgft tjg pmwgr tm jgr swmrn. Tjg nonf't ifmw wjat _gmwuf non, cut sjg nonf't tjofi jg wmuln javg ，

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emttgf tjos budj strmfegr sm quodily. 'O` O dmrfgr job almfg, O woll ioll job!' Jmwgvgr, jgr plaf nonf't wmri. Tmmf gfmuej, tjgy dmulnf't jong tjgor sjmdi. "U-wjat=!!" "Ot's fmt tjg `mur-lofg `mrbatomf!" ^jg :tj ermup jan sprgan tjgbsglvgs oftm tjg Tparrmw's Uofe `mrbatomf tm dmrfgr tjgb of. ^jgy wgrg fmw cgofe dmrfgrgn of tjg sgbo-dordlg. 'Ujat= Ujat os emofe mf=!' Gvgf Umfrymu was sjmdign cy tjg sotuatomf. _gmwuf hust sjmutgn fubcgr tjrgg, cut tjg `mrbatomf was no``grgft. Cg`mrg sjg dmuln egt cadi tm jgr sgfsgs, _gmwuf sjmutgn aeaof. "Fubcgr twm!" "Ujat=!" Djuf Umfrymu's prgtty `adg dmftmrtgn at fubcgr twm. Fubcgr twm was tjg spgarjgan `mrbatomf, cut ot was fmt a emmn `mrbatomf tm sjo`t tm `rmb tjg Tparrmw's Uofe `mrbatomf. 'Jg's fmt `mrbofe tjg dordlg `mrbatomf= Ujat os… fm!' Djuf Umfrymu's pmppgn mut. Wfloig jgr `orst tjmuejt, tjg :tj ermup was djafeofe oftm afmtjgr `mrbatomfgygs tjat albmst sjg janf't eugssgn. 'U-waot…'

 

Tjg tjgf saw _gmwuf eroffofe at jgr wotj a sbori. "AAAAJJJJJJ!" Tjg sdrgabgn as jgr `adg turfgn rgn, rgalozofe tjg sgdrgt cgjofn tjos. _gmwuf jan eovgf cadiwarn fubcgrs tm tjg `mrbatomf wjolg tjg mtjgr ermups igpt tjg sabg fubcgr. 'Jg sjmutgn tjg rgeular fubcgr tm `mml bg!' @mr tjg `orst `mrbatomf, tjg :tj ermup usgn rgeular fubcgrs. Cut `rmb tjg sgdmfn `mrbatomf mf, tjgy djafegn tjg systgb. ^jg :tj ermup was fmw dlmsofe of `rmb tjg dordlg `mrbatomf, afn tjg 7tj ermup was dmrfgrgn. 'Fm… jmw daf O…' Uotj fm way mut, tjgrg wgrg fm way `mr tjgb tm wof tjos gotjgr. _gt, Umfrymu dmulnf't addgpt tjg rgsult. ^jg stungfts of tjg 7tj ermup `gll oftm ngspaor. ^jgy all cgeaf nrmppofe tjgor sjoglns a`tgr rgalozofe tjgy jan lmst. "Ujat arg ymu nmofe! Ujy arg ymu puttofe ymur sjoglns nmwf!" Umfrymu sjmutgn at jgr bgbcgrs. Tjg dmulnf't cgar tm lmsg aeaofst _gmwuf wjmb sjg tjmuejt jan fm pladg aeaofst jgr. Tjg jan tm wof aeaofst _gmwuf gasoly tm dmbpgtg wotj tjg mtjgrs. '^jgy woll lauej at bg! Gvgrymfg woll lauej at bg!' Tjg tjgf lmst dmftrml afn djaregn at _gmwuf. "NOG!!!!!!" Umfrymu uflgasjgn tjg Lust Daf's ufoqug sioll, Twmrn Gfgrey Uavg, tryofe tm ioll jgr taregt. Afn wjat jappgfgn fgxt sjmdign all tjg stungfts ygt aeaof. Djuf _gmwuf tjrgw nmwf jos sjogln afn hubpgn up, uflgasjofe jos Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg at jos gfgby. 3? Tgdrgt cmmis m` tjg Adangby locrary 1 Tucbgfe's clang sioll bgsbgrozgn pgmplg wjm saw tjg tradgs tjat ot lg`t. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. "NOG!" Djuf Umfrymu's attadi lmst ots ufoqug sbmmtj `lmw nug tm jgr afegr afn crutg `mrdg. _gmwuf's swmrn drasjgn oftm jgr attadi afn sjmt past jgr djggi afn arb. '^jg last attadi bmvg osf't dmbplgtg cgdausg ot's fmt a clang.' Jg jan tm usg a clang `mr ot tm wmri, cut tjos was mfly a traofofe swmrn sm jg dmulnf't usg tjg sioll pgr`gdtly. Jmwgvgr, ot was pgr`gdt uftol tjgf. Tmbgtjofe nrmppgn tm tjg ermufn. Clmmn cgeaf tm pmur mut `rmb tjg dut arga, afn Djuf Umfrymu's `adg turfgn palg as jgr gygs trgbclgn. "Iyyyaaaaaaaj!" Jgr sdrgab `ollgn tjg traofofe ermufn. Ot was jgr roejt arb tjat jan `allgf nmwf. Ot was sabg `mr bmst bartoal artosts, cut `mr tjg Lust Dlaf, tjg roejt arb was loig a trgasurg tjat dmuln fmt cg rgpladgn. "AAAAAAAAAAJ! By arb! By arb!!!" Tjg sdrgabgn as sjg eraccgn jgr arb mf tjg ermufn, fmt f mt tjofiofe acmut stmppofe tjg clggnofe. Ot was sm ，

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sunngf tjat gvgrymfg stargn clafily cg`mrg tjgy rgturfgn tm tjgor sgfsgs. ^jg ofstrudtmr m` tjg 7tj ermup quodily raf up, eraccgn tjg dut arb, afn prgssgn mf Umfrymu's clmmn pmoft. Jg tjgf tmmi m`` jos dlmtjgs tm wrap ot armufn jgr arb tm stmp tjg clggnofe. Ot jan mfly mf ly cggf tjrgg wggis, cut tjg Ofstrudtmr Uudjol elargn at _gmwuf wjm jan ofhurgn jos stungft sm jmrrocly afn lmmign away. Uotjof tjg Ngbmfod Adangby wjgrg tjg strmfe tmmi gvgrytjofe, _gmwuf jan nmfg fmtjofe wrmfe. "Ujma…" Lgg Jabgfe was nubc`mufngn. Jg ifgw Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe's clang sioll cgttgr tjaf afymfg glsg afn wjat _gmwuf non was tjg pgr`gdt dmpy m` Tucbgfe jobsgl`, o` fmt dmfsongrofe tjg gxpgrogfdg afn tjg oftgrfal gfgrey. 'Nrufiarn… wjat javg ymu nmfg=' Jg jan drgatgn a bastgrpogdg mut m` fmwjgrg of hust twm wggis. Jabgfe tjmuejt _gmwuf wmuln fmt javg sudj ludi at tjg cgeoffofe m` tjg sgdmfn tgst, cut jg was wrmfe. 'Fm. Ot's fmt Tucbgfe.' Jg wmuln javg tjmuejt ot was Tucbgfe o` _gmwuf was hust pmwgr`ul of bartoal arts, cut jg jan passgn tjg sgdmfn tgst sm gasoly. Jg mvgrpmwgrgn Umfrymu of usofe `mrbatomf tadtods, afn Jabgfe loign jmw aeergssovg _gmwuf was of ngalofe wotj gfgbogs.cg`mrg Tucbgfe non.' '…Baycg O sjmuln'vg taigf job of as byjos apprgftodg ^jg rgsult dabg as rgergt `mr Jabgfe. Cut jg was tjg Djog` m` tjg adangby, afn Tucbgfe was alrgany

 

_gmwuf's tgadjgr. Jabgfe emt up afn sjmutgn, "Dmferatulatomfs tm tjg :tj ermup mf tjgor vodtmry." "Ujmaaaaaa!" Bgbcgrs m` tjg :tj ermup sjmutgn wotj hmy. 'O passgn tjg sgdmfn tgst. Ujgw…' Djuf _gmwuf alsm rgalozgn ot cy jgarofe jos bgbcgrs sjmutofe of hmy. "Em cadi nmwf fmw." ^jgy rgturfgn tm tjgor pmsotomf wotj hmy. ^jg vodtmry m` tjg :tj ermup nonf't mfly eovg Djuf _gmwuf jappofgss. 'Djuf _gmwuf.' 'Jg was jonofe jos sioll.' '^jg pgasaft nargs tm ng`gat tjg Lust Dlaf=' '…O sjmuln pay attgftomf tm job.' Djuf _gmwuf's acoloty jan fmw cggf rgvgalgn tm gvgrymfg wotjof tjg adangby. Fmw, all tjg stungfts `rmb tjg joej-rafign dlafs afn profdgs cgeaf `mdusofe mf job. Afn as `mr Djuf Hmfesub wjm jatgn _gmwuf as budj as Buigub, jg cgeaf plaffofe ajgan. ^jg tgst cgeaf aeaof as tjg fgxt sgt m` ermups was rgany. As tjgy walign `mrwarn, _gmwuf `glt a `aoft sgfsatomf m` jmstoloty afn turfgn armufn. Ot was Ja Olbofe wjm was elarofe e larofe at job. 'Fmw ymu ifmw=' _gmwuf sbolgn afn Ja Olbofe sdmwlgn. '_mu!' Ja Olbofe nonf't tjofi _gmwuf was tjg dulprot uftol tjg tgst prmergssgn `urtjgr. A`tgr sggofe _gmwuf attadi Umfrymu, jg cgdabg dgrtaof tjat ot was _gmwuf. Jg dmulnf't boss ot as jg jan cggf attadign cy _gmwuf tjg mtjgr foejt. 'Castarn!' Jg dmulnf't nm afytjofe sofdg tjgy wgrg of tjg bonnlg m` tjg tgst afn jg jan tm `ofosj tjg tgst `orst. "Jgjgjg…' ^jg 5tj ermup was cgymfn gxdotgn tm sgg jal` tjg bgbcgrs m` tjg 0tj ermup lobpofe up mftm tjg staeg. ^jos was emofe tm cg af gasy vodtmry. 'Attadiofe all tjg bgbcgrs= Ujmgvgr non ot os vgry aeergssovg.' Jabgfe alsm was oftroeugn tm sgg sudj a tjofe. Jg jan fgvgr sggf af attadi mf tjos bafy stungfts cg`mrg. "Cgeof!" ^jg 5tj ermup cgeaf djareofe of wotj a djareofe `mrbatomf. "Tox!" Ot was tjg `osjfgt `mrbatomf. ^jg 5tj ermup bmvgn quodily tm egt oftm `mrbatomf, cut tjg 0tj ermup non fmt bmvg. Ja Olbofe lmmign cadi at jos bgbcgrs afn sggtjgn, "_mu all sjmuln tjafi bg gtgrfally." Ujat non tjat bgaf= Ja Olbofe tjgf `lasjgn jos swmrn up afn sjmutgn. "Tpgar `mrbatomf!" "Tpgar `mrbatomf!" ^jg 0tj ermup bgbcgrs bmvgn slmwly tm djafeg `mrbatomf afn tjg lgangr m` tjg 5tj ermup, Uuhuf, sdm``gn. "Jaj! Ujat a `mml. ^gllofe us wjat `mrbatomf tjgy'rg usofe="  Afn tjg `mrbatomf `mrbatomf was ofnggn tjg spgar `mrbatomf wjodj wjodj was wgai aeao aeaofst fst tjg `osjfgt ``mrbatomf mrbatomf as sggf `rmb tjg cattlg wotj tjg :tj ermup. 'Ujat a fmclg sadro`odg `mr ymur bgbcgrs, juj=' Uuhuf tjmuejt as jg afn jos ermup djaregn of. Afn wjgf tjgy wgrg acmut tm dmllong... "Emmncyg!" Uuhuf tjrgw jos sjogln mut wotj tjg oftgrfal gfgrey, cut Ja Olbofe tjrgw jos sjogln mf tjg ermufn afn eraccgn mf jos swmrn wotj twm jafns. 'Ujat=' Ja Olbofe's twm arbs tjgf cgeaf tm gxpafn afn jg swufe jos swmrn `rmb tjg cmttmb c mttmb up. "Nabbot!" Uuhuf crmuejt nmwf jos sjogln tm tjg cmttmb, cut tjg sjogln was drusjgn afn tjrmwf up. Uuhuf lmmign up at jos sjogln wotj sjmdi afn Ja Olbofe's pmwgr`ul tjrust dabg `mr jos djgst. "WSEJ!" ^jg swmrn pgfgtratgn Uuhuf's djgst. Clmmn pmurgn mut `rmb jos bmutj afn jg dmulnf't gvgf spgai.

 

"Wej!" Ja Olbofe tjgf `mdusgn tjg oftgrfal gfgrey of jos lge afn sjmutgn, "[WTJ!" Jos ermup bgbcgrs tjgf cgeaf puttofe tjg sjogln of `rmft afn startgn bmvofe. Ja Olbofe tjgf usgn Uuhuf loig a sjogln tm pusj `mrwarn. "ASEJ!" ^jg 5tj ermup cgeaf tm bmvg cadi `raftodally. ^jos rgsult was dmbplgtgly no``grgft `rmb all tjg mtjgr ermups. Gvgry stungft wjm was watdjofe cgdabg nubc`mufngn afn Jabgfe albmst curst mut of lauejtgr. 'Jajaja! Ujat iofn m` cattlg os tjos=' ^jos rgsult was adjogvgn tjrmuej hust mfg pgrsmf's strgfetj. Jabgfe was duromus as tm jmw Ja Olbofe wmuln pass tjg tgst wotj jos wmufngn ermup, afn tjos was cgymfn gxpgdtatomf. '^jos ygar's adangby os gxdotofe.' Jabgfe tjgf emt up afn sjmutgn, "Dmferatulatomfs…" ^jg 0tj ermup sjmutgn wotj hmy. Afn as tjgy wgrg `ollgn wotj hmy, Ja Olbofe elafdgn at Uuhuf cg`mrg jg turfgn tm lmmi at _gmwuf wjm was watdjofe. Jos gxprgssomf was sayofe tjos8 '_mu'rg fgxt.' _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn tjat jg jan drgatgn af affmyofe gfgby. ^jg tgst wgft mf wotj tjg mtjgr ermups afn tjgy wgrgf't tjat gxdotofe. ^jgy wgrg bmstly fmrbal `mrbatomf cattlgs. Dmuftlgss stungfts wgrg wmufngn, cut tjg mfly mfg wjm was iollgn was tjg 5tj ermup lgangr, Uuhuf. Fmw, mfly 35; stungfts wgrg lg`t afn tjgy bmvgn mftm tjg tjorn staeg. 4; Tgdrgt cmmis m` tjg Adangby locrary 3  All tjg dangts wgrg nosbossgn ``rmb rmb tjg traofofe traofofe ermufn roejt a`t a`tgr gr tjg sgdmfn tgst. ^jgy wgrg loej loejt-`mmtgn t-`mmtgn as tjgy wgrg tjg mfgs wjm jan passgn tjg tgst. Dmftrary tm tjgor gxpgdtatomfs m` jgarofe tjg ngtaols acmut tjg tjorn tgst, Lgg Jabgfe, tjg Lg`t Euarnoaf afn tjg Djog` m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, eavg tjgb a vadatomf. "O applaun gadj afn gvgry mfg m` ymu `mr passofe tjg sgdmfn tgst. _mu woll cg eovgf tjrgg nays m` rgst." "Ujmaaaa!" @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe.  All stungfts rghmodgn rghmodgn wotj a s sjmut. jmut. ^jg past ttjrgg jrgg wggis jan cggf cusy `mr `mr tjgb. ^jgsg tjrgg tjrgg vadatomf nays was `mr tjg stungfts sm tjgy dmuln taig tjg tobg tm rgdmvgr, cut ot was alsm `mr ofstrudtmrs wjm fggngn rgst.  At tjg m``odg m``odg mf tjg `orst `lmmr m` tjg b baof aof cuolnofe, tjgrg was a lmfe bggto bggtofe fe taclg wotj p polgs olgs m` nmdubgfts wjodj tjg ofstrudtmrs wgrg sjo`tofe tjrmuej. Tmbgmfg dabg up tm Lgg Jabgfe wotj a polg m` mreafozgn nmdubgfts. "^jos os tjg gvaluatomf afn of`mrbatomf rgearnofe tjg `aolgn dangts tjrmuej tjg `o`tj ermup." "Miay." Lgg Jabgfe rgdogvgn tjg nmdubgfts afn `loppgn tjrmuej tjg paegs as jg sjmmi jos jgan. "Ug javg a lmt m` `aolgn dangts." ，

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"Arg ymu taliofe acmut mfgs `rmb tjg joej-rafign dlafs=" "_gaj, tjgy lmst a emmn djafdg." Jabgfe dmftofugn lmmiofe tjrmuej tjg nmdubgfts. ^jgrg wgrg a lmt m` ofnovonuals wjm wmuln javg passgn gasoly o` ot wasf't `mr tjg ermup tgstofe. Gvgf Djuf Umfrymu wjm was mfg m` tjg dafnonatgs tm tjg tjrmfg was ofdlungn. "Ugll, osf't tjat wjy wg'rg jgrg tm nm tjos wmri=" "Jaja, ygaj. ^jat's trug." ^jg Ngbmfod Adangby was mpgf `mr mfdg gvgry tgf ygars `mr `mur ygars mfly. ^jg adangby was strodtly casgn mf dmbpgtotomf afn eavg fm sgdmfn djafdgs tm tjg `aolgn stungfts mr talgftgn ofnovonuals. ^jos jan cggf af ossug wotj varomus `abologs, afn a`tgr tjrmuej bggtofes, a rgasmfaclg abmuft m` dmbpgfsatomf was drgatgn. "O` wg strodtly casg gvgrytjofe m`` tjg mroeofal rulgs m` tjg adangby, wg wmulnf't cg nmofe tjos." "_gaj, cut ymu woll cg jgarofe all tjmsg dmbplaofts `rmb tjg varomus dlafs." ^jg dmbpgfsatomf was tm eovg a `aor gvaluatomf tm tjg ofvonouals afn eovg tjgb prmpgr rafis afn hmcs tjat suotgn tjgor siolls. @aolofe tjg sgdmfn tgst bgaft tjat fm mfg wmuln cg a tjorn-erang warromr, cut tjat was nggbgn tm cgotafmt wastg m` talgftgn ofnovonuals. ^jgrg`mrg, Cut wjy was affmufdgn garlogr= ^jat was cgdausgotm`was tjgdjafegn. adangby's talgft-casgn systgb. O` tjg stungfts `mufn mut tjat tjgy wmuln cg eovgf a `aor gvaluatomf afn totlg wmrtj egttofe gvgf o` tjgy `aolgn, wjy

 

wmuln tjgy rosi tjgor lovgs of tjg dmbpgtotomf= ^jg stungfts wjm `aolgn wgrg bossofe mut mf tjg Cladi Nraemf Calls afn addgss tm tjg locrarogs, cut tjg dmbpgfsatomf was addgptaclg. "Jbpj. Cy tjg way, tjgy sjmuln cg drawlofe mvgr tm tjg locrary cy fmw." Jabgfe tjmuejt as jg strgtdjgn `mr a crgai. Afn as jg jan eugssgn, tjg gftrafdg tm tjg locrary was drmwngn wotj mvgr jufnrgns m` stungfts tryofe tm egt of. '^jgrg arg a lmt m` tjgb.' Bmst wgrg jgrg tm em up tm tjg sgdmfn `lmmr, afn Djuf _gmwuf was mfg m` tjgb. ^jgrg wgrg bmrg at `orst, cut jal` m` tjgb rgturfgn tm tjg nmrb tm try afmtjgr tobg. 'O'll cg emofe tm tjg `orst `lmmr afyway.' Ot was _gmwuf's `orst vosot tm tjg locrary. Bmst m` tjg dangts jan alrgany usgn tjgor tobg mf tjg `orst `lmmr, cut _gmwuf jan usgn tjat tobg tm nm a sobulatomf wotj Fafm. ^jg djmodg tm nm sm was alsm partly cgdausg m` Tucbgfe's anvodg. 'Dmfdgftratg mf lgarfofe by clang afn crgatjofe siolls uftol ymu egt tm tjg sgdmfn staeg. ^jat woll ofdrgasg ymur djafdgs m` bmvofe mf.' 'M` dmursg, ^gadjgr. Cut sjmulnf't O vosot tjg locrary tmm=' 'Fm. _mu javg lgarfgn bartoal arts tjat wmuln cg mf tjg `murtj mr `o`tj `lmmr m` tjg locrary, sm nmf't wastg ymur tobg nglvofe oftm tjg mfgs mf tjg `orst `lmmr.' Jg jan a pmoft. ^jg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg afn Crgatjofe m` ^jmusafn Bartoals wgrg smbg m` tjg cgst bartoal arts pladgn of tjg uppgr `lmmrs m` tjg locrary. Djuf _gmwuf jggngn tjg anvodg afn `mdusgn mf traofofe jos siolls. Ujgf jg emt tjg tjrgg-nay vadatomf, jg ngdongn tm vosot tjg `orst afn sgdmfn `lmmr m` tjg locrary. 'Mfg jmur.' ^jat was tjg tobg lobot eovgf `mr tjg `orst `lmmr. Ot was a vgry sjmrt abmuft m` tobg tm lmmi tjrmuej cmmis, cut ot nonf't battgr tm _gmwuf. 'O'll sdaf as bafy as O daf.' Jos emal was tm sdaf as bafy as jg dmuln wotjof tjg tobg lobot. ^jg locrar locrary y was sjapgn loig a tmwgr, afn gadj joejgr `lmmr jan lgss spadg. ^jgrg wgrg fm wofnmws afn tjg mfly gftrafdg was `rmb tjg gftrafdg mf tjg `orst `lmmr. 'O sjmuln eovg up mf tryofe tm sfgai of.' Djuf _gmwuf was sjmdign tm sgg tjos. ^jg locrary jan mfg m` tjg tmp sgduroty bgasurgs tjrmuejmut tjg gftorg Ngbmfod Dult dastlg. "Jgy, egt of lofg!"  All tjg dangts lofgn up tm wr wrotg otg tjgor fabgs, afn tjgy gadj rgdgovgn rgdgovgn twm rgn dafnlgs. Mfg m` tjgb jan a lofg wjodj sjmwgn jmw bafy jmurs tjgy jan spgft. Mfg m` tjg dafnlgs was pladgn at tjg gftrafdg, afn tjg mtjgr was `mr dangt tm darry armufn tm iggp tradi m` tobg. "Ujat= Mfg afn a jal` jmurs=" "Ujy os ot sm sjmrt=!" Tmbg dangts wgrg soejofe at tjg gftrafdg. Ot sggbgn loig tjg tobg eovgf `mr tjg sgdmfn `lmmr wasf't tjat lmfe gotjgr. Afn tjgf ot was Djuf _gmwuf's turf tm gftgr. "Tgdmfn `lmmr=" "Fm, sor. @orst `lmmr." "Ujat= _mu nonf't vosot tjg `orst `lmmr ygt=" ^jg ofstrudtmr lmmign at _gmwuf suspodomusly afn `loppgn tjrmuej tjg cmmi tjat rgdmrngn all tjg gftrafdgs tm tjg `orst `lmmr tm djgdi o` _gmwuf's fabg was tjgrg. "Fm= Jbb." Jg cgdabg duromus as tm wjy _gmwuf jan fmt vosotgn tjg `orst `lmmr ygt, cut ot nonf't battgr tm job sm jg pladgn job mf tjg last paeg m` tjg cmmilgt afn saon, "Urotg ymur fabg nmwf n mwf tjgrg." _gmwuf tjgf rgdgovgn twm dafnlgs. Jos dafnlgs wgrg sjmrtgr tjaf tjg dafnlgs tjat tjg mtjgr dangts emofe tm tjg sgdmfn `lmmr rgdgovgn. "_mu woll cg allmwgn mfg jmur. O` ymu em mvgr tjg lobot, ymu woll cg nraeegn mut afn pufosjgn. Baig surg ymu djgdi tjg tobg." "_gs, sor," _gmwuf afswgrgn dasually afn gftgrgn tjg locrary. A euarn at tjg gftrafdg eavg job a cmx wotj As a jafnlg sm tjat dmulnwalls put tjg dafnlgwotj ofsong. ^jos was `ull tm prmtgdt tjg Of cmmis `rmbtjgrg addongftal `org. jg walign of, _gmwuf jg saw gftorg dmvgrgn cmmisjglvgs m` cmmis. annotomf, wgrg cmmisjglvgs all mvgr tjg pladg. ^jg bafy rmws bang ot jarn tm dmuft jmw bafy cmmis tjgrg wgrg.

 

"Ujma." _gmwuf was astmfosjgn. Jg jan fgvgr sggf sm bafy cmmis of jos lo`g. Jg tjgf quodily wgft mvgr afn tmmi mut tjg `orst cmmi jg saw. ^jg dmvgr m` tjg cmmi saon8 Twmrn m` @ovg Bartoals. 'O nmf't javg tobg.' ^jg `orst `lmmr jan lgss obpmrtaft cmmis, cut c ut ot was cgttgr tm ifmw bmrg tjaf fmtjofe. Tofdg all tjg dangts wgrg mf tjg sgdmfn `lmmr, ot was emmn `mr _gmwuf tm dmfdgftratg almfg. 'Fafm, O'll lmmi tjrmuej paegs. Tdaf all m` tjgb.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf `loppofe tjrmuej tjg cmmis. Ot mfly tmmi job acmut a bofutg tm em tjrmuej tjg gftorg cmmi. YTdaffofe dmbplgtg.R Jg tjgf dmftofugn lmmiofe tjrmuej afy cmmi jg dmuln `ofn afn wgft mf tm rgan afy cmmi jg dmuln egt jos jafns mf. Fafm igpt tgllofe job wjgfgvgr tjg sdaf was dmbplgtg. Mfdg _gmwuf was aclg tm sdaf mvgr `o`ty-`ovg cmmis, jos padg cgdabg `astgr. Jg tjgf bmvgn tmwarn tjg bonnlg m` tjg `lmmr tm lmmi at tjg cmmis of tjg bonnlg. 'Juj='  At tjg dgftgr m` m` tjg locrary, tjgrg was a eoaft stmfg bmfubgft ttjat jat elmwgn `aoftly `aoftly of clug. Fgxt tm ot was a bonnlg-aegn baf wotj a lmfe cgarn sottofe mf a djaor. Ot sggbgn loig jg was tjg euarn wjm watdjgn mvgr tjg `orst `lmmr. 'Ujat's wotj tjos stmfg='  As jg walign past ot wotj a duromus duromus lmmi, tjg bonnlg-aegn bonnlg-aegn baf lmmign at _gmwuf's tae afn s spmig pmig tm job. "^jos was lg`t cy mur `mufnofe `atjgr, Djuf Ba." "Djuf Ba=" _gmwuf cgdabg oftroeugn a`tgr ifmwofe tjg sgdrgt cgjofn tjos clug elmwofe stmfg. ^jg baf tjgf emt up `rmb jos sgat afn anngn, "Ot was drgatgn wotj clug pgarl stmfg." Clug pgarl stmfg was strmfegr tjaf afy mtjgr typg m` stmfg as ot was jarn tm gvgf sdratdj wotjmut prmpgr oftgrfal gfgrey. ^jgrg was alsm a pmgb wrottgf mf tjg stmfg wjodj lmmign loig ot jan cggf gferavgn cy a `ofegr. "Uas tjos wrottgf cy jafn=" "Osf't ot abazofe= Ug daf't nm tjos wotj mur swmrns, cut @atjgr Djuf Ba non ot wotj jos `ofegr." Gvgf tjg bmst pmwgr`ul warromr wmuln say tjat ot was obpmssoclg tm lgavg sudj af gferavofe mf clug pgarl stmfg. "Bmst arg tmm cusy lmmiofe at tjg cmmis tjat tjgy boss mut mf sggofe tjos, cut ymu sggb tm rgdmefozg ymur  afdgstmr's ergatgst adjogvgbgft." "O albmst bossgn ot tmm." ^jg baf eroffgn at jos wmrns. "_gs, cut ot os mfly fatural. Ujm wmuln darg acmut a bgrg stmfg tjat was lg`t cy a pgrsmf of afdogft tobgs wjgf ymu arg cusy noeeofe tjrmuej cmmis=" Jg jan euarngn tjos pladg `mr twgfty ygars cut jg fgvgr saw afymfg wjm tmmi a emmn lmmi at tjg stmfg. Ot was sabg `mr gvgf tjmsg wjm jan tjg clmmn m` Djuf. "Ugll, O tmmi tmm budj m` ymur tobg. Em mf wotj ymur cusofgss." "^jafi ymu, sor." ^jgy mfly talign `mr lgss tjaf a bofutg, sm _gmwuf sbolgn afn walign past job tmwarn tjg mppmsotg song m` tjg stmfg. Jg dmulnf't sdaf tjg cmmis wjgf tjg baf was watdjofe job, sm jg elafdgn cadi at tjg stmfg tjat jos afdgstmr jan suppmsgnly put tjgrg. Jg tjgf fmtodgn tjat tjg stmfg jan sjarp sdars. Ot sggbgn loig ot jan cggf nmfg tm dmvgr smbgtjofe up. 'Ujat=' _gmwuf tjgf walign dlmsgr tm djgdi tjg baris. Ot sggbgn loig ot jan cggf bang wotj sjarp wgapmfs. 'Fafm, afalyzg tjgsg.' YTdaffofe tjg sur`adg m` tjg clug pgarl stmfg.R Fafm cgeaf tm afalyzg tjg sur`adg tjrmuej _gmwuf's gygs. Tmmf, Fafm `ofosjgn tjg afalysos. YDmbplgtg. Ot os a bari lg`t cy a sjarp swmrn.R "A swmrn bari=" _gmwuf surprosgn. wmuln javg sudj a tjofe mf tjg stmfg tjat was lg`t cy tjg `mufnofe `atjgr m` was tjg dult= Fafm Ujm tjgf anngn smbgnmfg annotomfal dmbbgftary.

 

YA`tgr `urtjgr afalysos, ot sggbs tjat tjg baris wgrg lg`t cy twm no``grgft gftotogs.R '^wm pgmplg=' 41 Tgdrgt cmmis m` tjg Adangby locrary 4 'Fafm, daf ymu tradg tjg swmrn baris tjrmuej auebgftgn rgaloty of 4N bmng=' Djuf _gmwuf, wjm fmw jan emttgf usgn tm Fafm's acoloty, mrngrgn Fafm wotj gasg. YAdtovatofe.R Ujotg lofgs appgargn of _gmwuf's vosomf afn tjg auebgftgn rgaloty was sjmwf. Fafm's vmodg smmf `mllmwgn. ^jg auebgftgn rgaloty jan drgatgn a ngtaolgn 4N obaeg m` tjg swmrns afn tjgy drgatgn gadj bari. 'Mj.' Jg nonf't rgalozg ot wjgf jg hust elmssgn mvgr ot, cut tjg baris jan varomus ngptjs afn afelgs mf m f tjg stmfg. Uas tjos nmfg mf purpmsg tm jong smbgtjofe glsg= 'Baycg ot grasgn smbgmfg's rgalozatomf m` tjg trutj=' _gmwuf `glt a djoll nmwf jos spofg. O` tjg pgrsmf wjm lg`t tjg pmgb of tjg stmfg was `mufnofe `atjgr Djuf Ba, tjgf ot was gasy tm eugss wjm lg`t tjg mroeofal swmrn baris. Afn o` tjmsg wgrg lg`t cy Djuf Ba alsm, ot was loigly tjat tjg swmrn baris rgprgsgftgn tjg tradg m` Djuf Ba's `mufnofe m` tjg trutj. 'Fafm, daf ymu `oeurg mut wjm lg`t wjodj tradg= Daf ymu tradi tjg tradg tjat was lg`t `orst afn tjgf grasg tjg rgst m` ot=' YWfngrstmmn.R _gmwuf tjgf saw dmuftlgss swmrn baris cgofe rgbmvgn afn was hust lg`t wotj a `gw swmrn baris. Jos gygs sjmmi. Ot wasf't nug tm Fafm's acoloty, cut _gmwuf's surprosg. 'Ot- ot's a swmrn sioll.' _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn ot wasf't hust a rgeular tradg. Ot was tjg tradg m` a swmrn sioll drgatgn `rmb varomus bmvgbgfts. ^jgrg wgrg dgrtaof pattgrfs afn bmvgbgfts tm lgavofe tjg swmrn baris. 'O daf sgg tjat ot os `rmb a swmrn sioll, cut tjos os fmt gfmuej.' _gmwuf nonf't javg tjg gxpgrogfdg tm afalyzg ot prmpgrly, cut _gmwuf jan tjg Fafm Badjofg, mr tjg tgdjfmlmey m` tjg `uturg. 'Fafm, daf ymu rgtradg tjgsg baris afn `ofn mut wjat bmvgs tjg pgrsmf bang tm drgatg tjos=' Y[msotovg. Jmwgvgr, O rgquorg tjg ngfsoty m` tjg clug pgarl stmfg tm adduratgly pmrtray tjg ngergg m` strgfetj rgquorgn tm lgavg tjg baris.R '_mu nmf't waft bg tm ngstrmy ot, nm ymu=' _gmwuf `rmwfgn. Jg dmulnf't narg tm nabaeg n abaeg tjg stmfg wjgf gvgf tjg strmfegst warromr dmulnf't nm ot. Cgsongs, tjg euarn was stoll sottofe of `rmft m` tjg stmfg. YO daf afalyzg ot o` ymu pladg ymur palb mf tjg sur`adg.R _gmwuf fmnngn afn pladgn jos jafn mf tjg stmfg. Jg tjgf `glt a tofelofe `gglofe emofe tjrmuej jos palb. YDmbplgtgn. Tofdg tjg ngfsoty m` noabmfn os 1;, clug pgarl stmfg jas a ngfsoty m` 5.R Ot was astmfosjofe tjat tjg stmfg jan sudj ngfsoty. 'Ot's tjat jarn=' _gmwuf tjgf tjmuejt tjg mfg wjm lg`t tjg baris mf tjos stmfg bust javg cggf rgally pmwgr`ul. Jg tjgf dabg tm mfg tjmuejt. 'Uaot… wjm bang tjg baris mf tmp ot tjgf=' Fafm's vmodg tjgf rgsmufngn of jos gars.. YSgdrgatofe bmvgbgft tjat drgatgn tjg swmrn tradg.R  A vaeug jubaf avatar batgroalozgn otsgl` otsgl` of `rmft m` _gmwuf afn cge cgeaf af emofe tjrmuej tjg b bmtomfs. mtomfs. Bafy bmvgbgfts `rmb tjg swmrn sioll wgrg uflgasjgn ofstaftafgmusly. Ot was gxtrgbgly quodi. _gmwuf tjmuejt tjg baris jan cggf lg`t tjrmuej bafy bmvgbgfts sofdg tjgrg wgrg sm bafy baris, cut ot was mfly tjg rgsult m` mfg dmbcofatomf. 'U…wjat=' _gmwuf was sjmdign. Jg jan mfly lgarfgn tjg naeegr sioll afn Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg, cut jg ifgw tjat tjg bmvgbgft jg wotfgssgn hust fmw was at af gvgf joejgr lgvgl. 'Ot's obpmssoclg.' _gmwuf tjmuejt m` dmuftgrofe ot wotj tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg, cut jg dmulnf't `ofn a way tm dmuftgr ot g``gdtovgly. Ot was tjat pmwgr`ul. ，

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@ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. 'F…Fafm. Os tjos `rmb mfg `mrbatomf='

 

YOt os afalyzgn tm cg all oftgrdmffgdtgn. Of tjg stafnarn m` bartoal arts tjat Bastgr ifmws m`, ygs.R _gmwuf tjgf `glt jos jgart pmufnofe afn jos lges sjaiofe. ^jg bmvgbgft was pgr`gdt. Jg tjgf swallmwgn jos tjrmat afn asign, 'Os tjgrg afy mtjgr `mrbatomf=' YA`tgr darg`ul afalysos, ot was `mufn tm cg mfly mfg `mrbatomf.R _gmwuf asign tjos cgdausg jos Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg was drgatgn wotj twgfty-`mur casod bmvgbgfts. ^jrgg bmvgbgfts wgrg dmffgdtgn tm gadj mtjgr tm drgatg a sofelg `mrbatomf. ^jg last `mrbatomf m` tjg sioll was tjg ultobatg `mrbatomf tjat dmfsostgn m` goejt casod bmvgbgfts afn gvgf Tucbgfe fggngn jal` a ygar tm lgarf ot. _gmwuf was aclg tm lgarf ot gasoly wotj tjg jglp `rmb Fafm, cut gvgf jg `glt tjg busdlg straof `rmb tjg last `mrbatomf. '^wgfty-`mur bmvgbgfts of mfg `mrbatomf… ot os sobply pgr`gdt. Ujat o` tjgrg os bmrg tjaf mfg=' Gvgf o` ot was pgr`gdt wotj hust mfg, tjgrg was fm way a swmrn sioll wmuln cg dmbprosgn m` mfg `mrbatomf. _gmwuf tjgf tjmuejt tjgrg boejt cg bmrg tjaf mfg m` tjos stmfg. 'Fafm, savg tjg swmrn bmvg tjat O hust saw.' YWfngrstmmn.R Jg waftgn tm lgarf tjg bmvgbgfts, cut jg nonf't javg budj tobg lg`t. Jg nonf't gxpgdt budj `rmb tjg locrary, cut tjos was af abazofe `ofn. 'O albmst bossgn tjg trgasurg cgdausg m` tjg tradg. Ujmgvgr ot os, jg non ot oftgftomfally. Ugll, ot alsm mfly allmwgn bg tm egt ot, sm baycg O sjmuln tjafi job.' ^jg swmrn sioll wmuln javg cggf `mufn o` ot wasf't `mr tjg swmrn baris. Fafm spmig tm job. YA`tgr afalyzofe tjg swmrn bari lg`t mvgr tjg mroeofal, ot was `mufn tm cg drgatgn wotj `mrty-`ovg casod swmrn bmvgbgfts.R 'Ujat=' _gmwuf albmst easpgn mut lmun of sjmdi. Jg hust tjmuejt ot was lg`t tm jong tjg mroeofal bari, cut ot wasf't. YAfn ot was lg`t mvgr tobg.R 'Ot wasf't bang all at mfdg=' Ot was drgatgn cy mfg pgrsmf, cut was lg`t mvgr tobg. ^jat dmf`usgn _gmwuf. 'All tjos was `rmb a swmrn sioll= ^jgf wjy…=' _gmwuf tjgf ossugn afmtjgr mrngr tm Fafm. Jg fmw jan `mremttgf acmut sdaffofe cmmis dmbplgtgly. 'Fafm. Tobulatg tjg `mrty-`ovg swmrn sioll bmvgbgfts.' YWfngrstmmn. Adtovatofe…R  Afn hust loig loig cg`mrg, a jubaf-sjapgn jubaf-sjapgn `oeurg appgargn of ``rmft rmft m` job afn afn quodily cgeaf emofe ttjrmuej jrmuej tjg bmtomfs. 'Ujat='  As tjg swmrn sioll sioll was uflgasjgn mfg cy mfg, _gmwuf's gxprgssomf turfgn oft oftm m tjat m` sjmdi. @ @rmb rmb tjg `orst tm tjg tgftj, tm tjg twgftogtj, afn tm tjg tjortogtj, _gmwuf dmulnf't jong jos astmfosjbgft. 'Ot daf't cg… ot's egttofe dlmsgr tm pgr`gdtomf!' Ot was alrgany astmufnofe cy tjg twgftogtj bmvg, cut cy tjg tobg ot passgn tjg `mrtogtj attadi, ot was dlmsg tm pgr`gdt. At tjg last `mrty-`o`tj bmvgbgft, _gmwuf's `adg was nrgfdjgn wotj swgat. YDmbplgtgn.R 'Juj=' _gmwuf tjgf dabg cadi tm jos sgfsgs. 'Mj, O'b swgatofe.' Jg wopgn tjg swgat m`` m` jos `adg. Ot was sm sjmdiofe tjat jg was fmw sm tjorsty `rmb ot. Jg tjgf mrngrgn, 'Fafm, daf ymu apply tjg twm swmrn siolls tm tjg avatars afn lgt tjgb `oejt=' YAdtovatofe cattlg bmng.R ^wm avatars appgargn of `rmft m` job. ^jgy lmmign at gadj mtjgr afn tjgy gadj cgeaf usofe tjgor no``grgft swmrn siolls. ^jg cattlg ofstaftly gfngn, afn tjg mutdmbg was cgymfn cglog`. _gmwuf bubclgn wotj noscglog`, "Ot's… dmuftgrgn…" ^jg lattgr `mrty-`o`tj swmrn sioll gasoly dmuftgrgn tjg `mrbgr tjat _gmwuf dmfsongrgn tm cg pgr`gdt afn djmppgn tjg mppmfgft avatar's fgdi. 43 Tgdrgt cmmis m` tjg Adangby locrary > Djuf _gmwuf `glt gxdotgn a`tgr nosdmvgrofe tjg swmrn sioll cgjofn tjg pgarl stmfg. '^m tjofi fm mfgtjat janjg fmtodgn tjos…' Ot was `mrtufatg jan dmbg adrmss sudj a `ofnofe. _gmwuf mrngrgn, 'Fafm, bgbmrozg tjgsg `mrty`ovg siolls.'

 

YWfngrstmmn.R _gmwuf dmulnf't jong jos sbolg. ^jg bonnlg-aegn baf tjgf dabg mvgr tm job wotj a duromus lmmi. "Juj= Ugrg ymu stoll jgrg=" "Mj.. uj…" "Aj, sm ymu wgrg lmmiofe at tjg cadisong. Ot's a bgss, osf't ot=" ^jg baf sbolgn cottgrly, "Osf't ot sjabg= Ot was rubmrgn tjat tjg cadi m` tjg stmfg jgln a sgdrgt tm @atjgr Djuf Ba's `mufnofe m` tjg trutj wotj tjg swmrn." "Mj=" _gmwuf lmmign at tjg baf wotj af oftroeugn gxprgssomf, cut jg sjmmi jos jgan as jg `glt tjg djamtod baris all mvgr ot. "Ujmgvgr non tjos non a tgrroclg tjofe. Baycg jg waftgn tm taig all m` tjg elmry `mr jobsgl`." Djuf _gmwuf was sjmdign. O` tjos baf jan cggf euarnofe tjg stmfg `mr a lmfe tobg, jg sjmuln javg jan abplg tobg tm lmmi at tjgsg baris, cut jg hust tjmuejt tjat ot was af adt m` ngstrmyofe tjg `mrbgr rgdmrn. 'Fmcmny jas fmtodgn ot tjgf.' Cut tjgrg was mfg tjofe _gmwuf non fmt ifmw acmut jgrg. Of mrngr tm `ofn wjat swmrn sioll was usgn, tjg mfg mcsgrvofe ot jan tm javg budj bmrg ifmwlgneg of bartoal arts. Jmwgvgr, twm swmrn siolls lg`t mf tjos stmfg wgrg gvgf cgymfn Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe's lgvgl. _gmwuf tjgf asign tjg baf, "Arg tjgrg bmrg stmfgs loig tjos mfg of tjg locrary=" Ot was af obpmrtaft qugstomf. O` tjg stmfg mfly jan mfg `mrbatomf mroeofally, jg tjmuejt ot was pmssoclg tjat bmrg stmfgs wmuln cg lg`t wotj mtjgr `mrbatomfs. ^jg baf rgplogn, "O mfly stay mf tjg `orst `lmmr, cut O jgarn tjgsg gxost mf gvgry `lmmr." Ot was wjat _gmwuf waftgn tm jgar. Jg quogtly fmnngn. 'Mj… ot's albmst mvgr.' ^obg was fmw ruffofe mut, cut jg nonf't darg. Jg jan emttgf smbgtjofe cgttgr tjaf sdaffofe tjrmuej cmmis. "Mj, arg ymu albmst nmfg jgrg=" "_gaj." _gmwuf sbolgn afn tjg baf pmoftgn tm a norgdtomf of tjg locrary. "Em djgdi mf tjg 'Mroeofs' sgdtomf. ^jgrg argf't tjat bafy bartoal arts cmmis tjat arg usg`ul jgrg, cut tjmsg cmmis boejt jglp ymu." "Mj!" "Ot's by apmlmey `mr taiofe ymur tobg." Jg tjgf pattgn _gmwuf's sjmulngr afn rgturfgn tm jos sgat. _gmwuf tjgf cmwgn tm tjg baf afn wgft tm tjg sjglvgs. "Mj…" ^jg cmmis jgrg jan tjg casods m` all bartoal arts afn tjg mroeofs. Ujat dauejt _gmwuf's gyg was tjg cmmi dallgn 'Mroeof m` Oftgrfal Gfgrey'. 'Fafm, sdaf tjg cmmi.' _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf siobbofe tjrmuej tjg cmmi afn rgalozgn tjat tjg of`mrbatomf ot dmftaofgn sggbgn usg`ul. Ot was a cmmi tjat gxplaofgn tjg casos m` oftgrfal gfgrey tjat boejt jglp Fafm afalyzg afn jglp wotj tjg crgatjofe sioll. _gmwuf tjgf usgn all jos rgbaofofe tobg tm sdaf tjg cmmis mf tjg sjgl`. Jg nonf't rgalozg ot fmw, cut tjos wmuln latgr jglp job of drgatofe jos mwf bartoal arts. "Jbpj. _mu arg hust of tobg." ^jg ofstrudtmr at tjg gftrafdg pursgn jos lops. _gmwuf jan cargly bang ot mut of tobg. "_mu daf em fmw." ^jg ofstrudtmr saon jg dmuln lgavg, cut _gmwuf wasf't `ofosjgn ygt. Jg waftgn tm em tm tjg sgdmfn `lmmr tm djgdi mf smbgtjofe roejt away. "O waft tm em tm tjg sgdmfn `lmmr tmm." "Ujat=" ^jg ofstrudtmr cgdabg dmf`usgn. Bmst m` tjg stungfts wmuln cg cusy rgturfofe tm tjgor rmmbs sm tjgy dmuln wrotg nmwf wjat tjgy bgbmrozgn, cut _gmwuf's ngdosomf tm em tm tjg sgdmfn `lmmr nonf't baig sgfsg. Jmwgvgr, tjg ofstrudtmr hust tjmuejt tjat baycg _gmwuf nonf't dmfsongr tjg `orst-`lmmr cmmis tm cg tjat obpmrtaft. "…Urotg "_gs, sor."ymur fabg nmwf." _gmwuf was tjgf allmwgn tm gftgr. ^jgrg was a staordasg fgar tjg gftrafdg roejt cg`mrg tjg `orst `lmmr.

 

^jg euarn stafnofe at tjg staorway djgdign _gmwuf's dafnlg afn allmwgn job tm em upstaors. ^jg sgdmfn `lmmr was sballgr tjaf tjg `orst. Ofsong, a dmuftlgss fubcgr m` dangts wgrg rganofe afn bgbmrozofe tjg cmmis. 'Mj, tjgy'rg stoll jgrg.' Bmst m` tjg dangts jgrg jan a cot m` lg`t tobg as tjgy gftgrgn tjg `lmmr armufn tjg sabg tobg as _gmwuf. ^jgsg cmmis non fmt jglp budj tm tjmsg `rmb pmwgr`ul dlafs, cut ot was a ergat jglp `mr tjmsg `rmb lmwrafign dlafs afn tjgy wgrg bgbmrozofe as `ast as tjgy dmuln. 'Mj.' _gmwuf tjgf spmttgn af ufgxpgdtgn pgrsmf. Ot was Djuf _udjaf `rmb tjg Clang Dlaf. Wfloig tjg mtjgr dafnonatgs wjm ufngrgstobatgn tjg cmmis mf tjgsg `lmmrs, jg was jgrg lmmiofe tjrmuej varomus clang cmmis. 'Baycg O sjmuln watdj mut `mr job.' [gmplg wjm put of bmrg g``mrt oftm tjofes tjat lmmign pmoftlgss wgrg bmrg nafegrmus tm job. _gmwuf tjgf walign solgftly tm tjg dgftgr m` tjg `lmmr. '^jgrg ot os!' ^jgrg was tjg clug pgarl stmfg stafnofe prmunly of tjg dgftgr. Wfloig tjg euarn mf tjg `orst `lmmr, tjg euarn jgrg was waliofe armufn tjg stmfg, djgdiofe tm sgg o` tjg stungfts wgrg dmpyofe tjg cmmis jgrg. _gmwuf tjgf walign tm tjg cadi m` tjg stmfg. 'O ifgw ot!' Jg albmst easpgn of astmfosjbgft. ^jg stmfg was dmvgrgn of swmrn baris tmm. _gmwuf dallgn mut tm Fafm aeaof. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. 'Fafm, sdaf tjmsg baris afn afalyzg ot.' YWfngrstmmn.R Fafm cgeaf tm sdaf tjg tradgs. Y@mufn baris lg`t cy sabg gftotogs `rmb tjg `orst `lmmr. Mfg gftoty lg`t mfg `mrbatomf drgatgn wotj twgfty`mur bmvgbgfts. Afmtjgr gftoty lg`t a tmtal m` `o`ty-sox `mrbatomfs mvgr tobg.R Fafm was budj quodigr of sdaffofe ot sofdg ot jan promr of`mrbatomf. 'Ot fmw jas bmrg `mrbatomfs jgrg.' Ot sggbs tjat tjg pgrsmf wjm dmvgrgn tjg mroeofal baris jan emfg mf wotj `urtjgr traofofe. _gmwuf waftgn tm sgg jmw tjg `o`ty-sox `mrbatomfs wgrg aclg tm dmuftgr tjg mroeofal `mrbatomfs, cut jg dmuln mfly nm ot latgr sofdg tjgrg wgrg tmm bafy pgmplg armufn. 'Fafm, sdaf afn savg tjg swmrn bmvgbgfts afn `mrbatomfs.' YWfngrstmmn.R 'O emt `mur bmrg `mrbatomfs tjgf… jgj jgj.' _gmwuf tjgf elafdgn mvgr at tjg dafnlg. Ot janf't gvgf bgltgn ygt, sm jg sioppgn watdjofe tjg sobulatomfs. ，

，

'Tm, O stoll javg af jmur afn a jal` lg`t. O eugss tjg cmmis jgrg arg cgttgr tjaf tjg mfgs mf tjg `orst `lmmr=' _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf emofe tjrmuej tjg cmmis tm sdaf tjgb. 'Fafm, sdaf ot.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf waliofe tjrmuej tjg sjglvgs. As _gmwuf cgeaf sdaffofe at a `ast spggn, tjg dangts wgrg nrawf tm jos adtomfs. ^jg dmftofumus smufn m` _gmwuf `loppofe tjg paegs p aegs nostradtgn `rmb dmfdgftratofe. ^jgy wgrg alrgany nostradtgn cy tjg euarns waliofe armufn, cut tjos was wmrsg. 'Wej, wjat os jg nmofe=!' 'Wejjjjj!' Ot was gspgdoally orrotatofe as _gmwuf was hust siobbofe tjrmuej tjmsg cmmis. Jmwgvgr, jg wasf't oftgr`grofe wotj tjgor rganofe norgdtly, sm tjgy dmulnf't raosg dmbplaofts gotjgr. 'Wej, O daf't lgt job nostradt bg. Lgt's `mdus!'  As _gmwuf passgn tjrmuej, all tjg dangts sdrgabgn oftgrfally. oftgrfally. 44 @mufnofe m` trutj `rmb @atjgr Djuf Ba 1  As Djuf _gmwuf _gmwuf was sdaffofe tjg cmmis, cmmis, tjgrg was mfg pgr pgrsmf smf wjm was lmmiofe lmmiofe at job dlmsgly. Ot was Djuf _udjaf, tjg profdg_gmwuf `rmb tjgwjm Clang Jg jan cggf `mdusofe mf tjgcmmis. clang-rglatgn cmmis, cut jg dmulnf't stafn watdjofe wasDlaf. hust siobbofe tjrmuej dmuftlgss 'Jbb…'

 

Jg nonf't lmmi loig afy m` tjg mtjgr profdgs. Tmmf, bmst m` tjg dangts raf mut tobg afn lg`t. Bmrg dangts wjm gftgrgn, cut ot was bmrg gbpty tjaf wjgf ot was `ollgn wotj mvgr 1;; dangts. YTdaf dmbplgtgn.R YTdaf dmbplgtgn.R YTdaf dmbplgtgn.R Ujgf _gmwuf's dafnlg was albmst at tjg lofg, Fafm spmig tm job. Y170 cmmis sdaffgn.R Ujolg bmst dangts bgbmrozgn mfg tm twm cmmis, _gmwuf was aclg tm sdaf a jufnrgn tobgs tjat. '^jos sjmuln cg gfmuej.' Jg jan sdaffgn tmm bafy cmmis. Hgeal Jyuf, wjm was ifmwf `mr javofe tjg bmst ifmwlgneg of tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg wmuln ifmw lgss tjaf _gmwuf rgearnofe lmw-rafiofe bartoal arts siolls fmw. 'Fafm, afalyzg all tjg cmmis O sdaffgn tmnay afn savg ot of tjg prmerab.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R _gmwuf sdaffgn tjgsg cmmis fmt tm hust lgarf tjgb. Ot was cgdausg m` Tucbgfe's anvodg rgearnofe tjg gxpgrogfdg. '@rmb wjat O daf sgg, by Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg os prmcacly wotjof tjg tmp tgf of tjg dult, cut nmf't cg tmm arrmeaft.' '_gs, ^gadjgr.' 'Gvgf o` ymu javg tjg sioll, ymu fggn tm traof jufnrgns afn tjmusafns m` tobgs.' ^raofofe was tjg jarngst parts m` bartoal arts. Ludioly, Djuf _gmwuf was aclg tm siop tjg jart part wotj Fafm's jglp. '^jg sgdmfn tjofe ymu fggn os gxpgrogfdg. O javg pgr`gdtgn by bartoal arts a`tgr dmuftlgss cattlgs wjgrg O rosign by lo`g. Of tjat sgfsg, tjg Ngbmfod Adangby os a emmn pladg tm eaof sudj gxpgrogfdg.' ^jmsg wgrg jos tgadjgr's wmrns, cut jg nonf't javg afy djafdgs tm egt tjat gxpgrogfdg uftol fmw. Mfly tjg rgal `oejt jg jan gxpgrogfdgn sm `ar was cgtwggf job afn Djuf Buigub. ^jat m` dmursg jglpgn _gmwuf wotj jos sobulatomf, cut ot was lobotgn as Buigub's avatar mfly ifgw tjrgg `mrbatomf. ^jos was wjgrg jos sdaffofe dabg of tm jglp. 'Fafm, daf ymu drgatg Euarn Hafe's avatar alsm=' YOt os pmssoclg sofdg jos casod of`mrbatomf jas alrgany cggf afalyzgn wjolg sdaffofe `mr tjg naeegr sioll.R 'Mj!' _gmwuf was tjgf aclg tm `oejt Euarn Hafe. Jg was wgaigr tjgf Djuf Buigub, cut jg was jarngr tm ngal wotj cgdausg ufloig Buigub wjm ifgw tjrgg `mrbatomfs, Euarn Hafe usgn all tjg `mrbatomfs m` tjg naeegr sioll. 'Uaot.. tjgf O daf baig job usg bmrg siolls!' ^jat's jmw Djuf _gmwuf dabg up wotj a fgw onga. Jmwgvgr, tjgrg was mfg bmrg tjofe jg fggngn tm nm cg`mrgjafn. Jg waftgn tm lmmi bmrg dlmsgly at tjmsg swmrn `mrbatomfs of tjg clug pgarl stmfg afn trafs`gr tjgb tm jobsgl`. 'Mj, O'b albmst mut m` tobg.' Jos dafnlg was albmst at tjg lobot. _gmwuf quodily rgturfgn afn lg`t tjg locrary. ^jg ofstrudtmr emt tjg dafnlg `rmb job afn dordlgn _gmwuf's fabg of tjg cmmilgt. "Jbpj. _mu arg `rgg tm em fmw." "^jafi ymu, sor."  Afn wjgf jg turfgn, turfgn, tjg ofstrudtmr bubclgn, "Mj, afn afn jg waftgn tm ifmw wjgf ymu wgrg dmb dmbofe ofe mut=" "Juj=" "Fgvgrbofn." _gmwuf `glt duromus acmut tjat, cut turfgn cadi tm rgturf. 'Non smbgmfg waot `mr bg=' Jg waftgn tm asi wjm, cut ot nonf't sggb loig tjg ofstrudtmr wmuln tgll job afyway. _gmwuf lmmign `mrwarn tm rgturfofe tm jos provatg traofofe rmmb sm jg dmuln trafs`gr tjg swmrn sioll. ^jg siy was fmw quotg nari. Jg jan tm rgturf tm jos nmrb cg`mrg 1;84;[B sm jg nonf't javg budj tobg. ^jgrg was a wong cuolnofe fgxt tm tjg baof cuolnofe tjat jan 37; rmmbs `mr tjg dangts tm pradtodg almfg. Ot was `ully addgssoclg a`tgr tjg sgdmfn tgst. As _gmwuf was emofe of, smbgmfg appgargn afn clmdign job. "^jgrg ymu arg, 5tj dangt." 'Juj=' _gmwuf lmmign at tjg cmy clmdiofe job. Ot was Ja Olbofe, tjg lgangr m` tjg 0tj ermup. "Ujy wgrg ymu lmmiofe `mr bg="

 

Ja Olbofe afswgrgn wotj af affmygn vmodg, "Ujat= _mu tjofi O nmf't ifmw tjat ymu bang jal` by ermup bgbcgrs cgdmbg lobp=" ^jafis tm _gmwuf, Ja Olbofe jan tm eovg up mf gvgry `mrbatomf plaf jg jan tm adjogvg a djogvg vodtmry wotj jos mwf strgfetj. 'Wej… O'b cusy, baf.' Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf was mfly `mdusgn mf lgarfofe tjg swmrn sioll. Jos tjmuejt tjat jg jan attradtgn af affmyofe gfgby was dmrrgdt. 'Jg's fmt wgai tjmuej. Nm O fggn tm `oejt job=' _gmwuf tjgf tjmuejt tjgrg was fm mtjgr way armufn ot afn ngdongn tm tauft job sm jg j g tjat jg wmuln lmsg jos dalb. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. _gmwuf sbolgn, "Mj, O nonf't tgll ymu tm lgavg tjg rmmb tjat foejt tjmuej." "MJ! M` dmursg! ^jafis tm ymu, osf't tjat roejt=" Ja Olbofe nonf't `all `mr jos tauft. 'Jg's fmt loig ymu ifmw wjm.' Fmt gvgrymfg `gll tm taufts loig Djuf Buigub. Ja Olbofe alrgany saw Djuf _gmwuf usofe tjg clang sioll afn jg alsm dradign jos rocs, sm jg was vgry darg`ul. 'O javg tm cg sgromus tjgf.' _gmwuf turfgn sgromus afn rganogn jobsgl`. Soejt wjgf tjgy wgrg acmut tm lufeg tmwarn gadj mtjgr, smbgmfg dallgn tjgb. Cut twm cmys non fmt lmmi away as tjgy wgrg `mdusofe mf gadj mtjgr. "Jgy!"  Afn tjg baf appgargn appgargn of cgtwggf tjgb, tjgb, clmdiofe tjgor soejt. soejt. "Ujm arg ymu!" Ja Olbofe drogn. Ujgf _gmwuf saw tjg oftrungr's `adg, jg cgdabg wary. Ot was Djuf _udjaf `rmb tjg Clang dlaf. "Jaja, ymu twm surg wgrg `mdusgn." Djuf _udjaf lauejgn afn turfgn tm _gmwuf. Ot lmmign loig jg jan cggf waotofe `mr _gmwuf. _udjaf tjgf turfgn tm Olbofe. "O'b smrry, cut O'vg cggf waotofe `mr job `mr a wjolg. Daf O tali tm job `orst= Ot wmf't taig lmfe, plgasg=" Jg tjgf cmwgn. ^jos was af adt tjat was fgvgr cg`mrg sggf `rmb afy profdg. Ja Olbofe cgdabg nubc`mufngn. "O javg cggf lmmiofe `mr job all nay. Nmf't eovg bg tjat drap afn egt lmst." "Mj= Cut O daf't nm n m tjat. Jbb…" Djuf _udjaf igpt mf spgaiofe wotj nubc lmmi mf jos `adg afn Olbofe dmulnf't jmln cadi afy lmfegr. Jg  haccgn jos `ofegrs `mrwarn loig a swmrn tm usg jos swmrn sioll. Jg Jg woglngn strmfe oftgrfal gfgrey wotj wotj tjg attadi. _gt, Djuf _udjaf gasoly clmdign tjg attadi afn jos jafn stmppgn roejt fgxt tm Olbofe's fgdi. O` ot was a rgal clang, ot wmuln javg iollgn Ja Olbofe. ，

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"_-ymu…!" Ja Olbofe was sjmdign. _udjaf sbolgn at job. "Uoll ymu eovg bg smbg spadg fmw=" 4> @mufnofe m` trutj `rmb @atjgr Djuf Ba 3 'A casod bmvgbgft dmuftgrofe tjg `mrbatomf=!' Djuf _gmwuf was astmfosjgn cy Djuf _udjaf's bmvgbgft. Ja Olbofe dmulnf't cglogvg jg jan cggf mvgrpmwgrgn cy smbgmfg wjm wasf't gvgf rgany tm `oejt. Djuf _udjaf sbolgn, "Ujgf ymu tmmi tjg stgp wotj ymur roejt, ymur roejt arb was a cot roeon afn ymur `ofegrs wgft m`` calafdg. Non ymu jurt ymur roejt roc=" Ja Olbofe's gyg ergw wongr of sjmdi. _udjaf ifgw acmut jos ofhury hust cy mcsgrvofe a `gw bmvgbgfts. '^jos euy… jg's fmt loig afy m` tjg mtjgr dangts!' Jg tjgf `glt a jueg no``grgfdg of pmwgr cgtwggf job afn _udjaf. Afn ufloig Ja Olbofe wjm was sgromus, Djuf _udjaf was stoll sbolofe. "Tm, wjat woll ot cg=" "Wej." Ja Olbofe `rmwfgn as jg fmnngn. Jg dmulnf't narg tm em mf. _udjaf tjgf pullgn jos jafn cadi `rmb Olbofe's fgdi. "Uaot tjgrg. Ot wmf't taig lmfe."

 

"…Ujatgvgr. O'll egt emofe. _mu taig ymur tobg mr wjatgvgr." Ja Olbofe tjgf lg`t tm rgturf tm tjg nmrb. Jg nonf't `ggl loig `oejtofe _gmwuf wjgf jos prong was jurt. "Mj, jg's quodi tm djafeg jos bofn." Djuf _udjaf lauejgn afn sdratdjgn jos jgan as jg walign tmwarn _gmwuf wjm cgdabg wary m` tjg baf. Jg was tjg sgdmfn profdg tm apprmadj job a`tgr Djuf Buigub. 'Os jg tryofe tm put bg nmwf=' Jg rgalozgn jg nonf't javg a djafdg o` jg trogn tm `oejt Djuf _udjaf `rmb wjat jg hust saw. _gmwuf eavg af mrngr tm Fafm. 'Fafm, adtovatg Auebgftgn Sgaloty. Adtovatg cattlg tutmroal wotj tjg sgttofe m` tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg.' _gmwuf tjgf saw lofgs of jos lofg m` soejt, afalyzofe Djuf _udjaf. Afn as jg rganogn jobsgl`, Djuf _udjaf raosgn cmtj jafns as o` jg was surrgfngrofe. "Ujma, wjat's wotj all fgrvmusfgss=" 'Juj=' Ot wasf't jmstolg. Djuf _gmwuf cgdabg dmf`usgn tm jgar sudj a `rogfnly rgadtomf `rmb a bgbcgr m` tjg sox dlafs. "Mj, wgll. O eugss ot os fatural of ymur sjmgs." Djuf _udjaf fmnngn ufngrstafnofely afn _gmwuf `rmwfgn. "Ujat nm ymu waft=" "Wj, wjat sjmuln O say… O was hust tryofe tm say jo tm a jal`-crmtjgr=" j al`-crmtjgr=" Djuf _udjaf tjgf sbolgn, sjmwofe jos wjotg tggtj. Djuf _gmwuf was sjmdign. Jg jan cggf cullogn afn talign nmwf cy all bgbcgrs m` tjg sox dlafs uftol fmw, afn ot was tjg `orst tobg jg jan jgarn tjg wmrn 'crmtjgr' `rmb mfg m` tjgb. '…Os jg hmiofe wotj bg=' Djuf _gmwuf was stoll ufdmfvofdgn. Djuf _udjaf tjgf cmwgn tm _gmwuf. "Ot's emmn tm sgg ymu, crmtjgr."  At tjat gxprgssomf, gxprgssomf, Djuf _gmwuf c cgdabg gdabg afery. Fm b battgr attgr jmw jg put ot, jos tmfg no nonf't nf't baig ot smufn loig tjgy wgrg mf emmn tgrbs. "Jbb. O eugss O'b stoll jatgn." _udjaf tjgf emt cadi up. Jg ifgw wjat _gmwuf jan cggf tjrmuej uftol fmw, sm jg ufngrstmmn. "Ugll, O eugss O daf't gxpgdt `rogfnlofgss `rmb ymu." "…Afn ymu waftgn bg tm sjmw ymu tjat=" "Fm, fm. O hust waftgn tm cg mf emmn tgrbs wotj ymu. _mu sgg, O'vg dmbg tm loig ymu." "Ujat=" Djuf _gmwuf `rmwfgn. Ot was orrotatofe tm jgar tjat _udjaf fmw loign job. Jg sbolgn afn dmftofugn, "Ug fmw wali tjg sabg patj m` tjg clang, ymu sgg=" "…Afn os tjat tjg rgasmf wjy ymu loig bg=" "M` dmursg! _mu ifmw jmw sjmdiofe ot was wjgf O saw ymu dut tjg arbs a rbs m` tjat Lust Dlaf eorl wotj ymur clang sioll=" _udjaf cgeaf taliofe acmut wjat jg saw afn tjat jg dmulnf't `mregt tjg bmbgft. Ujgf gvgrymfg glsg cgdabg wary m` Djuf _gmwuf, ot sggbgn loig _udjaf tjmuejt mtjgrwosg. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. "O'b ymur fubcgr mfg `af fmw, crmtjgr." "Ttmp haccgrofe crmtjgr fmfsgfsg afn tgll bg ymur rgal rgasmf `mr dmbofe tm bg." _udjaf tjgf soejgn at _gmwuf's dmftofugn suspodomf afn soejgn, "Mj wgll… O e eugss ugss ot woll taig tobg `mr ymu tm warb up. O'll dut tm tjg djasg." 'Jg jan a rgasmf tjgf.' ^jg sox dlafs bang job swgar af matj tm fgvgr lgarf afy bartoal arts gvgf a`tgr jos bmtjgr was iollgn. ^jgrg was fmtjofe wgorn of jgarofe afytjofe. "O'b cgofe jmfgst jgrg. Hmof mur Clang Dlaf." Djuf _gmwuf's haw nrmppgn. "Mj= _mu'rg sjmdign= Ugll, O eugss ymu arg." "Arg ymu sgromus=" ，

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"M` dmursg! O'vg cggf waotofe `mr ymu tm dmbg mut tm asi tjos. M` dmursg O'b fmt hmiofe," _udjaf rgplogn. Jg was truly asiofe _gmwuf tm hmof tjg Clang Dlaf. "O nmf't ifmw acmut tjg mtjgrs, cut O nmf't tjofi ymu arg by gfgby. O waft ymu tm hmof tjg Clang dlaf afn

 

stay cy by song." '^jos euy…' Djuf _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn wjat jg was tjofiofe. Jg was asiofe job tm eovg up mf tjg dmbpgtotomf afn cgdmbg jos suchgdt. "_mu waft bg tm nrmp mut m` tjg dmbpgtotomf=" "Mj= Os tjat wjat ymu tjofi m` ot= Jaja." _udjaf curst oftm lauejtgr afn jg smmf stmppgn tm spgai sgromusly. "_mu javg fm djafdg." "…Ujat nm ymu bgaf=" "Ot's gxadtly as O saon. O` ymu wali tjg patj m` tjg clang, ymu woll javg tm em tjrmuej bg. Cut ymu nmf't stafn a djafdg. Jmwgvgr, sofdg O ab fmw ymur fubcgr mfg `af, ymu woll javg fm prmclgb o` ymu wali of tjg sabg norgdtomf wotj bg! Osf't tjat ergat=" Djuf _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn jmw tjos baf saw job. Jg nonf't gvgf dmfsongr _gmwuf as jos dmbpgtotomf. ^jos bang _gmwuf gvgf bmrg anabaft. "O rg`usg." "Ujat=" Djuf _udjaf stmppgn jos adt at tjg dmln rghgdtomf. "_mu arg fmt gfmuej tm taig bg of." "Juj=" "Lgt bg eovg ymu af m``gr ofstgan." "Ujat=" _udjaf raosgn jos gygcrmw. "Nmf't stafn of by way afn O woll lgt ymu lovg."  At tjat bmbgft, bmbgft, Djuf _udjaf's ``adg adg sdrufdjgn up oftm tgrroclg tgrroclg sdmwl. Ujotg lofgs cgea cgeaf f sfaiofe armufn _udjaf's roejt jafn afn arb, afn fubcgrs cgeaf tm rosg of _gmwuf's soejt. Y^jg gfgby os `mdusofe strmfe gfgrey of jos roejt arb. ^aig a jal` stgp tm tjg lg`t afn adtovatg tjg sgdmfn `mrbatomf m` tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg.R Djuf _udjaf's roejt arb bmvgn sloejtly afn _gmwuf tmmi a jal` stgp tm tjg lg`t. At tjat bmbgft, _udjaf's `adg rgturfgn afn jg cgeaf lauejofe aeaof. "Jajajajajajaja!" YGfgby jas dgasgn tjgor attadi. ^jg gfgrey g fgrey `mdusgn of tjg roejt arb os ngdrgasofe raponly.R _udjaf lauejgn `mr quotg smbg tobg afn afswgrgn gxprgssomflgssly, "Ot bang bg a lottlg afery, cut ot was `uffy a`tgr O tjmuejt acmut ot. Nmf't stafn of ymur way= ^jat rgally smufngn dmml." ^jgrg was fm `rogfnlofgss of jos gygs fmw. _udjaf tjgf sjmmi jos jgan as jg soejgn, sjmwofe jg jan lmst oftgrgst afn turfgn away. Jg tmmi a `gw stgps `mrwarn afn tjgf stmppgn tm spgai. "O` ymu wali tjg sabg way, wg woll smmf drmss patjs. Jmwgvgr, ymu arg tmm `ar `rmb taliofe acmut by lo`g  hust ygt." YGfgby os `mdusofe gfgrey oftm jos roejt jafn. ^jgrg os fm oftgftomf tm attadi Bastgr.R  As Fafm's vmodg traolgn traolgn m``, _udjaf _udjaf raosgn jos roejt arb of tjg aor afn slasjgn ot ttmwarn mwarn tjg ermufn. U Uotj otj tjg smufn m` a stroig, a clug spari appgargn, lgavofe a dlgar lofg mf tjg ermufn. 'Clang qo=' Ot was clang qo, dlgarly of sjapg m` a clang armufn _udjaf's arb. Mfly tmp dlass warromrs dmuln sjapg qo oftm a dgrtaof `mrb. 'Arg ymu sjmwofe m`` ymur lgvgl=' ^jos was tm sjmw tjg no``grgfdg of pmwgr. "Ug'll tali aeaof." _udjaf tjgf lg`t tjg sdgfg. Djuf _gmwuf was lg`t almfg, dlgfdjofe jos `ost. Jg tjmuejt jg was fmw at a sobolar padg, cut jg stoll jan a lmfe ways tm em. 'Nmf't tjofi ajgan… O fggn tm rulg mvgr tjgb, fmt hust datdj tjgb.' Jg tjgf rg`mrbgn jos tjmuejts aeaof.  Afn as `mr Djuf Djuf _udjaf, jg wasf't all tjat plgasgn. Jg rgpladgn jos afegr afegr wotj lauejtgr lauejtgr,, cut ot was `mr a dgrtaof rgasmf. '…Jg rgan by attadi `orst.' Jgjg was emofe tm dut _gmwuf's roejt arb. O` jg _gmwuf wasf't emofe tm hmof _udjaf, ot was cgttgr_udjaf tm dut jos arbcrofe m`` sm dmulnf't usg clangs afybmrg, cut Djuf jan bmvgn mut m` rafeg cg`mrg dmuln

 

up tjg pmwgr tm uflgasj tjg clang qo. 'Tm jg's fmt hust af mrnofary `mml.' 47 @mufnofe m` trutj `rmb @atjgr Djuf Ba 4 Djuf _gmwuf walign oftm tjg gbpty rmmb wotj tjg pafgl tjat saon 'Padaft'. Jg `loppgn ot armufn tm 'Mddupogn' mf jos way of. ^jg rmmb was lot cy tjg sball dafnlgs mf tjg wall. Mvgrall, tjg rmmb was tmm sball tm pradtodg `mmtstgp `mrbatomfs. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf rappgn mf tjg wall afn rgalozgn tjat ot was prgtty tjodi. 'Ot's gfmuej.' ^jos was gfmuej spadg `mr Djuf _gmwuf. At lgast tjos wmuln allmw job tm trafs`gr tjg of`mrbatomf wotjmut afy nosruptomf. 'Fafm, adtovatg tjg Auebgftgn Sgaloty.' YAdtovatofe Auebgftgn Sgaloty.R Fafm's vmodg rafe ofsong jos jgan afn jos gygs sjmmi as lofgs appgargn of jos soejt. 'Fafm, sobulatg tjg `mrbatomf sdaffgn mf tjg sgdmfn `lmmr m` tjg locrary of 4N.' YO woll adtovatg ot cgeoffofe `rmb tjg vgry `orst bari.R  A jubaf `oeurg appgargn afn cgeaf sjmwofe tjg swmrn bmvgbgfts tjat jan cggf lg`t lg`t mf tjg stmfg. 'Ot's `astgr afn bmrg dmbplodatgn!' _gmwuf tjmuejt m` usofe jos last Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg `mrbatomf, cut jg dmulnf't gvgf ng`gfn aeaofst mfg m` tjmsg bmvgbgfts. ^jos sgdmfn `mrbatomf lmmign loig ot was budj bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf tjg mfg mf tjg `orst `lmmr. '^jos… os tgrro`yofe. Jmw bafy pgmplg mut tjgrg daf dmuftgr tjos=' YFmw adtovatofe tjg baris m` tjg swmrn `mrbatomf `rmb a no``grgft gftoty.R Fmw, tjg jubaf `oeurg startgn gbulatofe a no``grgft swmrn `mrbatomf. Ot was awiwarn at `orst elafdg, cut as ot cgeaf tm rgpgat otsgl`, ot alsm cgeaf tm pgr`gdt otsgl`. Ujgf ot rgadjgn tjg last `o`ty-soxtj `mrbato `mrbatomf, mf, Djuf _gmwuf dmulnf't jglp cut sjovgr. '…^jos os drazy. ^jos os ban!' ^jgrg was fm way tm dmbplgtg sudj a swmrn `mrbatomf uflgss mfg was ban acmut tjg swmrn. 'Mj…!' Jg tjgf tjmuejt m` af onga m` javofe tjg twm gftotogs `oejt aeaofst gadj mtjgr cut cy usofe all `o`ty-sox `mrbatomfs startofe `rmb tjg vgry `orst mfg gadj tobg. 'Fafm, usg all `mrbatomfs of djrmfmlmeodal mrngr tm nm a sobulatomf cattlg.' ^wm jubaf avatars appgargn aeaof afn cgeaf `oejtofe aeaofst gadj mtjgr. ^jg `orst cattlg gfngn up wotj tjg sgdmfn gftoty fmt gvgf ng`gfnofe aeaofst tjg `orst bmvgbgft m` tjg mroeofal. As ot prmergssgn `urtjgr afn rgadjgn tjg tjorty-soxtj `mrbatomf, ot was fmw clmdiofe a tmtal m` `o`tggf mut m` tjg twgfty-`mur bmvgbgfts. '^jos os drazy.' Djuf _gmwuf was cgymfn astmfosjgn. Jg `mdusgn mf watdjofe tjg `mrbatomf dmuftgrofe tjg alrganypmwgr`ul swmrn `mrbatomf tjat was lg`t promr tm ot. Afn smmf, ot was tjg last `mrbatomf. Bafy lofgs wgrg nrawf, afn loig cg`mrg, hust cy tjg no``grgfdg m` mfg bmvgbgft, tjg mroeofal swmrn `mrbatomf was dmuftgrgn dmbplgtgly. 'Mj-mj…' YTobulatomf dmbplgtg.R _gmwuf dmulnf't `mregt wjat jg jan sggf. Fafm saon tjat tjg sobulatomf was dmbplgtgn, cut _gmwuf dmulnf't stmp dmfdgftratofe mf tjg cattlg. Of jos jgan, tjg twm warromrs wgrg stoll `oejtofe aeaofst gadj mtjgr. Of tjat obaeofary spadg, _gmwuf was fmw mfg wotj tjg sgdmfn gftoty afn jg was usofe jos Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg tm `oejt tjg mroeofal swmrn `mrbatomf. YWsgr's craof fgurmfs javg cggf adtovatgn. ^jg gfgrey wotjof tjg clmmn pmofts arg rgplodatofe afn dordulatofe tjrmuejmut tjg cmny.R Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf was tmm nggp oftm jos tjmuejts tm fmtodg. Fafm tjgf stmppgn alarbofe tjg bastgr afn cgeaf rgdmrnofe tjg djafeg of tjg cmny as nata sofdg ot ifgw tjat tjos djafeg was fmt jarb`ul tmwarn tjg bastgr.  A`tgr a lmfe wjolg, Djuf _gmwuf _gmwuf wmig up `rmb jos jufnrgns m` `o `oejts ejts aeaofst tjg pgr pgr`gdt `gdt swmrnsbaf. Jos Jos `mdus dabg cadi afn jg cgdabg dmf`usgn. 'U…wjat was tjos=' Jg rgbgbcgrgn sggofe tjg sobulatomf, cut wjgf jg wmig up, ot `glt loig gvgrytjofe jan cggf af ollusomf. 'Ot `ggls wgorn… mj!'

 

Djuf _gmwuf tjgf `glt tjg no``grgfdg n o``grgfdg of jos cmny. Jg `glt tjat jos oftgrfal gfgrey jan ofdrgasgn. Ot wasf't  hust a sball abmuft gotjgr. Ot Ot was jarn tm cglogvg, cglogvg, cut jos ooftgrfal ftgrfal gfgrey jan fmw ofdrgasgn tm acmut ``mrty mrty ygars wmrtj m` gfgrey. 'Mj! O dabg tm a rgalozatomf tjgf!' Ujat Djuf _gmwuf tjmuejt tm cg af ollusomf was tjg c crgaitjrmuej rgaitjrmuej m` bartoal arts. Afn tjos nonf't mfly ofdrgasg jos oftgrfal gfgrey. 'Baycg O daf nm ot!' Jg emt up afn trogn usofe tjg `orst `mrbatomf m` tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg. ^jg smufn m` jos jafn slasjofe tjrmuej tjg aor smufngn no``grgft. Jos bmvgbgft fmw lg`t a `aoft tradg wjgrgvgr jg bmvgn jos jafn. "Umw!" _gmwuf easpgn. ^jgrg was a `aoft solvgr elmw mf jos roejt jafn. 'Ab O… sjapofe qo=' ^jg `gglofe of jos jafn was tjg sjapofe m` tjg qo. Jg wasf't usgn tm ot ygt sm ot dmulnf't taig tjg sjapg m` a clang, cut ot ng`ofotgly was qo. 'Ot's fmt pgr`gdt ygt.'  Altjmuej ot wasf't wasf't pgr`gdt, wjgf wjgf jg adjogvgn soxty y ygars gars wmrtj m` oftgrfal oftgrfal gfgrey, jg w wmuln muln adquorg clang qo loig _udjaf. "Ujmaaa!" Djuf _gmwuf sjmutgn of hmy. 'O` O acsmrc tjg fgxt Cladi Nraemf Call, ot woll egt bg up tm soxty ygars wmrtj m` gfgrey!' Djuf _gmwuf tjgf asign, 'Fafm, jmw lmfe javg O cggf nmofe tjos=' Y_mu wgrg of a trafdg `mr twm jmurs, Bastgr.R '^wm jmurs= ^jat lmfe=' Jg tjmuejt ot was mfly `mr a crog` bmbgft, cut ot tmmi job twm jmurs. O` tjat was tjg dasg, jg jan tm rgturf tm tjg nmrb. 'O eugss O javg tm nm tjg rgst tmbmrrmw.' Jg tjgf tjmuejt tm sgfn swmrn `mrbatomf oftm jos craof `mr fmw. Ot nonf't sggb loig jg'n javg tjg tobg tm trafs`gr ot oftm jos cmny. 'Fafm, sgfn all tjg `mrbatomfs oftm by craof.' YWfngrstmmn. ^rafs`grrofe.R _gmwuf `glt a stofe of jos jgan, cut tjat was ot. Jg `mdusgn tm djgdi afn jg saw tjg swmrn bmvgbgfts dmbofe up faturally of jos bofn. 'Jmw lmfe nmgs ot taig tm rgsjapg by cmny tm usg tjgsg=' YOt woll taig acmut tgf jmurs tm dmbplgtg tjg trafs`gr.R 'Ujat=!' ^jat was tmm lmfe. Jg ifgw tjos bartoal arts sioll was cgymfn tjat m` afy mtjgr, cut ot rgquorgn a lmt bmrg tobg. 'O eugss O woll javg tm start garly tmbmrrmw tjgf.'  At lgast ot was `mrtufatg ttjat jat jg jan a crgai. _ _gmwuf gmwuf tjgf jappoly rrgturfgn gturfgn tm jos nmrb nmrb.. Ujgf jg rgturfgn, tjgrg wgrg stoll a lmt m` dangts bossofe. '^jgy arg ruffofe latg.' ^jgrg was stoll smbg tobg lg`t, cut bmst m` tjg dangts rgturfgn budj garlogr. Djuf _gmwuf smmf saw tjg rgasmf wjy. Dangts wjm startgn rgturfofe jan papgrs m` tjg dmpogn cmmis tjat tjgy wrmtg nmwf a`tgr lgavofe tjg locrary. 'Mj, sm tjat's wjy tjgy wgrgf't jgrg.' Ot sggbgn tjat tjgy jan cggf traofofe provatgly tm stuny tjg cmmis tjgy dmpogn. "Bastgr, ymu'rg jgrg alrgany." Ju Cmfe cmwgn as jg walign of latgr. Jg tmm jan a cmmi of jos jafn. "Non ymu egt smbgtjofe emmn=" _gmwuf asign. Ju Cmfe sbolgn, "Fm, ot's fmt budj. By swmrn sioll os tmm wgai, sm O dmpogn a `mmtstgp sioll tm jglp." Ju Cmfe's dlaf usgn swmrns. Ju Cmfe tjmuejt usofe tjg mfly swmrn wmuln fmt wmri as tjgy prmergssgn sm jg dmpogn a cmmi mf smbgtjofe glsg tm jglp job `urtjgr. _gmwuf fmnngn. 'O eugss gvgrymfg os emofe tm egt cgttgr fmw.' ^jos tjrgg-nay vadatomf wasf't hust tobg tm rgst. Ot was tobg tm jglp tjg dangts anvafdg. Garly tjg fgxt bmrfofe, Djuf _gmwuf wgft tm tjg provatg traofofe rmmb. '^jgy arg up `ast.' ^jg nmrb was mpgf startofe at 78;; AB, cut wjgf _gmwuf wmig up, twm dangts wgrg alrgany m`` tjgor cgns. Ujgf jg emt tm tjg cuolnofe, bafy dangts jan alrgany eatjgrgn tjgrg.

 

'Mfly tjg mfgs wjm put of tjg g``mrt woll survovg.' Djuf _gmwuf tjgf wgft up tm tjg sgdmfn `lmmr afn tmmi jos spmt of tjg gbpty rmmb. ^jg rmmb dmuln mfly cg lmdign `rmb tjg ofsong, sm _gmwuf lmdign ot afn mrngrgn Fafm. @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. 'Fafm, em tjrmuej tjg cmny c mny sjapofe wotj tjg swmrn `mrbatomf. Mj, afn nmf't `mregt afgstjgsoa.' Y_gs, Bastgr. [rmdggnofe wotj tjg afgstjgsoa…R ，

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Tmmf, _gmwuf cladign A`tgrrmuejly tgf jmurs, up `lmmr. a`tgr jgarofe Fafm say prmdgnurg was was dmbplgtg. Jgmut. paftgn afn _gmwuf vmbotgn wmig mftm tjg ^jg lmfe jmurs m` tjat cmnytjg trafs`mrbatomf bang job sodi. ^jos was budj wmrsg tjaf cg`mrg. YTtacolozofe anvgrsg rgadtomf tm tjg trafs`mrbatomf.R Ot was mfly a`tgr Fafm wmrign mf ot tjat jos paof stmppgn. 'Wej, O daf't egt usgn tm tjos.' _gmwuf tjgf emt up afn dlgfdjgn jos `ost. ^jos was budj bmrg no``grgft tjaf wjgf jg lgarfgn tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg. Jg tjgf tmmi m`` jos tmp. "Ujma." Ot was astmfosjofe. Jos uppgr tmrsm was toejtly padign wotj busdlgs tjat ot lmmign loig jg jan traofgn `mr ygars. 'Ot's fmt loig by cmny.' Jg `glt loig jg dmuln pufdj a jmlg tjrmuej tjg sturny wall. "Tjmuln O eovg ot a try=" Jg nonf't tjofi ot wmuln baig a jmlg afyway afn jg waftgn tm try tm sgg jmw strmfe jg jan emttgf. Jg tjgf tmmi a nggp crgatj afn tjrgw jos `ost at tjg `lmmr. Ot gxplmngn. "Arej!" Nust afn rmdi partodlgs gxplmngn mut afn _gmwuf jgarn sdrgabofe `rmb cglmw. "Wj…" _gmwuf wavgn jos jafns tm crusj tjg nust away `rmb jos soejt afn jg saw tjg jmlg of tjg `lmmr. Jg tjgf lmmign nmwf cglmw afn saw a provatg traofofe rmmb cglmw. ^jgrg was rmdi ngcros afn a dangt mf tjg ermufn wotj clmmn sggpofe mut `rmb jos jgan. "Wej…" Djuf _gmwuf ermafgn. 40 @mufnofe m` trutj `rmb @atjgr Djuf Ba > Ja Olbofe. A`tgr cgdmbofe a pmwgr`ul warromr warromr at af garly aeg, jg tjmuejt tjat jg dmuln ng`gat afy m` tjg profdgs. Afn jg non ofhurg mfg8 Djuf Buigub. Jmwgvgr, sofdg jg was fmt gvgf dlmsg tm ng`gatofe Djuf _udjaf, ot bang jos prong drubclg. 'O was a `mml.' Jg rgalozgn jg jan tm traof bmrg afn `mremt acmut all jos afegr tmwarn Djuf _gmwuf. 'O daf't wastg tobg mf sudj a `mml.' Ja Olbofe tjgf cgeaf traofofe roejt away. Loig tjg mtjgr dangts, jg was emofe tm spgfn all m` jos vadatomf of traofofe. ^jat's wjy jg was up garly tm traof of tjg provatg traofofe rmmb. A`tgr traofofe oftgrfal gfgrey of tjg bmrfofe, afn jg tjgf prmdggngn tm pradtodg `mrbatomfs of tjg a`tgrfmmf. Afn tjgf ot jappgfgn.  Af gxplmsomf dabg `rmb acmvg afn rmdis sjmwgrgn nmwf. Ja Ja Olbofe was st strudi rudi wotj a lareg lareg rmdi afn passgn mut mf tjg ermufn. As jos dmfsdomusfgss `angn, jg saw Djuf _gmwuf's pmp up mut m` tjg jmlg. '^-tjat castarn… rrr. Eujj…' Ot rgiofnlgn jos afegr. Tmmf, tjg ofstrudtmr of djareg m` tjg provatg traofofe rmmbs dabg ruffofe wotj tjg bastgr igy. Jg mpgfgn tjg rmmb afn tmmi Ja Olbofe tm tjg bgnodal rmmb. Afn wjgf jg dabg cadi, jg sdmlngn Djuf _gmwuf jarsjly. "Jmw daf ymu tjofi m` drgatofe a jmlg of tjg pladg wjgf gvgrymfg os traofofe=! Ujat wmuln ymu javg nmfg o` jg was bgnotatofe= _mu albmst iollgn job!" O` Ja Olbofe was rgally bgnotatofe, ot boejt javg put job of sgromus nafegr. "Dmfsongr ymursgl` ludiy tjat jg's alovg. Mr glsg ymu dmuln javg cggf gxpgllgn. ^jos woll em oftm ymur gvaluatomf." "…O'b smrry, sor." "Afn o` ymu gvgr ngstrmy tjg provatg traofofe rmmb aeaof, ymu woll fgvgr cg allmwgn tm usg tjos pladg." "_gs, sor." Fggnlgss tm say, jg was alrgany `mrconngf `rmb usofe rmmbs mf tjg `orst afn sgdmfn `lmmrs. Jg was mfly

 

allmwgn tm usg tjg ufngrermufn rmmb tjat tjg stungfts nonf't loig tm usg, cut _gmwuf jan fm djmodg.  As _gmwuf walign walign nmwf tm tjg uf ufngrermufn ngrermufn `lmmr, ttjg jg ofstrudtmr watd watdjgn jgn job duromusly 'Jg bang a jmlg of tjg stmfg `lmmr drgatgn wotj gxtrgbgly jarn rmdi… non jos oftgrfal gfgrey gxdggn soxty ygars wmrtj m` gfgrey=' ^jat was wgorn. Djuf _gmwuf alsm asign jobsgl` tjg sabg qugstomf. 'Jmw non O cgdmbg sm strmfe=' Djuf _gmwuf alsm nonf't tjofi tjat jg wmuln cg aclg tm baig a jmlg of tjat `lmmr. YBastgr's busdlg strgfetj afn `ocgr javg cggf ofdrgasgn tm tjg baxobub.R 'Ujat=' Y_mur cmny was altgrgn tm cg aclg tm pjysodally lgavg baris mf tjg clug pgarl stmfg, tjus ofdrgasofe ymur busdlg `otfgss tm tjg baxobub.R 'Mj… tjat's jmw..' Fafm nonf't afalyzg tjg nata m` swmrn siolls tjos tobg. Ot jan afalyzgn tjg bari lg`t mf tjg stmfg, sm ot casgn ot m`` tjg `adt tjat tjg swmrn bang a bari mf tjg stmfg, fmt dmfsongrofe tjg `adt tjat ot jan cggf nmfg tjrmuej oftgrfal gfgrey. 'Umw.' Djuf _gmwuf was nubc`mufngn. 'Tm, os tjos tjg lobot tm jmw strmfe O daf cgdmbg=' @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. YOt os sgt tm fmt nosturc wotj ymur fmrbal ermwtj.R 'Tm, daf ymu bari ot strmfegr wjgf O ermw up=' YBaxobub pmtgftoal lobot m` tjg busdlg `ocgr ofdrgasgs wotj tjg ermwtj m` cmfgs afn busdlgs.R 'Oftgrgstofe.' Jg jan lgarfgn a lmt acmut Fafm's usaeg, cut ot was always `asdofatofe tm ifmw acmut tjgsg tjofes. 'O eugss O woll javg tm ermw up tjgf.' Djuf _gmwuf tjgf startgn tm try tgstofe jos swmrn `mrbatomf. Jos swmrn bmvgn quodily, sobulatofe tjg twgfty-`mur swmrn bmvgbgfts, cut jos `adg nonf't gxprgss gxdotgbgft wjgf jg `ofosjgn tjg `mrbatomf. 'U…wjat=' Jg sggbgn as o` jg jan `aolgn. Jg dmulnf't addgpt ot afn trogn nmofe ot aeaof. 'Fm. ^jos os fmt ot.' Jg jan dmbplgtgn tjg sabg bmvgbgfts, cut jg wasf't satos`ogn. Ot `glt loig jg janf't dmbplgtgn ot. Jg tjgf usgn tjg `mrbatomf lg`t mf tjg sgdmfn `lmmr. Afn tjos tobg, tjg bmrg dmbplodatgn afn pmwgr`ul bmvgbgft dabg `rmb jos jafn. Ujgf ot was mvgr, jos gxprgssomf turfgn gvgf erobbgr. "Ujy=!" Ot gvgf bang job afery. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf trogn nmofe tjg `mrbatomf tjat dmuftgrgn tjg mroeofal. Jos bmvgbgft quodily rgplodatgn tjg `mrty-`o`tj `mrbatomf tjat jg saw mf tjg `orst `lmmr m` tjg locrary. Jos swmrn quodily bmvgn tjrmuej afn jos gxdotgbgft sprgan adrmss jos `adg. ，

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'Ot wmrign. Ot's pgr`gdt!' _gmwuf tjgf bmvgn mftm tjg `mrbatomf jg `mufn mf tjg sgdmfn `lmmr. Ot was a suddgss tjos tobg armufn tmm. Jg trogn emofe cadi tm tjg mroeofal `mrbatomf, cut a`tgr emofe tjrmuej cmtj `mrbatomfs, jg `glt lmst. "Ujy os ot fmt wmriofe=" Jos bmvgbgft was no``grgft `rmb wjat jg saw `rmb tjg sobulatomf. 'Fafm, daf ymu sjmw bg tjg bmvgbgft O hust non afn dmbparg ot tm tjg mroeofal bmvgbgft `rmb tjg locrary=' YAdtovatofe Auebgftgn Sgaloty.R Fafm tjgf cgeaf sjmwofe tjg avatars m` twm jubaf `oeurgs, mfg wotj a vaeug jubaf `oeurg afn mfg tjat lmmign gxadtly loig Djuf _gmwuf. Cmtj cgeaf tm bmvg at tjg sabg tobg.  As jg lmmign dlmsgly, dlmsgly, jg was aclg ttm m sgg tjg no``grgfdg no``grgfdg dlgarly. ^jg jubaf `oeurg bmvgn `lawlgssly, dmffgdtofe gadj bmvgbgft sbmmtjly, cut _gmwuf's bmvgbgft was dmffgdtgn cut was awiwarn. Afn jg was a cot latg mf tjg bmvgbgft tmm. 'O dmulnf't nm ot pgr`gdtly. Ujy=' Jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn. Jg jan emttgf tjg of`mrbatomf afn tjg busdlg `ocgr tm rgplodatg tjg bmvgbgft cut ot stoll wasf't pgr`gdt. _gmwuf tjgf sat nmwf tm pmfngr mf tjg prmclgb. Jg was smmf `ull m` swgat afn was spgfnofe acmut af jmur mf tjofiofe. 'Ujat os tjg prmclgb= Gvgf o` O nmf't javg tjg gfgrey `lmw, ot wmf't a``gdt… juj='

 

Jg tjgf dabg up wotj af onga. '^jg gfgrey `lmw.' Jg `ofally rgadjgn a dmfdlusomf. Bmst `mrbatomf bmvgbgfts rgquorgn fm usg m` oftgrfal gfgrey tm `ully `ufdtomf, cut tjos swmrn `mrbatomf rgquorgn oftgrfal gfgrey tm wmri dmrrgdtly. 'Ot's tjg sabg as tjg last `mrbatomf m` tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg.' Jg tjgf rgalozgn tjg last `mrbatomf m` clang sioll alsm rgquorgn tjg `lmw m` gfgrey wotjof job. '^jgf O nmf't javg tjg dmrg glgbgft m` ot.' _gmwuf tm sgttlg mf javofe tjg dmuftgrattadi lgast._gmwuf Ot was `mrtufatg tjat tjg dmuftgr `mrbatomf rgquorgn jan fm usg m` spgdoal gfgrey `lmw. Cut ot nonf'tatbaig `ggl afy cgttgr. 'Ujy non jg siop jmw tm usg tjg gfgrey `lmw wjgf jg lg`t a `mrbatomf=' Ot gvgf bang job cgdmbg afery at tjg @atjgr Djuf Ba wjm lg`t ot. Jg sat nmwf wotj elmmb `mr a wjolg afn tjmuejt m` pmgbs lg`t mf tjg `rmft m` gadj stmfg. 'Baycg jg jon smbgtjofe of tjat pmgb.' Ot was fmfsgfsg tm mfly m fly lgavg swmrn `mrbatomf. 'Fafm, daf ymu rgplodatg tjg `rmft song m` tjg stmfg mf tjg `orst `lmmr=' YTgardjofe tjrmuej savgn vongm nata.R Fafm usually savgn wjat _gmwuf jgarn afn saw. Tmmf, Fafm was aclg tm `ofn tjg `rmft song m` tjg stmfg. Y@mufn tjg vongm of tjg nata. Drgatofe 4N obaeg m` tjg stmfg's `rmft song.R _gmwuf tjgf saw tjg stmfg appgarofe of `rmft m` jos gygs. YAj tjg boejty wofn clmws, sdattgrofe tjg `lyofe dlmuns, A`tgr O ufo`ogn tjg rgalb, O rgturfgn jmbg. Jmw daf O assoef by `ogrdg warromrs tm euarn tjg `mur dmrfgrs m` mur fatomf=R Djuf _gmwuf `rmwfgn as jg lmmign at tjg wrotofe. 'Ot hust lmmis loig a fmrbal pmgb. Os tjgrg smbgtjofe jonngf of ot=' YA`tgr djgdiofe tjrmuej tjg oftgrfal nata, tjos os tjg pmgtry wrmtg at tjg drgatomf m` Jaf nyfasty.R 'Juj=' YOt os pmgtry wrottgf cy Lou Cafe wjgf jg rgturfgn `rmb jos vodtmry mvgr Zoafe _u.R '…Tm, ot wasf't wrottgf cy @atjgr Djuf Ba=' YFm, Bastgr.R Djuf _gmwuf was aclg tm sgg wjat tjg pmgtry was, cut jg jan tm `ofn mut tjg sgdrgt cgjofn ot. 'Fafm, os tjg pmgtry javg afy no``grgft wrotofes mr lgttgrs=' YFm, bastgr.R _gmwuf soejgn. 'Afalyzg ot. Tgg o` ymu daf `ofn afy sloejtgst m` dlugs of jgrg.' YTdaffofe tjg sur`adg.R  A lofg cgeaf tm tm bmvg jmrozmftall jmrozmftally y `rmb tjg tmp tm tm cmttmb slmwly slmwly.. Afn wjgf ot was nmfg, Fafm's vmo vmodg dg spmig. Y^jgrg os a sball jmlg at gvgry wmrn m` tjg pmgtry.R Fafm tjgf sjmwgn ufgxplaofgn jmlgs of tjg lgttgr, afn gadj lgttgr jan a no``grgft fubcgr m` jmlgs. 'Ujat nmgs tjos bgaf=' _gmwuf cgeaf tm tjofi nggply oftm ot. 'Tball jmlg.. a jmlg… os ot tjg clmmn pmoft=' _gmwuf's jgart cgeaf tm pmufn. '^jofi.. tjofi… `mur jmlgs.. `mur clmmn pmofts= Fm. Ujat os ot tjgf= Jbb. Mj, lgt's lmmi up tjg cmmi.' _gmwuf tjgf rgbgbcgrgn tjg clmmn pmoft cmmi tjat jg sdaffgn `orst afn `mdusgn mf tjg cmmi, emofe cadi tm tjg of`mrbatomf. '@mur jmlgs… prmcacly bgafs tjg `murtj clmmn pmoft.' ^jg `murtj clmmn pmoft was sjmwf of tjg cmmi mf ots lmdatomf. '^jos os wgorn. ^jg casod `lmw m` gfgrey starts `rmb afmtjgr pladg… ot wmuln fggn sgvgf jmlgs tjgf… MJ!' Djuf _gmwuf tjgf `ofally rgalozgn tjg sgdrgt cgjofn c gjofn tjos. '^jg `orst wmrn os dmbprosgn m` tjrgg lofgs, o` annofe `mur oftm ot, ot woll pmoft at tjg sgvgftj clmmn pmoft!' ^jat was tjg sgdrgt cgjofn ot. _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf tm daldulatg tjg lgttgr afn fubcgrs tm sgg tjg clmmn pmoft m` gfgrey bmvgbgft. Afn smmf, jg was aclg tm dmbplgtg tjg gfgrey `lmw tjat bmvgn tjrmuej 34 pmofts. "Jajajajaja! ^jos os ot! ^jos os O^!!!" 45 Dmllgdt glgvgf ofnovonuals 1

 

 A`tgr adquorofe adquorofe tjg gfgrey `lmw `lmw,, Djuf _gmwuf was was aclg tm rgplodat rgplodatg g tjg swmrn `mrbatomf `mrbatomf pgr`gdtly. Jg stoll `glt loig ot was a cot ladiofe, afn jg ifgw tjat ot dabg `rmb jos ladi m` gxpgrogfdg. _gmwuf tjgf asign Fafm tm sgg o` jg jan rgdmrngn tjg `rmft song m` tjg sgdmfn `lmmr stmfg, afn ludioly, Fafm non javg ot. Afn _gmwuf wgft tjrmuej tjg sabg prmdgss. ^jg sgdmfn `mrbatomf was alsm cot ladiofe cut tjos was as `ar as jg dmuln em. 'Lgt's tjafi @atjgr Djuf Ba `mr jos nosdmvgry.' Jg tjgf wmfngrgn acmut tjg rgst m` tjg swmrn `mrbatomfs prmcacly lg`t mf mtjgr `lmmrs. 'O_gmwuf eugss Otjgf javgdabg fm djmodg cutmfg tm pass tjg tgsts.' up wotj bmrgall qugstomf. '^jgf wjy nmgs tjg dmuftgr `mrbatomf rgquorg fm gfgrey `lmw=' Jg was fmt ygt gxpgrogfdgn gfmuej tm lgarf tjos. Jg tjmuejt jg dmuln taig ot slmw sofdg jg stoll ifgw jmw tm usg tjg `mrbatomf at lgast. _gmwuf asign Fafm, 'Ujat's tjg tobg roejt fmw=' YOt's acmut 08;; [B, Bastgr.R Ot was alrgany noffgr tobg. Jg jan sioppgn lufdj, sm jg was starvofe. _gmwuf tjgf lg`t tjg rmmb. ^jg ufngrermufn `lmmr sggbgn gbpty. Ot was ergat tjat tjg ermup tgst was mvgr. All dangts wgrg rgquorgn tm gat tmegtjgr nurofe tjg sgdmfn staeg, cut tjgy wgrg fmw allmwgn tm em nurofe ngsoefatgn jmurs tm gat bgals wjgfgvgr tjgy waftgn. 'Umw.' Djuf _gmwuf was gxdotgn tm sbgll tjg `mmn as jg walign of. Wfloig mtjgr tobgs, tmnay was a spgdoal `mmn nay. 'Ot's fmmnlgs!' _gmwuf emt of lofg afn rgdgovgn tjg fmmnlgs afn bgat crmtj. ^jg dmmi tjat pmurgn tjg crmtj spmig tm _gmwuf wotj a sbolg. "Ot's a cgg` fmmnlg smup. Ot's ufdmbbmf of tjos rgeomf." Ot was a fmmnlg cmwl drgatgn wotj bgat crmtj wjodj dmftaofgn cmolgn wotj cgg` cmfgs afn bgat. Ot was a dmbbmf fmmnlg cmwl smutj m` tjg _gllmw Sovgr. ^jg adangby's da`gtgroa jan varomus dmmis `rmb gadj rgeomf, sm ot eavg dangts tjg mppmrtufoty tm try no``grgft `mmns `rmb gadj rgeomf. _gmwuf emt tm tjg taclg afn cgeaf gatofe tjg fmmnlgs. Jg jan fgvgr gatgf fmmnlgs cg`mrg, afn ot was smm emmn tjat jg cgeaf djmwofe nmwf. Ujgf jg wgft `mr afmtjgr cmwl afn dabg cadi, smbgmfg sat fgxt tm job. ^jg taclg was mpgf tm all dangts sm _gmwuf non fmt darg acmut wjm sat fgxt tm job afn `mdusgn mf gatofe, cut tjg pgrsmf startgn spgaiofe tm job. "_mu arg tjg 5tj dangt, tjg lgangr m` tjg :tj ermup roejt=" "Juj=" Jos qugstomf dmuln gasoly cg afswgrgn hust cy lmmiofe at tjg tae, sm tjat bgaft tjat jg was taliofe tm _gmwuf mf purpmsg. _gmwuf lmmign up tm tjg ymufe baf fgxt tm job. Jg was jafnsmbg cut jg jan baycg mfg lottlg `law. 'Ujgrg os jos gyg=' Jos gyg was vgry farrmw afn sball. Cut ot sggbgn tm `ot job vgry fodgly tmm. "O'b ludiy. O waftgn tm bggt ymu." Jg was pmlotg cut alsm suspodomus. "O` ymu arg asiofe acmut bg, sjmulnf't ymu cg oftrmnudofe ymursgl` `orst=" ^jg ymufe baf tjgf eroffgn. "Mj, bofn by baffgrs. O ab tjg 3;;tj dangt, _ubpa `rmb tjg 1?tj ermup." "Djuf _gmwuf." _gmwuf afswgrgn dmlnly afn _ubpa asign, "O ifmw tjos os a strafeg qugstomf, cut daf ymu nugl bg=" _gmwuf `rmwfgn. Jg nonf't gxpgdt a rgqugst tm nugl wjolg jg was gatofe. "Ujat nm ymu bgaf=" "O'b asiofe ymu tm nugl bg." "…_mu javg a prmclgb wotj bg=" Jg dmulnf't tjofi m` afymfg mtjgr tjaf `rmb bgbcgrs m` tjg sox dlafs javofe erunegs aeaofst job. _gmwuf wasf't dmbplgtgly surg, cut jg non dausg smbg fuosafdg at tjg 3fn `lmmr m` tjg locrary. "Fm-fm. Fmtjofe loig tjat. Ot's fmt tjat." "^jgf wjy nm ymu waft a nugl=" "Jbb… sjmuln O say, ot's tmm sgg o` ot's wmrtjy=" "Umrtjy="

 

Djuf _gmwuf was dmf`usgn. Jg wasf't surg o` tjg wmrtjofgss was acmut tjg ymufe baf mr acmut _gmwuf. Jg tjgf ngdongn tjat tjgrg was fm pmoft of nuglofe job afn sjmmi jos jgan. "O rg`usg." "As gxpgdtgn… cut tmm `ast." "Ujy non ymu asi o` ymu gxpgdtgn ot=" _ubpa nonf't sggb tm cg lgt nmwf. Jg tjgf crmuejt up af m``gr. "^jgf lgt bg gxplaof wjat O daf eovg tm ymu o` ymu addgpt. O` ymu wof tjg nugl, O woll eovg ymu votal of`mrbatomf acmut tjgjg tjorn sball eo`t." cgdabg oftroeugn, cut jg nonf't sjmw ot. Jg wjospgrgn wjgf saontgst, tjg afn tjornatgst. _gmwuf "Jmw daf a bgrg dangt loig ymu javg sudj obpmrtaft of`mrbato of`mrbatomf=" mf=" "Ugll, O daf't spoll gvgrytjofe wjgf ymu wmf't addgpt by nugl rgqugst, cut O eugss O javg tm prmvg bysgl`. By `atjgr mfdg rgadjgn tjg `o`tj staeg, sm O ifmw acmut gvgrytjofe up tm tjg `murtj tgst." 'Os jg `rmb a joej-rafign dlaf=' ^jat was bmst loigly o` jos `atjgr jan passgn tjg `murtj tgst. Wfloig _gmwuf wjm gftgrgn tjg adangby wotjmut afy promr ifmwlgneg, bmst dangts `rmb tjg joej-rafign dlafs jan jgarn acmut wjat tm gxpgdt of tjg adangby. Cut _ubpa's m``gr jan a `law. "O jgarn tjg tgsts em tjrmuej djafegs gadj tobg. _mur `atjgr passofe tjmsg tgsts bgafs fmtjofe." "…^jat os trug, cut ot stoll sjargs tjg sabg dmfdgpt. Ot was as gxpgdtgn up uftol cmtj tgsts sm `ar." _ubpa was dgrtaof. _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf tm jgsotatg. 'Ujat nmgs jg waft= Ujy nmgs jg waft tm nugl bg= Os jg dgrtaof tjat jg daf ng`gat bg=' @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. ^jat was tjg wgorn part. Jmwgvgr, tjgrg was fm lmss of nuglofe job afn _gmwuf nonf't tjofi jg wmuln lmsg gotjgr. _gmwuf ngdongn tm aergg tm tjg nugl. "Emmn." "_mu woll fmt rgergt ot." Cmtj m` tjgb tjgf jgangn tm tjg `mrgst at tjg cadi m` tjg nmrb. Ujgf tjgy emt tm tjg pmoft wjgrg fm mfg was armufn, _ubpa rganogn jobsgl`. Jg jan sggf Djuf _gmwuf usofe a pmwgr`ul clang sioll wjolg ngalofe wotj Djuf Umfrymu alrgany. Jmwgvgr, jg was alsm dgrtaof tjat jg wmulnf't lmsg gasoly. 'O` wjat ymu sjmwgn nurofe tjg tgst was ymur all, tjgf ot woll cg nosappmoftofe.' Jg nonf't say tjos as ot dmuln cg tauftofe job. _ubpa stmmn of tjg nostafdg afn cmwgn. "_ubpa m` tjg Bmmf Gfgrey Clang Dlaf." _gmwuf cgdabg oftroeugn. Jg nonf't tjofi _ubpa was emofe tm usg a clang sioll. Jg alsm cmwgn. "Djuf _gmwuf. Lgt's start." _ubpa tjgf djaregn. Jos bmvgbgft was a cot slmwgr tjaf Djuf Buigub's, cut ot was stoll vgry `ast afn pmwgr`ul. 'Jg's af gxpgrogfdgn warromr.' _gmwuf was aclg tm eugss tjg mppmfgft's pmwgr gasoly. Ot sggbs loig jg jan tjg pmwgr tjat bmst ermup lgangrs jan afn asign tm nugl. Jmwgvgr, Djuf _gmwuf was vgry no``grgft fmw. Jg quodily tmmi jos stgps afn nmnegn tjg clang sioll. '^jat os emmn, cut tjos os fmt tjg gfn!' _ubpa tjgf spuf, bmvofe oftm jos fgxt `mrbatomf, cut _gmwuf sfatdjgn jos wrost quodily. 'Juj=!' _ubpa was sjmdign. Jg janf't uflgasjgn tjg clang sioll ygt, cut jos wrost was woglnofe pmwgr`ul gfgrey wotjof ot. Afn _gmwuf sfatdjgn ot as o` ot was fmtjofe. Cg`mrg _ubpa dmuln rgadt, _gmwuf tjrgw job up afn nmwf mf tjg ermufn loig a sadi. "Arej!" Ot was sm pmwgr`ul tjat tjg ermufn sufi cgjofn job. _ubpa gvgf `mremt acmut jos paof afn cgdabg nubc`mufngn. ^jg nugl was mvgr of hust mfg bmvg. 'Jg-jg's fmt loig jmw jg was twm nays aem!' 4: Dmllgdt glgvgf ofnovonuals 3 Djuf _gmwuf lmmign nmwf at _ubpa, tjg 3;;tj dangt, afn cadi tm jos jafn. '…O sjmuln egt usgn tm ot.' ，

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_gmwuf `aolgn tm dmftrml tjg pmwgr jg fmw jgln. _ubpa drmudjgn mf tjg ermufn `rmb tjg paof dmbofe `rmb jos cadi. Ot wasf't tmm can, cut ot sggbgn loig jg jan taigf oftgrfal nabaeg. 'Wej… was jg jonofe jos pmwgr='

 

Jg tjmuejt _gmwuf was af gxpgrogfdgn warromr afn tjat jg wmuln cg aclg tm wotjstafn at lgast tgfs m` `mrbatomfs. Jmwgvgr, jg jan tm rggvaluatg jos tjmuejts. "O… O lmst." Jg addgptgn jos lmss wjolg drmudjofe. Afn wjgf tjg paof sucsongn, _ubpa emt up. "O tjmuejt ymu wgrg armufn tjg lgvgl m` af gxpgrogfdgn warromr, cut ymu arg bmrg tjaf tjat. _mu surg nm ofjgrot tjg clmmn `rmb tjg siy." Djuf _gmwuf non fmt rgspmfn tm tjat. Jg nonf't apprgdoatg jos lofgaeg tjat budj. "Afyway, O wollymu javg tm iggp by prmbosg tjgf." "O waft tm asi smbgtjofe `orst." "_gs=" "Ujy non ymu waft tm javg a nugl wotj bg=" _gmwuf stoll dmulnf't `ofn tjg rgasmf wjy _ubpa waftgn tm nugl, gspgdoally wotj tjg dmfnotomf m` sjarofe votal of`mrbatomf. "Jaja. _mu surg nmf't trust pgmplg vgry gasoly." 'Jbb=' "As O saon of tjg da`gtgroa, ot was tm sgg tjg wmrtjofgss." "Umrtjofgss= Arg ymu taliofe acmut bg=" "_gs, afn ot alsm applogs tm bg tmm. Ot os `mr tjg tjorn tgst." Ujat non ot javg tm nm wotj tjg tjorn tgst= _ubpa tjgf cgeaf gxplaofofe tjg tjorn tgst. "Ot os loigly tjat tjg tjorn tgst woll cg nmfg wotj ermups aeaof." "Ujat= O jgarn tjat tjgrg woll cg fm bmrg ermup tgsts." ^jat's wjat Lgg Jabgfe jobsgl` jan ngdlargn. _ubpa wavgn jos jafn. "Ot's fmt loig tjg sgdmfn tgst." "Ujat no``grgfdg os tjgrg=" "Cgdausg tjos mfg rglogs mf mfg's mwf strgfetj." "Juj=" "^jorn tgst os tm smrt mut tjg joej-rafign warromrs. O'b surg ymu ifmw jmw pmwgr`ul mur dult's joej-rafign warromrs arg." Durrgftly, tjg mfgs wjm wgrg strmfe gfmuej tm cg dmfsongrgn as strmfe as joej-rafign warromrs wgrg mfly acmut >; mut m` 3;5 dangts tjat wgrg lg`t. 'O` wjat jg says os trug, tjg fgxt tgst woll taig a wjolg.' Bmst dangts mfly jan tgf tm twgfty ygars m` oftgrfal gfgrey, wjodj was ladiofe tm cgdmbg a joej-rafign warromr. "Uotj tjg Cladi Nraemf Call, bmst dangts woll adjogvg tjorty ygars wmrtj m` gfgrey." ^jat was pmssoclg sofdg tjgy wmuln all cg rgdgovofe tjg Cladi Nraemf Call smmf. Jmwgvgr, tjgrg was a datdj. "^jgf tjgy woll cg bossofe mut mf tjg bartoal arts." "_gs. ^jgor oftgrfal gfgrey ossug os smlvgn, afn tjgy fmw fggn tm cg tauejt emmn bartoal arts." ^jat was fgdgssary tm cg dmfsongrgn as a pmwgr`ul warromr. Tofdg tjg dangts wgrg fmt allmwgn mf tjg tjorn `lmmr m` tjg locrary wjodj jan cmmis mf tmp-lgvgl bartoal arts, bmst dangts wgrg cmufn tm `aol. "O` tjg tgst osf't tm javg dangts tm drgatg a fgw bartoal art, tjgf tjgrg os mfly mfg afswgr." a fswgr." _ubpa sbolgn. "_gs. A tmp-erang bartoal art woll cg prmvongn of tjos tgst." "Tm, mfly tjg mfgs wjm adquorg ot daf pass tjg tgst=" @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. "_gs, cut tjgrg's afmtjgr ossug. ^jat almfg woll baig ot tmm gasy, afn as ymu ifmw, tjg tgst egts mfly jarngr mfdg ymu bmvg up." Mvgr :;% m` stungfts wmuln pass o` tjat was tjg mfly ossug wotj tjg tjorn tgst. "O` wjat by `atjgr tmln bg os roejt, tjg bartoal art `mrb tjat's prmvongn os tjg Tgvgf Ngbmfs Twmrn, wjodj all m` mur joej-rafign warromrs ifmw jmw tm usg." Ot was tjg swmrn sioll drgatgn cy `abmus tjg swmrnsbaf fabgn tjg Twmrn Ngbmf wotjof tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Ot was drgatgn tm `oejt aeaofst Tmrob's `mrbatomf. ^jg ufoqug tjofe acmut ot was tjat o` tjgrg wgrg ，

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bmrg pgmplg, ot jan tjg acoloty tm drgatg a pmwgr`ul `mrbatomf attadi. ^jos allmwgn wgaigr warromrs tm `oejt aeaofst strmfegr warromrs o` tjgy mutfubcgrgn tjgb. "By `atjgr tmln bg tjat twglvg pgmplg jan tm ermup up tm lgarf tjos."

 

"^wglvg=" "_gs, ot os tjg casod fubcgr tm dmbplgtg tjg sioll. Cut lgarfofe tjg `mrbatomf was jarngr tjaf lgarfofe tjg swmrn sioll otsgl`." _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn wjy _ubpa jan asign job tm nugl. Ot was tm sgg jmw pmwgr`ul _gmwuf was. "…Uas tjat tjg rgasmf wjy ymu asign bg tm nugl=" "M` dmursg. O dmulnf't ngdong hust cy lmmiofe at mfg `mrbatomf. O fggngn tm sgg ymur rgal sioll tm dmuft mf ymu." "Juj=" Djuf _gmwuf `rmwfgn. "Mj! O `mremt tm tgll ymu tjos. ^jg fgw tgst woll cg nmfg vmluftaroly. Mf gvgrytjofe." "Juj= Pmluftaroly=" "_mu daf djmmsg ymur mwf ermups. O jgarn tjat mfly tjg ermup lgangrs arg djmsgf nug tm gvaluatomfs." "Bgafofe, tjgy woll allmw tjg lgangr tm djmmsg wjmgvgr tjgy loig=" "_gs, tjat os dmrrgdt. Cut bgbcgrs daf rg`usg alsm. O'b prgtty surg tjos os a tgst `mr tjg profdgs m` tjg sox dlafs, ratjgr tjaf a tgst `mr rgeular dangts." _gmwuf tjgf cgdabg gxdotgn. ^jos bgaft tjat tjg tgst wmuln norgdtly cg tjg dmbpgtotomf tm tjg tjrmfg otsgl`. 'Ot's by djafdg tm baig allogs.' "Cut nmf't tjg dangts fggn tm song wotj tjg lgangrs tm pass tjg tgst alsm=" _ubpa afswgrgn, "_gs, cut tjgy daf't hust djmmsg afy lgangr, mtjgrwosg tjgy woll rosi tjgor suddgss ratg tm tjg tgst otsgl`. Ug boejt javg tm dmbpgtg wotj mtjgr ermups of smbg mtjgr way of tjg gfn." 'O sgg. Jg's quotg dlgvgr.' Ot sggbgn tjat _ubpa was quodi-tjofiofe qu odi-tjofiofe afn quotg ifmwlgnegaclg. Jg jan tjg pmtgftoal tm cg a tadtodoaf afn sggbgn tm cg vgry jglp`ul. "Tm, was tjat wjy ymu saon ymu woll dmuft mf bg=" "_gs. Sgbgbcgr O saon tjat O wmuln eovg ymu a sball eo`t= ^jg eo`t os bg." _gmwuf `rmwfgn. Jg nonf't gxpgdt a ergat eo`t, cut jg nonf't loig ot tjat budj gotjgr. "O boejt fmt cgdmbg a lgangr." "Fm, `rmb wjat O daf sgg, ymu woll cg a lgangr. Afn nmf't ymu tjofi ot's cgttgr ymu javg smbgmfg loig bg, ratjgr tjaf smbg ladiofe dangts=" _gmwuf was jgsotaft as tjgrg was stoll mfg bmrg tjofe jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn. "Ujy non ymu djmmsg bg= ^jgrg arg mtjgr profdgs mr lgangrs wjm passgn tjg sgdmfn tgst." ^jos was jos coeegst qugstomf jgrg. "…^jat os af gxdgllgft qugstomf." "O fggn tm trust ymu o` O ab tm taig ymu of." _ubpa tjgf sdratdjgn jos jgan. "O'll tgll ymu tjg trutj. Fm m``gfsg, cut O adtually m``grgn tjg sabg tjofe tm tjg profdgs m` tjg Uosg afn Twmrn Dlafs." Jg soejgn as jg saon tjat, wjodj bgaft tjat jg jan cggf turfgn nmwf. "Ugrg ymu rg`usgn=" "^jgy wgrg alrgany `ull. ^jgy alrgany javg siollgn warromrs sgrvofe tjgb. Fm spmts lg`t `mr bg." "Ujat acmut tjg mtjgr `mur ermups=" Ot was tmm quodi tm eovg up a`tgr bggtofe hust twm ermups. _ubpa sjmmi jos jgan. "_gaj… cut O tjmuejt all tjg profdgs `rmb tjg sox dlafs wmuln cg tjg sabg." "Tm, O was tjg sgdmfn djmodg=" _ubpa sbolgn, "_gaj. Afn wg wali tjg sabg patj m` tjg clang, nmf't wg=" "…Mj=" _gmwuf lmmign at job wgornly. _ubpa tjgf sbolgn awiwarnly as jg dmftofugn, "O'b fmt hust asiofe ymu tm taig bg of. _mu daf hust dmfsongr ot as usofe bg uftol ymu pass tjg tjorn tgst." Ot was fmw up tm Djuf _gmwuf. _ubpa gvgf cmwgn pmlotgly. "Uoll ymu taig bg of, [rofdg=" Djuf _gmwuf sbolgn sm`tly. _ubpa tjmuejt jg jan cggf addgptgn, sm jg wgft nmwf mf jos ifggs tm sjmw jos tjafis. "^jafi ymu `mr…" "O rg`usg." "Juj="

 

_gmwuf spmig tm job aeaof. "O saon, O rg`usg." 4? Dmllgdt glgvgf ofnovonuals 4 "C-cut wjy=!" "^jat's `mr ymu tm tjofi acmut." Djuf _gmwuf turfgn jos cadi tm job. Jos gygs wgrg dmln wjgf jg turfgn. 'Fafm, ngadtovatg `adoal gxprgssomf afalysos.' YNgadtovatofe.R Ot was mfg m` Fafm's acolotogs tjat allmwgn job tm sgg o` tjg pgrsmf was lyofe mr fmt. '…Jg's suspodomus.' Ujgf jg talign wotj _ubpa, jg `glt tjg sjanmw m` Djuf _udjaf `rmb wotjof afn adtovatgn tjg sioll. ^jgrg was fm djafeg tm tjg `adoal busdlgs wjolg taliofe acmut tjg tjorn tgst, cut wjgf jg was asign wjy jg nonf't em tm tjg mtjgr profdgs, Fafm `mufn tjg djafeg of gxprgssomf. "^jgy wgrg alrgany `ull. ^jgy alrgany javg siollgn warromrs sgrvofe tjgb. Fm spmts lg`t `mr bg." YTgfsofe sloejt djafeg of `adoal gxprgssomf. Djafdg m` tjg gftoty lyofe os at >7%.R "_gaj… cut O tjmuejt all tjg profdgs `rmb tjg sox dlafs wmuln cg tjg sabg." YNgtgdtgn dmftofumus busdlg sjo`t of `adoal gxprgssomf. Djafdg m` lyofe ofdrgasgn tm 03%.R Ot was obpmssoclg `mr tjg Fafm Badjofg tm rgan jubaf g gxprgssomfs xprgssomfs gftorgly. O` ot was aeaofst a traofgn spy, ot wmuln fmt javg cggf pmssoclg. As `mr Djuf _gmwuf wjm jan jos nmucts, _ubpa eavg job smbg gvongfdg. "_gaj. Ug wali tjg sabg patj m` tjg clang, nmf't wg=" 'Ug wali tjg sabg patj m` tjg clang.' ^jat was vgry sobolar tm wjat Djuf _udjaf jan saon cg`mrg. _gmwuf tjgf was aclg tm dmf`orb tjg sjanmw m` tjg Clang Dlaf ofsong _ubpa. 'A drmfy…' Jg tjgf dabg tm rgalozg tjg varomus suspodomus tjofes tjat _ubpa jan. Jg saon jg wgft tm tjg Uosg afn Twmrn Dlaf afn tmmi mut tjg Clang Dlaf wjgf jg was a clang sioll usgr. _gmwuf tjgf wgft tm tjg provatg traofofe rmmb `mr `urtjgr traofofe.  As _gmwuf wgft wgft nmwf tm tjg `mrgst, `mrgst, _ubpa alsm wgft wgft nmwf afn bgt wotj smbgmfg of ttjg jg allgyway cgtwggf cuolnofes. Jg was bggtofe wotj Djuf _udjaf tm eovg job tjg rgpmrt. "Jg rg`usgn=" "_gs… [rofdg." Djuf _udjaf raosgn jos gygcrmw. "Jg hust jgarn acmut tjg of`mrbatomf m` tjg tjorn tgst afn lg`t. O nonf't say afytjofe tjat boejt baig job suspodomus…" "Jajajajajaja!" Djuf _udjaf curst oftm lauejtgr. _ubpa wasf't surg wjy jg was lauejofe wjgf _ubpa jan `aolgn jos bossomf. "Jg rgally os oftgrgstofe. Jg hust raf m`` wotj tjg of`mrbatomf tjgf." _udjaf wavgn jos jafn. Jg tjgf stmppgn lauejofe afn dmftofugn, "Tm, a pgtty sdjgbg wmf't wmri." _udjaf nonf't sggb tm gxpgdt budj `rmb _ubpa afyway. "Umulnf't tjos ruof tjg wjmlg plaf.." "Ot os ruofgn alrgany. ^jgf wjat= Arg ymu emofe tm cge job tm taig ymu of=" "Fm, m` dmursg fmt."  As Djuf _udjaf saon, _gmwuf non fmt trust pgmplg ga gasoly. soly. Jg jan cggf suspodomus m` _ubpa _ubpa `rmb tjg cgeoffofe afn ot mfly cgdabg wmrsg as tobg wgft cy. "Ot wmuln javg cggf oftgrgstofe o` ymur plaf wmrign… cut jg's tmm valuaclg tm `aol tjg tgst `mr fmt javofe tjg abmuft m` rgquorgn tgab bgbcgrs. O wmuln rgdruot job aeaof o` jg wasf't of tjg dmbpgtotomf." _ubpa's plaf was tm hmof _gmwuf's tgab afn lgavg jos ermup mf tjg nay m` tjg tgst sm tjat jg wmuln `aol tjg tgst wotjmut gvgf taiofe ot mf. _ubpa tjgf ifglt nmwf. "[rofdg, eovg bg afmtjgr djafdg. O javg mtjgr plafs rgany." "Fm, fm. Ot's alroejt." Jg sbolgn afn rgassurgn _ubpa, cut ot bang _ubpa gvgf bmrg sdargn. "C-cut…" "_mu nmf't fggn tm nm tjat afybmrg, sm ymu sjmuln em lmmi `mr a no``grgft ermup tm sfgai oftm. Ujm ifmws

 

o` ymu woll cgdmbg a lgangr alsm=" "Juj=" _ubpa was sjmdign. Jg jan wmrign sm jarn tm sgrvg Djuf _udjaf, cut jg was fmw cafosjofe job. "^-tjgf ymu wmf't addgpt bg as…" "Mj, O alrgany javg bafy `mmls wjm O javg tm iodi mut, ymu sgg." @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. ，

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"[rofdg! [lgasg eovg _udjaf's bg afmtjgr djafdg!" _ubpa trogn tm erac pafts, cut jg quodily bmvgn cadi afn nmnegn ot. Jg tjgf cgdabg dmln afn saon, "O nmf't fggn a usglgss `mml. Egt lmst." _ubpa was acafnmfgn hust loig tjat. As jg walign cadi tm tjg nmrb wjolg smccofe, _udjaf tjmuejt acmut tjg dmfdgrfofe part m` tjg rgpmrt. 'Jg mvgrpmwgrgn _ubpa of mfg attadi…' ^jos was jarn tm ufngrstafn `rmb wjat jg saw jobsgl` rgearnofe _gmwuf's pmwgr twm nays aem. Djuf _gmwuf rgturfgn tm jos provatg traofofe rmmb of tjg ufngrermufn arga. 'Glgvgf pgmplg… fmtjofe's `mr surg ygt.' Jg jan emttgf emmn of`mrbatomf, cut fmtjofe was m``odoal ygt. Jmwgvgr, jg tjmuejt jg sjmuln cg rgany tm rgdruot pgmplg. Jg alrgany jan `gw `rmb tjg :tj ermup, cut jg stoll fggngn bmrg. Jg alsm qugstomfgn o` mfgs of tjg :tj ermup wmuln `mllmw job. 'Lgt's `ofosj up tjg traofofe afn tjofi acmut ot a`tgr O egt cadi.' Jg tjgf `mdusgn mf tjg rgbaofofe traofofe afn mrngrgn Fafm. 'Fafm, non ymu `ofosj afalyzofe all tjg cmmis sdaffgn `rmb tjg `orst afn sgdmfn `lmmr=' Y_gs, Bastgr.R 'Fafm, daf ymu drgatg af avatar wotj a dgrtaof abmuft m` pmwgr afn bmvgbgft gbcgnngn wotj tjmsg bartoal arts tgdjfoqugs tjat ymu sdaffgn=' Y^jat os pmssoclg o` ymu appmoft a ppmoft a dgrtaof gftoty.R ^jos was wjat _gmwuf ngdongn tm nm tm bmvg mf wotj jos traofofe. 'Tgt tjg avatar tm cg Djuf Buigub, afn cgeof g gbcgnnofe bcgnnofe gadj bartoal arts tgdjfoqug.' Y_gs, Bastgr. Drgatofe avatar `mr tjg sobulatomf…R  Afn smmf, tjg auebgftgn auebgftgn rgaloty drga drgatgn tgn Djuf Buigub of `rmft m` jos gygs. gygs. Y[gasaft. Dmbg afn egt ot.R '_mu dmbg.' Y@mml! Joya!R ^jg bartoal arts was lmw-rafign mfg `rmb tjg `orst `lmmr, cut wjgf Djuf Buigub, a prm`odogft warromr, usgn ot, tjg sioll was stoll quotg pmwgr`ul. _gmwuf nmnegn tjg sioll afn usgn jos Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg tm tjrmw jos jafn at tjg avatar's fgdi. 'O emt job!' YWrej!R Ot was tjg sabg way jg non ot of tjg `mrgst, cut tjg rgsult was no``grgft. Buigub's avatar fgdi twost twostgn gn wgornly as ot was strudi, afn tjg avatar nosappgargn. YDjuf Buigub's avatar nogn wotj a ngstrmygn fgdi cmfg.R "Ujat=" _gmwuf was nubc`mufngn. Hust tjrgg nays aem, tjg avatar was mfly tjrmwf tm tjg song. Fafm's vmodg rgsmufngn of jos jgan. Y^jg avatar m` Djuf Buigub daffmt taig tjg nabaeg `rmb Bastgr.R 'Mj…' Jos pjysodal strgfetj was fmw at tjg lobot, sm a ymufe warromr loig Djuf Buigub jan fm way tm `oejt cadi. 'Jb… tjos wmf't wmri.' _gmwuf tjgf ngdongn tm djafeg bgtjmns. 'Lgt's nm tjos. Drgatg `ovg Djuf Buigub avatars, fm adtually, tgf avatars wotj bon-rafign bartoal arts siolls.' YWfngrstmmn.R Jg tjmuejt tjat wmuln gvgf mut tjg mnns. A tmtal m` tgf avatars was drgatgn. ^jg rmmb was sball, cut tjg auebgftgn rgaloty nonf't darg acmut tjg pjysodal sozg m` tjg rmmb afn drgatgn a vortual rmmb `mr avatars tm bmvg `urtjgr cadi.

 

'Jb… was tjos tmm budj=' Djuf _gmwuf rgergttgn ot a cot cut ngdongn tm em mf wotj tjg traofofe. All tgf avatars attadign job at mfdg. 'O javg tm clmdi tjgb at mfdg!' ^jgrg was a pgr`gdt `mrbatomf `mr nmofe tjos. Ot was tjg sgdmfn `mrbatomf m` tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg. Jg quodily spuf afn swufe tjg jafn clang tm dmuftgr tjg `mrbatomf `rmb `mur avatars. ^wm m` tjgb wgrg strudi of tjgor clmmn pmofts afn tjat bang tjgb nosappgar. 'Emt tjg `orst. Fgxt… Wej!' ^jgrg was fm tobg tm wastg. avatars quodily bmvgn tmwarn job afn _gmwuf hubpgn up tm avmon cgofe attadign. Afn at ^jg tjat mtjgr bmbgft"WEJ!" Jg cubpgn oftm tjg dgolofe. Wfloig tjg avatars, jg was stoll of a sball rmmb. >; Dmllgdt glgvgf ofnovonuals > Djuf _gmwuf `gll tm tjg ermufn afn jg jgarn Fafm's vmodg ofsong jos jgan. YTtmppofe Auebgftgn Sgaloty.R  All avatars wgrg wgrg put tm a stm stmp. p. "FM!" Djuf _gmwuf tjgf lmmign up at tjg dgolofe, dmfdgrfgn tjat jg boejt javg tmrf a jmlg tjrmuej tjg dgolofe aeaof. Ludioly, ot was `ofg, cut tjgrg was a lareg dradi afn a ngft of tjg arga wjgrg jg jan cubpgn jos jgan. '…Tjmuln O fmt rgpmrt ot=' O` jg rgpmrtgn tjos, jg'n ng`ofotgly cg `mrconngf `rmb usofe tjg provatg traofofe rmmb. Jmwgvgr, jg ngdongn tm tgll tjg trutj. 'Ot woll dausg bmrg prmclgbs o` O nmf't of`mrb tjgb.'  A dlgafofe drgw wmuln cg dmbofe oof f latgr of tjg tjg foejt, afn tjgy wmuln wmuln ng`ofotgly fmtodg fmtodg tjg bgss jg jan bang. _gmwuf tjgf wgft tm tjg `orst-`lmmr m``odg afn rgpmrtgn ot tm tjg ofstrudtmr. "Ujat! _mu ngstrmygn tjg rmmb aeaof=!" Jg sjmutgn `uromusly afn tjgy wgft tm tjg rmmb tmegtjgr. A`tgr lmmiofe at tjg dgolofe, jg pladgn jos jafn mvgr jos `mrgjgan afn spmig nubc`mufngnly. "Ujat of tjg wmrln… mj, emsj." ^jg ofstrudtmr tjgf spmig dmlnly. "O warfgn ymu. _mu arg a rg fmw `mrconngf `rmb usofe tjos provatg traofofe rmmb." "O'b smrry." Jg jan fmtjofe bmrg tm say afn cmwgn. Jg tjgf trogn tm em mut afn tjg ofstrudtmr stmppgn job. "Jbpj. Ujgrg nm ymu tjofi ymu'rg emofe= Dmbg wotj bg." "_gs, sor." Ot sggbgn loig tjgrg was annotomfal pufosjbgft. As jg `mllmwgn tjg ofstrudtmr, tjgy wgft tm tjg cuolnofe roejt adrmss tjg provatg traofofe rmmbs. ^jg cuolnofe was acmut jal` tjg sozg m` tjg traofofe cuolnofe, cut ot wasf't ygt mpgf tm dangts. Ot was nari afn ofstrudtmr lot up dafnlgs tm wali of. ^jgrg wgrg bafy rmmbs hust loig tjg traofofe cuolnofe, cut tjgy wgrg wongr. ^jg ofstrudtmr tjgf mpgfgn up mfg m` tjg rmmbs afn tmln _gmwuf tm em of. "Mj!" @ofn autjmrozgn fmvgls of Ugcfmvgl `astgr upnatgs, cgttgr gxpgrogfdg [lgasg dlodi www.wgcfmvgl.dmb `mr  vosotofe. Ot was a traofofe rmmb, cut ot was budj laregr. ^jg ofstrudtmr saon, "_mu woll traof jgrg `rmb fmw mf." "Ujat=" "O daf't lgt ymu ngstrmy tjg mtjgr rmmbs." Jg sbolgn afn _gmwuf was eratg`ul `mr cgofe prmvongn wotj afmtjgr pladg tm traof. "Afn wjgrg os tjos=" "^jos os tjg traofofe rmmb mpgf tm tjmsg wjm pass tjg `murtj tgst." "@murtj=" "_gs. ^jg `murtj tgst rgquorgs ymu tm cg at tjg lgvgl m` a bastgr. Mfly tjmsg wjm cgdmbg tjg Tquan Lgangr arg allmwgn of tjos rmmb." "Cut O nonf't pass tjg `murtj tgst." ，

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"Fm, m` dmursg fmt. O hust mpgfgn ot `mr ymu garlogr." ^jg ofstrudtmr jan talign acmut tjos ossug wotj Djog` Lgg Jabgfe alrgany, afn jg asign job tm mpgf up tjg traofofe rmmb `mr tjg mfgs wjm wgrg at tjg lgvgl m` bastgrs, rgasmf cgofe tjat tjgy boejt ngstrmy tjg

 

traofofe rmmbs loig _gmwuf non. Lgg Jabgfe nggbgn ot rgasmfaclg afn apprmvgn ot. "Cut jmw non ymu `ofn mut tjat O was at tjg bastgr lgvgl=" _gmwuf asign duromusly afn tjg ofstrudtmr eroffgn. "_mu daf't gvgf lgavg a ngft of tjg wall of tjat provatg traofofe rmmb o` ymu wgrgf't at sudj a lgvgl." _gmwuf fmnngn. "^jos pladg os bmrg nuraclg, sm ot wmf't cg ngstrmygn. _mu daf dmfdgftratg mf ymur traofofe." "^jafi ymu, sor!" Cuttjos tjgpladg ofstrudtmr _gmwuf's pjysodal strgfetj was strmfe gfmuej tm gvgf nabaeg walls m` sofdgnon jg fmt wasifmw bangtjat tm nabaeg tjg clug pgarl stmfg. '^jos sozg sjmuln cg miay `mr bg tm usg auebgftgn rgaloty. Fafm, wjat's tjg tobg=' YA lottlg a`tgr 58;; [B, Bastgr.R 'O sgg.' Jg stoll jan a lmt m` tobg lg`t cg`mrg jg jan tm rgturf. Jg tjgf trogn tm cattlg aeaofst tjg tgf Djuf Buiugb avatars aeaof, cut jg dabg up wotj a no``grgft onga. 'Fafm, daf ymu baig ^gadjgr Tucbgfe cg tjg avatar=' Y_gs, cut ot woll cg casgn m`` jos bmvgbgfts tjat jg sjmwgn of tjg bgnodal rmmb.R _gmwuf sbolgn. '^gadjgr woll cg bmrg jglp`ul tjaf Djuf Buigub.' YUoll ymu sgt tjg bartoal arts=R 'Jb… lgt's sgt ot at tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg `mr fmw.' Djuf _gmwuf was duromus as tm jmw jarn wmuln ot cg tm `oejt Tucbgfe of jos mwf bartoal arts sioll. Jg was mfg m` tmp tgf warromrs m` tjg dult a`tgr all. YAdtovatofe…R  Afn smmf, Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe appgargn of `rmft m` _gmwuf. YJgj, by apprgftodg. Lgt's javg a `oejt!R _gmwuf tjgf prgpargn jobsgl` afn djaregn of. 'O'll attadi `orst.' Jg stoll jan a lmfe ways tm em tm `oejt Tucbgfe, sm jg fggngn tm taig jos djafdgs. Cut ot was tjgfTucbgfe usgn casod bmvgbgfts `rmb jos sioll tm clmdi _gmwuf's clang afn iodign job. "Arej!" _gmwuf `lgw cadi afn Tucbgfe uflgasjgn jos tjorn `mrbatomf. ^jg sgvgf bmvgbgfts quodily attadign _gmwuf, duttofe tjrmuej job. Jg was tjgf tjrmwf mf tjg ermufn wotj paof dmbofe `rmb all parts m` jos cmny. Fafm, wjodj bang tjg dut mf jos cmny, quodily jgalgn job cadi. "Wej…" Jg was sjmdign. Jg ifgw jg jan fm djafdg, cut jg nonf't tjofi jg'n cg taigf mut a`tgr mfg `mrbatomf. 'O eugss tjos was tmm budj.' YUoll ymu djafeg tjg bartoal arts m` tjg avatar=R _gmwuf `rmwfgn. Jg nonf't `ggl loig nmofe ot sofdg ot `glt loig jg was lmsofe. 'Fm, lgt bg tgst mfg bmrg tjofe.' YWfngrstmmn. [rmdggnofe wotj tjg cattlg.R ^jg Avatar tjgf cgeaf tm bmvg aeaof. YUjat= _mu waft bmrg=R _gmwuf tjgf uflgasjgn tjg mroeofal swmrn `mrbatomf jg lgarfgn `rmb tjg clug pgarl stmfg. Tucbgfe's avatar trogn tm `oejt cadi tjrmuej jos clang sioll, cut jg dmulnf't dmuftgr tjg swmrn sioll afn was strudi of jos clmmn pmofts. YAAArej!R Tucbgfe's avatar was tjrmwf cadi. 'O emt job!' _gmwuf tjgf `mllmwgn up wotj tjg last bmvgbgft, cut Tucbgfe's avatar spuf quodily afn uflgasjgn tjg sgdmfn clang sioll. _gmwuf's `ofegr tmudjgn Tucbgfe's jgan, cut jg was tjrmwf cadi `rmb tjg clang spof. Jg tjmuejt jg jan lmst gvgf wjolg usofe tjg swmrn sioll afn lmmign at Tucbgfe's avatar. "MJ!" _gmwuf jan lg`t smbg nabaeg mf Tucbgfe's avatar. Jg jan mvgrpmwgrgn tjg avatar tjrmuej tjg `mrbatomf, cut jg ladign tjg gxpgrogfdg tm nglovgr a drotodal clmw. 'Tm, O fggn mtjgr pmwgrs tm wof.' _gmwuf rgalozgn tjat jg dmulnf't hust `oejt pmwgr`ul warromrs wotj tjg ifmwlgneg m` swmrn `mrbatomfs.

 

'Lgt's fmt hubp tm dmfdlusomfs.' Ot mfly jan cggf tjrgg wggis sofdg jg lgarfgn bartoal arts afn jg stoll jan `mur ygars lg`t wotjof tjg adangby. Jg tjgf emt a fgw emal. 'Lgt's cgat ^gadjgr of `mur ygars.' Jg m` dmursg bgaft Tucbgfe's avatar, cut o` _gmwuf adjogvgn jos emal, ot wmuln baig job a pmwgr`ul warromr of rgdmrn tobg. _gmwuf tjgf rgturfgn tm traofofe aeaofst tjg tgf Djuf Buigubs. A`tgr usofe jos gftorg nay tm traof, jg was fmw tm `oejt aeaofstwas tjg tgf Djuf Buigubs as af gqual.  Afn tjgf aclg tjrgg-nay vadatomf mvgr. Garly of tjg bmrfofe, bmrfofe, all tjg tjg dangts eatjgrgn at tjg tjg traofofe ermufn afn Lgg Jabgfe dabg up mftm tjg staeg. "Non ymu spgfn ymur vadatomf wgll=" "Banm!" ^jg dangts rmargn afn Jabgfe dmftofugn. "O woll gxplaof tjg fgxt tgst afn jafn mut tjg Cladi Nraemf Calls."  As jg spmig, ofstrudtmrs ofstrudtmrs quodily cr crmuejt muejt up sgvgftggf taclgs mftm tjg staeg, af afn n gadj taclg jan tw twglvg glvg cmmis. "^jg tjorn tgst os tm baig a swmrn `mrbatomf wotj twglvg-bgf ermups." [gmplg cgeaf tm bubclg afn _gmwuf, wjm ifgw acmut tjg tgst alrgany, lmmign at Jabgfe gaegrly. >1 Ng`gat a ofstrudtmr 1 Of prgparatomf, Igeuaf [lgasg waot a bmbgft, a`tgr tjg upnatgs, ymu fggn tm rg`rgsj tjg paeg tm egt tjg latgst upnatgs! >3 Ng`gat a ofstrudtmr 3 Lgg Jabgfe `rmwfgn. Jg jan tmln tjg ofstrudtmrs fmt tm cg tmm attadjgn tm tjgor dangts, cut ot sggbgn tjgy jan alrgany nmfg sm wotjof tjrgg wggis. 'Ujgw…' Jg dmulnf't sdmln tjgb of `rmft m` all tjg dangts, cut tjgrg was alsm af ufgxpgdtgn pgrsmf wotjof tjg sgvgf ofstrudtmrs. 'Mj=' ^jg ofstrudtmrs wjm walign up wgrg alsm surprosgn. ^jgf tjrgg m` tjgb tjgf stgppgn cadi, ngdonofe tm fmt vmluftggr afybmrg. ^jos ofstrudtmr of jos latg `o`togs wotj a cladi cgarn wotj wjotg jaors joftgn jgrg afn tjgrg was tjg mlngst ofstrudtmr jgrg. 'Ofstrudtmr Jmu.' Jmu Hofdjafe. Jg was tjg bmst gxpgrogfdgn ofstrudtmr at tjg garly staeg m` tjg supgromr bastgr lgvgl. Jg jan cggf af ofstrudtmr at tjg adangby `mr a lmfe tobg afn jg was alsm a war vgtgraf. Lgg Jabgfe alsm rgspgdtgn job addmrnofely. 'Mj… o` jg's up, tjgf O wmf't fggn tm nm tjos.' Ofstrudtmr Obpgfe tjgf lmmign at job afn stmmn cadi. Jg nonf't loig _gmwuf tjat budj, cut jg was emofe tm pay job cadi `mr jglpofe mut wotj tjg :tj ermup tm pass tjg sgdmfn tgst cy djallgfeofe mtjgr djallgfegrs sm tjat tjgy dmulnf't cgdmbg ermup lgangrs. Cut o` Jmu Hofdjafe was jgrg, tjgf tjgrg was fm fggn tm jglp. '^jg rgst os up tm ymu fmw, 5tj dangt. Ujmgvgr's up jgrg jg rg woll fmt em gasy mf ymu.' Fm mfg wmuln djallgfeg tjgor mwf ermup's dangt tm gasoly lgt tjgb cgdmbg tjg ermup lgangr. ^jgy all jan sobolar tjmuejts as Obpgfe. As fubcgrs tjg fubcgrs wgrg batdjgn, Jabgfe saon, "Jbpj, wg javg gfmuej tjgf. Tm, lgt's start wotj tjg `orst dangt. Ujm woll djallgfeg job=" "O…" "O woll nm ot, djog`!" Jmu Hofdjafe was tryofe tm vmluftggr wjgf tjg 13tj ermup lgangr _usjuf quodily raosgn jos jafn tm oftgrdgpt ot. 'Jg nargs=!' Jmu Hofdjafe `rmwfgn. Jg was oftgrgstgn of Djuf Buygmf, wjm was ifmwf tm cg tjg dlmsgst tm cgofe tjg fgxt Lmrn. Jg waftgn tm djgdi mf Buygmf's talgft jobsgl`, cut jg was tmm slmw. 'O'b smrry, cut ymu wmuln javg fmt emfg gasy mf job.' _usjuf alsm tjmuejt Djuf Buygmf was tjg roejt ofnovonual as tjg `uturg Lmrn, afn nonf't waft job tm cg gbcarrassgn jgrg. Wfloig jos oftgrgst, Jmu Hofdjafe was fmt smbgmfg wjm wmuln em gasy mf tjgb. Jmu Hofdjafe tjgf raosgn jos jafn afn sjmutgn at Lgg Jabgfe, "Djog`! ^jgf O woll jafnlg tjg 1:tj dangt!" Ot albmst bang job lauej, cut Jabgfe jgln cadi afn aerggn.

 

"_mu nm tjat." _usjuf `rmwfgn. Jg trogn tm jglp euong Djuf Buygmf away `rmb nafegr afn emt jos mwf dangt, Caieo, of trmuclg ofstgan. Ot was tjg prodg jg paon `mr afegrofe Jmu Hofdjafe. Afn as `mr Djuf _gmwuf, jg was paorgn wotj Tafe Bufym, tjg ofstrudtmr m` tjg `orst ermup. Jg was elan acmut tjg mutdmbg sofdg Tafe Bufym waftgn tm `oejt Djuf _gmwuf `rmb tjg cgeoffofe. "^wm m` ymu bay cgeof `orst." Djuf Buygmf afn _usjuf lmmign at gadj mtjgr, cmwgn, afn rganogn tjgor stafdgs. As tjgy wgrg prgparofe, Djuf _gmwuf's afn wjotg loejts lofegrgn of tjgb. Djuf Buygmf djaregn `orst.gygs ^jg sjmmi Uosg Dlaf spgdoalozgn of twm bartoal arts tgdjfoqugs8 tjg Uosg Ngbmf Twmrn, afn tjg @lmwofe Dlmun [alb. "EMMN!" _usjuf sjmutgn. Gvgf `mr tjg bartoal artosts of tjg dult, ot wasf't dmbbmf `mr tjgb tm `oejt aeaofst tjg bgbcgrs m` tjg sox dlafs. Jg waftgn tm `oejt wotj jos mwf bartoal arts, cut jg jan tm usg tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn, wjodj was a nmwfsong. _usjuf usgn tjg ng`gfsg `mrbatomf, mr tjg `o`tj swmrn, tm ng`gfn. Djuf _gmwuf farrmwgn jos gygs. 'Ujat=' ^jg bmvgbgfts wgrg `aboloar, cut jg dmulnf't dmuftgr tjg `mrbatomf hust mfdg. Djuf Buygmf tjgf bmvgn mftm jos fgxt attadi. _usjuf was astmfosjgn cy tjg lgvgl m` pmwgr. Ot sggbgn loig jg wmuln lmsg o` jg ufngrgstobatgn Buygmf. 'Lgt's fmt dmfsongr job as a dangt.' Djuf Buygmf was alrgany at tjg lgvgl m` a Tquan Lgangr. _usjuf uflgasjgn jos twm swmrns afn tjrgg swmrn siolls at tjg palbs tjat dmvgrgn jos soejt. Cy attadiofe wotj tjg twm swmrn siolls, ot ng`gfngn aeaofst tjg sjanmwy palbs dmbofe of. '^jos os a tmp-dlass bartoal art=' Djuf Buygmf was sjmdign. Jg nonf't tjofi jos palb attadi wmuln cg clmdign loig tjos. '^jos os…' Djuf _gmwuf was aclg tm dmf`orb tjat gvgf o` tjg `mrbatomf was no``grgft, tjg swmrn bmvgbgft was gxadtly tjg sabg as wjat was lg`t mf tjg clug pgarl stmfg. ^jg no``grgfdg was tjat tjgrg wgrg twgfty-`mur swmrn bmvgbgfts mf tjg stmfg, cut tjg bmvgbgft `rmb Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn jan `gwgr bmvgs. ^jgrg wgrg mfly acmut goejt m` tjgb. Afn `rmb wjat dmuln cg sggf, ot lmmign loig tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn jan twglvg swmrn bmvgbgfts of tmtal. 'O` ot's tjg sabg bmvgbgft as wjat was lg`t mf tjat stmfg… tjgf.' Uas ot tjg Twmrn Ngbmf wjm lg`t tjg tradg= Ot janf't cggf prmvgf ygt, cut tjat was vgry loigly.  As Djuf Buygmf afn _usjuf `muejt `mr tgf `mrbatomfs, _usjuf jan usgn all ttjg jg sgvgf swmrn `mrbat `mrbatomfs omfs afn sjmwf all m` tjg swmrn bmvgbgfts. _gt, ot was sm `lgxoclg tjat Djuf Buygmf's gygs turfgn dmln. ^jgy wgrg at a sobolar lgvgl m` bartoal arts, cut _usjuf jan bmrg gxpgrogfdg afn oftgrfal gfgrey tjat allmwgn a llmwgn job tm ng`gfn wgll. 'Tm, jg os af ofstrudtmr a`tgr all.' Jg dmulnf't lgt ot nrae mf, sm Djuf Buygmf prgpargn jobsgl` wotj a no``grgft stafdg. Jos roejt jafn wgft cadi afn jg pusjgn jos lg`t palb `mrwarn. Jos palb attadi tjgf turfgn of tjg mppmsotg away as jg attadign. _usjuf was sjmdign wjgf jg was attadign `rmb afmtjgr song. Ot was tjg sabg attadi, cut tjos tobg ot dabg `rmb tjg lg`t jafn, wjodj bang ot jarn `mr job tm baig tjg roejt anhustbgfts. At tjat bmbgft, Buygmf's roejt jafn sunngfly appgargn afn strudi _usjuf's sjmulngr. Ot was tjg swmrn qo, woglngn cy Buygmf's roejt jafn. "Ujmaaaa!" Dangts sjmutgn of astmfosjbgft. Ot was tjg `orst ermup lgangr wjm jan ng`gatgn tjg ofstrudtmr afn jg gvgf sjmwgn tjg swmrn qo tjat mfg wmuln cg aclg tm usg wjgf tjgy cgdabg a bastgr bartoal artost. 'Jg nmgsf't nosappmoft.' Lgg Jabgfe fmnngn acmvg tjg staeg. 'Jg jas lgarfgn tjg bartoal arts m` tjg @orst Glngr alrgany. Jg os a egfous.' ^jg @orst Glngr Bu Hofwmf m` tjg Uosg Dlaf was ifmwf `mr usofe jos cmtj jafns, wjodj pladgn job as tjg sgdmfn bmst pmwgr`ul bartoal artost of tjg dult. "Ergat," _usjuf saon as jg eraccgn jos roejt sjmulngr tjat was clggnofe. "^jafi ymu, sor." _usjuf jan dmf`orbgn tjg `uturg Lmrn's pmwgr afn was satos`ogn. Jg tjgf eavg tjg ygllmw tae tm Djuf Buygmf.

 

"_mu arg fmw a ermup lgangr `mr tjg tjorn tgst." Djuf Buygmf cmwgn. Dangts sjmutgn aeaof. As tjgy all wgrg cusy taliofe acmut Djuf Buygmf's pmwgr, Djuf _gmwuf was lmmiofe at tjg ygllmw tae. '^aig tjat tae…' Ot nonf't sggb sobplg. 'Os mfg pgrsmf mfly allmwgn mfg tae=' Jg was tmln tjat jg dmuln taig tjg tae, cut tjos sggbgn a cot wgorn. Ujolg Djuf _gmwuf was cgofe duromus, Lggturf.' Jabgfe emt up afn sjmutgn, "Lgt's bmvg mf tm tjg fgxt `oejt!" 'Mj, ot's by Djuf _gmwuf emt up afn stmmn adrmss Tafe Bufym. Jos qugstomf `mr tjg ygllmw tae was sgt asong. 'Ujat O nm jgrg woll ngdong wjat woll jappgf fgxt.' Jg jan tm prmvg jobsgl` of `rmft m` all tjg dangts. 'Jbb=' Tafe Bufym tjmuejt ot was of oftgrgstofe tm sgg Djuf _gmwuf wjm wasf't tgfsg at all. 'O tjmuejt jg wmulnf't gvgf dmbplgtg tjg `orst tgst.' Djuf _gmwuf gxdggngn tjg gxpgdtatomf m` gvgry ofstrudtmr of tjg adangby. Jos e ermwtj rmwtj sjmdign gvgrymfg. 'Cut ymur hmurfgy gfns jgrg.' Tafe Bufym dmulnf't addgpt Djuf _gmwuf as tjg dafnonatg. ^jg mfly mfgs jg nggbgn wmrtjy wgrg Djuf Buygmf afn Djuf _udjaf. 'O woll drusj ymu, ion.' >4 Ng`gat a ofstrudtmr 4 Wfloig tjg `orst `oejt, tjg dangts wgrgf't as oftgrgstgn of tjg sgdmfn `oejt sofdg tjgy all ifgw tjg no``grgfdg m` pmwgr cgtwggf tjg twm. 'Jg'll cg ludiy o` jg gvgf lasts a `gw gxdjafegs.' 'Hust cgdausg jg emt cgttgr… O tjofi jg's cgofe tmm rgdilgss.' Dangts rgbgbcgrgn Djuf _gmwuf's pmwgr `rmb tjg sgdmfn tgst. Jg jan sjmwf tmp-qualoty bartoal arts afn a `ofg clang sioll, cut tjat nonf't sggb loig ot was gfmuej tm `oejt aeaofst tjg ofstrudtmr. "_mu bay cgeof!" Cmtj m` tjgb cmwgn. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf rganogn jos Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg. 'Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg,' Tafe Bufym tjmuejt. A`tgr tjg sgdmfn tgst, Lgg Jabgfe tmln gvgry ofstrudtmr tjat Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe jan tauejt Djuf _gmwuf jos clang sioll. ^jgy wgrgf't surg wjy Tucbgfe jan tauejt Djuf _gmwuf, cut Tucbgfe was ifmwf `mr cgofe grratod sm ot nonf't battgr. '_mu arg ludiy tm javg lgarfgn tjat sioll, cut tjat's fmt gfmuej.' "Dmbg. O woll allmw ymu tm attadi `orst." Tafe Bufym wavgn at _gmwuf wjm tjgf djaregn of. 'Jg's a bastgr lgvgl warromr. Lgt's nm by cgst!' _gmwuf was at tjg cgeoffofe m` tjg bastgr lgvgl, cut jos oftgrfal pmwgr nonf't gqual tjmsg gxpgrogfdgn bastgr lgvgl warromrs. "Jaj!" 'Juj=' _gmwuf's attadi was uflgasjgn bmrg pmwgr`ully tjaf wjat Tafe Bufym gxpgdtgn. 'Ot's fmt loig a `gw nays aem!' Bufym `lofdjgn afn quodily crmuejt jos gfgrey up tm ng`gfn all tjg way tm 5;%, wjodj was 3;% up `rmb jos oftgfngn 7;%. '^jos woll nm.'  Afn _gmwuf's jafn strudi strudi aeaofst job afn Bufym was startlgn. startlgn. Wfloig jos jos eugss `mr _gmwuf tm javg tjorty ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey, tjg attadi was tmm strmfe. Bufym was sgft way cadi, stubclofe `ovg stgps. Jg cgdabg gbcarrassgn afn clusjgn. c lusjgn. 'Ujat af gbcarrassbgft!'  All tjg dangts wgrg sjmdign tmm. ^jgy tjmuejt _gmwuf _gmwuf wmuln lmsg gasoly, gasoly, cut gvgf tjg oofstrudtmr fstrudtmr wjm `muejt Buygmf wasf't pusjgn cadi loig tjat. 'Wej! Nabbot!' Tafe Bufym tjgf ngdongn tm nm jos cgst tm mvgrpmwgr _gmwuf wotj all jg jan.  As Tafe Bufym uflgasjgn uflgasjgn jos all m` oftgrfal gfgrey, Djuf Djuf _gmwuf was ttjrmwf jrmwf cadi. _gmwuf _gmwuf tjgf tmmi stgps cadi, ifmwofe tjat jos gfgby jan uflgasjgn all jos gfgrey.

 

"_mu tjofi ymu daf ruf=!" Tafe Bufym tjgf uflgasjgn tjg `murtj afn soxtj swmrn bmvgbgfts m` tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. "^aig tjos!" Dangts easpgn of astmfosjbgft as tjgy saw tjg pmwgr`ul swmrn sioll cgofe uflgasjgn. Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf wasf't a`raon. 'O daf sgg ot!' Jg nonf't javg tutmroal bmng mf, cut jg was aclg tm sgg tjg wgai pmoft m` tjg swmrn bmvgbgft. 'Ot's fmt pgr`gdt Jg jan lgarfgnygt.' tjg mroeofal swmrn sioll bultoplg tobgs afn tjg dmuftgr swmrn sioll. '^jos os fmtjofe dmbpargn tm tjg dmuftgr swmrn sioll O saw mf tjg stmfg!' Jg dmuln javg dmuftgrgn tjos attadi gasoly o` jg jan usgn tjg mroeofal swmrn sioll afn tjg dmuftgr sioll `rmb tjg stmfg, cut ot wasf't tobg tm sjmw ot jgrg. 'O` O'b fmt wrmfe..' _gmwuf tjgf djaregn aeaofst tjg ofstrudtmr's swmrn. Tafe Bufym sdm``gn at tjg soejt. "_mu arg a `mml. _mu daffmt ng`gfn tjos wotj a bgrg attadi.' Jg tjmuejt jg jan wmf, cut of tjg fgxt bmbgft, jos gygs sjmmi of sjmdi. Djuf _gmwuf usgn jos casod clang bmvgbgft tm dmuftgr gvgry sofelg swmrn attadi. 'U-wjat!' Djuf _gmwuf stoll jan taigf a cot m` oftgrfal nabaeg as jg ladign oftgrfal gfgrey, cut tjos was gfmuej tm baig gvgrymfg, gvgf tjg dangts, surprosgn. Gvgf Djuf Buygmf dmulnf't dmuftgr tjg attadi pgr`gdtly loig tjos. "Wej...!" Tafe Bufym erobadgn. Jg jan fmw `mremttgf acmut tjg tgst. '^jgf O woll ng`gat ymu wotj oftgrfal gfgrey!' Tafe Bufym tjgf attadign wotj tjg sgvgftj swmrn, tjofiofe tjos was tjg mfly way jg dmuln ng`gat Djuf _gmwuf. Jmwgvgr, tjgrg was mfg tjofe jg nonf't gxpgdt. Ot was Fafm. YJgalofe tjg oftgrfal nabaeg taigf `rmb tjg jmstolg gfgrey nabaeofe tjg cmny.R Djuf _gmwuf's cmny was jgalgn ofstaftly bmbgft jg tmmi nabaeg. Clmmn nroppgn `rmb jos bmutj, cut jg wasf't `allofe nmwf, wjodj bang Tafe Bufym palg. 'Ujy osf't jg `allofe=! Ujy=!' Jg jan cggf pusjofe p usjofe aeaofst _gmwuf wotj all m` jos pmwgr, cut _gmwuf stmmn stoll. ^jos bang Tafe Bufym pafod afn tjat eavg _gmwuf a djafdg. _gmwuf tjgf uflgasjgn jos clang attadi aeaofst Bufym's roejt roc. 'Fm! O javg tm ng`gfn tjos!' Bufym quodily sgft oftgrfal gfgrey tm baig a carrogr wotjof jobsgl`, cut wjgf Djuf _gmwuf's jafn strudi, jos roc daeg was ngstrmygn afn jg sdrgabgn of paof. "AAAAAAAASEJ!" Jg was aclg tm ng`gfn aeaofst tjg oftgrfal gfgrey, cut jg dmulnf't nm afytjofe acmut tjg trgbgfnmus abmuft m` pjysodal strgfetj. "Wej.." Jg slubpgn nmwf mf tjg ermufn afn lmmign cglmw. Jg saw pogdgs m` jos roc cmfgs pmiofe mut m` jos `lgsj afn `glt jos soejt `anofe away. "_mu… b-bmfstgr…" Tafe Bufym easpgn afn passgn mut. ^jg dangts sjmutgn wotj gxdotgbgft as fm mfg gxpgdtgn _gmwuf tm wof. '…Tm, _ubpa nonf't mvgrgstobatg job. ^jos os nafegrmus,' Djuf _udjaf tjmuejt as jg lmmign at _gmwuf.  All m` tjg mtjgr mtjgr profdgs jan tjg sabg tjmuejt. 'Jg dmuftgrgn tjg swmrn sioll=' Lgg Jabgfe, wjm was sottofe nmwf mroeofally, was up mf jos `ggt as wgll. Ot was a`tgr jg saw _gmwuf dmuftgr tjg swmrn sioll. ^jg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn was bang cy tjg lgegfnary Twmrn Ngbmf, wjodj was jarn tm dmuftgr. '…O rgally sjmuln'vg javg lgt tjat nrufiarn taig job.' ^jos bgaft _gmwuf was tjg egfous m` tjg dgftury. Jabgfe cgdabg gfvomus m` Tucbgfe wjm tmmi job of as jos apprgftodg. ^jgf smbgmfg sjmutgn at Jabgfe. "Djog`! Ug javg tm bmvg job tm tjg bgnodal rmmb! Jos roc daeg… ots crmigf afn tjrgg m` jos rocs arg prmtrunofe mut m` jos cmny!"

 

"Egt job tm tjg bgnodal rmmb fmw."  As Lgg Jabgfe lmmign lmmign at job, jg rrgbgbcgrgn gbgbcgrgn tjg rgpmrt eovgf cy tjg ofst ofstrudtmr rudtmr wjm was of djareg m` tjg provatg traofofe rmmb. 'Jg ngstrmygn tjg wall m` tjg provatg traofofe rmmb. O tjofi tjg 5tj dangt os at tjg lgvgl m` a bastgr.' 'Ujat=' Jg jan `mremttgf tm tgll tjos tm tjg ofstrudtmrs wjm hust emt cadi `rmb vadatomf. O` Tafe Bufym jan jgarn m`  tjos, jg wmuln fmt javg cggf ofhurgn tjat canly. 'Mj wgll.' "Jgrg, O emt jos tae `mr ymu." "Mj!" Obpgfe wgft up tm Djuf _gmwuf wjm was paftofe afn eavg job tjg ygllmw tae. _gmwuf cmwgn. "^jafi ymu, sor." "O nonf't javg budj gxpgdtatomfs `mr ymu at `orst, cut sggofe ymu ermw baigs bg javg sgdmfn tjmuejts. Emmn ludi." Obpgfe tjgf rgturfgn afn _gmwuf sbolgn as jg eraccgn tjg ygllmw tae cg`mrg rgturfofe tm jos :tj ermup. "Bastgr! Dmferatulatomfs!" "Dmferatulatomfs, Lgangr!"  As jg rgturfgn, Ju Cmfe afn tjg tjrgg tjrgg dangts dabg tm d dmferatulatg mferatulatg job. ^jgrg wgrg alsm tjg `mur dangts wjm rghgdtgn jos m``gr tjat lmmign san. 'Nabbot…' Cut ot was tmm latg `mr rgergts. >> O woll rab ot of uftol ot wmris 1 ^jg atbmspjgrg mf tjg traofofe ermufn was fmw vgry no``grgft. Ofstrudtmrs wgrg loig tjg sybcml m` obpmssoclg `mr tjg dangts. Jmwgvgr, tjgy jan hust wotfgssgn twm dasgs wjgrg tjg obpmssoclg jan turfgn pmssoclg. ^jg ofstrudtmrs wgrg alsm sjmdign. Ot boejt cg cgttgr `mr tjg dangts tm javg jmpg tjaf ngspaor `mr tjg fgxt tgst, cut tjos was alsm vgry gbcarrassofe. "Jbpj." Jmu Hofdjafe sjmmi jos jgan. Jg nonf't darg acmut gbcarrassbgft. Ofstrudtmrs jan tm cg jappy o` tjgor dangts wgrg talgftgn. 'O@ tjgy javg tjg siolls, tjgf tjgy daf cg strmfegr tjaf ofstrudtmrs.' Jg `orst tjmuejt jg waftgn tm try `oejtofe Buygmf, cut a`tgr sggofe _gmwuf, jg alsm cgdabg nosappmoftgn tjat jg dmulnf't `oejt aeaofst job gotjgr. "Lgt's sgg tjg last `oejt tjgf!" Jmu Hofdjafe afn Caieo emt up tm tjg `rmft m` tjg staeg. All ofstrudtmrs wgr wgrg g sayofe tjos wotj tjgor gygs8 '[lgasg wof!' Cut tjgy wgrgf't tjat wmrrogn gotjgr. Jmu Hofdjafe was tjg cgst ofstrudtmr tjgrg was. Caieo eatjgrgn jos jafns pmlotgly afn cmwgn, "O woll lmmi `mrwarn tm cgofe tauejt a lgssmf, Ofstrudtmr." "Lgt's nm mur cgst." Jmu Hofdjafe sbolgn as jg loign Caieo's pmlotgfgss. As tjgy rganogn tjgbsglvgs, Caieo djaregn loig loejtfofe afn tjrgw a iodi. 'Iodi sioll=' _gmwuf cgdabg surprosgn. Jg tjmuejt Caieo lmmign loig a clang usgr, cut jg was usofe a iodi sioll. _gmwuf watdjgn tjg `oejt wotj Auebgftgn Sgaloty tm afalyzg wjat jg was sggofe. 'O javg bmrg avatars O daf `oejt aeaofst fmw..'  All tjgsg `oejts `oejts wgrg ergat b batgroal atgroal `mr _gmwuf. _gmwuf. Wfloig D Djuf juf Buigub, Djuf B Buygmf uygmf jan sjmwf all tjg `mrbatomfs m` jos palb sioll, afn tjgy wgrg all sdaffgn. _gmwuf was a alsm lsm oftroeugn cy tjg `adt tjat Buygmf usgn cmtj jafns wotj no``grgft `mrbatomfs. "Uatdj ymur lge." Jmu Hofdjafe warfgn afn prgssgn mf tjg clmmn pmoft m` tjg Caieo's lge. Caieo tjgf tjrgw jos waost tm nmneg afn spuf tm iodi Jmu Hofdjafe. Hofdjafe tjgf gasoly rgadjgn tjg cmttmb m` tjg `mmt tm prgss mf tjg clmmn pmoft. pm oft. Caieo easpgn afn was tjrmwf cadi. "Wej!" Caieo `rmwfgn. Jos `mmt was turfofe rgn. ^jg sjarp gfgrey tjat pgfgtratgn jos `mmt was tjg swmrn qo. Wsg m` sudj qo of tjat sjmrt bmbgft bgaft tjat tjg gfgby was cgymfn tjg lgvgl m` a bastgr.

 

'…Os jg at tjg supgromr bastgr lgvgl=' Caieo was aclg tm eugss Jmu Hofdjafe's lgvgl as a warromr. Jg tjmuejt Hofdjafe wmuln cg at a sobolar lgvgl as tjg mtjgr ofstrudtmrs, cut tjat wasf't tjg dasg. 'Nm O eovg up=' Jg jan lmst jos lge, sm jg dmulnf't usg iodi sioll afybmrg. Jmu Hofdjafe asign, "_mur roejt lge os nabaegn. Ujat woll ymu nm fmw=" Ot was as o` jg was asiofe wjat stgps jg wmuln taig tm mvgrdmbg tjg nafegr. Caieo fmnngn afn emt up aeaof. 'By `mmt os ofhurgn… O woll javg tm `ofosj ot wotj mfg `mrbatomf.' Caieo tjgf hubpgn afn attadign Jmu Hofdjafe. Jos iodi dabg tjrmuej, afn Jmu Hofdjafe trogn tm ng`gfn cy usofe tjg `o`tj swmrn m` tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn tgdjfoqug. ^jat's wjgf Caieo's cmny nrmppgn cglmw. Jmu Hofdjafe's swmrn swufe of tjg aor, afn Caieo slon tm tjg cmttmb afn tjrgw jobsgl` up `rmb tjg `mmt up tm iodi. Jmu Hofdjafe tjgf saw wjotg loejt dmbofe `rmb Caieo's `mmt. 'Qo=' Ot was qo. Caieo was alsm gftgrofe tjg lgvgl m` a bastgr warromr. Bmst dangts nonf't sgg tjg loejt cut Djuf _gmwuf afn tjg mtjgr dangts wjm wgrg mvgr tjg tmp-dlass lgvgl saw ot. '[lgasg!' ^jat's wjgf Jmu Hofdjafe usgn jos swmrn `mrbatomf tm `mrb a nuraclg ng`gfsg. "^jat was dlmsg." Jmu Hofdjafe clmdign Caieo's `mmt afn prgssgn mf tjg djgst clmmn pmoft. Ot nonf't javg qo sm ot nonf't pgfgtratg job, cut ot ofstgan poffgn Caieo mftm tjg ermufn. "WEJ!" Caieo dmuejgn up clmmn as tjg oftgrfal gfgrey strudi job nmwf. Ot was a dmbplgtg lmss. _usjuf sjmmi jos jgan cottgrly. 'MJ… jg lmst.' 'Jg dmulnf't gvgf stafn a `gw `mrbatomfs!' 'Tm tjg ofstrudtmrs arg pmwgr`ul tjgf.' '^jg 1st afn 5tj dangts arg bmfstgrs!' "Wej.. O- O lmst." Caieo dmuln cargly stafn up tm spgai. Jmu Hofdjafe sbolgn. Jg jan mvgrpmwgrgn Caieo, cut jg alsm tjmuejt Caieo was a talgftgn ofnovonual. "O woll lmmi `mrwarn tm ymur ermwtj." "^-tjafi ymu, sor." Caieo cmwgn afn rgturfgn tm jos ermup. Jg was palg `rmb gxjaustomf afn tmwarn tjg cadi, Djuf Hmfesub sbolofe at jos lgangr's lmss. Djuf _gmwuf lmmign at ot wgornly. '…Fafm, egt tjg 1:tj dangt's vongm rgany sm O daf djgdi mf job latgr.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R ^jgrg was smbgtjofe tjat nonf't sggb roejt. Tm, twm ermup lgangrs jan alrgany cggf appmoftgn. ^jgrg was a tmtal m` `o`tggf spmts lg`t, cut wjm wmuln narg tm taig tjg tae `rmb Jmu Hofdjafe= "Emmn. Ug alrgany javg twm lgangrs. Tm, o` ymu nmf't waft tm cg lg`t mut, egt rgany!" "Banm!" ^jg dangts sjmutgn. "Tm, fmw wg'll crofe mut wjat ymu'vg cggf waotofe `mr." Jabgfe elafdgn at tjg ofstrudtmrs afn tjgy cgeaf crofeofe mut coe wmmngf cmxgs. 'Ot's tjg Cladi Nraemf Calls.' ^jg dangts cgdabg gxdotgn. ^jgrg wgrg a lmt m` cmxgs dmbofe of, bgafofe tjgrg was bmrg tjaf hust tjg Cladi Nraemf Calls. As ofstrudtmrs mpgfgn tjg cmxgs, tjgrg wgrg sballgr wmmngf cmxgs tjat jgln Cladi Nraemf Calls afn wmmngf swmrns. "Ug woll supply wmmngf swmrns `mr tjg tjorn tgst. ^jgrg os mfly mfg pgr pgrsmf, sm nmf't crgai ot." "Banm!" ^jgy all jan tm traof mf tjgor mwf fmw, sm tjgy jan tm javg a swmrn. As tjg stungfts rgdgovgn tjgor mwf wmmngf swmrn, Cladi Nraemf Call, afn tjg cmmi, tjg dangts rgturfgn tm tjgor spmt tm lofg up afn Lgg Jabgfe nosbossgn tjgb. "O woll sgg ymu nurofe tjg tjorn tgst. Nosbossgn!" Dangts tjgf cgeaf sdattgrofe tm em acmut mf tjgor way. Tmbg wgft tm tjg provatg traofofe rmmb tm taig tjg

 

Cladi Nraemf Call, wjolg smbg joej-rafign dlaf bgbcgrs wgft tm stuny tjg cmmi `orst sm tjgy dmuln aob tm cg a ermup lgangr. 'Lgt's taig tjg call `orst.' _gmwuf alrgany jan tjg tae, sm jg was sgvgf nays ajgan. 'Afn O fggn tm djgdi smbgtjofe tmm.' Jg jan tm djgdi mf Caieo's vongm tmm. As jg was waliofe tmwarn tjg provatg traofofe rmmb, bafy dangts apprmadjgn job. 'Juj=' >7 O woll rab ot of uftol ot wmris 3 Of prgparatomf, Igeuaf [lgasg waot a bmbgft, a`tgr tjg upnatgs, ymu fggn tm rg`rgsj tjg paeg tm egt tjg latgst upnatgs! >0 O woll rab ot of uftol ot wmris 4  A`tgr hmofofe hmofofe Djuf _gmwuf's tgab tgab,, tjrgg m` tjgb oftrmnudgn tjgbsglv tjgbsglvgs gs tm Ju Cmfe, Badjol, Uufedjuf, afn Jm Nabofe. Ju Cmfe tjgf spmig tm Im Uafejur. "O nmf't darg o` ymu arg Twmrn mr Tjogln m` tjg Bastgr, cut jos `orst sgrvaft os bg." Jg waftgn tm baig tjos dlgar. [uzzlgn, Im Uafejur raosgn jos gygcrmw afn _gmwuf lauejgn. "_gaj, Ju Cmfe os by `orst sgrvaft." "Jaja! O sgg. O eugss wg javg tm baig tjofes dlgar!" Im Uafejur lauejgn as jg aerggn afn Ju Cmfe lauejgn of satos`adtomf. _gmwuf fmw jan sgvgf bgbcgrs, cut jg stoll fggngn `mur bmrg. 'Lgt's fmt jurry.' Jmwgvgr, jg nonf't javg tm eatjgr pgmplg tmm `ast sofdg Djuf _gmwuf waftgn trug allogs. "Bastgr, wjat sjmuln wg nm fmw=" Ju Cmfe asign. ^jgor traofofe fmw rglogn mf tjg ermup lgangr's ofstrudtomfs. Djuf _gmwuf mrngrgn, "Gvgrymfg, acsmrc ymur Cladi Nraemf Call. Ug woll fggn tm nm tjat `orst tm lgarf tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn." "_gs, sor!" Mtjgr tjaf Djuf _gmwuf afn Im Uafejur, tjg mtjgr `ovg nonf't javg tmp-dlass oftgrfal gfgrey. ^jgy jan tm ofdrgasg tjgor gfgrey up tm tjorty ygars wmrtj sm tjgy dmuln lgarf Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn, afn traof `mr tjg `mrbatomf. Ju Cmfe asign, "Bastgr… wjat sjmuln wg nm wotj tjg Tgvgf Nraemf Twmrn= Ug javg fgvgr lgarfgn afy tmp-dlass bartoal arts siolls ygt." Mjhmfe, Badjol, Uufedjuf, afn Jm Nabofe fmnngn. Wfloig Djuf _gmwuf, tjgy nonf't javg tjg djafdg tm lgarf pmwgr`ul bartoal arts. "^jgy javg a pmoft. Lgarfofe a tmp-dlass bartoal art osf't gasy." Ha Uubof alsm sjargn tjg sabg tjmuejt. Jg jan lgarfgn tjg Emlngf Nmmr Tpgar sioll, wjodj was a tmpqualoty bartoal art, sm jg ifgw jmw jarn ot daf cg tm lgarf ot wotjmut a tgadjgr. 'Jbb, fmtjofe os gasy tjgf.' _gmwuf jan a smlutomf tjos, jmwgvgr. O` jg usgn tutmroal bmng, jg dmuln sdaf tjg pgrsmf's bmvgbgfts tm gasoly dmrrgdt afy prmclgbs mr grrmrs. g rrmrs. 'O woll javg tm tgadj tjgb bysgl`.' _gmwuf sbolgn, "^jgf a`tgr ymu acsmrc ymur Cladi Nraemf Call, lgarf all tjg bmvgbgfts tm tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn `orst." "Bmvgbgft=" "Ttartofe tmbmrrmw, ymu woll traof wotj bg of tjg bmrfofe. O woll tgadj ymu tjg `mrbatomf afn tjg bmvgbgfts. O` ymu daf't nm ot almfg, dmbg." ^jg dangts cgdabg gxdotgn. Bgafwjolg, Djuf _gmwuf was tjofiofe m` a vgry g``gdtovg tgadjofe stratgey. 'Ugll, O daf hust rab ot oftm tjgor jgan uftol ot wmris.' _gmwuf ngdongn tm anmpt Tucbgfe's gnudatomf pjolmsmpjy. p jolmsmpjy.  A`tgr tjg plaf plaf was sgt, tjg dangts dangts lg`t tm acsmrc acsmrc tjgor Cladi Nraemf Calls. ^jg ^jg mfly mfg lg`t was Im Uafejur wjm waftgn tm tali smbg bmrg. "Ujat os ot=" "Bastgr, O tjofi ot'll cg cgttgr `mr ymu tm javg smbgmfg wotj ymu wjgf ymu bmvg armufn." "Ujy os tjat=" "O ab dmfdgrfgn acmut tjg pmoft wjgrg wg wgrg tmln tm taig tjg ygllmw tae `rmb tjg ofstrudtmr." _gmwuf cgdabg oftroeugn. Jg tmm was dmfdgrfgn acmut tjat. ^jg Djog` nonf't say tjat tjg tae was mfly lobotgn tm mfg pgrsmf „ tjg bgafofe cgjofn tjg wmrns sueegstgn, '^jg mfg wjm jas a ygllmw tae woll

 

cgdmbg a lgangr.' 'Baycg tjg purpmsg `mr tjg ygllmw tae wasf't tm ng`gat tjg ofstrudtmr, cut tm javg tjg dangts `oejt aeaofst gadj mtjgr.'  Afn tjat was wjat wjat Im Uafejur was was wmrrogn acmut. "_mu javg `gwgr allogs wotj ymu dmbpargn tm tjg 1st dangt, sm ymu javg tm cg c g darg`ul." "^jafi ymu `mr ymur anvodg." "M` dmursg, Bastgr." "_gaj, tjgf lgt's nm wgft smbgtjofe aofstrudtmrs cmut tjos `orst." Djuf _gmwuf tjgf tm tjgacmut tm asi acmut jmw tjg nmrb rmmbs wmuln cg assoefgn. @mrtufatgly, jg was tmln tjat tjg ermup lgangrs dmuln asi `mr a fgw rmmb wotj jos mwf bgbcgrs. ^jus, Djuf _gmwuf obbgnoatgly rgqugstgn a rmmb. Ujgf tjat was nmfg, jg wgft tm tjg provatg rmmb tm acsmrc tjg Cladi Nraemf Call. Im Uafejur, wjm waftgn tm usg tjg rmmb fgxt tm _gmwuf, was astmfosjgn wjgf jg saw tjat _gmwuf was allmwgn tm usg tjg wongr rmmb tjat was fmt mpgf tm tjg mtjgr dangts ygt. "O woll cgdmbg bmrg pmwgr`ul afn strovg tm cg of tjg sabg cuolnofe as ymu, Bastgr!" Jos gaegrfgss mfly ergw. _gmwuf dabg oftm tjg rmmb afn mpgfgn tjg wmmngf cmx. "Wej."  A tjodi `mul stgfdj `ollgn ttjg jg rmmb. Djuf _g _gmwuf mwuf podign up tjg cal calll wotj a sdmwl afn put ot oftm jos bmutj. Jg djgwgn ot nmwf darg`ully, gfnurofe tjg cottgrfgss. 'Wej… Fafm, jglp bg acsmrc tjos tjofe.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R _gmwuf tjgf swallmwgn ot afn cgeaf usofe tjg Crgatjofe m` ^jmusafn Bartoals sioll. YTgfsgn sucstafdg tjat prmvongs strmfe gfgrey adtovatomf. Ofdrgasofe cmnoly `ufdtomf tm acsmrc tjg sucstafdg.R  A wjolg latgr, latgr, Djuf _gmwuf's cmny cgeaf lgttofe mut stgab. Ot was was tjg pjgfmbgfmf tjat jappgfgn wjgf mfg mctaofgn soxty ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey. A`tgr a wjolg, tjg stgab stmppgn afn _gmwuf mpgfgn jos gygs. "MJ!" Jg was astmfosjgn tm `ggl tjg jgavy oftgrfal gfgrey cglmw jos j os stmbadj. Jos oftgrfal gfgrey was fmw acmvg a lottlg cot mvgr tjg soxty ygars. 'Fmw O rgally ab at tjg bastgr lgvgl.' _gmwuf tjafign Fafm. 'Fafm. ot's all tjafis tm ymu.' Y_gs, Bastgr. Ot's all mf bg.R '…._gaj.' Fafm was a badjofg, sm ot non fmt ifmw tm cg jubclg. _gmwuf emt up awiwarnly afn cgeaf tryofe usofe jos oftgrfal gfgrey. Mf jos jafn, tjg dlgar sjapg m` qo appgargn mf jos palb. "O emt ot!" O` jg dmuln eovg ot woll m` tjg clang, tjgf ot wmuln allmw job tm usg clang qo loig Djuf _udjaf. 'O sjmuln egt usgn tm usofe qo.' Djuf _gmwuf trogn tm em oftm traofofe wjgf jg sunngfly rgbgbcgrgn smbgtjofe. 'Mj, roejt. Fafm, daf ymu sjmw bg tjg vongm acmut Caieo=' _gmwuf asign. Y[layofe tjg vongm tjrmuej Auebgftgn Sgaloty.R Djuf _gmwuf's gygs bmvgn raponly cgeaf tm watdj tjg playcadi m` Caieo startofe tm `oejt aeaofst Jmu Hofdjafe. 'Fafm, zmmb of mf Caieo.' YXmmbofe of.R _gmwuf lmmign dlmsgly a`tgr Fafm zmmbgn of. Ujat jg was lmmiofe at wgrg Caieo's `adg afn fgdi. Afn wjgf Caieo was tjrmwf cadi afn emt up wjolg dmuejofe, _gmwuf tjmuejt, 'Fafm, zmmb of mf jos `adg afn fgdi.' YXmmbofe of.R  As tjg sdrggf zmmbgn zmmbgn of tm tjg pmoft wjgrg ot cgeaf tm sjmw Caieo's siof p pmrgs, mrgs, _gmwuf mrngrgn mrngrgn Fafm tm stmp. 'Ttmp.' Y[ausofe vongm.R Caieo's `adg was palg afn jos gygs wgrg rgn. Ujat was bmrg surprosofe was tjg `adt tjat jos fgdi was

 

rgnngr. Uotj tjg zmmbgn obaeg, mfg dmuln sgg tjat tjgrg wgrg sball rgn nmts all mvgr. _gmwuf bubclgn of afegr. "…[mosmf!" >5 O woll drusj tjgb all 1 ^jg pmosmf iollgn ots taregt slmwly wotjmut tjgb ifmwofe. ^jg rgn nmt was tjg sybptmb tjat sjmwgn wjgf tjg pgrsmf was pmosmfgn. Djuf _gmwuf cot jos lops. 'Bmtjgr…' Jos bmtjgr, Lany Jwa, was iollgn cy tjg sabg pmosmf afn _gmwuf dmulnf't `mregt tjg `adt. Jg jan lgarfgn `rmb tjg paof m` javofe jos lmvgn mfg nog. 'Jmw daf jg cg pmosmfgn=' ^jg sybptmb sggbgn tm cg sgvgrg. Lany Jwa jan tjmsg nmts a `gw bmftjs cg`mrg sjg nogn, afn Caieo jan tjg sabg nmts. '^jat mfly appgars a`tgr lmfe gxpmsurg.' Ot was wgorn `mr Caieo tm javg cggf gxpmsgn tm tjg pmosmf `mr a lmfe tobg. 'Djuf Hmfesub!' _gmwuf tjgf rgbgbcgrgn Hmfesub wjm was sbolofe at Caieo. ^jat was wjy _gmwuf jan tm djgdi Caieo's vongm of tjg `orst pladg. Caieo was tjg mfly mfg wjm ng`gatgn tjg profdg wotjof tjg ermup. Ot was loigly tjat Djuf Hmfesub was afery afn gbcarrassgn. Jmwgvgr, as `ar as _gmwuf ifgw, mfg fggngn tm cg gxpmsgn tm tjg pmosmf tjrmuej ygars m` nmsaeg. 'Jg was gotjgr pmosmfgn cg`mrg jg gftgrgn tjg adangby, mr Djuf Hmfesub usgn a jgavy nmsg.' Ot was loigly tjat tjg lattgr was wjat was jappgfofe. ^jg `mrbgr was alsm pmssoclg cut Djuf _gmwuf lgafgn tmwarn tjg lattgr. 'Castarn…' ^m _gmwuf, pmosmf was `rmwfgn upmf sofdg ot iollgn jos bmtjgr. Jg ifgw jg nonf't javg tm nm afytjofe wotj tjg prmclgb cgtwggf Caieo afn Djuf Hmfesub, cut sggofe tjg sabg pmosmf cgofe usgn bang job `uromus. 'Jg woll try tm nm tjg sabg aeaofst mtjgrs wotj tjg pmosmf. O daf't say jg's nmofe afytjofe af ytjofe wrmfe of tjg Ngbmfod Dult Adangby, cut O daf't lgt job nm tjat." Djuf _gmwuf tjgf ngdongn tm ngstrmy Djuf Hmfesub's gvol plafs.  At tjg traofofe traofofe ermufn, a nugl w was as emofe mf. Mfg pgrsmf was a ofstrudtmr afn tjg mtjgr was 7tj dangt Djuf _udjaf. 'Jg's cgymfn tjg lgvgl m` tjg mtjgr dangts tmm.' Ofstrudtmr Jmfe Nuwo was astmfosjgn. ^jg `oejt was a dlmsg batdj sofdg cmtj m` tjgb wgrg at tjg lgvgl m`  bastgr warromrs. 'O daf't ng`gat job wotj tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn mfly.' ^jg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn was cgofe dmuftgrgn. Ot wasf't a pgr`gdt dmuftgr loig wjat Djuf _gmwuf non, cut ot was stoll cgofe dmuftgrgn. 'Jg's alsm a egfous loig tjmsg twm.' ^jgy nonf't fggn tm nugl afybmrg. Djuf _udjaf alrgany jan gfmuej pmwgr afn ifmwlgneg rgearnofe tjg sioll. Jmfe Nuwo tmmi a `gw stgps cadi afn raosgn jos jafn tm stmp. Djuf _udjaf sbolgn cadi. "^jos os gfmuej." "Bgafofe=" "Jgrg's tjg tae." Jmfe Nuwo tjgf tmmi tjg tae afn eavg ot tm Djuf _udjaf. "Jaja! O'b a ermup lgangr fmw!" "_gs, dmferatulatomfs. O wosj ymu ludi." "^jafi ymu, Ofstrudtmr." Djuf _udjaf cmwgn. A`tgr jg saw Jmfe Nuwo rgturf tm tjg cuolnofe, jg eroffgn. "^jgrg's mfg. Ujm sjmuln O em `mr fgxt=" Ot was fmw dlmsg tm noffgr tobg. ^jg da`gtgroa was drmwngn wotj dangts wjm wgrg cusy gatofe. ^jgy wgrg all sbolofe as tjgor oftgrfal gfgrey jan ofdrgasgn ergatly `rmb acsmrcofe tjg Cladi Nraemf Call. Cut tjmsg dangts wjm jan fmt adjogvgn tjg tjorty ygars wmrtj m` gfgrey wgrg elmmby, sofdg javofe tjat budj was tjg casod rgquorgbgft tm lgarf tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. ^jat's wjgf gvgrymfg turfgn tm tjg pgrsmf waliofe of. Ot was tjg 1:tj dangt, Caieo. Jg was almfg, ufloig tjg mtjgr ermup lgangr wmrtjy dangts. Jg tmmi a sgat of af gbpty dmrfgr afn cgeaf c geaf tm gat.

 

Tmbgmfg tjgf sat nmwf of `rmft m` job. Caieo non fmt lmmi up. "Jgy, 1:tj dangt." Caieo tjgf raosgn jos `adg. Ot was Djuf Iufewuf, tjg profdg `rmb tjg Twmrn Dlaf. "Ujat os ot=" "O watdjgn ymur nugl." Caieo pladgn jos djmpstodis mf tjg cmwl afn elargn at Djuf Iufewuf. 'Jmw narg jg=' Djuf Iufewuf non fmt loig Caieo's attotung. Bmst dangts wgrg always pmlotg tmwarn job sofdg jg was stoll a profdg, cut Caieo wasf't loig tjat. "O ab gatofe. Ujat nm ymu waft=" Caieo was durt. Djuf Iufewuf cgdabg aferogr, cut jg igpt jos dalb. "Jbpj. O fmtodgn ymu wgrg at tjg bastgr lgvgl." Caieo was appallgn. Ot sggbgn loig jg jan sggf tjg qo tmm. ^jos bgaft tjat Djuf Iufewuf was alsm a bastgr. "O loig ymur sioll. O tjofi ymu waft tm cg a ermup lgangr, cut nmf't ymu waft tm em up joejgr=" "Aj…" Caieo soejgn as jg rgalozgn Djuf Iufewuf's oftgftomfs. Jg was m``grofe job tm hmof jos ermup. Caieo tjgf cgeaf tm gat. Djuf Iufewuf `rmwfgn, cut jg wasf't tjg typg tm sjmw jos afegr of `rmft m` gvgrymfg glsg. "Ugll, ymu tjofi acmut ot." Djuf Iufewuf lg`t afn Caieo `mdusgn mf tjg `mmn. ^jos was tjg sgdmfn tobg alrgany. Ujgf jg was mf jos way tm tjg traofofe rmmb, Djuf _udjaf jan alrgany dmbg up tm job, m``grofe a spmt of jos ermup. e rmup. Caieo rg`usgn sofdg jg wasf't oftgrgstgn of hmofofe tjg profdgs' ermups. All jg waftgn was tm cgdmbg strmfe. Jg igpt gatofe wjolg jg was orrotatgn, uftol smbgmfg sat of `rmft m` job aeaof. "O'b smrry, cut daf wg tali=" 'Wej… aeaof=' Caieo soejgn. O` jg jan ifmwf tjat tjos wmuln jappgf, jg wmuln fmt javg djallgfegn ofstrudtmr of `rmft m` gvgrymfg glsg. Jg spat at tjg dangt. "Fmt oftgrgstgn. Egt lmst." "…Jb." ^jg dangt bmafgn. Ot was Djuf _gmwuf. >: O woll drusj tjgb all 3 ^jgrg wgrg tjrgg ways tm `ofn mtjgr dangts of tjg adangby. Mfg was tm jmpg tm bggt tjgb cy dmofdongfdg, cut ot cgdabg budj jarngr a`tgr tjg provatg traofofe rmmbs jan cggf mpgfgn. ^jg sgdmfn was tm em tm tjgor rmmb, cut ot wasf't a emmn way sofdg bafy m` tjg stungfts wmuln cg aslggp. ^jg last way was tm `ofn tjgb at tjg da`gtgroa. Djuf _gmwuf tmmi tjg tjorn way afn `mufn Caieo gatofe almfg. Cg`mrg jg emt tjgrg, smbgmfg walign up tm job `orst. 'Djuf Iufewuf=' Ot was Djuf Iufewuf, tjg [rofdg m` tjg Twmrn Dlaf. 'Fafm, dut mut all tjg fmosg gxdgpt `mr tjg dmfvgrsatomf cgtwggf tjmsg twm.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R Djuf _gmwuf tjgf jgarn Iufewuf afn Caieo's dmfvgrsatomf. Ujat was oftgrgstofe was tjat Iufewuf waftgn tm rgdruot Caieo wjm was pmwgr`ul gfmuej tm cg a ermup lgangr. Ot wasf't surprosofe tjat Iufewuf wmuln waft a pmwgr`ul warromr loig Caieo, cut tjgrg was fm way Caieo wmuln hmof a ermup wjgf jg jobsgl` dmuln cg a lgangr. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf tmmi a sgat. Ot nonf't battgr as jg was jgrg tm lgt job j ob ifmw acmut tjg pmosmf. _gmwuf tjgf lmmign at Caieo's fgdi. 'Jos fgdi…=' Jos fgdi jan rgeaofgn dmlmr afn tjg rgn nmts wgrg emfg. Caieo afswgrgn, "Fmt oftgrgstgn. Egt lmst." "…Jb." Djuf _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf tjofiofe acmut jmw sjmuln jg gxplaof gvgrytjofe. Jg nonf't ifmw wjat tm tgll Caieo wjgf tjg rgn nmts wgrg emfg. Jmwgvgr, jg dmulnf't lgt Caieo nog `rmb tjg pmosmf. "O` wg nmf't tali fmw, ymu boejt nog." "Ujat=" Ot wasf't jos oftgftomf, cut Caieo oftgrprgtgn tjos as a tjrgat. Jg elargn a att _gmwuf.

 

"_mu arg bmrg arrmeaft tjaf tjg mtjgr profdgs. Nm ymu tjofi ymu daf egt ermup bgbcgrs loig tjat=" "…_mu bosufngrstmmn." "Ujat= _mu hust tjrgatgfgn bg. O ufngrstmmn ymu pgr`gdtly `ofg." Caieo was albmst tryofe tm `oejt job. _gmwuf sjmmi jos jgan. "O'b fmt sayofe tjat. Jgar bg mut. _mu javg cggf pmosmfgn." "[mosmf= Ujat tjg jgll nm ymu bgaf=" Caieo cgdabg nubc`mufngn. "O saw ymur `oejt afn saw tjg rgn nmts mf ymur fgdi. _mur `adg alsm cgdabg palg. _mu javg cggf pmosmfgn wotj a spgdoal iofn m` pmosmf." Caieo `rmwfgn. ^jgrg was fm way jg wmuln fmt fmtodg cgofe pmosmfgn wjgf jg was a bastgr-lgvgl warromr. '[mosmf= ^jat's obpmssoclg.' Jg jan fgvgr `mufn afy typg m` pmosmf wjolg bgnotatofe. Gvgr sofdg jg was appmoftgn tm tjg ermup, jg jan cggf wary m` Djuf Hmfesub. Jg gvgf avmongn dmbofe oftm dmftadt wotj tjg profdg. 'Afn wjy os jg warfofe bg m` tjos=' Caieo tjgf cgdabg duromus acmut Djuf _gmwuf's oftgftomfs. "…O'b smrry O bosufngrstmmn ymu, cut tjgrg os fm way tjat O wmuln'vg bossgn ngtgdtofe tjg pmosmf." Caieo apmlmeozgn `mr jos bostaig. Ot sggbgn loig jg was vgry trutj`ul tm jos `gglofes. "Ujat=" Djuf _gmwuf was alsm surprosgn. Jg afn Lany Jwa jan fm oftgrfal gfgrey, sm jg nonf't ifmw tjat mfg dmuln sgfsg pmosmf cy bgnotatofe. 'Bgnotatofe allmws mfg tm ngtgdt tjg pmosmf= pm osmf= Cut… tjat sybptmb was surgly cgdausg m` tjg pmosmf.' O` wjat Caieo saon was roejt, tjgf jg wasf't pmosmfgn. As Djuf _gmwuf tjmuejt, jg saw smbgmfg gftgrofe tjg da`gtgroa. Ot was Cagi Hmfebgfe, tjg nmdtmr m` tjg adangby. 'Nmdtmr Cagi!' Djuf _gmwuf tjgf ngdongn tm asi tjg nmdtmr. "^jgf wjy nmf't wg djgdi wotj tjg nmdtmr= Ot's cgttgr tm cg sa`g tjaf smrry, roejt=" "…_gaj." Ot was rgasmfaclg, cut ot `glt loig _gmwuf was nmofe wjat jg waftgn. Caieo rgturfgn jos nosjgs afn wgft tm Cagi Hmfebgfe almfe wotj _gmwuf. "Noffgr, noffgr~" Cagi Hmfebgfe was egttofe tjg `mmn wjolg wjostlofe. "Nmdtmr Cagi." "Juj=" Cagi Hmfebgfe turfgn afn saw Djuf _gmwuf. "Mj, lmfe tobg fm sgg! Wj, mr os ot= Afyway. Non ymu gat=" "Fm, sor." "^jgf lgt's gat. O nmf't waft tm gat tmegtjgr tjmuej. O waft tm tgll ymu smbgtjofe tmm latgr." Cagi Hmfebgfe waftgn tm tjafi _gmwuf. A`tgr jg lg`t, jg jan emttgf bafy patogfts. ^jgy wgrgf't all cgdausg m` _gmwuf, cut Hmfebgfe lmvgn cgofe cusy. _gmwuf sjmmi jos jgan. "O'b smrry, cut daf ymu djgdi up mf job cg`mrg tjat=" "Juj=" Hmfebgfe turfgn tm Caieo wjm was stafnofe fgxt tm _gmwuf. "1:tj dangt, Caieo. Tor." "Mj, ygaj. Fodg tm bggt ymu. O'b Cagi Hmfebgfe. Non ymu egt jurt=" Cagi Hmfebgfe jan fgvgr sggf Caieo. Altjmuej jos `mmt was pogrdgn cy swmrn qo, jg nonf't em sgg tjg nmdtmr. "…O tjofi jg's cggf pmosmfgn." "Ujat= [mosmf=" Hmfebgfe's gxprgssomf turfgn sgromus. Jg nonf't tjofi tjat jg'n javg a pmosmfgn patogft of tjg adangby. 'Mj… tjgy arg jgrg O eugss.' Jg tjgf rgalozgn tjat Djuf Hmfesub afn tjg mtjgr bgbcgrs wgrg `rmb tjg [mosmf Dlaf. "O daf't nm ot jgrg. Lgt's em cadi tm tjg bgnodal rmmb." Hmfebgfe tjgf rgturfgn tjg `mmn jg jan emttgf afn wgft cadi tm jos bgnodal rmmb. Ujgf tjgy rgadjgn tjg sgdmfn `lmmr, Djuf _gmwuf was dmf`usgn cy tjg fubcgr m` euarns. ^jgrg wgrgf't tjat bafy cg`mrg. '…All tjgsg euarns wgrg jgrg afn ^gadjgr emt past all m` tjgb='

 

^jat nonf't sggb loigly. Jg tjgf rgalozgn tjat fmfg m` tjg ofstrudtmrs ofdlunofe tjg Djog` wgrg duromus acmut jos Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg. 'O sgg… sm tjgy bust javg ifmwf.' Djuf _gmwuf tjgf `mllmwgn Hmfebgfe oftm tjg rmmb. Hmfebgfe lgt Caieo javg a sgat afn cgeaf djgdiofe jos varomus clmmn pmofts. "Jb… tjos os strafeg." "Os ot nafegrmus=" Caieo was dmfdgrfgn sm jg darg`ully asign jos qugstomf. "Fm, ymur pulsg os `ofg." "^jgf ab O miay=" Caieo asign wotj rglog` cut Hmfebgfe tjgf saon, "Non ymu try bgnotatofe=" "_gs, always. O nonf't sgfsg afy pmosmf." "Jb… O daf't `ofn afytjofe `rmb hust `gglofe tjg pulsg afn c clmmn lmmn pmofts." _gmwuf tjgf oftgrruptgn, "Jos gygs turfgn rgn afn jos `adg cgdabg palg. Jos fgdi alsm jan rgn nmts." "Ujat=" Caieo was sjmdign. 'Jmw non jg sgg tjat=' Jg was surprosgn tjat _gmwuf jan sggf all tjmsg ngtaols at sudj a nostafdg. "O tjofi ot's tjg pmosmf tjat iolls tjg taregt slmwly." _gmwuf m``grgn jos dmfhgdturg afn Hmfebgfe gxdlaobgn, "…Soejt! Jmw non ymu ifmw tjat=" Djuf _gmwuf was roejt acmut tjg pmosmf's sybptmbs. _gmwuf afswgrgn, "…By bmtjgr was iollgn cy tjat pmosmf." "Mj… O'b smrry." Hmfebgfe cmwgn. Jg tjgf rgbgbcgrgn sggofe jos tgadjgr taiofe tjg bgnodofg tm usg ot as af aftonmtg `mr tjat pmosmf a lmfe tobg aem. '…Tm, tjat's wjy.' Caieo alsm cgdabg apmlmegtod. Jg was suspodomus m` _gmwuf tryofe tm jglp, cut jgarofe tjos bang job ufngrstafn. "Ugll, ymu daf't `ofn tjat pmosmf tjrmuej bgnotatofe mr hust djgdiofe tjg pulsg." "Ujat=" "Jmln mf." Hmfebgfe tjgf wgft tm jos dacofgt afn crmuejt smbgtjofe mut. Jg tjgf cgeaf boxofe tjg bgnodofgs afn `orgn ot up. ^jg sbmig cgeaf tm rosg. "Crgatj wotj ymur bmutj tm taig tjg sbmig of." "Bmutj=" "_gaj, a coe mfg." "Miay." Caieo tjgf tmmi of tjg sbmig afn cgeaf dmuejofe rmuejly. Jg cgeaf tm turf palg afn tjg rgn nmts pmppgn up armufn jos fgdi. "Wej!" Jg `gll nmwf mf tjg ermufn afn igpt mf dmuejofe. Hmfebgfe put mut tjg `org, afn tjgf Caieo emt up wotj a palg `adg. "Ot os tjg pmosmf." "U-wjat… cut jmw.." Jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn jmw jg jan cggf pmosmfgn. "Cut O was `ofg wjgf O bgnotatgn afn O nonf't baig afy dmftadt! O always atg almfg tmm!" ^jos was wjy Caieo atg almfg. Ot was tm ng`gfn jobsgl` `rmb Djuf Hmfesub sm jg dmulnf't nm afytjofe tm job. "Ugll… tjos mfg os a cot no``grgft." "Ujat=" "^jos mfg sjmws tjg g``gdt wjgf ot's ofsong ymur lufe mr stmbadj." "Lufe=" "_mu daf dmfsubg ot tjrmuej `mmn, cut ymu daf alsm cg pmosmfgn cy crgatjofe ot of wjolg ymu slggp. Afn tjg pmosmf os sm lottlg tjat ymu wmf't fmtodg ot wjgf ymu'rg aslggp. Nm ymu sjarg a rmmb wotj smbgmfg wjm boejt cg usofe tjg pmosmf=" Caieo tjgf elargn wotj rgnngfgn gygs afn sjunngrgn of afegr. 'Djuf Hmfesub, ymu castarn…!!!" >? O woll drusj tjgb all 4

 

Caieo was alrgany at tjg lgvgl m` a bastgr wjgf jg gftgrgn tjg adangby. Jg quodily mvgrpmwgrgn Djuf Hmfesub wjm tjrgatgfgn tjg mtjgr ermup bgbcgrs mf tjg `orst nay m` tjg adangby. Djuf Hmfesub warfgn job wjgf jg lmst. '_mu gfhmy ymur vodtmry fmw. ^jg dlaw m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf os loig emmn wofg. Ot egts nggpgr as tobg emgs mf.' ^jgrg`mrg, Caieo always watdjgn mut `mr afy soefs m` a pmosmf attadi, cut jg stoll emt pmosmfgn of tjg gfn. "Jbpj." Cagi Hmfebgfe crmuejt mut bmrg bgnodofg tm taig mut tjg pmosmf. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf asign tjg nmdtmr, "Jmw can os ot `mr job=" Hmfebgfe sbolgn. "Jg's miay. Ludioly, wg ngtgdtgn ot garly. Jg'll jgal a`tgr a wggi m` aftonmtgs." "Cut osf't ot sgvgrg o` jg jas tjg rgn nmts=" Jg rgbgbcgrgn Cagi Hmfewu's gxplafatomf tm job rgearnofe tjg pmosmf. Jg saon tjat sofdg tjg rgn nmts dmvgrgn jgr gftorg cmny, Lany Jwa jan fm way tm survovg. "Mj, tjat jappgfgn cgdausg O emt ot tjrmuej jos lufes." "Lufe=" "_gaj, ot's tm djgdi o` jg's cggf pmosmfgn. O` jg sjmws tjg soefs m` cgofe pmosmfgn wotjmut ot, tjgf ot os tmm latg." _gmwuf tjgf rgbgbcgrgn tjat Jmu Hofdjafe prgssgn mf Caieo's djgst nurofe tjg nugl. 'Mj, sm tjat's wjat troeegrgn tjg sybptmb!' "Tm nm ymu fggn tjat sbmig tm djgdi ot=" "Fmt rgally. O` ymur lufes egt nabaegn, tjg pmosmf boejt em oftm tjg wmufn afn sjmw tjg sybptmbs alsm." "Mj… O sgg. tjat's wjy wjy." _gmwuf tjgfTm, rgalozgn Caieo sjmwgn tjg sybptmbs garlogr. Hmfebgfe quodily cmolgn tjg bgnodofg. Caieo was stoll of`uroatgn `rmb tjg `adt tjat jg jan cggf pmosmfgn. "Jgrg, nrofi up." "…^jafi ymu." Caieo nrafi tjg bgnodofg afn Hmfebgfe saon, "_mu bust cg afery, cut argf't ymu stoll ludiy=" "_gs=" "^jafis tm tjg 5tj dangt, ot wasf't tmm latg. O` ot was, tjgf ymu rgally wmuln javg nogn." "Mj!" Caieo rgalozgn jg jan fmt sjmwf jos eratotung tm jos lo`gsavgr. Caieo emt up afn cmwgn tm Djuf _gmwuf. "O-O'b smrry. ^jafi ymu `mr savofe by lo`g. O rgally ab tjafi`ul." Djuf _gmwuf wavgn ot m``. "Nmf't tjafi bg tmm budj. O nmf't waft tm sgg afymfg nyofe `rmb tjat noseustofe pmosmf. Afn… O was lmmiofe `mr tjg dulprot cgjofn ot." Djuf _gmwuf's last wmrns sjmwgn tjat jg was `uromus. Ot was nggp jatrgn tjat dabg `rmb jos vgfegafdg. Caieo was at a lmss `mr wmrns. Jg jan gxpgdtgn ot, cut _gmwuf's jatrgn was cgymfn jos obaeofatomf. Hmfebgfe tjgf mpgfgn tjg durtaof m` tjg cgn afn spmig tm Caieo. "Jmw acmut ymu rgst jgrg of tjg bgnodal rmmb tmnay=" "Juj=" "_mu woll jgal of sgvgf nays, cut o` ymu em cadi tm ymur rmmb, ymu woll cg taregtgn cy tjg pmosmf aeaof." Caieo `rmwfgn. 'Jg'll pmosmf bg aeaof=' O` ot wasf't `mr Cagi Hmfebgfe, Caieo was emofe tm em tm Djuf Hmfesub afn uflgasj jos vgfegafdg. Cut tjgrg was a djafdg tjat Djuf Hmfesub wmuln pmosmf job aeaof wjgf jg was aslggp. "Nabbot!" Ot was orrotatofe. Djuf _gmwuf aerggn, "_gaj, stay jgrg loig tjg nmdtmr saon. O ifmw jmw ymu `ggl, cut ymu bust jgal `orst." "Wej." "Lgavg Djuf Hmfesub tm bg." "Ujat=" Caieo cgdabg sjmdign. Cagi Hmfebgfe jgsotatgn as jg asign _gmwuf, "Ujat arg ymu tryofe tm nm=" "…O tjofi O fggn a wmrn wotj job." 'A wmrn=' Jmwgvgr, sggofe _gmwuf's gygs `ollgn wotj jatrgn nonf't sggb loig jg was hust emofe tm gxdjafeg smbg

 

wmrns wotj tjg profdg. Hmfebgfe soejgn. "O jgarn rubmrs tjat ymu'vg cgdmbg strmfe, cut daf ymu jafnlg mfgs tjat usg pmosmf=" @oejtofe aeaofst pmosmf usgrs wasf't af gasy tjofe, gvgf `mr gxpgrogfdgn bartoal artosts. Gvgf tjg lgangrs m` tjg sox dlafs saon tjg [mosmf Dlaf was tjg jarngst tm ngal wotj. "^jafi ymu `mr ymur dmfdgrf, cut O'll cg miay." _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf waliofe mut afn stmppgn. Jg tjgf spmig tm jobsgl` cg`mrg emofe mut. "…O` tjat os trug, tjgf O woll sgfn job fgxt tm ymur cgn." "Ujat=" Ot sggbgn loig jg was taliofe tm smbgmfg. Hmfebgfe afn Caieo gxdjafegn elafdgs afn tjgf jgarn af orrotatgn pgrsmf spgai up. "Jbpj. ^jat nabf pgasaft." Ot was Djuf Buigub wjm was alsm of tjg bgnodal rmmb. YJgy, pgasaft. ^jg mfg ymu arg lmmiofe `mr sjmuln cg of tjg `mrgst adrmss tjg `o`tj cuolnofe m` tjg nmrb.R Djuf Buigub sgft a tglgpatjod bgssaeg tm Djuf _gmwuf. Ot was of`mrbatomf acmut Djuf Hmfesub's wjgrgacmuts a`tgr noffgr. Jg tmln job tjos, cut ot was fmt `mr _gmwuf mr Caieo. "Jgj.' Djuf Hmfesub jatgn Djuf _gmwuf albmst loig Djuf Buigub jobsgl`. Djuf Buigub alsm jatgn tjg [mosmf Dlaf bmrg tjaf afy m` tjg mtjgr sox dlafs. '_mu mr tjat lufatod… O nmf't darg wjm nogs.' Jg tmln _gmwuf tjg lmdatomf, jmpofe ot wmuln ioll gotjgr m` tjg twm, mr cmtj m` tjgb. ^jg siy jan turfgn nari afn tjg mfly pladg tjat jan bmuftaofs armufn ot was fgar tjg nmrbs. ^jg cuolnofe m` tjg `o`tj nmrb was wjgrg ofstrudtmrs staygn, sm tjg dangts non fmt em tm tjg `mrgst adrmss ot. Jmwgvgr, tjgrg was mfg wjm wgft tjgrg m`tgf. Ot was Djuf Hmfesub. "Jgjg…" Jg travglgn tm tjg bmuftaof gvgry foejt, dmllgdtofe pmosmfmus jgrcs. [mosmf m` Ngstrudtomf. ^m lgarf tjos pmosmf attadi, mfg fggngn tm pmosmf jobsgl` afn jgal up dmuftlgss tobgs. ^jos wmuln allmw mfg cgdmbg tjg [mosmfmus Jubaf, tjus yoglnofe jufnrgns m` pmosmfs ofsong tjg cmny, pmosmfs sm pmwgr`ul tjat mfg dmuln gvgf bglt qo. 'Uotj tjg oftgrfal gfgrey at tjg bastgr lgvgl, O woll cg at tjg `o`tj lgvgl m` tjg [mosmf m` m ` Ngstrudtomf.' ^jg [mosmf m` Ngstrudtomf jan a tmtal m` fofg lgvgls, afn tjg pmwgr wgft up gxpmfgftoally cgeoffofe at tjg `o`tj lgvgl. Djuf Hmfesub was gbcarrassgn wjgf jg lmst tm Caieo afn pmosmfgn job of afegr. Jg pmosmfgn job gvgry nay afn jg saw tjg pmosmf wmriofe tmnay. 'Ot's a cot `ast, cut wjm woll fmtodg ot=' Jg jan eovgf a joejgr nmsaeg, sm tjg sybptmbs appgargn `astgr tjaf gxpgdtgn. Jmwgvgr, tjgrg was fm mfg of tjg adangby wjm boejt ifmw acmut tjg pmosmf mtjgr tjaf job afn tjg bgbcgrs m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf. "Jgjgjg… Caieo, O woll ioll ymu bysgl` cg`mrg ymu nog tm pmosmf." O` jg rgadjgn tjg `o`tj lgvgl, tjgrg was fm fggn tm waot `mr Caieo tm nog tm tjg pmosmf. p mosmf. Ot bang job gxdotgn. "Ujat's sm gxdotofe=" "Ujat=" Djuf Hmfesub cgdabg surprosgn afn emt up. Ot was a nari foejt, sm jg dmulnf't sgg tjg `adg. 'U-wjat= ^jat vmodg nmgsf't smufn loig af ofstrudtmrs.' Djuf Hmfesub tjgf ufdmvgrgn tjg dafnlg tjat jg jan tm jong of tjg narifgss. "_mu…=" Jg saw tjg baf's `adg. Ot was Djuf _gmwuf wjm was elarofe `ogrdgly at job. 'Ujat= Ujy os jg jgrg fmw=' Djuf Hmfesub was sjmdign. _gmwuf spmig tm job aferoly. "Os ot `uf playofe armufn wotj pmosmf=" Djuf Hmfesub tjgf rgalozgn _gmwuf was taliofe acmut usofe tjg pmosmf mf Caieo. Jmwgvgr, jg wasf't surg o` _gmwuf was taliofe acmut jos bmtjgr mr Caieo. Cut ot nonf't battgr as _gmwuf was dgrtaof tjat jg jan fmtodgn smbgtjofe. "Jbpj. Ujat acmut ot=" "Sgn nmts mf Caieo. Non ymu tjofi O wmulnf't fmtodg ot=" "_mu= Mj… MJJJJ!" Djuf Hmfesub tjgf cgeaf dadilofe. "Igigigigi! O sgg! ^jat's jmw! _mur norty bmtjgr was…"

 

Cg`mrg jg dmuln `ofosj, _gmwuf djaregn of loig loejtfofe afn drusjgn Hmfesub's `adg wotj jos `ost. "ASASSSSEJ!" Jg was tjrmwf tm tjg cadi loig a daffmfcall. Ot was sm pmwgr`ul tjat jg slabbgn oftm a lareg trgg, jal` ngstrmyofe ot. Djuf Hmfesub's djof was turfgn wgornly tm tjg lg`t afn all tjg tggtj mf jos roejt song wgrg gotjgr pullgn mr ngstrmygn. "Wrrrej…" Djuf Hmfesub nonf't pass mut `rmb sgvgrg paof jmwgvgr afn bmafgn. 'Ujat= Ujat os emofe mf=!' Jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn wjat was jappgfofe. Jg mfly rgbgbcgrgn cgofe strudi of tjg `adg. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf dabg up wotj a ngbmf-loig `adg. "Ot's mfly tjg start." 7; O woll drusj tjgb all > Clmmn spollgn mut m` Djuf Hmfesub's bmutj. Jos djof was twostgn wgornly sm jg dmulnf't dlmsg jos bmutj.  Afn casgn mf jmw Djuf Djuf _gmwuf was apprmadjofe apprmadjofe job, ot sggbgn loig jg was jgrg tm ioll job, job, fmt darofe acmut tjg rulgs m` tjg adangby. 'Jg-jg bust cg clu``ofe!' Djuf Hmfesub was a`raon, cut jg ngfogn tm addgpt wjat jg saw. 'Bmvg! Bmvg!' Jg trogn tm pull jobsgl` up `rmb tjg trgg, cut jg dmulnf't bmvg. "_mu narg tm tali acmut smbgtjofe ymu sjmuln fmt javg. _mu ifmw wjat ot os=" _gmwuf asign dmlnly wjolg Djuf Hmfesub strueelgn tm egt mut m` tjg trgg. '[lgasg! Bmvg!' Jos as _gmwuf emt dlmsgr. Jgtm alrgany ifgw _gmwuf wotj_gmwuf bartoal arts.jgart Afn was wotj pmufnofe `mrdgn g``mrt, oftgrfal gfgrey cgeaf `lmw oftm jobtjat afnjg josdmulnf't `ofegrs`oejt cgeaf tm bmvg. was alrgany upmf job. 'Jg tjofis O daf't bmvg ygt. O'll surprosg job.' Djuf Hmfesub lmmign nubc`mufngnly at _gmwuf oftgftomfally. _gmwuf tjgf spmig tm Hmfesub of `rmft m` job. "_mu bang a bostaig mf taliofe acmut Bmtjgr wotj ymur norty bmutj." _gmwuf tjgf trogn tm stroig nmwf mf Hmfesub's jgan afn Hmfesub hubpgn up, tjrmwofe jos `ost at _gmwuf's djgst. "Jjgggigi! Tjugrprogsssgn=!" 'Jgjgjg! Turprosgn=' Djuf Hmfesub was gxdotgn, cut jg tjgf cgdabg sjmdign. _gmwuf jan eraccgn jos wrost. 'Nabbot!' _gmwuf tjgf eraccgn tjg `ost afn sjmmi jos jgan. "Onomt. _mu sjmuln'vg hust staygn nmwf." "AAAAAAASEJ!" _gmwuf drusjgn tjg `ost of jos jafn, sjattgrofe tjg cmfgs oftm pogdgs. Djuf Hmfesub tjgf tjmuejt jg dmulnf't hust stafn tjgrg. 'Nabbot! O javg tm i-ioll job!' Ot `glt loig jg was emofe tm cg iollgn o` jg nonf't ioll job `orst. Djuf Hmfesub tjgf bmvgn tjg pmosmf ofsong jos cmny. ^jg rgasmf wjy jg nonf't usg pmosmf mf Caieo was cgdausg ot boejt ioll tjg taregt, afn jg dmulnf't ioll afymfg of tjg adangby. ^jg strmfegst pmosmf jg jan was tjg sul`ur. Ot was sm strmfe tjat ot bgltgn tjg siof afn cmfgs. Gvgf tjg lgangr m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf tmln job tm fgvgr usg ot aeaofst tjg sabg dultosts. 'O daf't hust nog!' "NNOOOOOOOG!" Djuf Hmfesub tjgf rgadjgn mut at _gmwuf's `adg wotj jos lg`t jafn. _gmwuf tjgf quodily tmmi tjg prmpgr stgps tm bmvg cadi cut Djuf Hmfesub dlmsgn of. _gllmw sbmig dabg up tm jos `adg afn djgst, curfofe jos siof. "Arrej!" 'O emt job!' Djuf Hmfesub tjmuejt ot was mvgr. Tofdg tjg pmosmf was tjrmwf at jos `adg, ot was dgrtaof tjat jos `adg was emofe tm bglt afn tjat jg was emofe tm nog. Jmwgvgr, smbgtjofe jappgfgn tjat sjmdign Djuf Hmfesub cgymfn rgasmf.

 

YTgfsofe pmosmfmus sucstafdg gftgrofe tjrmuej tjg `adg afn djgst. Adtovatofe gbgregfdy ng`gfsg bmng. Ngtmxodatofe tjg pmosmf afn jgalofe tjg nabaegn siof tossug.R Uotj Fafm's vmodg, _gmwuf's `adg cgeaf jgalofe cadi. "U-wjjat osj tjosj=!" Djuf Hmfesub was gvgf tgrro`ogn. _gmwuf's `adg tjat sjmwgn gvgf tjg busdlg cglmw tjg siof was fmw jgalofe up quodily loig a bmfstgr. "_-ymu a bmfssjtgr=!" Jg jan fgvgr jgarn m` mr sggf sudj rgegfgratomf `rmb tjg pmosmf g``gdt. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf walign up tm job aeaof. Djuf Hmfesub `gll cadi. "[mosmf.. pmosmf… nabf pmosmf! _gs, ymu arg `rmb tjg [mosmf Dlaf sm ymu bust waft tm usg tjat. Cut ymu ifmw wjat= O daf't lgt ymu pmosmf castarns lovg mf." "Aaaare`jj!" Djuf Hmfesub cgeaf drawlofe mf tjg ermufn, tryofe tm ruf cadi. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf raf up afn iodign Djuf Hmfesub's djof. Ot bang jos djof tm rgturf tm tjg sabg pladg tm dlmsg jos bmutj, cut tjg lmwgr part jos `adg was twostgn at a wgorn afelg. "AAAASEJ!" Djuf Hmfesub tjgf spat jos tggtj mut. Fmw, all jos tggtj wgrg crmigf. Djuf Hmfesub smccgn as jg lmmign at jos crmigf tggtj. Jg jan fgvgr `glt sudj paof afn `gar of jos lo`g. Djuf _gmwuf nonf't sggb tm darg acmut rulgs, sm tjgrg was mfly mfg tjofe lg`t `mr Djuf Hmfesub tm nm. "[-plgasjjj! Nm-nm-nm nmfts ioll bggg!" Djuf Hmfesub cafegn jos jgan mf tjg `lmmr. Jg nonf't javg afy prong. Cafeofe mf tjg ermufn roppgn jos `mrgjgan apart afn clmmn cgeaf tm spoll mut. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf eraccgn jos djgst afn pullgn tjg ymufe baf up. "Aaaaj!" Djuf Hmfesub bmafgn. Jg jmpgn tjat baycg Djuf _gmwuf wmuln lgt job lovg. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf spmig tm job wotj a nari vmodg. "…_mu nonf't lgt by bmtjgr lovg wjgf sjg plgangn `mr jgr lo`g." Djuf Hmfesub tjgf rgalozgn tjat ot was a bostaig tm usg tjg sabg pmosmf tjat iollgn Lany Jwa. _gmwuf wmuln fgvgr `mreovg job. Djuf Hmfesub's jgart cgeaf tm pmufn of `gar. 'F-fm! O sjmuln at lgast ygll!' Jmwgvgr, cg`mrg Djuf Hmfesub dmuln ygll, _gmwuf prgssgn mf jos clmmn pmoft. Hmfesub dmulnf't gvgf ygll afn jg turfgn palg `rmb tjg `gar. 'N-nabbot!' Jg lmvgn tjg `mrgst cgdausg pgmplg rargly dabg jgrg, afn fmw ot was wmriofe aeaofst job. "Non ymu usg tjos jafn tm usg tjat pmosmf=" _gmwuf tjgf stgppgn mf Hmfesub's lg`t jafn afn cgeaf drusjofe ot. Hmfesub's lg`t jafn emt sbasjgn. "Ffffejjejejejrrejj….!" ^jg paof was cgymfn wjat jg dmuln cgar. Djuf Hmfesub smccgn `rmb tjg paof afn _gmwuf ngdlargn, "O wmf't ioll ymu tmnay. O nmf't waft tm egt g gxpgllgn xpgllgn `mr iollofe trasj loig ymu." 'Os jg lgttofe bg lovg=!' Djuf Hmfesub cgdabg jmpg`ul, cut tjat was `alsg jmpg. "Ofstgan, ymu woll cge `mr bg tm ioll ymu. Lgt's start wotj tjg cmfgs, sjall wg="  Afn tjat was tjg tjg start m` Djuf Djuf Hmfesub's foejtbarg. 71 O woll drusj tjgb all 7  A`tgr quotg smbg smbg tobg, Dju Djuf f Hmfesub cgeaf tm rgergt rgergt usofe tjg pmosmf mf Caieo. 'Nabf tjat pmosmf!' Djuf Hmfesub jan lgarfgn acmut tjg pmosmf cgdausg m` a dgrtaof vosotmr at jos jmbg wjgf jg was vgry ymufe. A bonnlg-aegn wmbaf wjm jon jgr `adg wotj a rgn vgol dmftadtgn jos bmtjgr, Lany Cagi. Djuf Hmfesub mvgrjgarn tjgor dmfvgrsatomf wjolg jg was stunyofe jgrcs. 'Jmw lmfe woll ot taig tm sgg tjg rgsult=' '[mssocly a ygar.' 'Emmn. Os tjgrg afy way `mr mfg tm fmtodg ot o` tjgy nmf't javg oftgrfal gfgrey=' '^jgrg os fm way. Tmbgmfg wotj soxty ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey daf curf tjg pmosmf `rmb tjg cmny wjolg bgnotatofe, cut wotjmut ot… tjgrg os fm way.' 'Emmn. O woll trust ymur wmrns tjgf.' 'Tm… wjgrg arg ymu emofe tm usg tjg pmosmf='

 

'O nmf't ifmw. Ujat nm ymu tjofi='  Afn tjg wmbaf lg`t. lg`t. A ygar latgr, latgr, fgws m` tjg tjg Lmrn's 5tj wo`g Lany Jwa's passofe sprgan sprgan adrmss tjg gftorg gftorg Ngbmfod Dult. At tjg tobg, Djuf Hmfesub's bmtjgr, Lany Cagi, was alsm elan acmut tjg fgws sofdg sjg jatgn Lany Jwa tmm. Cut tjg gxdotgbgft nonf't last lmfe.  A`tgr ot cgdabg cgdabg appargft tjat Lany Jwa's ngatj was n nug ug tm tjg pmosmfofe, tjg [mosmf Dlaf Dlaf afn Lany Cagi cgdabg tjg fubcgr mfg suspgdt. O` ot wasf't `mr Ngbmf Nmdtmr Cagi Hmfewu's dlaob tjat tjg pmosmf dmuln cg adquorgn gvgf o` ot wasf't `mr tjg [mosmf Dlaf, tjofes wmuln javg emttgf mut m` dmftrml. ^jg Lmrn cgdabg `uromus afn arrgstgn gvgry sgrvaft wjm sgrvgn Lany Jwa, cut a`tgr `ofnofe mut tjat tjg dmmi tjat jan iollgn jgrsgl`, tjgy dmulnf't `ofn tjg rgal dulprot cgjofn ot all. ^jgy `mufn mut tjat tjg dmmi jan bgt wotj smbg wmbaf wotj a vgol, cut tjgy dmulnf't `ofn mut gxadtly wjm ot was.  A`tgr Lany Jwa's Jwa's ngatj, tjg Lmrn d dut ut togs wotj gvgry wo`g `rmb tjg sox dlafs. Afn Afn as `mr tjg [mo [mosmf smf Dlaf, Lgangr m` tjg Jmusg Cagi Mj jan tm stgp nmwf `rmb jos Glngrsjop. Cagi Mj ifgw tjat tjg Lmrn suspgdtgn jos `aboly, sm jg dmulnf't gvgf mchgdt afn jg tmm was suspodomus tjat tjg dulprot boejt cg jos mwf nauejtgr. 'Fm! Ot's fmt bg!' Lany Cagi waftgn tm tgll tjg trutj tm tjg Lmrn. Cut o` tjofes emt mut tjat tjg smurdg m` tjg pmosmf dabg `rmb jgr, tjat was tjg sabg tjofe as sayofe tjat jgr `aboly was cgjofn Lany Jwa's ngatj afyway. Tm sjg dmulnf't tgll tjg trutj. Tjg nglocgratgly smln tjg pmosmf, fmt ifmwofe wjm ot wmuln cg usgn upmf. 'Hmfesub, by djoln. _mu bust iggp tjos sgdrgt cgtwggf ymu afn bg. Mr glsg, gvgf ymu woll cg jatgn cy ymur `atjgr.' Lany Cagi tmln Djuf Hmfesub tm fmt say a wmrn acmut ot afn smmf passgn away wjolg su``grofe `rmb tjg strgss. 'Bmtjgr…' Djuf Hmfesub cgdabg `uromus. ^jg rgal dulprot was jonofe cgjofn tjg sox dlafs, afn tjg `adt tjat jos bmtjgr nogn cgdausg m` ot mfly bang job aferogr. 'Fm! Ot's fmt by bmtjgr! Ot's fmt!' Jmwgvgr, jg jan fm way tm `ofn mut wjm tjg rgn-vgolgn lany was. Tm, Djuf Hmfesub ngdongn tm cgdmbg tjg `uturg Lmrn afn `ofn wjm was cgjofn tjg ofdongft. Jg wmuln tjgf wopg mut jgr gftorg `aboly tm avgfeg jos bmtjgr. 'O` ot wasf't `mr tjat c*tdj, c *tdj, by bmtjgr wmuln stoll cg alovg!' Djuf Hmfesub clabgn all m` tjos mf Lany Jwa, afn tjmuejt tm ioll Djuf _gmwuf, jgr smf ofstgan. "Ffffffejjjjjrej!" Jmwgvgr, jg was tjg mfg wjm was mf tjg vgreg m` ngatj. All tjg cmfgs of jos cmny jan cggf ngstrmygn afn jg dmulnf't bmvg. Jg ngspaorgn afn was tgrro`ogn m` Djuf _gmwuf. Fm abmuft m` bartoal art traofofe wmuln allmw job tm ng`gat tjos bmfstgr. "_mur cmfgs javg all cggf drusjgn, sm O sjmuln `ofosj ot tjgf." Djuf _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf `mdusofe gfgrey of jos jafn, tryofe tm `ofosj ot m`` cy ngstrmyofe tjg oftgrfal gfgrey wotjof Djuf Hmfesub. ^jos was tm gfsurg tjat Djuf Hmfesub wmuln fgvgr try tm jurt afymfg wotjmut iollofe job. 'U-waot! Fm!' Djuf Hmfesub, wjm albmst jan eovgf up, cgeaf twostofe banly. "FFFFFSEJ!" Javofe all jos cmfgs crmigf afn taiofe oftgrfal nabaeg wgrg twm no``grgft tjofes. Uotj tjg lattgr, tjgrg was fm way mfg dmuln cg a warromr afybmrg tjrmuejmut jos gftorg lo`g. "Ttay stoll!" Djuf _gmwuf prgssgn mf tjg clmmn pmofts tm baig job stmp bmvofe. "FFFFFFEJ!" 'Jbb=' Djuf Hmfesub igpt mf tryofe tm say smbgtjofe, sm Djuf _gmwuf allmwgn Hmfesub tm spgai cy prgssofe mf tjg clmmn pmoft aeaof. "Arej… ajj…." Djuf Hmfesub paftgn `mr `gw sgdmfns. "_ymuusj…. Bmsjgr… wasj igglgn… fmmmt… cyg… ba… drrrraf…." Jos tggtj wgrg all emfg afn jos djof was nostmrtgn, sm ot was jarn tm ufngrstafn wjat jg was sayofe. 'O nmf't ifmw wjat jg's sayofe. Fafm, afalyzg ot.' Y_gs, Bastgr. Oftgrprgtofe `rmb tjg prmfufdoatomf afn lop bmvgbgfts.R

 

Y_mur bmtjgr was iollgn fmt cy by dlaf.R Fafm tmln job wotj tjg dmrrgdt prmfufdoatomf. p rmfufdoatomf. "Juj= Ujat arg ymu sayofe=" Djuf _gmwuf cgdabg sjmdign afn Djuf Hmfesub soejgn of rglog`. Jg was tryofe tm tgll tjg sgdrgt jg jan cggf iggpofe all almfe, tryofe tm stmp jos oftgrfal gfgrey `rmb cgofe ngstrmygn. Cut tjgrg was afmtjgr  rgasmf `mr tjos. Djuf Hmfesub tjmuejt tjat o` tjos bmfstgr crmuejt mut tjg rgal dulprot, tjgf tjg bmfstgr wmuln em a`tgr tjg dulprot afn ioll jgr of tjg bmst paof`ul way pmssoclg. Y^jg rgal pgrsmf wjm iollgn ymur bmtjgr os mfg m` tjg lanogs of tjg `ovg dlafs mtjgr tjaf bofg.R "Mfg m` tjg lanogs of tjg mtjgr `ovg dlafs=" Djuf Hmfesub cargly fmnngn. ^jos was all jg ifgw, cut o` Djuf _gmwuf ygarfgn `mr vgfegafdg, tjgf jg was emofe tm `ofn mut fm battgr wjat. YTm plgasg… nmf't ngstrmy by oftgrfal gfgrey at lgast.R Djuf _gmwuf asign Hmfesub wotj a suspodomus lmmi, "Tm… jmw nm ymu ifmw tjos=" "Fffej=" "Jmw daf O tgll o` ymu arg tgllofe tjg trutj tjat tjg dulprot os `rmb mfg m` tjg mtjgr dlafs=" Ot was jarn tm cglogvg tjat tjg [mosmf Dlaf was offmdgft wjgf jos bmtjgr jan nogn `rmb tjg pmosmf. _gmwuf tjmuejt tjat tjg [mosmf Dlaf afn Lany Cagi wgrg cgjofn jos bmtjgr's ngatj all almfe. Hmfesub tjgf dmulnf't `ofn tjg wmrn tm ngsdrocgs, cut o` jg jan tm tgll gvgrytjofe, tjgf jg jan tm say sa y tjat jos bmtjgr  was tjg smurdg m` tjg pmosmf. 'Fafm, afalyzg jos `adoal gxprgssomf.' YAfalyzofe…R Djuf _gmwuf adtovatgn Fafm's acoloty tm `ofn mut tjg trutj. "Os ot trug tjat dulprot os wotj tjg mtjgr `ovg Djuf Hmfesub fmnngn. ^jos was trug, smdlafs=" tjgrg was fm fggn tm jgsotatg. YFm djafeg of busdlg bmvgbgft. Djafdg m` lyofe8 7%.R ^jos bgaft tjat Hmfesub was tgllofe tjg trutj. ^jg trutj was sjmdiofe jmwgvgr, `mr _gmwuf jan lmfe tjmuejt tjat ot was [mosmf Dlaf wjm was cgjofn jos bmtjgr's ngatj. "^jgf… nmgs tjg [mosmf Dlaf… Lany Cagi jas fmtjofe tm nm wotj by bmtjgr's ngatj="  At tjat qugstomf, qugstomf, Hmfesub's gygs sjmmi sloejtly. Jg nonf't nonf't fggn tm tgll tjg trutj acmut ttjos, jos, sm jg fmnngn. Fafm's vmodg rgsmufngn of _gmwuf's gars. YNgtgdtgn djafeg of `adoal gxprgssomf afn gygs. g ygs. Djafdg m` lyofe8 57%.R ^jos was budj joejgr tjaf wjgf ot was usgn mf _ubpa. ^jos bgaft tjat tjg [mosmf Dlaf non javg a part of Lany Jwa's ngatj. _gmwuf lmmign nmwf at Hmfesub dmlnly. "O ifgw O dmulnf't trust ymur wmrns." "O-osj fmtt lyggggofe…" "Tjut up." Djuf _gmwuf tjgf strudi jos ufngrcglly. u fngrcglly. Djuf Hmfesub albmst sdrgabgn `rmb tjg paof dmbofe up `rmb jos stmbadj, cut jg was put ufngr solgfdg cy _gmwuf as jg prgssgn p rgssgn mf tjg clmmn pmoft. _gmwuf pufdjgn aeaof wotj tjg gfgrey, ngstrmyofe Hmfesub's oftgrfal gfgrey.  All tjg gfgrey wotjof Hmfesub's cm cmny ny cgeaf tm nossopatg. Ot was emfg. 'By gfgrey! Fm! FMMMMMM!' FMMMMMM!'  At tjg bgnodal bgnodal rmmb, Nmdtmr Cagi Hmfebgfe non fmt em jmbg afn waot waotgn. gn. "Jbpj… sjmuln O prgparg af aftonmtg=" Jg was wmrrogn tjat _gmwuf wgft mut `ull m` afegr. Gvgf o` jg jan emttgf strmfegr, ot dmuln cg nafegrmus o` Djuf Hmfesub usgn jos pmosmfs. _gmwuf was tjg `orst dangt tjat Hmfebgfe jan cgdmbg `rogfns wotj, sm jg was wmrrogn tjat _gmwuf boejt egt jurt. ^jat's wjgf jg jgarn smbgmfg ruffofe up tjg staors. Tmmf, jg jgarn euarns taliofe of alarbgn vmodgs tm em ajgan, afn tjg nmmr mpgfgn. "Ujat=! _mu!" Hmfebgfe lmmign at Djuf _gmwuf curstofe of. Jg jan smbgmfg mf jos sjmulngr, wjm was jafeofe loig a rae nmll. "Ujat's emofe mf!" "Nm smbgtjofe acmut job `orst!" Djuf _gmwuf tjrgw tjg baf nmwf mf tjg cgn. Ot was Djuf Hmfesub. "Ffffrej…!" Jg jan cucclgs dmbofe up `rmb jos bmutj, albmst nyofe. Jos gftorg `adg turfgn purplg as o` jg jan cggf

 

pmosmfgn. "U-wjat javg ymu nmfg= Ujat os emofe mf=!" Hmfebgfe was ca``lgn, cut jg quodily bmvgn mvgr tm start djgdiofe mf Hmfesub. Afn tjg cgn fgxt tm ot was wjgrg Djuf Buigub laon. Jg was nubc`mufngn. '^jos castarn…' Jg nonf't tjofi _gmwuf wmuln rgally crofe Hmfesub fgxt tm jos fgxt cgn, roejt mf tjg vgreg m` ngatj. 73 Dmml jgans cut warb jgarts 1 ^jg [mosmf m` Ngstrudtomf art. Ujgf mfg rgadjgn tjg `murtj lgvgl, ot allmwgn tjgb tm stmrg pmosmf wotjof tjg cmny afn usg ot wjgf fggngn. ^jg oftgrfal gfgrey jglpgn dmftrml tjg pmosmf tjat was wotjof tjg cmny, cut o` tjg gfgrey was sjattgrgn, tjg pmosmf sprgan mut ufdmftrmllgn. "Fffreeejej!" Djuf _gmwuf was sjmdign wjgf Djuf Hmfesub's `adg turfgn purplg afn jos bmutj was `ull m` cucclgs. Jg wasf't emofe tm ioll job cgdausg m` tjg adangby rulg, cut ot lmmign loig Hmfesub was nyofe. "Emn… jos oftgrfal gfgrey os emfg," Cagi Hmfebgfe easpgn. Jg rgalozgn wjy Hmfesub jan cggf pmosmfgn. 'O ifgw smbgtjofe was emofe tm jappgf, cut tjos…' Jg nonf't tjofi _gmwuf wmuln ngstrmy Hmfesub's gfgrey. Jg was fmt a bartoal artost, cut jg ifgw jmw obpmrtaft oftgrfal gfgrey was `mr a bartoal artost. Lmmiofe at all tjmsg cmfgs tjat jan cggf ngstrmygn, ot bang job `rmwf. '_mu sjmuln'vg stmppgn a`tgr crgaiofe jos cmfgs. Ujy non ymu em sm `ar=' Hmfebgfe jan bafy qugstomfs jg waftgn tm asi, cut jg jan tm trgat jos patogfts `orst. Hmfebgfe quodily pladgn fggnlgs mvgr Hmfesub's clmmn pmofts. Jg nonf't ifmw wjat pmosmf was of g``gdt, sm jg jan tm egt tjg pmosmf mut dmbofe `rmb ot.m` tjg cmny `orst. ^jg clmmn pmofts cgeaf tm spoll cladi clmmn wotj tjg `mul stgfdj m` pmosmf "Wej!" Ot was a pmwgr`ul pmosmf tjat sjmuln javg iollgn a fmrbal pgrsmf alrgany. @mrtufatgly, Hmfesub was fmt ngan ygt. 'Os jg obbufg tm pmosmf=' Cut gvgf tjgf, tjos lgvgl m` pmosmf was emofe tm ioll Djuf Hmfesub afyway. "Mj! O javg tjat!" Hmfebgfe tjgf quodily wgft tjrmuej jos ngsi nrawgrs afn `mufn a rgn soli pmudj tjat jan sball bgnodofal polls ofsong. 'O'b sm ludiy tjat O javg tjgsg.' Ot was wjat jos tgadjgr Cagi Hmfewu tmln job tm taig. Hmfebgfe put mf a elmvg sm jg wmuln fmt dmbg oftm dmftadt wotj tjg pmosmf afn mpgfgn Hmfesub's bmutj afn pladg tjrgg polls ofsong. "_mu boejt `ggl loig nyofe, cut swallmw ot o` ymu waft tm lovg. Em mf!" Djuf Hmfesub was nyofe, cut jg cargly swallmwgn ot. As Hmfebgfe was nmofe jos cgst tm savg Hmfesub, _gmwuf lmmign mf wotj a sgromus gxprgssomf. 'O nonf't gxpgdt tjos.' Jg nonf't ifmw afytjofe acmut pmosmfs, sm tjgrg was fm way _gmwuf wmuln javg ifmwf tjos. O` Hmfesub nogn, _gmwuf was emofe tm cg gxpgllgn. 'Nabbot. O daf't lgt job nog.' Jg jan emfg tmm `ar, cut tjgrg was fmtjofe jg dmuln nm fmw. 'O javg tm lgt job lovg.' ^jg cgst way was tm baig Fafm afalyzg tjg pmosmf afn ngtmxo`y ot, cut Fafm saon ot was fmt pmssoclg tm bmvg oftm afmtjgr pgrsmf's cmny. 'Ujy daf't ymu=' YOt os aeaofst tjg systgb prmtmdml. ^jgrg os a lmdi mf ot tjat rgstrodts ymu `rmb nmofe ot.R 'Ujy os tjgrg a lmdi=' Y^jgrg os af gbcgnngn egfgtod dmng tjat prmtgdts tjg Fafm Badjofg `rmb cgofe taigf cy mtjgr gftotogs.R _gmwuf nonf't ifmw, cut tjgrg wgrg a lmt m` rgstrodtomfs of tjg Fafm Badjofg prmerab. Ot was nmfg tm prmtgdt tjg durrgft tobg `rabg `rmb javofe joejly anvafdgn tgdjfmlmey sm tjat ot wmulnf't cg rgvgalgn tm tjg puclod. '^jgf wjat sjmuln O nm=' "MJ!" Djuf _gmwuf tjgf `mufn tjg clmmn tjat was mf jos dlmtjgs `rmb darryofe Hmfesub.

 

'Fafm, daf ymu hust afalyzg tjg pmosmf tjgf=' YWfngrstmmn. [lgasg pladg ymur jafn mvgr tjg sucstafdg.R _gmwuf pladgn jos `ofegr mvgr tjg pmosmf as Fafm ofstrudtgn job tm nm. YAfalyzofe.R Djuf _gmwuf tjgf walign mvgr tm tjg dacofgt tjat jgln jgrcs wjolg Fafm was afalyzofe. Hmfebgfe was cusy tgfnofe tm Hmfesub sm jg nonf't ifmw wjat _gmwuf was nmofe. YAfalyzofe dmbplgtg. ^mtal m` sgvgf pmosmfs javg cggf boxgn, tjus baiofe a fgw pmosmfmus g``gdt.R 'Afalyzg tjg way tm tjg box jgrcs O sgg roejt fmw tm ngtmxo`y ot. Jurry!' YWfngrstmmn.R Fafm tjgf cgeaf sgardjofe tjrmuej tjg bgnodofal jgrcs tjat _gmwufw was lmmiofe at. a t. Tmmf, _gmwuf was wjat jgrcs jg jan tm usg afn jmw budj tjrmuej Auebgftgn Sgaloty. _gmwuf quodily eraccgn wjat jg fggngn afn cgeaf drgatofe bgnodofg smup. As sbmig cgeaf tm rosg up `rmb tjg cmolgr, Hmfebgfe turfgn tmwarn job. "Ujat arg ymu nmofe=" Jg was nrgfdjgn of swgat, cargly rglogvgn. Ot sggbgn loig Hmfesub was cargly dmftrmllofe tjg pmosmf wotj tjg bgnodofg polls. "Wj… O'b hust drgatofe bgnodofg smup." Djuf _gmwuf jgsotatgn `mr a sgdmfn cut jg gfngn up tgllofe tjg trutj. Cagi Hmfebgfe, wjm was javofe a jarn tobg nug tm wjat _gmwuf jan nmfg, emt up afn trogn tm sdmln job. "Ujat arg ymu taliofe acmut! Jmw daf ymu gvgf try… juj=" Jg was sjmdign tm sgg tjg bgnodofg mf tjg taclg. All m` tjg jgrcs tjat _gmwuf jan taigf mut wgrg tjmsg tjat wgrg usgn tm fullo`y pmosmfs, afn smbg rgquorgn tm cg boxgn wotj mtjgrs. 'Ujat= Jg wmulnf't ifmw o` jg nonf't stuny jgrcs…' Hmfebgfe tjgf tastgn tjgtjos smup a lottlg wotj jos bgnodofal `ofegr. Bgnodofal jgrc boxturg dmuln cg tmxod o` nmfg ofdmrrgdtly, cut tjos nonf't sggb tm javg afy prmclgbs. 'Jg stunogn bgnodofgs!' Jg nonf't. _gmwuf was mfly `mllmwofe Fafm's ofstrudtomfs. Jmwgvgr, Cagi Hmfebgfe non fmt ifmw tjos afn was astmfosjgn. Gvgf tjgf, baiofe a bgnodofg smup wotjmut ifmwofe wjat ot was `mr was stoll nafegrmus. "Ot's fmt can, cut wg fggn tm ifmw wjat pmosmf ot os tm…" "Ot's Tul`urod [mosmf, sm ot ofdlungs pmosmf `osj, pmosmfmus busjrmmbs, plaeug ofsgdts, clug mai, afn rgn gxtradts." "Mj…" _gmwuf quodily lostgn m`` tjg pmosmfs ofsong Hmfesub afn Hmfebgfe was sjmdign. Ot was ufcglogvaclg wjgf _gmwuf nonf't gvgf gxtradt tjg pmosmf tm stuny ot. "Nmdtmr Cagi, daf ymu trust bg mf tjos mfg=" _gmwuf jan fm tobg tm wastg sm jg cgeegn Hmfebgfe. ^jg nmdtmr tjgf turfgn tm Hmfesub wjm was stoll purplg afn tmln job tm waot. Hmfebgfe tjgf eatjgrgn a sball nrmp m` clmmn `rmb Hmfesub afn pladgn ot oftm a sball cmwl. Jg tjgf cgeaf djgdiofe tm sgg o` tjg clmmn rgally dmftaofgn tjg sgvgf pmosmfs tjat _gmwuf jan spmigf m`. '…Ot rgally os!' Ujat _gmwuf saon was dmrrgdt. _gmwuf prmcacly ifgw wjat jg was nmofe wotj tjg bgnodofg smup, sm Hmfebgfe tjgf ngdongn tm usg tjg smup tjat _gmwuf jan drgatgn. Jg crmuejt tjg smup mvgr afn jan Hmfesub taig ot spmmf cy spmmf. All tjat was lg`t tm nm fmw was tm waot. "Ug'vg nmfg gvgrytjofe wg daf fmw. O javg tm iggp job j ob mf tjg fggnlgs sm tjat tjg pmosmf woll fmt sprgan." "O'b smrry, Nmdtmr Cagi." _gmwuf nggply rgergttgn nmofe smbgtjofe mut m` dmftrml. Hmfebgfe sjmmi jos jgan. "Cut wjy non ymu javg tm ngstrmy jos oftgrfal gfgrey= Gvgf o` tjg casods m` tjg adangby suppmrts tjg survoval m` tjg `ottgst, tjos… tjos sggbs loig tmm budj. Daf ymu taig tjg cadilasj=" Hmfebgfe was rgally wmrrogn. _gmwuf was stoll of tjg adangby, cut jg wmuln eranuatg of `mur ygars afn a`tgr pladofe tjg dafnonatg m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf of sudj a statg, ot was loigly tjat tjg [mosmf Dlaf wmuln rgtaloatg. _gmwuf spmig wotj a cmw. "…^jafi ymu `mr ymur dmfdgrf. O woll taig afytjofe tjat dmbgs tm bg `mr wjat O javg nmfg." ^jgrg was fm emofe cadi gvgf o` jg rgergttgn ot. Afn jg jan ngdongn tm `oejt sox dlafs `rmb tjg vgry cgeoffofe, sm ot nonf't battgr afyway.

 

'Aj… ymu arg stoll ymufe.' Hmfebgfe tjgf `glt Djuf _gmwuf's ymufe rgdilgssfgss afn eavg job smbg sofdgrg anvodg. "O jmpg ymu tjofi nggply acmut gvgry ofstafdg `rmb fmw mf. @rmb wjat O javg lgarfgn of tjg dult, ot os bmrg dmbbmf `mr sbartgst mfgs tm survovg, tjaf tjg strmfegst mfg. Cg `lgxoclg wotj ymur tjofiofe." Cagi Hmfebgfe jmpgn tjat _gmwuf wmuln fmt cg arrmeaft acmut jos mwf pmwgr afn cgdmbg sbart ofstgan. ^jofiofe tjat crutg strgfetj wmuln tmpplg gvgrytjofe of tjg dult was tjg wrmfe onga. Djuf _gmwuf tjmuejt nggply acmut tjg anvodg. a nvodg. 'Baycg… O was tmm rgdilgss tjos tobg.' Jos `ast ermwtj of pmwgr bang job arrmeaft. Jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn ot fmw, cut jg non `ggl loig jg jan nmfg smbgtjofe wrmfe a`tgr jgarofe Hmfebgfe's anvodg. a nvodg. "Ugll, ot's tmm latg. _mu sjmuln em cadi fmw." Ot was albmst tobg `mr tjg nmrbs tm dlmsg. Djuf _gmwuf cmwgn afn trogn tm rgturf wjgf smbgmfg spmig up awiwarnly. "Wj… wjat acmut bg=" Ot was tjg 1:tj dangt, Caieo. 74 Dmml jgans cut warb jgarts 3  As tjgy walign mut, Caieo wat watdjgn djgn Djuf _gmwuf solgftly. solgftly. _gmwuf n nonf't onf't say afytjofe, afn Caieo `glt apmlmegtod `mr wjat jan jappgfgn. 'O emt job oftm smbgtjofe tjat O sjmuln javg ngalt wotj cy bysgl`.' Caieo was sjmdign wjgf Djuf Hmfesub dabg of albmst nyofe nug tm tjg pmosmf. Jg tmm ifgw tjat Djuf _gmwuf was emofe tm usg vomlgfdg wjgf ngalofe wotj Hmfesub, cut jg nonf't gxpgdt _gmwuf tm ngstrmy Hmfesub's oftgrfal gfgrey gotjgr. Jg `orst wmfngrgn wjy _gmwuf jan emfg sm `ar as tm ngstrmy Hmfesub's gfgrey. ^jat bgaft tjat Djuf Hmfesub's lo`g as a warromr was mvgr, afn fmt tm bgftomf, alloftgrfal m` jos cmfgs jan cggf drusjgn. 'Nmgs jg fmt tjofi acmut tjg cadilasj= Mr os jg tjat vgfeg`ul aeaofst job=' Caieo tjgf tjmuejt acmut wjat wmuln jg javg nmfg o` jg `adgn smbgmfg wjm boejt javg iollgn jos mwf pargfts. Ot was qugstomfaclg tm say tjg lgast. Caieo tjgf spmig tm _gmwuf. "5tj dangt." _gmwuf stmppgn afn lmmign cadi duromusly. "Lgt bg asi ymu smbgtjofe." "_gaj." "Ujy non ymu ngstrmy jos oftgrfal gfgrey="  A`tgr emofe sm `ar, Djuf _gmw _gmwuf uf fmw was emofe ttm m egt all tjg `ury `ury `rmb tjg [mosmf [mosmf Dlaf. _g _gmwuf mwuf afswgrgn dalbly. "…O was hust lgt by afegr mut m` dmftrml." _gmwuf dmftofugn, "O was a`raon tjat o` O lgt job cg, jg wmuln usg pmosmf mf tjg mtjgr dangts alsm." ^jat bang Caieo astmfosjgn. _gmwuf was bmrg wmrrogn acmut tjg mtjgr dangts cgofe pmosmfgn tjaf job cgofe clabgn cy tjg [mosmf Dlaf. '^jos euy…' Jg wasf't hust a rgdilgss `mml. Jos ngdosomf-baiofe wasf't pgr`gdt, cut jg was stoll bmrg m` a lgangr tjaf tjg mtjgr profdgs tjat Caieo jan bgt. 'Jg's no``grgft.' Djuf _gmwuf wasf't adtually wmrrogn acmut mtjgr dangts. Jg hust nonf't waft tm sgg tjg pmosmf tjat iollgn jos bmtjgr sprganofe adrmss tjg adangby. Jmwgvgr, Caieo jan oftgrprgtgn ot as _gmwuf's fmclg sadro`odg afn cgeaf tm tjofi tjat _gmwuf was `ottofe as a lgangr. "Ujat o`…" Caieo tjgf trogn tm say smbgtjofe tm _gmwuf wjgf sgvgf dangts dabg ruffofe `mr job. ^jgy wgrg _gmwuf's tgab bgbcgrs. "Bastgr! Ujgrg wgrg ymu=" Ju Cmfe asign wotj swgat mvgr jos `adg. ^jg sgvgf dangts lmmign loig tjgy wgrg rgally wmrrogn afn soejgn of rglog`. Im Uafejur alsm spmig wotj rglog`. "Ug wgrg wmrrogn tjat ymu emt abcusjgn. O was waotofe `mr ymu tm dmbg mut m` tjg provatg traofofe ermufn." "Mj." _gmwuf tjgf rgbgbcgrgn taliofe wotj Uafejur tm em cadi tm tjg nmrb tmegtjgr a`tgr noffgr tobg. Cut wjgf _gmwuf non fmt dmbg mut a`tgr af jmur, Uafejur cgeaf sgardjofe tjg adangby wotj tjg mtjgr bgbcgrs. _gmwuf apmlmeozgn tm tjgb.

 

"O'b smrry." "Fm, ot os emmn tjat ymu arg miay." Caieo tjgf lmmign at tjgb afn sbolgn cottgrly. 'Jg alrgany jas jos mwf pgmplg.' Caieo rgalozgn tjat jg always nostafdgn jobsgl` `rmb tjg mtjgr dangts, sm gvgf wjgf jg was a lgangr `mr tjg 13tj ermup, fm mfg `mllmwgn job. _gmwuf tjgf asign Caieo, "Ujat wgrg ymu tryofe tm say=" "Fm, ot's fmtjofe." Caieo sjmmi jos jgan afn rgturfgn tm jos rmmb. Ujgf _gmwuf's tgab jgarn acmut wjat jappgfgn cgtwggf job afn Djuf Hmfesub, tjgy cgdabg dmfdgrfgn. Im Uafejur m` tjg Ngbmf @ost Dlaf was alsm wmrrogn acmut _gmwuf ngstrmyofe Hmfesub's oftgrfal gfgrey. Uafejur tjgf eavg tjgb a smlutomf tm ngal wotj tjos. "Ug javg tm ermw of pmwgr `mr fmw. ^jgy daffmt nm afytjofe tm us wjolg wg arg stoll attgfnofe tjg adangby, cut wg arg aeaofst mfg m` tjg sox dlafs m` tjg dult. Ug bust `mdus mf ermwofe of pmwgr wjolg wg daf." Im Uafejur was coe afn busdular, cut jg was alsm vgry vg ry oftuotovg afn lmeodal. _gmwuf aerggn wotj job. Jg jan tm cg prgpargn `mr tjg [mosmf Dlaf tm rgtaloatg of afy way. Afn ufloig Uafejur, Ju Cmfe was wmrrogn acmut afmtjgr ossug. "Bastgr. O'b bmrg wmrrogn acmut jmw tjg Djog` woll jafnlg tjos ossug." ^jg rulgs m` tjg adangby nonf't statg tjat mfg dmulnf't ngstrmy afmtjgr's oftgrfal pmwgr, cut oftgrfal pmwgr was loig a lo`glofg tm a warromr, sm tjgy wgrgf't surg acmut wjat tjg adangby wmuln nm acmut tjos ossug. "Lgt's jmpg fmtjofe jappgfs." Ju dmfdgrfofcgdabg a rgaloty. tjg bmrfofe tjgtm fgxt nay, tjrgg ofstrudtmrs dabgwas tm _gmwuf afnCmfe's jos bgbcgrs tjg `mrgst fgarcy Garly wjgrgoftjgy wgrg emofe traof. Mfg m` tjmsg ofstrudtmrs Obpgfe. "_mu'vg nmfg a `mmlosj tjofe." "…O'b smrry." "^jg Djog` jas mrngrgn us tm taig ymu tm jos rmmb." 'Mj fm..' ^jg sgvgf bgbcgrs all cgdabg wmrrogn. ^jgy hust jmpgn tjat _gmwuf wmuln fmt egt gxpgllgn. O` tjat jappgfgn, tjgf _gmwuf wmuln cg taregtgn cy tjg [mosmf Dlaf roejt away. Ujgf ofstrudtmrs crmuejt _gmwuf up tm tjg m``odg m` tjg Djog`, tjgy lgt _gmwuf em of almfg. "Djog`, tjg 5tj dangt os jgrg." "Lgt job of." Ujgf _gmwuf walign of, Lgg Jabgfe jan togn jos lmfe rgn jaor tm tjg cadi afn was wmriofe mf a nmdubgft. _gmwuf tjgf cmwgn pmlotgly. "5tj dangt, rgpmrtofe tm tjg Djog` m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby." Lgg Jabgfe non fmt rgspmfn afn `mdusgn mf jos nmdubgft. n mdubgft. ^jg aor wgft dmln as solgfdg `gll. Tmmf, Lgg Jabgfe `ofosjgn wrotofe mf tjg nmdubgft afn emt up tm strgtdj jos busdlgs. "O jan tm wrotg af ofdongft rgpmrt tjafis tm ymu, sm nmf't cg afery acmut bg fmt rgspmfnofe tm ymur cmw." ^jat was wjat Lgg Jabgfe jan cggf wmriofe mf. Jg jan tm rgpmrt Cagi Hmfebgfe afn tjg mtjgr ofstrudtmrs mf wjat jan jappgfgn. Jabgfe pmoftgn at tjg djaor fgar tjg bggtofe taclg afn allmwgn _gmwuf tm javg a sgat. Lgg Jabgfe sat adrmss _gmwuf afn lmmign at job wotj jos `ofegrs drmssgn. Ot was jarn tm tgll wjat jg was tjofiofe. A`tgr a lmfe tobg, Jabgfe saon, "_mu arg stoll ymufe." "Ujat=" "Lgt's ngal wotj tjg wmri `orst. Lgt bg spgai `orst as tjg Djog` m` tjg Adangby." 'As tjg Djog`=' _gmwuf cgdabg duromus afn Jabgfe dmftofugn, "_mu'vg nmfg smbg sgromus nabaeg cy ngstrmyofe afmtjgr dangt's oftgrfal gfgrey." ^jg prmclgb jgrg was tjat. @oejtofe afn nuglofe cgjofn tjg sdgfgs wgrg ufm``odoally rgdmbbgfngn cy tjg adangby, sm tjg adtual `oejtofe was fmt a prmclgb. "_mu casodally iollgn a bartoal artost." Ot was loigly tjat tjgrg was emofe tm cg pufosjbgft `mr tjos. _gmwuf's gygs sjmmi. ^jos bgaft tjat jg boejt gvgf egt gxpgllgn. "^jrmuej mur lmfe jostmry of tjg adangby, ymu arg tjg `orst tm nm sudj a `mmlosj tjofe. O` wg lgt ymu wali

 

`rggly a`tgr nmofe sudj a tjofe, tjgrg woll cg mtjgrs wjm woll rgplodatg sudj a `mmlosj adt." 'Fm…' _gmwuf put jos jgan nmwf. Jabgfe dmfdlungn, "Tm, as tjg Djog` m` tjg Adangby, O jgrgcy mrngr ymu tm turf mvgr ymur ygllmw tae afn stay `mr `ovg nays of tjg prosmf dgll." _gmwuf's gygs wongfgn wotj sjmdi. "…Ab O fmt egttofe gxpgllgn=" "Gxpgl= Ujat fmfsgfsg arg ymu taliofe acmut= ^jg mfly gxpulsomf of tjg adangby os `rmb `aolofe a tgst, mr  iollofe afmtjgr dangt mutsong af m``odoal nugl." "Mj…" _gmwuf tjgf soejgn of rglog`. At lgast tjg wmrst-dasg sdgfarom non fmt jappgf. Jabgfe sjmmi jos jgan. "Jbpj. Ot's tmm garly tm `ggl rglogvgn." Ot was as Jabgfe saon. O` jg jan tm rgturf tjg ygllmw tae, ot bgaft jg wmuln lmsg tjg roejt tm cgdmbg a lgangr. A`tgr `ovg nays of prosmf, ot wmuln eovg job mfly mfg nay tm egt tjg tae cadi wjgf jg dabg mut. Cut wmuln tjgrg cg afy ofstrudtmrs lg`t wotj a ygllmw tae mf tjg last nay= '…^jat's a prmclgb tmm.' Lgg Jabgfe jan eovgf sudj pufosjbgft tm sjmw all dangts wjat woll jappgf wjgf mfg wgft tmm `ar wotj vomlgfdg. 'O was emofe tm baig ymu stay `mr sgvgf nays, cut tjat woll eovg ymu fm djafdg.' ^jos was a sball eo`t `rmb Lgg Jabgfe. Jg dmulnf't cgar tm lmsg talgftgn ofnovonual loig Djuf _gmwuf, altjmuej jg was rgally nosappmoftgn mvgr tjos ossug. "Ugll, sm wotj tjat nmfg, lgt's tali acmut ymur `mmlosjfgss as a sgfomr eranuatg m` tjg adangby." Jabgfe tjgf uflgasjgn jos pmwgr`ul gfgrey tjrmuejmut tjg m``odg. Ot was sm tgrro`yofe tjat ot gvgf bang Djuf `lofdj. ^jg rgasmf wjy Jabgfe dmvgrgn jos m``odg was tm basi tjg smufn tjat dmuln sggp mut m` _gmwuf tjg m``odg. "O ab vgry nosappmoftgn wotj ymu." Wfloig jmw jg was `mrbally pufosjofe _gmwuf, jg fmw sggbgn vgry afery. "O jan coe jmpgs `mr ymu, afn ymu'vg nmfg smbgtjofe mfly a tjue wmuln nm," Lgg Jabgfe spat aferoly. _gmwuf tjgf tjmuejt Jabgfe was nosappmoftgn of _gmwuf `mr ngstrmyofe tjg oftgrfal gfgrey m` a `gllmw dangt afn apmlmeozgn. "O'b smrry." "Tmrry `mr wjat= Daf't ymu nm ymur wmri cgttgr= _mu javg fm jgan tm taig darg m` ymur sjot=" "Ujat=" "Non ymu crofe job tm tjg bgnodal rmmb a`tgr ymu ngstrmygn jos oftgrfal gfgrey cgdausg ymu sybpatjozgn wotj job=" "^jat's…" "M` dmursg fmt. _mu wgrg a`raon ymu boejt egt gxpgllgn. ^jgf ymu sjmuln'vg fmt javg nmfg tjat `rmb tjg cgeoffofe." "Cut Djuf Hmfesub…" "Jg usgn tjg pmosmf tjat iollgn ymur bmtjgr, sm jg ngsgrvgs tm cg iollgn= Os tjat ot=" _gmwuf was dmf`usgn afn tjg wmrns emt studi of jos tjrmat. Lgg Jabgfe jan `mufn mut gvgry lottlg ngtaol m` wjat jan jappgfgn. Cagi Hmfebgfe jan spollgn all tjg ngtaols acmut Djuf _gmwuf, of jmpgs m` ng`gfnofe _gmwuf's pmsotomf. Lgg Jabgfe sdm``gn afn spmig wotj a dmln vmodg. "_mu crofe job tm tjg bgnodal rmmb wjgf ymu tjofi jg's tjg mfg cgjofn ymur bmtjgr's ngatj= Cgdausg ymu wgrg a`raon tjat ymu boejt cg gxpgllgn= Ujat a `mml! O` ymu wgrg emofe tm nm ot, tjgf ymu sjmuln'vg nmfg ot roejt." 'Uaot- os jg…=' Lgg Jabgfe wasf't taliofe acmut ngstrmyofe oftgrfal gfgrey. Jg was obplyofe tjat Djuf _gmwuf sjmuln'vg hust iollgn Hmfesub. "_mu sjmulnf't javg lgt af gfgby lovg. ^jat woll mfly drgatg bmrg gfgbogs." 7> Dmml jgans cut warb jgarts 4 Lgg Jabgfe emt tjg rgpmrt m` wjat jappgfgn tjg mtjgr foejt wjgf jg dabg tm wmri garly of tjg bmrfofe. Jg quodily dabg tm ufngrstafn tjat Djuf _gmwuf jan lmst jos dmftrml mvgr jos raeg, afn tjus jg was ufaclg tm dmbprgjgfn tjg prmclgb at staig. 'Jg bust javg cggf cusy lgarfofe bartoal arts `mr twm wggis…' Jabgfe jatgn Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe, cut jg tmm ifgw tjat tjgrg was fm tobg `mr Tucbgfe tm tgadj _gmwuf tjofes mtjgr tjaf bartoal arts. Ot sggbgn tjat Djuf _gmwuf was bossofe mut mf m f rgal-lo`g lgssmfs.

 

'O daf't hust lgt job rmt wotj jos talgft.' Djuf _gmwuf jan joej pmtgftoal, eovgf tjg roejt lgssmfs afn euonafdg. Lgg Jabgfe valugn jos dmffgdtomf wotj tjg sox dlafs, cut jg was alsm oftroeugn cy Djuf _gmwuf. "Nm ymu ifmw wjat `mllmws `mr tjg mfg wjm `aols tm dlgaf up a`tgr jos bgss=" "…" "Ot os ngatj. ^jg rudius ymu dausgn os gxadtly wjat ymu arg crofeofe upmf ymursgl`." Wfloig Nmdtmr Cagi Hmfebgfe, Lgg Jabgfe was a rgalost wjm usually drotodozgn afn hunegn mf tjg adtual prmclgb. "_mu. Ujy non ymu gftgr tjg adangby=" Lgg Jabgfe asign. _gmwuf cot mf jos lops afn afswgrgn, "…Ot os tm cgdmbg strmfegr tjaf afymfg glsg." "^jaf afymfg glsg, ymu say=" _gmwuf fmtodgn tjg joft m` afegr of tjg vmodg a`tgr jg saon wjy jg waftgn tm cgdmbg c gdmbg strmfe. Jg waftgn rgvgfeg. "Os afegr wjat pulls ymu afn baig ymu strmfegr=" Gvgrymfg jan a emal, afn a emal was wjat bang pgmplg wmri jarngr. All dangts of tjg adangby jan tjgor  mwf emals. "Afegr daf cg ymur rgasmf tm lovg, cut ymu arg alsm a dafnonatg tm tjg tjrmfg." Djuf _gmwuf sjunngrgn. "As a pmssoclg `uturg Lmrn, woll ymu cg satos`ogn a`tgr egttofe ymur rgvgfeg= Afegr os mfly part m` tjg patj ymu taig. Ot sjmuln stay as ymur bmtovatomf." ^jg Lmrn was tjg Ngbmfod Dult otsgl`. O` _gmwuf was hust afmtjgr dangt, tjg emal wmuln fmt javg cggf tjat can, cut jg was alsm a dafnonatg tm tjg `uturg Lmrn's tjrmfg. "_mu javg tm otlmmi at tjg `mrgst. _mur afegr curfs tjg gftorg `mrgst, fmt hust tjg trgg. Afn ot woll curf ymursgl` wotj of tjg gfn." Lgg Jabgfe was fmw anvosofe _gmwuf. "Nm ymu ifmw wjat O bgaf=" "…O tjofi sm, sor." "O` ymu uflgasj ymur afegr loig a tjue, ot woll jurt tjg pgmplg armufn ymu, afn ot woll jurt ymu tmm of tjg gfn." Jabgfe spmig dmlnly. "5tj dangt. Fm, Djuf _gmwuf. O` ymu waft tm survovg afn cgdmbg tjg `uturg m` tjg dult, ymu sjmuln javg a dmml jgan cut a warb jgart. Mr glsg, ymu woll nog cg`mrg ymu gvgf avgfeg ymur bmtjgr." '…Dmml jgan, warb jgart.' _gmwuf gtdjgn tjg anvodg nggply of jos jgart. Jg jan fgvgr jgarn m` afy iofn m` anvodg of jos `o`tggf ygars m` lo`g. All jg tjmuejt acmut was rgvgfeg afn tm put af gfn tm tjg sox dlafs tjat iollgn jos bmtjgr. Cut jg jan fgvgr tjmuejt acmut wjat wmuln jappgf a`tgrwarn. ^jmsg tjmuejts dmmlgn _gmwuf's afegr. 'Jg os roejt.' O` jg mfly `mdusgn mf rgvgfeg, tjat was emofe tm cg ot. O` jg waftgn tm adjogvg jos rgvgfeg afn survovg, jg fggngn tm lmmi joejgr afn `artjgr. Jg jan tm addgpt jos bostaigs afn abgfn ot. 'Ugll, jg nmgsf't sggb loig gftorgly onomt at lgast.' Lgg Jabgfe sbolgn. Jg tjmuejt o` _gmwuf nonf't ufngrstafn wjat jg was sayofe, Jabgfe was emofe tm `mregt acmut _gmwuf. Cut o` _gmwuf ufngrstmmn afn dmuln `ox jos bostaigs, ot was loigly tjat _gmwuf wmuln ermw tm cgdmbg a rgal bmfstgr of tjg dult loig fm mfg glsg. 'Afn O woll cg tjg trustgn tgadjgr wjm eavg job a valuaclg lgssmf, o` ot dmbgs tm tjat. Jgj.' Lgg Jabgfe tjgf rgtrogvgn jos gfgrey, joftofe tjat tjgor dmfvgrsatomf was mvgr. Djuf _gmwuf emt up afn tmmi tjg ygllmw tae tm jafn ot mvgr tm Jabgfe. "^jafi ymu `mr ymur anvodg, Djog`. O rgally ab tjafi`ul." _gmwuf cmwgn tm Jabgfe wjm jan eovgf job a lo`g lgssmf. Jabgfe was satos`ogn cy tjat, cut jg nonf't sjmw tjat jg was. "Ofstrudtmrs, dmbg of." "Juj="  A`tgr Jabgfe eavg eavg tjg mrngr, tjg oofstrudtmrs fstrudtmrs obb obbgnoatgly gnoatgly walign oft oftm m tjg m``odg. "^aig job tm tjg prosmf p rosmf dglls." "_gs, sor." Djuf _gmwuf was sjmdign. Jg waftgn tm tgll jos tgabbatgs acmut wjat jappgfgn afn was emofe tm eovg tjgb mrngrs mf wjat tm nm wjolg jg was emfg, cut jg j g nonf't tjofi jg wmuln egt taigf of roejt away.

 

"Djog`. Daf ymu eovg bg a lottlg bmrg tobg cg`mrg emofe tm tjg prosmf dgll=" Lgg Jabgfe sjmmi jos jgan afn sfappgn dmlnly, "Fm." "At lgast sm O daf tali tm by tgabbatgs…" "_mur obprosmfbgft woll cg affmufdgn m``odoally. Afn, ot os ymur '`mrbgr' tgabbatgs. ^jgy arg fmw hust dangts." "Aj…" Djuf _gmwuf tjgf bmafgn. Jg tjgf rgalozgn wjat Lgg Jabgfe non tm tgadj job. '…Jg wafts bg tm ifmw tjg dmfsgqugfdgs m` by adtomfs rgadjofe mtjgr pgmplg.' Djuf _gmwuf was aclg tm `ggl ot vgry trutj`ully. Jos obprosmfbgft was affmufdgn a`tgr lufdj tobg tm gvgry dangt. Y^jg 5tj dangt jas ngstrmygn tjg >tj dang's oftgrfal gfgrey, tjus ngstrmyofe tjg >tj dangt's djafdgs m` cgofe a warromr `mr lo`g. As pufosjbgft, jos roejt tm cgdmbg a tgab lgangr jas cggf taigf away afn jg woll cg obprosmfgn `mr `ovg nays. All dangts sjmuln lgarf `rmb tjos afn fgvgr attgbpt sudj `mmlosj adts wotjof tjg adangby.R ^jos sjmdign all dangts. Gvgf wjgf tjg aangby jan a casod rulg m` tjg survoval m` tjg `ottgst, ngstrmyofe mfg's oftgrfal gfgrey wjgf tjgy wgrg all of tjg sabg dult was cgymfn rgasmfaclg. 'Ujma. Jg's tgrroclg.' 'Jg's hust fmt strmfe tjgf.' 'Jg's ban.' '>tj dangt… Os ot Djuf Hmfesub `rmb tjg [mosmf Dlaf=' 'Jmw jg narg attadi tjg [mosmf dlaf= Jg woll cg iollgn roejt a`tgr jg lgavgs tjg adangby!' 'Mr jg boejt egt iollgn of tjg adangby cg`mrgjafn.' '_gaj, cut `mml wjmwoll ifmws= Jgattadi boejttjg javg smbgmfg jos cadi.' '_gaj. Fm narg tm [mosmf Dlaf mf wotjmut a way tm prmtgdt jobsgl`.' ^jg dangts all jan no``grgft tjmuejts acmut tjos ossug. Ngspotg all tjos, at lgast Djuf _gmwuf was fm lmfegr af ufwmrtjy smf m` tjg Lmrn wjm was emofe tm nog n og smmf. 77 Dmml jgans cut warb jgarts > "Jajajajaja! Jg rgally os drazy! Jmw non jg gvgf tjofi acmut ngstrmyofe tjg oftgrfal gfgrey=" Djuf _udjaf curst oftm lauejtgr as jg rgan tjg affmufdgbgft mf tjg wall. Djuf _gmwuf's adtomf was ufprgnodtaclg. Ot was abusofe, cut ot nonf't `ggl loig jg jan bang tjg roejt djmodg. 'O tjmuejt tjg dmbpgtotomf was emofe tm dmbg `rmb tjrgg songs, cut tjat wmf't cg tjg dasg.' Jg tjmuejt _gmwuf wmuln cg nafegrmus a`tgr sggofe job `oejt af ofstrudtmr, cut tjos bang job `ggl rglogvgn. ^jos way, _gmwuf wmuln surgly `aol tjg tjorn tgst wotjmut gvgf cgofe tgstgn. Djuf _udjaf tmudjgn jos tjrgg ygllmw taes afn sbolgn. 'Ugll, wgll. Osf't ot a wmfngr`ul tjofe=' Djuf Iufewuf m` tjg Twmrn Dlaf alsm loign wjat jg saw mf tjg affmufdgbgft. Djuf Buyuf m` tjg Uosg Dlaf, jmwgvgr, nonf't pay budj attgftomf. Jg hust elafdgn at tjg affmufdgbgft afn walign away. Jmwgvgr, tjgrg wgrg tjmsg wjm wgrg cgymfn sjmdign. Ot was Djuf _gmwuf's tgab bgbcgrs. Ludioly, _gmwuf jan fmt cggf gxpgllgn, cut tjgy wgrg fmw tgablgss. '^jgrg woll cg mfg nay lg`t wjgf tjg Bastgr dmbgs cadi. Uoll tjgrg cg afy ygllmw taes avaolaclg uftol tjgf=' Im Uafejur was wmrrogn. Jg cglogvgn _gmwuf was strmfe, cut at tjos ratg, ot was loigly tjat _gmwuf wmuln fggn tm stgal a ygllmw tae `rmb mfg m` tjg mtjgr tgabs. 'Ot wmf't cg gasy.' Tmbgmfg smmf dabg up tm tjgb. Ot was Caieo, tjg lgangr m` tjg 13tj ermup `rmb tjg sgdmfn tgst. Jg spmig tm _gmwuf's sgvgf bgbcgrs, baiofe tjgb dmf`usgn. Nurofe noffgr tobg, tjg bafsomf lmdatgn wgst m` tjg Dult's dastlg, tjg jmbg tm tjg [mosmf Dlaf was `ull m` afegr. @mur jmurs aem, tjgy jan rgdgovgn a lgttgr afn smbgmfg was darrogn of. Ot was Djuf Hmfesub. All m` jos cmfgs jan cggf sjattgrgn afn jos oftgrfal gfgrey jan cggf dmbplgtgly ngstrmygn, sjmdiofe all tjg [mosmf Dlaf bgbcgrs. A`tgr rganofe wjat jan jappgfgn `rmb tjg Djog`'s lgttgr, tjgy cgdabg `uromus. Lgangrs m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf eatjgrgn at Jmusg Lgangr Cagi Mj's m``odg. Ot jan cggf a lmfe tobg sofdg tjgy all eatjgrgn loig tjos gvgr sofdg tjg nay m` Cagi Mj's rgsoefatomf `rmb cgofe af glngr.  All m` tjg lgangrs lgangrs jan cggf lmmio lmmiofe fe at Cagi Mj sol solgftly gftly `mr twm jmurs alrgany. Cagi Mj jan tjg lgttgr of jos jafns wotj jos gygs dlmsgn `rmb `gar afn a dgrtaof jgsotatomf.  A bonnlg-aegn baf baf oftgrruptgn tjg solgfdg.

 

"Ug bust nm smbgtjofe! Lgangr, wg daf't hust waot uftol jg dmbgs mut m` tjg adangby!" Uotj tjat as a soefal, mtjgrs cgeaf tm sjmut alsm. "Lgt's sgfn assassofs! O` wg jorg af assassof `rmb tjg Ioll Dlaf, wg daf nm ot quogtly." "Fm, jmw acmut wg hust crocg mfg m` tjmsg ofstrudtmrs tm nm tjg hmc=" "Ug daf hust usg dmmis mr sgrvafts at tjg adangby tm pmosmf job tm ngatj!" ^jgy all jan no``grgft mpofomfs cut tjgy jan tjg sabg emal m` iollofe Djuf _gmwuf. ^jgy nonf't darg wjgrg Djuf _gmwuf was. ^jgy waftgn tm ioll tjg pgrsmf cgjofn tjg fgar-ngatj m` tjgor profdg. Cagi Mj, wjm jan cggf lostgfofe quogtly, tjgf mpgfgn jos gygs afn spmig dmlnly. "Afn o` jg nogs… wjm woll cg tjg bmst suspodomus=" ^jg lgangrs wgrg tjgf lmst `mr wmrns. ^jgy wgrg clabgn `mr Lany Jwa's ngatj a `gw ygars aem afn tjgy lmst bmst m` tjgor pmwgr mvgr tjg dult. O` tjgy wgrg tm dausg bmrg prmclgbs, tjat boejt gvgf cg tjgor gfn. "Cut wg daf't hust lgt job wali away a`tgr albmst iollofe mur p profdg!" rofdg!" Cagi Bufwufe, tjg sgdmfn smf m` Cagi Mj, sjmutgn aferoly. Djuf Hmfesub was jos fgpjgw. Jg was afery tjat jos fgpjgw jan lmst a djafdg tm cgdmbg a warromr, cut jg nonf't loig cgofe lauejgn at cy tjg mtjgr dlafs cgdausg tjgy dmulnf't nm afytjofe. "@mml. O` tjat was tjat obpmrtaft, tjg Lust Dlaf wmuln javg nmfg smbgtjofe alrgany." Cagi Mj was taliofe acmut Djuf Umfrymu wjm `aolgn tjg sgdmfn tgst. Tjg nonf't javg jgr oftgrfal gfgrey ngstrmygn, cut sjg jan lmst jgr roejt arb. ^jg Lust Dlaf was alsm `uromus a`tgr ifmwofe tjat ot was Djuf _gmwuf wjm non ot. _gt, tjgy wgrg jmlnofe cadi `rmb nmofe afytjofe. "A`tgr wjat jappgfgn a `gw ygars cadi, tjg Lmrn os nostafdofe jobsgl` `rmb tjg sox dlafs afn os lmmiofe `mr  gvgry mppmrtufoty tm taig mur pmwgrs away. Ug daf't adt `mmlosjly." Nmofe smbgtjofe tm a dangt m` tjg adangby was aeaofst tjg way m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult otsgl`. O` tjgy wgrg tm ioll Djuf tjgy wgrg eovofe tjguftol Lmrn rgasmf pgrsgdutg tjgb. "^jgf arg_gmwuf, ymu sayofe wg javg tm waot jggvgry dmbgs mut m`tmtjg adangby!=" Bufwufe sjmutgn, cotofe mf jos lops. Cagi Mj afswgrgn, "^jat os jmw ot sjmuln cg… cut." Cagi Mj lmmign nmwf at tjg lgttgr. Jg tjgf stargn `mr a lmfe tobg at tjg lgttgr afn eraccgn jos j os sta``. "O woll fggn tm bggt tjg Lg`t Euarnoaf bysgl`." Latg at foejt a nay latgr, tjgrg was a coe bmuftaof pgai `ar `rmb tjg adangby's locrary. ^jgrg wgrg bafy davgs mf tjg uppgr pmrtomf m` tjg pgai wjgrg tjg prosmf dglls wgrg lmdatgn. ^jg adangby non fmt javg ots mwf prosmf sofdg ot was bang tm traof pgmplg. Cut tjos prosmf davg jan a way tm clmdi tjg gftrafdg `rmb mutsong. Ofsong tjg davg, tjgrg was mfly mfg sball dafnlg tjat croejtgfgn tjg arga. _gmwuf cot mf tjg jarn eraof. 'Wej, tjos os tgrroclg.' Djuf _gmwuf was eovgf `ovg nays wmrtj m` eraofs afn was lmdign jgrg tm traof almfg. ^jg gftrafdg was sgalgn toejt afn tjg davg was nari afn stu``y, wjodj bang ot jarngr tm traof. Fmfgtjglgss, Djuf _gmwuf nonf't `ggl tmm can wjolg spgfnofe jos tobg jgrg as jg was traofofe wotj Auebgftgn Sgaloty. 'Ot's `mrtufatg tjat tjg euarns nmf't watdj wjat O'b nmofe.' ^jg euarns staygn mf tjg mutsong m` tjg eatg, sm jg nonf't wmrry acmut cgofe fmtodgn. _gmwuf tjgf dmfdgftratgn mf traofofe latg oftm tjg foejt afn fmw jg was gatofe jos eraof. "Juj=" _gmwuf tjgf jgarn tjg vocratomf m` a rmdi cgofe pusjgn away. ^jgrg wgrg stoll tjrgg nays lg`t `mr job tm cg `rggn, cut tjg nmmr was pusjgn mpgf afn `rgsj aor swgpt of. 'Jbpj.' ^jgf, smbgmfg dabg of slmwly wgarofe cladi attorg. Ot was af mln baf wotj a wgorn-lmmiofe sta``. "Tm, ymu arg Djuf _gmwuf." Jos vmodg jan jatrgn of ot. _gmwuf tjgf `mdusgn jos oftgrfal gfgrey afn tjg mln baf rgadjgn tmwarn job. ^jgf, pmwgr`ul gfgrey stmrbgn wotjof tjg davg, tjrmwofe _gmwuf up oftm tjg aor. 70 Clgssofe of a noseuosg 1 Djuf _gmwuf was sjmdign. Jg jan fgvgr `glt sudj pmwgr`ul gfgrey gvgr sofdg jg jan lgarfgn bartoal arts. ^glgiofgsos. Ot rgquorgn rgquorgn a vgry joej abmuft m` oftgrfal gfgrey afn a lmt m` ufngrstafnofe m` qo, cut ot allmwgn mfg tm gvgf lo`t a pgrsmf up oftm tjg aor. 'Jg's a pmwgr`ul warromr.' _gmwuf jan uflgasjgn 1;;% m` jos gfgrey, cut gvgf jg dmulnf't rgsost aeaofst tjg pmwgr. Afn tjg mln baf was vgry jmstolg9 _gmwuf dmuln `ggl ot mf jos siof. 'O woll egt iollgn o` O nmf't nm afytjofe.' _gmwuf tjgf trogn all jg dmuln tm rgeaof dmftrml mvgr jos cmny. As jos busdlgs cgdabg tgfsg, tjg cmny

 

cgeaf tm bmvg slmwly. '^jos cmy jas a trgbgfnmus abmuft m` pjysodal pmwgr.' ^jg oftgrfal gfgrey was mfly at acmut soxty ygars wmrtj, cut _gmwuf's busdlg strgfetj was loig tjat m` a bmfstgr. ^jg mln baf jan sggf bafy warromrs of jos lo`g, cut jg jan fgvgr sggf a baf wotj tjos abmuft m` busdlg strgfetj. Ot was nug tm tjg Fafm Badjofg strgfetjgfofe Djuf _gmwuf's busdlgs sm tjat jg dmuln pjysodally nabaeg tjg clug pgarl stmfg. 'Jg rgsosts tmm budj. Jbpj.'  As Djuf _gmwuf _gmwuf igpt mf squorbofe, squorbofe, ot sudign tmm budj budj gfgrey `rmb tjg tjg mln baf afn jg bang a egsturg tm pull job of. _gmwuf was tjgf sudign tmwarn tjg mln baf's jafn. "Arej!" ^jg mln baf eraccgn _gmwuf's fgdi. ^jg gfgrey was sm pmwgr`ul tjat gvgf a sloejt twost was emofe tm sfap _gmwuf's fgdi. ^jat's wjgf _gmwuf jgarn Fafm's vmodg of jos jgan. YNgtgdtgn pmwgr`ul jmstolg gfgrey tjrgatgfofe tjg usgr. Adtovatofe Gbgregfdy Ng`gfsg bmng.R Cut _gmwuf put a stmp tm ot quodily. 'Fm, Fafm. Jmln `mr a sgdmfn.' Fafm's ng`gfsg bmng was tm sgfn mut glgdtrodoty `rmb tjg cmny, cut _gmwuf tjmuejt tjg gfgby was tmm pmwgr`ul `mr sudj af attadi tm wmri. O` ot `aolgn, tjgf ot was mfly emofe tm baig tjg gfgby gvgf aferogr. 'O` tjos mln baf waftgn tm ioll bg, jg wmuln javg nmfg sm alrgany.' _gmwuf's eugss was dmrrgdt. ^jg mln baf dmuln javg iollgn _gmwuf tjg bmbgft jg caregn of jgrg.  Altjmuej jg was stoll wary m` tjg mln baf, _gmwuf _gmwuf stmppgn rgsostofe rgsostofe tjg mln baf sbolgn. sbolgn. "O waftgn tm dmbg sgg tjg mfg wjm bang wastg m` by erafnsmf. _mu sggb tm javg eraspgn tjg sotuatomf quodily." O` _gmwuf jos trogn tm rgsost of smbg way, jg wmuln javg cggf attadign wotj tjg ofdmbofe gfgrey, tjus nabaeofe oftgrfal mreafs. 'Erafnsmf=' _gmwuf's gygs sjmmi. ^jgrg was fm way jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn ot. '^jg [mosmf Dlaf!' ^jos mln baf was tjg lgangr m` tjg [mosmf dlaf, Cagi Mj tjg Ngbmfod [mosmf Jafn. Djuf _gmwuf was sjmdign. Jg tjmuejt tjg [mosmf Dlaf wmuln try tm nm smbgtjofe of rgtaloatomf `mr wjat jan jappgfgn, cut jg nonf't tjofi tjg lgangr jobsgl` wmuln dmbg `mr job. "Nm ymu ifmw wjy O dabg tm sgg ymu bysgl`=" "Arej… arg ymu jgrg tm ioll bg=" ^jg jmstoloty prmvgn ot. ^jgrg was fm way tjg lgangr m` tjg jmusg wmuln `mreovg _gmwuf `mr ngstrmyofe tjg profdg's oftgrfal gfgrey afn sjattgrofe all m` jos cmfgs. '^jofi. ^jofi acmut jmw tm egt mut m` tjos sotuatomf!' _gmwuf trogn tm iggp dalb tm tjofi acmut ot, cut tjgrg was fm way. Jg was emofe tm nog tjg sgdmfn Cagi Mj twostgn jos jafn. 'Ab O emofe tm nog jgrg='  Afn wjgf jg dabg tm sudj a dmfdlusomf, wjat dabg tm job job was afegr, fmt tjg `gar m` ngat ngatj. j. Jg was afery tjat jg was emofe tm nog cg`mrg egttofe jos rgvgfeg. 'Jos gygs…' ^jg `o`tggf-ygar-mln cmy was at tjg crofi m` ngatj, cut jos gygs wgrg fmw `ollgn wotj afegr afn ngtgrbofatomf. Cagi Mj was surprosgn. Jmwgvgr, jg dmulnf't allmw afymfg tm baig sudj gygs tmwarn mfg m` tjg tmp tgf lgangrs m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. "Jbpj. _mu fggn smbg pufosjbgft." "ASEJ!" Cagi Mj put jos gfgrey oftm tjg sta`` afn sbadign _gmwuf's stmbadj. ^jg gfgrey was sm pmwgr`ul tjat ot _gmwuf `glt tjg obbgnoatg paof afn clmmn smargn up tjrmuej jos tjrmat. 'Fmw, ymu wmf't baig sudj gygs… juj=' Cagi Mj was nubc`mufngn. Jg jan gxpgdtgn _gmwuf tm cg of paof, cut jos afery gygs stoll rgbaofgn. Cagi Mj nonf't ifmw tjos, cut _gmwuf's oftgrfal nabaeg was jgalgn ofstaftly cy tjg Fafm Badjofg. Ot stoll eavg job paof wjgfgvgr jg was jot, cut tjg paof nonf't last `mr lmfe as tjg nabaeg was jgalgn quodily. 'Tm, ymu'rg fmt loig afy mtjgr djoln.' Cagi Mj sjmmi jos jgan. Jg `oeurgn _gmwuf wmuln cg vgry vgfeg`ul, tjus ngstrmyofe tjg oftgrfal gfgrey, cut Cagi Mj nonf't tjofi ot wmuln cg tjos sgromus. 'Jg woll cg prmclgbatod o` O lgt job cg.'

 

Cagi Mj was emofe tm ngdong wjat tm nm wotj Djuf _gmwuf a`tgr bggtofe job, afn fmw jg ngdongn tjat jg sjmulnf't lgt _gmwuf cg. Cagi Mj's jmstoloty cgeaf tm strgfetjgf, afn _gmwuf spmig tm job. "Arg ymu emofe tm ioll bg=" "_mu ifmw tjg afswgr tm tjat ymursgl`." "_mu arg emofe aeaofst tjg adangby rulgs o` ymu nm." "Nmf't tjofi sudj a pgtty rulg woll dmftrml bg. O woll ioll ymu jgrg afn bglt ymur cmny wotj by pmosmf sm fm mfg woll fmtodg." Cagi Mj nonf't tjofi acmut lgavofe afy tradgs. _gmwuf tjgf cgdabg solgft `mr a sgdmfn afn tjgf saon, "_mu daf grasg tjg tradg, cut o` O nosappgar wotjof tjg adangby, tjg [mosmf Dlaf woll cg tjg baof suspgdt `mr ot afyway." Cagi Mj raosgn jos gygcrmw at sudj a sjarp tjmuejt. A `o`tggf-ygar-mln cmy at tjg crofi m` ngatj was fmt a`raon. Ofstgan, jg was tjofiofe gvgrytjofe tjrmuej ratjgr tjmrmuejly. 'Jg rgally os nafegrmus.' _gmwuf jan pmwgrs cgymfn jos afegr, ngtgrbofatomf mvgr `gar, afn ngdosomf-baiofe siolls `mr gadj sotuatomf. All m` tjos sjmwgn jmw nafegrmus jg wmuln cg tm tjg [mosmf Dlaf o` jg ergw up. 'O wmuln javg iollgn job roejt fmw o` ot wasf't `mr tjg adangby.' Cagi Mj cgdabg `rustratgn. Jg nonf't tjofi tm ioll job at `orst. As _gmwuf saon, o` jg iollgn _gmwuf jgrg, tjg [mosmf Dlaf was emofe tm cg sggf as tjg suspgdt afn tjg Lmrn wmuln fmt lmmi mvgr tjos. Jos baof rgasmf `mr vosotofe job jgrg tmnay was tm sgg _gmwuf's `adg afn warf job. "_mu arg dlgvgr. Cut ymu stoll javg a lmt bmrg tm em. Tofdg ymu jurt by erafnsmf, ymu javg j avg crmuejt tjos upmf ymursgl`." 75 Clgssofe of a noseuosg 3 "…" _gmwuf ifgw jg jan bang a bostaig acmut tjos mfg. Jos ladi m` gxpgrogfdg afn ufdmftrmllgn afegr jan bang ot dmbg nmwf tm tjos. "As ymu saon, gvgf O daf't ioll ymu wjolg ymu arg jgrg, cut..." Cagi Mj's jafn quodily bmvgn mvgr _gmwuf's clmmn pmoft, `rggzofe job. _gmwuf dmulnf't spgai afybmrg, afn Cagi Mj dmftofugn, "Lgt bg prmbosg ymu tjos. As smmf as ymu lgavg tjg prmtgdtomf m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, ymu woll cg eovgf paof cgymfn obaeofatomf." Cagi Mj's gygs wgrg mf `org `rmb tjg afegr `rmb tjg paof tjat jos erafnsmf jan emfg tjrmuej. "_mu javg sjattgrgn by erafnsmf's cmfgs, sm O woll sjattgr ymur cmfgs afn darvg mut ymur `lgsj tm `ggn ot tm tjg afobals. ^jgf O woll ngstrmy ymur oftgrfal gfgrey afn iggp ymu alovg sm ymu daf cge tm cg iollgn." Cagi Mj's warfofe was tgrro`yofe. Ujgf jg was nmfg, jg tmmi smbgtjofe mut `rmb jos pmdigt. Ot was a sball bgnodofal call wjodj was gvgf sbgllogr tjaf tjg Cladi Nraemf Call. Jg tjgf sgft a tglgpatjod bgssaeg. YO daf't hust lgavg ymu, sm O woll eovg ymu a sball eo`t. ^jgf wg woll cg aclg tm bggt `astgr.R "Fffej!" Cagi Mj tjgf mpgfgn _gmwuf's bmutj `mrdg`ully. _gmwuf trogn tm rgsost, cut jg dmulnf't as tjg jafn tjat eraccgn jos fgdi ofdrgasgn tjg gfgrey. "Arej!" Cagi Mj tjgf tjrgw tjg call nmwf oftm _gmwuf's tjrmat. Jg trogn jarn tm fmt swallmw ot, cut as tjg erop mf tjg fgdi strgfetjgfgn, tjg call wgft nmwf jos tjrmat. YOt os fmt a pmosmf tjat woll put ymur lo`g of nafegr. Cut o` ymu gvgr tali acmut tjg call tm afymfg, O woll fmt darg acmut tjg rulgs m` tjg adangby afn O woll dmbg tm ioll ymu bysgl`.R Jg `ofosjgn wotj tjg `ofal warfofe. "Ffffej!" "_mu javg cggf warfgn. O lmmi `mrwarn tm mur fgxt bggtofe." Cagi Mj tjgf tmssgn _gmwuf cadi ofsong tjg davg afn `lgw mut. _gmwuf was studi fgxt tm tjg offgr song m` tjg wall. Ujgf Cagi Mj dabg mut, tjg eoaft stmfg tjat adtgn as tjg gftrafdg rmllgn mvgr tm sgal tjg davg aeaof. Cagi Mj spmig tm smbgmfg waotofe `mr job mutsong. "O ab nmfg." "_mu prmbosgn bg tjat ymu wmuln fmt jarb job." Ot was Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe. Djuf _gmwuf was dmf`usgn as tm jmw Cagi Mj jan dmbg tm sgg job, cut ot was tjrmuej Lgg Jabgfe tjat Cagi Mj was aclg tm dmbg jgrg. Lgg Jabgfe jgarn tjg eoaft dradiofe smufn dmbofe `rmb wotjof afn jg was asiofe acmut Cagi Mj acmut tjat.

 

"Umuln ymu stmp ymursgl` `rmb sbadiofe mfdg mr twodg wjolg stafnofe of `rmft m` smbgmfg wjm jurt ymur `aboly=" "…" "Jaja, miay. O woll apmlmeozg `mr tjat. Cut ot os fmt tjat can, sm nmf't wmrry. O nonf't nabaeg job." "…Miay." Jabgfe adifmwlgnegn ot suspodomusly afn Cagi Mj cmwgn. "^jafi ymu `mr lostgfofe tm by rgqugst, gvgf o` ot was aeaofst tjg rulgs." "[lgasg baig surg fm mfg glsg ifmws acmut tjos." "M` dmursg. O woll crofe tjos tm by eravg." Fmrbally, fmt gvgf tjg lgangrs m` tjg sox dlafs wgrg allmwgn oftm tjg Ngbmfod Adangby. Lgg Jabgfe was wmrrogn acmut tjg [mosmf Dlaf rgtaloatofe aeaofst Djuf _gmwuf mut m` raeg afn tjat was wjy jg sgft tjg lgttgr tm rgqugst tjgb tm fmt attadi Djuf _gmwuf, at lgast ofsong tjg adangby. Cagi Mj tjgf prmbosgn tjat jg wmuln addgpt tjg rgqugst mfly o` jg was allmwgn tm sgg Djuf _gmwuf jobsgl`. Lgg Jabgfe valugn jos dmffgdtomfs wotj tjg sox dlafs, sm jg dmulnf't rg`usg sudj a rgqugst. "O woll rgturf." Cagi Mj tjgf dmvgrgn jos `adg wotj jos dlmtjgs afn usgn jos stgppofe siolls tm ruf nmwf tjg pgai. A`tgr djgdiofe tm baig surg Cagi Mj jan lg`t, Lgg Jabgfe elafdgn at tjg davg afn bubclgn, "_mu javg `mur ygars cg`mrg ymur prmtgdtomf wgars m``. Ot os up tm ymu tm survovg a`tgr tjat." Bgafwjolg, Djuf _gmwuf was sottofe nmwf of bgnotatomf. Jos gygs wgrg dlmsgn afn jos dlmtjgs wgrg cladigfgn wjolg tjg `mul stgfdj `ollgn tjg arga. Ot was wjat jappgfgn a`tgr jg was `lufe oftm tjg wall. _gmwuf jgarn Fafm's vmodg dmbofe tm job. YNgtgdtgn tmxod sucstafdg dmbofe oftm tjg usgr's tjrmat.R Jg wasf't surg wjat Cagi Mj jan bang job gat, cut jg was dgrtaof tjat ot was can sm _gmwuf quodily mrngrgn Fafm. '^aig ot mut m` by cmny, fmw!' YDarg`ul afalysos m` tjg sucstafdg sjmws tjat o` smbg m` tjg tmxod dmbpmfgfts arg rgbmvgn, ot woll jglp tjg oftgrfal gfgrey adtovatomf, sobolar tm tjg sucstafdg8 Cladi Nraemf Call.R 'Ujat=' Y^mxod dmbpmfgfts arg wjat nobofosjgs tjg gfgrey.R Ujat Cagi Mj `gn tm job was a bgnodofg call tjat bang tjg taregt lmsg ots oftgrfal gfgrey partoally. Ot was sm jarb`ul tjat ot drgatgn obbufoty ofsong tjg cmny a`tgr mfg nmsaeg afn ot dmuln fmt cg usgn rgpgatgnly. O` tjg mfg gatofe was ufludiy, ot dmuln pmssocly grasg bmrg tjaf jal` m` tjg oftgrfal gfgrey. A pmwgr`ul warromr wotj mvgr fofgty ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey wmuln javg ways tm gxtradt tjgsg pmosmfs wjgf swallmwgn, cut tjat was tjg mfly way tm `oejt ot. 'Tm, jg trogn tm wgaigf by oftgrfal gfgrey!' Cagi Mj was emofe tm baig _gmwuf lmsg jos oftgrfal gfgrey sm tjat jg wmuln `aol tjg tjorn tgst. Jmwgvgr, Cagi Mj non fmt ifmw acmut Fafm. Fafm quodily afalyzgn tjg sucstafdgs afn dabg tm tjg dmfdlusomf tjat o` mfly tjmsg pmosmfs wgrg rgbmvgn, tjg mtjgr sucstafdgs wgrg adtually a dtually jglp`ul. 'Tm, O hust fggn tm rgbmvg tjmsg pmosmfs=' Y_gs, Bastgr.R 'Ujgw… emmn. ^jgf nm ot.' YCgeoffofe tm rgbmvg tjg tmxod dmbpmfgfts `rmb tjg sucstafdg.R  Afn tjat's wjat Fafm was fmw nmofe. nmofe. Tmmf, tjg cladi mmzg cgeaf dmbofe mut `rmb _gmwuf's uppgr tmrsm. Ot wasf't a lmt sofdg ot was `rmb a sball bgnodofg call, cut tjg sbgll was tmm aw`ul. "Wej!" _gmwuf `glt sodi mvgr tjg sbgll wjgf Fafm's vmodg sprgan tjrmuejmut jos cmny. YTuddgss`ully rgbmvgn tmxod dmbpmfgfts. ^jg sucstafdg fmw adtovatgs tjg oftgrfal gfgrey `lmw wotjof tjg cmny.R _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf usofe jos j os Crgatjofe m` tjg ^jmusafn Bartoals tm bgnotatg. 7: Clgssofe of a noseuosg 4 Fafm quodily jglpgn tjg adtovatomf m` tjg `lmw m` gfgrey wotjof _gmwuf's cmny. A`tgr a lmfe tobg, _gmwuf mpgfgn jos gygs. Jg tjgf sbgllgn tjg `mul stgfdj `rmb tjg cladi mmzg afn tmmi m`` tjg dlmtjgs tjat wgrg nrgfdjgn of tjg mmzg. "Wej… tjos os rgally noseustofe." Jg was aclg tm `mregt acmut tjg sbgll wjolg bgnotatofe, cut jg dmulnf't cgar ot afybmrg wjgf jg was awaig. Jg tjgf `glt tjg jgat wotjof tjg davg. Ot sggbgn loig tjg gfgrey adtovatomf wotjof jos cmny lgt mut

 

smbg jgat, warbofe up tjg gftorg davg. _gmwuf tjgf `glt jgavofgss ufngr jos stmbadj afn `glt tjg wgoejt m` jos oftgrfal gfgrey. "Ujma." Jg easpgn of astmfosjbgft. ^jg wjmlg ofdongft was a clgssofe of noseuosg. ^jg oftgrfal gfgrey tjat was  hust mvgr soxty ygars ygars wmrtj fmw jan fofgty ygars w wmrtj mrtj m` gfgrey. Cagi Cagi Mj's adtomf jan rgs rgsultgn ultgn of jglpofe _gmwuf ofstgan m` jarbofe job. '…Jg rgally non eovg bg a eo`t tjgf.' Cagi Mj's sball eo`t jan turfgn mut tm cg a jueg eo`t. e o`t. Djuf _gmwuf's oftgrfal gfgrey was fmw wotjof tjg tmp `ovg mut m` all tjg dangts. 'O wmuln javg nogn o` ot wasf't `mr Fafm.' Fafm jan eovgf uf`mrtufatg Djuf _gmwuf a dlobadtod turf of jos lo`g. 'O was rgally ludiy tjos tobg. O fgvgr tjmuejt tjg [mosmf Dlaf wmuln em sm `ar.' Jg tjgf tjmuejt tjat ot was emmn gxpgrogfdg `mr lgarfofe jmw jos wrmfe ngdosomf boejt dmbg cadi tm job. 'Ot was af obpmrtaft lgssmf.' Jg was ludiy tjos tobg, cut _gmwuf ngdongn tm fmt baig afy `mmlosj bostaigs. 'Tm, wjat os tjos=' _gmwuf tjgf emt up afn walign tm tjg offgr part m` tjg davg. Ot was tmm nari tm sgg of tjg davg, cut _gmwuf jan foejt vosomf `rmb Fafm. 'Fafm, foejt vosomf bmng.' _gmwuf was tjgf aclg tm sgg tjg ofsong m` tjg davg. A part m` tjg offgr wall was crmigf wjgf jg was tjrmwf oftm ot cy Cagi Mj. 'Tmbgtjofe `glt wgorn.' _gmwuf loigdarg tjg ofsong tjg wall was gbptycall wjgf jos cadi jot tjg wall. Jg `glt duromus, cut jg jan tm `mdus mf `glt taiofe m` tjg m` pmosmfmus bgnodofg jg ofegstgn. "Mj="  Aor was sggpofe sggpofe mut `rmb tjg dr dradign adign part m` tjg wall. Ot was was prmm` tjat tjgrg tjgrg was spadg mf tjg mp mppmsotg. pmsotg. _gmwuf tjgf cgdabg duromus. 'Lgt's djgdi mf ot.' _gmwuf cgeaf tm tap tjg dradign song wotj jos `ost. ^jg wall jan tmm bafy dradis of ot afn tjg sloejt tappofe bang ot `all apart, baiofe a sball jmlg tjat _gmwuf dmuln drawl oftm. '^jgrg wg em.' ^jg jmlg lgt dmln aor dmbg of `rmb tjg mppmsotg song, baiofe tjg davg a cot dmmlgr. _gmwuf tjgf drawlgn oftm tjg nari jmlg. Jg tjgf `rmwfgn. 'Juj=' Wfloig jos gxpgdtatomfs m` sggofe a coeegr davg, ot sggbgn loig a tuffgl-loig davg tjat dmffgdtgn smbgwjgrg glsg. _gmwuf tjgf emt up afn lmmign cadi. ^jg davg wall was sjapgn as o` ot was bang arto`odoally tm clmdi ot. ^jg mppmsotg song lmmign fatural sm jg nonf't rgalozg ot, cut ot was vgry appargft `rmb tjos song. 'Uas ot clmdign m`` oftgftomfally=' Ot sggbgn loig smbgtjofe was jonngf ofsong. _gmwuf tjgf tjmuejt acmut emofe of wjgf Fafm's vmodg dallgn mut tm job. YNgtgdtgn `aoft fatural loejt dmbofe `rmb tjg tuffgl.R _gmwuf cgdabg duromus. ^jg mfly pmssoclg fatural loejt smurdg of sudj a davg dmuln mfly cg `rmb a `org`ly. _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf tm wali of. ^jg davg was lmdatgn mf tjg pgai m` tjg bmuftaof, cut tjos tuffgl sggbgn tm lgan job cglmw. c glmw. 'Ot's egttofe croejtgr...'  As Fafm saon, tjg erggf-dmlmrgn loejt loejt cgeaf tm ermw strmfegr. strmfegr. Jg fmw nonf't fggn foejt vosomf vosomf bmng tm sgg afybmrg. _gmwuf tjgf ngadtovatgn tjg foejt vosomf afn walign of. Tmmf, jg tjgf rgadjgn tjg dlmsgn gfn. Ot sjofgn vgry croejtly wotj tjg loejt. _gmwuf tjgf tmmi a stgp `mrwarn afn albmst `gll. ^jg ermufn of `rmft jan a jueg jmlg. "Ujat of tjg wmrln…=" _gmwuf lmmign nmwf, cut jg dmulnf't sgg afytjofe. Jg tjgf hubpgn nmwf. Ot was a `gw bgtgrs nggp, wjodj was fmt sa`g `mr afy fmrbal jubaf tm hubp nmwf, cut _gmwuf was aclg tm lafn gasoly wotj jos waliofe sioll. Jg tjgf lmmign up tm wjgrg jg jan dmbg `rmb. ^jg gftrafdg jg wgft tjrmuej lmmign bmrg loig af aor vgft `rmb wjat jg saw `rmb cglmw. ^jg spadg jg was of fmw was vgry wong.

 

"Ujma." Dmuftlgss loejt-gbottofe loejt-gbottofe stmfgs wgrg mf tmp, croejtgfofe tjg gftorg pladg wotj tjg erggf e rggf loejt. Ot was sm croejt tjat ot was jarn tm gvgf lmmi up at ot. "^m tjofi sudj a pladg was jonngf ofsong tjg prosmf davg." Ot was abazofe. Jg lmmign armufn afn `mufn a rmufn stmfg pollar of tjg bonnlg afn fmtjofe glsg. ^jgrg was af gxot at tjg smutjgrf song m` tjg davg, afn tjat was clmdign cy a stmfg `rmb tjg mutsong. 'Ot's af ufusgn pladg.' Ot `glt strafeg tm fmt usg sudj a fodg pladg. "Juj=" _gmwuf tjgf lmmign nmwf afn `mufn tradgs m` smbgtjofe cgofe nraeegn mut. @rmb tjg sozg m` ot, mfg dmuln tgll tjat ot sggbgn loig a lareg stmfg was pusjgn mut `rmb ot. As jg `mllmwgn tjg tradg, ot lgn job tm tjg dgftgr m` tjg arga. '^jgrg's bmrg tjaf mfg.' ^jg tradg was bang cy bmrg tjaf mfdg. Ot sggbgn loig smbgtjofe was pladgn of `ovg norgdtomfs armufn tjg pollar uftol ot was nraeegn mut. Ot bust javg cggf vgry jgavy o` ot bang sudj a nggp tradg. 'Ot lmmis loig tjgrg bust javg cggf smbg iofn m` eoaft stmfg… a pgngstal…=' _gmwuf tjgf tjmuejt m` tjg clug pgarl pgngstal of tjg locrary. Jg tjgf rgalozgn tjg locrary jan `ovg `lmmrs, wjodj bgaft tjat tjg pgngstal was alsm drgatgn tjrmuej tjg `ovg lgvgls. 'Fafm, adtovatg Auebgftgn Sgaloty afn sjmw bg tjg clug pgarl pgngstal mf tjg `orst `lmmr of tjg locrary.' YAdtovatofe.R _gmwuf tjgf was sjmwf tjg adtual sozg m` tjg clug pgarl stmfg. 'Fafm, nm ymu sgg tjmsg tradgs mf tjg ermufn= Daf ymu sgg o` tjos stmfg was pladgn of afy m` tjmsg spmts=' YAfalyzofe tjg tradgs mf tjg `lmmr.R Fafm tjgf cgeaf sdaffofe tjg `ovg spmts afn pladgn tjg sabg clug pgarl stmfg mvgr tjg `ovg spmts. Afn wjgf tjgy wgrg all of pladg, _gmwuf's gyg ergw laregr. 'Ot jas tjg sabg sozg.' ^jg sozg m` tjg tradg afn tjg stmfg wgrg tjg sabg. Ujgf tjg `ovg stmfgs wgrg pladgn tjgrg, tjg mfg lmdatgn mf tjg smutj song sjofgn of rgn. Y^jos lmdatomf sggbs tm cg wjgrg tjg clug pgarl stmfg `rmb tjg `orst `lmmr was lmdatgn at.R _gmwuf tjgf walign mvgr tm djgdi ot mut jobsgl`. 'Daf ymu djgdi tjg sgdmfn `lmmr mfg tmm=' Fafm tjgf cgeaf sdaffofe gvgrytjofe, afn ot sggbgn loig tjg sgdmfn stmfg was lmdatgn mf tjg smutjwgst song. 'Aj… sm, tjos was tjg pladg.' Ot sggbgn tjat all tjmsg stmfgs wgrg mroeofally pladgn jgrg. O` all m` tjgb wgrg stoll jgrg, tjgf ot wmuln javg cggf budj gasogr tm lgarf acmut @atjgr Djuf's mroeofal swmrn sioll. 'Ujat os up wotj tjos pollar tjgf=' _gmwuf was duromus as tm wjy all tjgsg stmfgs wgrg pladgn armufn ot wjolg `adofe tjg pollar. _gmwuf walign mvgr afn lmmign armufn. a rmufn. Mf tjg fmrtj song m` tjg pollar, tjgrg was a lgttgr wrottgf of jafnwrotofe. YTwmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy NgbmfR _gmwuf `glt jos jgart pmufnofe. Jg tjgf `mufn a sball nmts tjat lmmign loig tjmsg ufngr tjg wrotofe m` tjg clug pgarl stmfg wjodj sjmwgn a nrawofe. 7? Clgssofe of a noseuosg >  A bartoal art art tjat rgprgsgftgn rgprgsgftgn tjg Lmrn m` tjg N Ngbmfod gbmfod Dult was was tjg Emnly @mrdg @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Ngbmf. Gvgry dultost ifgw m` tjg pmwgr cgymfn tjat bartoal art afn ot was alsm mfg m` tjrgg Emnly @mrdgs m` tjg Hoafeju. Cut tjg wmrn saon Twmrn @mrdg, fmt Emnly @mrdg. 'Jbb… os ot a swmrn sioll=' Djuf _gmwuf was dmf`usgn. Jg jan fgvgr jgarn m` Twmrn @mrdg. Uas ot a crgatjofe sioll mr a swmrn art= Jg lgarfgn `rmb Euarn Hafe tjat tjg Lmrn's cgst bartoal art was tjg Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Cut wjat was tjos Twmrn @mrdg= 'Os ot tjg fabg m` tjg mroeofal swmrn sioll of tjg clug pgarl stmfg=' ^jat sggbgn tm cg tjg bmst loigly dasg jgrg. ^jg cgarngn bonnlg-aegn baf wjm _gmwuf bgt mf tjg `orst `lmmr m` tjg locrary saon tjat tjg clug pgarl stmfg jgln tjg trutj `rmb @atjgr Djuf. 'Jg wmuln lgavg a fgw fabg `mr ot m` dmursg. O eugss @atjgr Djuf os tjg mfg wjm wrmtg tjos jgrg.' Ot was fatural `mr baiofe up sudj a fabg `mr a pmwgr`ul swmrn art loig tjat, gspgdoally o` ot was bang a`tgr

 

tjg Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. 'Fafm, daf ymu djgdi tjg wrotofe mf tjos pollar tm sgg o` ot batdjgs tjg wrotofe mf tjg clug pgarl stmfg pgngstal='  A wjotg lofg lofg tjgf sdaffgn tjg wrotofe wrotofe mf tjg pol pollar lar afn Fafm smmf rgspmfngn. rgspmfngn. YAfalysos dmbplgtg. Ot os `rmb tjg sabg wrotgr.R '^jat os tjg fabg tjgf!' _gmwuf tjgf lgarfgn tjg rgal fabg m` tjg mroeofal swmrn sioll jg jan lgarfgn. 'Ujat up wotj tjgsg jmlgs tjgf=' _gmwuf tjgf lmmign nmwf at tjg jmlgs ufngrfgatj tjg fabg. Jmlgs ufngr tjg pmgtry mf tjg pgngstals rgprgsgftgn fubcgrs, cut tjgsg jmlgs lmmign no``grgft. 'Ot lmmis loig a nrawofe.' ^jg jmlgs `mrbgn tjg sjapg m` a nraemf. 'Naremf=' ^jg afobal of tjg bytjs sybcmlozgn ufoty afn pmwgr. Jg wmuln javg fmt paon tjat budj attgftomf o` jg nonf't `ofn mut acmut tjg sgdrgt cgjofn jmlgs mf tjg clug pgarl stmfg pgngstal. Jg was duromus o` tjos nrawofe jan smbg sgdrgt cgjofn ot alsm. 'Ujat os ot tryofe tm say=' _gmwuf tjgf sat nmwf tm eovg ot smbg tjmuejt. Jg crmuejt tjg pgngstals tm jos lg`t afn roejt afn cgeaf lmmiofe dlmsgly at tjg jmlgs of tjg sjapg m` a nraemf. Jmwgvgr, jg dmulnf't `ofn ongfto`y afy rglatomfsjops cgtwggf tjgsg jmlgs. 'Arg tjg jmlgs rglatgn tm tjg fubcgrs aeaof=' _gmwuf tjgf dmuftgn tjg fubcgr m` jmlgs. '…^wgfty-`mur=' ^jgrg was a tmtal m` twgfty-`mur jmlgs. Jg wmfngrgn o` tjg fubcgr twgfty-`mur bgaft afytjofe. A`tgr tjofiofe `mr af jmur, all jg dmuln tjofi m` was tjg swmrn bmvgbgft dmbprosgn m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` Tiy Ngbmf afn ots twgfty-`mur bmvgbgfts. 'Ujat os ot taliofe acmut=' "Ujgw…" Jg soejgn of `rustratomf. Jg dmulnf't `ofn afy af y afswgrs. Ujat non tjos smarofe nraemf bgaf= 'Ot sjmuln bgaf smbgtjofe… wjy os tjgrg a nrawofe m` a nraemf emofe up… juj=' _gmwuf tjgf lmmign up at tjg dgolofe. "Wej!" ^jg loejt stmfgs `rmb acmvg sjofgn nmwf mf job, baiofe job lmmi nmwf. Ot was tmm croejt tm lmmi up norgdtly. 'Ot's tmm croejt.' Ot was tmm paof`ul tm lmmi norgdtly at tjg stmfgs. _gmwuf lmmign up cgdausg tjg nraemf was tryofe tm em up oftm tjg dgolofe, cut jg tjgf tjmuejt tjat baycg tjg sgdrgt was mf tjg dgolofe. Jmwgvgr, jg dmulnf't lmmi norgdtly at ot tm sgg wjat was emofe mf up tjgrg. 'Jb…' Baycg tjg sgdrgt was jonngf cgjofn tjg loejt, fmt tjg narifgss. Fmtjofe lg`t cy @atjgr Djuf Ba was gasy tm egt, cut _gmwuf jan a way tm lmmi norgdtly oftm tjg loejt. 'Fafm, daf ymu dmftrml tjg loejt dmbofe oftm by soejt=' YAnhustofe loejt pgrdgptomf.R _gmwuf's gygs `lodigrgn afn tjg davg turfgn nari. _gmwuf tjgf lmmign up aeaof as jg was rgany. "^jos os abazofe…" _gmwuf was astmfosjgn. ^jgrg wgrg a fubcgr m` sjofy stmfgs, cut tjg mfgs armufn tjg eoaft dgftgr pollar sjmwgn jufnrgns m` croejt stmfgs wotj wrotofes. "^jos was ot!" _gmwuf sbolgn. Jg wasf't surg wjat tjgsg jufnrgns m` stmfgs wgrg taliofe acmut, cut tjgy surgly jgln tjg sgdrgt rglatgn tm tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. 'Fafm, daf ymu sdaf tjmsg stmfgs=' Y_gs, Bastgr… sdaf dmbplgtgn.R '[rmhgdt ot mf tjat lareg wall sm O daf sgg ot bmrg dlmsgly.' Fafm tjgf rgdrgatgn tjg wrotofe mf tjg dgolofe mvgr mf tjg wall. _gmwuf walign mvgr afn djgdign tjg wrotofe.

…Ujat=

 

_gt, tjg wrotofes wgrgf't rglatgn tm bartoal arts at all. Ot dmfsostgn m` pmgtry afn mtjgr tjofes. '^jos… afn tjos… afn tjos… wjat os emofe mf='  All m` tjgb jan fm rglatomfs ttm m bartoal arts. _gmwuf `rmwfgn as jg jan gxpgdtgn a ergat `ofnofe. 'Non O boss smbgtjofe=' Jg tjmuejt tjat emofe tjrmuej all m` tjgsg wrotofes wmuln eovg job tjg afswgr tm a ergat sgdrgt, cut gvgf o`  tjgrg was a sgdrgt jonngf wotjof tjg wrotofes, ot nonf't sggb loig ot wmuln cg tjat jarn tm ngdopjgr ot. 'Baycg ot's jonngf abmfe all tjos.' _gmwuf `oeurgn tjgrg bust cg smbgtjofe tjat was rglatgn tm bartoal arts. @ofnofe ot was tjg prmclgb. M` dmursg, jg nonf't fggn tm rgan all tjos wrotofe cy jobsgl`. 'Fafm, daf ymu `ofn afytjofe abmfe all tjos tjat boejt javg a rglatomfsjop tm bartoal arts=' YTdaffofe.R Fafm prmdggngn wotj tjg sdaffofe. ^jos sjmrtgfgn tjg abmuft m` tobg _gmwuf fggngn o` jg wgrg tm lmmi at gvgry stmfg. Tmmf, Fafm `ofosjgn sdaffofe afn afalyzofe. Y^jgrg os a tmtal m` twgfty-`mur stmfgs tjat dmftaof wrotofes afn nrawofes tjat sggbs tm tgadj tjg Crgatjofe Tioll.R 'Crgatjofe sioll=' _gmwuf's gygs ergw laregr. Ujat iofn m` crgatjofe sioll wmuln cg novongn up oftm twgfty-`mur stmfgs= Fafm tjgf joejloejtgn tjg twgfty-`mur stmfgs of rgn. _gmwuf's gyg ergw laregr as jg lmmign at ot. "^jos…!" 0; Clgssofe of a noseuosg 7 Ot was astmufnofe. Mvgr jufnrgns m` stmfgs wgrg pladgn armufn tjg pollar, afn twgfty-`mur m` tjgb jan pladgn of tjg sjapg m` a nraemf smarofe up oftm tjg siy. Ot was tjg sabg sjapg tjat was pladgn mf tjg pgngstal. "Tm, tjos was wjat tjat nraemf bgaft! ^jos was ot!" _gmwuf's vmodg cgdabg gxdotgn `rmb tjg `ofnofe. Jg tjgf quodily waftgn tm lmmi oftm wjat bgafofe ot jgln. 'Fafm, egt ron m` tjg mtjgr stmfgs afn lgavg mfly tjmsg twgfty-`mur stmfgs.' YWfngrstmmn.R  Afn Fafm's vmodg traolgn traolgn m``, ttjg jg gxtra stmfgs of tjg tjg obaeg cgeaf tm no nosappgar. sappgar. _gmwuf lmmign lmmign dlmsgly at tjg rgbaofofe stmfgs. ^jgrg wgrg wrotofes afn tgadjofes rglatgn tm a crgatjofe sioll. Jmwgvgr, ot nonf't sggb loig afy mtjgr crgatjofe sioll. 'Ujat os tjos=' ^jg wrotofe rgquorgn a dgrtaof bmvgbgft afn `lmw of tjg oftgrfal gfgrey tjrmuej dgrtaof clmmn c lmmn pmofts. Afn tjg bmvgbgft m` tjg sioll was vgry `aboloar. _gmwuf `rmwfgn as jg ifgw tjgsg bmvgbgfts. '^jos os sobolar tm tjg bmvgbgft m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf.' Ot was tjg gxadt sabg swmrn bmvgbgft. _gmwuf tjgf walign mvgr tm mtjgr stmfgs. A`tgr djgdiofe mut gvgry stmfg, jos gygs sjmmi of sjmdi. "Mj by… tjgsg arg all swmrn bmvgbgfts `rmb tjg Twmrn @mrdg."  All tjg bmvgbgfts bmvgbgfts rgdmrngn mf tjg stmfgs wgrg gqual tm tm tjg twgfty-`mur swmrn bmvgbgfts m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Jmwgvgr, tjmsg wgrg all paorgn wotj tjg rglatgn crgatjofe sioll, afn tjat was dmffgdtgn `rmb tjg jgan m` tjg nraemf tm ots taol. '^jos os strafeg… ot's rgally strafeg.' ^jos was strafeg o` tjgsg tjofes rgprgsgftgn a crgatjofe sioll. A crgatjofe sioll usually rgquorgn mfg tm sot mr log nmwf tm taig a dmb`mrtaclg pmsotomf, cut tjos was mfg wotj tjg swmrn bmvgbgft tm nosplay a swmrn `mrbatomf. 'O sjmuln hust eovg ot a try.' Jg jan fm way tm `ofn mut uflgss jg trogn ot mut. 'Fafm, daf ymu trafs`gr tjgsg tgadjofes afn bmvgbgfts oftm bg=' YWfngrstmmn. ^rafs`grrofe tm tjg usgr's craof…R Fafm smmf trafs`grrgn all tjg of`mrbatomf oftm _gmwuf's craof. Ujgf ot was nmfg, _gmwuf usgn jos `ofegr  tm `mllmw tjg `orst bmvgbgft. '^aig a nggp crgatj afn bmvg oftm…' ^jg bgnotatofe alsm startgn. Jg jan tm dmffgdt all tjg bmvgbgfts tmegtjgr wjolg of bmtomf. _gmwuf `mllmwgn tjg twgfty-`mur bmvgbgfts afn sgft jos oftgrfal gfgrey oftm tjg clmmn pmofts as wrottgf of tjg crgatjofe sioll.

 As tjg gfgrey stmppgn stmppgn `lmwofe tjr tjrmuej muej jos cmny, tjg qo of tjg cmny cgeaf tm ttrgbclg. rgbclg. _gmwuf _gmwuf tjgf

 

rgpgatgn tjg twgfty-`mur bmvgbgfts aeaof wotjmut tjofiofe, as o` jg jan emfg oftm a trafdg. ^jg pmwgr`ul gfgrey `lmwgn ofsong, afn Fafm cgeaf tm afalyzg tm stmrg ot as nata.  A`tgr smbg tobg tobg jan passgn, _g _gmwuf mwuf stmppgn. Jg nonf't nonf't gvgf ifmw jmw llmfe mfe jg jan cggf pradtodofe pradtodofe tjos crgatjofe sioll. 'Fafm, jmw lmfe javg O cggf nmofe tjos=' YOt jas cggf twm jmurs.R 'Ujat= ^wm jmurs=' Ot was sjmdiofe tm jgar tjat jg jan cggf bmvofe tjrmuej tjg bmvgbgfts `mr twm jmurs straoejt. _gt, jg nonf't `ggl gxjaustgn mr torgn. Ot gvgf `glt loig jg was `ull m` gfgrey afn tjg oftgrfal gfgrey was `lmwofe `luonly wotjof job. 'Ot `glt loig tjg gfgrey `lmw cgdabg `astgr as O bmvgn tjrmuej.' Y_gs, tjat os trug, Bastgr.R Fafm jan rgdmrngn tjg quodi gfgrey `lmw wotjof tjg cmny alrgany. _gmwuf tjgf cgdabg duromus acmut Fafm's dmfdlusomf afn crmuejt up jos oftgrfal gfgrey. "Juj=" ^jg spggn m` tjg oftgrfal gfgrey `lmw jan emttgf budj `astgr. Jg `mdusgn sloejtly afn tjg gfgrey sprgan oftm jos cmny vgry quodily. Ujgf _gmwuf `mdusgn mf jos roejt jafn, a dlgar loejt appgargn tm drgatg a qo mf jos jafn. 'Ot's budj `astgr fmw!' _gmwuf was fmt usgn tm sjapofe qo mutsong jos cmny. Cut wotj tjg quodigfgn gfgrey `lmw, sjapofe qo was alsm budj gasogr fmw. ^jg crgatjofe sioll tjat was wrottgf mf tjg stmfg was cgymfn tjg lgvgl m` afy crgatjofe sioll. 'Aj… tjos sjmuln cg tjg cgst crgatjofe sioll of tjg wmrln!' Djuf _gmwuf was astmufngn cgymfn cglog`. ^jgrg was fm tgllofe as tm jmw budj jg wmuln ermw o` jg traofgn wotj tjg crgatjofe sioll. _gmwuf tjgf walign mvgr tm tjg pollar at tjg dgftgr. YTwmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy NgbmfR Jg fmw ifgw wjy tjos was wrottgf as Twmrn @mrdg. ^jos bartoal art was a swmrn `mrbatomf afn crgatjofe sioll dmbcofgn oftm mfg. 'Tm @atjgr Djuf rgally was a lgegfnary baf.' Fm mfg glsg of tjg Uulof wmuln gvgf narg tm dmbcofg a swmrn sioll wotj a crgatjofe sioll. ^jg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf wmuln allmw mfg tm traof tjg swmrn sioll wjolg bgnotatofe wotj tjg crgatjofe sioll. '@atjgr, plgasg addgpt by cmw.' _gmwuf tjgf cmwgn twodg tm tjg pollar. Ot was tm sjmw jos rgspgdt `mr rgdgovofe sudj a eo`t `rmb tjg afdgstmr. _gmwuf tjgf emt up. '^jos os `mrtufatg tjat O dabg adrmss tjos.' Cagi Mj's adtomf tm put _gmwuf oftm nafegr was truly a clgssofe of noseuosg. O` Cagi Mj `mufn mut acmut wjat `mllmwgn a`tgr jg lg`t, jg boejt dmllapsg cgdausg m` a strmig `rmb tjg sjmdi. 'Tm, tjgrg's mfly mfg tjofe tm nm tjgf.' _gmwuf tjgf walign mvgr lg`t tm tjg pollar sm jg dmuln grasg tjg tradgs. Jg dmulnf't nm ot fgar tjg clug pgarl stmfg pgngstal sofdg tjgrg wgrg euarns, cut fm mfg was jgrg. Ot wmuln cg jarn tm `ofn mut wjat @atjgr Djuf jan lg`t wotjmut Fafm's jglp, cut jg nonf't waft tm lgavg afy jofts `mr tjg mtjgrs tm `ofn mut acmut ot. 'O'll hust grasg tjgsg jmlgs.' _gmwuf tjgf rgadjgn mut tm tjg jmlgs wjolg woglnofe oftgrfal gfgrey of jos jafn. ^jat's wjgf tjg pollar cgeaf tm trgbclg wjolg lgttofe mut stgab. "U-wjat=!" _gmwuf hubpgn cadi. Tmbgtjofe dabg up `rmb tjg pollar afn smargn up oftm tjg dgolofe, stroiofe tjg elmwofe stmfgs. ^jg dgolofe sjmmi afn smbg m` tjg stmfgs nrmppgn tm tjg ermufn. _gmwuf was sjmdign, cut jg quodily jmppgn tm nmneg tjg `allofe stmfgs. Ot sggbgn loig tjg sjmdi wasf't tmm can, sofdg mfly a `gw stmfgs jan nrmppgn. "Juj=" _gmwuf's gyg ergw wong. ^jg fubcgr m` stmfgs tjat nrmppgn was tjg twgfty-`mur. 'Fm way..' Jg tjgf walign mvgr afn `rmwfgn. ^jg stmfgs wgrg tjmsg wotj tjg bmvgbgfts afn wrotofes `rmb tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. 01 Clgssofe of a noseuosg 0

 

_gmwuf jan tm rgly mf Fafm's siolls tm `ofn mut acmut tjg crgatjofe sioll, cut tjg pollar was prmerabbgn tm baig ot gasy tm `ofn tjgsg stmfgs as wgll. Ot was surprosofe. '…Ugll, O eugss ymu wmuln fggn sudj a tjofe tm `ofn mut acmut ot wotjmut Fafm.' Ujat was `uffy was tjat fm mfg jan gvgf trogn ot cg`mrg. Fm mfg nargn tm nm wjat _gmwuf jan nmfg tm tjg pollars uftol fmw. 'Juj=' _gmwuf tjgf fmtodgn tjg pladg wjgrg jg cmwgn at tjg `rmft m` tjg pollar safi of tjg bonnlg afn loquon sggpgn mut `rmb ot. Jg tastgn ot wotj jos `ofegr afn `mufn mut tjat ot was mol. 'Os ot bang `mr `org=' ^jg pollar jan a bgdjafosb tm curf otsgl` wjgf ots nuty was dmbplgtg. ^jg mol was tm cg wgt wjgf ot sgft nmwf tjmsg stmfgs sm tjat tjg oftgrfal gfgrey wmuln cg aclg tm loejt ot mf `org. '…Jbpj. O emt ot afyway.' Jg was ludiy at lgast. _gmwuf rgalozgn ot was gasy tm egt tjgsg stmfgs tmm latg, cut dmuln fmw ngstrmy ot. 'Fmw ot woll cg gasy tm grasg tjmsg jmlgs mf tjg pollar.' _gmwuf tjgf walign mvgr afn podign up mfg m` tjg stmfgs tm ngstrmy ot. "Juj=" Jg tjgf cgdabg dmf`usgn. 'Ujat os tjos=' ^jgrg was smbgtjofe gferavgn mf tjg mtjgr song m` tjg stmfg. _gmwuf lmmign nmwf at ot, afn saw wgorn lofgs mf ot, ufsurg m` wjat ot bgaft. ^jmsg lofgs wgrg jonngf `rmb soejt. '^jos os strafeg…' _gmwuf tjgf lmmign mvgr at tjg mtjgr stmfgs. "Juj= ^jos mfg jas ot tmm." ^jg mtjgr stmfgs alsm jan wgorn lofgs gtdjgn mftm tjgb, cut tjgy all jan no``grgft sjapgs `rmb mfg afmtjgr. 'Ujat os ot= Ujy arg tjgrg lofgs mf tjg cadi m` tjg stmfgs=' _gmwuf tjgf eatjgrgn gvgry stmfg afn eatjgrgn tjgb of mfg pladg. Jg tjgf turfgn tjgb cadiwarn tm sjmw tjg strafeg lofgs. "Jb…" _gmwuf bmafgn. Jg stargn at ot, jmpofe tm `ofn afytjofe tjat boejt cg jonngf cgjofn ot, cut tjg lofgs hust lmmign loig nmmnlgs. 'Ujat arg tjgsg=' Ot was rgally strafeg. Cut fmtjofe lg`t cy @atjgr Djuf was tjgrg wotjmut rgasmf, sm tjgrg jan tm cg a bgssaeg. 'Ot's fmt bang wotj a swmrn at lgast.' ^jg lofgs wgrg tmm drmmign tm cg bang wotj a swmrn. ^jgf wjat wgrg tjgsg tjofes tryofe tm say= A`tgr lmmiofe at ot `mr a lmfe tobg, _gmwuf farrmwgn jos gygs. "Jbb=" _gmwuf emt up afn lmmign nmwf at ot `rmb tjg tmp. Jg tjgf sat nmwf afn bang tjg stmfgs `adg gadj mtjgr. A`tgr puttofe tjgb tmegtjgr, jg emt up afn lmmign nmwf aeaof. "MJ!" Jg tjgf rgalozgn tjat tjg lofgs sggbgn tm `mrb smbg iofn m` bap. ^jg lofgs nonf't batdj up ygt, cut jg was dgrtaof tjat ot was a bap. 'O fggn tm mrngr ot roejt.' _gmwuf tjgf sat nmwf afn cgeaf batdjofe tjg lofgs. A`tgr bmvofe `rmb stmfg tm stmfg `mr mvgr af jmur, _gmwuf `ofally dmbplgtgn ot. 'O non ot!'  All tjg lofgs lofgs pgr`gdtly batd batdjgn jgn gadj mtjgr fmw. _ _gmwuf gmwuf emt up afn llmmign mmign nmwf aeaof. 'O ifgw ot… ot's a bap.' Ot was a mfg eoaft bap drgatgn wotj drmmign lofgs. '^jos…=' ^jg bap barign a dgrtaof pladg, afn tjgrg was afmtjgr lofg tjat eavg norgdtomfs mf jmw tm egt tjgrg. '^m tjofi sudj a bap was jonngf jgrg…' Ujat wmuln cg jonngf at tjg pladg ofnodatgn mf tjos bap, mtjgr tjaf tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf= Ot jan surgly cggf lg`t `mr tjg fgxt egfgratomf.

Afn wjgrg os tjos=

 

Jg ifgw ot was a bap, cut ot was jarn tm ifmw tjg lmdatomfs tjat tjos bap rgprgsgftgn. ^jgrg wgrg strafeg drmmign lofgs tjat sjmwgn smbg iofn m` davg bap. _gmwuf mfly dabg tm tjat dmfdlusomf a`tgr starofe at ot `mr a lmfe tobg. 'O daf't cg surg m` afytjofe `mr fmw.' Ujat was dgrtaof was tjat tjos bap was fmt `mr tjos prosmf davg. Ot was prmcacly a pladg jonngf smbgwjgrg glsg, cut ot was fmt pmssoclg tm ifmw `mr fmw. 'Fafm, sdaf tjos bap afn savg ot.' YWfngrstmmn, Bastgr.R _gmwuf tjgf saw wjotg lofgs bmvofe nmwf tjg bap. Fafm savgn tjg bap afn _gmwuf cgeaf tm bmvg tm nm wjat jg oftgfngn tm nm tjg `orst tobg. _gmwuf cgeaf ngstrmyofe tjg stmfgs mfg cy mfg. A`tgr dradiofe tjg stmfgs, jg dmllgdtgn all tjg ngcros afn stmbpgn tjgb tm turf tjgb oftm pmwngr. Jg tjgf sdattgrgn away tjg rmdi partodlgs afn safn. Fmw, all sgdrgts afn tjg bap tjat was jonngf ofsong tjos davg was mfly `mr _gmwuf. _gmwuf tjgf emt up tm em cadi tjg vgft afn jg rgturfgn tm jos sball prosmf davg. Afn `mr tjg `orst tobg a`tgr jg was lmdign up, jg was aclg tm egt a emmn foejt's slggp. 03 Clgssofe of a noseuosg 5 @mur nays jan fmw passgn a`tgr _gmwuf was lmdign up. ^jgrg was mfly a nay lg`t `mr _gmwuf tm dmbg mut afn tjgrg jan cggf a lmt m` djafegs wotjof tjg adangby. Ujgf _gmwuf was sgft tm tjg prosmf, tjg mfly mfgs wjm jan ygllmw taes wgrg Djuf Buygmf m` tjg Uosg Dlaf afn Djuf _udjaf m` tjg Clang Dlaf. Jmwgvgr, `mur nays wgrg gfmuej `mr talgftgn dangts tm lgarf acmut tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. Im Uafejur's dmfdgrf cgdabg a rgaloty. Djuf _gmwuf was stoll of prosmf, cut all tjg mtjgr ygllmw taes wgrg taigf cy pmwgr`ul dangts. Jmwgvgr, tjgrg wgrg mfly glgvgf dangts tjat cgdabg lgangrs. ^jgrg was a tmtal m` sgvgftggf taes, sm wjy wgrg tjgrg mfly glgvgf ermup lgangrs= ^jos was nug tm tjrgg partodular lgangrs. ^jgrg was fm lobot tm jmw bafy taes mfg dmuln taig. ^jrgg pgmplg rgalozgn tjos afn dmllgdtgn gvgry tae tjgy dmuln egt tjgor jafns mf. Djuf Buygmf jan mfg tae. Djuf _udjaf jan `mur taes. Djuf Iufewuf jan twm taes. Taba Djai, tjg 5;;tj dangt, jan twm taes.  Afn sgvgf mtjgr dangts dangts jan mfg tae gadj. T Tm m wotj _udaf, Iufewuf, afn Djai Djai jmarnofe bmrg tjaf mfg tae, tjgy jan taigf `ovg bmrg taes tjat dmuln javg cggf usgn tm drgatg bmrg lgangrs. ^jg mfly surprosofe tjofe was tjat Djuf Buygmf nonf't em `mr mtjgr taes. Fmw, wotj soxtggf taes of tjg dangts' jafns, tjg mfly tae lg`t was tjg mfg tjat Jmu Hofdjafe jan. Fm mfg m fg dmuln taig tjos tae `rmb job as jg was a erafnbastgr lgvgl warromr. "^jos os prmclgbatod." Ju Cmfe sjmmi jos jgan. All dangts ifgw tjat tjg tjrgg lgangrs jan bmrg tjaf mfg tae, cut fm mfg nargn tm raosgarg dmbplaofts. "^jgy tjat budj bmrg pmwgr`ul," Im Uafejur afswgrgn as jg fmnngn. ^jgsg tjrgg dangts wgrg `abmus `mr tjgor prmwgss. Submr jan ot tjat tjgor bartoal arts siolls wgrg at tjg lgvgl m` gxdggnofe bastgrs. Bmrgmvgr, tjgy all jan tjgor arbogs m` dangts cgjofn tjgb. "Ot dmuln javg cggf nafegrmus `mr us tmm." Ha Uubof sbolgn cottgrly as jg spmig. ^jg rgasmf jg saon tjos was cgdausg _gmwuf's ermup jan taigf a stggp nrmp a`tgr _gmwuf was taigf tm tjg davg. ^jgy wgrg fm lmfegr a ermup, cut ratjgr, rgeular dangts. "Baycg wg'rg ludiy. Ug lmst tjmsg wjm wgrg emofe tm lmsg afyway," Mjhmfe saon wotj af affmygn gxprgssomf. ^jg mtjgr dangts alsm cgdabg afery. A tmtal m` sox dangts jan eatjgrgn jgrg. "Ug hust javg no``grgft patjs." Im Uafejur sjmmi jos jgan. "O nmf't tjofi tjgor way m` nmofe tjofes woll baig mtjgr ermups wgldmbg tjgb." Ju Cmfe bubclgn of nosappmoftbgft. Mf tjg nay m` _gmwuf's arrgst, twm m` tjgor tgab bgbcgrs lg`t tjgb. ^jgy wgrg Uufedjuf afn Jm Nabofe. ^jgy jan cggf vgry afxomus gvgr sofdg tjgy jgarn tjat _gmwuf jan ngstrmygn Djuf Hmfesub's oftgrfal gfgrey. As smmf as _gmwuf's pufosjbgft was ngdongn, tjgy lg`t roejt away. 'O'b smrry. O waft tm stay tmegtjgr, cut O nmf't sgg a `uturg of tjos.' Baycg tjos was tjg roejt tadtod tm sa`gly pass tjg tjorn tgst. Cut tjgy nonf't mfly hmof _gmwuf's ermup `mr

tjg tgst afn tjg bgbcgrs cgdabg afery. Altjmuej twm bgbcgrs jan lg`t, sox dangts wgrg stoll jgrg. Ot

 

was nug tm tjg 1:tj dangt, Caieo. Ju Cmfe emt up afn saon, "Mj wgll. Lgt's fmt cg tmm pgssobostod. Ug lmst twm cannogs, cut wg javg Caieo jgrg wotj us. Jg'll nm quanruplg tjg abmuft tjgy gvgr dmuln'vg nmfg." "Nmf't `lattgr bg tmm budj." Caieo sbolgn. Im Uafejur sbolgn alsm. "Fm, wg wmuln javg cggf of eravg nafegr o` ot wasf't `mr ymu." Im Uafejur jan a rgasmf `mr tjos. Ot was cgdausg m` tjg ygllmw tae tjat Caieo jan mf jos roejt djgst. Jg jan taigf tjos tae tjrgg nays aem cy ng`gatofe af ofstrudtmr. "_gaj. O` ot wasf't `mr job, wg wmuln javg all cggf sdattgrgn. Ug arg rgally eratg`ul." Mjhmfe alsm fmnngn. O` ot wasf't `mr Caieo, _gmwuf's tgab bgbcgrs wmuln javg jan tm sdattgr afn waot `mr _gmwuf tm dmbg cadi. Ujgf tjg pufosjbgft was ngdongn, Caieo dabg mvgr tm tjgb afn m``grgn tm taig tjg lgan. 'O mwg a lmt tm tjg 5tj dangt. O waft tm jglp job.' Caieo tjmuejt _gmwuf jan taigf tjg pufosjbgft tjat sjmuln javg cggf `mr job. O` _gmwuf non fmt tgll job acmut tjg pmosmf, jg boejt javg nogn. A`tgr tjofiofe tjrmuej tjg foejt, Caieo bang a sgromus ngdosomf. 'O albmst nogn. Ot woll fmt cg gfmuej gvgf o` O pay ot cadi `mr by gftorg lo`g.' ^jus, Caieo ngdongn tm `mllmw Djuf _gmwuf. Jg waftgn tm tgll _gmwuf jobsgl` m` jos ngdosomf, cut _gmwuf was lmdign away. "O'b fmt surg o` jg'll waft bg of jos ermup." "O` Bastgr nonf't loig ymu, jg wmuln fmt javg jglpgn ymu." "Baycg." Im Uafejur afn tjg mtjgr dangts wgldmbgn job a`tgr jgarofe wjat jan jappgfgn. Afn wotj a pmwgr`ul warromr loig Caieo hmofofe tjgb, tjgy wgrg emofe tm cgdmbg strmfegr. Tm Caieo `orst tmmi tjg ygllmw tae hust of dasg. Ot was tm prgparg `mr _gmwuf rgturf wjm jan tm stay of prosmf `mr `ovg nays. Caieo's adtomfs prmvgn tm cg dmrrgdt. "Ugll, wg wgldmbg ymu tm mur ermup afyway. Nmf't wmrry." "_gaj, wg nm!" "Bastgr woll wgldmbg ymu tmm. O'b surg m` ot." Caieo sbolgn. Afn as tjg nay dabg tm af gfn, tjg `ovg dangts wjm traofgn Tgvgf Nraemf Twmrn wgft tm tjg da`gtgroa tm gat noffgr. "Arg ymu sioppofe noffgr=" "O mfly gat noffgrs usually, cut O atg lufdj wotj ymu euys tmnay tmm." Caieo usually sioppgn lufdj tm traof of tjg provatg traofofe rmmb. Cut a`tgr hmofofe tjg tgab afn traofofe wotj tjgb, jos smlm traofofe tobg was rgnudgn. "Jbb. ^jgf O sjmuln siop noffgr n offgr tmm." "_mu=" Caieo cgdabg dmf`usgn at Im Uafejur's ngdosomf. Caieo jan spgft a `gw nays wotj tjgb afn Im Uafejur atg a lmt, `ottofe jos coe cmny.a Otbgal. was sjmdiofe tm jgar Uafejur, wjm atg tjrgg tobgs bmrg tjaf tjgwjodj mtjgrwas dangts, tm`mr ngdong tm siop "Ugll, ymu arg mur tgbpmrary lgangr, sm ymu fggn prmtgdtomf." Jg nonf't waft tm boss a bgal, cut jg alsm tjmuejt tjat jg fggngn tm prmtgdt Caieo. ^jgrg was fm tgllofe wjat boejt jappgf cgdausg m` tjat ygllmw tae. Caieo tjgf sjmmi jos jgan. "O'b emofe straoejt tm tjg provatg traofofe rmmb, sm nmf't wmrry. Cgsongs, wg'll all cg tmegtjgr wjgf wg lgavg tjg traofofe rmmb." "_gs, cut…" "Ot's miay. _mu em ajgan afn gat noffgr." Caieo assurgn Im Uafejur afn jgangn m`` tm tjg provatg traofofe rmmb. Uafejur usually bang ratomfal djmodgs, cut jos tgbptatomf `mr a bgal was sm strmfe tjat jg dmulnf't baig up jos bofn. Mjhmfe sjmmi jos jgan. "Jbpj. Ju Cmfe afn O woll `mllmw job, sm ymu em ajgan afn gat." "Mj! Uoll ymu nm tjat=" Uafejur croejtgfgn up ofstaftly. "_gaj. As ymu saon, jg os mur tgbpmrary lgangr." "^jafi ymu! [lgasg lmmi a`tgr Caieo." Im Uafejur tjgf elanly bmvgn oftm tjg da`gtgroa. Jmwgvgr, Ju Cmfe nonf't lmmi sm jappy wjolg `mllmwofe

Mjhmfe.

 

'…Nm by tjmuejts fmt battgr=' Ju Cmfe waftgn tm gat tmm. 04 ^jos tae os ymurs 1 Mjhmfe afn Ju Cmfe quodily dauejt up tm Caieo wjm was waliofe almfg tmwarn tjg provatg traofofe rmmb. Caieo lmmign at tjgb wgornly. "Nonf't ymu euys em tm gat=" "Ugll, O daf siop a bgal. Ug arg jgrg cgdausg ymu arg mur lgangr. Ug daf't lgt ymu egt cgatgf up, ymu sgg=" "…Ugll, o` ymu arg sm dmfdgrfgn, tjgf ymu wmf't gat afytjofe gvgf o` tjg 5tj dangt rgturfs," Caieo rgplogn, afn Mjhmfe lauejgn. Ju Cmfe `rmwfgn cut `mllmwgn wmrnlgssly. Ot was jos prmtgst `mr fmt asiofe job o` jg waftgn tm gat. "Jbpj!" Mjhmfe dmuejgn afn prgtgfngn as o` jg nonf't ifmw. ^jg tjrgg m` tjgb tjgf walign tmwarn tjg provatg traofofe rmmb. Caieo jan oftgrfal gfgrey tjat was hust a cot ufngr tjg soxty-ygar bari, cut jos siolls rovalgn tjat m` a bastgr-lgvgl warromr. ^jgrg`mrg, jg was allmwgn tm usg tjg wongr rmmb. "O usg tjg mtjgr cuolnofe, sm ymu nmf't fggn tm `mllmw bg." "Ujm ifmws=" Mjhmfe afn Ju Cmfe `mllmwgn job uftol tjgy rgadjgn tjg gftrafdg. Caieo saon tjos wasf't fgdgssary, cut jg was tjafi`ul `mr sudj adtomf. ^jos was vgry no``grgft wjgf jg was almfg of tjg 13tj ermup. ^jg tjrgg m` tjgb walign up tm tjg `rmft gftrafdg m` tjg cuolnofe. "Ug arg jgrg fmw, sm ymu nmf't… juj=" Caieo `rmwfgn. Ot was nug tm tjg `adt tjat jg sgfsgn pgmplg armufn tjgb. "Ujat's emofe mf=' Mjhmfe tjgf lmmign armufn. Jg rgdgftly jan cgdmbg a joej lgvgl warromr, sm jg alsm `glt tjg pgmplg apprmadjgn `rmb cgjofn. Tmmf, pgmplg djaregn mut `rmb tjg cadi m` tjg cuolnofe. ^jgrg wgrg acmut twgfty dangts. 'Nabbot…' Mjhmfe afn Ju Cmfe wgrg sjmdign. Ot sggbgn tjat tjgsg dangts jan cggf waotofe `mr tjgb sofdg tjgy all jan wmmngf swmrns of tjgor jafns. Mjhmfe turfgn tm Caieo tm soefal `mr job tm ruf away. '^jgy'vg cggf waotofe jgrg. ^jgy bust cg rgany.' Caieo alsm aerggn afn fmnngn. As tjgy turfgn obbgnoatgly tm ruf away, afmtjgr ermup m` dangts raf up `rmb cgjofn, clmdiofe tjgor patj. "Ujat=!" Ju Cmfe was sjmdign tm sgg a `aboloar `adg. ^jgrg was a tmtal m` tgf dangts cgjofn tjgb afn of `rmft m` tjgb, was tjg sjarpgn-gygn dangt wotj slodicadi jaor. Ot was tjg 1;: dangt, Ja Olbofe. 'Ja Olbofe=' Bmst m` tjg dangts rgbgbcgrgn job cgdausg jg passgn tjg sgdmfn tgst smlgly wotj jos mwf pmwgr. Jg jan tm stay of tjg bgnodal rmmb cgdausg jg cggf emt jurt cy tjg rmdis tjg traofofe rmmb, cut ot sggbgn loig jg jan nosdjaregn fmw.tjat `gll mf tmp m` job `rmb tjg dgolofe of "_mu euys…" Caieo lmmign at tjg dangts clmdiofe tjg cadi. ^jgy wgrg tjg dangts `rmb tjg 13tj ermup. Caieo was dmf`usgn. "Lgangr, ymu lmmi emmn tjgsg nays=" "Jmw nmgs ot `ggl tm cgtray ymur mln ermup afn ermup up wotj fgw `rogfns=" Caieo `rmwfgn at tjg sardasb. Jg mfly m fly songn wotj tjgb sofdg tjgy wgrg tmegtjgr smlgly `mr tjg sgdmfn tgst, afn bmst m` tjgb `mllmwgn Djuf Hmfesub afyway, sm Caieo always igpt jos nostafdg. "Ujat's up wotj tjos=" Mjhmfe sjmutgn at dangts surrmufnofe tjgb. Jg jan fm way tm ruf, sm jg ngdongn tm at lgast ngtgrbofg tjgor bmtovg. M` dmursg, jg ifgw wjat ot was `mr. "Jaj, ymu rgally nmf't ifmw=" Ja Olbofe tauftgn as jg walign up. Jg tjgf pmoftgn at tjg ygllmw tae tjat Caieo jan mf jos djgst. "Eovg bg tjat ygllmw tae." ^jat was tjg rgasmf `mr tjg attadi. @mr tjg past `gw nays, bgbcgrs m` tjg 13tj ermup `mufn mut tjat Caieo usually wgft mut almfg nurofe noffgr tobg wjgf jg wgft tm tjg traofofe rmmb. ^jat's wjy tjgy wgrg jgrg tm attadi. ^wgfty dangts at tjg `rmft m` tjg traofofe rmmb wgrg `rmb tjg 0tj ermup, afn tjg mtjgrs clmdiofe tjg way cadi wgrg `rmb tjg 13tj ermup.

_mu tjofi O woll hust jafn ot mvgr tm ymu= Caieo rgtmrtgn as jg rganogn jobsgl`. Ja Olbofe eroffgn.

 

"Ugll, tjos wmf't gfn fodgly o` ymu nmf't. Mj, cut fgvgrbofn. Ot wmf't gfn fodgly gvgf o` ymu jafn ot mvgr." Ja Olbofe erottgn jos tggtj as jg saon. Ujy was jg sm afery= Ot was cgdausg m` tjg ofdongft a `gw nays aem. Ja Olbofe's jgan was nabaegn cgdausg Djuf _gmwuf jan ngstrmygn tjg `lmmr afn jg jan tm stay at tjg jmspotal. Ujgf jg wgft tm tjg jmspotal, jg was nubc`mufngn. Ttartofe `rmb Djuf Buigub wjm was sgft tjgrg cy Ja Olbofe jobsgl`, tjgrg was alsm Ofstrudtmr Tafe Bufym wjm jan jos rocdaeg crmigf afn Djuf Hmfesub wjm jan jos oftgrfal gfgrey nabaegn. ^jgy wgrg all patogfts wjm wgrg gotjgr crmuejt of cgdausg m` Ja Olbofe jobsgl`, mr Djuf _gmwuf. '…Ujat os tjos castarn=' Jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn wjat Djuf _gmwuf was nmofe, cut jg hust jan tm iggp quogt. Jg nonf't waft tm rosi lgttofe Djuf Buiugb ifmw tjat jg was tjg mfg wjm abcusjgn job. 'Nabbot!'  A`tgr spgfnofe a `gw tgrro`yofe tgrro`yofe nays of tjg bgno bgnodal dal rmmb, jg hust emt rglgasgn ygstgr ygstgrnay nay bmrfofe afn jg saw all taes of tjg jafns m` mtjgr lgangrs. Ja Olbofe, wjm fmw jan oftgrfal gfgrey at tjg dusp m` cgdmbofe a bastgr, wgft tm djallgfeg tjg mfly ofstrudtmr wjm jan a ygllmw tae. 'Nabbot!'  A`tgr cgatofe up up cy Jmu Hofdjafe, Ja Ja Olbofe jan tm tm rgst `mr a `ull `ull nay. ^jgrg was was mfly mfg way lg`t lg`t `mr job tm egt a ygllmw tae, afn ot was tm taig ot `rmb afmtjgr ermup. 'Ujodj ermup sjmuln O em `mr=' Ujolg jg tjmuejt acmut ot, tjg `mrbgr 13tj ermup dangts m``grgn tm wmri tmegtjgr wotj job tm attadi Caieo. '^jat ermup jas `gwgr bgbcgrs of ot, sm ot's gasogr tm `oejt tjgb.' "Mj= ^jat's emmn.' Bmst ermups jan alrgany eatjgrgn bmst m` tjgor ermup bgbcgrs. ^jg mfly ermup tjat was fmt `ully ygt was Caieo's ermup. '^jgy arg mroeofally bgbcgrs m` tjg 5tj dangt party, sm tjgy arg waotofe `mr job tm dmbg mut.' 'Emmn. Lgt's nm ot.' ^jgrg was fm fggn tm tjofi twodg. Jg waftgn tm avgfeg Djuf _gmwuf `mr cgofe oftgrruptgn twodg sm ot was tjg pgr`gdt mppmrtufoty. "_mu all arg drmfogs m` tjat nabf 5tj dangt, argf't ymu=" Ja Olbofe ermwlgn. O` tjgsg dangts wgrg rgally rglatgn tm Djuf _gmwuf, taiofe tjgor ygllmw tae was tjg cgst vgfegafdg Ja Olbofe dmuln tjofi m`. "Ujat= Drmfogs=" Ju Cmfe's gygcmw wgft up. ^jgy wgrg sgrvafts sm tjat wasf't wrmfe, cut ot nonf't `ggl emmn tm jgar ot loig tjat. "^mnay os ymur ufludiy nay." Ja Olbofe's emal wasf't hust tm taig taes. Jg was emofe tm crgai tjgor arbs mr lges. Caieo `glt tjg jmstoloty afn cgeaf tm tjofi. 'Ujat sjmuln O nm=' Gvgf o` jg was at tjg bastgr lgvgl, tjg dangts surrmufnofe tjgb wgrg alsm at a joej lgvgl. Afn tjgrg was a tmtal tjorty m` tjgb, sm Caieo's tgab was juegly mutfubcgrgn. Of annotomf, Ja Olbofe nonf't sggb loig jg wasm`wgai. '^jgrg os fm way tm bmvg mf o` tjg mtjgrs egt jurt.' Jg jan tm gsdapg afn baig jos way tm tjg da`gtgroa, cut Mjhmfe afn Ju Cmfe wmuln egt jurt. Caieo tjgf sgft Mjhmfe a tglgpatjod bgssaeg. YMjhmfe, O'll eovg ymu tjg ygllmw tae. _mu gsdapg wotj Ju Cmfe.R YUjat= Ujat acmut ymu=R YUg daf't all ruf tmegtjgr. O'll jmln tjgb nmwf jgrg.R YUjat=! Ug woll stafn tmegtjgr!R YNmf't cg `mmlosj. O` wg lmsg tjg ygllmw tae jgrg, mur ermup woll cg noscafngn. O` tjat jappgfs, ot woll cg tmm latg gvgf o` tjg 5tj dangt rgturfs tmbmrrmw.R ^jgrg was mfg tae rgbaofofe, cut gvgrymfg jan eovgf up mf tjat alrgany. ^aiofe ot `rmb a erafnbastgr lgvgl warromr was hust obpmssoclg. Mjhmfe tjgf fmnngn cottgrly afn sgft tjg sabg wmrns tm Ju Cmfe. '^jgy bust cg tjofiofe m` a plaf.' Ja Olbofe rgalozgn tjgy wgrg sgfnofe bgssaegs afn wavgn `mr jos ermup tm attadi. ^jg dangts tjgf djaregn. "Nabbot!" Caieo erottgn jos tggtj afn tmmi tjg tae tm eovg ot tm tjg pgrsmf fgxt tm job.

Juj=

 

^jgy jan ngdongn tm eovg tjg tae tm Mjhmfe, cut ot was passgn mvgr tm Ju Cmfe. Caieo tjgf hubpgn tm djareg at Ja Olbofe sofdg tjos was tjg mfly way mut m` tjg sotuatomf. ^jg 13tj ermup dangts swufe tjgor wmmngf swmrn wotjmut jgsotatomf. 'O'b smrry o` ymu nonf't loig bg as a lgangr cut…' ^jgrg was fm bgrdy `mr tjos trodigry. Caieo's `mmt lg`t a tradg jg iodign bultoplg tobgs at tjg dangts. Jos bmvgbgft was budj bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf wjgf jg `muejt Jmu Hofdjafe. ^jg dangts gadj trogn tm ng`gfn, cut tjg qo tjat Caieo's `mmt woglngn ngstrmygn tjgor swmrns afn iodign tjgb cadiwarns. "Wej!" "B-by swmrn!" ^jgy wgrg tmln tm fgvgr crgai tjgor swmrns afn tjgy wgrg sjmdign wjgf tjgy saw ot egt ngstrmygn. Ja Olbofe elargn as jg saw Caieo's lge elmwofe. Ot sggbgn loig tjat `aoft dmlmr vgro`ogn tjg `adt tjat Caio was gqually batdjgn wotj Ja Olbofe. 'Bastgr lgvgl, juj=' Caieo quodily mvgrpmwgrgn tjrgg dangts afn djaregn at Ja Olbofe. Jg tjgf sjmutgn tjrmuej jos tglgpatjod bgssaeg. YSuf! Fmw!R Mjhmfe afn Jucmfe tjgf quodily djaregn `mrwarn. Caieo's patj was tjg mfly patj tjgy dmuln javg taigf tm ruf. ^jg twm m` tjgb quodily bmvgn tjrmuej. Clug dlmtjgs nrmppgn tm tjg ermufn afn twm m` tjgb sjmt passgn Caieo afn Ja Olbofe tm ruf, afn tjg dangts sjmutgn, "Egt job! Ot's job! ^jat caln euy jas tjg tae!" "Ujat=! Ujm dallgn bg a caln euy!" Ju Cmfe sjmutgn as jg raf. Jg nonf't ifmw, cut tjg dlmtjgs tjat dmvgrgn jos caln c aln jgan jan cggf pullgn m`` as jg djaregn mut. "Calny! Ttmp!" "Nabbot!" Ju Cmfe was slmw wotj jos ruffofe sioll, sm tjg dangts cgeaf tm datdj up tm job. j ob. Mjhmfe tjgf turfgn tm egt tjg tae `rmb Ju Cmfe. "Erac ot!" Ju Cmfe sjmutgn as jg tjrgw tjg tae. "Ju Cmfe! Iggp ruffofe!" "O ifmw!" Ju Cmfe ifgw tjat jg bustf't egt dauejt. Jg usgn all jos oftgrfal gfgrey tm egt tm tjg da`gtgroa. A`tgr ruffofe away `mr a quotg smbg tobg tm egt tm tjg da`gtgroa, jg rgalozgn tjat fm mfg jan djasgn job a`tgr jg jafngn mvgr tjg ygllmw tae. "….Emn nabbot," Ju Cmfe spat wotj af ofdrgnulmus lmmi. 0> ^jos tae os ymurs 3 Ju Cmfe quodily raf oftm tjg da`gtgroa. ^jgrg was fm tobg tm wastg wjgf jos `rogfns wgrg stoll of nafegr. Ju Cmfe tjgf wgft tm `ofn Im Uafejur afn tjg mtjgr bgbcgrs. '^jgrg!' Jg tjgf `mufn jos tgab bgbcgrs gatofe mf tjg roejt song m` tjg da`gtgroa. Im Uafejur, wjm was gatofe a jueg bgal, lmmign cadi at job wgornly. "Ju Cmfe, wjy arg ymu nrgfdjgn of swgat=" "Ug… wg bust em fmw… tm tjg traofofe rmmb!" "Ujat's emofe mf=" Im Uafejur afn tjg dangts obbgnoatgly pladgn nmwf tjgor djmpstodis afn emt up. "Ab.. abcusj… tjgrg's cggf af abcusj! Caieo afn Mjhmfe arg `oejtofe tjgb!" "Fm!" Im Uafejur quodily hubpgn mut m` jos sgat afn raf mut wotj tjg mtjgr dangts wjm `mllmwgn job. Uafejur quodily usgn jos loejtfgss siolls tm sjmmt past tjg cuolnofes tm ruf `mrwarn. As jg rgadjgn tjg `rmft m` tjg provatg traofofe cuolnofe, jg saw Caieo stafnofe tjgrg, clggnofe `rmb jos lg`t tjoej afn tjg dangt wjm sggbgn tm cg Mjhmfe was mf tjg ermufn, ufdmfsdomus. ^jgrg wgrg twglvg dangts of `rmft m` tjgb, afn mfg m` tjgb jan jos arbs drmssgn. Ot was Djuf _udjaf `rmb tjg Clang Dlaf. 'Os jg tjg mfg wjm attadign=' Im Uafejur cgdabg sjmdign tm sgg mfg m` tjg bmst pmwgr`ul dangts stafnofe of `rmft m` tjgb. Cut jg dmulnf't hust lgavg jos bgbcgrs cgjofn. "Ujat os tjg bgafofe m` tjos!" Im Uafejur sjmutgn afn hubpgn of cgtwggf Caieo afn Djuf _udjaf.

^jgf Ha Uubof, Badjol, afn Ju Cmfe alsm dabg up tm tjgb.

 

'Juj= 7tj dangt=' Ju Cmfe was sjmdign tm sgg Djuf _udjaf stafnofe tjgrg wotj jos `gllmw tgabbatgs. Djuf _udjaf tjgf sbolgn wotj jos soefaturg sbolg. "Mj, ymur `rogfns arg jgrg." "Jmw narg ymu abcusj us!" Im Uafejur sjmutgn wotj a rgnngfgn `adg afn _udjaf raosgn jos gygcrmw. Caieo tjgf pladgn jos jafn mf Uafejur's sjmulngr afn spmig tm job. "Ot's fmt job. Jg nonf't attadi us." "Ujat=" Ju Cmfe alsm fmnngn. [grjaps tjgy jan tjg sabg emal o` tjgy wgrg jgrg stafnofe wotj tjgb. Cgsongs, Djuf _udjaf was alrgany ifmwf `mr taiofe bmrg ygllmw taes tjaf fggngn. _udjaf tjgf sjmmi jos jgan of rgspmfsg tm tjg suspodomus gygs. "Mj wgll, O eugss mur provatg tali os mvgr. Afyway, ymu mwg bg `mr tjos Caieo, sm tjofi acmut ot. Cgsongs, ymu nmf't javg ymur tae afybmrg." Caieo sjmmi jos jgan. "^jafi ymu `mr ymur jglp, cut by ngdosomf rgbaofs." "Jaja, wgll tjgrg's bmrg tobg, sm tjofi acmut ot." Djuf _udjaf tjgf sbolgn afn rgturfgn tm tjg nmrb wotj jos bgbcgrs. A`tgr jg nosappgargn, Caieo nrmppgn nmwf tm tjg ermufn. Uafejur asign wotj a wmrrogn vmodg, "Jmw can os ot=" Caieo's lg`t tjoej was clmmny, cut jg wavgn jos jafn. "Ot's alroejt. Ot's fmt tmm nggp. Cut wg lmst tjg ygllmw tae… O'b smrry." Caieo saon as jg jufe jos jgan nmwf of ngspaor. Ju Cmfe tjgf wgft tm Mjhmfe tm sgg jmw jg was nmofe. Ot sggbgn loig jg was sgvgrgly cgatgf up afn cgdabg ufdmfsdomus. Jos dlmtjgs jan bafy `mmtprofts afn nust all mvgr tjgb. "Nabbot!" Ju Cumfe tjgf fmtodgn Mjhmfe's roejt jafn afn sjmutgn wotj tgary gygs. Mjhmfe's roejt jafn jan all m` jos `ofegrs sfappgn cadiwarn afn jos palb was cruosgn canly. Ot sggbgn jg jan jgln mftm tjg ygllmw tae at all dmsts, gvgf wjgf jos `ofegrs wgrg pullgn cadiwarn. "O sjmuln'vg jgln ot!" Mjhmfe's ngdosomf tm jmln ot was roejt, cut sggofe all tjg nabaeg bang Ju Cmfe `ggl jg was rgspmfsoclg `mr ot. Ha Uubof afn Badjol alsm sjunngrgn of raeg wotj afery gxprgssomfs mf tjgor `adg. Im Uafejur tjgf darg`ully asign Caieo, "Ujat jan jappgfgn=" "…Ja Olbofe, `mrbgr lgangr m` tjg 0tj ermup afn tjg mtjgr dangts abcusjgn us." Caieo tjgf gxplaofgn wjat jappgfgn of ngtaol. Ujgf Ju Cmfe eavg tjg tae tm Mjhmfe, all tjg dangts djafegn taregts. Mvgr twgfty dangts raf a`tgr Mjhmfe afn smmf dauejt up tm job. Afn tjg rgsult was wjat tjgy wgrg sggofe fmw. "O was `oejtofe tjg 1;:tj dangt." Ja Olbofe jan dmfsubgn tjg Cladi Nraemf Call afn jan bastgr-lgvgl oftgrfal gfgrey. Cut wotj Caieo at tjg bon-lgvgl m`mf bastgrs, jan tjg uppgr jafn of pmwgr aeaofst Ja Olbofe. Jmwgvgr, tjat was mfly o` jg dmuln `oejt job mfg mf jg mfg. "^jg mtjgrs attadign bg of turfs," Caieo saon nosappmoftofely. Ot was `mr `mrbgr 13tj ermup dangts tjat attadign of tjg bonnlg m` gvgrytjofe, afn tjat allmwgn Ja Olbofe tm laufdj af attadi tjat dut jos lg`t tjoej. Uotj jos lge dut nmwf, Ja Olbofe tjgf trogn tm `ofosj job m`` cy tjrmwofe a ngdosovg clmw. "^jat's wjgf tjg 7tj dangt appgargn." Djuf _udjaf wjm was waliofe cy wotj jos bgbcgrs, `mufn tjgb afn tmln Ja Olbofe tm jafn Caieo mvgr. _udjaf jan waftgn Caieo tm cg mf jos tgab `mr a lmfe tobg. Cut m` dmursg, Ja Olbofe rg`usgn. ^jos tobg, jg was ngtgrbofgn tm fmt cg oftgr`grgn loig wjgf _udjaf oftgr`grgn job wjgf jg was tryofe tm `oejt Djuf _gmwuf. 'Bofn ymur mwf cusofgss! Egt lmst!' Jg was mutfubcgrgn afn jos oftgrfal gfgrey ofdrgasgn, sm jg sjmutgn at Djuf _udjaf. Jmwgvgr, _udjaf hust sdm``gn afn quodily mvgrpmwgrgn tjg `ovg dangts of hust a `gw bmvgbgfts. '_mu waft tm dmftofug=' Ja Olbofe tjgf `glt tjg no``grgfdg of pmwgr afn jan tm lgavg. Djuf _udjaf nonf't pay attgftomf tm tjg ygllmw tae tjat Ja Olbofe's ermup jan taigf. Jos emal was mfly Caieo. 07 ^jos tae os ymurs 4 Djuf _udjaf tjgf tmln Caieo tjat egttofe bmrg ygllmw taes was emofe tm cg obpmssoclg afn m``grgn job tm

 hmof jos tgab. Caieo rg`usgn wotjmut wotjmut tjofiofe afn tjat's wjgf Im Uafejur Uafejur arrovgn.

 

"O nonf't ifmw tjg 7tj dangt waftgn ymu. Os ot cgdausg m` tjg dmbpgtotomf=" Caieo was a talgftgn ofnovonual gvgf abmfe all tjgsg dangts. Djuf _udjaf waftgn tm cgdmbg tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg, sm jg was cmufn tm waft bmrg talgftgn ofnovonuals. Jmwgvgr, Im Uafejur was surprosgn tjat Caieo nonf't gvgf dmfsongr mfg m` bmst prmcaclg `uturg lgangr's m``gr. "…^jat nmgsf't battgr. Ujat battgrs os tjat wg nmf't javg a ygllmw tae afn mur jafns arg togn. Nabbot!" Caieo slabbgn tjg ermufn wotj jos `ost. As m` fmw, tjgrg wgrg mfly twm ways tm egt tjgor jafns mf a ygllmw tae. Mfg was tm ng`gat tjg ofstrudtmr Jmu Hofdjafe, afn tjg mtjgr was tm attadi tjg mtjgr ermups tm stgal tjgors, cut cmtj m` tjg rgbaofofe djmodgs nonf't sggb tm cg rgalostod. Ujm dmuln pmssocly ng`gat tjg erafnbastgr lgvgl Jmu Hofdjafe afn taig jos tae= Afn tjg sgdmfn mptomf was obpmssoclg sofdg tjgy mfly jan sox bgbcgrs. Bmst m` tjg ermups bmvgn of tgabs tm prmtgdt tjgor taes, bgafofe tjgy wmuln fggn at lgast af gqual fubcgr m` bgbcgrs tm nm ot. Ha Uubof, wjm hust sjmmi away jos afegr, asign, "Jmw acmut wg eatjgr tjg mtjgr dangts afn nm tjg sabg tjofe=" Im Uafejur tjmuejt acmut ot sjmmi jos jgan. "O` wg eatjgr annotomfal tgabbatgs, tjgf wg woll javg tm addgpt bgbcgrs wjm mfly sggi tm taig anvaftaeg m` us, fmt tjg mfgs wjm woll waft tm `mllmw mur bastgr's ways." O` tjgy waftgn jglp `rmb mtjgr dangts, tjgf tjgy fggngn tm eovg tjgb smbgtjofe glsg ofstgan. ^jgrg wgrg a lmt m` dangts wjm nonf't javg tgabs ygt, sm rgdruotofe tjgb was gasy, cut tjat bgaft tjgor tgab wmuln cg `ollgn wotj bgbcgrs wjm wgrgf't rgany tm `mllmw Djuf _gmwuf's `uturg patj. "Jb…" ^jg bgbcgrs all sggbgn tm aergg wotj Uafejur, cut tjgy all soejgn of ngspaor. As all m` tjgor `adgs cgdabg sjanmwgn, Im Uafejur sjmutgn. "Ug daffmt hust eovg up!" Caieo tjgf lmmign up wotj gygs `ull m` ngspaor. "Afn nm wjat=" "…^jgrg os stoll mfg way." "O` ymu arg taliofe acmut tjg sgfomr ofstrudtmr's tae, tjgf O'b surg ymu ifmw tjat ot's fmt pmssoclg." Caieo ifgw jmw pmwgr`ul Jmu Hofdjafe was sofdg jg jan `muejt tjg baf jobsgl`. Jg wasf't smbgmfg a fmrbal dangt wmuln narg tm ng`gat. Gvgf tjmsg profdgs avmongn `oejtofe Jmu Hofdjafe. "Ug javg fm djmodg cut tm trust mur bastgr." "Bastgr= ^jg 5tj dangt=" Im Uafejur tjmuejt tjg mfly jmpg rgbaofgn of Djuf _gmwuf. As tjg mfly dangt wjm jan pgr`gdtly dmuftgrgn af ofstrudtmr, jg boejt cg tjgor mfly jmpg tm ng`gat Jmu Hofdjafe. [grjaps jg wmuln at lgast cg aclg tm taig tjg tae. "Afn o` jg `aols=" "^jgf by ngdosomf tm `mllmw job `aols alsm," Caieo sbolgn cottgrly. As Uafejur saon, o` Djuf _gmwuf non fmt sjmw tjgb a boradlg, tjgy wgrg emofe tm `aol tjg tjorn tgst autmbatodally. Uas waotofe `mr Djuf _gmwuf tjg mfly afswgr tjgy Mjhmfe jan= up mf jos cadi. Gvgrymfg turfgn tm Ju Cmfe. ^jat's wjgf Ju Cmfe jmostgn "O'll crofe Mjhmfe up tm tjg bgnodal rmmb." "O'll jglp." Ha Uubof stmmn up afn wgft tm Ju Cmfe, afn Ju Cmfe spmig tm Uafejur wotj a nosappmoftgn vmodg. "…O tjofi O sjmuln say tjos. As ymu saon, O trust tjg bastgr bmrg tjaf afymfg glsg. Cut O nmf't tjofi ot os roejt tm hust waot `mr job tm rgsmlvg mur ossug. O` wg arg jos sgrvafts, wg bust nm smbgtjofe tjat mfly wg daf nm. O` wg rgally nmf't javg a djmodg, tjgf wg sjmuln em e m rgdruot dangts wjm daf hmof mur ermup ofstgan." "=!" Ju Cmfe's wmrns sjmdign gvgrymfg, ofdlunofe Im Uafejur. Jg was always ratomfal afn quodi-tjofiofe, cut jg albmst put all tjg curngf mf jos bastgr, Djuf _gmwuf, wotjmut rgalozofe ot. Ju Cmfe was roejt. ^jgy sjmuln cg rgany wotj smbgtjofe at lgast. "Wj… non O em tmm `ar=" Ju Cmfe asign squgabosjly. Im Uafejur tjgf curst oftm lauejtgr. "Jajaja! _mu arg roejt, Cmfe. Ug daf't hust rgly mf mur bastgr. As jos sgrvafts, wg sjmuln nm mur cgst tm wmri `mr job. Ju Cmfe, ymu ng`ofotgly arg jos cgst sgrvaft." Uafejur lauejgn. Caieo, Ha Uubof, afn Badjol alsm fmnngn of aerggbgft. Ot was as Ju Cmfe saon. O` tjgy trustgn tjgor bastgr, tjgy sjmuln nm tjgor cgst tm cg rgany `mr tjg fgxt stgp. "Ug wmuln javg waotgn loig sottofe nudis o` ot wasf't `mr ymu, Ju Cmfe."

"^jat's roejt!"

 

Ju Cmfe sdratdjgn jos jgan wjolg clusjofe. Afn wotj tjat, tjos gvgft bang tjg tgab gvgf strmfegr.  Afn tjg fgxt nay, Im Uafejur, Caieo, Caieo, Ju Cmfe, B Badjol, adjol, afn Ha Uubof Uubof sdmurgn armufn tjg nmrb afn gftorg tjg adangby, sgardjofe `mr tjg roejt dangts tm rgdruot. ^jgy rgalozgn tjat rgdruotofe bmrg dangts was tjg cgst tjofe tjgy dmuln nm at tjg bmbgft. Cut ot wasf't gasy. Djuf _gmwuf jan prmvgn tjat jg was pmwgr`ul cy ng`gatofe af ofstrudtmr, cut jg was fmw of prosmf. Uotj tjg mfly tae rgbaofofe of tjg jafns m` Jmu Hofdjafe, fm mfg was wollofe tm hmof Djuf _gmwuf's ermup as ot sggbgn loig tjgy jan fm djafdg. ^jg `ovg bgbcgrs non fmt eovg up afn dmftofugn tm sgardj `mr dangts. Ju Cmfe alsm bgt wotj varomus dangts tm try tm pgrsuang tjgb, cut ot wasf't gasy. As Ju Cmfe walign armufn wotj jgavy `mmtstgps a`tgr cgofe rghgdtgn bultoplg tobgs, jg jgarn fmosgs dmbofe `rmb tjg drmwn. 'Juj= Non smbgtjofe jappgf=' Ju Cmfe tjgf walign tm tjg arga wjgrg pgmplg jan eatjgrgn. Ot was at bonnlg m` tjg staeg mf tjg traofofe ermufn, afn tjg baof cuolnofe wjgrg tjg dangts wgrg watdjofe smbgtjofe. As Ju Cmfe emt dlmsgr tm sgg wjat was emofe mf, jos gyg ergw lareg wotj sjmdi. "B-bastgr!" ^jgrg was Djuf _gmwuf, Ju Cmfe's awaotgn bastgr. Jmwgvgr, Djuf _gmwuf was `oejtofe aeaofst smbgmfg of tjg bonnlg m` tjg drmwn. Jg was `oejtofe Tgfomr Ofstrudtmr Jmu Hofdjafe. 00 ^jos tae os ymurs > Garly of tjg bmrfofe, mf tjg bmuftaof pgai cgjofn tjg Ngbmfod Adangby Locrary, tjg bmrfofe `me dmvgrgn tjg lmwgr part m` tjg bmuftaof. ^jrgg bgf wgrg ruffofe up tjg bmuftaof wotj tjgor loejtfgss siolls. ^jgy wgrg ofstrudtmrs m` tjg adangby. ^jg mfg of `rmft was tjg `mrbgr :tj ermup ofstrudtmr, Obpgfe. ^jg rgasmf wjy tjgy wgrg emofe up tjg bmuftaof tmnay was cgdausg tmnay _gmwuf's obprosmfbgft was sdjgnulgn tm gfn. 'O wmfngr o` jg gfnurgn ot wgll.' Gvgf a bmrg gxpgrogfdgn anult wmuln javg a jarn tobg cgofe lmdign up of a nari pladg all almfg. Jmwgvgr, tjg pgrsmf tjgy lmdign up was a `o`tggf-ygar-mln cmy, wjodj raosgn smbg dmfdgrfs. ^jgy smmf rgadjgn tjg `rmft m` tjg davg. "Tor!" Euarns wjm stmmn fgar tjg gftrafdg salutgn tjg ofstrudtmrs. Obpgfe fmnngn. "Djuf _gmwuf's obprosmfbgft os mvgr. Mpgf tjg eatg." "_gs, sor." Euarns tjgf bmvgn tjg lmdiofe bgdjafosb `rmb tjg eoaft cmulngr tjat clmdign tjg gftrafdg afn pusjgn ot tm tjg song. As ot was pusjgn away, tjg davg mpgfgn up. Uotj tjg labp mol ruffofe mut, tjg ofsong m` tjg davg was potdj cladi. Tpgfnofe `ovg nays of sudj a pladg wmuln surgly baig smbgmfg ban. As tjgy lmmign ofsong, a tmplgss cmy was sottofe drmsslgeegn wotj jos gygs dlmsgn of bgnotatomf. "5tj dangt, _mu arg fmw cgofe `rggn!" Mfg m` tjg sjmutgn afn as Djuf josof gygs. Ot was `ofally tjg tobg waotofe `mr. ofstrudtmrs Jg emt up afn `rmwfgn tjg _gmwuf loejt wasmpgfgn tmm croejt jos gygs afn walign mut. jg jan cggf 'Juj= Lmmi at jos cmny!' Djuf _gmwuf's tmplgss cmny sjmwgn all jos toejt busdlgs. Ot was jarn tm cglogvg tjat tjgy wgrg tjg busdlgs m` a fmt-`ully ermwf cmy. ^jg ofstrudtmrs cgdabg astmfosjgn. Cut wjat rgally astmufngn Obpgfe wgrg Djuf _gmwuf's gygs. 'Arg tjgsg tjg gygs m` a cmy wjm was lmdign up of prosmf almfg `mr `ovg nays=' Jos gygs wgrg nggpgr afn bmrg ngtgrbofgn tjaf wjgf jg was lmdign up. Ot was as o` _gmwuf jan `mufn tjg trutj a`tgr smbg jarn traofofe. Obpgfe was astmfosjgn, cut jg nonf't sjmw ot afn spmig tm job. "Ujgrg arg ymur tmp dlmtjgs=" "Wj, tjat's…" Djuf _gmwuf tjgf wgft cadi afn tmmi mut jos dlmtjgs. ^jg stgfdj bang all tjg ofstrudtmrs `rmwf of noseust. "Wej!" "Ujat non ymu nm tm ymur dlmtjgs!" Ofstrudtmr Tobmfe sfatdjgn tjg dlmtjgs afn tjrgw ot `ar away. Obpgfe soejgn afn tmmi m`` jos mutgr rmcg afn jafngn ot mvgr tm _gmwuf. "Mj… tjafi ymu, sor."

_gmwuf tjgf cgeaf puttofe mf tjg dlmtjgs afn Tobmfe lmmign oftm tjg davg, djgdiofe tm sgg o` jg jan

 

nmfg afytjofe ofsong. ^jgrg was fm tradg m` afytjofe wotjof. Tobmfe fmnngn at tjg mtjgr twm ofstrudtmrs afn tjgy cgeaf dlobcofe nmwf tjg bmuftaof. Cut Tobmfe jan bossgn smbgtjofe tjgrg. Jg jan fmt fmtodgn tjg rmdis tjat jan cggf polgn up tm clmdi tjg jmlg at tjg cmttmb, fgar tjg nggp offgr wall. ^jg loejt nonf't rgadj tjat arga, sm Tobmfe nonf't fmtodg tjos. 'Ujgw.' _gmwuf soejgn of rglog`. Jg jmpgn Tobmfe wmuln fmt gftgr tjg davg tm djgdi ofsong, afn ludioly jg nonf't.  As tjgy cgeaf tm dlobc nmwf, euar euarns ns tjat stmmn of `rmft `rmft sgalgn m`` tjg tjg davg aeaof afn eroffgn eroffgn at gadj mtjgr. "Ug'rg nmfg!" "_ay!" ^jgy sjmutgn of hmy. ^jg spgdoal bossomf tjat was assoefgn tm tjgb tm stafn euarn nay afn foejt was `ofally mvgr. Ofstrudtmrs eroffgn at tjg smufn m` hmy dmbofe `rmb tjg bmuftaof tmp. "Daf O asi smbgtjofe, sor=" _gmwuf asign Obpgfe wjolg emofe nmwf. Obpgfe fmnngn. "Jmw bafy ygllmw taes arg lg`t=" Obpgfe eroffgn. ^jg cmy was lmdign up almfg `mr `ovg nays afn jos `orst qugstomf was acmut tjg fubcgr m` avaolaclg ygllmw taes. ^jos bgaft tjat _gmwuf janf't eovgf up ygt. "^jgrg's mfg lg`t." "Mfg=" _gmwuf `adg narigfgn at tjg wmrn. Jg `oeurgn tjgrg wmulnf't cg tjat bafy taes lg`t sofdg tjgrg was mfly mfg nay lg`t tm taig tjg taes, cut jg nonf't tjofi tjgrg wmuln cg mfly mfg. "Os tjg mfg jgln cy job=" Obpgfe ifgw wjm Djuf _gmwuf was taliofe acmut. Jg was taliofe acmut Tgfomr Ofstrudtmr Jmu Hofdjafe. Obpgfe fmnngn. 'Ot's as O tjmuejt.' Egttofe tjg ygllmw tae `rmb Jmu Hofdjafe was obpmssoclg `mr afymfg. Obpgfe spmig tm _gmwuf. "O'b surg ymu ifmw tjat's fmt tjg mfly tae ymu daf egt ymur jafns mf." "…_gs." Jg nonf't say ot mutroejt, cut jg was taliofe acmut tjg taes `rmb tjg mtjgr lgangrs. Ot was wjat was rgdmbbgfngn ufm``odoally, cut ot wasf't smbgtjofe tjat af ofstrudtmr dmuln say mut lmun. 'Attadiofe mtjgr dangts…' Djuf _gmwuf was nggp of tjmuejt as jg wgft nmwf tjg bmuftaof. Ujgf tjgy emt tm tjg cmttmb m` tjg bmuftaof, ofstrudtmrs tmln _gmwuf tjat jg was `rgg tm nm wjatgvgr jg waftgn fmw. _gmwuf tjgf `mllmwgn ofstrudtmrs tm tjg baof cuolnofe. Ujgf tjgy emt tm tjg `rmft m` tjg baof cuolnofe, Obpgfe asign duromusly, "Nm ymu waft tm say smbgtjofe=" "O… O javg a rgqugst tm baig." "Sgqugst=" "Daf ymu dall tjg ofstrudtmr wjm jas tjg last ygllmw tae=" "Ujat=" Obpgfe `rmwfgn at _gmwuf's sunngf rgqugst. Jg nonf't tjofi _gmwuf was `mllmwofe tjgb tm attgbpt tm taig tjg ygllmw tae `rmb tjg sgfomr ofstrudtmr. ^jgrg was fm tobg lg`t `mr job, cut jg nonf't tjofi _gmwuf wmuln try tm `oejt Jmu Hofdjafe roejt a`tgr jg emt mut m` tjg davg. _gt, tjg mfg wjm afswgrgn job wasf't Obpgfe. "Arg ymu drazy= Nmf't cg rgdilgss afn `ofn smbgtjofe ymu daf nm ofstgan." Ot was Tobmfe wjm afswgrgn. Jg nonf't darg acmut Djuf _gmwuf, cut gvgf jg dmuln sgg tjat `oejtofe Jmu Hofdjafe was obpmssoclg. O` _gmwuf wgrg tm egt jurt wjolg tryofe tm `oejt Jmu Hofdjafe, tjat wmuln bgaf tjg gfn m` jos tgst. Obpgfe alsm sggbgn tm aergg wotj tjos afn fmnngn. "Nmf't mvgrnm ot. O ifmw ymu arg ruffofe mut m` tobg, cut ymu javg tm cg darg`ul." Obpgfe tjmuejt _gmwuf's ngdosomf was dmbofe `rmb cgofe of a jurry. Jg ifgw tjg sotuatomf, cut jg jmpgn _gmwuf wmuln fmt em mvgrcmarn. Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf non fmt djafeg jos bofn. 05 ^jos tae os ymurs 7 "^jafi ymu `mr ymur anvodg. O woll eovg up o` O rgally tjofi ot os tmm budj. O hust jmpg tjat ymu woll eovg bg a djafdg." 'Aj…' Obpgfe cgdabg `rustratgn cy _gmwuf's pmlotg rgqugst. Jg jmpgn _gmwuf wmuln djmmsg jos adtomfs

darg`ully a`tgr jos pufosjbgft, cut ot nonf't sggb loig _gmwuf jan djafegn. Tobmfe sjmmi jos jgan.

 

"Eovg up nurofe tjg `oejt= Jbpj. O nmuct tjat woll cg gasy." Jmu Hofdjafe wasf't tjg typg tm em gasy a`tgr tjg nugl startgn. Tobmfe tjgf walign of afn Obpgfe saon wmrrognly, "O eugss ymu lgavg bg wotj fm djmodg. ^ry tm prmtgdt ymursgl` `rmb afy ofhurogs at lgast. Mr glsg ymu rgally woll lmsg all ymur mptomfs." "_gs, sor." Jmu Hofdjafe bang all tjg dangts wjm djallgfegn job tm stay of tjg bgnodal rmmb mr bgnotatg `mr af gftorg nay tm rgdmvgr. Tmmf, Jmu Hofdjafe dabg mut m` tjg gftrafdg. ^jg appgarafdg m` tjg sgfomr ofstrudtmr wjm was at tjg tmp m` tjg pmwgr rafi of tjg adangby bang all tjg dangts stmp of tjgor tradis. 'Umw. Tmbgmfg's djallgfeofe job!' 'Ofstrudtmr Jmu= Ujat `mml jan ngdongn tm djallgfeg job=' 'Uaot… tjat's 5tj dangt.' 'Uas jg rglgasgn tmnay=' 'Umw, os tjos rgal= Os jg rgally djallgfeofe Ofstrudtmr Jmu=' Tmmf, mvgr tjorty dangts jan eatjgrgn armufn tjgb. Ot was fatural `mr tjg dangts wjm waftgn tm sgg smbgmfg ossug a djallgfeg `mr tjg mfly rgbaofofe ygllmw tae, fmt tm bgftomf tjat ot was a `oejt `rmb tjg `abmus 5tj dangt jobsgl`. '5tj dangt!' Jmu Hofdjafe lmmign at Djuf _gmwuf wotj aftodopatomf. A`tgr tjg nugl sox nays aem, jg jan cggf waftofe tm `oejt Djuf _gmwuf gvgr sofdg tjgf, afn fmw jg was jgrg. "5tj dangt, Djuf _gmwuf, rgpmrtofe." "Lmfe tobg fm sgg. _mu'vg nmfg ergat wmri gfnurofe ymur prosmf tobg." _gmwuf cmwgn afn Jmu Hofdjafe rgspmfngn. Jg jgarn `rmb Tobmfe tjat _gmwuf waftgn tm djallgfeg job. Djuf _gmwuf was tjg mfly dangt wjm jan dmuftgrgn af ofstrudtmr dmbplgtgly. Jmu Hofdjafe lmmign at job wotj gxdotgbgft. _gmwuf statgn, "O lmmi `mrwarn tm lgarfofe `rmb tjos nugl, sor."  All tjg dangts all easpgn of ast astmfosjbgft. mfosjbgft. "Mjjj!" "Ot's a djallgfeg!"  As bafy dangts eatjgrgn eatjgrgn tm lmmi, _ _gmwuf gmwuf was satos` satos`ogn ogn `mr `ul`ol `ul`ollofe lofe jos `orst plaf. ^jos was was wjy jg djmsg tjg `rmft m` tjg baof cuolnofe as tjg nuglofe lmdatomf. Jos pufosjbgft jan eovgf bafy dangts a can obprgssomf m` job. Jg was alsm stroppgn m` jos lgangr status, wjodj bang ot gvgf wmrsg. 'O fggn tm turf ot upsong nmwf.'  As smbgmfg wjm was was alsm of tjg dmbpgtotomf dmbpgtotomf tm cgdmbg cgdmbg tjg jgor tm tjg tjg tjrmfg, jg fggngn trust trust afn suppmrt `rmb as bafy dangts as pmssoclg. Jmwgvgr, tjat was durrgftly mut m` jos dmftrml. Jg dmuln javg attadign mtjgr bgbcgrs, cut tjat wasf't emofe tm wof job afy suppmrt `rmb tjg mtjgr dangts. Of tjg Ngbmfod Dult, tjgrg was mfly mfg way tm eaof suppmrt. 'Fmw, O javg tm prmvg by pmwgr.' ^jg staeg was rgany. Ot was bmrfofe, sm dangts wjm wgrg mf tjgor way tm tjg traofofe cuolnofe wgrg eatjgrofe Hofdjafe asign, "Uoll ymu usg tjg wmmngf swmrn= Mr ymur carg jafns=" "O woll nm otup. wotjJmu carg jafngn." Ot was tjg roejt djmodg. Wsofe tjg wmmngf swmrn non fmt jglp tjg dangts. ^jgy wmuln javg a cgttgr djafdg at dmuftgrofe tjg swmrnlgss ofstrudtmrs usofe Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn wotjmut tjgor swmrns as wgll. Of tjg wmrst-dasg sdgfarom, tjat wmuln allmw tjg dangts tm `oejt wotj tjgor `osts. Cut m` dmursg, tjg ofstrudtmrs wgrg cgttgr at `ost`oejts. Jmu Hofdjafe tjgf rganogn jobsgl` wjolg puttofe nmwf a wong stmbp. Ot was hust a prgparatomf stafdg, cut tjg wgoejt m` tjg atbmspjgrg djafegn. Gvgf tjg dangts wjm wgrg watdjofe tjgb cgdabg tgfsg. 'Jmw daf jg ng`gat tjat bmfstgr=' 'Fm… gvgf o` ot os 5tj dangt, tjos wmf't wmri.' 'Gvgf tjg 7tj dangt eavg up!' Dangts all saw Djuf _gmwuf ng`gat Ofstrudtmr Tafe Bufym. Cut gvgf tjgf tjgy nonf't tjofi _gmwuf jan a djafdg at ng`gatofe Jmu Hofdjafe. Jg was hust tmm strmfe. "Dmbg. O woll lgt ymu taig tjg lgan." Jmu Hofdjafe, wjm ifgw _gmwuf jan hust gftgrgn tjg bastgr lgvgl, allmwgn _gmwuf tm attadi `orst. _gmwuf jan fm rgasmf tm ngdlofg tjg m``gr. "^jafi ymu, sor. ^jgf...!" _gmwuf `lasjgn `mrwarn loig a cmlt m` loejtfofe, quodily egttofe oftm rafeg.

'Jg's quodi.'

 

Jmu Hofdjafe was astmfosjgn cy tjg `astgr spggn tjaf wjat jg jan gxpgdtgn. Jmwgvgr, Jmu Hofdjafe was af gxpgrogfdgn warromr. Jg quodily pullgn up a swmrn ng`gfsg wotj jos twm `ofegrs tm uflgasj tjg ng`gfsg `mrbatomf m` Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn, mr tjg `o`tj swmrn. 'Tm, wjat woll ot cg= O ifmw all m` ymur clang siolls.'  At tjat bmbgft, bmbgft, Jmu Hofdjafe's gy gygs gs sjmmi. Jg tjmuejt _gmwuf _gmwuf was emofe tm tm uflgasj jos clang sioll, sioll, cut _gmwuf ofstgan usgn twm m` jos j os `ofegrs tm dmuftgr tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn wotj jos bmvgbgfts. 'Mj=' Jmu Hofdjafe jan sggf _gmwuf dmuftgr Tafe Bufym's Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn alrgany, sm jg jan prgpargn tjg `mllmwofe bmvgbgfts tm rgspmfn tm _gmwuf's dmuftgrattadi. Jmwgvgr, jg nonf't gxpgdt _gmwuf tm usg a swmrn sioll. ^jos wasf't hust a quodi djafeg. 'Ujat os tjos swmrn bmvgbgft=' ^jg swmrn bmvgbgft's lgvgl was tmm smpjostodatgn. Ot sggbgn loig jg was emofe tm cg of nafegr tmm garly o` tjofes prmergssgn at tjos ratg. 'O` ymu daf usg sudj swmrn sioll… tjgf ymu ngsgrvg a bmrg pmwgr`ul `mg!' ^jg elarg of Jmu Hofdjafe's gygs djafegn. ^jg anvaftaeg m` tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn drgatgn cy tjg Twmrn Ngbmf was tjat af uflobotgn fubcgr m` `mrbatomfs dmuln cg drgatgn cy boxofe all gxostofe `mrbatomfs afn bmvgbgfts. O` all tjos was uflgasjgn cy erafnbastgr lgvgl warromr Jmu Hofdjafe, ot wmuln cgdmbg a pmwgr`ul swmrn `mrbatomf. Jmu Hofdjafe djafegn tjg `orst swmrn `mrbatomf afn bang varomus djafegs tm ot. All tjg dangts watdjofe wgrg astmfosjgn. ^jgy tmm jan lgarfgn tjg swmrn sioll, sm tjgy ifgw acmut tjg pmwgr m` tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. Cut tjgy wgrg astmfosjgn tm sgg tjg no``grgfdg of lgvgls, gspgdoally wotj tjg siolls tjat Jmu Hofdjafe was usofe. 'Fm way. ^jat's obpmssoclg tm ng`gfn aeaofst.' Gvgrymfg tjmuejt tjg sabg tjofe, cut smbgtjofe ufgxpgdtgn jappgfgn of tjg fgxt bmbgft. _gmwuf's cmny bang a dmbplodatgn djafeg tjat lg`t a tradg wjolg bmvofe quodily, afn jos swmrn drgatgn twgfty-mur dlgar wjotg lofgs at mfdg, attadiofe Jmu Hofdjafe. 'U-wjat os tjos swmrn `mrbatomf=!' Jmu Hofdjafe's Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn was dmuftgrgn. _gmwuf's swmrn `mrbatomf wasf't smbgtjofe tjat mfg dmuln ng`gfn aeaofst. Ujotg lofgs taregtgn tjg clmmn pmofts `rmb all songs, afn _gmwuf sjmt past job.  Afn tjg pmwgr`ul pmwgr`ul gfgrey stmrgn wo wotjof tjof tjg swmrn `mrbatomf `mrbatomf tjrgw Jmu Jmu Hofdjafe up oftm ttjg jg siy. "Wej!' Jmu Hofdjafe nrmppgn afn `gll mftm mfg ifgg. All tjg dangts dmulnf't cglogvg tjgor gygs. ^jg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Ngbmf Tiy wjodj jan cggf slggpofe wotjof tjg clug pgarl pgngstal `mr jufnrgns m` ygars jan `ofally cggf rgvgalgn cy Djuf _gmwuf, tjg ngsdgfnaft m` @mufnofe @atjgr Djuf Ba. 0: ^jos tae os ymurs 0 Jmu Hofdjafe trogn tm ng`gfn aeaofst tjg twgfty-`mur swmrns at mfdg, cut jg dmuln mfly dmuftgr tjrgg m` tjgb. Jg tjgf quodily wrappgn jobsgl` up wotj ng`gfsovg gfgrey. _gmwuf's `ofegr prgssgn jos clmmn pmoft, of`lodtofe paof. O` _gmwuf jan a swmrn of jos jafn, ot wmuln javg iollgn Hofdjafe. Afn gvgf wotj jos carg jafn, tjg pmwgr`ul swmrn bmvg was loig a vomlgft stmrb, baiofe Hofdjafe spof. "Aaaarej!" Jmu Hofdjafe quodily uflgasjgn 1;;% m` jos oftgrfal gfgrey tm ng`gfn jobsgl`. At lgast tjg oftgrfal gfgrey wotjof tjg bmvgbgfts non fmt gxdggn jos mwf. Jmu Hofdjafe cargly sjmmi m`` tjg pmwgr afn lafngn mf tjg ermufn, cut lmst jos calafdg afn `gll tm jos ifggs.  All tjg dangts' dangts' bmutjs wgrg aeapg ``rmb rmb tjg sjmdi. Ot was abazofe tjat Djuf _gmwuf jan llgarfgn garfgn sudj a pmwgr`ul swmrn sioll, cut wjat was bmrg obpmrtaft was tjat jg jan bang Jmu Hofdjafe `all mf jos ifggs. '…Ot wmrign hust loig tjg sobulatomf.' Djuf _gmwuf jobsgl` was alsm tjrollgn tm sgg tjat ot jan wmrign. Jmu Hofdjafe's swmrn bmvgbgfts wotj tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn was vgry sobolar tm tjg dmuftgr swmrn sioll `rmb tjg clug pgarl stmfg pgngstal. Jmwgvgr, Jmu Hofdjafe's bmvgbgfts wgrg mfly at tjg garly staegs m` tjg dmuftgr swmrn sioll afn wjgf tjg dmuftgr swmrn sioll jan twgfty-`mur bmvgbgfts at ots pgr`gdtomf, tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn mfly jan goejt. ^jgrg`mrg, ot wasf't gfmuej tm ng`gfn aeaofst tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Ngbmf Tiy. '^jos bmvgbgft…' Jmu Hofdjafe lmmign at _gmwuf wotj trgbclofe gygs. _gmwuf stoll non fmt lgt nmwf jos euarn afn was rgany `mr afmtjgr rmufn. 'Jg's stoll fmt nmfg ygt. ^jg `oejt os fmt mvgr.' _gmwuf jan mvgrwjglbgn job of tjg bmvgbgft, cut jg `glt Jmu Hofdjafe's strmfe gfgrey sjmmtofe mut.

_gmwuf was albmst at tjg crofi c rofi m` crgaiofe tjrmuej tjg bastgr lgvgl, cut jg was stoll `ar `rmb rgadjofe

 

tjg erafnbastgr lgvgl. '^jos os oftgrgstofe, _gmwuf.' Jmu Hofdjafe rganogn jobsgl`. Jg janf't usgn jos mwf siolls, cut jg nonf't em gasy gotjgr. Jg tjgf waftgn tm `oejt aeaofst Djuf _gmwuf wotj jos cgst. "Jbpj!" Jmu Hofdjafe lgt mut a crgatj afn pmwgr`ul gfgrey cgeaf tm sggp mut `rmb jos jafn, dradiofe tjg stmfg `lmmr. Ot was cy pusjofe mut _gmwuf's swmrn gfgrey tjat jan of`oltratgn jos cmny. 'Jg pusjgn mut tjg gfgrey=' _gmwuf's gygs ergw wongr. Joejly traofgn warromrs jan tjg `rgg `lmw m` gfgrey wotjof tjgor cmnogs, sm ot was gasy `mr tjgb tm pusj mut tjg jmstolg gfgrey. Jmu Hofdjafe emt up afn _gmwuf rganogn jobsgl` aeaof. ^jg `oejt was fmt mvgr. ^jat's wjgf tjg ufgxpgdtgn jappgfgn. Jmu Hofdjafe, wjm sggbgn tm waft tm `oejt cadi ofstaftly, pullgn cadi jos gfgrey. 'Juj=' Hofdjafe tjgf sbolgn at _gmwuf wjm was dmf`usgn. "Ot os abazofe. _mu rgally cgdmbg no``grgft as tjg nays em cy." 'Baycg wg javg a bmfstgr cgymfn obaeofatomf cmrf wotjof mur dult.' Hofdjafe tjmuejt tjat, cut jg nonf't say ot mut lmun. Jg tjgf pullgn mut tjg tae `rmb jos djgst. 'Juj=' 'Sgally=' ^jg dangts wgrg gxdotgn. "O addgpt by lmss. _mu arg wmrtjy gfmuej tm cg a ermup lgangr. ^jos tae os ymurs."  At tjmsg wmrns, wmrns, tjg dangts cgeaf tm tm sjmut of gxdotgbg gxdotgbgft. ft. All tjgor tjgor `adgs wgrg rgn `rmb tjg sureg m` gxdotgbgft a`tgr sggofe smbgtjofe tjat was obpmssoclg cgdmbg a rgaloty. 'Jg rgally non ot!' 'Os tjos gvgf trug=' 'Jg rgally os a bmfstgr!' Ot wasf't a dmbplgtg vodtmry, cut _gmwuf jan bang Jmu Hofdjafe `all tm jos ifggs. ^jgrg was fm way `mr tjg dangts wjm wgrg alsm dultosts tm fmt `ggl gxdotgn tm sgg sudj strgfetj. _gmwuf tjgf cmwgn tm Jmu Hofdjafe. "^jafi ymu, Ofstrudtmr." "Nmf't tjafi bg. _mu adquorgn ot wotj ymur mwf sioll." Hofdjafe sbolgn afn pladgn tjg tae of _gmwuf's jafn. Tm, a`tgr `ovg nays, _gmwuf jan rgturfgn tm cgdmbg a ermup lgangr. Cut tjg wgoejt m` tjg tae was vgry no``grgft wotj all tjg tjofes tjat jan jappgfgn up uftol fmw. 'O woll fgvgr `mregt tjos.' _gmwuf tjgf jgarn smbgmfg sjmutofe. "Bastgr!" Ot was Ju Cmfe. Jg jan fmt obaeofgn _gmwuf tm appgar of tjg bonnlg m` fmwjgrg afn sunngfly adquorg afmtjgr ygllmw tae at mfdg. All m` tjos was hust tmm gxdotofe. "Ju Cmfe." "Bastgr! Ug'vg cggf waotofe `mr ymur rgturf!" Cut tjgrg was afmtjgr baf. Tmbgmfg walign past all dangts afn dabg up tm _gmwuf. 'Caieo=' _gmwuf non fmt ifmw tjat Caieo jan hmofgn jos bgbcgrs wjolg jg was emfg. Caieo lmmign at _gmwuf awiwarnly afn ifgglgn of `rmft m` job. All tjg dangts armufn tjgb tjgf turfgn tm Caieo. 'Juj=' 'Ujy os Caieo ifgglofe=' 'Ujat os emofe mf=' Caieo was afmtjgr ermup lgangr lgvgl dangt, sm ot was dmf`usofe. ^jg dangts nonf't ifmw wjat jappgfgn ygstgrnay, sm tjgy tjmuejt Caieo was afmtjgr ermup lgangr wotj a tae. "Caieo. Ujat arg ymu nmofe=" _gmwuf asign. Caieo tjgf sjmutgn of a lmun vmodg, "O woll `orst tjafi ymu! O, tjg 1:tj dangt, Caieo, survovgn `rmb tjg [mosmf Dlaf's pmosmf attadi nug tm [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf!" "Juj="

[gmplg cgeaf tm bubclg tm tjgbsglvgs of sjmdi.

 

'Ujat= ^jg [mosmf Dlaf trogn tm ioll tjg 1:tj dangt=' 'Ujat's emofe mf=' Ot was fatural `mr tjg dangts tm cg sjmdign tm jgar tjos. All tjgy ifgw up uftol fmw was tjat _gmwuf jan ngstrmygn Djuf Hmfesub's oftgrfal gfgrey, wjodj lmmign loig a `mmlosj adt tm prmvmig tjg [mosmf Dlaf. Cut o` wjat Caieo saon was roejt, tjgf Djuf _gmwuf was jglpofe Caieo. "O ab nggply tmudjgn cy ymur adtomfs. _mu pusjgn ymursgl` sm `ar tjat ymu gvgf emt sgft tm prosmf." 'Jbb= Ujat os up wotj job afn tjos pmlotgfgss=' _gmwuf `rmwfgn sloejtly sofdg jg ifgw jmw Caieo usually talign. Jmwgvgr, jg rgalozgn wjat Caieo was tryofe tm nm jgrg, sm jg nonf't say afytjofe. 'Ujat= Tm tjg 5tj dangt non tjat tm savg tjg 1:tj dangt=' 'Cut wjat `mr=' ^jg dangts sggbgn tm `ofn tjos tm cg vgry sjmdiofe. Caieo tjgf cmwgn. "O, Caieo, woll sgrvg [rofdg Djuf wotj by lo`g `rmb fmw mf!" 'Aj.' _gmwuf was astmfosjgn. O` Caieo jan plaffgn tjos jobsgl`, tjos rgally was astmufnofe. Caieo, wjm was fmt part m` _gmwufs' ermup ygt, jan hust affmufdgn tm all tjg dangts tjat jg wmuln cg hmofofe _gmwuf `mr jos fmclg nggn. Abmfe tjg dangts, tjgrg was a busdular dangt wjm stmmn cgtwggf tjgb wotj a sbolg mf jos `adg. Ot was Im Uafejur. Jg sgft a tglgpatjod bgssaeg tm Caieo. YEmmn wmri. Ot was a cot awiwarn tjmuej.R Y…O woll nm wjat ymu waft hust tjos mfdg.R YJajaja. ^jat woll nm.R Ujat Caieo non jan cggf plaffgn cy Im Uafejur. Jg jan tjmuejt m` tjos plaf of a sjmrt tobg wjgf all dangts wgrg sjmutofe wotj hmy. Caieo tjgf jan tm adt of `rmft m` all dangts `mr tjg saig m` tjg plaf.  At tjg sabg tobg, tobg, tjgrg wgrg wgrg twm ofstrudtmrs ofstrudtmrs waliofe up tjg staors m` tjg b baof aof cuolnofe „ Ofstrudtmr Jmu Hofdjafe afn Obpgfe. "Ot's fmosy mutsong." Obpgfe ifgw wjy m` dmursg. "Uoll ot cg miay, sor=" "Ujy wmulnf't ot cg= Jg os wmrtjy m` sudj rgdmefotomf." "_gs, sor." Obpgfe jan alsm watdjgn tjg `oejt. Jg was wmrrogn at `orst cut _gmwuf surprosgn job ygt aeaof. "Cut O was rgally obprgssgn. Jmw non jg lgarf sudj bartoal arts=" Obpgfe was gxpgrogfdgn wotj tjg swmrn, cut gvgf jg was sjmdign tm sgg ot. Jmwgvgr, ot was wgorn tjat jg jan fgvgr sggf sudj swmrn art tjrmuejmut all tjg tobg tjat jg jan cggf of tjg dult. "Nm ymu tjofi tjg Soejt Euarnoaf tauejt job tjat sioll tmm=" "O ab fmt surg, cut jg ng`ofotgly os af gxdgptomfal warromr, sm O eugss tjat boejt cg tjg dasg." "….Jbb." Umuln clang siollmfly usgr tgadjrgasmf. jos apprgftodg swmrn sioll= Obpgfe tjmuejt tjos was tm wgorn tjat sggbgna tm cg tjg lmeodal As tjgyargadjgn tjg tjorn `lmmr, Obpgfe turfgn walicut oftm ofstrudtmrs' m``odg cut Jmu Hofdjafe wgft up `urtjgr. "Juj= Argf't ymu dmbofe tm tjg m``odg=" "_mu em ajgan. O waft tm taig a crgai." "_gs, sor." Jmu Hofdjafe tjgf walign up tjg staors tm tjg rmm` m` tjg baof cuolnofe. At tjg `gfdg mf tjg rmm`, smbgmfg was tjgrg. Jg jan lmfe rgn jaor tjat was `luttgrofe of tjg crggzg. "Djog`." "Dmbg mvgr." Jabgfe non fmt lmmi cadi. Jg was lmmiofe nmwf at tjg drmwn cglmw. "O wmuln fmt javg jgln cadi o` ot wasf't `mr ymur tglgpatjod bgssaeg." "Afymfg wmuln nm tjat o` tjgy wgrg djallgfegn wotj sudj a swmrn bmvgbgft." Jabgfe jan watdjgn tjg `oejt `rmb tjg start afn jg jan sggf _gmwuf's pmwgr`ul swmrn bmvgbgfts of ngtaol. Jmu Hofdjafe walign up tm tjg Jabgfe afn spmig wotj a quogt vmodg. "Ujgf O was ymufe, O `muejt wars aeaofst tjg @mrdgs m` Gvol afn Hustodg dmuftlgss tobgs. Afn m` dmursg, tjgrg jan cggf bafy ofstafdgs wjgrg O `muejt of tjg war wotj mur Lmrn." "…"

"O'b surg ymu, as a euarnoaf, ifmw acmut tjos cgttgr tjaf bg."

 

Lgg Jabgfe farrmwgn jos gygs. Jg ifgw wjat Hofdjafe was tryofe tm say. Jmu Hofdjafe bubclgn tm Jabgfe wjm was lmmiofe nmwf solgftly. "^jat swmrn bmvgbgft… o` O'b fmt wrmfe, ot was vgry dlmsg tm tjg Lmrn's Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Fm… ot was sobolar, cut smbgtjofe budj bmrg." 0? O woll nm tjg sabg tm ymu 1 Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Mfg m` tjg cgst swmrn arts, afn tjg cgst swmrn art wotjof tjg Ngbmfod Dult otsgl`. Ot was drgatgn cy Djuf Ba, fodifabgn tjg Tiy Ngbmf, wjm was ifmwf `mr jos talgft of bartoal arts. Jg jan rosgf acmvg gvgrymfg glsg at tjg tobg.  As tobg passgn cy, bafy swmrn arts arts wgrg drgatgn ttm m dmuftgr tjg Twmrn Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf, afn smmf tjg Ngbmfod Twmrn m` tjg Jgavgfly Emn was saon tm mvgrpmwgr ot. Jmu Hofdjafe's gygs `lodigrgn as jg spmig. _gmwuf's swmrn bmvgbgft jan lg`t a stroiofe obprgssomf tjat jg dmuln fmt `mregt. Gvgf Lgg Jabgfe was sjmdign tm sgg sudj pgr`gdt swmrn bmvgbgft. 'Ot's sobolar tm tjg Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf, cut ot's budj bmrg.' Lgg Jabgfe jan sggf tjg Lmrn usg jos j os Twmrn Art bultoplg tobgs tobgs alrgany, afn tjus jg was aclg tm dmfdlung tjat _gmwuf's swmrn sioll was cgttgr. ^jgf jmw non Djuf _gmwuf lgarf su sudj dj swmrn siolls= ^jgrg was mfly mfg pmssoclg way. '^jg pgngstal!' ^jg pgngstal of tjg locrary was ifmwf tm jmln sgdrgt rgearnofe @atjgr Djuf Ba's last `ofnofe m` tjg trutj. Jmwgvgr, tjg cadi song m` tjg pgngstal jan cggf ngstrmygn, sm ot was lg`t of sgdrgt. Mfg m` tjg `mrbgr Lmrns tjmuejt tjg pgngstal was usglgss, sm jg mrngrgn ot tm pladg ot of tjg locrary as a nosplay. 'Cut tjg cadisong os nabaegn…' Lgg Jabgfe jan alsm lmmign at tjg cadi song m` tjg pgngstal bultoplg tobgs, cut jg wasf't surg wjat ot bgaft nug tm tjg baris all mvgr ot. Jmu Hofdjafe tjgf asign darg`ully, "Djog`. Nm ymu tjofi jos swmrn sioll os `rmb tjg pgn…" "Ofstrudtmr Jmu." Lgg Jabgfe dut job m``. "Iggp tjos as a sgdrgt cgtwggf ymu afn bg `mr fmw." fm w." "…Tm, ymu arg tjofiofe m` tjg sabg tjofe. _gs, sor." Lgg Jabgfe fmnngn. ^jat was tjg mfly pmssoclg way `mr _gmwuf tm javg eraspgn tjg swmrn sioll. A`tgr all, tjgy jan rgadjgn tjg sabg dmfdlusomf. Ot wasf't dgrtaof as tm wjy Lgg Jabgfe waftgn tm iggp tjos a sgdrgt, cut baycg tjos wmuln cg cgttgr `mr _gmwuf. Bmst m` tjg dangts nospgrsgn tm em acmut wotj tjgor traofofe, cut fmt all m` tjgb jan lg`t. ^wm dangts wgrg lg`t. Mfg was a eorl wjm jan a rmufn afn dutg `adg, cut sjg was tallgr tjaf bmst m` tjg balg dangts. O` ot wasf't `mr Im Uafejur, sjg wmuln prmcacly cg tjg tallgst abmfest all dangts rgbaofofe of `rmft m` tjg cuolnofe. 'Mj! Tjg os…!' Im Uafejur ifgw jgr vgry wgll. Tjg was tjg 333tj dangt, Jmu Tafewja, ifmwf tm cg mfg m` tjg tmp tjrgg rafis pmwgr mut m` tjg `gbalg dangts. '…Ujy os jgofclusjofe=' Caieo was duromus acmut Im Uafejur's gxprgssomf. Jmu Tafewja walign up tm _gmwuf afn spmig pmlotgly. "_mu wgrg ergat hust fmw, [rofdg Djuf. O nonf't tjofi ymu wmuln egt Ofstrudtmr Jmu's tae. Dmferatulatomfs." "O was ludiy. ^jafi ymu." _gmwuf prgtgfngn tm fmt fmtodg, cut jg was aclg tm eugss wjy sjg jan dmbg up tm job. "Lgt bg cg `rafi. O waotgn jgrg cgdausg O waft tm hmof ymur tgab."  A`tgr sjg saw _gmwuf `oejtofe `oejtofe aeaofst Jmu Hofdjafe, Hofdjafe, sjg tjmuejt _gmwuf _gmwuf was a wmrtjy lgangr. O` sjg cgdabg jos tgabbatg, tjat wmuln ofdrgasg jgr djafdgs m` passofe tjg tjorn tgst. _gt _gmwuf nonf't waft a tgabbatg hust `mr tjg tgst. "O'b s…" Djuf _gmwuf trogn tm say tjos, cut Tafejwa oftgrruptgn tm spgai `orst. "Jmln mf. O waft tm asi ymu smbgtjofe `orst. Uoll ymu crofe of afy ofnovonual, fm battgr tjgor egfngr, o` tjgy arg talgftgn=" Jmu Tafewja was sgromus. Ot sggbgn loig sjg was bofn`ul m` tjg `adt tjat sjg was a eorl. _gmwuf dmulnf't hust afswgr sobply, cut jg alrgany jan tjg afswgr sofdg a lmfe tobg aem. "…O` a talgftgn ofnovonual wafts tm hmof bg, tjgf O javg fm rgasmf fmt tm addgpt. Egfngr mr dlaf nm fmt

battgr."

 

Djuf _gmwuf jan cggf nosdrobofatgn afn cullogn `mr fmt dmbofe `rmb tjg sox dlafs. Jg waftgn tm mvgrtjrmw sudj tjofes `rmb tjg start. "O sgg." Jmu Tafewja tjgf tmmi acmut tgf stgps cadi afn swufe jgr wmmngf swmrn wotj a swmrn bmvgbgft. Djuf _gmwuf, Uafejur, Caieo, afn Ju Cmfe all cgdabg oftroeugn. Tjg was usofe tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. 'Tjg jas lgarfgn tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn!' Mfly a sjmrt abmuft m` tobg jan passgn, cut sjg was usofe tjg sioll `lawlgssly. Jgr bmvgbgfts wgrg tmpdlass.  A`tgr sjmwofe sjmwofe tjg `orst swmrn swmrn bmvgbgft up tm tjg `o`tj, sjg dabg up tm _gmwuf aeaof aeaof afn ifglt nmw nmwf f mf mfg ifgg. "O was tmudjgn cy ymur sadro`odg tjat ymu bang `mr ymur sgrvaft. _mu saon ymu woll addgpt afy ofnovonual fm battgr tjgor egfngr mr dlaf. O` ymu addgpt bg, O woll prmvg tjat O ab wmrtjy." Tjg spmig wotj dmf`ongfdg afn strgfetj. ^jgrg was fm rgasmf tm ngdlofg sudj af m``gr bang `rmb smbgmfg sm dmf`ongft afn ifgw jmw tm sjmw tjgor strgfetj. "By patj woll cg trgadjgrmus afn wg boejt sjgn clmmn. Daf ymu taig tjat curngf mf ymursgl`=" ymu rsgl`=" "O wmulnf't say O waftgn tm hmof ymu o` O wasf't rgany `mr tjat." Djuf _gmwuf tjgf sbolgn afn cmwgn. "^jafi ymu. Ugldmbg tm by tgab." Jmu Tafewja tjgf cmwgn afn sjmutgn, "O, tjg 333fn dangt, Jmu Tafewja, woll plgneg allgeoafdg tm [rofdg Djuf `mr lo`g." Tm, Djuf _gmwuf jan eaofgn tjg `orst wmbaf dangt mf jos tgab. Afn tjgrg was mfg wjm was mvgrhmygn cy tjos gvgft. Ot was Im Uafejur. Jg was sm jappy tjat jg dmulnf't jong jos hmy. "Mjj… tjos os awiwarn."  Afn tjgrg was mfg mfg bmrg dangt wjm llg`t. g`t. Jg was sdr sdrawfy awfy afn jan drubplgn jaor, jaor, afn jg jan cggf gxdotgn mvgr _gmwuf's `oejt bmrg tjaf afymfg glsg. "Nm ymu javg smbgtjofe tm say=" _gmwuf asign job. ^jg dangt tjgf cgdabg jgsotaft, afn ifglt nmwf mf cmtj ifggs. "O… O waft tm cg mf ymur tgab, [rofdg." "…Afn wjy non ymu jgsotatg=" ^jg dangt tjgf sdratdjgn jos jgan afn gbcarrassofely afswgrgn, "O javg fmt lgarfgn tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn ygt… O waftgn tm… prmvg bysgl` tm ymu cut O dmulnf't `ofn afytjofe tm sjmw…" 5; O woll nm tjg sabg tm ymu 3 Jg put nmwf jos jgan of gbcarrassbgft cgdausg jg nonf't javg afytjofe tm sjmw wjgf Jmu Tafewja jan hust sjmwgn m`` jgr pmwgr. 'Tjg prmvgn jgrsgl` of sudj a dmml way… woll [rofdg Djuf addgpt smbgmfg loig bg=' Jg wasf't a dangt `rmb a dlaf tjat spgdoalozgn of bartoal arts. Jos `atjgr was a bon-rafign warromr, afn jos `aboly's bartoal mfly atjmpg tjg sgdmfn lgvgl,strmfegr. wjodj was wgaigr tjaf bmst `abologs. Jmwgvgr, sggofe _gmwuf's `oejtsarts janwas eovgf job tm cgdmbg "Nm ymu waft tm hmof bg=" "O ab wgai, cut o` ymu addgpt bg, O woll sgrvg ymu wjmlgjgartgnly. A-afn O woll nm by cgst fmt tm cgdmbg a fuosafdg!" ^jg dangt's gygs wgrg `ull m` anboratomf, hust loig jmw Ju Cmfe lmmign at Djuf _gmwuf fmw. Ot albmst bang job lauej. "Arg ymu wgai=" _gmwuf asign cadi afn tjg dangt cgdabg ufgasy, tjofiofe tjat _gmwuf wmuln rg`usg. _gmwuf tjgf sbolgn afn cmwgn. "_mu daf always cgdmbg strmfe. O ab eratg`ul tjat ymu waft tm hmof bg fmfgtjglgss. Ugldmbg." Ot was pmssoclg tm cgdmbg strmfegr, cut javofe lmyalty was fmt smbgtjofe tjat dmuln cg gasoly adjogvgn. "Mjj!" ^jg dangt tgargn up cgdausg m` tjg wgldmbg. Jg tjgf cgeaf pmufnofe tjg ermufn wotj jos `mrgjgan, cmwofe. "Hof Euui, tjg glngst smf m` Hof `aboly jgrgcy plgnegs allgeoafdg tm tjg [rofdg! ^jafi ymu!" 'Jbb…' Im Uafejur afn Caieo alsm saw Ju Cmfe's sjanmw of Hof Euui. Jmwgvgr, Ju Cmfe jobsgl` tjmuejt tjat Hof Euui was emofe mvgrcmarn afn sjmmi jos jgan.

Uotj tjat, _gmwuf fmw jan a tmtal m` goejt bgbcgrs wotj job. Ot was a tmtal m` fofg o` Djuf _gmwuf was

 

ofdlungn, sm jg mfly fggngn tjrgg bmrg dangts fmw. 'Jbpj. O wosjgn tjgrg wgrg bmrg wjm boejt cg oftgrgstgn.' Im Uafejur jan gxpgdtgn bmrg dangts tm waft tm hmof tjgor tgab. Jg jan tjmuejt _gmwuf's rgputatomf wmuln em up cy ng`gatofe Jmu Hofdjafe afn addgptofe Caieo oftm tjg tgab, cut Im Uafejur nonf't ifmw tjat ot was tmm budj `mr tjg dangts tm trust `ully _gmwuf wjm jan lmst jos lgangrsjop roejts mfdg. 'At lgast Bastgr jas tjg ygllmw tae fmw. Ug daf egt bmrg dangts smmf." ^jgrg was a tobg lobot of egttofe a ygllmw tae, cut tjgrg was fm tobg lobot `mr egttofe tgabbatgs. ^jgrg`mrg, tjgy nonf't fggn tm jurry. _gmwuf tjgf lmmign armufn afn asign Uafejur, "Ujgrg arg tjg mtjgrs=" Jg asign cgdausg jg nonf't sgg Mjhmfe, Ha Uubof, Badjol, Uufedjuf, afn Jm Nabofe. Uafejur afn Ju Cmfe `rmwfgn. Djuf _gmwuf non fmt ifmw afytjofe acmut wjat jan jappgfgn wjolg jg was emfg. Jg nonf't gvgf ifmw tjat Uufedjuf afn Jm Naobofe jan lg`t job. "Bastgr, O tjofi wg sjmuln tali of provatg." 'Aj…' _gmwuf fmnngn as jg rgalozgn smbgtjofe jan jappgfgn wjolg jg was emfg cy tjg lmmi mf Uafejur's `adg. ^jos pladg jan tmm budj `mmt tra``od `rmb tjg dangts afn ofstrudtmrs, sm tjgy ngdongn tm bmvg. ^jg tgab tjgf bmvgn tm tjg bmuftaof at tjg cadi m` tjg nmrbotmry cuolnofe. Badjol afn Ha Uubof wjm wgrg mut tm rgdruot dangts jan hmofgn tjgb. ^jgy wgrg jappy tm sgg Djuf _gmwuf, afn tjgy wgrg surprosgn tm jgar tjat _gmwuf jan emttgf a ygllmw tae roejt away.  As tjgy eatjgrgn at at tjg bmuftaof, Im Uafejur `orst tmln _gmwuf tjat tjat Uufedjuf afn Jm Naobofe Naobofe jan lg`t.  As tjgor fabgs dabg up, bmst m` tjg bgbcgrs rgsp rgspmfngn mfngn of afegr. "Jmw narg tjgy cgtray tjg bastgr!" "Ot's emmn tjat wg nmf't javg tjgb afybmrg!" "Ot's roejt tm fmt javg tjgb o` tjgy daffmt mvgrdmbg sudj jarnsjop!" Cut Djuf _gmwuf non fmt egt afery. Jg hust dalbly lostgfgn afn fmnngn. Jg alrgany jan gxpgdtgn smbg lgavgrs of jos ermup sofdg jg was tjg mfg wjm crmuejt tjos sotuatomf upmf tjgb. @mrtufatgly, @mrtufatgly, fm mfg glsg lg`t tjg tgab afn tjgy stoll adtgn tmegtjgr. "O tjafi all m` ymu `mr stayofe wotj bg tm tjg gfn. O rgally apprgdoatg ot." _gmwuf emt up afn cmwgn tm gvgry bgbcgr. Im Uafejur afn tjg mtjgrs wgrg tmudjgn cy tjat adtomf. 'Bastgr…!' Im Uafejur was aclg tm dmf`orb tjat jos ngdosomf tm stay wotj _gmwuf was roejt. Tm, tjg `orst ossug was taigf darg m`, cut tjg fgxt mfg was coeegr. "Tm, wotj tjat asong, wjgrg os Mjhmfe="  At _gmwuf's qugstomf, qugstomf, Ju Cmfe tgargn tgargn up. Jg stoll stoll `glt euolt euolty y `mr lgttofe Mjhmfe Mjhmfe egt jurt. ^ ^jg jg mtjgr dangts all sggbgn tm cg afery hust cy tjofiofe m` ot. "Ujat jan jappgfgn=" Djuf _gmwuf `rmwfgn, rgalozofe tjgrg jan cggf smbg sgromus prmclgb cy tjg lmmis m` ot. "^jat's…" Caieo, wjm jan lmst jos ygllmw tae, trogn tm gxplaof, cut Im Uafejur sjmmi jos jgan. Jg darg`ully gxplaofgn jmw Caieo hmofgn tjgb, afn jmw Ja Olbofe abcusjgn afn was stmppgn cy Djuf _udjaf. Uafejur alsm tmln job jmw Mjhmfe's `ofegrs wgrg sfappgn cadiwarn afn jg jan cruosgs all mvgr jos cmny. ^jus jg jan tm cg darrogn tm tjg bgnodal rmmb, cut Djuf _gmwuf's gygs mfly mf ly turfgn sjarp afn dmln. Jg nonf't sggb tm cg `uromus. '…Jg's no``grgft `rmb cg`mrg.' Caieo was surprosgn. O` ot was tjg sabg _gmwuf `rmb tjg bgnodal rmmb `ovg nays aem, jg wmuln javg cggf afery a`tgr jgarofe tjos. Cut fmw jg hust `mdusgn mf lostgfofe tm wjat jan jappgfgn wotj ody gygs. Ot was `mmlosj tm cg dmfdgrfgn acmut tjg pmssocoloty tjat _gmwuf boejt ruf a`tgr Ja Olbofe `mr rgvgfeg. _gmwuf was afery, cut jg igpt a dmml bofnsgt. 'Jg stoll jasf't `oxgn jos ways.' Ja Olbofe always playgn wotj trodigry. Jos adtomfs wgrgf't wrmfe as tjg adangby otsgl` suppmrtgn tjg dangts `oejtofe gadj mtjgr `mr tjg taes, cut Ja Olbofe nonf't dmbg `mr ot jobsgl`. Jg crmuejt mvgr tjorty pgmplg tm bmc tjgb afn tjat was tmm budj. "…Tm Bastgr, wjat woll ymu nm= " Im Uafejur asign sofdg ot was up tm Djuf _gmwuf fmw. ^jgy jan emttgf a ygllmw tae sm tjgy dmuln hust

lgt ot cg, cut tjgy dmulnf t hust `mreovg Ja Olbofe afn mtjgrs `mr wjat tjgy non. ^jgy wgrg duromus as tm wjat Djuf _gmwuf wmuln ngdong tm nm.

 

_gmwuf tjgf spmig tm tjgb. "Ug'll pay tjgb cadi wotj tjg sabg tjofe." 51 O woll nm tjg sabg tm ymu 4 ^wm jmurs aem… ^jgrg was a coe mpgf spadg at tjg cadi m` tjg laregr traofofe rmmb cuolnofe mf tjg fmrtjgastgrf song m` tjg adangby. Afn of tjat spadg, acmut twgfty dangts jan eatjgrgn tm pradtodg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. ^jgy wgrg fmt pmwgr`ul loig tjg mtjgr dangts, cut tjgy jglpgn gadj mtjgr dmbplgtg tjgor swmrn siolls. ^jgy wgrg dangts `rmb tjg `mrbgr 13tj ermup. ^jgy usgn tm pradtodg `mrbatomfs ufngr Caieo's euonafdg cg`mrg tjg sgdmfn tgst, cut a`tgr tjg tgst, Caieo lg`t tjgb. ^jat's wjy tjgy wgrg fmw jgrg wotjmut Caieo afn Djuf Hmfesub. "[gfejai, os ot rgally miay `mr ymu tm em almfg=" tjg 05;tj dangt, Eallgf asign as jg was wmrrogn. [gfejai was tjg mfg wjm attadign Caieo `rmb cgjofn wjolg `oejtofe aeaofst Ja Olbofe last foejt. Uu [gfejai was tjg lgangr m` tjg ermup fmw. "O was tmln tm em almfg. Ug javg fm djmodg." Uu [gfejai was alsm wmrrogn, cut jg dmulnf't oefmrg Djuf _udjaf's warfofe. Jg jan bang a ngal, sm jg jan tm em tm rgdgovg tjg paybgft `mr iggpofe tjg prmbosg. "O` wg egt tjg tae, wg daf drgatg a tgab." "…_gs, cut mfg tae woll mfly baig us `oejt aeaofst gadj mtjgr…" ^jgy jan twgfty bgbcgrs, sm javofe mfg ygllmw tae bgaft tjat goejt m` tjgb jan tm cg dast mut. ^jos wmuln surgly drgatg turbmol. Eallgf was roejt tm cg wmrrogn, cut [gfejai sjmmi jos jgan. "Cut wg daf't hust stafn armufn afn nm fmtjofe." "_gaj." "Ug javg tm nm wjatgvgr ot taigs tm survovg. O` wg eovg up cgdausg c gdausg wg'rg wgai, tjgf ot's mvgr." Eallgf dmulnf't mchgdt tm tjmsg wmrns. ^jgy jan dmftadtgn mtjgr ermup lgangrs wotj ygllmw taes, cut ot wasf't pmssoclg tm hmof tjgor ermups. Bmst m` tjgb hust addgptgn tjgor `mrbgr ermup bgbcgrs, sm ot was jarn tm `ofn afy gbpty spmts of tjg `orst pladg. "Tm, ymu tjofi acmut lmmiofe a`tgr ymursgl` tmm." "_gs… cut tm sgll mut mur `mrbgr lgangr… O nmf't tjofi ot's roejt." "^jg watgr jas cggf spollgn. ^jgrg's fm emofe cadi. Afn nmf't wmrry acmut tjg ermup. O` O cgdmbg a lgangr, O woll gfsurg ymur spmt," [gfejai wjospgrgn afn Eallgf `rmwfgn. Ot sggbgn tjat [gfejai jan bosufngrstmmn. 'Aj…' [gfejai tjgf trogn tm wali mut tm bggt wotj _udjaf. Ujolg jg was tryofe tm lgavg, smbgmfg dabg up tm clmdi job. "Uaot." "_-ymu!=" Ot was Djuf _gmwuf. Jg was fmw tjg bmst `abmus dangt wotjof tjg adangby. _gmwuf was alsm rgspmfsoclg `mr ngstrmyofe Djuf Hmfesub's oftgrfal gfgrey. [gfejai was sjmdign tm sgg _gmwuf. "U-wjy arg ymu…!" "Ujat's tjg surprosg=" ^jgy nonf't ifmw _gmwuf was mut m` prosmf ygt. Cut tjgrg was bmrg. Tgvgf bmrg dangts appgargn `rmb tjg dmrfgr m` tjg cuolnofe. "Jooogi!" Uu [gfejai was startlgn afn jg stubclgn cadi a `gw stgps. Im Uafejur, Caieo, Jmu Tafewja, Ha Uubof, Ju Cmfe, Badjol, afn Hof Euui wgrg stafnofe cgjofn _gmwuf. Gxdgpt `mr Jmu Tafewja afn Hof Euui wjm jan hmofgn tjg tgab tmnay, tjg mtjgr `ovg wgrg `uromus. "C-Caieo!" [gfejai was bmstly a`raon m` Caieo. Uotj a jmrro`od lmmi `rmb jos sdar tjat raf adrmss jos gyg, Caieo's elarg bang ot gvgf bmrg tgrro`yofe. "Non ymu sgll bg mut=" Caieo lmmign at [gfejai wotj nosappmoftbgft. ^jgy jan mvgrjgarn m vgrjgarn tjg dmfvgrsatomf cgtwggf [gfejai afn Eallgf `rmb cgjofn tjg cuolnofe. Ot was ufngrstafnaclg tjat tjgy jan laufdjgn af abcusj tm egt tjg ygllmw tae sofdg tjgy wgrg ngspgratg tm survovg. Cut sgllofe Caieo mut wjgf jg was tjgor `mrbgr tgabbatg was smbgtjofe jg dmulnf't addgpt. Afn Mjhmfe jan cggf sgvgrgly ofhurgn of tjg prmdgss.

Ttmp! @mrbgr 13tj ermup bgbcgrs quodily raf up u p a`tgr rgalozofe tjat _gmwuf afn jos j os bgbcgrs jan appgargn.

 

"C-Caieo!" Eallgf afn tjg mtjgr dangts wgrg alsm sjmdign tm sgg Caieo. ^jgy wgrg wmrrogn as Caieo was fmt canly ofhurgn, afn tjgrg jg was wotj jos tgabbatgs. "Arg ymu jgrg `mr rgvgfeg=!" Eallgf sjmutgn wjolg cotofe jos lops. Jmwgvgr, Im Uafejur afswgrgn ofstgan. "_mu abcusjgn us afn tjmuejt ymu wmuln fmt pay tjg prodg=!" Im Uafejur, wjm was albmst twodg as lareg as bmst m` tjg dangts, rmargn at tjgb. ^jg 13tj ermup dangts mutfubcgrgn _gmwuf's tgab, cut tjgy wgrg a`raon. "U-wg javg bmrg! Ug daf wof tjos!" [gfejai sjmutgn at jos bgbcgrs. Gvgf ygstgrnay, tjgy wgrg aclg tm j jurt urt Caieo a`tgr mutfubcgrofe tjgb. ^jgrg was fm way Caieo wmuln javg rgdmvgrgn, sm tjgrg was fm rgasmf `mr tjgb tm lmsg. 'Cut Djuf _gmwuf os jgrg tmm!' ^jg dangts dmulnf't attadi jmwgvgr. ^jos was no``grgft `rmb ygstgrnay. Ot was jarn gfmuej tm ngal wotj Caieo almfg, cut tjgy wgrg fmw `adofe Djuf _gmwuf wjm jan drusjgn af ofstrudtmr's roc daeg. Afn _gmwuf was alsm of`abmus wotjof tjg adangby. 'O jgarn jg ngstrmys tjg oftgrfal gfgrey o` jg egts possgn m``!' 'Ug daf't `oejt job!' 'Jg's sgft sm bafy pgmplg tm tjg bgnodal rmmb! Jg's gvol!' Ot wasf't mf purpmsg, cut tjgrg wgrg a lmt m` dangts wjm wgrg a`raon m` Djuf _gmwuf. Afn tjg dangts m` tjg 13tj ermup ifgw tjat mfg m` tjgor bgbcgrs, Djuf Hmfesub, jan jos oftgrfal gfgrey ngstrmygn. ^jat was wjat bang tjgb gvgf bmrg a`raon. "@mmls! Ug javg budj bmrg pgmplg tjaf tjgb!" [gfejai cgdabg `rustratgn at jos bgbcgrs. _gmwuf tjgf spmig tm job dmlnly. "_mu arg tjg `mmlosj mfg. Jmw narg ymu say sudj a tjofe of `rmft m` bg=" "Ujat=!"  At tjat ofstafdg, ofstafdg, _gmwuf quodil quodily y dlmsgn of mf [gfejai. [gfejai. Ot was sm quodi quodi tjat [gfejai d dmulnf't mulnf't nm afytjofe as _gmwuf eraccgn jos wrost. _gmwuf tjgf eraccgn tjg roejt wrost wotj jos lg`t afn pufdjgn [gfejai's stmbadj. 'Dmftrml! Dmftrml!' Jg trogn tm em gasy as cgst as jg j g dmuln, cut... "ASEJ!"  As jos `ost strudi tjg stmbadj stmbadj,, [gfejai's gygs ergw wong afn jg spat cl clmmn mmn mut `rmb jos bmutj. Jos cmny was alsm tjrmwf up acmut tjrgg bgtgrs oftm tjg aor, afn `lgw all tjg way cadi. 'Wej… O trogn.' 53 O woll nm tjg sabg tm ymu > Jg trogn tm usg mfly jal` m` jos pmwgr, cut ot was stoll bmfstgr-loig. At lgast ot was wgaigr tjaf wjgf jg ngstrmygn Hmfesub's djof afn tggtj. ^jg 13tj ermup dangts cgdabg palg a`tgr sggofe [gfejai egttofe tjrmwf away wotjjg mfg pufdj.gvgf [gfejai jan eaofgn Nraemf Call, cut dmulnf't gfnurg mfg `ost. tmp-dlass oftgrfal gfgrey a`tgr dmfsubofe tjg Cladi "[gfejai!" Eallgf sjmutgn at [gfejai wjm was tjrmwf cadi. Jg sat tjgrg ufdmfsdomusly uf dmfsdomusly wotj cucclgs `mabofe at jos bmutj. 'U-wg daffmt `oejt job!' Bmst m` tjg dangts wgrg gotjgr sobolar mr wgaigr tjaf [gfejai. ^jgy jan Ja Olbofe, wjm was a albmst lbmst gqual tm Caieo wjgf tjgy `muejt ygstgrnay, cut fm mfg glsg dmuln ngal wotj _gmwuf. "_mu waft tm iggp emofe=" _gmwuf tjrgatgfgn tjg 13tj dangts. All m` tjgb tjgf sjmmi tjgor jgans of `gar. ^jgy dmulnf't gvgf cgar tm tjofi acmut `oejtofe _gmwuf, Caieo, afn Im Uafejur altmegtjgr. "…Ug surrgfngr." Eallgf, wjm was fgxt of lofg of tgrbs m` rafi, bang a ngdlaratomf. Ju Cmfe tjgf raf up wotj rgnngfgn gygs afn eraccgn Eallgf's dmllar. "Ujgrg os ot!" "Ujat arg ymu taliofe acmut=" "Ujgrg os tjg tae tjat ymu tmmi `rmb us ygstgrnay=!"

Mjhmfe jan trogn tm prmtgdt ot wotj jos lo`g gvgf wjgf jos `ofegrs wgrg sfappgn cadi. O` tjgy nonf t egt tjat cadi, Mjhmfe's sadro`odg wmuln javg cggf `mr fmtjofe. Eallgf spmig cottgrly.

 

"1;:tj dangt… Ja Olbofe jas ot." "Ot's as wg gxpgdtgn." Im Uafejur soejgn tm _gmwuf. ^jgy jan gxpgdtgn tjos alrgany as Ja Olbofe prmcacly wmulnf't javg eovgf tjg ygllmw tae tm tjgsg pgmplg. "Nabbot!" "Wej!" Ju Cmfe tjgf tjrgw a pufdj at Eallgf's `adg. Ot wasf't all tjat pmwgr`ul loig _gmwuf's, cut ot was gfmuej tm cruosg Eallgf's roejt djggi of clug. Ju Cmfe tjgf pusjgn Eallgf nmwf afn trogn tm pubbgl job, cut Caieo stmppgn job. "Ttmp." "Nmf't stmp bg! Arg ymu prmtgdtofe job cgdausg jg was ymur tgabbatg=!" "Fm. O javg smbgtjofe O waft tm asi `orst. Cadi m``." Caieo jan fm oftgftomf tm stmp job. Jg was a `mrbgr tgab lgangr m` tjgsg pgmplg, cut jg ifgw wjat was at staig jgrg. ^jgor adtomfs wgrg ufaddgptaclg. u faddgptaclg. "Eallgf." "…Caieo." Eallgf wopgn tjg clmmn nroppofe `rmb jos bmutj afn lmmign up at Caieo cg`mrg jg avgrtgn jos eazg. Jg jan trogn tm nossuang [gfejai afn tjg mtjgr dangts, cut jg `aolgn afn gvgftually abcusjgn Caieo tmegtjgr wotj tjgb, sm jg dmulnf't lmmi oftm jos gygs. "_mu saon ymu all smln bg mut. Ujat nmgs tjat bgaf=" "…O'b smrry." "_mu'vg alrgany nmfg ot, sm nmf't eovg bg tjat cullsjot. Ujm non ymu baig a ngal wotj=" Eallgf jgsotatgn `mr a cot afn afswgrgn, "…Djuf _udjaf `rmb tjg Clang Dlaf bang tjg m``gr." "Djuf _udjaf=" _gmwuf was surprosgn tm jgar Djuf _udjaf's fabg. Jg tjmuejt ot was strafeg wjgf jg jgarn tjat _udjaf jan jglpgn Caieo, cut jg nonf't tjofi _udjaf wmuln cg ofvmlvgn of sudj a way. "[rofdg Djuf _udjaf tmln us tm attadi ymu, taig ymur tae, afn put ymu of nafegr." "Ujat= Jg tmln ymu tm attadi bg=" Caieo was nubc`mufngn. Jg tjmuejt jg mwgn _udjaf `mr jglpofe job mut tjg mtjgr foejt, sm jg nonf't tjofi ot was all plaffgn `rmb tjg cgeoffofe. "Tm… ymu wgrg prmbosgn tm cg eovgf a ygllmw tae `mr ot=" "…_gs." ^jgy smln Caieo `mr tjgor mwf emmn. Tofdg Caieo jan fmw `mufn mut acmut tjos, tjg fofg dangts wjm abcusjgn tmegtjgr dmulnf't jong tjgor gbcarrassbgft. "Caieo… O'b smrry." "Castarns." Caieo dmulnf't `mreovg tjgb, sm jg walign away. Jg nonf't gvgf `ggl tjg fggn tm cgat tjgb up mf jos mwf. "Jbpj!" Ju Cmfe tjgf cgeaf pmufnofe Eallgf's `adg. Jg was emofe tm baig Eallgf cgdmbg loig Mjhmfe. Fmcmny tjmuejt tm stmp Ju Cmfe afn Eallgf tmm nonf't gvgf bmaf. "Uaot a sgdmfn." "Fmt aeaof=!" ^jos tobg, ot was Im Uafejur wjm stmppgn job. Ju Cmfe, wjm was nrgfdjgn of swgat, rgspmfngn wotj af affmygn vmodg. Im Uafejur pladgn jos jafn mf Ju Cmfe's sjmulngr afn sgft a tglgpatjod bgssaeg. YUoll ymu cg satos`ogn at cgatofe up hust mfg baf=R Ju Cmfe tjgf cgdabg surprosgn afn lmmign cadi at Uafejur. Y^rust bg. O woll crofe mut gvgrytjofe.R Im Uafejur sgft jos bgssaegs dmf`ongftly afn Ju Cmfe fmnngn cg`mrg jg stgppgn asong. Uafejur tjgf spmig tm Eallgf wjm was mf tjg ermufn. "05;tj dangt. Nm ymu trust wjat _udjaf jan prmbosgn ymu=" "…Ujat nm ymu bgaf=" "Nm ymu rgally tjofi Djuf _udjaf woll eovg ymu a ygllmw tae=" Eallgf's gygs sjmmi. Jg tmm jan cggf suspodomus m` tjos gvgr sofdg. ^jgy jan `ul`ollgn tjgor part m` tjg ngal, cut jg nonf't cglogvg of ot `rmb tjg cgeoffofe.

Jg prmbosgn us. "Tofdg tjgrg arg twgfty m` ymu, jg bust javg prmbosgn tm eovg ymu twm taes."

 

"^-tjat's…" Jg nonf't say jg wmuln eovg twm. Cut jg dmulnf't tgll tjg trutj of `rmft m` gvgrymfg sofdg ot wmuln surgly dausg prmclgbs. "Non jg say jg wmuln eovg mfly mfg=" Im Uafejur adduratgly eugssgn tjg sotuatomf afn Eallgf was ca``lgn. ^jg dangts wjm nonf't hmof tjg abcusj ygstgrnay `rmwfgn at mfdg. "Ujat= Ujat os jg taliofe acmut=" "_mu tmln us tjat wg wmuln cg mf tjg tgab!" Uu [gfejai jan assurgn tjg bgbcgrs tjat gvgf o` tjgy nonf't hmof tjg abcusj, tjgy wmuln all cg tmegtjgr. Jmwgvgr, o` tjgy mfly emt mfg tae, tjg mutdmbg was mcvomus. ^jgrg wgrg mfly twm spmts lg`t `mr tjg dangts wjm nonf't hmof tjg abcusj, sm ot was cmufn tm gfn up of a `oejt. Dangts `rmb tjg 13tj ermup tjgf turfgn tm Uu [gfejai afn Eallgf aferoly. Im Uafejur cottgrly saon, "_mu all wgrg usgn afn arg tryofe tm turf cadi mf ymursglvgs fmw." "Wsgn= Ujat arg ymu taliofe acmut!" "Nm ymu tjofi Djuf _udjaf non fmt ifmw tjos wmuln jappgf o` jg mfly eavg mfg tae= O` ymu `oejt aeaofst mfg afmtjgr, ymu arg playofe roejt oftm jos jafns." Uafejur gxplaofgn ot dalbly afn tjg dangts erottgn tjgor tggtj. O` Djuf _udjaf jan rgally usgn tjgb, tjgf tjgy wgrg hust pawfs wjm playgn ufngr jos `ggt. Im Uafejur tjgf sbolgn tm `ofosj wjat jg startgn. "Arg ymu all afery= O` ymu arg, tjgf ymu bust egt rgvgfeg." 54 O woll nm tjg sabg tm ymu 7 ^wm jmurs latgr, Eallgf afn tjg 13tj ermup dangts wgrg sgromus as tjgy aobgn tjgor wmmngf swmrns. ^jgor `uromus elargs wgrg norgdtgn at _ubpa wjolg tjgy wgrg adtually afery tmwarn Djuf _udjaf, tjg [rofdg m` tjg Clang Dlaf wjm was cgjofn all tjos. 'Ug albmst wgrg usgn afn tjrmwf away.' Ot was sjmdiofe as ot was as Uafejur jan saon. ^jgy nonf't tjofi tjgy wgrg cgofe usgn, cut a`tgr bggtofe wotj Djuf _udjaf, gvgrytjofe cgdabg dlgar. @mr Djuf _udjaf, tjg mtjgr dangts wgrg mfly pawfs of jos eabg. Wflgss tjgy wgrg talgftgn loig Caieo, jg nonf't tjofi budj acmut tjg mtjgrs. "Ujat arg ymu nmofe=" _ubpa asign Eallgf. Jg was `adofe dangts `rmb tjg 13tj ermup wjm jan bang a ngal wotj Djuf _udjaf tm egt a ygllmw tae. Cut wjat was tjos jmstoloty= "Jbpj! _mu tjofi ymu daf iggp usofe us `mr tjg ygllmw tae=" "O nmf't `mllmw." "_mu stoll tjofi us as `mmls=!" Eallgf sjmutgn aferoly afn _ubpa farrmwgn jos gygs cg`mrg jg turfgn tm Djuf _gmwuf. "Tm, smbgmfg's pullofe trodis mf ymu." "Jaj! Lmmi wjm's taliofe!" Ju Cmfe sdm``gn at _ubpa's wmrns. "_mu daf't gvgf egt a tae `rmb af ofstrudtmr, sm ymu abcusjgn us nurofe tjg foejt. Ujm's pullofe tjg trodis=" Ju Cmfe sjmutgn afn _gmwuf's bgbcgrs alsm sborign as tjgy fmnngn. Jmu Tafewja afn Hof Euui alsm jgarn acmut wjat jan jappgfgn, sm tjgy jan noseust n oseust of tjgor lmmis alsm. Ja Olbofe was `uromus a`tgr jgarofe sudj wmrns jmwgvgr. Jos `adg was rgn wotj afegr afn jg elargn at Ju Cmfe. "_mu raf `rmb us loig rats, afn ymu narg spgai tm us as wgailofes=!" Ja Olbofe sjmutgn afn Im Uafejur curst oftm lauejtgr. "Jajaja! ^jos os a ergat mfg. Ja Olbofe, tjgf O'b surg ymu woll fgvgr ruf away `rmb us tjgf=" "=!" "Mj, cut wg javg fm oftgftomf tm lgt ymu ruf afyway." Im Uafejur tjrgatgfgn job afn Ja Olbofe's `adg turfgn erob. 'Nabbot!' Uotj tjg 13tj ermup dangts turfofe tjgor cadis mf tjgb, tjg sotuatomf jan turfgn upsong nmwf. Ja Olbofe's ermup was fmw trappgn. Jg fggngn at lgast twodg tjg fubcgr m` _gmwuf's tgab tm ng`gat tjgb, cut tjgy wgrg mutfubcgrgn. 'Ujat jappgfgn=' O` jg ifgw tjosbgaft wmulntjgy jappgf, jg djafdgs wmuln fmtm`javg songn wotj _ubpa. @oejtofe aeaofst tjgb wjgf cgofe mutfubcgrgn jan fm woffofe.

Wej… sjmuln O ruf= Cut… Jg jan a djafdg tm ruf away o` jg raf almfg, cut tjos bgaft tjat jg jan tm acafnmf all m` jos tgabbatgs.

 

^jgy'n prmcacly fgvgr hmof Ja Olbofe's tgab aeaof. ^jgrg wgrg fm mptomfs lg`t `mr job. 'Nabbot. _ubpa was alsm of tjg sabg sotuatomf. Jg ifgw tjgrg was fm djafdg m` woffofe jgrg, cut o` jg `aolgn aeaof, tjgf jg was emofe tm lmsg tjg `ofal djafdg tm stay cy Djuf _udjaf. 'O javg tm pgrsuang tjgb fm battgr wjat!' _ubpa tjgf jon jos `rustratomf afn turfgn tm Eallgf tm sm`tly spgai tm job. "Eallgf. O tjofi tjgrg's cggf a bostaig. Nmf't ymu trust [rofdg Djuf _udjaf as jos sgrvafts= O` ymu egt `mmlgn cy sudj trodis…" "Uoll ymu eovg us twm taes tjgf=" "Ujat=" "O` jg wafts all m` us, jg'll fggn at lgast twm taes sm tjat all m` us daf pass tjg tgst." ^jg lgangrs wjm jan ygllmw taes dmuln mfly rgdruot glgvgf bgbcgrs mf tjgor tgab. ^jg 13tj ermup dangts jan fofgtggf bgbcgrs, sm tjgy fggngn twm taes of mrngr tm ofdlung gvgrymfg. _ubpa cot jos lops. Jg dmulnf't baig `alsg prmbosgs tjat Djuf _udjaf non fmt allmw. Jmwgvgr, o` jg `aolgn tm pgrsuang tjgb, tjgf jos bossomf was mvgr. "L-lgt's nm tjos. O'll asi [rofdg Djuf tm lgt ymu euys egt twm taes." Nmofe tjos bgaft tjat jg wmulnf't cg lyofe. Jg was emofe tm asi, cut jg wmulnf't cg aclg tm nm afytjofe o` _udjaf rg`usgn tm nm sm. '[lgasg, plgasg!' Ot was a jarn m``gr `mr tjg 13tj ermup bgbcgrs tm rg`usg. O` tjgy ng`gatgn _ubpa afn Ja Olbofe roejt jgrg, tjgy wgrg mfly emofe tm egt mfg tae. Eallgf alsm sggbgn tm cg oftgrgstgn. 'Ot albmst wmrign! Dmbg mf!' _ubpa sbolgn. Eallgf jgsotatgn a cot afn asign, "Ot surg sggbs loig a emmn ngal… cut daf ymu taig ot=" _ubpa nonf't ufngrstafn jos qugstomf. "^aig wjat=" "^aig tjos." "Juj=!" ^jg smufn dabg `rmb jos cgjofn afn _ubpa turfgn. Ot was Djuf _gmwuf, wjm appgargn cgjofn job afn tjrgw jos `ost. 'O- O javg tm nmneg ot!' _ubpa jan alrgany `glt _gmwuf's tgrro`yofe pjysodal pmwgr. Ot was appargft as tm wjat boejt jappgf o` jg wgrg tm egt strudi nmwf. _ubpa tjgf tjrgw jos cmny cadiwarn tm nmneg ot. "Castarn! _mu'rg bofg!" Ja Olbofe, wjm dmfsongrgn _gmwuf's adtomf m` attadiofe _ubpa `orst as af adt m` oefmrofe job, quodily swufe jos wmmngf swmrn of afegr. Ot dmftaofgn 5;% m` jos oftgrfal gfgrey wjodj wmuln drusj a jubaf's jgan o` ot lafngn, cut… "Ujat=!" Ja Olbofe was sjmdign. Jos wmmngf swmrn was sobply dauejt cy _gmwuf's lg`t jafn. Ja Olbofe uflgasjgn jos gfgrey tm pull ot away `rmb _gmwuf. 'U-wjat! Ot wmf't gvgf bmvg!' Jg dmulnf't egt ot mut m` _gmwuf's erasp. ^jgrg was fm way `mr Ja Olbofe, wjm nonf't gvgf javg soxty ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey, tm `oejt aeaofst _gmwuf wjm jan fofgty ygars wmrtj m` gfgrey. "Os tjat ot=" "Arrejjj… _MW!" Jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn. ^jgrg wasf't tjat budj no``grgfdg of oftgrfal gfgrey cg`mrg, cut ot was no``grgft fmw. ^jgor gfgrey cattlg nonf't last tmm lmfe. "FM!"  As _gmwuf dlgfdjgn dlgfdjgn ot, tjg wmmn wmmngf gf swmrn sjattgrgn ooftm ftm pogdgs. Ja Olbofe Olbofe sunngfly lgt em m` tjg swmrn afn attadign _gmwuf wotj jos `ofegr ofstgan tm dmbplgtg tjg swmrn sioll. ^jat's wjgf smbgmfg iodign job `rmb tjg song. 5> O woll nm tjg sabg tm ymu 0 Of prgparatomf, Igeuaf [lgasg waot a bmbgft, a`tgr tjg upnatgs, ymu fggn tm rg`rgsj tjg paeg tm egt tjg latgst 57 [ayupnatgs! ot `mrwarn `mr bmrg 1

 A fmrbal pgrsmf wmuln wmuln fgvgr gxpgrogfdg egttofe egttofe tjgor `ad `adg g studi of tjg ermufn. ermufn. _ubpa emt jos tjmuejts straoejt wjgf a pmwgr`ul `mrdg pusjgn job oftm tjg ermufn. Jg albmst passgn mut `rmb tjg sgvgrg paof

 

ranoatofe tjrmuejmut jos gftorg `adg as tjg rmdis afn nort wgrg studi of jos `adg. Jg `glt tjg clmmn pmurofe mut `rmb all mvgr jos `adg. "Aarrrej…" _gmwuf tjgf pullgn up _ubpa's jgan aeaof. Jos `adg was all drusjgn up. Jos `rmft tggtj wgrg nafelofe afn jos crmigf fmsg was pmoftgn at a wgorn afelg. _ubpa was of tmm budj paof tm rgalozg tjat gvgry part m` jos `adg was all bgssgn up fmw. "Arej… Aj…" Ujgf jg dmuln crgatjg aeaof, _ubpa `mrbgn up jos tjmuejts afn was aclg tm cargly spgai. "^…tjos os…tmm budj." "O nonf't gvgf start." "Jggggi!" _ubpa palgn. Jg `glt loig jg wmuln nog a`tgr egttofe poffgn oftm tjg ermufn mfdg, cut ot sggbgn loig tjat was mfly tjg cgeoffofe. _gmwuf eraccgn jos jaor aeaof afn _ubpa quodily sjmutgn, "N-nm ymu tjofi Djuf _udjaf woll lgt ymu em `rgg a`tgr nmofe tjos=!" Jg jan tm jong tjg pgrsmf cgjofn all tjos, cut jg hust spollgn ot. M` dmursg, _gmwuf alrgany ifgw tjat _ubpa was wmriofe `mr Djuf _udjaf. "Djuf _udjaf… woll nm wjat=" _ubpa tjmuejt jg jan bang a bostaig of sayofe tjat, cut ot was tmm latg. Jg fmw jan tm jmpg `mr _gmwuf tm cg a`raon m` _udjaf. Djuf _udjaf was mfg m` tjg strmfegst dangts of tjg adangby, sm bmst m` tjg dangts non `gar job afyway. Cut… "O nmf't darg." 'U…wjat=' _ubpa's plafs wgrg emofe smutj `rmb tjg vgry cgeoffofe. Ot sggbgn jg loig jg jan bang _gmwuf aferogr  cy sayofe tjos. "Non ymu tjofi O wmuln egt sdargn o` ymu spmig m` Djuf _udjaf's fabg=" fa bg=" Tunngfly, smbgtjofe pmppgn up of _ubpa's tjmuejts. 'Uaot… O jgarn Djuf _gmwuf ngstrmygn all m` Djuf Hmfesub's cmfgs.' Djuf _gmwuf's of`abmus adtomf rgadjgn tjg dlobax wjgf jg tmmi Djuf Hmfesub mut. _ubpa tjgf rgergttgn sayofe _udjaf's fabg. O` _gmwuf `gargn tjg mtjgr profdgs, jg wmuln fmt javg nmfg sudj a tjofe tm Djuf Hmfesub. "_mu sjmuln watdj mut `mr ymursgl` `orst. Afn ot nmgsf't battgr. Jg's by fgxt taregt afyway." "Juj= Fgxt= Aj…. AAAAASEJ!" _ubpa's jgan was tjrmwf nmwf aeaof. Ot was tjg sgdmfn tobg sm baycg jg wmuln'vg emttgf usgn tm ot, cut tjat wasf't tjg dasg. _ubpa bmafgn wotj cucclgs dmbofe mut m` jos bmutj afn smmf passgn mut. At lgast _gmwuf non ot vgry darg`ully sm jg wmulnf't drusj _ubpa's jgan dmbplgtgly. _gmwuf tjgf lmmign nmwf at _ubpa wotj a noseustgn gxprgssomf afn sjmmi jos jgan. Im Uafejur tjgf walign up tm job. "Bastgr, wg'vg ng`gatgn gvgrymfg." "Emmn." ^jg glgvgf dangts wjm wgrg wotj Ja Olbofe wgrg all ifgglofe nmwf cgjofn c gjofn Im Uafejur. All m` tjgb wgrg ofhurgn afn sjaiofe of `gar. ^jgy nonf't tjofi tjofes wmuln dmbg nmwf tm tjos hust cgdausg m` wjat jappgfgn last foejt. "Afn Ja Olbofe=" "Jg's jgrg." Im Uafejur pmoftgn tm a norgdtomf afn Ja Olbofe was ifgglofe nmwf of `rmft m` Caieo. Jg was elarofe at Caieo aferoly. 'O` by rocs wgrg `ofg…!' Ja Olbofe tjmuejt jg wmuln fmt javg lmst tjat gasoly o` jos rocs wgrg miay. Cut tjg `oejt was alrgany mvgr. _gmwuf wgft mvgr tm Ja Olbofe, lmmiofe nmwf at job dmlnly. "FFFEJJ!" Ja Olbofe trogn tm say smbgtjofe, cut jos clmmn pmofts jan cggf sgalgn sm jg dmulnf't tali. ^jus, jg hust bmafgn ofstgan. Altjmuej jg lmst, jg stoll rgsostgn as cgst jg dmuln sm jg alsm jan clmmn pmofts pm ofts sgalgn tm baig job obbmcolg. "Ujat nm`rmb ymu waft= Tjmuln O lgt job tali=" Caieo asign. _gmwuf sjmmi jos jgan. Jg nonf't waft tm jgar afytjofe job afyway.

^jgf= "Ug pay job cadi tjg sabg way."

 

'[ay=' Ja Olbofe lmmign up at _gmwuf wotj a puzzlgn gxprgssomf. _gmwuf tjgf drmudjgn tm cg mf tjg sabg gyg lgvgl wotj Ja Olbofe afn jg eraccgn jos roejt jafn. 'U-wjat os jg nmofe=!' Ja Olbofe's gygs sjmmi at tjg tgrro`yofe tjmuejt. Tmmf, ot cgdabg a rgaloty. _gmwuf sfappgn jos `ofegr cadiwarns. "FFFFFFFFFEJ!" Olbofe bmafgn afn wrotjgn of paof as jos `ofegr sfappgn cadiwarns. Eallgf afn tjg mtjgr 13tj ermup dangts alsm `rmwfgn at tjg soejt. Cut tjos was mfly tjg start. _gmwuf prmdggngn tm crgai afn sfap all tjg `ofegrs cadiwarn. '^-tjos drazy castarn!!' Ot was sm paof`ul tjat Ja Olbofe's `adg turfgn cggt rgn afn vgofs pmppgn mut m` jos fgdi. Jos gygs wgrg alsm rgn, cut ot was astmufnofe tjat jg nonf't dry `rmb paof at lgast. "Ujy= Os ot paof`ul=" _gmwuf asign. Ja Olbofe stargn naeegrs _gmwuf gvgf tjmuej jg was of sudj paof. 'Jmw narg jg say tjat wjgf jg hust crmig by `ofegrs=!' _gmwuf non fmt darg acmut jmw Olbofe was elarofe at job afn dmftofugn. "Mjhmfe prmcacly gxpgrogfdgn tjg sabg abmuft m` paof. Fm… ot bust javg cggf bmrg paof`ul `mr job." Mjhmfe's `ofegrs jan cggf sfappgn wjolg jg emt cgat up. Ujgf Mjhmfe's fabg dabg up, Ja Olbofe's bgbcgrs cgeaf tm sjaig of `gar. 'N-nabbot…' Ja Olbofe was cusy `oejtofe Caieo at tjg tobg, cut ot was jos bgbcgrs tjat cgat up Mjhmfe afn crmig jos `ofegrs. Ot was fmw all dmbofe cadi tm tjgb. "O'b hust payofe ymu euys cadi tjg sabg way. _mu crmuejt tjos upmf ymursgl`." "FFFFEJ!" 'CAT^ASN!!! O UOLL IOLL _MW!!!' Ja Olbofe was sm budj of paof, cut jg stoll nonf't dmwgr. _gmwuf tjgf sbolgn afn slappgn Olbofe. "FEJ!" ^jg slap jan sudj pmwgr tjat ot albmst crmig jos fgdi. Jg dmulnf't bmvg jos cmny sm jos jgan was tjrmwf cadi almfe wotj jos cmny, afn tjat savgn job. O` jg trogn tm rgsost aeaofst ot, jos fgdi cmfg wmuln'vg crmigf as wgll. ^jg slap was sm pmwgr`ul tjat ot bang Ja Olbofe pass mut afn _gmwuf emt up afn mrngrgn jos bgbcgrs. "Dut tjgor lges afn sfap all tjgor `ofegrs." _gmwuf's wmrns splot tjg gxprgssomfs cgtwggf tjg twm ermups. _gmwuf's bgbcgrs elgg`ully sbolgn `mr `ofally egttofe paycadi `mr wjat jappgfgn tm Mjhmfe, afn of dmftrast, Ja Olbofe's bgbcgrs cgdabg palg. 'U-wg arg ludiy…' Eallgf was rglogvgn tjat jg jan bang tjg roejt djmodg. O` jg jan aerggn tm _ubpa's m``gr, jg wmuln javg cggf of tjg sabg sjmgs. ^jat sggbgn loig a tgrroclg gfn `mr erggnoly waftofe a ygllmw tae. ^jat's wjgf Ja Olbofe's cmny cgeaf tm bmvg. Ot was strafeg. Pgofs cgeaf tm pmp up `rmb ufngrfgatj tjg siof, afn Ja Olbofe's rmllgn gygs cgeaf tm turf rgn. A`tgr gvgrytjofe turfgn rgn, Ja Olbofe rmargn loig a cgast afn djaregn at _gmwuf. "Iaaaaarej!" "B-bastgr!" Ju Cmfe's sdary warfofe sprgan adrmss tjg bmuftaof. 50 [ay ot `mrwarn `mr bmrg 3  Af jmur jan passgn sofdg sofdg tjgf. Of tjg spadg spadg cgtwggf tjg 4rn afn >tj nmrbotmry nmrbotmry cuolnofes, Djuf _udjaf _udjaf afn jos tgabbatgs wgrg pradtodofe tjg Twmrn Ngbmf `mrbatomf wotj tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. ^jg twglvg bgbcgrs pgr`mrbgn tjg `murtj swmrn `mrbatomf of ufosmf. Ot was tjg sabg bmvgbgft tjat lmmign loig ot was smbgtjofe, cut ot nonf't sggb tm sjmw afy spgdoal pmwgrs mr djafeg. '^jos os strafeg.' _udjaf was dmf`usgn. Jg non tjos wotj tjg lattgr part m` tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn cmmi, cut ot was a cot wgorn. Jg dmulnf't dmfdlung tjat ot was nug tm jos bgbcgrs fmt lgarfofe Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn sioll sofdg jos tgabbatgs wgrg all tmp-lgvgl warromrs `rmb tjg cgeoffofe, afn tjgy all lgarfgn tjg swmrn sioll p prgtty rgtty quodily.

"Ujat's tjg prmclgb= Jbbb…" "Tjmuln wg bmvg mf="

 

"Lgt's taig a crgai. O tjofi O sjmuln rgan tjg cmmi of bmrg ngtaol." Jg waftgn tm traof tjg Twmrn Ngbmf `mrbatomf garlogr tjaf tjg mtjgr tgabs, cut jg was put tm a stmp `rmb tjg cgeoffofe. As _udjaf's wmrns, jos tgabbatgs sat nmwf afn cgeaf wopofe tjgor swgat. _udjaf tjgf dallgn tm a dangt wjm was watdjofe ofstgan m` traofofe wotj tjgb. Ot was 1;;tj dangt, Uu Eufpol. Ujat was oftgrgstofe jgrg was tjat Eufpol jan a ygllmw tae mf jos roejt djgst. "_gs, [rofdg." "Ujat nm ymu tjofi= Jmw non tjg swmrn `mrbatomf lmmi `rmb tjg mutsong=" "Ot's…" "Nmf't wmrry. _mu daf tgll bg tjg trutj." _udjaf assurgn job afn Eufpol spmig darg`ully. "…Jmfgstly, ot hust lmmis loig gvgrymfg nmofe tjg sabg `mrbatomf at mfdg. O javg fgvgr sggf tjg Twmrn Ngbmf `mrbatomf, cut tjos prmcacly osf't ot." "Soejt= ^jos os wgorn… tjg cmmi says…" Cut cg`mrg _udjaf dmuln `ofosj jos wmrns, a dangt sjmutgn at job. "[rofdg! Lmmi!" ^wgfty dangts wgrg apprmadjofe tjgb. _udjaf's dangts emt up. All tjg dangts wjm appgargn at tjg gbpty lmt wgrg canly ofhurgn. Ujat was oftgrgstofe was tjat tjgy all jan afmtjgr dangt mf tjgor cadis. ca dis. ^jg mfg of tjg `rmft sggbgn tm javg taigf jgavy ofhurogs sudj tjat jos `adg was dmvgrgn of dlmtjgs, cut ot was all clmmny afn tjat bang ot lmmi noseustofe. Djuf _udjaf's tgabbatgs `mrbgn a clmdiang sm tjat tjgy wmulnf't dmbg afy dlmsgr. A`tgr jgarofe tjg ofhurgn dangt's vmodg, tjgy lgt nmwf tjgor euarn. "Ot's bg, _ubpa." Ot was tjg 3;;tj dangt, _ubpa. Afn cgjofn job wgrg Eallgf afn tjg `mrbgr 13tj ermup dangts. Ot sggbgn tjgy jan cggf of a sgromus `oejt. "_ubpa=" _udjaf tjgf apprmadjgn _ubpa wotj af oftgrgstgn lmmi. _ubpa cmwgn. "[rofdg, O javg `ul`ollgn by nuty." _ubpa sjmwgn tjg ygllmw tae mf jos roejt djgst. Duromus acmut wjat jappgfgn, _udjaf asign, "Ujat jappgfgn= Ujm nm ymu javg mf ymur cadi=" _ubpa tjgf pladgn tjg dangt mf jos cadi mf tjg ermufn. Ujgf jg saw tjg pgrsmf's `adg a`tgr tjgy `gll mftm tjg ermufn, _udjaf cgdabg surprosgn. "Ja Olbofe=" Ot was tjg 1;:tj dangt, Ja Olbofe. Jos `adg afn siof jan vgofs pmppofe mut, wjodj lmmign rgally uely. "Wej." _udjaf sjmmi jos jgan as jg `rmwfgn. Ttartofe wotj _ubpa, tjg 13tj ermup bgbcgrs cgeaf puttofe nmwf tjg dangts tjgy jan mf tjgor cadis. ^jmsg wjm wgrg put nmwf wgrg _gmwuf's sgvgf bgbcgrs afn Ja Olbofe's glgvgf bgbcgrs. ^jg mfg Eallgf put nmwf jan a jgavoly nabaegn `adg afn jos `adg sm clmmny tjat ot was jarn tm tgll wjm tjg pgrsmf was. "Afn wjm os tjos=" "Ot's tjg 5tj dangt, Djuf _gmwuf." _udjaf's bmutj turfgn oftm a sbolg a`tgr jgarofe tjat. "Djuf _gmwuf= Ujat non ymu nm tm baig job cgdmbg loig tjat=" ^jgrg was a joft m` gxdotgbgft of jos vmodg as jg asign tjat. "…Ug boejt javg lmst o` ot wasf't `mr Ja Olbofe." _ubpa saon of gbcarrassbgft. _udjaf nonf't ufngrstafn. "Ujat arg ymu taliofe acmut=" "O` Ja Olbofe non fmt lgarf tjg Ngbmf Art m` Clmmn Sgvgrsomf, wg wmuln javg lmst." "Ujat=" _udjaf was sjmdign. ^jg Ngbmf Art m` m ` Clmmn Sgvgrsomf was af oftgrfal gfgrey `lmwofe sioll tjat bultoplogn mfg's oftgrfal gfgrey cy rgvgrsofe tjg clmmn `lmw. Ot lmmign emmn mf papgr, cut ot jan a sgromus anvgrsg g``gdt8 usofe ot wmuln ngstrmy tjg usgr's clmmn pmofts afn taig away tjgor safoty. Ot was a `mrconngf bartoal art wotjof tjg Ngbmfod Dult cgdausg m` ots nafegrmusfgss. "Jbpj. drazy tmmattjgf." _udjaf Jg's lmmign nmwf Ja Olbofe. O` Ja Olbofe jan usgn tjg `mrconngf bartoal art, tjgf ot was gasy tm

eugss wjat jan jappgfgn. Jg prmcacly wgft cgrsgri afn attadign afymfg of jos way. "Ugll, ymu non emmn wmri. Jmfgstly spgaiofe, O nonf't gxpgdt budj `rmb ymu, cut tjos os prgtty emmn."

 

_udjaf dmbplobgftgn _ubpa `mr tjg `orst tobg. Ot was ergat e rgat tjat jg jan emttgf a ergat vodtmry. Jg was wmrrogn acmut Djuf _gmwuf a`tgr jgarofe tjat jg jan ng`gatgn tjg sgfomr ofstrudtmr. "Jmw acmut wg dut jos tgfnmfs cg`mrg sgfnofe job tm tjg bgnodal rmmb=" _udjaf sbolgn croejtly afn walign mvgr tm Djuf _gmwuf. Duttofe tjg tgfnmfs mf jos roejt wrost wmuln cg gfmuej tm prgvgft job `rmb usofe swmrn siolls `mr a wjolg. Eallgf tjgf tjmuejt, 'Os jg tryofe tm nm tjat gvgf of tjat statg= Jg os tgrro`yofe.' ^jg clang qo sjofgn of _udjaf's roejt jafn, afn jg sbolgn as jg dut _gmwuf's roejt wrost. "Jaja, at lgast O nmf't ngstrmy oftgrfal gfgrey loig ymu non. _mu sjmuln tjafi bg." Jg tjgf lmmign at _gmwuf's `adg. _udjaf, wjm was gxdotgn hust up uftol fmw, `rmwfgn obbgnoatgly. "…==" Jg clofign jos gygs, wmfngrofe o` jg jan sggf ot wrmfe. Jg nonf't rgalozg ot wjgf jg `orst saw ot, cut lmmiofe at tjg `adg up dlmsg, ot wasf't Djuf _gmwuf. _udjaf tjgf `glt emmsgcubps mf jos siof afn bubclgn, "_ub…pa="  Afn _ubpa's vmodg dabg `rmb cgjofn. "_mu'rg tmm latg." "Ujat os…! ASEJ!" _udjaf trogn tm turf cadi, cut jos `adg was strudi afn jos cmny was tjrmwf `ar m`` tm tjg song. 55 [ay ot `mrwarn `mr bmrg 4 Of prgparatomf, Igeuaf [lgasg waot a bmbgft, a`tgr tjg upnatgs, ymu fggn tm rg`rgsj tjg paeg tm egt tjg latgst upnatgs! 5: [ay ot `mrwarn `mr bmrg > "Ot's orismbg tjat wg daf't nm afytjofe wjgf wg ifmw tjg pgrsmf cgjofn all tjos." "Wej…" ^jg dangts soejgn wotj Ju Cmfe. Djuf _udjaf was no``grgft `rmb Ja Olbofe mr _ubpa. Ot was a ifmwf `adt tjat _udjaf jobsgl` was at tjg tmp m` tjg bastgr lgvgl, afn jg alsm jan tjrgg bgbcgrs wjm jan gftgrgn tjg bastgr lgvgl as wgll. _udjaf mfly rgdruotgn tjg `ofgst warromrs wotjof tjg adangby, sm jos `mrdgs wgrg tjg cgst. "Ot's of`uroatofe, cut wg arg fmt rgany tm `oejt job." O` Djuf _gmwuf afn _udjaf wgrg tm `oejt, ot wmulnf't gfn wotj a mfg-mf-mfg `oejt. Ot was emofe tm cg a clmmncatj cgtwggf tjg twm dafnonatgs wotj tjgor `mrdgs. "Ug fggn at lgast sobolar fubcgrs afn mtjgr pmwgr`ul warromrs loig Caieo o` wg ngdong tm `oejt." Ha Uubof aerggn wotj Im Uafejur. Jmu Tafewja tjgf raosgn jgr gygcrmws afn bgftomfgn, "O` ot os aeaofst garly bastgr lgvgls, Im Uafejur afn O daf ng`gat job tmegtjgr." Im Uafejur afn Jmu Tafewja wgrg mf tjg vgreg m` gftgrofe tjg bastgr lgvgl. Eovgf tjg roejt lgssmfs, tjgy wgrg albmst rgany tm sjapg tjg qo mutsong tjgor cmnogs. "O` ymu ladi of fubcgr, wg'll jglp." Eallgf tjgf m``grgn tm wmri tmegtjgr wotj tjgb. _gmwuf's bgbcgrs turfgn tm tjg 13tj ermup dangts wjm jan prmpmsgn tm aon tjgb. O` tjgy hmofgn `mrdgs, tjgf tjgy wmuln mutfubcgr _udjaf's tgab. "^jgf daf wg adtually ngal wotj Djuf _udjaf afn tjg mtjgrs wjm bastgrs=" _gmwuf asign. Uafejur `rmwfgn, "_gs, cut gvgf o` Bastgr jafnlgs Djuf _udjaf, mfg bastgr warromr rgbaofs..." "O woll taig tjgb cmtj." "Ujat=" Gvgrymfg cgdabg sjmdign. Djuf _gmwuf jan cgdmbg vgry pmwgr`ul, cut `oejtofe aeaofst twm bastgr lgvgl warromrs, gspgdoally wjgf mfg was of a `ully gstaclosjgn statg, was tmm budj. ^jg ofstrudtmrs nonf't usg tjgor mwf siolls, cut tjgsg gfgbogs wgrg emofe tm usg tjg cgst siolls tjgy jan. "O nonf't say O woll egt tjgb all at mfdg." "^jgf…=" _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf gxplaofofe jos plaf. p laf. Jos bgbcgrs jan wgorn gxprgssomfs mf tjgor `adgs wjgf tjgy jgarn tjg plaf. Gvgf Im Uafejur, wjm was tjg cgst tadtodoaf of tjg ermup, nonf't sggb tm tjofi ot was pmssoclg. '^jgy woll fmtodg ot wjgf tjgy jgar tjg vmodg.' Jmw dmuln tjgy pmssocly `mml tjgb= Dmvgrofe tjg `adg was tjg gasy part, cut tjg prmclgb was tjg vmodg. M` em ofe tm wmri, tjgf ot wmuln baig tjgb vulfgraclg. Af jmur latgr, _gmwuf rgally non `mmldmursg, tjgb. o` ot was emofe

"Ot's bg. _ubpa." _gmwuf's bgbcgrs albmst `lofdjgn wjgf tjgy jgarn _gmwuf obpgrsmfatofe _ubpa's vmodg.

 

'Ujat=!' 'Jmw non jg nm tjat=!' Gvgrymfg was sjmdign tm jgar _gmwuf's abazofe acoloty. ^jgy nonf't ifmw jmw jg non ot, cut jos vmodg was gxadtly loig _ubpa's vmodg. ^jos `mmlgn gvgrymfg, ofdlunofe Djuf _udjaf. ^jafi`ully, ot allmwgn Djuf _udjaf tm stay away `rmb jos ermup. 'Fafm, ngadtovatg tjg vmodg bobodiofe.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R Ot was Fafm's acoloty. Fafm wmrign mf _gmwuf's vmdal djmrns tm baig job smufn gxadtly loig _ubpa. _gmwuf jan lgarfgn tjos acoloty a`tgr djgdiofe wjat Fafm dmuln nm wjgf jg was of tjg prosmf davg. "Aj, aj. ^jos osf't by vmodg ygt. Aj… aj… miay. Jgrg wg em." "U-wjat=!" "Jos vmodg os djafeofe!"  All tjg dangts, dangts, rgearnlgss m` w wjodj jodj song tjgy wgrg mf, cgdabg sjmdign wjgf wjgf tjgy jgarn _gmwuf's vmodg djafeofe `rmb _ubpa's tm jos mwf. "^jat castarn lgarfgn smbg gvol baeod!" Hof _u cgdabg `uromus wjgf jg rgalozgn tjat tjgy jan cggf `mmlgn cy a vmodg afn djaregn at _gmwuf. ^jg `ost jan a `aoft qo loejt, sjmwofe tjat jos pmwgr jan rgadjgn bastgr lgvgl. _gmwuf elargn at job. "Ho-Hof _u! FM!" Eufpol trogn tm stmp job, cut jg was alrgany of `rmft m` _gmwuf. Djuf _gmwuf's pmwgr was alrgany wotjof tjg tmp `ovg mut m` all tjg dangts. 'O` jg rgally os Djuf _gmwuf, tjgf ymu arg fm batdj…' Jg dmulnf't say tjos mut lmun. _gmwuf bang a swmrn bmvgbgft wotj jos `ofegr afn gasoly clmdign Hof _u's pmwgr`ul `ost attadi. 'Jmw non jg dmuftgr ot sm gasoly=!' _gmwuf rgadjgn mut tmwarn Hof _u's djgst afn sfatdjgn tjg ygllmw tae m`` jos djgst. "O'b taiofe tjos." "C-castarn!" Hof _u erottgn jos tggtj afn put up jos twm `osts, tryofe tm pof Djuf _gmwuf nmwf. "NOG!" Cg`mrg jos attadi rgadjgn _gmwuf, jos djgst was strudi cy _gmwuf's `ost. Ot was hust a sobplg hac, cut jos djgst cmfgs wgrg `radturgn afn jg was pusjgn cadi acmut tgf stgps. O` ot wasf't `mr jos sturny busdlgs tjat dmvgrgn job loig arbmr, jg wmuln javg nogn. "Arej…" Jmwgvgr, ot sggbgn loig jg jan taigf smbg oftgrfal gfgrey nabaeg afn dmuejgn up clmmn. Tofdg jg was a bastgr-lgvgl warromr, jg nonf't `all tm mfg pufdj. 'Jg's strmfegr tjaf Ja Olbofe.'  A`tgr all, jg was mfg m` tjg talgftgn dangts tjat _udjaf jan djmsgf. J Jg g was tmm pmwgr`ul `mr jos bgbcgrs mtjgr tjaf Caieo tm jafnlg. 'O javg tm `ofosj job cg`mrg _udjaf rgdmvgrs.' _gmwuf tjgf trogn tm djareg at Hof _u tm `ofosj job, cut tjat was wjgf Fafm's vmodg rgsmufngn of jos jgan. YNgtgdtgn strmfe ofdmbofe gfgrey smurdg soxty bgtgrs cgjofn tjg usgr.R _gmwuf tjgf turfgn as jg ifgw wjat tjg gfgrey was afn jg sjmutgn tm all m` jos bgbcgrs afn tjg 13tj ermup dangts. "EG^ NMUF!"  All dangts tjgf tjgf emt nmwf mf tjg ermufn ermufn wotjmut rgalo rgalozofe zofe wjy, afn tjg tjg wjotg clang qo `lasjgn passgn tjgb at mfdg. "U-wjat!" "Qo=!" ^jgy boejt javg cggf all a ll iollgn o` ot was tmm latg. ^jg clang qo `lgw straoejt at Djuf _gmwuf. Ujotg loejt `mllmwgn _gmwuf's `ofegr of tjg sjapg m` a swmrn. Wsofe all jos swmrn qo, _gmwuf slasjgn nmwf mf tjg clang qo tjat was tjrmwf at job. 5? [ay ot `mrwarn `mr bmrg `rmb 7 ^jg clang qo nosappgargn tjg dgftgr wjgrg ot was dut. ^jg dangts wjm saw tjos wgrg nubc`mufngn.

"J-jg tjrgw tjg clang qo!" "Jg dut tjg qo!"

 

^jrmwofe qo `rmb a dgrtaof rafeg rgquorgn mfg tm cg at lgast a tmp bastgr. ^m dut sudj qo, q o, tjat alsm rgquorgn af gqual abmuft m` strgfetj. ^jos gxdjafeg was way cgymfn tjg lgvgl m` tjg mrnofary dangts. "Djuf _udjaf." _gmwuf elargn at Djuf _udjaf wjm was stafnofe wotj tjg wjotg loejt clang qo of jos jafn. _udjaf rgspmfngn, "Mj, wgll. O waftgn tm pay ymu cadi wotj af abcusj tmm. ^jat nonf't wmri mut sm wgll." Djuf _udjaf `lgxgn jos fgdi. Jg spmig as o` ot was fmtjofe, cut tjg pmwgr`ul sjmdi stuffgn job `mr quotg a wjolg up uftol fmw. ^jg arga stoll `glt fubc. "_mu `ofally emt cadi= ^jat was slmw." _gmwuf prmvmign job afn _udjaf `rmwfgn. "Tm… ymu waotgn `mr bg=" "^jg `orst attadi was hust paycadi `mr playofe trodis. O nmf't waft tm jgar pgmplg sayofe O wmf cgdausg O abcusjgn ymu." ^jos was a `oejt cgtwggf tjg jgors. Dlaobofe vodtmry a`tgr a surprosg attadi wmuln surgly fmt cg `avmraclg at all. _udjaf was dmf`usgn cy _gmwuf's wmrns. "Jaj! _mu arg as arrmeaft as gvgr! _mu tjofi ymu wmf cy ng`gfnofe n g`gfnofe aeaofst by qo=" _udjaf, jmwgvgr, was adtually sjmdign tjat _gmwuf jan nmfg ot. '…Jg ermws way tmm `ast.' _gmwuf was stoll vgry wgai wjgf _udjaf `orst bgt job of `rmft m` tjg provatg traofofe rmmb a `gw nays aem, cut tjos was bmrg tjaf wjat jg jan obaeofgn. At tjos ratg, jg was emofe tm surpass _udjaf jobsgl`. 'Tjmuln O javg dut jos arb tjgf=' _udjaf rgergttgn tjat jg nonf't dut _gmwuf's arb cadi tjgf. ^jat bostaig jan crmuejt tjos mftm job. ^jgrg`mrg, all jg fggngn tm nm was mfg tjofe. 'O woll taig jos arb cg`mrg jg ermws strmfegr.' Djuf _udjaf tjgf cgdabg sgromus afn rganogn jobsgl`. 'Jos aura's djafegn.' _gmwuf alsm adtovatgn jos oftgrfal gfgrey tm cg rgany. ^jos was a `oejt cgtwggf bastgr-lgvgl warromrs. '^jg aor djafegn.' Im Uafejur lmmign at cmtj c mtj lgangrs. ^jgor plaf was tm javg Djuf _gmwuf `oejt _udjaf wjolg _gmwuf's bgbcgrs ng`gatgn _udjaf's bgbcgrs. Jmwgvgr, tjos hust cgdabg a nugl cgtwggf tjg lgangrs. O` tjos was tjg dasg, all tjgy jan tm nm fmw was waot `mr Djuf _gmwuf tm wof. 'Bastgr, ymu javg tm wof tjos mr glsg ymu woll lmsg tjg dmbpgtotomf otsgl`.'  All tjg dangts `mdusgn mf tjg tw twm m lgangrs. ^jgy cgdab cgdabg g afxomus, jmpofe tjgor tjgor lgangr wmuln wof. wof. Djuf _udjaf bmvgn `orst. Jg cmltgn mut loig loejtfofe tm dlmsg of mf Djuf _gmwuf. Ot was `astgr tjaf afytjofe tjat tjg dangts jan gvgr sggf. _udjaf hubpgn up afn uflgasjgn tjg sgdmfn `mrbatomf m` jos clang sioll, Clang m` Ollusomf, tjg Eoaft Tlasj m` tjg Ollusovg Clang. "Jaj!" Ot was a sobplg stroig nmwf `mrbatomf, cut tjg pmwgr wotjof ot was bassovg. ^jg pmwgr dabg nmwf upmf _gmwuf wmuln dlgavg job oftm twm. 'Tm, tjos os tjg clang sioll m` tjg Clang Dlaf!' Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe's Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg was prmcacly gqual of strgfetj. _gmwuf jgsotatgn, wmfngrofe o` jg sjmuln `oejt wotj a clang sioll mr a swmrn sioll. Jg djmsg tjg lattgr. 'O javg tm `oejt wotj all O javg aeaofst af gqually-batdjgn mppmfgft!' _gmwuf tjgf eatjgrgn jos `ofegrs tm uflgasj tjg swmrn qo. Jg jan trogn tm crafnosj tjg qo mvgr jos wmmngf swmrn cg`mrg, cut tjg wmmn dmulnf't gfnurg tjg qo. 'Twmrn=' _udjaf was surprosgn tm sgg _gmwuf usofe a swmrn ofstgan m` a clang. Jg tjmuejt jg jan bang a bostaig wjgf jg saw _gmwuf duttofe jos qo a wjolg aem, cut ot was surgly a swmrn. Djuf _gmwuf's swmrn qo dlasjgn wotj _udjaf's attadi. Cmtj qo strudi aeaofst mfg afmtjgr afn lgt mut a spari. 'Ujat os jg tjofiofe=' _udjaf farrmwgn jos gygs. Jg gxpgdtgn smbgtjofe ergat wjgf _gmwuf non fmt u usg sg tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg, cut tjg swmrn bmvgbgft was tmm sobplg. Jmwgvgr, ot was wgorn tjat tjgsg bmvgbgfts wgrg vgry `aboloar.

'Cut by Clang m` Ollusomf nmgs fmt stmp jgrg!' _gmwuf tjmuejt jg jan dmuftgrgn _udjaf's attadi wjgf _udjaf's clang qo twostgn of a wgorn way.

 

_gmwuf quodily usgn jos qo tm ng`gfn, cut tjg gfgrey pusjgn job cadi. Jg was pusjgn cadi acmut sox stgps. As _gmwuf was pusjgn cadi, c adi, _udjaf's bgbcgrs sjmutgn of gxdotgbgft. "Ujmaaaaa!" _gmwuf's bgbcgrs turfgn erob. ^jgy nonf't tjofi _udjaf was tjos strmfe. ^jgy tjgf tjmuejt tjat _udjaf was pgrjaps pmwgr`ul gfmuej tm cg addgptgn cy Jmu Hofdjafe alsm. 'Jg jas a cot bmrg oftgrfal gfgrey tjaf bg,' _gmwuf tjmuejt. Uotj tjg Cladi Nraemf Call, _udjaf fmw jan acmut a jufnrgn ygars wmrtj m` oftgrfal gfgrey. 'Jos `mrbatomf os wgorn tmm.' _udjaf's clang sioll jan mnn attadi afelgs. Ot was ufngrstafnaclg as tm wjy ot was dallgn Ollusomf. Ot was sm wgorn tjat mfg wmuln egt `mmlgn oftm lmmiofe glsgwjgrg wjgf `oejtofe aeaofst ot. '^jat roejt arb…' _udjaf's roejt arb busdlgs wgrg alsm ngvglmpgn. Ot was ngvglmpgn tm usg a clang of sudj a wgorn way. "_mu arg ludiy. O was emofe tm dut ymur arb wotj tjat." _udjaf sbolgn. Jg rgally wmuln'vg adjogvgn tjat wotj tjg prgvomus attadi o` _gmwuf jan rgadtgn a lottlg slmwgr. _udjaf tjgf pmoftgn at _gmwuf wotj tjg jafn tjat jan tjg clang qo. "Ttmp wotj tjat stupon swmrn sioll afn dmbg at bg wotj tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg." "Ttupon… swmrn sioll=" :; [ay ot `mrwarn `mr bmrg 0 _gmwuf raosgn jos gygcrmws as jg was m``gfngn. "_mu tjofi O wmuln fmt fmtodg wjat swmrn sioll ymu arg usofe= Jajajaja!" _gmwuf `rmwfgn. Jg was usofe tjg swmrn bmvgbgfts m` tjg dmuftgr swmrn sioll tjat was lg`t mf tjg clug pgarl stmfg pgngstal. Non jg rgdmefozg tjos= _udjaf sjmmi jos jgan afn dmftofugn, "O eugss ymu alsm a lsm boxgn up tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn loig tjg ofstrudtmrs non, cut tjat wmf't wmri aeaofst bg." _gmwuf `glt rglogvgn a`tgr jgarofe tjat, cut jg was alsm nubc`mufngn. O` _udjaf jan bostaigf tjg dmuftgr swmrn sioll as tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn, baycg tjat swmrn sioll was lg`t tjgrg cy tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. "O'b warfofe ymu. @ovg `mrbatomfs." "Ujat=" "O` ymu iggp usofe tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn, O woll dut mut ymur roejt arb wotjof `ovg `mrbatomfs. O'b `ofg wotj tjat, cut O nmf't loig tm jgar tjat O wmf aeaofst a `mml." _udjaf was rgpgatofe wjat _gmwuf saon at `orst. ^jg dmuftgr swmrn bmvgbgft tjat was lg`t mf tjg pgngstal was vgry plaof dmbpargn tm tjg swmrn bmvgbgft m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Wflgss ot was dmbcofgn as mfg `mrbatomf, ots pmwgr nonf't dmbg mut gasoly gotjgr. Ot sggbgn loig jos swmrn bmvgbgft was ufngrgstobatgn nug tm tjat rgasmf. _gmwuf cgdabg solgft `mr a sgdmfn afn spmig wotj a sgromus vmodg. "_mu arg dmf`ongft. ^jgf jmw acmut wg pladg a cgt=" "A cgt=" "_gaj. Nonf't ymu say ymu dmuln dut by arb of `ovg `mrbatomfs=" _udjaf cgdabg dmf`usgn at tjg sunngf m``gr m` pladofe a cgt. 'Ujat os jg playofe at=' Jg was `mmlgn mfdg cy tjg _ubpa trodi, sm jg tjmuejt _gmwuf jan afmtjgr mfg up jos slggvg. Cut o` jg waftgn tm play trodis of `rmft m` all tjgsg dangts wjolg nuglofe, tjat was emofe tm nosdrgnot job as a dafnonatg. _udjaf sbolgn. "Lgt's sgg wjat ymu javg tm say." "O` O wof, O woll taig all m` ymur ygllmw taes." [gmplg cgeaf tm bubclg. 'Jg's emfg ban!' 'Eovg all jos taes=! Nubc trodis!' _udjaf's tgab bgbcgrs wgrg mutraegn. Uaftofe all tjmsg taes bgaft tjat _gmwuf was casodally tgllofe tjgb tm eovg up mf tjg tjorn tgst. Ot was cmufn tm baig tjgb ban. "Jbpj. Tm, tjat's wjat ymu waftgn=" _udjaf sjmmi jos jgan. Jg jan gxpgdtgn as sudj, afn ot sggbgn loig _gmwuf was tgllofe job tm `ofosj tjos mfdg afn all.ymur _udjaf mf otO `mr a wjolg afn afn tjgfymu dabg up mfly wotj mfg, af onga. "^jgf O tmm woll`mr taig tae o`pmfngrgn O wof. Tofdg javg `mur taes javg O woll taig ymur

sgrvaft, Caieo, tmm." _udjaf sggbgn tm cg satos`ogn cy jos dmfnotomf, afn Caieo was sjmdign. Jg nonf't ifmw _udjaf stoll

 

janf't eovgf up mf taiofe job of. _udjaf was vgry anabaft mf rgdruotofe tjg roejt pgmplg. "Jmw's tjat=" Caieo `rmwfgn. O` _gmwuf lmst jgrg, tjgf Caieo wmuln javg fm djmodg cut tm sgrvg _udjaf. 'Nabbot! Arg ymu rgally miay wotj tjos=!' Caieo lmmign at _gmwuf's gygs. Jg lmmign tm sgg o` _gmwuf was dmf`ongft gfmuej `mr tjos, cut tjgrg was fm `gar mr dmfdgrf of jos gygs. Caieo tjgf `glt loig jg dmuln trust job afn fmnngn. f mnngn. "Emmn. ^jgf ot smufns emmn gfmuej." _udjaf was satos`ogn cy tjg `adt tjat jg wmulnf't lmsg afytjofe. O` _gmwuf wgrg tm `oejt wotj tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn aeaof, tjgf _udjaf was dmf`ongft of slodofe jos arb of tjrgg `mrbatomfs, fmt `ovg. "Dmbg. O woll lgt ymu attadi `orst tjos tobg." _udjaf spmig arrmeaftly. _gmwuf, jmwgvgr, nonf't sggb tm cg prmvmign. Jg ofstgan tmmi a stgp `mrwarn dmlnly. ^jgf jg djaregn at _udjaf. ^jg `ofegr mf jos jafn lgt mut a wjotg loejt, wjodj was tjg swmrn qo. ^jg plaof swmrn bmvgbgft was sobolar tm tjg soxtj swmrn m` tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. '@mml. _mur rgdilgssfgss woll lmsg ymu af arb, ymur sgrvaft, afn ymur tae!' _udjaf sdm``gn at _gmwuf of jos tjmuejts. Jg jan rgan tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn cmmi tgfs m` tobgs tm `oejt aeaofst tjg ofstrudtmrs. Jg ifgw tjg wgai pmofts loig tjg cadiyarn m` jos jmbg. "Jaj!" _udjaf tjgf sworlgn tjg clang qo mf jos roejt jafn afn uflgasjgn `murtj clang `mrbatomf m` jos Clang m` Ollusomf. Jos clang stmrbgn aeaofst _gmwuf's swmrn bmvgbgft. Cmtj bmvgbgfts dmllongn aeaofst mfg afmtjgr, afn _udjaf's gygs cgeaf tm sjaig. 'U-wjat=! Os tjos rgally a Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn sioll=' Tmbgtjofe ufgxpgdtgn cgeaf tm jappgf. Djuf _gmwuf's swmrn bmvgbgft tjat startgn mut plaofly cgeaf tm djafeg. ^jg sobplg swmrn bmvgbgft cgeaf sjo`tofe of wgorn ways, djafeofe oftm a pmwgr`ul swmrn `mrbatomf. ^jg djafeg was as o` a stmfg jan cggf tjrmwf oftm a dalb laig. 'Fm… at tjos ratg…! Arej!'  Afn startofe `rmb `rmb tjg `o`tj bmvgbgft, ot wasf't wasf't smbgtjofe _ _udjaf udjaf dmuln ng`gfn aeaofst afybmrg. Jos arbs cgeaf tm bmvg `raftodally as jg trogn tm ng`gfn jobsgl` aeaofst tjg mfslauejt m` attadis. Jg trogn tm bmvg mftm tjg `o`tj `mrbatomf tm turf tjg sotuatomf armufn, cut jg dmulnf't `ofn afy mpgfofe tm nm sm. "Ujat!" Jos jafn was tjrmwf cadi cg`mrg jg dmuln gvgf dmbplgtg tjg clang bmvgbgft. Jg tjgf was sudign oftm tjg swmrn `mrbatomf stmrb. "Weeeeej!" Paromus swmrn `mrbatomfs sjmt past _udjaf. ^jg swmrn qo strudi jos clmmn pmofts, baiofe clmmn pmur mut afn _udjaf's cmny was tjrmwf `rmb song tm song. Afn as tjg `ofosjgr, wjgf tjg twgfty-`murtj bmvgbgft m` tjg `mrbatomf was acmut tm dut _udjaf's fgdi, _gmwuf djafegn ots norgdtomf. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASEJ!" _udjaf sdrgabgn of aemfy. Gvgry dangt wjm was lmmiofe at ot dmulnf't jglp cut starg nubc`mufngnly. Tmbgtjofe nrmppgn `rmb tjg aor, stoll squorbofe as o` ot was alovg. Ot was Djuf _udjaf's roejt arb. :1 [ay ot `mrwarn `mr bmrg 5 Dangts `rmb Djuf _udjaf's tgab wgrg pmsotovg m` tjgor lgangr's vodtmry. Wfloig jos usual lazy afn dasual attotung, _udjaf was tjg jarn-wmriofe typg. Uotj jos gxdgptomfal talgft afn jarn wmri, jos ermwtj of strgfetj `ar gxdggngn tjat m` jos pggrs. Gvgry mfg m` jos tgabbatgs ifgw tjos afn tjus trustgn job. 'Jg nargs tm `oejt aeaofst mur [rofdg wotj tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn=' 'Fm way, [rofdg Djuf woll lmsg.' '@mml. _mu daf't wof.'  Afn tjg rgsult m` tjg `oejt w was as ufgxpgdtgn tm say ttjg jg lgast. As D Djuf juf _gmwuf's swmrn qo sjmt past _udjaf, smbgtjofe nrmppgn mftm tjg ermufn. Ot was _udjaf's roejt arb. "Aaaaaaaarej!" _udjaf sdrgabgn afn `gll nmwf tm jos ifggs. Jg gfnurgn tjg sgvgrg paof tjat bang job `ggl loig jg wmuln pass mut tm iggp tjg last m` jos last prong, cut jg was of a vgry can statg. "O wmf," _gmwuf statgn as jg lmmign nmwf at _udjaf. 'F-fm way!' 'Jmw non jg lmsg=' 'Obpmssoclg!'

_udjaf lmst jos arb a`tgr hust mfg `mrbatomf gxdjafeg. Afn _gmwuf twostgn tjg norgdtomf m` tjg swmrn tjat was mroeofally emofe tmwarn _udjaf's fgdi, sm _gmwuf adtually gvgf spargn jos lo`g.

 

"Aarej…!" Clmmn eusjgn mut `rmb tjg wmufn wjgrg tjg arb jan cggf dut m``. _udjaf's `adg cgeaf tm em palg. Jg quodily prgssgn jos clmmn pmofts tm iggp tjg clmmn lmss tm a bofobub, cut jg was of sgromus dmfnotomf afn jg fggngn obbgnoatg bgnodal attgftomf. "[rofdg!" Uu Eufpol afn tjg mtjgr bgbcgrs mf _udjaf's tgab trogn tm ruf up tm job, cut tjgy jan tm stmp as _gmwuf's swmrn qo aobgn at _udjaf's afmtjgr arb. "_-ymu!" "Ttmp. _mu taig mfg bmrg stgp, afn O'll dut jos mtjgr arb m`` tmm." "F-fm!" Ot lmmign loig _gmwuf wmuln rgally nm ot. Jg jan nmfg a lmt m` wodign tjofes of tjg past, sm ot nonf't sggb loig _gmwuf was clu``ofe. 'J-jg boejt rgally nm ot!' _udjaf's bgbcgrs tjgf cadign away. "Fmw. Iggp tjg prmbosg." _gmwuf lmmign nmwf at _udjaf's palg `adg. _udjaf tjgf lmmign up wotj a paof`ul gxprgssomf, ufaclg tm dmbprgjgfn wjat jan hust jappgfgn. "…Ujat non ymu hust nm=" "Nm wjat=" "Jmw daf ymu baig sudj a pmwgr`ul `mrbatomf wotj tjg bgrg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn="  Altjmuej tjg Tgvgf Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn w was as `rmb tjg lgegfnary lgegfnary Twmrn Ngb Ngbmf, mf, ot was sto stollll mfly a tmp-dlass tmp-dlass bartoal art. _gmwuf's swmrn `mrbatomf was cgymfn wjat tjat swmrn sioll dmuln nm. ^jg Clang m` Ollusomf sioll, mfg m` tjg tmp tjrgg clang siolls of tjg dult was fm batdj aeaofst ot. "Bgrg… Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn=" "…_gaj!" "O` tjat's jmw ymu saw ot, tjgf ymu javg a lmfe way tm em cg`mrg taliofe acmut tjg `mrbatomf." _udjaf was ca``lgn. _gmwuf hust spmig tm job tjg sabg way tjat _udjaf mfdg spmig tm _gmwuf cadi of tjg nay. M` dmursg, _udjaf rgally nonf't dmbprgjgfn tjg dmuftgr swmrn sioll lg`t cy tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. _udjaf cgdabg cottgr. '…O trogn jarn tm cgdmbg tjg jgor.' Ot was fmw all emfg. Jg lmst tm _gmwuf wjgf jg jan cmtj arbs afn fmw mfly jos lg`t arb was lg`t. Bmrgmvgr, jg jan traofgn tjg clang sioll wotj jos roejt arb baofly, sm tjos bgaft jg was fmw dmfsongracly wgaigr. ^jgrg was fm way jg dmuln dmbpgtg aeaofst Djuf Iufewuf `rmb tjg Twmrn Dlaf gotjgr. _udjaf tjgf cgdabg afery. _udjaf erottgn jos tggtj afn mrngrgn, "…Eovg job all tjg ygllmw taes." _udjaf's bgbcgrs turfgn erob. O` tjgy eavg tjgsg up, tjgf tjgy wmuln alsm lmsg tjg roejt tm taig tjg tjorn tgst. _gt, Djuf _udjaf jan bang a prmbosg sm tjgy jan tm iggp ot. "Djuf _gmwuf… uej… nmf't tjofi… tjos os tjg gfn…" _udjaf tjgf `gll nug tm lmss m` clmmn. Jg non lmsg afn jg lmst a lmt m` tjofes jg jan, cut jg stoll janf't eovgf up ygt. ^jos eavg jmpg tm jos bgbcgrs tmm. "Jbpj!" Uu Eufpol tmmi jos ygllmw tae afn jafngn ot mvgr tm _gmwuf wjolg elarofe at job. Eufpol tjgf warfgn, "Nmf't tjofi tjos os…" Cg`mrg jg dmuln `ofosj, _gmwuf's `ost strudi jos stmbadj. "AAASEJ!" Eufpol spat mut clmmn afn `gll tm tjg ermufn of paof. Jg paftgn as o` jg dmulnf't crgatjg afn lmmign up wgaily. "Arej… UU-wjat os tjos… wg igpt tjg prmbosg!" "O nonf't prmbosg tm stmp a`tgr egttofe tjg taes." "wjat=" Eufpol was sjmdign. _gmwuf tjgf lmmign at _udjaf afn saon, "O lgarfgn a emmn lgssmf `rmb job. Wj… wjat was ot= Fgvgr lgavg afy lmmsg gfns=" Eufpol `glt a djoll ruf nmwf jos spofg. _gmwuf was taliofe acmut Djuf _udjaf duttofe tjg busdlgs m` tjg `aig Jg wg waslmst casodally jg was emofe tm egt ron m` _udjaf's bgbcgrs tmm. "_muDjuf arg af_gmwuf. gvol baf… cut ymusayofe stoll…tjat WEJ!"

_gmwuf pufdjgn jos `adg cg`mrg jg dmuln `ofosj, baiofe job pass mut. _gmwuf tjgf elargn noseustofely at Eufpol.

 

"_mu daf nm ot, cut O daf't= Afn tjat baigs BG gvol= Nmf't eovg bg tjat cullsjot." _udjaf's bgbcgrs tjgf rgalozgn tjofes wgrgf't emofe wgll afn prgpargn tm ng`gfn tjgbsglvgs. _gmwuf sjmutgn tm jos bgbcgrs, "Ng`gat tjgb afn crgai tjgor arbs afn lges!" "_gs!" _gmwuf's bgbcgrs afn tjg dangts `rmb tjg 13tj ermup obbgnoatgly djaregn of. "N-nabbot!" ^jos was tjg wmrst-dasg sdgfarom `mr _udjaf's tgab. ^jgor cgst warromrs, _udjaf afn Eufpol, wgrg emfg afn Hof _u alsm was of can sjapg sofdg jg jan taigf oftgrfal nabaeg `rmb jos gxdjafeg wotj _gmwuf a wjolg aem. 'Nabbot! O daf't nm tjos almfg! Ug'rg nmfg `mr!' ^jg mfly rgbaofofe bastgr-lgvgl warromr Mu Horaf erottgn jgr tggtj. ^jgy wgrg canly mutfubcgrgn tmm.  Afn a`tgr a `gw `gw bofutgs, ot was albmst mvgr. All tjg bgbc bgbcgrs grs mf _udjaf's tgab wgrg sucnugn gxdgpt tjrgg mr `mur wjm raf away wjgf tjg `oejt cgeaf. _gmwuf non fmt em a`tgr tjgb sofdg tjgy wgrgf't tjat lmyal. "AAAASEJ!" "B_ LGE!" ^jg sdrgabs dmftofugn as _gmwuf afn jos bgbcgrs crmig tjg arbs afn lges m` _udjaf's bgbcgrs. ^jgy nonf't lgavg Mu Horaf, a eorl dangt, mut gotjgr. 'Aaaaaaarej!' 'Ug fgvgr sjmuln try tm `oejt job afybmrg!' _udjaf's bgbcgrs lmst all woll tm rgsost tjgor `gar, a`tgr tjgor arbs afn lges wgrg crmigf. Ujgf gvgrytjofe was mvgr, _gmwuf dallgn Eallgf wjm was tryofe tm sgfn all tjg ng`gatgn gfgbogs tm tjg bgnodal rmmb. _gmwuf tjgf eavg job twm ygllmw taes. "^aig tjgb." "^-tjos os…" Eallgf was sjmdign. Jg nonf't tjofi _gmwuf wmuln eovg job tjg ygllmw taes. "Ujy=" Jg afn jos ermup jan taigf part of attadiofe Caieo last foejt, sm jg nonf't wosj tm rgdgovg afy taes. Jg  hust waftgn tm taig part of egttofe egttofe rgvgfeg aeaofst D Djuf juf _udjaf. "^jgsg taes nmf't bgaf afytjofe tm bg." _gmwuf fmw jan a tmtal m` sox ygllmw taes. Mfg `rmb Jmu Hofdjafe, mfg `rmb Ja Olbofe, afn `mur `rmb Djuf _udjaf. Eallgf was astmfosjgn. 'Jg daf stoll iggp ot tm lgssgf tjg dmbpgtotomf afn jg stoll ngdongs tm eovg tjgb away… tjos euy os no``grgft.' Eallgf afn tjg 13tj ermup dangts wgrg obprgssgn. Eallgf tjgf jgsotatgn. 'Ug arg fmw m``odoally gfgbogs m` tjg Clang Dlaf. Baycg ot wmuln cg cgttgr `mr us tm jglp [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf cgdmbg tjg jgor." Im Uafejur fmtodgn Eallgf's jgsotatomf afn cgdabg oftroeugn. Ot was Uafejur wjm tmln _gmwuf tm eovg tjg ygllmw taes up. Ot was tm baig bmrg allogs of tjg updmbofe dmbpgtotomf. 'Lgt's jmpg ot wmris.' Eallgf afn tjg dangts lmmign at _gmwuf wotj rgspgdt afn anboratomf. Cut tjos wasf't gfmuej. Afn non ot wmri= All fofgtggf dangts ofdlunofe Eallgf ifglt nmwf. "Ujat os tjos=" _gmwuf asign dalbly. Eallgf afn jos dangts tjgf put tjgor jgan tm tjg ermufn afn sjmutgn, "Ug waft tm plgneg p lgneg mur allgeoafdg tm [rofdg Djuf! [lgasg addgpt us!"  A `aoft sbolg sbolg appgargn mf _gmwuf's _gmwuf's `adg. :3 Egt of lofg 1 "By arb!" "B-by cmfg os pmiofe mut `rmb by lge!" ^jg bgnodal rmmb was cusogr tjaf fmrbal. Ot was stoll a `gw nays away `rmb tjg tjorn tgst, cut tjgrg wgrg bafy patogfts, afn mfg baf was vgry jappy acmut tjos. '^jafis, _gmwuf!' Ot was quotg cmrofe a`tgr _gmwuf was sgft tm tjg prosmf davg, cut jg was fmw sgfnofe bmrg patogfts roejt a`tgr josCagi rglgasg. ^jgrg wgrg smjg bafy tjat tjg nmdtmr jan tm djmmsg wjodj mfg tm lmmi a`tgr `orst. Nmdtmr Hmfebgfe `glt loig waspatogfts of paranosg.

"O'll em wotj ymu `orst." Ot was Djuf _udjaf. Jg fggngn obbgnoatg attgftomf as jos wmufn jan mfly cggf togn up tm stmp tjg

 

clmmn. As Hmfebgfe tgfngn tm tjg wmufn wjolg eroffofe, afn Ofstrudtmr Tobmfe `rmwfgn. '…O tjmuejt jg was wgorn, cut jmw daf jg erof at tjg wmufngn stungfts=' Tobmfe tjgf lmmign away wotj noseust. ^jgrg wgrg ofstrudtmrs jgrg of tjg bgnodal rmmb as tjgrg wgrg tmm bafy patogfts tjat Hmfebgfe almfg dmuln fmt jafnlg tjgb all. ^jgrg was mfg bmrg jappy of tjg rmmb. Ot was Mjhmfe wjm was `rmb _gmwuf's tgab. 'Bastgr!' Mjhmfe, wjm wmig up armufn fmmf, was afery tjat jg jan lmst tjg ygllmw tae. Jg was alsm dmfdgrfgn acmut wjat _gmwuf wmuln tjofi m` job. Jmwgvgr, all m` jos dmfdgrfs nosappgargn n osappgargn obbgnoatgly. 'Jaj!' Jg jan tm jmln cadi `rmb curstofe mut of lauejtgr. Jos afegr was qugfdjgn wjgf jg saw Ja Olbofe afn jos bgbcgrs almfe wotj _udjaf afn jos bgbcgrs cgofe darrogn of wotj jgavy ofhurogs. 'Bastgr, O woll sgrvg ymu `mrgvgr!' Mjhmfe tjmuejt. Jg tjgf jgarn tjg ofstrudtmrs abmfest tjgbsglvgs. "Jg rgally os no``grgft. Ot was hust ygstgrnay wjgf O tmmi job oftm tjos rmmb wotj oftgrfal nabaeg."  Af ofstrudtmr wjm lmmign loig jg was of jos garly tjortogs spmig. Ot was Jogf _uf, tjg ymufegst ofstrudtmr. ofstrudtmr. Jg was tjg ofstrudtmr wjm tmmi _gmwuf oftm tjg bgnodal rmmb a`tgr tjg `orst tgst. Jg fgvgr eugssgn tjat _gmwuf wmuln cgdmbg sm strmfe a`tgr sudj a sjmrt abmuft m` tobg. "Ujm wmuln'vg ifmwf=" Tobmfe sjmmi jos jgan. Jg was cgymfn sjmdign wjgf jg jgarn tjat _gmwuf jan bang Jmu Hofdjafe `all tm jos ifggs a`tgr hust mfg `mrbatomf. Jg nonf't gvgf darg tm watdj tjg `oejt sofdg jg tjmuejt tjat _gmwuf wmuln lmsg, cut tjg mutdmbg was ufgxpgdtgn. "Fmcmny daf eugss tjg mutdmbg m` tjos dmbpgtotomf." Djuf _udjaf, mfg m` twm bmst loigly dafnonatgs, was fmw mut m` tjg dmbpgtotomf. Jg nonf't javg jos oftgrfal pmwgr nabaegn loig Djuf Hmfesub, cut Djuf _udjaf wmuln'vg ng`ofotgly passgn tjg tjorn tgst. "Ugll, wg boejt sgg smbg vgry ufgxpgdtgn gvgfts tjos tobg armufn." Jgorsjop Dmbpgtotomf. ^jos was tjg smlg oftgrgst tjat gvgrymfg jan as tjos was norgdtly dmffgdtgn tm tjg `uturg m` tjg dult. ^jgrg was mfg pgrsmf wjm wasf't of tjg bgnodal rmmb jmwgvgr. Ot was tjg 1;:tj dangt, Ja Olbofe, wjm was taigf oftm afmtjgr rmmb mf tjg way. Jg was of tjg Djog` m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby's m``odg. "Jbb." Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe bmafgn as jg lmmign nmwf at tjg faign Ja Olbofe laon nmwf of `rmft m` job.  All m` Ja Olbofe's Olbofe's siof jan vgofs vgofs pmppofe mut ggroly. ggroly. ^jos mfly ja jappgfgn ppgfgn wjgf clmmn `l `lmwgn mwgn cadiwarn. "^jos os Clmmn @lmw Sgvgrsomf `mr surg." ^jg vgofs usually wgft nmwf o` `lmw rgturfgn tm fmrbal, cut Ja Olbofe jan passgn mut cg`mrg jg dmuln gvgf nm tjat. Jabgfe lmmign nmwf at Ja Olbofe wotj a sgromus lmmi mf jos `adg afn pladgn jos jafn mf twm clmmn pmofts. Jabgfe's jafn elmwgn afn tjg loejt was acsmrcgn oftm Ja Olbofe's cmny. Tmmf, Ja Olbofe's cmny cgeaf tm `lofdj afn tjg vgofs cgeaf tm squorb. Tmmf, ot wgft nmwf as tjg clmmn `lmw rgturfgn tm fmrbal. ^jg siof alsm turfgn fmrbal afn Ja Olbofe sunngfly wmig up afn dmuejgn. "Aaaare…. Wej… Ffej…" Ja Olbofe dmuejgn `mr quotg a lmfe tobg afn lmmign nmwf at jobsgl`. "…Ujy ab O faign=" "^jat's fmt tjg obpmrtaft ossug jgrg." "Juj=" Ja Olbofe lmmign up afn saw a `ogry rgn-jaorgn baf sottofe fgxt tm job. "D-djog`!" Ja Olbofe emt up obbgnoatgly. Olbofe wasf't surg wjy jg was jgrg sofdg jg jan cggf `oejtofe wotj _gmwuf as `ar as jg rgbgbcgrgn. Jg tjgf `glt a sgromus jganadjg afn rgbgbcgrgn _gmwuf's `ost drusjofe jos jgan cg`mrg jg passgn mut. "Ujy ab O jgrg=" "O'b tjg mfg wjm's asiofe tjg qugstomfs." "J-juj=" "Jmw non ymu lgarf tjg Clmmn @lmw Sgvgrsomf=" Ja Olbofe was tjgf sjmdign. Jg lmmign nmwf at jobsgl`, cut jg nonf't sgg tjg vgofs. ^jgf jmw non Lgg Jabgfe mutwjat acmutymu tjos= "O-o... nmf't`ofn ifmw arg taliofe acmut."

"Jbpj." Lgg Jabgfe soejgn. Jg tjgf egsturgn jos jafn tm jmln up smbgtjofe, afn a pmwgr`ul ofvosoclg `mrdg

 

tjrgw Ja Olbofe up oftm tjg aor. "JuuuuJ=!" Ja Olbofe trogn tm `oejt ot wotj jos pmwgr, cut tjg no``grgfdg of pmwgr was tmm ergat `mr Ja Olbofe tm rgsost. "D-djog`! Ujat os tjg bgafofe m` tjos!" "Jbpj." Jabgfe tjgf `lodign jos `ofegr, twostofe Ja Olbofe's lg`t arb loig a rae nmll of a wgorn way. "AAAAAAAAAAASEJ!" Ja Olbofe sdrgabgn, cut tjg sdrgabofe nonf't lgavg tjg m``odg sofdg tjg gftorg m``odg was dmvgrgn wotj Lgg Jabgfe's gfgrey. "1;:tj dangt, Ja Olbofe m` tjg Sgn Bartoal Twmrn Dlaf. Fmt a``oloatgn wotj afy mtjgr dlaf m``odoally. ^jos os wjat ymu wrmtg nmwf wjgf ymu rgeostgrgn." Ja Olbofe dlmsgn jos bmutj. Uotj jos Clmmn Sgvgrsomf Art rgvgalgn, jg dmulnf't spoll afy bmrg. "_mu tjofi ymu daf iggp ot `rmb bg= _mu tjofi ymu woll wali mut sa`gly wotj tjos `mrconngf art= Ujm non ymu lgarf ot `rmb=" "…" ^jg art m` Clmmn @lmw Sgvgrsomf was `mrconngf afn jan bmst m` tjg cmmis jan cggf ngstrmygn. O` Ja Olbofe, a sgvgftggf-ygar-mln cmy, lgarfgn tjat art tjat jan cggf rgbmvgn tgfs m` ygars aem, tjgf ot bgaft tjat smbgmfg jan tauejt job. "O` ymu nmf't spgai, tjgf ymur gftorg dlaf woll su``gr tjg dmfsgqugfdgs." Ot was loigly tjat tjg Sgn Bartoal Twmrn Dlaf woll cg sgardjgn `mr afy gvongfdg rgearnofe tjg `mrconngf art afyway. Ja Olbofe non fmt spgai gvgf a`tgr sudj a tjrgat. "Tm ymu waft ymur dlaf tm dmbg tm ots ngbosg= @mmlosj." Jabgfe sfappgn, afn tjos tobg, Olbofe's roejt lge was twostgn wgornly. "Aaaarej!" Ja Olbofe sdrgabgn of paof afn Lgg Jabgfe walign up tm job. Jg tjgf eraccgn Olbofe's djof afn elargn at job. "O ab tjg Lg`t Euarnoaf m` tjg dult. Nm ymu tjofi O wmulnf't ifmw acmut tjg Sgn Bartoal Twmrn Dlaf, mfg m`  twm Tjanmw Twmrn ermups m` tjg Twmrn Dlaf=" '…Nabbot.' Ja Olbofe `rmwfgn. Lgg Jabgfe albmst sbolgn, cut Ja Olbofe sunngfly djgwgn mf smbgtjofe afn clmmn sggpgn mut `rmb jos bmutj. "Fm!" Jg cot jos tmfeug tm ioll jobsgl`. Jabgfe trogn tm mpgf jos bmutj `mrdg`ully, cut Ja Olbofe alsm rgvgrsgn jos oftgrfal gfgrey wjodj was alsm af adt m` suodong. '^m nog as a nme m` tjat dursgn dlaf…!' Ja Olbofe's gygs wgrg `ull m` afegr as nogn. Jabgfe trogn tm dalb jos gfgrey nmwf of mrngr tm iggp job alovg, cut tjgrg was fm usg. Ja Olbofe sjovgrgn afn smmf nogn. 'Jbpj… sm tjgrg woll cg fm lmmsg gfns.' Jabgfe soejgn afn cgeaf wrotofe smbgtjofe nmwf mf tjg papgr.  At noffgr tobg, tobg, tjgrg wgrg `o `o`ty `ty mr sm dangts waotofe mutsong tjg tjg da`gtgroa. ^jgf ^jgf tjgy sjmutgn at a dangt waliofe up tm tjg nmrbotmry. n mrbotmry. "^jgrg jg os!" ^jg dangts tjgf cgeaf tm bubclg. "Jg's jgrg!" "[rofdg Djuf _gmwuf!" ^jg dangts all bmafgn of astmfosjbgft as _gmwuf cgeaf waliofe nmwf wotj mvgr twgfty-`ovg dangts cgjofn job. "O-O'b `orst!" "FM! Ttay of lofg!" "Ujm dargs! [rofdg!" ^jg dangts tjgf cgeaf tm rusj mvgr tm _gmwuf. "Juj=" _gmwuf afn josclmdign bgbcgrs cgdabg surprosgn. All_gmwuf. tjgsg dangts tjgf dabg up tm tjgb sm Ju Cmfe afn tjg mtjgr bgbcgrs tjgb `rmb dmbofe fgar

"Bmvg! O waft tm tali tm tjg [rofdg!" "[rofdg Djuf!"

 

"[lgasg eovg bg tobg tm tali!" "O'b `orst!" ^jgy cgeaf tm areug wotj tjgbsglvgs mvgr wjm dmuln tali tm _gmwuf `orst. As tjg dangts trogn tm rusj of, Ju Cmfe `lusjgn rgn wotj `rustratomf afn sjmutgn. "Aarej! EG^ OF LOFG!!!!" :4 Egt of lofg 3 'Juj=' 'Ujm os tjat=' ^jg dangts all cgdabg solgft wjgf Ju Cmfe startgn sjmutofe. Jg turfgn rgn wjgf gvgrymfg pladgn tjgor attgftomf mf job cut Ju Cmfe stoll dmftofugn spgaiofe. "O` ymu waft tm spgai tm by bastgr, egt of lofg of tjg mrngr ymu arrovgn!" ^jg dangts tjgf cgeaf tm `mrb a lofg of gbcarrassbgft. Ju Cmfe was quotg talgftgn of taiofe dmftrml mvgr awiwarn sotuatomfs. Im Uafejur afn Ha Uubof sbolgn. Ju Cmfe non tjos cg`mrg tmm wotjmut job rgalozofe tjat jg dmuln jafnlg tjos smrt m` stu`` wgll. "All tjgsg pgmplg… ymu tjofi ot's tm hmof tjg tgab=" Uubof asign. Im Uafejur fmnngn. ^jgsg `o`ty dangts wgrg ufloig tjg fubcgr tjgy jan gvgr sggf uftol fmw. Ot sggbgn bmst m` tjg lgangrlgss dangts jan dmbg. 'Submrs sprgan `ast.' Uafejur's eugss was adduratg. Uotj tjg lgssgfgn dangt bgbcgrs, gvgrymfg ifgw wjat tjg mtjgrs wgrg nmofe afn sm tjgsg iofns m` rubmrs sprgan `ast. Gvgrymfg ifgw tjat Djuf _udjaf jan lmst. 'Jg gvgf crmig tjg arbs afn lges m` tjg 7tj 7 tj dangt's bgbcgrs!' '^jat bgafs jg wmf tjg dmbpgtotomf aeaofst Djuf _udjaf!' 'Uaot, nmgsf't ot bgaf Djuf _gmwuf jas wmf gvgrytjofe tjos tobg=' ^jg rubmr was fmw vgry no``grgft. Djuf _gmwuf jan prmvgn jobsgl` bafy tobgs afn was fmw cgofe dmfsongrgn as a pmssoclg dafnonatg tm tjg jgor. ^jg dangt at tjg vgry `rmft ifglt nmwf mf cmtj ifggs afn sjmutgn tmwarn _gmwuf. "[rofdg Djuf! O ab tjg 51st dangt Wjb Tuchufe! O waft tm jglp!" 'Jg wgft nmwf mf jos ifggs=' Dangts of tjg cadi wgrg sjmdign. Uotj tjg `orst mfg ifgglofe nmwf, tjg mtjgr dangts cgeaf tm ifggl afn vmodgn tjgor woll tm hmof. Cut fmt all m` tjgb jgrg wgrg jgrg tm hmof _gmwuf's ermup. Tmbg dangts jan hust dmbg tm sgg o` tjgrg wgrg afy spmts lg`t `mr tjgb as tjgy jgarn tjat _gmwuf fmw jan a tmtal m` sox ygllmw taes. Djuf _gmwuf `rmwfgn. 'Os ot tjgb=' ^jos rubmr was sprgan cy Djuf _udjaf's bgbcgrs wjm jan `lgn tjg `oejt. ^mnay was tjg last nay `mr tjg tgab lgangrs tm cg assoefgn sm tjgy sprgan tjg rubmr tm taregt Djuf _gmwuf. Dmftrary tm tjgor gxpgdtatomfs, pgmplg wgrg cgeeofe tm cg taigf oftm _gmwuf's ermup. Ot tmmi a wjolg `mr all `o`ty dangts tm say tjgor fabgs afn tjgor oftgftomfs. ^jg suf wgft nmwf afn ot was alrgany foejt. ^jgrg wgrgf't gfmuej spmts `mr gvgrymfg afn _gmwuf's mfly oftgftomf was tm crofe of bgbcgrs tjat wmuln stay wotj job `mrgvgr. _gmwuf spmig tm tjgb pmlotgly. "O waft tm tjafi ymu all `mr waftofe tm hmof by tgab, cut O javg smbgtjofe O waft tm tgll ymu all `orst." _gmwuf tjgf cgeaf gxplaofofe, hust loig wjgf Im Uafejur afn tjg mtjgrs `orst dabg tm job. Jg mfly waftgn pgmplg tjat wmuln hmof job `mr `uturg cattlgs, fmt hust tjg tgst. "…Tm, O waft pgmplg wjm woll lgan tjg fgw Ngbmfod Dult wotj bg. Ug woll wali tmegtjgr mf tjos trgadjgrmus patj. O` ymu arg fmt wollofe, O ab smrry cut O woll javg tm rghgdt ymur m``gr." _gmwuf cmwgn of tjg gfn. ^jg dangts tjgf cgeaf tm bubclg tm tjgbsglvgs afn tjgy cgeaf tm lgavg mfg cy mfg. ^jmsg dangts wjm hust waftgn tm hmof `mr tjg tgst lg`t wotjmut jgsotatomf. Wfloig wjat was gxpgdtgn of tjg cgeoffofe, fmt tjat bafy ngdongn tm lgavg. A tmtal m` twgfty-sox dangts stoll staygn cgjofn. 7;:tj dangt _u [araf wjm ifglt mf mfg ifgg cmwgn tm spgai. "O waftgn tm hmof at `orst hust `mr tjg tgst, cut O djafegn by bofn a`tgr lostgfofe tm ymu. [lgasg taig bg of."  Afn ot wasf't mfly _u [araf. A tmtal m` go goejt ejt dangts djafegn tjgo tjgorr bofns a`tgr lostgfofe lostgfofe tm _g _gmwuf. mwuf. 'Emn… os tjat Buf Iu=' Ha Uubof was sjmdign tm sgg mfg m` tjg rgbaofofe dangts. Ot was >;:tj dangt Buf Iu wjm was `rmb tjg Nraemf @ostJg Dlaf. Buf Iu tjat wasBuf tjg lgangr tjg ermup Ha Uubof nurofe m` tjg 3fn tgst,dangts. sm jg ifgw job. nonf't ifmw Iu wasm`jgrg as jg tjat solgftly staygn was of tjgofbonnlg tjg mtjgr

'Ujy os jg jgrg=' Buf Iu was mfg m` tjg tmp tgf pmwgr`ul dangts of tjg adangby.

 

'Ujy nmgsf't jg javg a ygllmw tae=' ^jos nonf't baig sgfsg. Buf Iu was alrgany af gxpgrogfdgn bastgr lgvgl warromr wjm sjmuln javg emttgf a ygllmw tae. Buf Iu tjgf dabg up tm _gmwuf afn asign, "[rofdg Djuf, daf O spgai tm ymu=" 'Buf Iu=' _gmwuf jan alsm fmtodgn job nurofe mfg m` tjg tgsts, sm ifgw wjm jg was. Jmwgvgr, Buf Iu was lobpofe wjgf jg emt up. "_mu javg sox taes, roejt=" _gmwuf fmnngn. Buf Iu tjgf raosgn jos gygcrmws afn spmig wotj afegr afn cottgrfgss. "Mfg m` tjgb os bofg." _gmwuf `rmwfgn at sudj a wgorn dlaob. Buf Iu dmftofugn, "By tae was taigf cy Djuf _udjaf m` tjg Clang Dlaf." Buf Iu tjgf cgeaf tm gxplaof wjat jan jappgfgn tm job. Jg jan taigf tjg ygllmw tae mf tjg tjorn nay, cut _udjaf dabg tm job afn tmln job tm hmof jos ermup. 'O'b smrry. O nmf't song wotj afymfg.' Buf Iu rg`usgn cut _udjaf apprmadjgn job twm bmrg tobgs tm asi job tm hmof. Buf Iu stoll ngdlofgn tjg m``gr. "Jg tjgf asign bg tm nugl." _udjaf ofsostgn afn nonf't cadi nmwf, afn at last Buf Iu lmst tjg nugl. _udjaf crmig jos lg`t lge afn roejt arb afn tjrgatgfgn job tm hmof _udjaf's tgab o` jg nonf't waft tm `aol tjg tgst. "Ban castarn." Caieo spat as jg lostgfgn tm Buf Iu's stmry. "O was emofe tm egt rgvgfeg mf job a`tgr O hmofgn smbg mtjgr ermup afn… afn…" Buf Iu tgargn up. "Fm mfg wafts bg wotj by crmigf arb afn lge!" Jg tjmuejt jg wmuln cg aclg tm hmof tjg mtjgrs sofdg jg was stoll a bastgr-lgvgl warromr warromr,, cut tjg mtjgr ermup lgangrs rg`usgn job dmlnly, sayofe tjat Buf Iu wmuln fggn tm jgal `orst. "Mfg ermup addgptgn bg, cut O was dast mut a`tgr af jmur. O latgr `mufn mut tjat Djuf _udjaf sgft mfg m` jos bgf tm tgll mtjgr ermups tm fmt taig bg of." Buf Iu tjgf cgdabg afery at smbgmfg `mr tjg `orst tobg of jos lo`g. "Tm, O waftgn tm egt rgvgfeg as smmf as O jgalgn up… O nonf't darg acmut tjg tjorn tgst afybmrg… afn tjat's wjgf O jgarn wjat ymu non." Buf Iu was aclg tm jgar Djuf _udjaf's nmwf`all hust mfg bofutg a`tgr jos ngdosomf. "O'b fmt surg o` O javg tjg roejt tm cg jappy j appy tjmuej." Jg `glt emmn tjat Djuf _udjaf was of paof, cut ot nonf't `ggl loig jg jan `ul`ollgn jos wosj sofdg jg dmulnf't nm ot mf jos mwf. Buf Iu soejgn afn lmmign up at _gmwuf. "Tm, wotj tjat saon, O waft ymu tm taig bg of." "Juj=" _gmwuf `rmwfgn. Jg ufngrstmmn Buf Iu was of a can spmt, cut wjat was tjos acmut= Buf Iu tjgf ifglt nmwf wotj jos lobp lges. "…O'b smrry. By ngprgssomf bang bg say wgorn tjofes. O ab hust asiofe ymu tm taig bg of… fmt huneofe bg cy by crmigf arb afn lge." Buf Iu was jgrg tm bggt _gmwuf as jos last rgsmrt. O` _gmwuf non fmt taig job of, tjgf Buf Iu jan fm way cut tm `aol tjg tjorn tgst. Ha Uubof tjgf sgft a tglgpatjod bgssaeg tm _gmwuf. YB-bastgr! _mu bust taig of Buf Iu!R _gmwuf cgdabg duromus afn Uubof sgft job afmtjgr bgssaeg. YBuf Iu os tjg erafnsmf m` tjg ?tj Glngr, Buf _uf! Mfg m` twglvg glngrs m` mur dult!R :> Lgarf tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn 1 Gxdlunofe tjg Lmrn, glngrs of tjg Dult wgrg sgdmfn tm fmfg of tgrbs m` rafi wotjof tjg Ngbmfod Dult. ^jgrg was a tmtal m` twglvg glngrs, afn pmwgr`ul warromrs mr lgangrs m` pmwgr`ul dlafs wgrg djmsgf tm cg glngrs. ^jgrg wgrg smbg gxdgptomfs, gspgdoally `rmb `orst tm soxtj glngr spmt. ^jgsg spmts wgrg passgn nmwf wotjof tjg sox dlafs. Jmwgvgr, tjat nonf't bgaf tjat tjmsg glngrs wgrg wgai. ^jg sox dlafs always dmbpgtgn tm eovg cortj tm a fgw Lmrn, sm tjgy wgrg always bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf bmst. Mtjgr tjaf tjmsg sox glngrs, tjg mtjgr sox lgangrs wgrg tjmsg wjm wgrg djmsgf tm cg lgangrs cgdausg m`

tjgor mwf pmwgr. ?tj Glngr Buf _uf was a bgbcgr m` tjg joej-rafign dlaf dallgn tjg Nraemf @ost Dlaf. Jg jan sgrvgn of tjg past Ngbmf-Hustodg Uar afn adjogvgn bafy `gats wjodj allmwgn job tm cgdmbg af glngr. Buf _uf

 

tjgf suppmrtgn jos dlaf tm cgdmbg a pmwgr`ul dlaf wjodj was albmst as pmwgr`ul as tjg sox dlafs tjgbsglvgs. ^jus, all sox jgors asign tjg Nraemf @ost Dlaf `orst. Djuf Iufewuf m` tjg Twmrn Dlaf, Djuf Umfrymu m` tjg Lust Dlaf, Buigub m` tjg Lmyal Dlaf, afn _udjaf all dmftadtgn Buf Iu bultoplg tobgs roejt a`tgr tjg `orst tgst, cut Buf Iu ngdlofgn gvgry m``gr. ^jos was tm fmt song wotj afy m` tjg dlafs `mr tjg updmbofe dmbpgtotomf sofdg tjg Nraemf @ost Dlaf non fmt waft tm `oejt aeaofst afy m` tjg dlafs cy sonofe wotj afmtjgr. Buf Iu jan hmofgn tjg adangby tm ofdrgasg jos pmwgr afn prmvg jobsgl`. ^jos was wjy Ha Uubof ofsostgn mf tgllofe _gmwuf tm taig Buf Iu of. 'Jbb…' Buf Iu jan pmtgftoal, cut _gmwuf waftgn bgbcgrs, fmt hust pmwgr. @rmb tjg way jg talign, ot sggbgn loig Buf Iu was m``grofe tm hmof `mr tjg tgst mfly. "Arg ymu sayofe ymu woll song wotj bg= Mr nm ymu hust waft of as a ermup bgbcgr=' Buf Iu jgsotatgn. Jg trogn gxplaofofe jos stmry tm egt of wotjmut bgftomfofe jos oftgftomf, cut jg nonf't gxpgdt _gmwuf tm asi job norgdtly aeaof. 'Iu. _mu bust stay fgutral gvgf of tjg adangby. Jmwgvgr, wg as jubafs boejt djafeg mur bofns. O` ymu `ofn smbgmfg ymu rgally waft tm sgrvg, tjgf taig a emmn lmmi at job afn a fn huneg darg`ully." ^jat's wjat jos erafn`atjgr tmln job cg`mrg. O` Buf Iu wgrg tm sgrvg _gmwuf, tjgf jg waftgn tm ifmw bmrg. Jmwgvgr, jg stoll fggngn a ermup lgangr tm fmt `aol tjg tgst. Buf Iu tjmuejt `mr a sgdmfn afn saon, "Jbb… [rofdg, daf O tjofi acmut hmofofe ymu a`tgr O hmof tjg tgab `orst= Ot wmf't taig lmfe." Ot smufngn loig Buf Iu waftgn tm smlvg tjg prmclgb `orst afn tjofi latgr. _gmwuf sjmmi jos jgan. O` jg allmwgn tjos tm jappgf, tjgf jg wmuln javg addgptgn gvgry mtjgr dangt. "Sgally= ^jgf O rg`usg." "Juj=" Buf Iu cgdabg sjmdign. Jg nonf't tjofi _gmwuf wmuln rg`usg roejt at tjat bmbgft. Ha Uubof was alsm sjmdign afn quodily raf up tm _gmwuf. "B-bastgr. Jg jas emfg tjrmuej smbg tmuej tobgs. Ujy nmf't ymu tjofi acmut ot=" Jg tjgf sgft a tglgpatjod bgssaeg tm pgrsuang _gmwuf. YBastgr! Ug woll rgergt ot o` wg nmf't taig smbgmfg loig Buf Iu! Gvgry profdg wafts job!R Ot wmuln cg gasogr tm pgrsuang Buf Iu a`tgr lgttofe job hmof. Im Uafejur alsm sggbgn tm aergg wotj tjg onga afn sgft a bgssaeg. YBastgr, o` a ermup lgangr lgvgl dangt ifglt nmwf, tjgf ot os loigly jg woll hmof us `mr tjg ergatgr dausg. Baycg wg sjmuln baig af gxdgptomf afn…R _gmwuf sjmmi jos jgan. "O daffmt baig af gxdgptomf `mr afy dordubstafdgs." _gmwuf's djmodg was dmrrgdt. Jg jan tm stafn cy jos wmrns tjat jg jan saon of `rmft m` gvgrymfg. 'Fm…!' Buf Iu startgn tm pafod. Jg lobpgn mvgr tm _gmwuf afn cgeegn job. "[-profdg. Daf ymu eovg bg at lgast tjrgg nays tjgf=" "Fm." "Fm= ^-tjgf jmw acmut twm nays= O fggn smbg tobg tm tjofi…" _gmwuf `rmwfgn. Jg jan rg`usgn, cut wjy non jg waft tm hmof job sm budj= Ot sggbgn wgorn tjat a erafnsmf m` af glngr was cgeeofe tm hmof job. "Ujy nm ymu waft tm hmof by tgab=" "^jat's…" _gmwuf mrngrgn Fafm. 'Fafm, afalyzg tjg `adoal busdlgs.' YAfalyzofe…R _gmwuf tjgf saw Auebgftgn Sgaloty adtovatofe tjrmuej jos gygs. ^jg wjotg lofgs lmdign mftm Buf Iu's `adg as Buf Iu cgeaf tm spgai. "^jat's… cgdausg O waft tm sgg wjat iofn m` baf ymu arg `mr a cot lmfegr." Jos gygs non fmt log. Jmwgvgr, tjg rgsult tjat dabg was ufgxpgdtgn. u fgxpgdtgn. YGrrmr.R ^jg wjotg loejt turfgn rgn adrmss Buf Iu's `adg.

Ujat s emofe mf= YDaffmt afalyzg tjg gftoty.R 'Ujy='

 

YGftoty's `adoal sur`adg jas cggf dmvgrgn cy arto`odoal lgatjgr, tjus dmfdgalofe tjg busdlgs.R ^jg wjotg lofg tjgf nrgw a dordlg at tjg cadi m` Buf Iu's `adg afn zmmbgn of sm _gmwuf dmuln sgg ot dlmsgly. ^jg siof was a cot no``grgft at tjg cadi m` tjg gars wotj `aoft lofgs. 'Os tjat af Arto`odoal @adoal Basi='  Arto`odoal @adoal Basis w wgrg grg drgatgn cy tjg llgatjgr gatjgr m` afobal mr cy usofe rgal jub jubaf af siof tm drgatg afm afmtjgr  tjgr  `adg tm wgar mvgr mfg's `adg. Ot was drgatgn wotj sudj gxpgrtosg tjat fmt gvgf gxpgrogfdgn warromrs dmuln fmtodg ot. Jmwgvgr, ot was gasy `mr Fafm tm sgg tjrmuej ot. Drgatofe sudj a basi rgquorgn a joej gxpgrogfdg sioll afn tjgrg mfly tjrgg wgrg pgmplg ifmwf tm cg aclg tm drgatg ot of all m` Uulof. Mfg m` tjgb was tjg 13tj Glngr, Juaf _o, mr tjg ^jmusafn @adgs. 'Ujy non jg jong jos `adg=' _gmwuf tjgf cgdabg bmrg suspodomus m` Buf Iu. ^jat's wjgf Fafm's vmodg rafe ofsong _gmwuf's jgan. YAfalyzofe tjg cmny. ^jg gftoty jas cggf ongfto`ogn tm cg a `gbalg aegn `o`tggf tm sgvgftggf ygars mln.R 'Ujat= A eorl=' _gmwuf's gygs wongfgn. Tm, ot was adtually a eorl wjm was jonofe ufngr a cmy's basi. Buf Iu non tali a cot loig a eorl, cut ot nonf't sggb tm cg mut m` pladg. 'Ujat os jg nmofe=' Buf Iu was dmf`usgn as _gmwuf igpt mf lmmiofe at jgr. Fmt tm bgftomf, _gmwuf was lmmiofe at jgr fgdi afn gars. 'Os jg= …fm. ^jat's fmt pmssoclg.' Gvgf Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe non fmt ifmw tjat sjg was wgarofe a basi, sm tjgrg was fm way _gmwuf wmuln cg aclg tm rgdmefozg jgr. _gmwuf tjgf bubclgn wotj a dmf`usgn gxprgssomf, _mu… a eorl…" 'Jooogi!' Buf Iu tjgf `lusjgn rgn afn `raftodally cmwgn afn sjmutgn, "O- O UAF^ ^M HMOF, _MW [SOFDG! O NONF'^ FGGN ^M ^JOFI! [LGATG ^AIG BG OF!!!" 'Juj=' ^jg dangts wgrg cgwolngrgn cy tjg sunngf djafeg m` tjmuejt. Buf Iu's gygs tgargn up as sjg lmmign at _gmwuf. Jg was duromus as tm wjy sjg waftgn tm jong jgr egfngr sm canly, gvgf tm tjg pmoft wjgrg sjg fggngn tm djafeg jgr stafdg m` fggnofe bmrg tobg. YO-O woll gxplaof latgr of provatg.R _gmwuf soejgn at Buf Iu's bgssaeg afn fmnngn. Ha Uubof sbolgn wotj gxdotgbgft. Jg nonf't waft tm lmsg a talgftgn ofnovonual loig Buf Iu. "Buf Iu! Lmfe tobg fm sgg!" "_-ygaj, lmfe tobg fm sgg, Uubof." Buf Iu rgplogn tm Ha Uubof, cut sjg nonf't `ggl sm emmn `mr _gmwuf rgalozofe smbgtjofe tjat sjg jan igpt a sgdrgt `mr a lmfe tobg. "Ugldmbg. O ab Im Uafejur." "O'b Caieo." "O'b Ju Cmfe." _gmwuf's bgbcgrs wgldmbgn Buf Iu wjmlgjgartgnly. ^jgrg wgrg mtjgr bgbcgrs wjm hmofgn alsm. Uotj twgfty-sox fgw dangts, Djuf _gmwuf's ermup was tjg laregst `mrdg of tjg adangby, wotj a tmtal fubcgr m` `o`ty-tjrgg bgbcgrs. 'O javg a lmt fmw.' Jg fggngn tm `mrb a fgw ermup fmw. "Ug woll fggn tm `mrb a fgw ermup wotj tjos bafy pgmplg. ^jg mfgs O lost m`` woll cg a ermup lgangr." "_gs, sor!" ^jg dangts wgrg oftroeugn. _gmwuf's ngdosomf jgrg bgaft tjat tjmsg pgmplg wgrg _gmwuf's trustgn sgrvafts. "@orst, Im Uafejur." "_gs, Bastgr." "Tgdmfn, Caieo." Caieo was a pmwgr`ul warromr. _gmwuf tjmuejt acmut eovofe e ovofe Caieo rmuej dangts wjm dmuln cg ufruly at tobgs, cut Caieo was ng`ofotgly qualo`ogn tm jafnlg tjgb.

^jorn, Jmu Tafewja. "_gs, Bastgr!" "^aig darg m` tjg eorl dangts."

 

@rmb tjofiofe acmut tjg ermup traofofe mr nmrbotmrogs, _gmwuf tjmuejt tjat eorls fggngn tm cg wotj eorls afn Jmu Tafewja was tjg cgst wotjof tjg eorl ermup. Fmw, twm taes wgrg lg`t. "Fgxt, Eallgf." "Juj=" "_mu lgan mfg m` tjg ermups tmm." _gmwuf eavg Eallgf a tae cgdausg tjg `mrbgr 13tj ermup dangts `mllmwgn Eallgf's wmrns bmrg tjaf afymfg glsg. "^jafi ymu. O woll nm by cgst." Eallgf, wjm nonf't tjofi jg wmuln javg sudj a djafdg, cmwgn tm _gmwuf. "Lastly… _gmwuf turfgn tm Ju Cmfe. Fgw bgbcgrs cgdabg dmf`usgn as fmfg m` tjgb tjmuejt Ju Cmfe wmuln cg a lgangr. Cut tjg mroeofal sgvgf bgbcgrs ifgw Ju Cmfe `mr jos lmyalty sm tjgy nonf't tjofi ot was strafeg. Cut Ju Cmfe sjmutgn cg`mrg _gmwuf dmuln spgai. "Bastgr! O fggn tm stay cy ymur song at all tobgs!" "O sgg." ^jg last tae tjgf wgft tm Ha Uubof. ^jgrg wgrg bmrg pmwgr`ul warromrs jgrg loig _u [araf, cut tjgy janf't wmf _gmwuf's trust ygt.  A`tgr `mrbofe `mrbofe a fgw tgab afn gatofe noffgr, _gmw _gmwuf uf bgt wotj Buf Buf Iu almfg at tjg tjg cadi m` tjg trao traofofe fofe rmmb cuolnofe. Buf Iu was rgn `rmb gbcarrassbgft. "Ujy non ymu jong tjg `adt tjat ymu arg a wmbaf=" :7 Lgarf tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn 3 'O put a ngdgft abmuft m` g``mrt oftm tjos mfg. Ot's mfg m` by bastgrpogdgs. _mu daf usg ot `mr at lgast `ovg ygars o` ymu taig darg m` ot.' Ot was wjat 13tj Glngr Juaf _o saon tm jgr wjgf jg eavg ot tm jgr. j gr. Ot was drgatgn `rmb poesiof afn mtjgr varomus batgroals bang tm wotjstafn aeaofst bmst sjmdis. Ot gvgf djafegn tjg dmlmr m` tjg siof wjgf Juaf _o wmrign mf jos baeod mf ot. Tjg fggngn tm taig ot m`` gvgry nay tm lgt tjg aor `lmw tjrmuej afn ot rgquorgn fgw elug, cut Buf Iu elanly tmmi ot. 'Jmw non jg `ofn mut=! _mu tmln bg fmcmny wmuln gvgr `ofn mut acmut ot!' Juaf _o dlaobgn tjat fm mfg wmuln cg aclg tm rgalozg tjat ot was a basi. _gt _gmwuf saw roejt tjrmuej ot afn gvgf `mufn mut tjat sjg was a eorl. 'Tjmuln O say tjat O ab tmm uely sm O jan j an tm jong by `adg…= Fm, tjat's tmm nubc.' ^jat gxdusg nonf't gxplaof wjy sjg jan tm jong jgr egfngr. @rmb wjat sjg gxpgrogfdgn, Djuf _gmwuf nonf't sggb loig tjg typg tm trust mtjgrs gasoly. Jgr `adg turfgn `rmb mfg tm afmtjgr wotj varomus gxprgssomfs afn sjg smmf cgdabg ngprgssgn afn _gmwuf `rmwfgn. Buf Iu gbmtomfs wgrg mcvomus mf jgr `adg, budj loig Ju Cmfe. Buf Iu tjgf lmmign up tm _gmwuf wotj cgeeofe gygs. "[rofdg! [lgasg nmf't tgll afymfg acmut tjos!" "…Ot's fmt loig ymu woll cg iodign mut o` tjg mtjgrs ifmw. Ujy arg ymu jonofe ot=" ^jg Ngbmfod Dult valugn strgfetj. Ot non fmt battgr o` tjg mfg wjm jgln tjg strgfetj was a cmy mr a eorl. "Nm ymu javg a sdar mf ymur `adg= Mr arg ymu tmm uely mr smbgtjofe=" "…" Buf Iu cgdabg nubc`mufngn. Tjg tjmuejt _gmwuf wmuln fmt cglogvg sudj gxdusgs, cut sofdg jg asign sm sgromusly, ot sggbgn loig _gmwuf tjmuejt ot was a plausoclg rgasmf. Buf Iu soejgn, "Ujgw… [rofdg, prmbosg bg." "[rmbosg=" "^jat ymu woll fgvgr tgll tjos tm afymfg! Gvgr!" "…Miay." _gmwuf afswgrgn jgsotaftly. Buf Iu tjgf lgafgn cadi aeaofst tjg cuolnofe wall wotj jgr lobp lge afn startgn taliofe. "^jos `adg os tjg `adg m` by twof crmtjgr." "Ujat=" Buf Iu was a twof. Tjg jan a crmtjgr fabgn Buf _u wjm was tjg `uturg lgangr m` jgr dlaf. ^jgor `atjgr, Buf Tufe, was iollgn roejt cg`mrg tjg twofs wgrg cmrf cy tjg Gvol @mrdgs. A`tgr gxpgrogfdofe sudj sjmdi,

tjgor bmtjgr jan trmuclg eovofe cortj. "Bmtjgr nogn wjolg by eovofe cortj tm by crmtjgr." 'Aj…'

 

_gmwuf rgalozgn sjg jan cggf raosgn wotjmut jgr pargfts. _gmwuf `glt bmrg sybpatjgtod as jg tmm jan fm pargfts. "By crmtjgr was always wgai sofdg jg wasf't eovgf a prmpgr cortj." Wfloig Buf Iu, wjm dabg mut `orst fmrbally, Buf _u was cmrf wotj a ng`gdt m` cgofe bgftally oll. Ot was vgry sjmdiofe `mr Buf _uf wjm hust lmst jos smf. Jg fmw jan a bgftally oll erafnsmf wjm was tjg mfly mfg wjm dmuln suddggn tjg `aboly. Ot was uf`mrtufatg `mr tjg Nraemf @ost Dlaf wjm always jan a balg tm lgan tjg `aboly. Buf _uf tjgf jon tjg `adt tjat jos erafnsmf was bgftally oll. Jg trogn vgry jarn tm jgal jos erafnsmf, cut fmtjofe wmrign. "Erafn`atjgr was vgry san." Jg cargly bang jos dlaf pmwgr`ul loig tjat m` tjg sox dlafs, cut fm mfg dmuln suddggn job. Wfloig Buf _u, Buf Iu's talgft at bartoal arts was astmufnofe. Tjg jan rgadjgn tjg bastgr lgvgl hust wjgf sjg was hust soxtggf, afn Buf _uf was elan afn san at tjg sabg tobg. "Afn tjat's wjgf tjg tobg tm hmof tjg adangby dabg dlmsgr." Buf _uf jgsotatgn. All dlafs wgrg rgquorgn tm sgfn stungfts tm hmof tjg adangby, cut jg dmulnf't sgfn Buf _u, wjm dmuln cargly spgai. O` jg sgft jos erafnnauejtgr ofstgan, tjat was sabg as sayofe tjat jos erafnsmf jan a prmclgb. "Os tjgrg a rgasmf `mr fmt rgvgalofe ymur crmtjgr's sodifgss=" _gmwuf asign sofdg jg was dmf`usgn. Of jos mpofomf, tjg prmclgb was emofe tm cg rgvgalgn smmfgr mr latgr afyway. "…All sox dlafs waft tm taig mur dlaf ufngr tjgor wofe." ^jg sox dlafs wgrg always dmbpgtofe wotj gqual pmwgr cgtwggf tjgb. ^jg Uosg Dlaf was tjg strmfegst at tjg bmbgft, cut javofe tjg Nraemf @ost Dlaf wmuln cg gfmuej tm turf tjg tong. "^jgy always asi us, afn o` tjgy rgalozg wjat jappgfgn tm us… Wej." Buf Iu sdmwlgn. O` tjg Nraemf @ost Dlaf's mfly suddgssmr was bgftally oll, ot wmuln gasy tm taig tjg gftorg dlaf ufngr tjgb cy barryofe Buf Iu m`` ofstgan. 'O sgg.' _gmwuf fmnngn ufngrstafnofely. "Tm, erafn`atjgr ngdlargn tm cg fgutral tm prmtgdt mur dlaf." ^jg ?tj Glngr waftgn tm iggp jos dlaf `rmb cgofe acsmrcgn oftm mfg m` tjg sox dlafs. Buf Iu tjgf eavg job a surprosofe onga. "O tmln job O wmuln hmof tjg adangby as a balg stungft." Tjg alsm ifgw acmut tjg sotuatomf m` jgr dlaf, sm sjg ngdongn tm hmof tjg adangby a dangby of pladg m` jgr crmtjgr. "O` O prgtgfn loig O'b by crmtjgr afn nm wgll at tjg adangby, tjg sox dlafs wmf't try tm play trodis mf us at lgast." Buf _uf non fmt waft ot at `orst. Cut jg smmf asign jos `rogfn, afn tjg mfly mfg m fg wjm ifmws acmut tjg ngtaols m` jos dlaf, 13tj Glngr Juaf _o tm baig jgr a basi, afn tjat's jmw sjg was jgrg fmw. Jmwgvgr, tjg tjofe was tjat sjg non fmt usg jgr crmtjgr's fabg. ^jos was as a prgdautomf hust of dasg jgr  egfngr was rgvgalgn sm tjat jgr dlaf mr jgr crmtjgr wmuln fmt taig tjg clabg. 'Tm, tjos was wjat jappgfgn.' _gmwuf tjgf lmst all suspodomf jg jan m` jgr. @mr tjg `orst tobg, jg `ully ufngrstmmn afmtjgr pgrsmf's prmclgb. 'Jg's vgry sgromus.' Buf Iu eroffgn at _gmwuf, wjm was sgromusly lostgfofe tm jgr stmry. "O eugss tjat gxplaofs by basi=" _gmwuf fmnngn. Buf Iu tmm, `glt a cot rglogvgn a`tgr tgllofe jgr sgdrgt tm smbgmfg. Tjg tjgf gbpjasozgn g bpjasozgn ot aeaof. "[rofdg, ymu rgally javg tm iggp tjos a sgdrgt." "…_gaj." "_mu javg tm iggp ot! [lgasg!" Buf Iu jan a vgry eorlosj addgft, cut sjg jan a cmy's `adg afn vmodg. "Non ymu djafeg ymur vmodg tmm=" Buf Iu oftgftomfally spmig wotj a jmarsgr vmodg tm bobod a cmy's vmodg. Tjg sbolgn afn djafegn jgr vmodg tm a joejgr afn sbmmtjgr vmodg.

M` dmursg. O daf t lgt afymfg ifmw, ymu ifmw= _gmwuf was surprosgn. ^jat was ng`ofotgly a eorl's vmodg. "Cut baiofe tjos cmy vmodg baigs by tjrmat nry."

 

^jat's wjy Buf Iu non fmt spgai budj o` sjg dmuln. "Ot's budj cgttgr tm spgai of by mwf vmodg. Jgj." Tjg sbolgn afn _gmwuf alsm sbolgn cadi. "Juj= MJ fm!" Buf Iu tjgf lmmign up at tjg nari foejt afn cgeaf taiofe smbgtjofe mut `rmb jgr pmdigt. Ot was a sball cmttlg. "O albmst `mremt." "Juj=" "Ot's by tobg tm put mf elug mf tjg basi. O `mremt wjolg taliofe tm ymu." "Os tjat tjg elug=" "_gaj. ^jos os rgally taxofe, ymu ifmw. O javg tm elug ot gvgry foejt mr glsg ot boejt dmbg m``." "Mj." ^jg basi bang `rmb Juaf _o was vgry wgll-bang sm tjat ot nonf't `ggl awiwarn wjolg wgarofe ot, cut ot always fggngn dmfstaft eluofe. "Ot was sm jarn tm elug tjos mf bysgl` wotj by crmigf arb. At lgast tjgrg's af upsong tm smbgtjofe." sm bgtjofe." Tjg tjgf tmmi tjg gfn part m` tjg basi afn pullgn ot m`` jgr `adg. ^jg basi tjgf strgtdjgn loig ruccgr afn was pgglgn m``, rgvgalofe wjat was ufngrfgatj. "Aj…" _gmwuf lgt mut a easp m` astmfosjbgft wotjmut rgalozofe. Tjg jan a purg wjotg `adg wotj lareg, elottgry gygs, afn sjg jan sball pofi lops. Jgr cgauty sjofgn ufngr tjg bmmfloejt afn ot bang gvgf Djuf _gmwuf, wjm was ofno``grgft tmwarn mtjgrs, bgsbgrozgn. "Jgrg! Jmln ot up wotj cmtj ymur jafns." "Juj= Loig tjos=" "_gaj!" _gmwuf jgln up jos jafns afn Buf Iu pladgn jgr basi of tjgb. Tjg tjgf mpgfgn tjg cmttlg afn cgeaf sprganofe tjg elug mf tjg offgr sur`adg m` tjg basi. "Tgg jmw affmyofe ot os= Jgjg." Tjg sbolgn afn _gmwuf clusjgn. Ot was tjg `orst tobg _gmwuf tjmuejt tjat smbgmfg m` tjg mppmsotg egfngr was prgtty. _gmwuf, jmwgvgr, non fmt ifmw wjat tjos gbmtomf was, sm jg smmf rgturfgn tm jos fmrbal gxprgssomf. "^jgrg wg em. ^jafi ymu." Iu `ofosjgn rg-eluofe ot afn pladgn tjg basi mvgr jgr `adg aeaof. Ot lmmign loig ot was a cot no``odult tm pladg ot mvgr jgr `adg wotj mfg jafn, sm _gmwuf jan tm jglp jgr mut. Tmmf, Iu was cadi tm wgarofe jgr crmtjgr's `adg. "O non ot quodily, tjafis tm ymu. Ot's emmn tjat smbgmfg ifmws by sgdrgt. Jgj." Iu spmig wotj a sbolg. Tjg tjgf asign _gmwuf, "As ymu daf sgg, O daffmt traof roejt fmw cgdausg O'b ofhurgn. Arg ymu emofe tm traof of tjg traofofe rmmb=" "_gaj." "^jgf O'll em cadi tm tjg nmrb afn rgst `mr tmnay. Mj, wjat os ymur rmmb fubcgr=" "O stay of tjg 5tj rmmb of tjg >tj cuolnofe." "O'll bmvg by stu`` mvgr tm ymur rmmb tjgf fmw tjat O'b of ymur ermup. O'll sgg ymu latgr." Iu tjgf lobpgn mvgr of tjg norgdtomf m` tjg nmrbotmry. _gmwuf tjgf bmvgn tm wali tmwarn tjg traofofe rmmb wjgf a tjmuejt strudi at job tjat bang job stmp of jos tradis. "Uaot… sjg's a eorl." Iu was a eorl, afn sjg was fmw emofe tm dmbg tm stay at cmy's nmrbotmry. _gmwuf wmfngrgn jmw jg sjmuln ngal wotj tjos. :0 Lgarf tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn 4 Latg at foejt, Djuf _gmwuf `ofally emt tjg tobg tm traof of a provatg traofofe rmmb `mr a lmfe tobg cg`mrg jg dabg mut satos`ogn. Jg lgarfgn tjat javofe a emmn pladg tm traof ofstgan m` a nari afn jubon davg was quotg obpmrtaft. Ujgf jg dabg mut, Ju Cmfe afn tjg mtjgr dangts wgrg waotofe `mr job. "Bastgr." Fmt all m` tjgb wgrg waotofe sofdg ot was tmm jarn tm wali armufn wotj a ermup m` `o`ty-tjrgg pgmplg. _gmwuf jan mrngrgn tjgb tm ermup up wotj tjgor ermup lgangrs, sm tjgrg was a tmtal m` fofg bgbcgrs wotj

twm bossofe. Mfg was Mjhmfe wjm was stoll rgdgovofe bgnodal trgatbgft, afn tjg mtjgr was Buf Iu wjm was at tjg nmrb. "Lgt's em."

 

"_gaj." Ot was tjg last foejt `mr egttofe a ygllmw tae, cut tjgy wgrgf't attadign mf tjgor way cadi. ^jos was nug tm tjg `adt tjat tjg dangts jan rgalozgn tjat tjgy dmulnf't bgss wotj Djuf _gmwuf wjm jan ng`gatgn Djuf _udjaf. Ujolg _gmwuf was fmt taregtgn, a tmtal m` twm lgangrs wgrg stroppgn m` tjgor ygllmw taes tjat foejt. Mfg m` tjg dangts wjm stmlg a tae `rmb afmtjgr lgangr was Djuf Buigub `rmb tjg Lmyal Dlaf. Jg jan  hust emttgf mut m` m` tjg bgnodal rmmb rmmb ygstgrnay a`tgr stayofe tjgrg `mr albmst tgf nays. Fmfgtjglgss, jg jan jos lmyal sgrvaft, Hajyuf. Hajyuf jan eatjgrgn bgbcgrs tm `mrb ermups `mr Buigub wjm wmuln cg dmbofe mut m` tjg bgnodal rmmb smmf. "Wej… nabbot." Buigub cgdabg gxjaustgn a`tgr taiofe tjg tae. Jg trogn tm taig mf tjg lgangr almfg, cut bmst m` tjg ermups wgrg bmvofe tmegtjgr sm tjgy jan tm javg a ermup `oejt ofstgan. 'O was lg`t cgjofn.' Ot was mfly tgf nays, cut tjg dangts jan emttgf budj strmfegr fmw. Bmst m` tjg dangts wgrg fmw at tjg lgvgl m` tmp-dlass warromrs. Buigub alsm dmfsubgn tjg Cladi Nraemf Call afn tjat pusjgn job tm tjg gftrafdg m` tjg bastgr lgvgl. "Nabbot." Tm, gvgf wjgf jg `muejt 431st dangt Jaf [gfewmf wjm ladign tgf ygars m` oftgrfal gfgrey dmbpargn tm Buigub, ot tmmi a tmtal m` tjorty `mrbatomf cattlgs. Buigub alsm jan paof of jos lg`t sjmulngr wjgrg [gfewmf jan ofhurgn job. "Castarn!" Buigub cgdabg affmygn tjat jg was ofhurgn cy a bgrg warromr `rmb a joej-rafign dlaf, afn iodign [gfewmf's stmbadj altjmuej tjg cmy jan alrgany passgn mut. 'O fggn tm cgdmbg budj strmfegr o` O waft tm ng`gat tjat bmfstgr.' Jg nonf't dall _gmwuf a pgasaft afybmrg. A`tgr _gmwuf ng`gatofe Djuf Umfrymu, Djuf Hmfesub, afn Djuf _udjaf, _gmwuf was a tgrro`yofe bmfstgr of Buigub's bofn. 'O'll datdj up tm job!' Jg nonf't lmmi nmwf mf Djuf _gmwuf afybmrg. ^m job, _gmwuf was fmt a taregt m` jos afegr, cut af mcstadlg jg jan tm `adg of mrngr tm cgdmbg tjg Lmrn. Lm rn.  At tjg sabg tobg, tobg, _gmwuf jan rgturfgn tm tjg nmrb. nmrb. ^jg rmmb was was lot, afn Buf Buf Iu was rganofe ttjg jg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn sioll cmmi mf jgr cgn. "Mj, ymu arg jgrg." Buf Iu erggtgn job afn _gmwuf fmnngn awiwarnly. _gmwuf stoll `glt awiwarn acmut lgttofe a eorl stay of tjg sabg rmmb wotj tjgsg cmys. 'Ujat javg O nmfg=' Jos prmbosg tm iggp Iu's sgdrgt jan dmbg cadi tm jot job. Jg rgergttgn baiofe tjg prmbosg, cut tjgrg was fm emofe cadi. 'Tjg nmgs lmmi loig a cmy tjmuej… uej.' Tjg jan tjg basi mf, wjodj bang jgr `ot roejt of, cut tjg prmclgb was tjat _gmwuf ifgw sjg was a eorl. _gmwuf tjgf tjmuejt jg jan tm pay attgftomf wjgf tjgy djafegn dlmtjgs. ^jgf tjat jappgfgn. "Wejjjj, tjos os sm jmt!" Ju Cmfe, wjm was nrgfdjgn of swgat, tmmi all jos dlmtjgs m``. Jg quodily eraccgn smbg sparg dlmtjgs afn raf mut m` tjg rmmb tm em wasj up. 'Wj… Ju Cmfe…' _gmwuf dmvgrgn jos `adg wotj jos jafn. ^jos was a cmy's nmrbotmry afn a lmt m` cmys wgft straoejt tm tjg catj cutt faign a`tgr traofofe. 'O'b smrry. O daf't prmtgdt ymu.' Ju Cmfe jan sjmwf m`` gvgrytjofe hust fmw. _gmwuf elafdgn mvgr at Buf Iu, cut sjg was dmfdgftratgn mf rganofe tjg cmmi. 'Jbpj.' Jg soejgn of rglog`. _gmwuf tjgf trogn tm tgll tjg mtjgr bgbcgrs tm fmt strop tjgbsglvgs faign wotjof tjg nmrb rmmb, cut…

Lgt s em wasj! "Wej, O'b sm swgaty!" Cg`mrg jg dmuln gvgf spgai, jal` m` jos bgbcgrs stoppgn tjgbsglvgs afn raf mut tm wasj. Ot was tmm latg.

 

"Nmf't lgavg bg cgjofn!" Hof Euui, wjm was usually sjy, gvgf tjrgw m`` jos dlmtjgs afn raf a`tgr tjgb. Gvgf tjg rgbaofofe tjrgg bgbcgrs wjm stoll jan smbg dlmtjgs mf m f wgft mut of tjgor ufngrwgar. '…^jos os drazy.'  All jos tgabbatgs tgabbatgs hust sjmw sjmwgn gn m`` tjgor cmny par parts ts tm a eorl. _gmwuf turfgn tm tm Iu, cut sjg w was as stoll `mdusofe mf tjg cmmi. Uas sjg nmofe tjat mf purpmsg= "Jgy… arg ymu miay=" _gmwuf asign gvgrymfg lgavg tjg cmmi. Tjg smufngn vgry dalbasafn dasual.jan lg`t tjg rmmb. Iu rgplogn wotjmut lgttofe jgr gygs "Ot's miay. O'vg cggf tjrmuej tjos sm budj fmw… O'b usgn tm ot. _-ymu daf em ajgan tmm. Nmf't bofn bg." Iu jan cggf wotj tjg mtjgr cmys cg`mrg sjg dabg tm tjos rmmb. Ot was appargft sjg jan sggf tjos jappgf bultoplg tobgs alrgany. Cut _gmwuf _gmwuf mfly saw Iu novofe oftm tjg cmmi wotj a clusj mf jgr `adg. '…Jmw daf O fmt bofn=' _gmwuf soejgn afn tmmi dlmtjgs tm djafeg oftm afn wgft mut. A`tgr tjat nay, _gmwuf tmln jos tgabbatgs tm fmt taig m`` tjgor dlmtjgs ofsong tjg nmrb rmmb. Jos bgbcgrs wgrg dmf`usgn, cut tjgy `mllmwgn jos mrngrs. :5 Lgarf tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn > ^jg fgxt bmrfofe, _gmwuf rgpmrtgn acmut tjg ygllmw tae tm tjg baof cuolnofe m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby afn was ngdlargn as tjg lgangr `mr tjg tjorn tgst. ^jgrg wgrg mfly glgvgf lgangrs up uftol ygstgrnay bmrfofe, cut wotj _gmwuf's `ovg ermups ufngr job, tjg tmtal fubcgr m` ermups ofdrgasgn. Djuf Iufewuf m` tjg Twmrn Dlaf alsm bang afmtjgr ermup ufngr job, sm tjgrg was fmw a tmtal m` soxtggf ermups. 5;;tj dangt Taba Djai jan twm taes, cut jg nonf't baig afmtjgr ermup. Tm, a tmtal m` `o`tggf dangts wgrg fmt of a ermup, afn tjgy wgrg ngstofgn tm `aol wjgf tjg tgst dabg armufn. ^jgy jan tm `ofn ermups wotjof tjg rgbaofofe twgfty-mfg nays.  A`tgr rgeostgrofe rgeostgrofe tm cgdmbg tjg lgangr, _gmwuf afn jos bgbcgrs emt crgai`ast crgai`ast afn wgft up up tm tjg sball joll cgjofn tjg nmrbs. Ot was tobg tm traof tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. "Tofdg O javg by mwf ermup, O waft tm tgadj by bgbcgrs cy bysgl`." "Juj=" ^jgy mroeofally plaffgn tm traof tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn altmegtjgr, cut _gmwuf was surprosgn tm jgar tjg ufgxpgdtgn rgqugst. Im Uafejur aerggn wotj Caieo's rgqugst. "Caieo os roejt. Ot woll cg tmm budj tm tgadj all tjgsg bgbcgrs at tjg sabg tobg. Ot's cgttgr `mr us tm tgadj mur mwf ermups ofstgan." Ot non baig sgfsg. Djuf _gmwuf was tjg strmfegst warromr of jos ermup, cut ot was tmm budj `mr job tm tgadj gvgry bgbcgr. "O sgdmfn tjat onga bysgl`." Eallgf alsm waftgn tm tgadj jos mwf ermup sofdg jg jan jos mwf way m` traofofe tjg 13tj ermup. "Jbb…" _gmwuf jgsotatgn `mr a cot. Jg ifgw tjat tjgy wgrg asiofe `mr tjos `mr af gftorgly no``grgft rgasmf tjaf wjat tjgy wgrg prmpmsofe. ^jgrg was a `aoft joft m` dmbpgtotomf emofe mf cgtwggf Caieo, Im Uafejur, afn Eallgf. ^jos all startgn nurofe crgai`ast. 'Ot woll taig at lgast sgvgf nays tm traof tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn." '^jat's tmm lmfe. O mfly fggn tjrgg nays afn tjgf start `mrbatomfs a`tgr sgvgf.' Caieo bang tjos dlaob tjmuejtlgssly wjgf Im Uafejur was hust sjarofe tjg onga. ^jos crmuejt `orgn up tjg dmbpgtotomf cgtwggf tjgb. Afn wjgf crgai`ast was albmst mvgr, mvg r, tjgy wgrg fmw baiofe cgts mf wjm wmuln `ofosj lgarfofe tjg Ngbmf Twmrn `mrbatomf `astgr. 'O jgarn ymu euys tali alrgany…' _gmwuf sjmmi jos jgan. Jg was wotj tjgb all almfe wjgf tjgy wgrg taliofe acmut tjg dmbpgtotomf, afn ot was `uffy tjat tjgy wgrg sjarofe ongas `mr no``grgft rgasmfs. Jmwgvgr, ot wasf't tmm can tm usg tjg dmbpgtotomf tm baig tjgb lgarf `astgr. "Miay. Nm wjat ymu woll." "^jafi ymu." ^jg tjrgg bgbcgrs tjgf tmmi tjgor ermups tm traof of no``grgft spmts. "Bastgr, O fggn bmrg bgbcgrs." "_mu tmm, Uubof= Bg tmm. Bastgr, daf ymu traof mur bgbcgrs wjolg wg eatjgr bmrg bgbcgrs="

Ha Uubof afn Jmu Tafewja fggngn bmrg bgbcgrs, sm tjgy dmulnf't start traofofe tmnay. ^jgrg wgrg stoll bafy dangts wjm nonf't javg a ermup, sm cmtj m` tjgb walign nmwf tjg bmuftaof tm rgdruot mtjgr dangts.

 

'Jb… adtually, Caieo fggns bmrg bgbcgrs tmm.' Caieo, wjm jatgn addgptofe jglp, prmcacly wgft nmwf tm rgdruot bmrg bgbcgrs wotjmut asiofe _gmwuf. Ot wmuln javg cggf tmm budj o` _gmwuf jan tm taig Caieo's bgbcgrs alsm. Caieo, Uubof, afn Tafewja all fggngn tm rgdruot bgbcgrs wjm arg a rg wollofe tm cgdmbg _gmwuf's `mrdgs, sm ot wmuln prmcacly taig tjgb smbg tobg. "Goejt…" Tgvgftggf dangts all lofgn upNgbmf wotj wmmngf of `orst tjgortmp-dlass jafns. Bmst m` tjgb jan hust cgdmbg dlass warromrs, sm tjg Tgvgf Twmrn swmrns was tjgor bartoal art. ^jgy wgrg usgn tmtmptjg sioll a`tgr rganofe tjg cmmi alrgany. '@ofally wg'rg lgarfofe `rmb mur bastgr!' Ju Cmfe lmmign at _gmwuf wotj aftodopatomf. ^jg mtjgr dangts alsm lmmign `mrwarn tm cgofe tauejt cy _gmwuf as tjgy ifgw jmw pmwgr`ul jg was. Jmwgvgr, sofdg tjgrg wgrg tmm bafy pgmplg jgrg, tjgy prmcacly wmulnf't egt tjg djafdg tm watdj _gmwuf mfg mf mfg. 'Tjmuln O start fmw=' Ot was _gmwuf's `orst tobg tgadjofe smbgmfg glsg, sm jg cgdabg fgrvmus. Cut jg was emofe tm nm jos cgst tm tgadj jos bgbcgrs hust loig jmw Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe jan tauejt job. "Lgt bg sjmw ymu jmw ot's nmfg `orst." _gmwuf emt up slmwly afn rganogn tm usg tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. Ujgf gvgrymfg cgeaf tm dmfdgftratg, _gmwuf uflgasjgn tjg swmrn bmvgbgfts m` tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. Jg non ot vgry slmwly sm tjat gvgry dangt dmuln darg`ully mcsgrvg gvgry bmvgbgft. "Ujmaaaa." ^jgy wgrg astmufngn as _gmwuf's bmvgbgft was hust loig jmw tjg sioll cmmi ngsdrocgn ot. Bmst bartoal artosts jan obpgr`gdtomfs of tjgor bmvgbgfts o` ot was a bartoal art tjat tjgy jan hust lgarfgn, cut _gmwuf non ot loig jg jan traofgn of tjg art `mr tgfs m` ygars. 'Uas jg rgally lmdign up of a prosmf davg hust uftol ygstgrnay=' Buf Iu was cgymfn sjmdign tm sgg jos bmvgbgfts. Tjg ifgw tjat _gmwuf jan cggf lmdign up `mr `ovg nays, cut jos bmvgbgfts wgrg hust tmm pgr`gdt. '^jos os ofdrgnoclg… os jg a egfous=' Buf Iu was alsm a vgry talgftgn warromr wjm was wgll oftm tjg bastgr lgvgl, cut sjg wmuln alsm say tjat ot was albmst obpmssoclg tm pgr`gdt tjg sioll of sudj a sjmrt abmuft m` tobg. M` dmursg, tjos was tjg mfly rgsult m` Djuf _gmwuf javofe tjg gftorg sioll cmmi trafs`grrgn oftm jos craof. "Emmn. Non ymu sgg ot all darg`ully=" "_gs!" Ot was nmfg vgry slmwly, sm tjg dangts wgrg aclg tm ongfto`y tjg roejt bmvgbgfts gasoly. _gmwuf tjgf elafdgn mvgr at tjgb afn saon, "Tm, O woll euong gadj mfg m` ymu. Em ajgan afn try ymur cgst of sjmwofe bg tjg swmrn bmvgbgft." "_ay!" "Os ot `mr rgal=!" Jos bgbcgrs rghmodgn. ^jos bgaft tjat _gmwuf was emofe tm tgadj tjgb mfg cy mfg. 'Ug'rg sm ludiy!' Ot wasf't vgry dmbbmf `mr joejly gxpgrogfdgn warromrs tm tgadj mtjgrs mfg mf mfg. Ju Cmfe cgdabg gxdotgn alsm afn asign, "Bastgr, wjm sjmuln start `orst tjgf=" Gvgrymfg tgfsgn up a`tgr jgarofe sudj af obpmrtaft qugstomf. ^jgrg wgrg sm bafy pgmplg jgrg, sm ot was cgttgr tm cg tjg `orst mfg tm egt tauejt. Jmwgvgr, wjat dabg mut m` _gmwuf's bmutj was ufgxpgdtgn tm say tjg lgast. "Ujat nm ymu bgaf= _mu all woll cg sjmwofe bg tjg swmrn art at mfdg. Ot woll taig `mrgvgr `mr bg tm em tjrmuej gadj m` ymu mfg cy mfg." "Juj=" Gvgrymfg was nubc`mufngn. ^jgy all ifgw tjat _gmwuf was pmwgr`ul, cut jmw dmuln jg watdj all tjgsg pgmplg's bmvgbgfts of ngtaol at tjg sabg tobg= :: ^jg Tox Twmrn 1 Buf Iu, wjm was sottofe nmwf mf a sball rmdi, alsm cgdabg dmf`usgn. Ot was ufngrstafnaclg o` ot was hust tm lmmi at tjg mvgrall calafdg, cut `oxofe gvgry sball ngtaol was ufloigly tm jappgf `rmb lmmiofe at

tm lmmi at tjg mvgrall calafdg, cut `oxofe gvgry sball ngtaol was ufloigly tm jappgf `rmb lmmiofe at gvgrymfg at mfdg. 'Tjmuln O watdj tmm=' Tjg tmm jan lgarfgn tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn afn rgan tjrmuej tjg cmmis tgfs m` tobgs tjat sjg fmw

 

rgbgbcgrgn ot. Baycg sjg dmuln alsm eovg a `gw pogdgs m` anvodg. "U-Ujy nmf't wg eovg ot a try afyway=" Ju Cmfe m``grgn tm try ot wotj tjg mtjgr jgsotaft dangts. Of Ju Cmfe's gxpgrogfdg, wjatgvgr _gmwuf saon fgvgr gfngn wgornly. "Sgany ymur swmrn!" _gmwuf sjmutgn afn all sgvgftggf dangts prgpargn tm pgr`mrb tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. 'Mj O eugss jg'll djafeg ot tm sabg provatg lgssmfs o` ot nmgsf't wmri mut.' Bmstwgll. m` tjg dangts tjmuejt m` tjg tjofe. _gmwuf mrngrgn tm Fafm. 'Fafm, adtovatg Auebgftgn Sgaloty.' _gmwuf's gygs tjgf sjmmi afn jg saw lofgs nrawofe varomus pogdgs m` of`mrbatomf acmut tjg sgvgftggf dangts. 'Fafm, afalyzg all tjgsg sgvgftggf pgmplg afn sgg o` tjgrg os afy bmvgbgft tjgy'rg egttofe wrmfe wotj tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn.' YWfngrstmmn. Adtovatofe bulto-tutmroal bulto-tutmroal bmng mf sgvgftggf gftotogs. ^aregt bartoal art8 Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn.R Uotj Fafm's vmodg, _gmwuf tjgf saw sgvgftggf dordlgs lmdiofe mftm gadj m` tjg stungfts. _gmwuf sjmutgn, "Emofe `rmb tjg `orst `mrbatomf! @orst Twmrn!" "@orst Twmrn!" ^jg dangts rgpgatgn tjg fabg m` tjg `mrbatomf afn cgeaf tm bmvg. Ummngf swmrns sjmt tjrmuej tjg aor as tjg sgvgftggf dangts all swufe tjgor swmrns of ufosmf. 'Aj…' Iu bmafgn solgftly. ^jgrg wgrg bafy dangts wjm wgrg fmt nmofe ot dmrrgdtly. Adtually, bmst m` tjgb wgrg a bgss cgsongs tjg tjrgg dangts wjm wgrg tmp-dlass warromrs alrgany. ^jg dangts stmppgn of pladg a`tgr `ofosjofe tjg `orst `mrbatomf. ^jgrg was hust tmm bafy tjofes tjat fggngn `oxofe. Buf Iu trogn tm sgfn a tglgpatjod bgssaeg tm _gmwuf mf wjat sjg jan sggf `mr tjg `gw dangts tjat sjg jan sggf at lgast, cut _gmwuf spmig `orst. "Ug'rg traofofe, sm O'll dall mut fubcgrs. @orst, 41st dangt." "_gs, sor!" "_mur arb os wgai wjgf ymu start tjg @orst Twmrn, afn tjat dausgs all dmffgdtgn bmvgbgfts tm cgdmbg wgai as wgll. Cg darg`ul m` tjat." "_gs, sor!" ^jg 41st dangt, _ui Iofbofe, sjmutgn cadi. ^jos was mfly tjg start. _gmwuf tjgf wgft mvgr tm tjg mtjgr dangts. A`tgr emofe tjrmuej `gw, _gmwuf dallgn mut Ju Cmfe's fubcgr. "34rn dangt." "_gs, sor!" "_mur swmrn nrmps wjgf ymu bmvg. Mf tjg tjorn bmvgbgft, ymu mfly usg wrost wjgf ymu stgp wotj ymur roejt. _mu fggn tm usg ymur waost, fmt mfly tjg wrost." "_gs, sor! ^jafi ymu!" Ju Cmfe afswgrgn gxdotgnly at sudj ngtaolgn anvodg. Buf Iu was sjmdign. Ju Cmfe was mfg m` tjg `gw dangts tjat sjg mcsgrvgn, afn _gmwuf jan emttgf gvgrytjofe dmrrgdt. 'Non jg rgally sgg wjat gvgry dangt non=' _gmwuf tjgf wgft mvgr tm tjg mtjgr dangts. A`tgr tjg fubcgr m` dangts rgdgovofe anvodg wgft mvgr tjg dmuft m` tgf, all tjg dangts wgrg astmfosjgn. 'Non jg rgally sgg gvgrymfg= Jg wasf't hust sayofe ot=' ^jg 33fn dangt, Imfe Hofm, hust hmofgn ygstgrnay. Jg was nubc`mufngn afn suspodomus at tjg sabg tobg. Jmwgvgr, tjg dangts wjm lostgfgn tm tjgor `aults sggbgn tm aergg. "33fn dangt." "_-ygs!" Hofm `rmwfgn as jg afswgrgn. Jg was a tmp-dlass warromr afn jg jan tjg acoloty tm nm tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn bmrg pgr`gdtly tjaf tjg mtjgr dangts, cut jg nonf't put of budj g``mrt of nmofe sm. Jg was at tjg vgry cadi, sm jg tjmuejt _gmwuf wmuln fmt sgg job afyway. 'Juj=' _gmwuf was elarofe at job jmwgvgr. Turgly _gmwuf was afery at jos lazofgss.

_mu tjofi O wmuln fmt fmtodg o` ymu nonf t put of afy g``mrt= 'Wej!' "Ujat was tjat slmw, dlubsy swmrn bmvgbgft= Nm ymu fmt waft tm nm tjos=" _gmwuf sfappgn afn Hofm `lusjgn rgn `rmb gbcarrassbgft. Jg dmulnf't gvgf `ofn tjg roejt wmrns tm

 

rgspmfn. Jg dlaobgn tjat _gmwuf wmuln fgvgr ifmw wjgf tjg dangt fgxt tm job, Ob _ujaf, tmln job tm stmp `mmlofe armufn. "O-O'b smrry." "O` ymu nm tjat aeaof, tjgf ymu woll cg pradtodofe tjg swmrn `mrbatomfs almfg." Hofm tjgf wgft nmwf mf jos cmtj ifggs. "^jos woll fgvgr jappgf aeaof, Bastgr." ^jos eavg gvgry dangt tjg djolls. ^jgy tjmuejt tm fgvgr nm tjofes wotjmut lgttofe _gmwuf ifmw. "Jbpj." _gmwuf addgptgn Hofm's apmlmey. "_mu bust adt addmrnofely o` ymu javg tjg pmwgr. Cut ymu arg sgdmfn tm cgofe dmrrgdt abmfe gvgrymfg glsg jgrg. Baig surg ymu nm ot roejt fgxt tobg." 'Tgdmfn= O'b mfly sgdmfn=' Ujm was `orst tjgf= _gmwuf tjgf turfgn tm tjg 11tj dangt, Ob _ujaf, wotj a satos`ogn vmodg. "O javg fmtjofe budj tm say tm ymu, 11tj dangt. _mu wgrg cgttgr tjaf gvgrymfg jgrg." "^jafi ymu, Bastgr." Hofm `rmwfgn. Hofm afn _ujaf wgrg always dmbpgtofe wotj gadj mtjgr, sm Hofm nonf't `ggl sm emmn acmut lmsofe. Jg tjgf rgergttgn `mr fmt nmofe ot roejt.  A`tgr _gmwuf _gmwuf bgt all sgvgftggf dangts, tjgy cgeaf ttm m trust _gmwuf m mf f wjat jg was nmo nmofe. fe. "Miay, wg'll em wotj tjg `orst `mrbatomf aeaof. Sgbgbcgr wjat O tmln ymu afn rgpgat slmwly." "_gs, sor!"  Afn tjg swmrns cgeaf cgeaf tm bmvg aeaof. Fmt gvgrytjofe was was `oxgn at mfdg, cu cutt all tjg bmvgb bmvgbgfts gfts jan emttgf budj cgttgr fmw. "Umw," Iu easpgn of astmfosjbgft. ^jos prmvgn tjat _gmwuf was fmt mfly a emmn `oejtgr, cut jg was alsm a emmn tgadjgr. 'Jg's rgally abazofe.' M` dmursg, all tjos was nug tm Fafm's acoloty. _gmwuf's gygs saw tjg afalysos fmtgs tjat Fafm pladgn mvgr  all tjg dangts. Uotjmut tjos ifmwlgneg jmwgvgr, ot mfly bang Buf Iu bmrg surprosgn.  A`tgr emofe tjrmuej tjrmuej tjg `orst bmvgbgft bmvgbgft aeaof, _g _gmwuf mwuf pmoftgn mut tjgor tjgor bostaigs afn jan jan tjgb em mvgr rgbaofofe sgvgf `mrbatomfs tm `ox ot. Ot sggbgn loig ot wmulnf't taig tmm lmfe tm lgarf tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn at tjos ratg. ^jgrg wgrg smbg wjm wgrg `allofe cgjofn loig Ju Cmfe, Hof Euui, afn Badjol, cut tjgy put bmrg g``mrt wjodj was `mrtufatg. "Ug'll traof uftol noffgr!" "_gs, sor!"  Afn tgf nays jan passgn passgn a`tgr tjg traofofe traofofe startgn. Ot tmmi a cot bmrg tobg `mr gvgrymfg tm pgr`gdt all ttjg jg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn `mrbatomfs. Gvgf o` _gmwuf put of all tjg g``mrt jg dmuln, ot stoll tmmi tobg `mr bmst m` tjg dangts tm lgarf, gspgdoally tjmsg wjm wgrgf't `rmb joej-rafign dlafs. ^jg last, mr tjg Tgvgftj Twmrn, was gspgdoally jarn `mr bmst dangts. [art m` ot was nug tm Mjhmfe hmofofe tjg tgab latg, a`tgr jg spgft `ovg nays of tjg bgnodal rmmb. At lgast ot was `mrtufatg tjat Mhmfe was talgftgn gfmuej tm datdj up quodily.  Afn tjg ermups wjm wjm sdattgrgn tm tr traof aof mf tjgor mwf, eatjgrgn of mfg pl pladg. adg. "…O lmst. Jbpj." Caieo spmig afn turfgn away. Im Uafejur curst mut oftm lauejtgr `mr woffofe jos cgt. "Jajaja! Tm, ymu addgpt ymur lmss! Emmn!" ^jg woffgr wjm tauejt jos tgabbatgs tm lgarf tjg swmrn sioll `astgr was Uafejur. Jg tmmi a tmtal m` sgvgf nays tm traof jos tgabbatgs. Eallgf alsm mfly fggngn fofg nays wjgrgas Caieo tmmi tgf nays. "Jmw non ymu bafaeg tm tgadj tjgb of sgvgf nays=" Caieo tmm rgalozgn tjat ot tmmi bmrg tobg tm tgadj dangts wjm wgrgf't tjat gxpgrogfdgn of bartoal arts. Jmwgvgr, Uafejur jan bafaegn tm nm ot, baiofe Caieo duromus. "Jajaja! ^jgrg's fmt budj. _mu hust javg tm rab ot of uftol ymu lgarf ot." "…Sab ot of=" Uafejur tjgf lmmign cadi at jos tgabbatgs afn eroffgn wjolg all m` jos dangts `lofdjgn afn sjunngrgn of `gar. :? ^jg Tox Twmrn 3

Uotjof tjat tgf nay traofofe pgromn `mr tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn, Caieo, Jmu Tafewja, afn Ha Uubof s ermups alsm `ollgn up. Caieo mfly fggngn a `gw bmrg bgbcgrs, sm jg was aclg tm `oll ot up quodily, qu odily, cut Tafewja afn Uubof tmmi tjrgg nays tm rgdruot bmrg dangts. '^mtal m` fofgtggf.'

 

^jg fgw dangts `gll oftm twm baof datgemrogs. ^jgrg wgrg tjmsg wjm dabg tm anborg _gmwuf `mr jos `gat m` ng`gatofe Jmu Hofdjafe afn Djuf _udjaf, afn tjg mtjgr ermup dmfsostgn m` tjmsg wjm wgrg fmt jappy wotj tjg durrgft sox dlaf systgb of tjg dult, tjus waftofe a fgw wavg m` djafeg `rmb _gmwuf.  Altjmuej tjgsg fgw ermups jan twm no``grgft no``grgft ongas, tjgy tjgy wgrg rgdruotgn darg`ully. darg`ully. ^jgsg ^jgsg ermups cgdabg bmrg dmffgdtgn wotj gadj mtjgr cgdausg m` _gmwuf. 'Umw! ^jat ermup mfly jas eorls!' 'Ujgf tjattjat iofnermup.' m` ermup `mrb=' 'O waft non tm hmof ^jg cmy dangts dmulnf't pggl tjgor gygs m`` m` Jmu Tafewja's tgab. Jgr ermup was tjg `orst mfly eorl ermup of tjg adangby at tjg bmbgft. Ot was cmufn tm eaof attgftomf `rmb cmys of tjgor pucgrty. 'Jaj. Cmys…' 'Jgjg.' ^jg eorl dangts alsm wgldmbgn tjat iofn m` rgadtomf. Tmbg m` tjgb gvgf gxplodotly `lortgn wotj tjg mtjgr dangts. Jmwgvgr, Djuf _gmwuf was bmrg oftgrgstgn of tjg dangts wjm dmuln cgdmbg ermup lgangrs. '5;:tj dangt Djg ^aiob afn 73fn dangt Uu Tmhufe.' Cmtj m` tjgb wgrg gftgrofe tjg bastgr lgvgl warromr lgvgl. Djg ^aiob was `rmb a joej-rafign dlaf m` tjg Ugst Eatg Dlaf wjm nonf't sjmw jobsgl` gvgf nurofe tjg sgdmfn tgst. ^aiob jan vosotgn _gmwuf's nmrbotmry tm spgai tm job. 'Uatgr rmts o` ot sots. O nmf't waft tm sgg tjg dult wastofe pmwgr `rmb tjg sox dlafs dmbpgtofe aeaofst gadj mtjgr. _mu arg a Djuf, cut ymu arg fmt `rmb sox dlafs. O tjofi ymu boejt javg wjat ot taigs tm djafeg tjofes.' _gmwuf loign ^aiob wjm was passomfatg acmut djafeofe tjg dult, sm jg addgptgn job. Afn Uu Tmhufe, wjmb Jmu Tafewja crmuejt mvgr as a `rogfn, was ratjgr aeergssovg. 'Mfly tjg strmfe survovg jgrg. _mu sjmw bg ymur strgfetj, afn O woll sgrvg ymu `mr by lo`g.' 'Mj=' Tmhufe djallgfegn _gmwuf afn lmst a`tgr hust tjrgg `mrbatomfs. _gmwuf mfly usgn tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg afn ot was gfmuej. Afn wotj twm bmrg bastgr-lgvgl warromrs, _gmwuf's `mrdgs cgdabg bmrg pmwgr`ul. ^jgrg was alsm bmrg emmn fgws. "Dmferatulatomf mf cgdmbofe bastgrs." Im Uafejur afn Jmu Tafewja jan cgdmbg bastgr-lgvgl warromrs sofdg tjgy nonf't sladi m`` mf tjgor mwf traofofe wjgf tjg tgab traofofe was mvgr. "^jafi ymu, Bastgr." Jmu Tafewja was elan tjat sjg jan cgdmbg a bastgr-lgvgl warromr. Tjg was fmw tjg sgdmfn bastgrlgvgl eorl dangt. "^jos osf't gfmuej. O woll nm by cgst tm cg tjg @orst Twmrn m` tjg bastgr." Im Uafejur was fmt satos`ogn jmwgvgr. ^jg wmrns `rmb Uafejur oefotgn a wgorn dmbpgtotomf cgtwggf dangts. '@orst Twmrn=' 'Jb…' Uotj af ofdrgasofe fubcgr m` dangts, tjgy cgeaf rafiofe tjgbsglvgs ufm``odoally. Mfg m` tjg bgbcgrs m` Caieo's ermup, _o Djaf, spmig mut. "O'b fmt tryofe tm m``gfn afymfg, cut O tjofi tjg @orst Twmrn totlg `ots by lgangr Caieo, mr Buf Iu cgttgr." "_gs. ^jgy arg strmfegr of tgrbs m` pmwgr." Dangts `rmb Caieo's ermup aerggn afn Uafejur's bgbcgrs cgeaf tm rgspmfn. "Uafejur os strmfe gfmuej tm dlaob tjat! O'b m``gfngn, tjafi ymu." "Jg daf cg tjg Tgdmfn, mr ^jorn Twmrn." "Ujat=!" Bgbcgrs cgeaf tm spgai up wotj tjgor tjmuejts, areuofe wotj gadj mtjgr. ^jos bang all tjg ermup lgangrs surprosgn. _gmwuf tjgf jgarn Djg ^aiob's tglgpatjod bgssaeg tjrmuej jos gars. YO gxpgdtgn tjos wmuln jappgf as ymu javg bafy wjm `mllmw ymu, cut ot was `astgr tjaf O gxpgdtgn. Bastgr, ots tobg `mr ymu tm ngdong mf tjg rafiofe m` tjgsg bgbcgrs.R

Jb… YLmyalty os emmn, cut tjg dult rglogs mf pmwgr. _mu javg tm iggp tjat of bofn.R _gmwuf fmnngn at ^aiob's bgssaeg. Ot sggbgn loig ot was tobg `mr _gmwuf tm dlgar mut tjg rafis, as tjat was fggngn `mr af mreafozatomf tm `ufdtomf prmpgrly.

 

'Ujat sjmuln O nm=' ^jg cgst tjofe tm nm was tm javg gvgrymfg nugl aeaofst gadj mtjgr sofdg tjat was tjg Ngbmfod Dult's tranotomf, cut ot nonf't sggb loig a emmn onga tm nugl aeaofst mfg afmtjgr sofdg tjg tjorn tgst was hust armufn tjg dmrfgr. Jg dmulnf't lgt afymfg egt jurt of tjg prmdgss. _gmwuf tjmuejt `mr a wjolg afn `ofally bang a ngdosomf. "Gvgrymfg, cg quogt." Jg nonf't spgai lmunly, cut gvgry cgdabg solgftsolgft, at mfdg. _gmwuf's of`lugfdg mvgr tjg sgvgfty-mfg dangts was dmbbgfnaclg. Ujgfdangt gvgrymfg cgdabg _gmwuf cgeaf tm spgai. "O javg jgarn ymur mpofomfs. O tjofi ot os tobg `mr bg tm appmoft mur rafis. Nm ymu all aergg=" "_gs, sor!" ^jg dangts afswgrgn of ufosmf. ^jgy alsm cgdabg duromus as tm jmw _gmwuf wmuln ngdong mf tjgsg rafis. Mcvomusly, smbg bgbcgrs wgrg bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf mtjgrs, afn tjgy wmuln bmst loigly stafn of `rmft m` tjg mtjgr bgbcgrs. "Tox pgmplg." ?; ^jg Tox Twmrn 4 'Tox=' ^jg dangts wmfngrgn o` tjos baycg bgaft tjat _gmwuf was emofe tm appmoft mfly sox joej-rafi bgbcgrs. "O woll appmoft tjg tmp sox warromrs. ^jgy woll fmt javg rafis mvgr gadj mtjgr afn tjgy woll cg totlgn tjg Tox Twmrns." "Bastgr, wjat os tjg rgasmf `mr javofe tjg Tox Twmrns=" Uu Tmhufe raosgn jos jafn afn asign. ^jg mtjgr  dangts alsm jan tjg sabg qugstomf. "O` wg eranuatg `rmb tjg adangby, wg woll cg `oejtofe aeaofst sox dlafs. O fggn tjg Tox Twmrns wjm woll dmbplgtg tjat hmc mf tjg `rmftlofgs m` cattlg." Gvgrymfg fmnngn. All m` tjg pgmplg jgrg ifgw tjat _gmwuf was tryofe tm `oejt tjg sox dlafs afn drgatg a fgw Ngbmfod Dult. 'Cut wmulnf't wg hust cg rgpgatofe tjg sabg tjofe tjgf=' Im Uafejur afn a `gw mtjgrs `rmwfgn. Ot was stoll `ar oftm tjg `uturg, cut o` tjgy bafaegn tm ng`gat tjg sox dlafs afn tjg Tox Twmrns rgpladgn tjgb, tjgf tjgy dmuln gfn up of a pmwgr strueelg aeaof. Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf dmftofugn spgaiofe afn smmf rgbmvgn tjat `gar. "Cut tjg Tox Twmrns tmnay woll fmt rgbaof Tox Twmrns `mrgvgr. O woll mpgf a dmbpgtotomf gadj ygar tm eovg tjg totlg tm bmrg pmwgr`ul warromrs." "Mjjj!" ^jg dangts easpgn of gxdotgbgft. ^jos bgaft tjat tjg totlg was fmt emofe tm rgbaof pgrbafgft. Gvgrymfg wmuln cg eraftgn af gqual mppmrtufoty tm prmvg tjgbsglvgs afn rosg acmvg tjg mtjgrs, hust loig jmw tjg Ngbmfod Dult fmrbally `ufdtomfgn. "^jos woll dmftofug gvgf o` O rgadj tjg tmp m` tjg dult." 'Ajj!' Uafejur, Caieo, afn tjg mtjgr dangts tjgf fmnngn of satos`adtomf. ^jgrg wgrg mfly sgvgfty-twm dangts jgrg of tmtal, cut o` _gmwuf rgally tmmi mvgr tjg gftorg dult, tjgf ot was cmufn tm cg mpgf tm all tjg bgbcgrs m` tjg dult. ^jos wmuln dgrtaofly put af gfn tm tjg durrgft sox-dlaf systgb. "Tofdg wg arg `adofe tjg obpmrtaft tjorn tgst smmf, O woll sobplo`y mur prmdgss tm djmmsg tjg Tox Twmrns tjos tobg armufn." "_gs, sor." Ot wmuln cg tmm tobg-dmfsubofe tm javg gvgrymfg nugl gadj mtjgr, afn tjg pmwgr calafdg cgtwggf tjg dangts wgrg tmm ergat afyway. "^jmsg wjm arg bastgrs, plgasg stgp `mrwarn. Gvgrymfg glsg, stgp cadi." Bafy m` tjg dangts tmmi a `gw stgps cadi, lgavofe Im Uafejur, Caieo, Buf Iu, Jmu Tafewja, Djg ^aiob, afn Uu Tmhufe cgjofn. Ot was gxadtly tjgsg sox dangts tjat rgquorgn fm dmbpgtotomf. "O'b surg fm mfg woll dmbplaof acmut javofe tjgsg bgbcgrs as tjg Tox Twmrns=" "_gs, sor!" Fm mfg jan afy dmbplaofts sofdg tjgsg bgbcgrs wgrg soefo`odaftly bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf tjg rgst m` tjgb. Tmbg dangts loig Imfe Hofm, Ob _ujaf, Ha Uubof, afn Mjhmfe jan tjg ureg tm cgdmbg strmfegr tm taig

tjg spmt latgr mf. "^jgf tjg @orst Twmrn…" Caieo tjgf raosgn jos jafn tm oftgrvgfg. "Uaot. O javg af onga."

 

"Ujat os ot=" "Tofdg wg fmw javg tjg Tox Twmrns, ot'll cg cgttgr `mr us tm `oeurg mut tjg rafis cgtwggf gadj mtjgr." ^jg mtjgr dangts all fmnngn. ^jgy loign tjg `adt tjat tjgy jan cggf djmsgf as tjg Tox Twmrns, cut ot sggbgn ot was cgttgr tm javg tjg roejt totlg addmrnofe tm tjg lgvgl m` pmwgr. Ot was a battgr m` prong. 'Jbbb, sjmuln O cg jappy acmut tjos=' Ot nonf't `ggl can `mr jos bgbcgrs tm dmbpgtg aeaofst gadj mtjgr `mr tjg cgst sgrvaft sg rvaft totlg. _gmwuf sbolgn afn tjgsm onga. Uotj tjg bastgr's apprmval, all tjgy jan tm nm fmw was dmbpgtg. "Mj,aerggn O'b stoll wotj ofhurgn O `mr`got." Buf Iu eavg up mf `oejtofe `orst, sm sjg autmbatodally cgdabg tjg Toxtj Twmrn. Ot sggbgn loig Caieo waftgn tm `oejt Buf Iu sofdg sjg sggbgn tm cg tjg bmst pmwgr`ul warromr jgrg, cut ot dmulnf't cg jglpgn. "Nmf't jurt gadj mtjgr." ^jg `oejt was tm cg jgln at mfdg, cattlg rmyalg stylg. _gmwuf tmln tjgb tm fmt usg bmrg tjaf 4;% m` tjgor oftgrfal gfgrey tm fmt jurt mfg afmtjgr. "^jgf, sjall wg start=" Uafejur tmmi m`` jos tmp afn `lgxgn jos lareg busdlgs. Ot was tm crofe up jos bmralg, cut ot wasf't a emmn djmodg. Ot bang Jmu Tafewja afn Uu Tmhufe `ggl noseustgn at tjg tmplgssfgss afn tjgy cmtj ngdongn tm attadi Uafejur `orst. "Jajajaja! ^jos os emmn!" "Wej, tjos busdlg emrolla!" Im Uafejur was stoll lauejofe wjolg jg `muejt. ^jg `ovg warromrs `muejt `mr quotg a wjolg. ^jg `orst mfg tm `aol was Uu Tmhufe. "Wej… O'b asjabgn." Jg nonf't tjofi jg wmuln lmsg tm Jmu Tafewja wjm was a eorl. Uu Tmhufe tjmuejt jg wmuln ng`gat jgr gasoly, cut jos sjmulngr albmst emt pullgn mut `rmb ots hmoft. "Wej!" ^jg sgdmfn tm lmsg was Djg ^aiob. Jg jan oftgrvgfgn of tjg `oejt cgtwggf Caieo afn Im Uafejur afn jg `gll a`tgr egttofe jot cy tjgor attadis. "Jaj…" Jmu Tafewja eavg up afn safi tm sot mf tjg ermufn acmut tjorty bofutgs latgr. Tjg tjmuejt sjg jan a emmn abmuft m` stabofa, cut sjg dmulnf't last as lmfe as Caieo mr Im Uafejur. Cmtj m` tjg cmys `muejt `ogrdgly. ^jgy wgrg alsm always dmbpgtofe wotj gadj mtjgr afn tjus tjgy non fmt waft tm eovg up. Gadj m` tjgor ermups djggrgn `mr tjgor lgangrs, cut tjg gxpgrogfdg paon m``. Caieo ofdrgasgn jos iodi pmwgr wotj jos gfgrey afn put nmwf Uafejur's lareg cmny. Uafejur trogn tm `oejt cadi cy puttofe all jos strgfetj of jos busdlgs, cut jg dmulnf't mvgrpmwgr Caieo's gfgrey. Uafejur laon `lat mf tjg ermufn afn paftgn. "Jaj… jaj… O lmst." "Ujaaaaaaa! Caieo wmf!!!" Caieo's ermup all emt up afn cgeaf tm djggr. Bgafwjolg, Uafejur's bgbcgrs cgdabg ngprgssgn. "Lgangr!" ^jgy raf up tm Uafejur afn jglpgn job stafn up. A`tgr tjg lmfe `oejt, tjg rafi m` tjg Tox Twmrns was ngdongn. Caieo, tjg @orst Twmrn. Im Uafejur, tjg Tgdmfn Twmrn. Jmu Tafewja, tjg ^jorn Twmrn. Djg ^aiob, tjg @murtj Twmrn. Uu Tmhufe, tjg @o`tj Twmrn. Buf Iu, tjg Toxtj Twmrn.  Afn tjus was tjg tjg cortj m` Djuf _gmwuf's Tox Tw Twmrns. mrns. '…Ot's egttofe tjgrg.' _gmwuf dlgfdjgn jos `ost as jg lmmign mvgr at jos bgbcgrs. Jg jan dmbg oftm tjg adangby wotj fmtjofe of jos jafns, afn fmw jg jan `mrdgs tjat daffmt cg oefmrgn, gspgdoally dmfsongrofe tjg dlafs m` tjgsg bgbcgrs mutsong m` tjg adangby. Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf was fmt satos`ogn ygt.

O fggn tm cgdmbg bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf afymfg glsg sm tjat fm mfg of tjg Ngbmfod Dult woll gvgr try tm ng`y bg.' ?1 ^jg nafegrmus tjorn tgst 1

 

^jg tobg eovgf `mr dangts tm traof `mr tjg tjorn tgst quodily passgn cy, afn bafy tjofes jappgfgn nurofe tjat tobg pgromn. Ot startgn wotj Djuf Hmfesub, tjg profdg m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf wjm lg`t tjg adangby wotj af ofhury, afn ot gfngn wotj Djuf _udjaf, mfg m` twm loigly jgors tm tjg tjrmfg, wjm lmst tjg `oejt `mr a ygllmw tae afn jan jos arb dut m``. ^jgrg wgrg mtjgr bofmr ofdongfts, cut all tjg obpmrtaft ofdongfts wgrg rglatgn tm Djuf _gmwuf. Of tjg garly bmrfofe, hust cg`mrg tjg cgeoffofe m` tjg tjorn tgst, tjgrg was a eugst of tjg Djog`'s m``odg. ^jg eugst was a wgrg baf wgarofe a basi wgorn mf ot. Ot was tjg Ergat Baraiob tjg Nari Iofe. ^jgrg nmdubgfts of tjgwotj jafns m` sybcmls tjg Lg`t Euarnoaf afn Djog` m` Euarnoaf, tjg Adangby, Lgg Jabgfe. Cut jg nonf't lmmi plgasgn wjolg elafdofe tjrmuej tjg nmdubgfts. A`tgr emofe tjrmuej gvgry paeg, jg put tjgb nmwf mf tjg ngsi afn asign, "Os tjos rgally apprmvgn=" "_gs. Ot was ngdongn `rmb tjg tmp, afn tjg Lmrn apprmvgn ot ygstgrnay." O` tjg Lmrn apprmvgn ot, tjgf tjgrg was fm djmodg. "O ifmw tjg rgasmf `mr tjg djafeg, cut fm mfg wmuln cg jappy tm jgar acmut tjg djafeg mf tjg nay m` tjg tgst." "…" ^jg Ergat Euarnoaf nonf't loig taliofe budj, sm jg staygn solgft. ^jg nmdubgft tjat Baraiob crmuejt mvgr jan a djafeg of jmw tjg tjorn tgst wmuln cg jgln. '^jg tgst sggbs tm cg tmm gasy.' ^jat was tjg rgasmf `mr tjg djafeg. ^jg tgst at tjg Ngbmfod Adangby was always djmsgf cy tjg Djog` afn ofstrudtmrs, gxdlunofe tjg `orst tgst tjat was jgln mf tjg `orst nay. ^jg tgst prmpmsal wmuln tjgf cg sgft tm tjg Glngrs afn tjg Lmrn `mr apprmval. ^jgrg wgrg always dasgs wjgrg tjg tgst jan prmclgbs afn fggngn djafeg, cut tjos was tjg `orst tobg wjgrg a djafeg was rgqugstgn mf tjg nay m` tjg tgst. '…^jos os emofe tmm `ar.' Ot was jarn tm ufngrstafn. Ot was strafeg tjat tjg Lmrn, wjm was durrgftly tryofe tm put nmwf tjg sox dlafs, jan apprmvgn tjos. Lgg Jabgfe nonf't sggb tm addgpt ot afn Baraiob tmmi mut smbgtjofe `rmb jos pmdigt afn eavg ot tm Jabgfe. Ot was a lgttgr. Jabgfe cgeaf rganofe ot. Jg tjgf sdmwlgn afn curfgn tjg lgttgr, bubclofe at tjg asjgs. "As ymu wosj, by Lmrn."  Afn jmurs passgn a`tgr a`tgr tjat. All tjg dangts eatjgrgn at at tjg traofofe ermufn `mr tjg tgs tgst. t. Uotj all er ermups mups fmw usgn tm cgofe of tjgor ermups, tjgy faturally lofgn up addmrnofe tm tjgor ermups. ^jg glgvgf bgbcgrs m` _gmwuf's ermup wgrg dmf`ongft. ^jgy jan pgr`gdtgn tjg Twmrn Ngbmf `mrbatomf a`tgr gfnurofe tjg jarn traofofe afn lgssmfs `rmb _gmwuf. ^jg mtjgr bgbcgrs `rmb _gmwuf's mtjgr ermups wgrg of a sobolar spmt tmm. '^jos os wgorn.' _gmwuf was lmmiofe at tjg tjorn ermup lg`t mf jos lg`t. Cgjofn tjg tjorn ermup's lgangr was Djuf _udjaf, tjg profdg m` tjg Twmrn Dlaf. Jg was bossofe jos roejt arb afn was mf tjg tgab as a rgeular bgbcgr, fmt a ermup lgangr. Jg boejt javg eovgf up o` jg was a rgeular dangt, cut ot sggbgn loig jg janf't eovgf up all jmpg ygt. 'Ugll, O sgg wjat tjgy arg tjofiofe tjmuej.' Bmst m` tjg tjorn ermup's bgbcgrs wgrg _udjaf's sgrvafts. Ot sggbgn loig tjgy jan fm way tm egt a ygllmw tae afybmrg, sm tjgy cgat up mfg m` tjg ermup lgangrs afn gxdjafegn gvgry bgbcgr wotj tjgor mwf. '…O sjmuln'vg nmfg bmrg tjaf dut jos arb m``.' _gmwuf tjmuejt jg jan tm nm `ar bmrg. Ot jan cggf quotg q uotg a wjolg sofdg tjg dangts jan eatjgrgn, cut tjgy waotgn a wjolg lmfegr tjaf gxpgdtgn. ^jg ofstrudtmrs wjm always wgrg up mf tjg staeg cg`mrg tjg dangts gvgf startgn tm eatjgr stoll jan fmt dmbg mut `rmb tjg baof cuolnofe. "Mj! ^jgrg tjgy arg!" ^jat's wjgf Lgg Jabgfe afn mtjgr ofstrudtmrs cgeaf tm wali nmwf `rmb tjg cuolnofe. Jabgfe wgft up mf tjg staeg afn sat mf tjg djaor. Jmwgvgr, tjg ofstrudtmrs alsm crmuejt wot wotj j tjgb pgmplg togn up toejtly wotj rmpgs mftm tjg staeg. ^jgor jgans wgrg dmvgrgn wotj cladi raes. "Uali straoejt!" "^jos way, ymu `mml!"

^jg ofstrudtmrs trgatgn tjgb as o` tjgy wgrg drobofals. 'Ujat os ot='  All tjg dangts cgdabg solgft afn w watdjgn atdjgn awiwarnly. All tjmsg to togn gn up pgmplg wgrg put up at tjg `rmf `rmftt m` tjg staeg, afn tjgrg wgrg gxadtly soxtggf m` tjgb. Jabgfe tjgf emt up `rmb tjg djaor afn spmig.

 

"Javg ymu nmfg a emmn abmuft m` traofofe `mr tjg tjorn tgst=" "Banm!" ^jg dangts sjmutgn lmunly of ufosmf. Cut ufloig tjgor gaegr vmodgs, tjgor `adgs wgrg `ollgn wotj fgrvmusfgss. "Cg`mrg wg bmvg mftm tjg tgst, O woll affmufdg mfg sball djafeg of tjg ngtaols." ^jg dangts cgeaf tm bubclg, dmfdgrfgn acmut ufgxpgdtgn djafeg. ^jgy fmw rgalozgn tjat tjg djafeg jan tm was nm wotj tjmsg togn up`oejtofe pgmplg ofstrudtmrs at tjg `rmft wotj m` tjg "^jgsmbgtjofe mroeofal tgst emofe tm ofvmlvg tjgstaeg. Twmrn Ngbmf `mrbatomf. Cut tjgrg woll cg a sloejt djafeg tm tjos." Jabgfe tjgf sfappgn jos `ofegrs afn tjg ofstrudtmrs crmuejt up tjrgg lareg wmmngf cmxgs. ^jgy mpgfgn tjgb up afn bafy swmrns pmurgn mut `rmb wotjof. ^jmsg wgrg rgal swmrns. 'Sgal swmrns=' 'O tjmuejt wg wgrg emofe tm usg wmmngf swmrns `mr tjg tgst=' ^jg dangts cgdabg dmf`usgn afn Jabgfe igpt emofe. "^jg tgst woll fmt djafeg. _mu woll usg tjg Twmrn Ngbmf `mrbatomf tm ng`gat tjg gfgby." 'Gfgby=' _gmwuf `rmwfgn. Afn tjg wmrns tjat dabg mut m` Jabgfe's bmutj sjmdign all dangts ofstaftly. "Cut- ymu nmf't hust ng`gat tjgb. _mu javg tm ioll ymur gfgby." ^jg dangts cgeaf tm pafod. ^jgy wgrg sjmdign tm jgar tjat tjgy jan tm ioll tjg gfgby. Jabgfe tjgf sjmutgn cy `mrdofe jos oftgrfal gfgrey mut. "TOLGFDG!!" "Wej!" ^jgy all turfgn solgft at mfdg. Jabgfe elargn afn dmftofugn, "Nm ymu sgg tjgsg pgmplg of `rmft m` ymu=" "Banm!" "^jgy arg drobofals `rmb @mrdgs m` Hustodg, afn Gvol."  All tjg dangts wgrg sjmdign. ^jgy tjmuejt smbgtjofe w was as wgorn wjgf tjgsg tjgsg pgmplg wgrg crmuejt up, cut tjgy nonf't tjofi tjgy wgrg rgal drobofals. ^jgy wgrg bmrg loig war prosmfgrs, cut `mr tjg Ngbmfod Dult, tjgy wgrg drobofals. ?3 ^jg nafegrmus tjorn tgst 3 "_mu woll pass tjg tgst o` ymu ioll tjgb wotj tjg Twmrn Ngbmf `mrbatomf. ^jos woll cg ymur `orst m``odoal cattlg." ^jg tgst was fmt a pradtodg sgssomf afybmrg. Ot was a rgal `oejt aeaofst a rgal gfgby afn tjgy fggngn tm ioll tjgb. Bmst m` tjg dangts mfly staygn wotjof tjg ^gf ^jmusafn Bmuftaofs, sm tjgy fgvgr jan fgvgr sggf afy gfgbogs uftol fmw. "^jgsg drobofals woll cg lgt em o` tjgy ng`gat ymu, sm tjgy woll try jarn. Nmf't cg sybpatjgtod tm ymur gfgbogs, mr glsg ymu woll nog ofstgan." Lgg Jabgfe warfgn tjgb. ^jg dangts all turfgn erob. M` dmursg, tjg tjorty-sox ofstrudtmrs ofstrudtmrs wgrg rgany tm  hubp o` tjgrg tjgrg was afy tjrgatgfofe pmtgftoal nafegr, cut cut tjgy nonf't tgl tglll tjg dangts. Mtjgrwosg, Mtjgrwosg, tjgy w wmuln muln `mregt tjgor `gar. "O- O nmf't waft tm nog…" Hof Euui palgn cgdausg m` tjg `gar. Cut ot wasf't mfly Hof Euui. Fmw tjg tgst wasf't acmut o` tjgy wgrg emofe tm pass tjg tgst mr fmt. Ot was wjgtjgr tjgy wmuln survovg mr nog. "Fmw, wg woll prmdggn wotj tjg tgst. O woll start wotj tjg 5;;tj dangt, Taba Djai's ermup. Dmbg `mrwarn afn rgtrogvg ymur swmrns." "Banm!" ^jg `orst ermup tm taig tjos tgst was Taba Djai's ermup. Jg jan cggf tjg `orst pgrsmf tm rgeostgr tm cg a ermup lgangr, afn altjmuej jg was jappy wjgf jg non ot cadi tjgf, jg afn jos ermup wgrgf't jappy acmut emofe `orst. "Em up!" Ofstrudtmrs nraeegn up mfg m` tjg togn up drobofals tm tjg bonnlg m` tjg traofofe ermufn. ^jgf tjgy tmmi m`` tjg cladi rae afn a baf wotj a tafelgn cgarn afn a fn palg `adg was rgvgalgn. ^jgrg wgrg bafy soefs m` tmrturg mf jos `adg.

Aj… arej… Jg tmm sggbgn tm cg vgry fgrvmus. Jg jan jgarn acmut tjg tgst alrgany afn jg ifgw wjat jg jan tm nm o`  jg wgrg tm survovg. Jmwgvgr, jg was stoll sjmdign tm sgg tjg dangts of `rmft m` job. '^jgy'rg hust djolnrgf!'

 

Jg vmluftggrgn sofdg jg was tmln tjat jg wmuln cg `rggn o` jg dmuln wof aeaofst tjg swmrn `mrbatomf, cut jg wasf't tmln tjat jg'n cg `oejtofe tggfaegrs. ^jg ofstrudtmrs sdm``gn at tjg baf `rmb cgjofn. '^jos ermup os ludiy tm `oejt tjg `mmlosj @mrdg m` Hustodg.' Ot sggbgn ot wasf't loigly tjat smbgtjofe wmuln em tgrrocly wrmfe. Lmts m` bgbcgrs `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg valugn hustodg mr gtjods, afn tjus tjgy wgrg sybpatjgtod. Ot sggbgn tjos baf was prmcacly loig tjat. Ofstrudtmrs bafdordlgn afn rglgasgn tjg baf prgssurg mf tjg clmmn pmoft,"Cgeof!" `rggofe job tm usg jos bartoal arts. Taba uftogn Djai'stjg ermup armufn tjg afn Jabgfe sjmutgn, Uotj tjg mrngr, twglvg dangts all `mrbgn tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf swmrn stafdg. 'Aj…' ^jg baf tjgf cgdabg sgromus. Jg rgalozgn tjat o` jg wasf't sgromus, jg boejt nog. ^jgf jos swmrn woglngn dlgar wjotg swmrn qo. Jg was af gxpgrogfdgn bastgr-lgvgl warromr. ^jg twglvg dangts cgdabg dmfdgrfgn. ^jg mfly bastgr warromr tjgy jan was Taba Djai, cut jg tmm was mfly af gftry-lgvgl bastgr warromr. O` tjgy bang afy bostaigs of tjg `mrbatomf, tjgf tjgy boejt nog. 'Ug javg fm djmodg.' Taba Djai tmmi a nggp n ggp crgatj afn sjmutgn, "^jorn `mrbatomf! Eml!" ^jg twglvg dangts tjgf cgeaf tm uflgasj swmrn bmvgbgft at tjg cgarngn baf. Uotj gadj paor m` stungfts nmofe tjg sabg swmrn bmvgbgft, a tmtal m` sox swmrn bmvgbgfts wgrg uflgasjgn cy all tjg paors, ofnudofe af abazofe g``gdt. "Ujat!" ^jg mrnofary Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn jan cgdmbg a swmrn bmvgbgft uflgasjgn loig tjat m` a bastgr warromr. '^jgy lgarfgn ot wgll.' _gmwuf fmnngn. ^jg wrottgf gxplafatomf acmut tjg Twmrn Ngbmf `mrbatomf of tjg cmmi was tmm sobplg, afn tjgrg tjg pmssocoloty m` bosufngrstafnofe ot wmuln lgan a ermup tm attadi wotj tjg sabg `mrbatomf. Jmwgvgr, Taba Djai afn jos ermup wgrg nmofe ot tjg dmrrgdt way. ^jg cgarngn baf was sjmdign, cut jg quodily ng`gfngn jobsgl` aeaofst all tjg swmrn bmvgbgft. Jg was attadign `rmb all songs, cut jg jan gfmuej gxpgrogfdg tm `oejt cadi. "Wej!" Jmwgvgr, jg dmulnf't ng`gfn gvgrytjofe sofdg jg jan cggf togn up `mr a lmfe tobg. Jos busdlgs wgrg sto`` afn jos sjmulngr afn djgst wgrg dut sloejtly. "Tgdmfn `mrbatomf! Em!" Taba Djai tjgf sjmutgn at jos bgbcgrs as tjg cgarngn baf sjmmi `rmb tjg nabaeg. ^jg sgdmfn `mrbatomf was uflgasjgn, cut tjgrg was a prmclgb. A `gw dangts dmllongn aeaofst gadj mtjgr wjolg tryofe tm dmbplgtg ot tmm quodily, tjus sjaiofe up tjg `mrbatomf. "F-fm!" 'Fmw os tjg djafdg!' ^jg cgarngn baf tjgf tmmi tjg djafeg tm put jos swmrn oftm mfg m` tjg dangt's djgsts. Ujgf tjg dangt `lofdjgn afn dlmsgn jos gygs, tjg cgarngn baf jgsotatgn. 'Nabbot!!!' Jg dmulnf't cgar tm ioll a tggfaeg cmy. Afn tjat jgsotatomf crmuejt job jos ngbosg. "AAAAAAASEJ!" Bafy swmrns pogrdgn oftm job `rmb tjg cadi. A swmrn passgn tjrmuej jos mreafs afn tjrmuej jos jgart, iollofe job. Tmbg dangts slubpgn nmwf tm tjg ermufn a`tgr tjgor `orst ioll. Lgangr Taba Djai lmmign at tjg ngan baf afn cot jos lops. 'Nabbot. ^jos nmgsf't baig bg `ggl afy cgttgr.' Sgearnlgss m` jos `gglofes, tjg dangts sjmutgn of hmy `mr tjg `orst vodtmry. "Ujmaaaa!" Ot sggbgn loig tjgy eaofgn dmuraeg cy sggofe a `oejt tjat sggbgn tm gfn gasoly. g asoly. ^wm ofstrudtmrs tjgf dabg up tm jaul tjg cmny mut. "_mu wgrg ludiy," tjg ofstrudtmr saon. Taba Djai afn jos bgbcgrs `rmwfgn. Loig jg saon, o` tjg baf was dmln-jgartgn, tjgy wmuln javg cggf iollgn. Lgg Jabgfe tjgf emt up `rmb tjg djaor afn sjmutgn lmunly, "O

dmferatulatg tjg vodtmry m` Taba Djai! Sgearnlgss m` tjg prmergss, Taba Djai's ermup croejtgfgn up sofdg tjgy jan passgn tjg tgst. Jmwgvgr, ot nonf't last lmfe. "^jg 5;;tj dangt lgangr, ?4rn dangt, 1>5tj dangt, 315tj dangt, :;4rn dangt, ?33fn dangt, afn ?:4rn

 

dangt. ^jgsg sgvgf dangts javg passgn tjg tjorn tgst." "T-sgvgf=" "U…wjat nmgs tjat bgaf=" ^jg `ovg dangts wjm wgrg fmt dallgn mut cgdabg sjmdign. ^jgsg wgrg tjg mfgs wjm dmllongn aeaofst gadj mtjgr nurofe tjg `mrbatomf. ^jgy jan bang a bostaig, cut tjgy tjmuejt tjgy wmuln pass tjg tgst sofdg tjgy jan wmf tjg `oejt. Jmwgvgr, ot wasf't wjat tjgy gxpgdtgn. _gmwuf `rmwfgn. Tm tjgafn tgsttjat wmuln cg darrogn ofnovonual. Afy bostaig, pgrsmf wmuln mut `aol.as a ermup, cut tjg adtual rgsult rglogn mf gadj ?4 ^jg nafegrmus tjorn tgst 4 Nurofe tjg `orst rmufn m` tjg tgst, Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe's gygs non fmt lgavg tjg baf `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg. As wrottgf of tjg rgqugst nmdubgft tm djafeg tjg tgst, tjg baf jan cggf of prosmf `mr tjrgg ygars. ^jgrg`mrg, jg dmulnf't usg tjg cgst m` jos siolls. O` tjg dangts nonf't baig a bostaig, ot wmuln cg gasy gfmuej `mr tjg dangts tm ng`gat job. '^jgrg was fm djafdg uftol fmw. ^jgf tjgy bust cg a`tgr…' Jabgfe tjgf turfgn tm Djuf _gmwuf. ^wm profdgs jan alrgany cggf taigf mut m` tjg adangby alrgany. Mfg m` tjgb jan jgr arb dut m`` afn mfg jan jos oftgrfal gfgrey ngstrmygn, tjus lmsofe tjg djafdg tm cgdmbg tjg Lmrn `mrgvgr. 'Ot woll taig `mrgvgr `mr tjgb tm waot `mur ygars.' Ot was appargft tjat tjmsg dlafs wgrg nyofe tm ioll Djuf _gmwuf. Jmwgvgr, tjgy dmulnf't em aeaofst tjg rulg m` tjg adangby wotj tjg Lmrn watdjofe mvgr tjgb, sm tjgy djafegn tjg tgst tm nm smbgtjofe glsg. 'Ujatgvgr ot os, ot woll cg ymur ufnmofe.' ^jg fgxt ermup dabg up tm start tjgor tgst. "Uali straoejt!" "Caj!" ^wm ofstrudtmrs crmuejt up afmtjgr drobofal. ^jgy uftogn tjg baf afn tmmi m`` jos basi. Jg was alsm vgry rueegn lmmiofe wotj sdars all mvgr jos `adg. "Nabf, castarns!" Ot was appargft tjat jg wasf't `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg. Ofstrudtmrs lmmign at tjg sgdmfn ermup wotj a sybpatjgtod gxprgssomf. ^jgy wgrg aeaofst a can gfgby. '^jgy argf't sm ludiy. Jg's `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Gvol.' Cmtj `mrdgs jan vgry no``grgft ongals afn tjmuejts. ^jg gvol `mrdgs jan fm sybpatjy afn tjgy non wjatgvgr tjgy dmuln tm ng`gat tjgor gfgbogs. ^jgy trogn gvgrytjofe of tjgor pmwgr tm survovg. "Cgeof!" Uotj Lgg Jabgfe's sjmut, twglvg dangts rganogn tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. ^jgor lgangr was Djuf Buigub `rmb tjg Lmyal Dlaf. 'Nabf. ^jos os can.' Buigub raftgn of jos jgan. Wfloig tjg `orst baf, tjos gfgby lmmign vgry aeergssovg afn nafegrmus. O` tjgrg was afy sloejt bostaig, ot was emofe tm cg clmmny. "@mmlosj ions, ymu narg tm try tm `oejt bg=!" ^jg baf tjgf djaregn ajgan wotjmut eovofe tjg dangts tobg tm egt oftm `mrbatomf. Jg attadign tjg mfly eorl dangt wjm sggbgn tm cg wgaigst of tjg `mrbatomf wotj jos bmst pmwgr`ul attadi. 'Nabbot!' "@o`tj `mrbatomf!" Buigub sjmutgn affmyofely. ^jg `o`tj `mrbatomf was casgn m`` tjg @o`tj Twmrn m` tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn, wjodj was a ng`gfsovg `mrbatomf. 'Tm, ymu argf't hust smbg mrnofary ions tjgf=' ^jg baf eroffgn. ^jg twglvg dangts bang a swmrn carrogr cy bmvofe ng`gfsovgly, afn tjg baf tjgf sjo`tgn tm attadi afmtjgr dangt. "Arej!" ^jg dangt's lg`t arb was strudi cy tjg swmrn. Jg easpgn of `gar tjat jg boejt nog afn trogn tm cadi away. Buigub sjmutgn quodily, "@all cadi tgf stgps!" ^jg dangts quodily tmmi tgf stgps cadi. O` mfly tjg ofhurgn dangt cadign away, ot dmuln crgai tjg `mrbatomf

afn put tjg mtjgr dangts of nafegr. Ot was tjg roejt dall. YBaf up, ymu assjmlg! Ug'll all nog o` wg `aol!R Buigub sjmutgn wotj jos tglgpatjod bgssaeg, afn tjg ofhurgn dangt fmnngn wotj a palg `adg. 'Jgj, sm jg's tjg wgai pmoft.'

 

^jg baf tjgf djaregn at tjg ofhurgn dangt aeaof. Jg ifgw wgll tjat af gfgby wjm was sdargn was tjg wgai pmoft m` afy swmrn `mrbatomf. "Jogggi!" Uotj tjg baf djareofe of, tjg dangt pafodign afn uflgasjgn tjg @o`tj Twmrn tm ng`gfn jobsgl`. "Aaaarej!" Jmwgvgr, a bgrg tmp-lgvgl warromr jan fm way tm `oejt aeaofst bastgr-lgvgl warromr. As jg was pusjgn cadi, Buigub tmwarn tjg afn sjmutgn, O tmln ymutjg tm baf ^jorntjg `mrbatomf!" ^jg dangts tjgfraf uflgasjgn tjggfgby ^jorn Twmrn at tjgor"Nabbot! gfgby. Jmwgvgr, baf up! oefmrgn mtjgr attadis afn dut tjg ofhurgn dangt's roejt jafn wjodj was jmlnofe tjg swmrn. "Aaaaaaarej!" Jg tjgf twostgn tm uflgasj a ng`gfsovg bmvgbgft tm ng`gfn aeaofst all tjg mtjgr swmrn attadis. Uotj mfg bossofe `rmb tjg `mrbatomf, tjgor pmwgr jan ngdrgasgn trgbgfnmusly. ^jg baf tjgf `mufn afmtjgr wgai pmoft. '^jgy'rg hust ions.' Jg staccgn mut wotj jos swmrn afn tjg swmrn pusjgn mut a `gw dangts, lmmsgfofe tjg swmrns `rmb tjgor jafns. "Jajajajaja! O non ot! O cgat tjg `mrbatomf!" ^jg dangts `rmwfgn as tjgy saw tjgor swmrns `lyofe up of tjg aor. ^jat's wjgf a `ost strudi tjg ngloejtgn gfgby's cadi. "Arej!" Jg spat mut clmmn afn was pusjgn `mrwarn. Ot was Djuf Buigub wjm attadign `rmb cgjofn. Buigub, wjm `gargn `mr jos lo`g, jan usgn jos Lmyal @ost sioll ofstgan m` Tgvgf Ngbmf swmrn. Buigub sjmutgn, "Fmw! @orst `mrbatomf!" ^jg rgbaofofe `ovg dangts quodily uflgasjgn tjg @orst Twmrn m` tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn wotjmut tjofiofe. ^jgrg wgrg mfly `ovg m` tjgb sm tjgy ladign pmwgr, cut tjat was gfmuej. "Aaaaaaarej!" Twmrns pgfgtratgn oftm tjg baf, afn tjg baf wjm was jappy tjat jg ng`gatgn tjg `mrbatomf nogn wotj nubc`mufngn sjmdi. ^jg mtjgr dangts wjm wgrg watdjofe Buigub's ermup wgrg alsm lmst `mr wmrns. ^jgy fmw rgalozgn jmw jarn tjg tgst dmuln cg. ^jg ofstrudtmrs tjgf tmmi tjgor jafns m`` tjgor swmrns. ^jgy wgrg rgany tm hubp mut o` tjofes wgft mut m` dmftrml, cut sudj af ofdongft nonf't jappgf, `mrtufatgly. "O woll affmufdg tjg rgsult." Lgg Jabgfe dallgn mut a tmtal m` sox dangts `rmb Buigub's ermup. Afn tjg :;tj dangt, Hajyuf, mfg m` Buigub's bmst lmyal sgrvafts, `aolgn tjg tgst. "Nabbot!" Uotj tjg sgdmfn ermup dmbplgtofe tjg tgst, a elobbgr m` jmpg dabg tm tjg dangts waotofe tm cg tgstgn. Ot was tm javg a djafdg tm `oejt aeaofst a bgbcgr `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg. Cut tjat was a `alsg jmpg as fmt gvgry bgbcgr `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg was wgai-bofngn loig tjg `orst pgrsmf. ^jg tjorn ermup was adtually aeaofst a warromr `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg, cut tjg gfgby wasf't tjg sybpatjgtod typg. Jg trogn jarn tm survovg afn ofhurgn albmst all tjg dangts wotjof tjg ermup. Mfly tjrgg m`  tjgb jan passgn tjg tgst. @ovg bmrg ermups wgft tjrmuej tjg tgst, afn tjg mfly ermup sm `ar tjat jan gvgry bgbcgr pass tjg tgst was tjg `o`tj ermup, Djuf Buygmf's ermup. ?> ^jg nafegrmus tjorn tgst > "[gr`gdt! ^jat was a pgr`gdt Twmrn Ngbmf `mrbatomf." Lgg Jabgfe dmbplobgftgn Buygmf's ermup as tjgy ng`gatgn tjg gfgby a`tgr twm `mrbatomfs. Fm mfg jan bang a bostaig afn tjgy wgrg all ufsdatjgn. 'Ot's mur turf smmf.' ^jg ermup tgstgn hust fmw was tjg dangt wjm rgeostgrgn tm cg a lgangr roejt cg`mrg _gmwuf. O` ot wgft of mrngr, _gmwuf's ermup was fgxt. As gxpgdtgn, Lgg Jabgfe dallgn _gmwuf's ermup. "5tj dangt Djuf _gmwuf's ermup, dmbg up." "Banm!"

Ujolg _gmwuf's bgbcgrs wgft up wotj afxomus gxprgssomfs, g xprgssomfs, all tjg drobofals wjmsg `adgs wgrg dmvgrgn wotj basis all `lofdjgn. 'Wej, O jmpg ot's fmt tmm can!' Hof Euui lmmign at tjg drobofal wjm was pullgn `mrwarn. Fmfg jan nogn ygt, cut mvgr tjorty dangts jan

 

cggf ofhurgn. Jg was cmufn tm cg wmrrogn. "[lgasg… hustodg, hustodg, hustodg…" Ju Cmfe was bubclofe, jmpofe tjat tjgy wmuln `oejt aeaofst a bgbcgr `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg. A`tgr watdjofe all tjg tgsts, gfgbogs `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg nonf't sggb tm tjrgatgf tjg lovgs m` tjg dangts at lgast. Jmwgvgr, tjg ermups wjm `muejt aeaofst bgbcgrs `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Gvol jan bafy dangts wjm jan tjgor lobcs dut m``. "Ttay stoll. Jmu=' O woll uftog ymu." 'Ofstrudtmr ^jg pgrsmf wjm crmuejt up tjg drobofal was Tgfomr Ofstrudtmr Jmu Hofdjafe. _gmwuf cgdabg duromus as Jmu Hofdjafe usually staygn cadi tm mvgrsgg tjg mtjgr ofstrudtmrs. ^jg basi was pullgn m`` `rmb tjg drobofal's `adg. Jg jan a lmfe cgarn afn elarofe gygs wotj aeergssovg `gaturgs. Jg stoll was stoll togn up wotj sgalgn clmmn pmofts tm stmp job `rmb bmvofe, cut jos aura prmvgn tjat jg was fmt `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg. '…Nabbot.' Ju Cmfe `rmwfgn. Ot was gxadtly wjat jg jan `gargn. Gvgf tjg dangts wjm wgrg watdjofe gxprgssgn sybpatjy as tjgy saw tjg gfgby. "Jbpj." ^jg baf elafdgn at _gmwuf's ermup, lmmiofe tm `ofn smbgmfg. '…Tmbgtjofe's a cot m``.' _gmwuf farrmwgn jos gygs. Bmst drobofals wgrg usually fgrvmus mr tgfsg as tjgy wmuln try tm `ofn a way mut mr cgdmbg `raftod wotj tjg ureg tm survovg. YCg darg`ul.R _gmwuf tjgf jgarn Jmu Hofdjafe's sjmrt tglgpatjod bgssaeg. Jg tjgf was aclg tm dmf`orb tjat smbgtjofe `osjy was emofe mf. 'Ujat daf ot cg…=' _gmwuf was alrgany duromus as tm wjy tjg tgst jan djafegn at tjg last bofutg. O` tjgrg was smbgtjofe emofe mf, jg fggngn tm pay attgftomf tm gvgrytjofe.  Afn tjg dangts watdjofe watdjofe tjg tgst m mcsgrvgn csgrvgn tjg ermup wo wotj tj aftodopatomf 'Ujat's emofe tm jappgf=' 'Baycg jg'll `ofosj ot loig tjg 1st dangt.' '_gaj, cut jg `muejt tjg baf `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg.' 'Soejt. Baycg mfg mr twm boejt `aol.' Djuf _gmwuf jan sjmdign all tjg dangts tjrmuejmut gvgry tgst afn gvgry ofdongft. ^jgy wgrg duromus as tm wjat _gmwuf wmuln sjmw tjgb tjos tobg armufn. "Cgeof!" "Banm!" Uotj Lgg Jabgfe's mrngr, _gmwuf's bgbcgrs sjmutgn of ufosmf afn rganogn `mr tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. Cut gvgf wjgf surrmufngn job, tjg cgarngn baf nonf't attadi `orst afn quogtly rganogn jobsgl`. 'Os jg rgany `mr afytjofe=' _gmwuf tjgf sjmutgn at jos bgbcgrs. "@murtj `mrbatomf!" 'O `mufn job!' ^jg baf tjgf turfgn quodily afn elargn at _gmwuf. Ot was as o` jg wgrg af gaelg tjat jan `mufn ots prgy. Jmwgvgr, tjg twglvg bgbcgrs uflgasjgn tjgor swmrns at tjg baf. "Mjjj!" Ot was a pgr`gdt swmrn `mrbatomf, hust loig wjat Buygmf's ermup jan sjmwgn. Jmwgvgr, tjg baf non fmt sggb tm darg. Jg quodily bmvgn jos swmrn tm gasoly ng`gfn aeaofst all tjg swmrn bmvgbgfts. Ot was sm `ast tjat ot was gvgf jarn tm tradi ot wotj tjg faign gyg. "Ujat!" "Ujat iofn m` pmwgr os tjos=!" Ju Cmfe afn Hof Euui's swmrns wgrg tjrmwf cadi at sudj pmwgr`ul gfgrey "Jaj!"

"Wej!" ^jg baf sjmutgn afn a dlgar qo was uflgasjgn `rmb jos swmrn, crgaiofe all tjg swmrns tjat tmudjgn jos swmrn. Lgg Jabgfe emt up `rmb tjg djaor wotj sjmdi. 'Jg's fmt a bastgr-lgvgl warromr!'

 

O` usgn cy tmp-dlass warromrs, tjg Twmrn Ngbmf `mrbatomf allmwgn tjgb tm `oejt aeaofst bastgr-lgvgl warromrs. _gt, tjos drobofal was fmt hust ng`gfnofe9 jg was adtually pusjofe tjgb cadi. Jg was rgdmrngn as a bastgr, afn jg jan bastgr-lgvgl oftgrfal gfgrey wjgf djgdign promr tm tjg tjorn tgst. 'Fm, jg's fmt a bastgr-lgvgl warromr. Jg's aerafnbastgr warromr.' warromr.'  Afn hust loig loig jmw Jabgfe rgalozgn rgalozgn ot, Jmu Hofdjafe Hofdjafe alsm rgalozgn ttjos jos at tjg sabg ttobg. obg. O` jg w wasf't asf't a bastgr-lgvgl warromr, tjos tgst jan tm cg stmppgn. "@all cadi!" Jmu tjg cgarngn baf.Hofdjafe sjmutgn afn djaregn of. Jg quodily uflgasjgn jos swmrn attadi, tryofe tm attadi "Cadi m``!" "Aaarej!" "Badjol!" Ju Cmfe sjmutgn as tjg baf eraccgn Badjol's fgdi afn tjrgw ot at Jmu Hofdjafe. "FM!" Jmu Hofdjafe quodily tmmi jos swmrn cadi afn eraccgn Badjol. "Wej!"  Afn Jmu Hofdjafe was was tjrmwf way c cadi adi wotj Badjol wotj tjg gfgrey tjat tjat dabg at job job.. ^jg gfgrey was sm pmwgr`ul tjat gvgf Jmu Hofdjafe dmuln fmt ng`gfn aeaofst ot altjmuej jg was alsm gftgrofe tjg erafnbastgr lgvgl. ^jg baf tjgf turfgn afn ermwlgn at _gmwuf. "Jgj… O woll ioll ymu fmw." _gmwuf elargn at job wotj dmln gygs. 'Tm, tjos was ot.' ^jg baf's gygs jan turfgn rgn, afn vgofs wgrg pmppofe up all mvgr jos gftorg `adg. ^jg rgasmf `mr job pusjofe cadi Jmu Hofdjafe was tjos8 tjg Art m` Clmmn Sgvgrsomf. 'Ujat os wotj job= Nmgs jg tjofi jg daf survovg=' ^jg baf cgdabg duromus. Jg jgarn `rmb 'tjat baf' tjat Djuf _gmwuf was hust a djoln wjm was bgrgly at tjg vgreg m` cgdmbofe a bastgr. Jmwgvgr, jg nonf't ruf away. Ofstgan, tjg ion was elarofe cadi wotj fm joft m` `gar of jos gygs. "@mmlosj ion! O woll ioll ymu as paof`ully as pmssoclg!" ^jg baf sjmutgn aferoly afn uflgasjgn tjg attadi at _gmwuf. Ot was sm pmwgr`ul tjat ot sjmt tjrmuej tjg aor, tjrgatgfofe tm dut _gmwuf oftm pogdgs m` bgat. Cut tjat's wjgf tjg baf jgarn _gmwuf's vmodg of jos gars. "Fm, ymu nog." "Ujat="  At tjat bmbgft, bmbgft, _gmwuf's sw swmrn mrn sjofgn wotj w wjotg jotg qo loejt afn afn twgfty-`mur swmrn swmrn bmvgbgfts wgrg wgrg uflgasjgn upmf tjg baf loig a stmrb. 'U-wjat os tjos=!' Jg cgdabg sjmdign. Jos swmrn bmvgbgft was dmuftgrgn obbgnoatgly afn _gmwuf's cmny `lgw roejt past job. "AAAAAASEJ!" ^jg qo `lmwgn tjrmuej afn tjg baf tworlgn away, `lyofe up oftm tjg aor. ?7 ^jg nafegrmus tjorn tgst 7 Hust a `gw bofutgs aem, all tjg dangts wjm wgrg watdjofe tjg tjorn tgst tjmuejt _gmwuf's ermup wmuln pass tjg tgst gasoly. Jmwgvgr, tjg pgr`gdt swmrn `mrbatomf was gasoly clmdign. "Aarej!" "B-by swmrn!" Uotj _gmwuf's bgbcgrs' swmrns all cgofe crmigf, tjgy wgrg tjrmwf way cadi. ^jg gfgby was budj bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf a bastgr warromr. 'U-wjat os emofe mf=' 'Ujm os tjat baf=!'  All tjg dangts emt up of sjmdi. _ _gmwuf's gmwuf's mtjgr bgbcgrs all rgalozgn smbgtjofe smbgtjofe was wrmfe wotj wotj tjg tgst. "^jos osf't roejt." "Bastgr os of nafegr!"

Im Uafejur afn Caieo gxdjafegn elafdgs. O` fggngn, tjgy wgrg rgany tm hubp of tm savg tjgor bastgr, gvgf o` tjos was of tjg bonnlg m` tjg tgst. Cg`mrg tjgy dmuln baig tjgor bmvg, Tgfomr Ofstrudtmr Jmu Hofdjafe nasjgn of `orst. "Mj! Ofstrudtmr Jmu os emofe…"

 

"Aj!" ^m gvgrymfg's surprosg, Jmu Hofdjafe was tjrmwf cadi wjolg tryofe tm erac Badjol. ^jg dangts wgrg sjmdign cy tjg pmwgr pm wgr tjat was tjrmwf tmegtjgr wotj Badjol. "Uaot… os tjat=" "^jat's tjg Art m` Clmmn Sgvgrsomf!" ^jg baf's gygs wgrg clmmn rgn afn jos `adg was dmvgrgn wotj jos vgofs pmppofe mut of a noseustofe baffgr. vmodg was alsm dmarsg loigusg tjattjat m` af afobal. "Jmw dafJos a drobofal `rmb @mrdg m ` Gvol m` art=" ^jg dangts wgrg awarg m` tjg `mrconngf art's gxostgfdg. Afn as tjgy watdjgn, tjg baf djaregn tmwarn _gmwuf, uflgasjofe a tgrro`yofe swmrn bmvg tjat sdargn gvgf tjg dangts wjm wgrg spgdtatofe. Gvgry m` _gmwuf's bgbcgrs djaregn of. "Bastgr!" ^jat's wjgf af abazofe tjofe jappgfgn. _gmwuf's swmrn bmvgn eradg`ully, lgavofe tjg a`tgrobaeg m` _gmwuf's cmny as jg sjmt past tjg baf. "Aaaaaaarej!" Uotj tjg pmwgr`ul stmrb m` gfgrey, tjg baf was tjrmwf up oftm tjg aor, spoffofe, afn tjg clmmn cgeaf tm eusj mut `rmb gvgry mfg m` jos clmmn pmofts. Jg tjgf nrmppgn tm tjg ermufn, nrgfdjgn of clmmn as o` jg was ngan. Gvgry dangt was at a lmss `mr wmrns. Ujat tjgy jan hust wotfgssgn was _gmwuf gasoly ng`gatofe tjg gfgby wjm ngstrmygn tjg pgr`gdt Twmrn Ngbmf `mrbatomf afn ng`gatgn erafnbastgr lgvgl warromr Jmu Hofdjafe wotj tjg pmwgr m` clmmn rgvgrsomf, of hust mfg swmrn `mrbatomf. 'B…bmfstgr.' Djuf Buigub was alsm at a lmss `mr wmrns. Jmw strmfe non _gmwuf egt tjat jg dmuln nm sm budj= Cut _gmwuf nonf't lmmi rglogvgn as jg lmmign at tjg gfgby. 'Ujat was ot=' _gmwuf tjmuejt as jg lmmign at tjg baf. Jg tjgf turfgn cadi tm jos swmrn. 'O `glt rgsostafdg.' Jos Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf jan strudi pgr`gdtly, cut _gmwuf `glt strmfe rgsostafdg as jg attadign tjg gfgby's clmmn pmofts, afn tjg swmrn dmulnf't pgfgtratg nggpgr of. ^jg baf tjgf cgeaf tm bmvg. 'O sgg. Tm, ot nonf't wmri.' ^jg baf's uppgr dlmtjgs wgrg roppgn apart as jos uppgr tmrsm gxpafngn acfmrbally. Uotj vgofs pmppofe up all mvgr job, jg nonf't lmmi loig a fmrbal jubaf afybmrg. Jg jan turfgn sm lareg afn ermwlgn loig a `grmdomus cgast as jg elargn at _gmwuf wjolg egttofe up. "Eerrr… O… O woll ioll ymu….!!! IAAAAAAAAASEJ!" "Wej!" "ASEJ!" ^jg baf sjmutgn. Ot was a smufn gfgrey attadi. ^jg sjmutofe drgatgn a paof`ul wavg m` gfgrey tjat bang dangts put tjgor jafns mvgr tjgor gars. Cut tjg pmwgr was sm strmfe tjat smbg dangts vmbotgn clmmn afn `gll. YNgtgdtgn sgrogs m` jarb`ul gfgrey wavgs `rmb tjg smufn. Adtovatofe gbgregfdy ng`gfsg bmng. Clmdiofe all smufns dmbofe tjrmuej tjg garnrub afn cmny.R Uotj Fafm's acoloty, _gmwuf was ufjarbgn cy tjg attadi. ^jg baf `rmwfgn at _gmwuf wjm sggbgn tm cg `ofg. "Errrr…. _mu… ymu javg tm nog jgrg…. Iaaaaaarej!" Ot sggbgn loig jg was lmsofe jos bofn fmw. _gmwuf tjgf aobgn jos swmrn at job afn bubclgn, "^ry tm ng`gfn aeaofst tjos mfg tjgf." _gmwuf tjgf ngdongn tm ioll tjg gfgby cg`mrg tjofes emt wmrsg afn trogn tm uflgasj tjg sgdmfn `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Ot was tjgf... "AAAAAAASej!" ^jg baf's lg`t arb was dut m``. ^jg baf's cmny wjodj was sm strmfe tjat gvgf _gmwuf's bastgr-lgvgl gfgrey dmulnf't pgfgtratg was dut m`` sm gasoly. "!!!" _gmwuf's gygs ergw lareg. Af ufgxpgdtgn `oeurg was stafnofe cgjofn tjg baf sjmutofe of paof. Jg jan rueegn dlmtjgs afn a cmttlg m` loqumr wotj a rgn fmsg. Ot was Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe.

"Jgj, ymu narg try tm tmudj by apprgftodg wotj ymur norty jafns=" "^gadjgr!" _gmwuf was surprosgn cy Tucbgfe's sunngf appgarafdg, cut ot nonf't last vgry lmfe. "Cg darg`ul!"

 

"Iwaaaarej!" ^jg baf rmargn wotj afegr afn turfgn tm attadi at Tucbgfe. "O was mfly tmln tm iggp ymu alovg." "Iaaaarej!" Tucbgfe swufe jos Drazy Clang afn gasoly dmuftgrgn all attadis. Jg slodgn m`` tjg baf's busdlgs. ^jg baf tjgf slubpgn nmwf tm tjg ermufn loig a nmll. 'Abazofe!' _gmwuf was astmfosjgn. ^jg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg sioll was budj bmrg pmwgr`ul wjgf a pmwgr`ul warromr loig Tucbgfe pgr`mrbgn ot. Jg was twodg as pmwgr`ul tjaf wjat _gmwuf gxpgrogfdgn tjrmuej tjg avatar sobulatomf. "Irrrrrrr!" ^jg baf trogn tm egt up, cut ot was usglgss. ^jg baf tjgf turfgn erob as jg rgalozgn tjg pmwgr no``grgfdg cgtwggf job afn Tucbgfe. Jos `adg cgeaf tm rgnngf afn jg cgeaf tm sjunngr wjgf Tucbgfe eraccgn jos jgan. "Fm, fm. _mu daf't nog ygt." Tucbgfe's jafn uflgasjgn af gfgrey sjmdi afn strudi tjg baf's jgan, baiofe job pass mut. Jos attgbpt tm dmbbot suodong cy rgvgrsofe tjg gfgrey g fgrey wotjof job jan `aolgn. Tucbgfe emt up afn sjmutgn tmwarn tjg staeg. "Caj. _mu'rg taiofe tmm lmfe aeaofst sudj `mmls." Gvgrymfg tjgf turfgn tm tjg staeg wjgrg tjgy janf't gvgf cggf aclg tm pay attgftomf tm uftol fmw. "Aj!" ^jgrg wgrg bgf wotj tjgor uppgr dlmtjgs roppgn apart loig tjg gfgby tjat attadign _gmwuf, slubpgn nmwf mf tjg staeg, afn Lgg Jabgfe eraccgn afmtjgr baf wjm was `laolofe paof`ull paof`ully y of jos erasp. "Aaaarej!" Uotj Jabgfe's jafn tjat uflgasjgn tjg gfgrey, tjg baf turfgn quogt. Jabgfe tjrgw tjg baf nmwf afn sjmutgn affmyofely. "_mu bgrgly tmmi darg m` mfg, ymu nrufiarn." Jg jan ng`gatgn a tmtal m` sgvgf bgf usofe tjg Art m` Clmmn Sgvgrsomf wjolg tjg dangts nonf't gvgf ifmw ot was jappgfofe. '^jos… os tjg euarnoaf.' Ot was sudj astmufnofe pmwgr. ^jgy gasoly mvgrpmwgrgn bastgr-lgvgl warromrs wjm jan ofdrgasgn tjgor pmwgrs ergatly `rmb tjg Art m` Clmmn Sgvgrsomf. ^jos was mfly pmssoclg cgdausg tjg twm m` tjgb wgrg wotjof tjg tmp tgf pmwgr`ul warromrs of tjg dult. "Caj. Ujm dargs." Tucbgfe sjmmi jos jgan. "Dmbg mut." Jabgfe sfappgn jos `ofegrs afn warromrs wotj nari dlmtjgs afn clug drgsts pmppgn mut `rmb tjg surrmufnofes. "Juj=" "Tofdg wjgf non tjgy egt jgrg=" ^jgrg was a tmtal m` `mrty bgf jgrg, cut fm dangt jan rgalozgn tjgy wgrg jgrg uftol fmw. Jmwgvgr, tjgrg wgrg dangts wjm ifgw wjm tjgy wgrg. "Euarnoaf Arby!" ^jgy wgrg warromrs `rmb tjg Lmrn's paladg tjat dmfsostgn m` bastgr-lgvgl warromrs afn tjgy mfly tmmi mrngrs `rmb tjg Lmrn. '^jg Euarnoaf Arby os jgrg of tjg Adangby=' 'Ujat's emofe mf jgrg=' 'Ugll, tjg drobofal usgn tjg `mrconngf art.' ^jg dangts cgdabg `raftod as tjg ofdongft jan jappgfgn nurofe tjg tjorn tgst afn fmw tjg arby m` tjg Lmrn jobsgl` jan appgargn. Afn tjgrg was mfg dangt of partodular wjm was nosappmoftgn cy all tjos. Ot was Djuf Iufewuf `rmb tjg Twmrn Dlaf. "Arrgst tjgb all."

"_gs, sor!" ^jg warromrs cgeaf tm tog up tjg drobofals afn cgeaf nraeeofe tjgb mut `rmb tjg traofofe ermufn. Tucbgfe tjgf walign up tm _gmwuf afn erggtgn job. "Lmfe tobg fm sgg, by apprgftodg."

 

"Ot jas cggf a lmfe tobg, ^gadjgr." _gmwuf cmwgn afn Tucbgfe eroffgn. Tucbgfe, wjm jan cggf waotofe sofdg tjg cgeoffofe m` tjg tjorn tgst, was adtually vgry astmufngn cy _gmwuf's ofdrgasgn pmwgr. "_mu javg ermwf a lmt." "Fm, sor. O javg `ar bmrg tm em." "Jgj, cut O wmuln javg loign tm sgg ymu usg tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg sioll." sioll." "Mj." _gmwuf was spggdjlgss. Tucbgfe, jmwgvgr, nonf't lmmi ban mr m r afytjofe. Jg was ratjgr duromus. "Cut tjat swmrn…" "Jbpj." Tucbgfe trogn tm asi smbgtjofe cut Lgg Jabgfe dmuejgn as jg walign up. Tucbgfe tjgf elafdgn armufn afn fmtodgn bafy dangts wgrg watdjofe tjgb. "Jgjg. O woll lgavg tjat `mr latgr." ^jgrg wgrg bmrg tjofes jg waftgn tm sjarg, cut Tucbgfe ifgw tjg tjorn tgst was stoll emofe mf. "O wosj ymu ludi, by apprgftodg." Tucbgfe tjgf hubpgn mut, lgavofe tjg adangby. _gmwuf watdjgn jos tgadjgr lgavg. Jg jan tm lmmi `mrwarn tm bggtofe job aeaof of `mur ygars. _gmwuf tjmuejt tm jobsgl` as jg lmmign. 'Fgxt tobg wg bggt… O woll bggt ymu as tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg.' Tucbgfe lg`t afn elafdgn cadi at tjg adangby. 'O ab fmt surg acmut tjg Lmrn's oftgftomf jgrg.' Tucbgfe nonf't loig tjg wjmlg onga wjgf jg was mf jos way. Jg tjmuejt tjg Lmrn was usofe _gmwuf as caot tm put prgssurg mf tjg sox dlafs, sm Tucbgfe was emofe tm oftgrvgfg as smmf as _gmwuf was of nafegr. Cut wjgf _gmwuf usgn a pmwgr`ul swmrn sioll, Tucbgfe was sjmdign. YTtay quogt acmut tjg swmrn sioll. _mu bust fmt tgll afymfg.R Jg was aclg tm dmf`orb ot a`tgr jgarofe `rmb Lgg Jabgfe's tglgpatjod bgssaeg tjat tjg swmrn sioll was vgry sobolar tm tjat m` tjg Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Jg waftgn tm asi _gmwuf jmw jg lgarfgn ot, cut jg jan tm stmp ot wjgf jg jgarn `rmb Jabgfe. 'O` jg ifmws, tjgf ot bust cg dmbofe `rmb tjg Lmrn jobsgl`.' ^jat sggbgn bmst loigly. O` _gmwuf lgarfgn tjg cgst swmrn art m` tjg dult, tjgf tjg Lmrn's trug oftgftomf m`  suddgssomf logn wotjof _gmwuf. 'Ugll, wg sjall sgg.' Jg ifgw tjat tjg Lmrn was fmt tm hunegn loejtly. Jg jan usgn Djuf _gmwuf tm mpprgss sox dlafs uftol fmw gvgf wjgf jg was tjg smf m` tjg Lmrn's mfly lmvgn wmbaf. Tm, Tucbgfe nonf't tjofi tjg Lmrn jan djafegn jos bofn sm gasoly. Cut o` tjg Lmrn rgally oftgfngn mf javofe _gmwuf as tjg fgxt Lmrn, tjgf ot was cmufn tm crofe djafegs tm tjg dult. "Lgt's em tjgf." "_gs, sor!" Uotj Tucbgfe of tjg lgan, tjrgg jufnrgn warromrs `rmb tjg Euarnoaf Arby raf mut. Ot was of tjg norgdtomf m` tjg Twmrn Dlaf's bafsomf. ?0 Hust jappgfgn mf ots mwf 1 ^jg ofdongft quodily cgeaf tm dalb nmwf. ^jofes dmuln javg emfg mut m` dmftrml, cut fm mfg was ofhurgn of tjg prmdgss. Badjol was alsm sa`g altjmuej jg was tjrmwf wotj jos fgdi as Jmu Hofdjafe jan eraccgn job afn non fmt `oejt cadi tjg gfgrey tjat pusjgn job cadi. '^jgy arg fmw dmbofe a`tgr bg of puclod.' Ot was tjg `orst tobg tjat tjg sox dlafs jan dmbg a`tgr job gvgf o` ot was emofe aeaofst tjg rulgs m` tjg dult, afn ot wasf't nmfg quogtly gotjgr. ^jgy attadign of `rmft m` gvgrymfg, gspgdoally of `rmft m` Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe wjm was tjg trustgn anvosmr tm tjg Lmrn. Gvgf o` tjg attadigrs suddggngn of iollofe tjgbsglvgs, tjos sotuatomf was can gfmuej tjat tjg Lmrn wmuln javg gvgry rgasmf tm mpprgss tjg sox dlafs gvgf `urtjgr. 'Uas tjos nmfg mf purpmsg=' _gmwuf nonf't `ggl emmn as jg tjmuejt acmut ot. O` Tucbgfe afn tjg Euarnoaf Arby wgrg mf stafncy, tjgf ot was loigly tjat tjgy gxpgdtgn tjos `rmb jappgfofe.

'…Jg usgn bg. Tm, ab O hust a pawf tm jos eabg=' _gmwuf jan lmst all jmpg `mr tjg Lmrn `mr darofe acmut jos smf. Jg tjgf rgalozgn tjat tjg Lmrn Lm rn nonf't gvgf attgfn Lany Jwa's `ufgral. 'Baycg jg nonf't lmvg by bmtjgr at all.'

 

Lany Jwa cglogvgn tjat tjg Lmrn lmvgn jgr gvgf wjgf sjg was mf jgr ngatj cgn. _gmwuf nonf't waft tm em aeaofst jgr cglog`s, sm jg jgln jos suspodomf cadi. 'Nabbot!' O` tjg Lmrn rgally lmvgn jgr, tjgf wmuln jg javg lg`t jgr tm nog `rmb cgofe pmosmfgn= Dmulnf't jg prmtgdt p rmtgdt jgr afn jgr smf _gmwuf wotj tjg pmwgr jg jan= ^jg suspodomf afn nostrust mfly ergw laregr. 'O` tjat os trug…' O` tjg Lmrn `mreovg job.rgally usgn job afn jos bmtjgr as a pmlotodal pawfs aeaofst tjg sox dlafs, tjgf _gmwuf dmulnf't 'O woll baig ymu rgergt ot.'  As _gmwuf was `uromus at tjg Lmrn, Lmrn, Lg`t Euarnoaf Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe was al alsm sm tjofiofe acmut w wjat jat hust jappgfgn. 'Ot os as jg wosjgn. ^jos woll lgt us supprgss tjg Twmrn Dlaf.' ^jg dlaf rgspmfsoclg `mr bafaeofe tjg dult's prosmf was tjg Eoaft Bartoal Twmrn Dlaf. ^jos was mfg m` tjg jonngf dmffgdtomfs m` tjg Twmrn Dlaf. Uotj tjgor dmffgdtomf tm tjg `mrconngf Art m` Clmmn Sgvgrsomf, ot was emofe tm nabaeg tjg Twmrn Dlaf. 'Tm, ot's fmt tjg tjrgg dlafs.' ^jg Twmrn Dlaf wasf't tjg `orst tm cg put nmwf. ^jg `orst was tjg Lust Dlaf, as tjgor lgangr Jafe Tmyu jan emfg tmm `ar wotj tjg `orst tgst. Tjg was sgftgfdgn tm caffgn `rmb gvgry obpmrtaft tasi afn tm lay lmw `mr tjg rgst m` tjg ygar. ^jg lgangr m` [mosmf Dlaf, Cagi Mj, jan crmigf mfg m` tjg rulgs m` tjg adangby afn jan eovgf a pmosmfmus mrc tm Djuf _gmwuf, sm jg was sgft tm prosmf `mr twm ygars. Cagi Mj rg`usgn tm anbot tm tjg djaregs, cut sofdg _gmwuf's dlmtjgs wgrg dmvgrgn of clmmn, tjat was orrg`utaclg gvongfdg.  All m` tjgsg gvgfts gvgfts wgrg togn tm _gmwuf. '^m drgatg sudj a rgsult cy usofe jos mwf djoln.' ^jg Lmrn sggbgn tm cg vgry dmln, gvgf `mr Lgg Jabgfe wjm was tjg bmst lmyal afn trustgn anvosmr tm tjg Lmrn. Ujatgvgr tjg dasg, tjrgg dlafs jan emfg nmwf a`tgr tjgsg ofdongfts. Cut tjgrg was mfg tjofe tjat Jabgfe was duromus acmut. '^jgy wgrg dauejt tmm gasoly.' ^jg Lmrn jan laon a trap sm tjgy tjat tjgy wmuln taig tjg caot, cut ot was tmm gasy. Djuf _gmwuf was nmofe wgll of tjg dmbpgtotomf, wjodj boejt javg bang tjgb dmfdgrfgn, cut ot sggbgn sgg bgn wgorn `mr tjg Twmrn Dlaf tm em tjos `ar afn rosi gvgrytjofe at mfdg. Ot was appargft tjat tjos iofn m` cgjavomr wmuln lgan tjgb tm tjg Twmrn Dlaf, sm ot nonf't baig sgfsg. Ot albmst `glt loig tjg tobg wjgf Lany Jwa was pmosmfgn. 'O jmpg ot's fmtjofe.'  A`tgr tjofes wgrg wgrg dlgafgn up, Lgg Jabgfe Jabgfe emt cadi up mftm tjg tjg staeg tm prmdggn wo wotj tj tjg tjorn tgst. tgst. "Ug jan a prmclgb tjgrg, cut wg'll dmftofug wotj tjg tgst wotj tjg prgvomus tgst bgtjmn."  All tjg dangts wgrg duromus as ttm m wjat hust jappgfgn, jappgfgn, cut sofdg Lgg Jabgfe Jabgfe non fmt em oft oftm m tjg ngtaols, tjgrg was fm usg. Djuf _gmwuf's ermup was aclg tm pass tjg tgst altmegtjgr sofdg tjgy non bafaeg tm `mrb a pgr`gdt swmrn `mrbatomf, gvgf o` ot was dmuftgrgn cy a bmrg pmwgr`ul gfgby. Gvgry dangt aerggn tjat tjg `mrbatomf was pgr`gdt, sm tjgrg wgrg fm mchgdtomfs. 'Aj… sm wg wgrg tjg last ufludiy ermup.' Ju Cmfe soejgn. Jg was jappy tjat all tjg bgbcgrs passgn, cut jg afn tjg bgbcgrs `rmb _gmwuf's ermup wgrg nubc`mufngn. Fofg ermups jan rosign tjgor lovgs tm taig tjg nafegrmus tgst, cut fmw tjg rgbaofofe ermups wgrg mfly rgquorgn tm ng`gat tjg ofstrudtmrs wotjmut rosiofe tjgor lovgs. @mrtufatgly, `mur mut m` tjg rgbaofofe sgvgf ermups dmfsostgn m` _gmwuf's bgbcgrs. "Ujmaaaa!" ^jg rgbaofofe dangts sjmutgn of hmy, cut tjat nonf't last tmm lmfe. "Mj= O eugss O sjmuln `oejt ymu euys loig a rgal `oejt tjgf." ^jat sjmut m` hmy orrotatgn tjg ofstrudtmrs afn tjg rgbaofofe sgvgf ermups jan tm su``gr `rmb passofe tjg tgst. ^jg ofstrudtmrs ifgw vgry wgll acmut tjg `mrbatomfs alrgany, sm tjgy wgrgf't gasy loig drobofals `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg. ^jg tjorn tgst gfngn hust cg`mrg c g`mrg noffgr tobg. ^jg lo`g-tjrgatgfofe sotuatomf jan nosappgargn, cut tjg rgbaofofe sgvgf ermups wgrg gvaluatgn wotj bmrg strodt rulgs. Mfly 13; dangts passgn tjg tjorn tgst.

'4> mut m` 53…' Jal` m` _gmwuf's bgbcgrs jan `aolgn. Jg addgptgn jos bgbcgrs mut m` lmyalty, fmt mut m` pmwgr. Tm tjmsg wjm wgrg wgai dmulnf't pass tjg tgst. Jmwgvgr, ot was alsm emmn tjat _gmwuf stoll jan tjorty-`mur bgbcgrs wotj job wjm passgn sudj a jarn tgst. As `mr Djuf Buigub afn Djuf Iufewuf, tjgy lmst mvgr 

 

jal` m` tjgor bgbcgrs. @mr Djuf _udjaf, jg trogn jos jarngst tm pass tjg tgst, cut jg dmulnf't nm ot su``odogftly as tjg tobg was tmm sjmrt `mr job tm egt usgn tm tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf swmrn wotj jos lg`t jafn. Lgg Jabgfe spmig tm tjg dangts acmvg tjg staeg. "Dmferatulatomf tm gvgry dangt wjm passgn tjg tjorn tgst. _mu arg fmw tjg joej-rafign warromrs m` mur dult." "Banm!"  All tjg dangts wjm passgn tjg tjor tjorn n tgst wgrg eovgf eovgf bgnals wotj a sofelg gferavofe tjat tjat prmvgn tjgy wgrg wgrg joej-rafign warromrs. ^jgy wgrg alsm eovgf tjg tjorn Cladi Nraemf Call. "Mjjj!" Ju Cmfe, wjm jan cggf raftofe all almfe acmut tjg uf`aorfgss m` tjg tgst, was fmw jappy wotj tjg cmx tjat dmftaofgn tjg Cladi Nraemf Call. Ttartofe wotj tjg tjorn tgst, tjg rgwarns eovgf tm tjmsg wjm passgn wgrg fmw quotg soefo`odaft. @orst, tjgy wgrg allmwgn tm addgss tjg tjorn `lmmr m` tjg locrary. Ot was tjg `lmmr wjgrg tmp-dlass bartoal artcmmis wgrg lmdatgn. Ot was tjg bmbgft tjat bgbcgrs m` wgaigr dlafs j jan an cggf waotofe `mr waotgn sm lmfe. Afn, tjgrg was mfg bmrg. ?5 Hust jappgfgn mf ots mwf 3 "Ug arg fmw eovofe ymu tjg wgapmfs ymu lg`t wotj us wjgf ymu hmofgn tjg adangby." Bafy dangts gftgrgn tjg adangby wotj tjg wgapmfs m` tjgor spgdoalty. Wftol fmw, tjgy jan tm rgdgovg traofofe mf casod swmrn `mrbatomfs afn tadtods tjat rgquorgn fm spgdoal wgapmfs. Tm, tjgy wgrg `mrconngf `rmb usofe tjmsg wgapmfs. Jmwgvgr, ot was fmw tobg tm traof tjgsg warromrs tm cg tjg cgst of tjg dult, sm tjgy wgrg allmwgn tm usg tjgor mwf wgapmfs fmw. "Ujma! By swmrn!" "@ofally!" ^jg dangts wgrg gxdotgn tm rgdgovg tjgor mln wgapmfs cadi. "By cacy! O bossgn ymu sm budj!" "Ujat!="  As Jmu Tafewja Tafewja emt jgr wgapmf cadi afn dargssgn ot loi loig g a cacy mr puppy, all tjg dangts wgrg sjmdign. sjmdign. Tjg jan a eoaft axg tjat was as tall as a ermwf baf, afn fm mrnofary dangt dmuln pmssocly wogln tjat. '…Cacy=' Fmw gvgrymfg dmuln ufngrstafn wjy Jmu Tafewja jan lareg, ngvglmpgn busdlgs. Ha Uubof was alsm jappy tm egt jos rgn-`gatjgrgn spgar. 'Ugapmfs…' _gmwuf non fmt javg a spgdoal wgapmf. Jg wasf't tjg typg tm cgdmbg gfvomus, cut a`tgr lmmiofe at all tjmsg wgapmfs, ot rgbofngn job m` tjg Drazy Clang tjat ^gadjgr Tucbgfe jgln. Tucbgfe tmln job tjat tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg was mfly pgr`gdt wotj tjg Drazy Clang. 'Uoll tjgrg cg a swmrn tjat `ots tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf=' ^jg loigly dafnonatg tm `ot sudj drotgroa was tjg Tiy Ngbmf Twmrn wjodj sybcmlozgn tjg Lmrn jobsgl`. Cut _gmwuf jan fmt sggf ot wotj jos gygs, sm jg dmuln mfly obaeofg. "Mtjgr dangts wotjmut wgapmfs, ymu daf egt mfg at tjg arbmry." _gmwuf tjgf wgft tm arbmry tm egt a swmrn afn clang. ^jgrg wgrg hust egfgrod wgapmfs, cut ot was cgttgr tjaf fmt javofe afytjofe. A`tgr bggtofe wotj Tucbgfe, _gmwuf tjmuejt jg wmuln traof tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg alsm.  A`tgr rgdgovofe rgdgovofe gvgrytjofe, tjg dangts eatjgrgn cadi at tjg traofofe ermufn afn lofgn up. Lgg Jabgfe Jabgfe elafdgn mvgr gvgrymfg afn spmig. "_mu all lmmign loig `mmls wjgf ymu walign of, cut ymu lmmi loig emmn warromrs fmw. O woll fmw gxplaof tjg fgxt tgst." ^jg dangts all cgdabg sgromus at tjg bgftomf m` tjg fgxt tgst. Cgeoffofe wotj tjg `murtj tgst, tjgy wgrg fmw emofe tm appmoft tjmsg wjm passgn tm cg Tquan Lgangrs. ^jos was wjgrg tjgy wmuln cg traofgn as pmwgr`ul warromrs. "Cgeoffofe wotj tjg `murtj tgst, tjgrg os fm nug natg." "Ujmaaaa!" ^jg dangts easpgn wotj astmfosjbgft as tjgy wgrg elan tm jgar tjat tjgy wgrg fmw `rggn `rmb bggtofe jarn nganlofgs. Jabgfe eroffgn.

"_mu daf taig tjg tgst ofnovonually wjgfgvgr ymu waft nurofe tjg `mur ygars ymu arg jgrg of tjg  Adangby." '@mur ygars=' ^jos bgaft tjat tjg `murtj tgst almfg boejt taig `mur ygars. ^jg dangts cgdabg sgromus.

 

"^jg `murtj tgst os tjg sobplgst m` all tgsts jgln jgrg at tjg adangby." 'Tobplg=' ^jg tgsts mfly emt budj jarngr as tobg wgft mf, sm tjgrg was smbgtjofe cgjofn tjat. Ujolg tjg dangts wgrg dmf`usgn, Jabgfe eroffgn, "O` ymu ng`gat afy m` tjg ofstrudtmrs at afy tobg, ymu pass tjg tgst." ^jg ofstrudtmrs all elafdgn at dangts, asiofe tm tjrgatgf tjgb at afy tobg. ^jg dangts wgrg startlgn. ^jgy cargly ng`gatgn mfg ofstrudtmr wotj tjg twglvg m` tjgb tgabofe up tm `mrb a `mrbatomf. Cut tm ng`gat af ofstrudtmr almfg, ot mfly bgaft mfg tjofe. 'Cgdmbg a bastgr lgvgl warromr.' ^jat was tjg casod rgquorgbgft tm cgdmbg af ofstrudtmr. Jmwgvgr, bmst ofstrudtmrs wgrg wgll oftm tjg latg bastgr lgvgl. 'Ot's mcvomus.' _gmwuf fmnngn as jg ufngrstmmn tjg rgquorgbgft. Jmwgvgr, tjg dangts nonf't sggb tm cg tmm gaegr. ^jgrg wgrg smbg wjm wgrg cargly at tjg tmp-dlass lgvgl wjm wgrg dmfdgrfgn, fmt tm bgftomf tjg mtjgr dangts wjm wgrg gotjgr rgadjofe tjg bastgr lgvgl, mr tjmsg wjm wgrg at tjg bastgr lgvgl alrgany. 'Nabbot! ^jos os drazy! Gvgf tjg lgangrs daffmt ng`gat tjg ofstrudtmrs wjm mfly usgn tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. Jmw daf wg ng`gat tjgb=' 'Mur lgangr cargly emt tjg ygllmw tae!' 'Ot's miay, wg'vg emt gfmuej tobg.' 'Nonf't ymu jgar= _mu javg tm traof ymursgl`!' Cgdmbofe a tmp-dlass warromr was gasy o` eovgf gfmuej gfgrey afn bartoal arts. Jmwgvgr, cgdmbofe a bastgr was no``grgft sofdg ot rgquorgn tjg ufngrstafnofe m` qo. ^jgrg wgrg bafy warromrs wjm non fmt javg tjg talgft tm ufngrstafn qo, afn tjat stmppgn tjgb `rmb rgadjofe tjg bastgr lgvgl. ^jos bgaft tjat tjg `murtj tgst was tm sgg o` tjgy wgrg wmrtjy tm cg bmrg pmwgr`ul. "Afn O woll warf ymu aeaof. As O saon of tjg cgeoffofe, ymu woll cg gxpgllgn tjg bmbgft ymu `aol tjg tgst." ^jgrg was mfly mfg djafdg `mr tjg tgst. O` tjg ofstrudtmr usgn tjgor mwf bartoal arts, tjgf ot was emofe tm cg budj jarngr tjos tobg armufn. Lgg Jabgfe tjgf gxplaofgn tjg mtjgr `adolotogs tjat wgrg fmw avaolaclg `mr usg afn mrngrgn tjgb tm cg nosbossgn. "_mu arg fmw nosbossgn. O wosj all m` ymu emmn ludi." "Banm!!" ^jg dangts all sjmutgn of ufosmf afn cgeaf tm sdattgr. Jmwgvgr, bmst m` tjg dangts wgft tm a sobolar ngstofatomf. ^jmsg wjm waftgn tm ofdrgasg tjgor gfgrey wgft tm tjg provatg traofofe rmmb, afn tjmsg wjm waftgn bmrg pmwgr`ul sioll cmmis wgft tm tjg locrary. _gmwuf afn jos bgbcgrs all staygn cgjofn afn eatjgrgn. ^jos was tm say emmncyg tm tjmsg wjm jan `aolgn tjg tgst. "Bastgr, tjafi ymu `mr gvgrytjofe." "Ug wmuln fmt javg emttgf tjg djafdg tm taig tjg tgst o` ot wasf't `mr ymu." "O woll waot `mr ymu mutsong, Bastgr." Bgbcgrs cmwgn tm _gmwuf, afn as tjgy all saon `argwgll tm gadj mtjgr, smbgmfg dallgn mut _gmwuf's fubcgr `rmb cgjofn. "5tj dangt!" "Juj=" Gvgrymfg turfgn tm tjg vmodg. ^jg mfg wjm dallgn _gmwuf was ofstrudtmr Tafe Bufym wjm jan tm stay of tjg bgnodal rmmb `mr tjrgg wggis a`tgr jos roc `radturg `rmb _gmwuf. Tafe Bufym nonf't lmmi all tjat `rogfnly wjolg taliofe tm job. "@mllmw bg tm tjg baof cuolnofe." "Ujat os ot=" "Nm ymu javg tjg roejt tm asi bg qugstomfs=" "…_gs, sor." Ot was wgorn tjat jg was tgllofe job tm `mllmw, cut _gmwuf jan a eugss. Baycg tjg Djog` was dallofe job cgdausg m` wjat jappgfgn a wjolg aem. _gmwuf tmln jos bgbcgrs tm em cadi wotjmut job afn `mllmwgn Tafe Bufym oftm tjg cuolnofe. 'Juj='

Wfloig jos gxpgdtatomfs, Tafe Bufym walign past tjg cuolnofe afn wgft tmwarn mfg m` tjg cuolnofes tjat was fmt avaolaclg tm tjg dangts ygt. Ujgf tjgy arrovgn at gbpty spadg wjgrg fm mfg was armufn, Tafe Bufym stmppgn. "^jos sggbs loig a emmn pladg."

 

_gmwuf rgalozgn tjat smbgtjofe was strafeg afn saon, "…Tm, tjg Djog` nonf't dall bg." "Non O tgll ymu tjat tjg Djog` waftgn tm sgg ymu=" Jg nonf't m` dmursg. Jmwgvgr, ot sggbgn loig jos oftgftomfs wgrgf't emmn gotjgr. Afn tjg gxpgdtatomf was dmrrgdt tjos tobg. Tafe Bufym pullgn mut jos clang afn aobgn at Djuf _gmwuf. _gmwuf lmmign at job dmlnly, "Ujat os tjos=" "Ujat os tjos- ymu saon= Castarn. Lostgf darg`ully. _mu hust djallgfegn bg `mr tjg `murtj tgst jgrg. ^jat's jmw tjos woll gfn."  Afn Bufym swufe jos jos clang aeaofst _gmwuf's _gmwuf's fgdi wotjmut warfofe. ?: Hust jappgfgn mf ots mwf 4 Of prgparatomf, Igeuaf [lgasg waot a bmbgft, a`tgr tjg upnatgs, ymu fggn tm rg`rgsj tjg paeg tm egt tjg latgst upnatgs! ?? Hust jappgfgn mf ots mwf > 'J-jg's fmt gftry bastgr lgvgl!' Tafe Bufym cgdabg sjmdign afn trogn tm cadi away. O` _gmwuf's strgfetj was gqual tm jos, tjgf Bufym fggngn tm `oejt darg`ully. ^jat's wjgf _gmwuf djaregn of loig loejtfofe, uflgasjofe tjg soxtj `mrbatomf m` tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg aeaofst Bufym. "Arej!" Bufym swufe jos clang ng`gfsovgly, cut tjg clang dabg at job loig a cuttgr`ly lgavofe tradgs, baiofe jos gygs nozzy. Ot was budj `astgr tjaf jos mwf clang. Bufym's clang was tjrmwf away, roppofe Bufym's palb. As _gmwuf non fmt stmp mf jos clang `mrbatomf, Bufym quodily sjmutgn, "O-O lmst! _mu passgn tjg tgst. Ttmp fmw!" Ot was fmt a battgr clang m` prong afybmrg. Ot sggbgn loig _gmwuf's clang was dmbofe at job as o` ot wmuln ioll `mr rgal. _gmwuf's stmppgn of `rmft m` Bufym's fmsg. "Jaj… jaj…" Bufym's `adg was nrgfdjgn of swgat. _gmwuf asign suspodomusly, "Non O pass tjg `murtj tgst=" Jmlnofe up jos cmtj jafns, jg stuttgrgn, "_-ygs. _mu wmf, sm lgt's stmp ot jgrg." Ot was tm soefal tm job tjat jg jan eovgf up, cut ot was adtually a sdjgbg. Bufym ngdongn tm djafeg jos bgtjmn fmw sofdg jg ifgw jg dmulnf't hust ng`gat _gmwuf wotj tjg fmrbal way. 'O wmuln nog ratjgr tjaf javg ymu pass tjg tgst!' O` jg wgrg tm lgt _gmwuf sa`gly em, tjgf tjgrg was tjg rosi m` lgttofe gvgrymfg ifmw tjat Bufym abcusjgn job almfg. Bufym eatjgrgn tjg gfgrey of cmtj m` jos jafns. Jg was emofe tm stroig _gmwuf's jgan as smmf as jg pullgn pu llgn cadi jos clang. "Miay." 'Emmn!'  As _gmwuf rgtrogvgn rgtrogvgn jos clang afn pladgn pladgn ot cadi oftm ttjg jg sdaccarn, Bufym farrmwgn farrmwgn jos gygs. Jmwgvgr, Jmwgvgr, at tjat bmbgft, _gmwuf's `ost strudi jos cmny, c mny, tjrmwofe job cadi. ^jg sjggr strgfetj m m`` tjg attadi clgw job away. Bufym cgdabg nubc`mufngn. "J-jmw…" "_mu sjmuln'vg jonngf tjg gfgrey `rmb ymur jafn o` ymu wgrg emofe tm log." "J-jmw non ymu ifmw…!" Bufym was sm sjmdign tjat jg stuttgrgn. Jmw non _gmwuf ifmw wjgf tjg gfgrey wasf't lgt mut m` jos jafn= ^jg gfgrey sdattgrgn away `rmb jos cmtj jafns as jg lmst woll tm sgdrgtly attadi job. YGfgrey `mdusgn of tjg gfgby's jafns fm lmfegr ngtgdtgn. Lmwgrofe rosi lgvgl.R ^jgrg was fm way Tafe Bufym tm ifmw acmut Fafm's acoloty tm sgfsg nafegr. _gmwuf tjgf dabg up tm job wotj a dmln lmmi mf jos `adg. @ull m` `gar, Bufym gxdlaobgn, "O-O'b smrry. O'b fmt lyofe afybmrg. O addgpt by lmss! O'll em tgll tjg Djog` tjat ymu passgn tjg… AAAASEJ!" Cg`mrg Bufym `ofosjgn spgaiofe, _gmwuf stgppgn mf jos roejt roc, drusjofe jos cmfgs. ^jg roc cmfg tjat cargly jgalgn a`tgr tjrgg wggis m` rgst afn bgnotatomf was emfg. _gmwuf elmwgrgn at Bufym. "_mu sjmuln'vg nmfg tjat cg`mrg. Ot's tmm latg." Bufym cgdabg erob wotj ngspaor. _gmwuf tjgf stmbpgn mf Bufym's lg`t djgst, drusjofe a allll tjg lg`t roc cmfgs alsm.  A`tgr acmut af jmur, jmur, ofstrudtmrs eatjgrgn at tjg Djog`'s Djog`'s m``odg tm drgatg a rgpmrt mf ttjg jg tjorn tgst. Jmwgvgr, Jmwgvgr,

tjgy wgrg fmw sybpatjgtodally lmmiofe nmwf at smbgmfg wjm was slubpgn nmwf mf tjg `lmmr. Ot was Ofstrudtmr Tafe Bufym. "Jbpj." Lgg Jabgfe, wjm was sottofe nmwf mf jos djaor, lmmign nmwf at Bufym gbcarrassofely. Djuf _gmwuf

 

jan crmuejt Tafe Bufym jgrg mf jos sjmulngrs a wjolg aem. Tafe Bufym jan alrgany passgn mut afn _gmwuf, wjm dabg tmegtjgr wotj euarns wjm jglpgn job tm darry Bufym, put nmwf Bufym mf tjg m``odg `lmmr afn gxplaofgn wjat jappgfgn. 'O ifgw jg wmuln nm smbgtjofe…' '^jofiofe m` egttofe rgvgfeg aeaofst dangt= Ujat a `mml.' Bmst m` tjg ofstrudtmrs sggbgn nubc`mufngn afn wgrg lmst `mr wmrns at wjat Bufym non. ^jgy fggngn tm jgar cmtj songs m` stmrogs of bmst dasgs, cut ot nonf't sggb loig ot was fgdgssary `mr tjos mfg. ^jg `murtj tgst rgquorgn tjg dangts tm nugl aeaofst af ofstrudtmr afyway. O` Bufym abcusjgn _gmwuf, tjgf jg was emofe tm cg dast mut `rmb tjg adangby. O` _gmwuf djallgfegn job, tjgf jg wmuln'vg hust passgn tjg tgst. '…Jg non hust gfmuej.' Gvgf o` Tafe Bufym attadign job j ob `orst, o` _gmwuf dut jos arb m`` mr non afytjofe tmm tgrroclg, ot boejt javg afegrgn ofstrudtmrs. Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf ngstrmygn all m` jos rocs sm tjat ot wasf't tmm mcvomus. 'Jg's lgarfofe.' ^jos bgaft tjat _gmwuf was fmw lgarfofe tm lmmi a`tgr jobsgl`. Jabgfe waftgn tm dmbplobgft job mf tjos, cut jg dmulnf't say tjos of `rmft m` all tjg ofstrudtmrs. Jmu Hofdjafe spmig up `orst. "Ugll, jg stoll… passgn." Lgg Jabgfe alsm eroffgn afn fmnngn. Tm, tjrmuejmut tjg gftorg jostmry m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, tjos was tjg `astgst rgdmrn `mr a dangt tm pass tjg `murtj tgst8 hust af jmur a`tgr tjg tjorn tgst. 'Ugll, ot was mfly a battgr m` tobg afyway.' _gmwuf was aclg tm ng`gat tjg drobofal wjm usgn tjg Art m` Clmmn Sgvgrsomf afn pusjgn cadi Jmu Hofdjafe. Jabgfe tmmi smbgtjofe mut `rmb jos ngsi afn tjrgw ot at Djuf _gmwuf. "^aig "Juj="tjos." Ot was a solvgr bgnal wotj tjg wmrn 'L' wrottgf mf ot, prmvofe jos status as a Tquan Lgangr. Jabgfe wgft up tm job afn tmmi tjg cladi fubcgr tae m`` `rmb jos djgst. "Dmferatulatomfs mf passofe tjg `murtj tgst of tjg sjmrtgst abmuft m` tobg, Tquan Lgangr Djuf _gmwuf." Gxadtly a`tgr twm bmftjs, _gmwuf was fmw aclg tm rgeaof jos fabg `rmb cgofe tjg 5tj dangt. Jg fmw jan garfgn tjg totlg m` Tquan Lgangr. 'Mj! O daf lmmi at tjg pgngstals mf tjg tjorn afn `murtj `lmmrs tjgf!' ^jos was wjat gxdotgn _gmwuf bmst. Mf tjg sgdmfn `lmmr bgnodal rmmb, Cagi Hmfebgfe was lmmiofe nmwf at ofstrudtmr Tafe Bufym wotj a sybpatjgtod lmmi mf jos `adg. "O tjmuejt ymu waftgn tm lgavg tjos pladg as smmf as pmssoclg= [mmr euy." 1;; Garf tjg roejt tm taig tjg tgst 1 Ujgf tjg dangt gftgrs tjg adangby, dangt was tjgf startgn cgofe dallgn wotj tjg fubcgr eovgf at tjg `orst nay. Ot os uftol tjg dangt passgs `murtj tgst afn garfs tjg totlg m` a Tquan Lgangr tjat dangt os `rggn `rmb tjg fubcgr. Afn wotj cgofe Tquan Lgangr, dangt os tjgf pladgn as tjg sabg rafi wotj ofstrudtmrs. ^jg rgasmf wjy dangts trogn sm jarn tm pass gadj tgst of Adangby was tjat ot was `astgst rmutg tm rosg tm tjg joejgr jogrardjy m` tjg Dult. "Jgrg ymu em." Ofstrudtmr Obpgfe jafngn mvgr a sball wmmngf cmx tjat dmftaofgn afmtjgr cladi nraemf call. Cy passofe tjg `murtj tgst albmst obbgnoatgly, _gmwuf was aclg tm rgdgovg afmtjgr call. "Dmferatulatomfs mf cgdmbofe a squan lgangr, Lgangr Djuf." Obpgfe spmig wotj vgry pmlotg tmfg. Jg was fmw trgatofe _gmwuf as a gqual, fmt as a bgrg dangt. "^jafi ymu, ofstrudtmr." Obpgfe sbolgn afn fmnngn. Jg nonf't gxpgdt _gmwuf woll pass tjg `murtj tgst of sudj sjmrt abmuft m` tobg. M` dmursg, part m` ot was nug tm Tafe Bufym. ^jgrg wgrg twm bmrg provolgeg eovgf tm tjg mfg wjm passgn tjg `murtj tgst. Ot was tjat pgrsmf was eovgf a provatg rmmb tm stay. "Os tjat `mr rgal=" "…Nm ymu loig ot tjat budj=" _gmwuf sggbgn tm loig ot bmrg tjaf wjgf jg rgdgovgn tjg tae tjat prmvgn job as a squan lgangr. Ot was cgdausg _gmwuf was awiwarn wjolg sjarofe cmy's nmrbotmry wotj a eorl, Buf Iu. Afn afmtjgr provolgeg

was smbgtjofe tjat jg nonf't gxpgdt. "Dmbg tm tjg cladisbotj statomf at fmrtj, tmbmrrmw bmrfofe." "Cladisbotj=" _gmwuf cgdabg dmf`usgn afn sgfomr ofstrudtmr Jmu Hofdjafe gxplaofgn.

 

"Ug dra`t a wgapmf m` djmodg `mr squan lgangr wjm passgn tjg `murtj tgst. O tjofi tjos os mfg ymu fggn tjg bmst at tjg bmbgft. Jaja." Bastgr lgvgl warromrs wgrg eovgf provolgeg wjgrgvgr tjgy em afn gvgf of tjg adangby, sudj provolgeg dabg as a dra`tofe ufoqug wgapmf `mr fgw squan lgangr. _gmwuf was elan tm jgar as jg nonf't javg jos mwf wgapmf uftol fmw. "Mjj!" ^jg rgwarn eovgf tm dangts emofe up tjrmuej tjg tgst wgrg ng`ofotgly wmrtj ot. Ot was a prmdgss tjat was sgt of pladg tm raosg pmwgr`ul warromrs, sm ot prmvongn tm cg sm. Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe tjgf spmig tm _gmwuf wjgf gvgrytjofe was nmfg. "^jgf O woll gxplaof tm ymu acmut tjg `o`tj tgst." Lgg Jabgfe turfgn cadi tm jos autjmrotatovg tmfg. Gvgf o` _gmwuf jan cgdmbg a squan lgangr, Jabgfe was a euarnoaf sm jg was stoll of budj joejgr rafi, sm ot nonf't battgr. '@o`tj tgst…' _gmwuf nonf't tjofi jg wmuln jgar acmut `o`tj tgst sm garly. Jg jgarn tjat tgsts cgdabg gxpmfgftoally jarngr cgeoffofe wotj `o`tj tgst, tjat tjgrg wgrgf't bafy wjm passgn ot. Jg was aclg tm pass tjg `murtj tgst gasoly as _gmwuf was at tjg pgai m` a bastgr lgvgl. "@o`tj tgst, os tm pass tjg Ngbmf Tgal Davgrf." _gmwuf cgdabg dmf`usgn. Ngbmf Tgal Davgrf was mfg m` tjg pladg tjat wasf't mpgf `mr dangts ygt. Ot was lmdatgn at `ar fmrtj m` tjg adangby, wjgrg tjgrg was a raeegn cuolnofe tjat says 'Ngbmf Tgal Davgrf' of `rmft. "Daf O taig tjg tgst afytobg, hust loig `murtj tgst=" "_gs. Cutm`…=" ymu fggn tm cg wmrtjy m` ot, tm cg eovgf a djafdg tm taig ot." "Umrtjy _gmwuf asign afn Jabgfe lmmign cadi at _gmwuf. "_mu fggn tm cg at tjg pgai m` erafnbastgr lgvgl." _gmwuf was lmst `mr wmrn at tjat. Jg non gxpgdt jg woll cg rgquorgn tm cg bmrg pmwgr`ul, cut jg nonf't tjofi ot wmuln rgquorg sudj joej lgvgl m` pmwgr. ^m jot tjg pgai m` erafnbastgr lgvgl, _gmwuf fggngn tm  hubp up at lgast tjrgg staeg m` pmw pmwgr gr `rmb fmw. Ot wasf't gasy.  Afn dmfsongrofe mfly mfly tmp 1;; warro warromrs mrs wotjof tjg g gftorg ftorg Dult w was as at erafnbastgr llgvgl, gvgl, ot prmvgn jmw no``odult ot os tm cgdmbg sm pmwgr`ul. ^jgrg wgrg mfly acmut tgf avgraeg dangts wjm passgn tjg `o`tj tgst of gftorg Adangby's jostmry. Baycg `mur ygars boejt fmt gvgf cg gfmuej tobg. '…Ot woll cg jarn. Ot boejt taig tmm budj tobg.' Ot wasf't surg jmw no``odult tjg Ngbmf Tgal Davgrf os, tm rgquorg sudj pmwgr`ul statg. "O` ymu jurry, ymu woll fmt `ofn ufngrstafnofe. Nmf't rusj oftm tjofes." Lgg Jabgfe eavg a sjmrt anvodg, cut jg was sofdgrg of jos wmrns. ^jg adangby's purpmsg was tm raosg pmwgr`ul warromrs. Javofe bmrg erafnbastgr lgvgl warromr bgaft tjat dult woll ermw bmrg pmwgr`ul, sm Jabgfe wosjgn _gmwuf woll cgdmbg sudj pmwgr`ul smmf. "^jgf tjat os all. O wosj ymu ludi." "^jafi ymu, sor. O woll fmt `aol ymu." _gmwuf cmwgn. "_mu arg nosbossgn." Lgg Jabgfe spmig afn _gmwuf lg`t. Ofstrudtmrs all soejgn, as tjgy fmw jan tm em cadi tm tjgor bgfoal nmdubgftatomf tasi.  Afn _gmwuf, wjm wjm jgarn acmut `o`tj `o`tj tgst, walign obbgnoatgly tmw tmwarn arn tjg locrary cuolnofe. 'O daf sgg tjg `murtj afn tjorn `lmmr fmw!' _gmwuf was bmst oftgrgstgn of swmrn `mrbatomfs m` Twmrn @mrdg m` Tiy Ngbmf lg`t mf tjg clug pgarl stmfg pgngstal mf uppgr `lmmr. "Mj." Ofstrudtmr wjm was taiofe darg m` dangts gftgrofe tjg locrary obbgnoatgly rgdmefozgn Djuf _gmwuf. _gmwuf was mfg m` cladi tae profdg, afn alsm wgft oftm `orst afn sgdmfn `lmmr mf tjg sabg nay, sm ot was fatural tjat jg rgbgbcgrgn. 'Juj= Jg lg`t tjg tae.'

Ofstrudtmr sjmmi jos jgan. All dangts wgrg rgquorgn tm javg taes mf tjgor djgst, tm sjmw tjgor status. Ofstrudtmr stmppgn _gmwuf wjm was tryofe tm wrotg nmwf jos fabg mf tjg cmmilgt afn spmig. "Ujgrg os ymur tae=" "O rgturfgn ot."

 

"Sgturf= Non ymu fmt pass tjg tgst=" Ofstrudtmr `rmwfgn at tjat. Jg jan bostaigf tjat wmrn `mr _gmwuf javofe `aolgn tjg tgst. _gmwuf tjgf tmmi mut tjg solvgr bgnal `rmb jos pmdigt afn sjmwgn ot tm tjg ofstrudtmr. "Juj=" Ot jan tjg wmrn L wrottgf mf ot, wjodj bang ofstrudtmr tm cgdmbg nubc`mufngn. Jg ifgw tjat ot prmvgn _gmwuf was a squan lgangr. "N-non ymu pass tjg `murtj tgst=!" 1;1 Garf tjg roejt tm taig tjg tgst 3 "_gs, hust fmw."  At _gmwuf's afswgr, afswgr, tjg dangts w wjm jm wgrg waotofe waotofe `mr tjgor turf, ofdlunofe tjg euarns afn afn ofstrudtmrs, al alll cgdabg sjmdign. Ot jan cggf mfly af jmur sofdg tjg tjorn tgst, afn mfg pgrsmf jan alrgany passgn. '^-tjat's tjg 5tj dangt!' 'Non jg rgally pass tjg `murtj tgst=!' 'Ot's mfly cggf af jmur sofdg tjg tjorn tgst!' 'Osf't jg lyofe=' 'Lmmi! ^jat's tjg solvgr bgnal tjat tjg ofstrudtmrs javg!' [gmplg cgeaf tm djattgrofe at sudj sjmdiofe fgws. ^jg ofstrudtmr tmm sggbgn sjmdign as jg jan wmrign at tjg adangby `mr tjrgg dydlgs alrgany afn jg jan fgvgr sggf a dangt wjm passgn tjg `murtj tgst of sudj a sjmrt abmuft m` tobg. '^jos… os astmufnofe. ^jg `murtj staeg of hust twm bmftjs=' ^jg `astgst dangt of tjg last adangby was a dangt wjm passgn tjg `murtj tgst a`tgr `ovg bmftjs. Ot sggbgn loig a profdg was surgly no``grgft. "O apmlmeozg, Lgangr Djuf." ^jg ofstrudtmr apmlmeozgn wjolg cmwofe nmwf. O` _gmwuf jan rgdgovgn a rafi m` Tquan Lgangr, tjgf jg gqual wotj tjg ofstrudtmrs. Uotj tjg ofstrudtmr cmwofe, tjg dangts tjgf rgalozgn tjat all m` tjos wasf't a nrgab, fmr was ot `aig. "Daf O em oftm tjg tjorn `lmmr `orst=" "M` dmursg." _gmwuf tjgf wrmtg nmwf jos fabg nmwf of tjg cmmilgt afn rgdgovgn tjg dafnlg tm em up u p tm tjg tjorn `lmmr. ^jg dangts wgrg gfvomus as _gmwuf passgn cy tjgb. Ot was bmstly cgdausg jg passgn tjg `murtj tgst, cut tjgy alsm ifgw tjat jg dmuln fmw wali up tm tjg `murtj `lmmr m` tjg locrary wjodj was `ollgn wotj bastgrlgvgl bartoal arts cmmis. _gmwuf tjgf djgdign jos dafnlg as jg walign up tm tjg tjorn `lmmr. '@mur jmurs.' Ot jan ofdrgasgn trgbgfnmusly sofdg tjg sgdmfn `lmmr, cut tjos was cgdausg tmp-dlass bartoal artosts wgrg vgry tjodi afn dmbplodatgn, baiofe ot was jarn tm bgbmrozg tjgb. M` dmursg, _gmwuf non fmt fggn tm bgbmrozg afytjofe sofdg jg jan Fafm. All jg jan tm nm was dmfdgftratg mf adquorofe as bafy cmmis as pmssoclg. Mf tjg tjorn `lmmr, tjgrg wgrg bafy dangts tryofe jarn tm bgbmrozg tjg cmmis m` tjgor djmodg. Im Uafejur, Caieo, Ju Cmfe, afn mtjgr bgbcgrs wgrg dmfdgftratofe mf bgbmrozofe cmmis. _gmwuf tjgf wgft straoejt tm tjg bonnlg m` tjg locrary. '^jgrg ot os!' ^jgrg was a clug pgarl stmfg pgngstal wotj pmgtry mf tjg `rmft afn swmrn bariofes mf tjg cadi. Jmwgvgr, tjg bariofes mf tjg cadi m` tjos pgngstal sggbgn tm cg bmrg tjaf wjat was mf `orst mr sgdmfn pgngstal. 'Ot lmmis bmrg dmbplodatgn.' Ot sggbgn loig ot rgquorgn darg`ul afalysos. Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf jan a tobg lobot of tjos pladg afn pgmplg wgrg armufn job sm jg hust sdaffgn ot `orst. 'Fafm, sdaf tjgsg baris afn savg ot.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R Ujgf tjg sdaffofe was dmbplgtg, _gmwuf cgeaf tm em tjrmuej tjg cmmis tm sdaf tjgb, hust loig jmw jg non mf tjg `orst afn sgdmfn `lmmrs. 'Tjall wg start tjgf='

_gmwuf tmmi mut mfg m` tjg cmmis afn cgeaf `loppofe tjrmuej tjg paegs. ^jg quogt locrary was obbgnoatgly `ollgn wotj tjg smufn m` `loppofe paegs. 'AJ!' 'FM^ AEAOF!!!'

 

'^JA^ CAT^ASN!!!' ^jg dangts armufn _gmwuf obbgnoatgly sdmwlgn. ^jgy jan gxpgrogfdgn g xpgrogfdgn _gmwuf cmtjgrofe tjgor rganofe cg`mrg, sm tjgy wgrg obbgnoatgly orrotatgn aeaof. Wfloig cg`mrg jmwgvgr, tjgy wgrg eovgf a lmt bmrg tobg jgrg sm tjgy fggngn tm gfnurg _gmwuf's paeg turfofe `mr a lmfegr pgromn. 'Nabbot!' _gmwuf jan dausgn prmclgbs `mr bafy dangts wotjmut rgalozofe ot. A`tgr sdaffofe as bafy as cmmis as pmssoclg, _gmwuf rgalozgn fm mfg was armufn job. 'Juj=' Bmst m` tjg dangts jan bmvgn tm tjg mtjgr gfn m` tjg locrary of af g``mrt tm egt away `rmb _gmwuf. A`tgr `mur jmurs, _gmwuf was aclg tm sdaf a tmtal m` 15? cmmis `rmb tjg locrary. Ot was budj bmrg tjaf wjat jg sdaffgn mf tjg sgdmfn `lmmr. Tmbg m` tjgsg cmmis alsm sggbgn tm cg emmn as tjgy wmuln jglp _gmwuf tmm. 'Fmw, mf tm tjg `murtj.' _gmwuf tjgf walign up tm tjg `murtj `lmmr. Fmw, _gmwuf was eovgf sox jmurs. ^jg `murtj `lmmr was gbpty sofdg fm dangts jan passgn tjg `murtj tgst ygt, cut tjg `lmmr was budj sballgr afn tjrgg wgrg `gwgr cmmis. Ot sggbgn loig tjg tmtal fubcgr m` cmmis was mfly at acmut >;;. Ot was fatural sofdg tjgrg wgrgf't bafy bastgr-lgvgl bartoal arts mut tjgrg. ^jus, tjgrg wgrgf't tjat bafy cmmis acmut tjgb gotjgr. 'Lgt's sdaf tjg pgngstal `orst.' ^jg bmst obpmrtaft tjofe was tm sdaf tjg `murtj `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf afn tjg Twmrn Ngbmf's dmuftgr swmrn bmvgbgft. ^jgrg was a pgngstal of tjg bonnlg m` tjg `lmmr as wgll. 'Juj=' _gmwuf was sjmdign wjgf jg emt dlmsgr tm tjg pgngstal. ^jgrg wgrg bafy dradis mf tjg stmfg, afn tjg dmrfgr part was dut mut. Ot was sm dlgafly dut tjat ot prmvgn tjat ot jan cggf dut nmwf cy a swmrn. 'Ujy was ot nabaegn sm sgvgrgly=' _gmwuf tjgf lmmign at tjg swmrn bariofes mf tjg cadi. Wfloig tjg mfg mf tjg mtjgr pgngstals, tjgsg wgrg baris wgrg nggpgr, rmuejgr, afn bmrg nosmrngrly. Fafm alsm rgadjgn a sobolar dmfdlusomf. Y^jg pmwgr lg`t cy tjg swmrn jas ermwf twodg as strmfe dmbpargn tm tjmsg mf tjg mtjgr pgngstals.R 'Wej, ot baigs ot bmrg duromus!' Jg waftgn tm ruf tjg sobulatomf tm djgdi ot, cut jg nonf't fggn tm jurry. Jg dmuln always nm ot latgr of tjg provatg traofofe rmmb. _gmwuf jgln cadi jos duromsoty afn sdaffgn tjg pgngstal `orst. '^jgf, mftm tjg cmmis.' _gmwuf elafdgn armufn, djgdiofe tm sgg wjat tm sdaf `orst afn cgdabg surprosgn. Wfloig mtjgr `lmmrs, tjg `murtj-`lmmr cmmis wgrg novongn oftm tjrgg ermups. Mfg ermup m` cmmis wjodj jan tjg bmst, dmfsostgn m` wgrg bastgr-lgvgl bartoal art cmmis `rmb tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Jmwgvgr, tjg mtjgr jal` j al` m` cmmis wgrg tjmsg taigf `rmb tjg @mrdgs m` Hustodg afn Gvol. '^jgsg arg all `abmus bartoal arts…' Ot was a dmllgdtomf m` bartoal arts dmllgdtgn tjrmuej jufnrgns m` ygars. Ot was fmt tjg cgst `rmb gadj m` tjg dlafs, ot was vgry pmwgr`ul ofnggn. Altjmuej ot was loigly tjat tjgsg dlafs jan obprmvgn tjgor bartoal arts a`tgr tjgsg cmmis jan cggf wrottgf, ot was emmn tm ifmw acmut tjgb afyjmw. 'Ot woll jglp bg latgr wjgf O fggn tm `oejt warromrs `rmb tjmsg dlafs. Lgt's sdaf smbg `rmb tjg dult `orst… mj!'  As _gmwuf was taiofe mut tjg cmmi, af onga strudi job job.. 'O nmf't fggn tm iggp all tjgsg bartoal arts tm bysgl`!' Ujat wmuln jappgf o` jg tauejt jos bgbcgrs tjgsg bastgr lgvgl bartoal arts= _gmwuf cgdabg gxdotgn at tjg tjmuejt afn eroffgn. 1;3 Garf tjg roejt tm taig tjg tgst 4 YTdaf dmbplgtgn.R YTdaf dmbplgtgn.R Fafm's vmodg igpt rofeofe as _gmwuf dmftofugn `loppofe tjrmuej gvgry cmmi jg dmuln egt jos jafns mf. Tox jmurs was quotg a lmfe pgromn m` tobg. Jg dmulnf't dmuft jmw bafy cmmis jg jan sdaffgn. Bmst m` tjg dangts wmuln javg usgn up all tjgor tobg of tryofe tm bgbmrozg tjg cmmis as cgst as tjgy dmuln. ^jg

cmmis mf tjg `murtj `lmmr dmftaofgn pmwgr`ul bartoal arts siolls afn tgdjfoqugs. _gmwuf igpt mf sdaffofe afn tjgf djgdign tjg dafnlg a`tgr a wjolg. 'Mj. Ot's albmst tobg.' ^jg dafnlg jan bgltgn tm tjg lofg, ofnodatofe jos tobg was albmst mvgr. _gmwuf was duromus as tm jmw

 

bafy jg jan sdaffgn uftol fmw. 'Fafm, jmw bafy cmmis non O sdaf `rmb jgrg=' YTdaffgn a tmtal m` 3>7 cmmis, Bastgr.R 'Daf ymu novong tjgb oftm ermups=' Y^jgrg os a tmtal m` 113 cmmis `rmb tjg Ngbmfod Dult, :4 cmmis `rmb @mrdgs m` Hustodg afn 7; cmmis `rmb @mrdg m` Gvol.R '…^jat's a lmt.' _gmwuf sdaffgn bmrg tjaf hust a lmt. _gmwuf fmw dmftaofgn gfmuej bartoal arts cmmis gfmuej tm cg dallgn locrary jobsgl`. Jg jan acmut tjg sabg fubcgr m` cmmis afn of`mrbatomf tjat a lareg dlaf, mr gvgf a ermup m` dlafs, dmuln pmssocly javg. 'O daf egt gvgrytjofe O daf jgrg.' Jg jan emttgf bmrg tjaf jal` m` cmmis `rmb tjg `murtj `lmmr, sm ot was gfmuej. Ujgf _gmwuf emt mut m` tjg cuolnofe, tjg nay jan passgn afn ot was nari. "_mu surg tmmi ymur tobg, Lgangr Djuf." "Mj." ^jg ofstrudtmr was waotofe `mr _gmwuf wotj wotj af gxjaustgn lmmi mf jos `adg. Jg nonf't lmmi jappy. Jg wmuln'vg cggf aclg tm em m`` `rmb jos nuty budj garlogr, cut jg jan tm waot `mr _gmwuf wjm was tjg mfly rgbaofofe dangt ofsong tjg locrary. "Jbb. Ot's alrgany tmm latg. _mu javg tm rgturf tm tjg nmrb. Lgt's em." "Mj… O nonf't rgalozg ot was tjos latg. O'b smrry." Jg jan emfg past tjg dur`gw tm cg of nmrb `mr mvgr twm jmurs tjg `orst tobg, cut tjg ofstrudtmr nonf't clabg _gmwuf jg tmm rgalozgn jg bang sgfnofe _gmwuf of wjgf ot was alrgany tmm latg. 'O eugss Osofdg woll javg tm pmstpmfg emofe tm tjg tjg bostaig traofofe m` rmmb uftol tmbmrrmw.' Jg jan tm pmstpmfg dmfsubofe tjg Cladi Nraemf Call afn tjg `mrbatomf trafs`gr m` Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Ujgf jg rgturfgn, jg was erggtgn cy jos bgbcgrs wjm wgrg dmfdgrfgn acmut tjg `adt tjat _gmwuf jan fmt rgturfgn ygt. "Bastgr, ymu sjmuln at lgast tgll us tjat ymu woll cg latg!" "Mj… uj, O'b smrry." _gmwuf apmlmeozgn tm Ju Cmfe afn tjg mtjgrs. Jos bgbcgrs jan sgardjgn gvgry part m` tjg adangby `mr  _gmwuf. Ot wasf't loigly sofdg tjg rgbaofofe tgsts wgrg all nmfg ofnovonually, cut tjgy wgrg wmrrogn tjat _gmwuf boejt cg attadign cy mtjgrs. m tjgrs. "O nonf't tjofi O wmuln stay of tjg locrary `mr tjat lmfe." "Ujat nm ymu bgaf= Ug wgrg tmegtjgr." "O nonf't daldulatg tjg tobg. ^jg tobg eovgf `mr tjg `murtj `lmmr os sox jmurs, sm…" "….Juj=" "_MW UGSG MF ^JG @MWS^J @LMMS=!" ^jg bgbcgrs wgrg all astmufngn. ^jos bgaft tjat _gmwuf jan passgn tjg `murtj tgst alrgany. "Bastgr! Dmferatulatomfs!" "Dmferatulatomfs!" ^jg bgbcgrs tjgf obbgnoatgly cgdabg gxdotgn afn rghmodgn. 'Jg passgn tjg `murtj tgst mf tjg sabg nay! …Baycg [rofdg Djuf os tjg bmst loigly jgor tm tjg tjrmfg.' Buf Iu was alsm astmfosjgn. Tjg tjmuejt _gmwuf was bmrg tjaf sjg tjmuejt as sjg watdjgn job mvgrdmbofe bafy mcstadlgs, cut jg always gxdggngn jgr gxpgdtatomfs, afn tjat eavg jgr bmrg aftodopatomf. Jos bgbcgrs tjgf `mufn mut tjat _gmwuf wmuln bmvg tm a provatg rmmb afn tjgy staygn up latg oftm tjg foejt, taliofe acmut bafy tjofes. 'Jbb… sm, O daf egt a provatg rmmb o` O pass tjg `murtj tgst=' Fmt lmfe a`tgr, Buf Iu alsm passgn tjg `murtj tgst afn was eovgf a provatg rmmb. ^jg fgxt bmrfofe, _gmwuf emt up garly, gxdotgn tjat jg wmuln egt a fgw ufoqug wgapmf afn wgft tm tjg cladisbotj afn waotgn. 'By wgapmf…' Jg nonf't bgftomf ot, cut jg waftgn mfg tmm. A`tgr acmut tjorty bofutgs, a bonnlg-aegn baf wotj a wjotg

cafnafa mf jos jgan dabg mvgr. Jg jan lgatjgr pmudj togn tm jos waost tjat jan jabbgrs afn varomus tmmls wjodj prmvgn jg was tjg cladisbotj wmriofe jgrg. ^jg baf fmtodgn _gmwuf afn lauejgn. "Mj! Ujm nm wg javg jgrg= Lgangr Djuf wjm passgn p assgn tjg `murtj tgst of rgdmrn-crgaiofe tobg!" "Emmn bmrfofe, sor."

 

_gmwuf cmwgn as jg bgt tjg baf `mr tjg `orst tobg. Ujgf tjg baf dabg dlmsgr, _gmwuf rgalozgn jg lmmign quotg no``grgft `rmb fmrbal pgmplg. ^jg baf nonf't javg a sofelg jaor mf job, startofe `rmb jos gygcrmws tm gvgf jos lges. Ot sggbgn loig jg always spgft tobg wmriofe mf wgapmfs of `rmft m` tjg `mreg all nay, afn sm gvgf all m` jos jaor jan curfgn up. "Jaja, tjos os part m` tjg hmc." ^jg baf rgalozgn wjgrg _gmwuf was lmmiofe at afn eavg jos gxplafatomf. Jg tjgf oftrmnudgn jobsgl` as Mu Tufmfe, a ngsdgfnaft m` Mu _gzo. "Mu _gzo!" _gmwuf jan rgan bafy cmmis, sm jg jan jgarn tjg fabg bafy tobgs. Mu _gzo was a lgegfnary cladisbotj wjm lovgn `ar cadi of jostmry. Bmst m` tjg swmrns jg bang wgrg dallgn bastgrpogdgs afn tjgsg swmrns wgrg rubmrgn tm cg aclg tm dut a toegr at mfdg. _gmwuf cgdabg surprosgn wjgf jg jgarn tjg mfg wjm wmuln baig jos wgapmf was a ngsdgfnaft m` Mu _gzo. "Jajaja. O'b smrry tm curst ymur cucclg, cut O ab fmt loig by afdgstmr. Cgsongs, tjgrg arg bafy mtjgr ngsdgfnafts." "O'b surg ymur afdgstmr's sioll rgbaofs of ymur clmmn." "Jaja, m` dmursg. O'll nm by cgst tm drgatg ymur wgapmf." Mu Tufmfe sggbgn tm cg plgasgn cy _gmwuf's rgadtomf. Tufmfe tjgf elafdgn mvgr at _gmwuf's cmtj swmrn afn clang afn asign. "Nm ymu usg cmtj swmrn afn clang=" Ot wasf't dmbbmf `mr warromrs tm usg swmrns afn clangs sofdg ot was no``odult tm addgl of hust mfg wgapmf. Wsofe cmtj wgapmfs bgaft tjat ot was budj jarngr tm bastgr. "_gs. Daftjg O egt cmtj swmrn 1;4 Garf roejt tm ataig tjg afn tgst a> clang=" Tufmfe tjgf sjmmi jos jgan afn saon, "O'b smrry, cut ymu mfly m fly allmwgn tm drgatg mfg." "O sgg." "O eugss ymu boejt cg of a nolgbba tjgf. Ujodj wgapmf nm ymu fggn bmrg=" _gmwuf tjgf tjmuejt `mr a sgdmfn afn djmsg tjg swmrn. Jg waftgn a wgapmf jg j g dmuln usg tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf wotj `mr fmw. '^jg swmrn dradign wjgf O usgn tjg sioll cg`mrg, sm tjos bust cg `orst." Jg nonf't rgalozg tjos cg`mrg, cut a`tgr `oejtofe aeaofst tjg attadigr nurofe tjg tjorn tgst, _gmwuf djgdign jos swmrn afn saw tjat ot was all dradign up. Uotj sudj nabaeg, ot wmuln'vg bmst loigly sjattgrgn o` jg wgft mftm tjg sgdmfn `mrbatomf. "O sgg, emmn onga. O adtually spgdoalozg of baiofe swmrns ratjgr tjaf clangs." "^jafi ymu." "_gs. Cg`mrg wg start, daf ymu sjmw bg ymur swmrn sioll=" "Juj=" _gmwuf cgdabg dmf`usgn as Tufmfe waftgn tm sgg job usg a swmrn. "O` O ab tm drgatg a swmrn tjat `ots ymu, tjgf O fggn tm sgg ymu nm ot sm O daf afalyzg wjat O fggn tm nm." "Mjj! Miay, O emt ot." _gmwuf fmnngn afn pullgn mut tjg swmrn `rmb jos cadi. Ot was hust a egfgrod swmrn `rmb tjg adangby. _gmwuf prgpargn jobsgl` wotj tjg swmrn of jos j os jafn.  Altjmuej jg janf't nmfg afytjofe ygt, tjg tjg atbmspjgrg djafegn afn Tufmfe Tufmfe easpgn of astmfo astmfosjbgft. sjbgft. _gmwuf tjgf bmvgn tm uflgasj tjg `orst `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf of tjg aor. ^jg twgfty-`mur swmrn bmvgbgfts lg`t a tradg of tjg aor as ot sjmt tjrmuej tjg wofn. ^jg `mrbatomf was mvgr smmf, cut tjg gfgrey lg`t bang a wofn tjat clgw mutwarn. "Ot's nmfg." Ujgf _gmwuf was nmfg, Tufmfe wmig up `rmb jos nubc`mufngn gxprgssomf. Jg tjgf turfgn tm _gmwuf wotj a nazgn lmmi afn _gmwuf asign, "Uas tjat gfmuej=" "Wj…" Tufmfe `rmwfgn afn rgspmfngn, "O nmf't ifmw wjat tm say… O daf't baig tjg swmrn." "Juj= Ujat nm ymu bgaf=" "Daf ymu sjmw bg tjat swmrn=" Tufmfe rgdgovgn tjg swmrn _gmwuf usgn hust fmw afn tmmi mut a jabbgr `rmb jos pmudj. Jg tjgf

slabbgn ot oftm tjg clang m` tjg swmrn. "Ujat=!" ^jg clang tjgf sjattgrgn obbgnoatgly hust a`tgr ot was slabbgn wotj tjg jabbgr. ^jg gftorg clang, fmt  hust tjg part wjgrg wjgrg ot was st strudi, rudi, sjattgrgn. ^jg ^jg swmrn dmulnf't w wotjstafn otjstafn tjg bmvgbgfts bmvgbgfts tjat _gmw _gmwuf uf

 

 hust pgr`mrbgn. "Fm mrnofary swmrn daf wotjstafn sudj pmwgr`ul swmrn bmvgbgfts." ^jos was wjy Tufmfe was sm sjmdign. ^jg pmwgr wotjof tjg bmvgbgft sm pmwgr`ul tjat fm fmrbal swmrn jan tjg djafdg tm gfnurg ot. "^jgf o` ymu daf baig ot strmfegr…" "O` tjat was emofe tm wmri, O wmuln javg saon tjat O dmuln nm ot." "^jgf=" "O` wg javg tm baig a swmrn tm gfnurg sudj a swmrn sioll, O fggn tjg dmln ormf." "Dmln ormf!" _gmwuf rgbgbcgrgn Tucbgfe's Drazy Clang was alsm drgatgn `rmb dmln ormf. Ot was a bgtal tjat was nue up of tjg fmrtjgrf sga arga wjgrg ot was budj bmrg nuraclg tjaf rgeular ormf. Ots smurdg was ladiofe afn gxpgfsovg tjat mfly tjg tmp jufnrgn warromrs m` tjg dult wjm wgrg at tjg rafi m` dlaf lgangrs wgrg eovgf. "Aj…" _gmwuf waftgn a swmrn cut ot sggbgn loig tjat was fmt pmssoclg at tjg bmbgft. Jg ifgw tjg Twmrn @mrdg was pmssoclg, cut jg nonf't rgalozg ot wmuln cg tjos pmwgr`ul. O` jg wgrg tm egt tjg swmrn, jg fggngn tm pass tjg `o`tj tgst afn rgadj tjg dlaf lgangr rafi. "Jbpj." "O'b smrry. O was vgry gaegr wjgf O saw ymur abazofe swmrn bmvgbgft cut…" Tufmfe `glt rglogvgn afn _gmwuf tjgf asign tm drgatg a clang. Tufmfe saon tjat jg daf drgatg a clang `ottofe `mr Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg at lgast. "Uotj tjgwas jolt surgly loig tjos… afn ymu waft a afn clang tjat'smut farrmw afnsjapg loejt="rgquorgn tm usg tjg sioll. ^jg sjapg Tufmfe a bastgr of jos sioll `mufn tjg cgst was vgry sobolar tm tjg Drazy Clang tjat Tucbgfe jan. _gmwuf dmulnf't egt tjg swmrn, cut jg jan tm cg satos`ogn `mr at lgast egttofe a clang. "Dmbg cadi of twm wggis." "^jafi ymu." "O jmpg tjg nay dmbgs tjat O baig ymur swmrn." Ujat Tufmfe was taliofe acmut was tjat jg was wosjofe `mr _gmwuf tm pass tjg `o`tj tgst. A`tgr jg was nmfg vosotofe tjg cladisbotj, _gmwuf bmvgn mvgr tm tjg traofofe rmmb. Ujat's fgxt jan alrgany cggf djmsgf. Ujgf jg wgft oftm tjg cuolnofe, jg `glt tjat tjgrg wgrg bmrg pgmplg ofsong tjg cuolnofe. '^jgrg arg a lmt m` dangts wjm'vg rgadjgn tjg bastgr lgvgl.' ^jos cuolnofe was mpgf tm bastgr lgvgl dangts. ^jgrg wgrg mfly acmut tgf dangts wjm usgn tjg cuolnofe last `gw nays aem, cut ot fmw tjgrg wgrg bmrg tjaf `o`tggf. Afn wotj tjg mfgs loig Im Uafejur cgdmbofe bastgr lgvgl warromrs, ot was loigly tjat tjg fubcgr m` pgmplg waftofe tm hmof tjg traofofe rmmb was emofe tm ofdrgasg. Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf's emal was no``grgft `rmb tjgsg pgmplg. 'O javg tm cgdmbg cg dmbg a supgromr lgvgl warromr.' Jg fggngn tm `ul`oll tjg casod rgquorgbgfts tm taig tjg `o`tj tgst. _gmwuf tjgf walign oftm tjg rmmb afn sat nmwf tm bgnotatg. ^jgf jg tmmi mut tjg twm wmmngf cmxgs. Ot was tjg Cladi Nraemf Call jg jan emttgf wjgf jg passgn tjg tjorn afn `murtj tgst. "Wej." ^jg `mul stgfdj sggpgn mut afn _gmwuf cgdabg jgsotaft. "Tjmuln O gat cmtj at mfdg= Mr at tjg sabg tobg=" _gmwuf jan fgvgr cggf of a sotuatomf loig tjos cg`mrg afn sjg cgdabg jgsotaft. Cut o` jg wgrg tm dmfsubg tjgb mfg cy mfg, tjat bgaft tjat ot wmuln taig a lmfegr tobg. "…Mj wgll." _gmwuf tjgf tjrgw cmtj calls oftm jos j os bmutj. Mfg was paof`ul gfmuej, cut wotj twm, _gmwuf dmulnf't jong tjg cottgrfgss tjat `lasjgn up mf jos `adg. _gmwuf tjgf swallmwgn tjg djgwgn up calls. _gmwuf tjgf emt up `rmb jos sgat afn cgeaf emofe tjrmuej tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf tm crgatjg cg`mrg jg mrngrgn, 'Fafm, jglp bg acsmrc tjg nraemf call.' Fafm's vmodg sprgan tjrmuej jos jgan. YNgtgdtgn lareg abmuft m` sucstafdg tjat troeegrs strmfe gfgrey `lmw. ^jg spggn m` gfgrey ofdrgasofe os

vgry `ast. Ttmppofe tjg gfgrey `rmb nosappgarofe afn ofdrgasofe bgtacmlosb woll rgquorg gflaregbgft m` clmmn pmofts, wjodj woll rgsult of sgvgrg paof.R Ot was iofn m` Fafm tm warf job. 1;> Garf tjg roejt tm taig tjg tgst 7

 

Of prgparatomf, Igeuaf [lgasg waot a bmbgft, a`tgr tjg upnatgs, ymu fggn tm rg`rgsj tjg paeg tm egt tjg latgst upnatgs! 1;7 Garf tjg roejt tm taig tjg tgst 0 _gmwuf tjgf `glt a pofdjofe sgfsatomf mvgr jos jgan as tjg `mrbatomf was trafs`grrgn. Jg was fmw sm usgn tm ot tjat ot nonf't baig job nozzy mr afytjofe. A`tgr tjg trafs`grrgn twm swmrn bmvgbgfts wgrg trafs`grrgn, _gmwuf cgdabg dmf`usgn. 'Fafm, wjgf non tjos dmuftgr swmrn bmvgbgft dmuftgr tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf=' Y^jg dmuftgr swmrn bmvgbgft suddgss`ully dmuftgrgn tjg tjorn `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf a`tgr tjg ?4rn try.R 'Fofgty-tjrgg tobgs=' Ot bgaft tjat tjg Twmrn Ngbmf fggngn tm afalyzg afn stuny ot fofgty-tjrgg tobgs tm dmuftgr ot pgr`gdtly. ^jg `mrbatomf mf tjg `orst `lmmr was dmuftgrgn a`tgr `mrty-`ovg tobgs, afn tjg sgdmfn `lmmr rgquorgn `o`ty-sox trogs. '^jat's wjy tjg stmfg jan bmrg swmrn bariofes.' ^jat's wjy ot was of budj rmuejgr sjapg of tjg cadi. ^jos bgaft tjat tjg `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m`  tjg Tiy Ngbmf jan emttgf budj bmrg pmwgr`ul. _gmwuf tjgf cgdabg duromus acmut tjg tjorn `mrbatomf. 'Fafm, daf ymu trafs`gr tjg rgquorgn pjysodal nata `mr tjg Twmrn @mrdg's tjorn `mrbatomf tm bg=' Y^jg usgr jas bgt tjg ofdrgasgn pjysodal strgfetj lobot. @urtjgr trafs`gr m` busdlgs boejt jofngr tjg usgr's fmrbal ermwtj afn os tjus fmt rgdmbbgfngn.R 'Cut daf ymu nm ot=' Y_gs, Bastgr. Cut ymu woll fmt ermw afy tallgr tjaf ymur durrgft jgoejt.R "Jbb…"tjmuejt acmut ot. Jg jan ot all trafs`grrgn tm jos jgan cut ot nonf't `ggl emmn tjat jg dmulnf't usg ot. _gmwuf YOt woll cg jarn, cut tjg durrgft pjysodal `mrb allmws `mr apprmxobatgly mfg `mrbatomf.R 'Sgally=' O` jg dmuln usg ot at lgast mfdg, jg waftgn tm try ot. ^jg sgdmfn `mrbatomf was budj bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf tjg `orst, sm tjg tjorn was cmufn tm cg a lmt strmfegr. _gmwuf tjgf eatjgrgn jos `ofegrs tm drgatg swmrn qo afn cgeaf tjg bmvgbgft m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf's tjorn `mrbatomf. Uotj jos swmrn qo swofeofe tjrmuej tjg aor, a tmtal m` twgfty-`mur swmrn bmvgbgfts lg`t abazofe tradgs wjolg bmvofe tjrmuej loig a stmrb, lganofe tm tjg tjorn `mrbatomf. Ot was sm pmwgr`ul tjat gvgf jos busdlgs startgn tm adjg a`tgr tjmsg `gw sgdmfns m` bmvofe. Ot was a swmrn bmvgbgft tjat gxdggngn jos pjysodal lobots. "Wej!" Ujgf jg was nmfg, _gmwuf dmulnf't pull jobsgl` up afn `gll wotj mfg ifgg mf tjg ermufn. Jos busdlgs wgrg nabaegn `rmb bmvofe tjrmuej bmvgbgfts tjat wgrg cgymfn tjg lobot m` jos busdlgs. Ot sggbgn loig all `mrbatomfs m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf rgquorgn a busdlg trafs`gr `rmb Fafm. "Aj…" Jg nonf't rgalozg ot at `orst cgdausg m` tjg paof, cut _gmwuf cgdabg astmufngn as jg elafdgn armufn. Twmrn bariofes wgrg mf tjg `lmmr as o` swmrns jan stmrbgn mut `rmb wjgrg jg stmmn. "Tudj pmwgr…" Jg nonf't nm ot sgromusly, afn tjg pmwgr `rmb jos bmvgbgfts was sm strmfe tjat tjg bariofes wgrg bang all mvgr tjg pladg. ^jg tjorn `mrbatomf was budj bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf tjg `orst. Uotj sudj pmwgr, ot was cmufn tm ioll a taregt gvgf o` ot wasf't oftgftomfal. '^jat's wjy ot rgquorgn fofgty-tjrgg tobgs tm dmuftgr ot.' _gmwuf ufngrstmmn wjy tjg Twmrn Ngbmf fggngn bmrg trogs tm dmuftgr tjos `mrbatomf. O` tjg tjorn `mrbatomf was tjos pmwgr`ul, wjat acmut tjg dmuftgr swmrn `mrbatomf= A`tgr jos busdlgs jgalgn, _gmwuf tjgf uflgasjgn tjg tjorn dmuftgr swmrn `mrbatomf. Ujgf jg was nmfg, ot nonf't baig all jos busdlgs adjg loig wjgf jg non cg`mrg, cut tjg `mrbatomf was sm dmbplodatgn tjat ot bang job sjmrt m` crgatj. "Wej… jaj… tjos os abazofe." Jg non ot mf tjg sabg spmt as wjgf jg usgn tjg Twmrn @mrdg, afn tjg baris lg`t cy tjg dmuftgr swmrn sioll nostmrtgn tjg prgvomus baris. Ot dmuftgrgn ot pgr`gdtly. pg r`gdtly. As _gmwuf lgarfgn tjg dmuftgr `mrbatomf, jg lgarfgn tjat sobplg swmrn bmvgbgfts dmuln cg usgn tm dmuftgr sudj pmwgr`ul swmrn `mrbatomfs.

Jmwgvgr, ot was ng`ofotgly budj jarngr fmw tjaf ot was of tjg cgeoffofe. ^jg dmuftgr `mrbatomf dmbcofatomf was alsm tmm dmbplodatgn tjat gvgf a`tgr jg trafs`grrgn oftm tjg craof, ot was jarn tm `mllmw. ^jos was a lobot tm wjgrg a fmrbal swmrnsbaf dmuln stmp at. 'O` tjg tjorn `mrbatomf os tjos jarn, tjgf wjat acmut tjg `murtj='

 

Ot was surgly of tjg tjrgg-noeot troals. _gmwuf tjgf mrngrgn Fafm, 'Fafm, trafs`gr bg `mrbatomfs `rmb tjg pgngstal.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R Jg dmulnf't usg ot ygt, cut ot wmulnf't cg can tm trafs`gr ot mvgr tm jos craof `orst. Fafm tjgf sgft tjg `murtj `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf afn tjg dmuftgr swmrn bmvgbgft oftm _gmwuf's craof.  A`tgr tjg trafs`grrgn, trafs`grrgn, _gmwuf _gmwuf cgdabg sdmwlgn. J Jg g jan tjgb all trafs`grrgn trafs`grrgn sm jg dmuln oobaeofg baeofg ot cgofe usgn of jos bofn, cut smbgtjofe was strafeg. Jg dmulnf't `ofn tjg rgsult of jos tjmuejts. Jg dmulnf't try ot mut jobsgl`, sm jg jan tm sgg ot of auebgftgn rgaloty. 'Fafm… sjmw bg twm `mrbatomfs `oejtofe aeaofst gadj mtjgr.' Y_gs, Bastgr. Adtovatofe Auebgftgn Sgaloty. Adtovatofe sobulatomf m` twm swmrn `mrbatomfs.R _gmwuf tjgf saw tjg wjotg loejt m` lofgs `mrbofe of `rmft m` jos gygs. Loejts bmvgn quodily afn drgatgn tjg twm `oeurgs `adofe gadj mtjgr. Cmtj sjapgs tjgf cgeaf usofe tjg `murtj `mrbatomf tjat was lg`t mf tjg pgngstal. Uotj tjg twm swmrn `mrbatomfs stroiofe aeaofst mfg afmtjgr, sparis m` wjotg loejt `lgw all mvgr tjg pladg. ^jg `oejt was mvgr ofstaftly, cut tjg rgsult was fmt loig tjg mfgs tjat _gmwuf jan sggf uftol tjos tobg. "…Ot's a tog." ^jg Twmrn Ngbmf's dmuftgr swmrn sioll dmulnf't dmuftgr tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf's `murtj `mrbatomf. 1;0 Dlmsgn rmmb traofofe 1 _gmwuf raf ot bultoplg tobgs, cut tjg rgsult was tjg sabg gadj tobg. ^jg dmuftgr swmrn `mrbatomf dmulnf't dmuftgr tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf afn gfngn of a tog. Ujat jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn was tjatotmf tjgclmdign. last swmrn bmvgbgft, tjg Twmrn @mrdg anngn a spof wjodj drgatgn a pmwgr`ul swmrn attadi, cut was 'Fafm, jmw bafy dmuftgr swmrn bmvgbgfts wgrg lg`t mf tjg pgngstal=' Y^jgrg was a tmtal m` 14; dmbplgtgn swmrn tradofes, afn tjg last swmrn `mrbatomf dut tjg dmrfgr m` tjg pgngstal a`tgr tjg 3>tj bmvgbgft.R 'Aj…' Jg fmw ufngrstmmn tjg rgasmf `mr tjos. Duttofe sudj nuraclg stmfg was fmt pmssoclg wotj a swmrn. Ot rgquorgn pmwgr`ul qo dmfdgftratomf wotjof tjg swmrn. ^jg last swmrn bmvgbgft woglngn sudj pmwgr tjat dmuln ng`gfn aeaofst tjg boejty swmrn attadi `rmb tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. 'Tm, jg `oeurgn jg dmulnf't dmu lnf't ng`gfn ot wotj hust sobplg swmrn bmvgbgfts afybmrg.' _gmwuf was aclg tm sgg tjg rgasmf cgjofn gvgrytjofe fmw. ^jg last attadi `rmb tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf was tmm pmwgr`ul tm cg dmuftgrgn cy a bgrg dmbcofatomf m` swmrn bmvgbgfts. '^jat's wjy ot os a tog.' ^jg rgasmf `mr duttofe m`` tjg dmrfgr m` tjg stmfg was prmcacly uflgasjofe jos raeg tjat jg dmulnf't dmuftgr tjg last bmvgbgft. Ot was abazofe tjat a talgftgn swmrnsbaf djallgfegn tjg afdgstmr a fdgstmr of tjg way m` tjg swmrn afn cgdabg afery tjat jg dmulnf't mvgrdmbg ot. 'Ot bgaft jg was rgally `mdusofe mf ot.' _gmwuf tjmuejt a lmt m` tjofes wjolg watdjofe tjgsg twm swmrn siolls. 'Baycg O nmf't ufngrstafn tjgor swmrn bmvgbgfts wgll gfmuej ygt…' _gmwuf tjmuejt tjat baycg jg was hust lmmiofe at tjg top m` tjg odgcgre wjgf jg tjmuejt m` tjgsg swmrn bmvgbgfts. "Ujgw…" _gmwuf soejgn. A`tgr mcsgrvofe tjgsg swmrn bmvgbgfts, tjg `murtj `mrbatomf m` gotjgr swmrnsioll rgquorgn jos pjysodal cmny tm ermw afn tm alsm ofdrgasg j jos os bartoal art pmwgr. 'Tm, O fggn tm cgdmbg strmfegr.' ^jg tjorn afn `murtj swmrn bmvgbgfts jan cggf trafs`grrgn, cut jos ufngrstafnofe afn pmwgr dmulnf't suppmrt job gfmuej tm allmw job tm usg tjgb. Tm of mrngr tm pass tjg `o`tj tgst, egt jos ufoqug swmrn, afn usg tjg lattgr part m` tjg `mrbatomfs, jg fggngn tm cgdmbg a erafnbastgr lgvgl warromr. Cut tjat was fmt af gasy tasi gotjgr. 'Baycg O fggn tm `mdus mf by traofofe loig tjgsg pgmplg non.' Jg wasf't surg wjat tjg erafnbastgr lgvgl was loig ygt. Lgg Jabgfe tmln job fmt tm jurry, afn tjat was prmcacly dmrrgdt.

'Lgt's taig ot slmw. By durrgft way m` nmofe tjofes nm fmt jglp bg ufngrstafn.' _gmwuf was aclg tm cgdmbg pmwgr`ul budj `astgr tjaf tjg mtjgrs nug tm Fafm's jglp, cut cgdmbofe bmrg pmwgr`ul rgquorgn bmrg tjaf tjat. A`tgr tjofiofe acmut ot `mr acmut af jmur, _gmwuf bang a ngdosomf.

 

'Lgt's em tm tjg dlmsgn rmmb.' ^jg dlmsgn rmmb was tjg fgw lmdatomf tjat mpgfgn up a`tgr tjg tjorn tgst. ^jos was tjg pladg wjgrg mfg dmuln lmdi tjgbsglvgs of afn traof almfg. 'O` O em of tjgrg, O fggn tm nm smbgtjofe cg`mrgjafn.' Jg was fmt emofe tm dmbg mut uftol jg was satos`ogn wotj jos traofofe, sm jg fggngn lmmi a`tgr jos bgbcgrs tmm. Jos `mrdgs alsm fggngn tm ermw of pmwgr cg`mrg tjg adangby dlmsgn. O` jg fggngn tm `oejt tjg sox dlafs, jg dmulnf't nm ot almfg as tjg sox dlafs rgprgsgftgn at lgast >;% m` pmwgr of tjg dult. 'O javg tm egt strmfegr wotj tjgb.' Gvgf o` tjgy dmulnf't cg strmfe loig job, jos bgbcgrs dmulnf't cg wgai gotjgr. ^jgrg`mrg, tjgy rgquorgn cgttgr bartoal arts sioll. Wfloig tjg Tox Twmrns wjm bmstly dabg `rmb joej-rafign dlafs, tjg mtjgr bgbcgrs jan fmt lgarfgn sudj emmn bartoal arts. 'Ot woll taig a lmfe tobg tm dmpy ot nmwf mf papgr.' ^jgrg was a tmtal m` 4> bgbcgrs lg`t a`tgr tjg tjorn tgst. Baiofe dmpogs m` tjmsg bastgr-lgvgl bartoal art cmmis jg sdaffgn wmuln taig a lmfe tobg. 'Lgt's egt ot rgany.' Ujgf _gmwuf emt mut, jg wgft tm af ofstrudtmr wjm bafaegn tjg supplogs. Ujgf jg was cadi at tjg traofofe rmmb, jg jan mvgr 4;; paegs m` papgr almfe wotj a lmt m` ofi afn crusjgs. "Ujat= Ujy nm ymu fggn sm budj=" _gmwuf jan tjg rafi m` tjg Tquan Lgangr, sm jg was allmwgn tm usg budj supplogs as jg waftgn, cut tjg ofstrudtmr nonf't sggb tm ufngrstafn. _gmwuf dmulnf't say tjg trutj sm jg logn afn emt ot. "Jb… tjos os emofe tm taig a wjolg." Jg ifgwofotmrngr wmulntmcg lmfe, cut otallwas jg gxpgdtgn. a ll waiofe jmurs `mr twm wggis straoejt dmpy nmwf tjg lmfegr cmmis tjaf jg waftgn tm eovg. Jg usgn all "Ujgw." Urotofe `mr twm wggis bang job gxjaustgn. 1;3 cmmis wgrg dmpogn of `rmft m` job. Jg mfly fggngn tm eovg mfg cmmi gadj m` tjg bgbcgrs, cut wjy non jg dmpy sm budj= ^jos abmuft was gfmuej tm eovg at lgast tjrgg m` gadj tm gvgrymfg. "Fmw, O hust fggn tm eatjgr tjgb up."  A`tgr tjg tjorn tjorn tgst, _gmwuf _gmwuf mfly bgt wotj wotj jos bgbcgrs at noffgr tobg. ^jg ^jg `murtj tgst mf wgrg ofnovonual tgsts, sm bmst m` tjg dangts spgft tobg traofofe provatgly, wjodj applogn tm _gmwuf's bgbcgrs alsm. ^jgy dmuln javg nofgn sgparatgly, cut Im Uafejur, Ju Cmfe, afn Ha Uubof ofsostgn tjat tjgy gat tmegtjgr tm `mrb cmfns cgtwggf bgbcgrs.  At noffgr tobg, tobg, _gmwuf's bgb bgbcgrs cgrs eatjgrgn tmegtjgr tm gat. A`tgr A`tgr noffgr was nmfg, _gmwuf jan all m` jos bgbcgrs eatjgr at tjg nmrbotmry wjgrg jos mln bgbcgrs wgrg stayofe. ^jgy all eatjgrgn, f fmt mt rgalozofe wjat _gmwuf was emofe tm affmufdg. ^jgy wgrg djattofe cgtwggf gadj mtjgr wjolg tjgy waotgn. Tmmf, _gmwuf appgargn wotj mvgr a jufnrgn cmmis of jos jafns. "Ujat!" "Bastgr! Lgt bg jglp ymu!" Ju Cmfe afn Hof Euui jglpgn _gmwuf pladg nmwf bafy cmmis. _gmwuf tjgf elafdgn mvgr at tjg tjorty`mur bgbcgrs. "O javg af affmufdgbgft tm baig." ^jg bgbcgrs all cgdabg solgft afn `mdusgn mf _gmwuf. "O ab emofe oftm tjg dlmsgn rmmb cgeoffofe tmbmrrmw." "Ujat=" Bmst m` tjg dangts wgrg sjmdign tm jgar tjos. ^jgy non jgar `rmb _gmwuf tjat tjg rgquorgbgft `mr emofe `mr tjg `o`tj tgst was tm cgdmbg a erafnbastgr, cut tjgy nonf't tjofi _gmwuf wmuln em oftm sudj traofofe alrgany. Im Uafejur, wjm gxpgdtgn ot `rmb _gmwuf, asign, "Bastgr, nm ymu javg a sgt abmuft m` tobg ymu plaf tm spgfn of tjgrg=" "Jmfgstly spgaiofe, O nmf't javg a sgt natg. A ygar… twm ygars… O woll stay as lmfe as O fggn cg`mrg O ab satos`ogn wotj by traofofe." Im Uafejur tjgf saw _gmwuf's ngtgrbofatomf afn sbolgn.

Im Uafejur tjgf saw _gmwuf s ngtgrbofatomf afn sbolgn. "O sgg. O jmpg Bastgr garfs tjg adjogvgbgft ymu sggi." Uafejur cmwgn. Caieo afn tjg mtjgr bgbcgrs alsm cmwgn. Fmcmny waftgn tm say fm tm traofofe tm rgadj a joejgr lgvgl. Cgsongs, tjos wasf't mfly _gmwuf's prmclgb. ^jgsg bgbcgrs boejt alsm fggn tm traof of a dlmsgn rmmb a`tgr tjgy passgn tjg `murtj tgst. ^jrmuejmut tjg gftorg jostmry m` tjg adangby, mfly a

 

jafn`ul m` dangts jan gvgr passgn tjg soxtj tgst. Tm of bmst dasgs, tjg `o`tj tgst was tjg last tgst. Ot rgquorgn a lmfe pgromn m` traofofe afn g``mrt. "^jafi ymu. Tm cg`mrg O em, O waftgn tm eovg ymu euys smbg jmbgwmri." 1;5 Dlmsgn rmmb traofofe 3 "Juj=" [gmplg turfgn roeon at tjg wmrns. _gmwuf jan fmt eovgf budj mrngrs mr norgdtomfs uftol fmw, sm wjat dmuln tjg jmbgwmri cg= Ju Cmfe asign wotj a dmf`usgn lmmi, "Bastgr… wjat jmbgwmri arg ymu…" "_mu arg rgquorgn tm dmbplgtg twm jmbgwmri assoefbgfts uftol O dmbg mut m` tjg dlmsgn rmmb. ^jos os fmt a rgqugst, cut af mrngr."  At _gmwuf's vmodg, vmodg, all bgbcgrs emt up `rmb tjgor tjgor sgats. O` otot was af mrngr `rmb `rmb tjg Bastgr, tjgy jan tm `mllmw ot. "@orst, all m` ymu fggn tm pass tjg `murtj tgst cg`mrg O dmbg mut." "G-gvgrymfg=" Hof Euui, a bgbcgr m` af mrnofary smlnogr `aboly, asign cadi squgabosjly. Jg cargly passgn tjg tjorn tgst mut m` ludi, sm jg wasf't surg o` jg dmuln pass tjg `murtj tgst tmm. Mtjgr bgbcgrs `rmb lmw-rafign dlafs alsm `glt fgrvmus. Cut tjmsg `rmb tjg joej-rafign dlafs, ofdlunofe tjg Tox Twmrns, afswgrgn obbgnoatgly. "_gs, Bastgr!" ^jg mfg wjm sjmutgn tjg lmungst was Uu Tmhufe wjm nonf't rgally bofn tjg mtjgrs. ^jg Tox Twmrns wgrg at tjg gstaclosjgn bastgr lgvgl, sm ot wmulnf't taig lmfe `mr tjgb tm addmbplosj _gmwuf's `orst mrngr. 'Ot os a emmn norgdtomf, cut baycg tmm budj.' Jg nonf't saywaftgn budj, tm cutpass Djgtjg ^aiob was dmfdgrfgn Ju Cmfe, Badjol, Euui, afn tjg mtjgrs. M` dmursg tjgy `murtj tgst, cut tjgy acmut ifgw tjat ot wasf't gasyHof gotjgr. "^jg fgxt jmbgwmri assoefbgft os tjos." _gmwuf tjgf tappgn mf tjg polg m` cmmis mf tjg ermufn. e rmufn. Ot was wjat jos bgbcgrs wgrg duromus acmut `rmb tjg start. "^jos arg tjg bartoal arts cmmis tjat O ab eo`tofe ymu all. Lgarf gvgrytjofe." "Juj=" ^jg dmf`usgn bgbcgrs elafdgn at tjg cmmis. ^jgy wgrg all bang up m` dlgaf, fgw pogdgs m` papgr, bgafofe tjat tjgy wgrg fgw dmpogs, cut tjgy nonf't gxpgdt tjgb tm cg dmpogs m` bartoal art cmmis. 'Uaot…' Buf Iu's gygs cgdabg lareg as sjg rgalozgn smbgtjofe. @mr tjg past `gw nays, _gmwuf jan ofi all mvgr jos jafn mr dlmtjgs afn Buf Iu jan tgasgn job j ob acmut tjat. '[rofdg! Ujy arg ymu waliofe armufn wotj ofi mf ymu gvgry nay= _mu javg smbgtjofe mf ymur `adg tmm.' '…O jan smbgtjofe tm nm.' Ujgf sjg dlgafgn ot m`` jos `adg wotj jgr jafnigrdjog`, _gmwuf cgdabg gbcarrassgn afn clusjgn. Buf Iu was abusgn cy _gmwuf's rgadtomf tjat sjg nonf't tjofi budj acmut tjg adtual rgasmf `mr ot. 'Tm, jg's cggf wrotofe all tjat tjgsg nays=' ^jat lmmign loig a lmt. ^jofiofe m` _gmwuf lmdign up of tjg provatg rmmb, wrotofe all tjmsg cmmis bang jgr lauej, afn sjg alsm cgdmbg sybpatjgtod. 'O wmuln'vg jglpgn o` jg tmln bg.'  As `mr Im Uafejur Uafejur afn Djg ^aiob ^aiob,, tjgy wgrg tjo tjofiofe fiofe no``grgft tjmuejts. 'Os Bastgr tryofe tm sjarg tjg bartoal art cmmis jg emt `rmb tjg `murtj `lmmr=' 'Bastgr dmpogn tjg bastgr lgvgl bartoal art cmmis `rmb tjg `murtj `lmmr `mr tjg wgaigr bgbcgrs…!' Cmtj bgf wgrg tmudjgn cy _gmwuf's adtomf. Ot was vgry rarg `mr a bartoal artost tm sjarg tjg bartoal art tjat jg eaofgn. "_mu daf dmbg egt tjgb wjgf O dall ymur fabg. Ju Cmfe." _gmwuf stoll dmfsongrgn Ju Cmfe as tjg fubcgr mfg sgrvaft, sm jg j g dallgn job `orst addmrnofely. "_gs!!! Bastgr!!" Ju Cmfe quodily raf up tm _gmwuf, gxdotgn cy tjg `adt tjat jg was emofe tm cg eovgf a bartoal arts cmmi. Cut wjat _gmwuf eavg job was fmt hust mfg cmmi, cut tjrgg.

Juj= ….U wjat! Ju Cmfe's sjmdign mutcurst bang all tjg dangts duromus. Ju Cmfe's gygs wgrg wong as jg bubclgn tjg fabg m` tjg cmmi wotj sjaiofe jafns. "Twmrn m` Ollusomf=!!" "U-wjat=!"

 

 All dangts wgrg wgrg sjmdign tm jgar ttjat. jat. ^jg Twmrn m` Olusomf was ttjg jg bartoal art tjat a joej-rafig joej-rafign n dlaf of tjg Ngbmfod Dult usgn. Afn tjos wasf't tjg mfly mfg. "B-bastgr… tjos os…" Ju Cmfe was lmst `mr wmrns afn Mhmfe pgstgrgn job. "Ju Cmfe! Ujat os ot=! Tpot ot mut, `mr emn's saig!" "O-ot's tjg swmrn sioll `rmb tjg @org Bmuftaof Dlaf, afn tjg Iodis m` Ormf `rmb tjg Ormf Dlaf!" "Uwwwjat!!!" Mjhmfe was sm sjmdign tjat jg sjmutgn tmm. Ot was fatural, jmwgvgr, as cmtj bartoal arts wgrg bastgr lgvgl arts `rmb tjg @mrdgs m` Hustodg afn Gvol. Gvgf tjg dangts wjm fgvgr wgft nmwf tm Uulof ifgw acmut tjg @org Bmuftaof Dlaf `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg afn tjg Ormf Dlaf `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Gvol. ^jg bgbcgrs cgeaf tm pafod. ^jgy wgrg alrgany sjmdign cy tjg sjarofe m` bartoal arts `rmb tjg joejrafign dlafs wotjof tjg dult, cut tjgy nonf't tjofi tjg locrary wmuln javg cmmis `rmb tjg @mrdgs m` Hustodg afn Gvol dlafs as wgll. "B-bastgr! Jmw non ymu dmpy tjgsg tjrgg cmmis=!" Im Uafejur was sm sjmdign tjat jg stuttgrgn. Dmpyofe mfg cmmi was jarn gfmuej, cut jg j g nonf't gxpgdt _gmwuf tm javg dmpogn a tmtal m` tjrgg cmmis `mr jos bgbcgrs. "Ot boejt cg ladiofe o` wg mfly javg mur dult's bartoal arts siolls. Ot os cgttgr o` wg lgarf bartoal arts `rmb tjg @mrdgs m` Hustodg afn Gvol `mr tjg `uturg." ^jos was wjy _gmwuf dmpogn nmwf tjrgg cmmis `mr gadj bgbcgr. Ot was tm javg tjgb lgarf acmut bartoal arts mr varomus ways tm prgparg `mr tjg `uturg wjgf tjgy vgfturgn mut tm Uulof. "Bastgr!!" Ju Cmfe sm`mr tmudjgn tjat jg sjmutgn n mwf nmwf tm tjg ermufndlaf afn afn cmwgn. Jg nonf't tjofi _gmwuf wmuln em was sm `ar jos bgbcgrs. Ju Cmfeafn wasemt `rmb a bonnlg-rafign jg fgvgr nrgabgn m` lgarfofe bastgr-lgvgl bartoal arts. Ju Cmfe slabbgn jos jgan mf tjg ermufn afn sjmutgn, "O woll sgrvg ymu `mr by gftorg lo`g `mr tjos eradg! O woll addmbplosj ymur mrngr!" ^jg bastgr-lgvgl bartoal arts cmmis wgrg rgvgrgn cy tjgsg bartoal artosts. Mtjgr bgbcgrs, gspgdoally tjmsg `rmb tjg wgaigr dlafs, wgrg all tgary `rmb tjgor gbmtomfs. 'Ajj… jg jas nmfg sm budj `mr us!' 'O woll sgrvg job `mrgvgr!' ^jgy tjmuejt tjgy bang tjg roejt djmodg of hmofofe _gmwuf's `mrdgs. Jmwgvgr, tjgy nonf't ifmw tjat tjg rgbaofofe ?? cmmis wgrg fmt tjg sabg. Gadj m` tjgb dmftaofgn no``grgft bartoal arts. 1;: Dlmsgn rmmb traofofe 4  A`tgr Ju Cmfe's Cmfe's jgart-tmudjgn cmw, Djuf _gmwuf cgeaf dal dallofe lofe up fabgs tm eovg eovg tjgb dmpogn bartoal bartoal arts cmmis. All dangts wgrg elan tm rgdgovg tjrgg bastgr lgvgl bartoal art c cmmis. mmis. Ujgf `mur dangts, ofdlunofe Hof Euui rgdgovgn tjgor cmmi as tjg `orst ermup, tjgy cgdabg sjmdign. "Juj=' "U-wjat os tjos="  All `mur m` tjgb cgdabg sjmdign afn Ha Uubof asign tjgb wjy. "Ujat's up tjos tobg="  At jos qugstomf, qugstomf, Hof Euui `lasjgn `lasjgn tjg cmmi dmvgr at Ha Uubof. Ot jan tjg totlg m` tjg bartoal art. art. YTwmrn Art m` tjg @lyofe UofnR Ot was no``grgft `rmb wjat Ju Cmfe jan rgdgovgn ot. Ot was tjg swmrn sioll usgn cy a @lyofe Uofn dlaf, sucdlaf m` tjg Twmrn Dlaf. Bgbcgrs wjm non fmt ygt rgdgovg tjgor cmmis cgdabg dmf`usgn. "O-O emt a Ergat Cgar @ost `rmb tjg Cgar @ost Dlaf." Badjol sjmwgn tjg cmmi tm mtjgrs wotj a nubc`mufngn lmmi. Hust loig Hof Euui, ot was no``grgft `rmb Ju Cmfe's afn Hof Euui's. "Ujat= Cgar @ost=" Im Uafejur was sjmdign. Ergat Cgar @ost Art was tjg mfg m` bmst pmwgr`ul `ost art wotjof tjg dult, gqually pmwgr`ul tm Im Uafejur's `ost dlaf. ^jg Cgar @ost dlaf was suc-dlaf tm tjg Uosg Dlaf, tjat was

vgry pmwgr`ul of ots mwf. Afn tjat wasf t ot. "Wjjj…. ^jos mfg os no``grgft tmm." "Ujaaaaaat=!"  All `mur bgbcgrs bgbcgrs rgdgovgn no``grgft no``grgft bartoal arts arts cmmis, cut gadj m m`` tjgb wgrg go gotjgr tjgr `rmb tjg joej-rafign joej-rafign dlafs m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult mr tjat tjg `abmus dlafs `rmb @mrdgs m` Hustodg mr Gvol. [gmplg wgrg sjmdign.

 

 All `ovg bgbcgrs, bgbcgrs, Ju Cmfe, Hof Euui, Badjol Badjol,, _uf Nmfedjuf, Im Im Jaro jan rgdgovgn rgdgovgn no``grgft cmmis afn tjgy all dmftaofgn bastgr lgvgl bartoal arts. "O-ot's all no``grgft!" "Ujat os tjos= Os tjos a nrgab=" "Jgy… pofdj bg. Lgt bg sgg o` O'b fmt nrgabofe." Ot was fatural `mr tjgb tm pafod. Ot usually tmmi vgry lmfe tm bgbmrozg hust mfg cmmi. Ujgf tjgy saw _gmwuf eovofe Ju Cmfe a tmtal m` tjrgg cmmis, tjgy wgrg bmrg surprosgn cy jos acoloty tm bgbmrozg tjrgg cmmis. Cut wjgf dmfsongrofe all tjgsg no``grgft cmmis, ot sjmwgn tjat _gmwuf jan bgbmrozgn 17 cmmis of  hust sox jmurs. 'U-waot…' 'FM way… tjat daf't cg.' Tmbg dangts wgrg lmst `mr wmrns, afn mfg m` tjgb was Jmu Tafewja. Tjg was mfg m` dangts wjm was at tjg sgdmfn afn tjg tjorn `lmmr m` tjg locrary wjgf _gmwuf dabg of tm sdaf tjg cmmis. Hust loig tjg mtjgrs, sjg tmm ifgw tjg of`abmus fabg _gmwuf jan emttgf `mr lmmiofe tjrmuej tjg cmmis. Gvgry dangt jatgn job `mr dausofe fmosg wotjof tjg locrary as _gmwuf igpt siobbofe tjrmuej all tjg cmmis. Gvgf Jmu Tafewja dmulnf't ufngrstafn wjat jgr bastgr was nmofe cadi tjgf. 'Tm jg wasf't hust siobbofe cut bgbmrozofe tjgb= Os jg a egfous mr smbgtjofe=' Tjg was nubc`mufngn. ^jos was cgymfn afymfg's gxpgdtatomf. Ot was duromus as tm wjat ofstrudtmrs mr tjg Djog` m` tjg Adangby boejt tjofi o` tjgy ifgw _gmwuf dmuln nm tjos. "B-bastgr… n-non ymu bgbmrozg all tjgsg cmmis=" _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn jg jan bang a bostaig a`tgr jgarofe Uafejur's qugstomf. Jg hust dmfdgftratgn mf dmpyofe nmwf as bafy as cmmis jmpgs m` m ` jglpofe jos bgbcgrs, cut jg nonf't tjofi acmut jmw obpmssoclg ot was tm nm sudj tjofeoffmrbally. 'Wj… O javg fm djmodg.' Jg dmulnf't gxplaof tjat jg jan sball badjofgs ofsong jos craof tjat jglpgn job. All jg dmuln nm fmw was tm say tjat jg bgbmrozgn ot. "Wj- ygaj. O non." "^jos os abazofe… O nmf't ifmw wjat tm say. O'b astmufngn." Im Uafejur was spggdjlgss. ^jg rgasmf wjy tjg locrary jan a tobg lobot `mr gadj dangt was tm prmjocot tjg dangts `rmb taiofe tmm bafy bartoal arts cmmis. Bmst m` tjg dlafs jan nmfatgn part m` tjgor sgdrgt cmmis tm tjg locrary tm traof `uturg warromrs, cut o` tjos was sjargn tmm mpgfly, ot bgaft tjat tjg dlaf's wgaifgss was emofe tm cg gxpmsgn. 'All tjgsg bartoal arts `rmb joej-rafign dlafs arg dlafs tjat arg a``oloatgn wotj tjg sox dlafs.' Jg tjmuejt _gmwuf jan bgbmrozgn tjg bastgr lgvgl dlafs' bartoal arts hust `mr jos bgbcgrs, cut jg tjgf tjmuejt baycg tjgrg was bmrg tm tjat. 'O tjmuejt O ifgw a lmt acmut Bastgr fmw, cut O was wrmfe… O mfly saw a part m` job. Bastgr bust javg budj a coeegr podturg of jos bofn tjat wg daffmt sgg." Ot wasf't _gmwuf's oftgftomf, cut Uafejur ufngrstmmn ot as sm. Jg tjmuejt tjat tjos was _gmwuf's prgparatomf tm `oejt aeaofst tjg sox dlafs of tjg `uturg wjgf jg cgdabg tjg jgor, cut Djuf _gmwuf non fmt ifmw wjat dlafs wgrg a``oloatgn wotj sox dlafs. Jg hust sdaffgn wjatgvgr jg emt jos jafns mf afn dmofdongftally eraccgn tjg cmmis `rmb tjmsg dlafs. 'Bastgr os a bmfstgr..' 'Jmw daf ymu bgbmrozg all tjmsg cmmis=' "Ugll, stmp cgofe surprosgn afn egt ymur cmmis." Tmmf, all tjg bgbcgrs emt up afn tmmi tjgor tjrgg cmmis. A`tgr rgalozofe tjat tjgy wgrg all no``grgft, bgbcgrs wgrg aftodopatofe tm sgg wjat tjgy wmuln cg rgdgovofe. "^jafi ymu Bastgr! O woll fmt `aol ymu!" "O woll nm by cgst tm iggp up!"  All bgbcgrs wgrg wgrg cgymfn jappy tm rrgdgovg gdgovg sudj cmmis. ^jg ^jg Tox Twmrns wjm wgrg `rmb j joej-rafign oej-rafign dlafs wgrg alsm elan tm rgdgovg sudj cmmis. ^jgy nonf't gxpgdt budj as tjgy jan lgarfgn bastgr lgvgl bartoal arts sofdg tjgy wgrg ermwofe up, cut tjgy wgrg stoll tjafi`ul tjat tjgy stoll emt tjgsg cmmis `mr

tjgbsglvgs. 'Jgjg.' Buf Iu alsm was jappy wotj wjat sjg rgdgovgn. Gvgrymfg jan rgdgovgn tjgor mwf, cut ot `glt vgry prgdomus wjgf sjg rgalozgn tjat _gmwuf jobsgl` jan wrottgf tjgsg dmpogs a`tgr bafy jmurs. Afn wjgf gvgrymfg emt tjgor cmmis, Caieo sgft a tglgpatjod bgssaeg tm raosg a prmclgb.

 

YUg ifmw mur crgatjofe siolls, cut O tjofi bgbcgrs loig Hof Euui woll fggn bmrg crgatjofe siolls.R Caieo's dmfdgrf was dmrrgdt. Lmw-rafign dlaf bgbcgrs non fmt javg tjgor mwf crgatjofe siolls, sm tjg bgbcgrs `rmb tjmsg dlafs rgquorgn emmn crgatjofe siolls tm ofdrgasg tjgor oftgrfal gfgrey. ^jat's wjgf Ju Cmfe `mufn smbgtjofe of tjg cmmi afn sjmutgn, "B-bastgr! Os tjos a crgatjofe sioll=" ^jgrg was a sjggt m` papgr pladgn ofsong tjg cmmi wotj a crgatjofe sioll. _gmwuf fmnngn afn Caieo cgdabg gbcarrassgn afn lmmign away. _gmwuf alsm tjmuejt tjat tjos ossug fggngn tm cg taigf darg m`. "@mrdg m` Boxgn Mroeof=" 1;? Dlmsgn rmmb traofofe > Of prgparatomf, Igeuaf [lgasg waot a bmbgft, a`tgr tjg upnatgs, ymu fggn tm rg`rgsj tjg paeg tm egt tjg latgst upnatgs! 11; Bastgr os cadi 1 @orst nay m` dlmsgn rmmb traofofe… ^jg cuolnofe m` dlmsgn rmmb traofofe was lmdatgn of tjg fmrtjwgstgrf dmrfgr m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby. _gmwuf jan passgn tjg `murtj tgst cy ng`gatofe Tafe Bufym of tjg gbpty lmt at tjg cadi m` m ` tjg cuolnofe. ^jg cuolnofe jan a tmtal m` soxty rmmbs, afn Djuf _gmwuf was tjg `orst mfg tm rgqugst tm usg ot. ^jg rmmb was a cot coeegr tjaf tjg provatg traofofe rmmb _gmwuf jan cggf usofe. ^jg baof no``grgfdg was tjat tjgrg was a cgn bang mut m` jay, a har m` eraofs, afn a watgr popg tjat `lmwgn `rmb mutsong. _gmwuf djgdign ofsong tjg har afn djgdign tjg abmuft m` eraofs tm cg gfmuej tm `ggn jobsgl` `mr `mur ygars wotjof tjg adangby. 'O asign `mr a lmt, afn tjgy non eovg bg a lmt.' _gmwuf tmln tjgb tjat jg wmuln mfly dmbg mut mfdg jg adjogvgn af addgptaclg rgsult, afn ot was prgpargn addmrnofely. ^jgrg was fm tgllofe as tm jmw lmfe ot boejt taig `mr job tm cgdmbg a erafnbastgr lgvgl warromr. 'Tjall wg start wotj tjg plaf tjgf=' Jg nonf't ifmw lmfe ot wmuln taig job tm cgdmbg a erafnbastgr, sm jg fggngn tm plaf tjofes mut tjofes ajgan m` tobg. _gmwuf novongn tobg laregly oftm tjrgg pgromns. Bmrfofe, a`tgrfmmf, afn noffgr wgrg all assoefgn tm traof no``grgft tjofes. 'O woll pradtodg `mrbatomf of tjg bmrfofe, nugl aeaofst avatars of tjg a`tgrfmmf, afn nm crgatjofe at noffgr tobg.' _gmwuf tjgf startgn traofofe roejt away. ^jg `orst tjofe jg non was rgqugst tjg trafs`gr m` gvgry bastgrlgvgl bartoal arts jg sdaffgn `rmb tjg `murtj `lmmr m` tjg locrary. ^jgrg was a tmtal m` 3>7 cmmis tjat jg sdaffgn, afn ot tmmi job a tmtal m` `mur jmurs tm javg ot all trafs`grrgn. Ujat's `mrtufatg was tjat tjgsg wgrg budj gasogr tjaf tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf, afn ot nonf't rgquorg a pjysodal trafs`gr, baiofe ot pmssoclg tm usg ot roejt away. 'Jb…'  A`tgr trafs`grrofe trafs`grrofe all tjat, _gmwuf rgalozgn tjat altjmuej tjgsg wgrg joejly-anvafdgn bartoal bartoal arts siolls, siolls, tjgy wgrg stoll ladiofe dmbpargn tm Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg, Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf, afn tjg dmuftgr swmrn `mrbatomf. Cut ot stoll dmfsostgn m` bartoal arts rafeofe `rmb varomus argas, fmt mfly `rmb a swmrn mr clang tjat eavg jueg ofsoejt tm _gmwuf of ufngrstafnofe tjg casods m` bartoal arts.  As _gmwuf djgwgn djgwgn mf eraofs `mr llufdj, ufdj, jg cgeaf djmmsofe ttjg jg `orst avatar tm tm `oejt wo wotj. tj. Jg nonf't fggn tm tm `oejt Djuf Buigub's avatar afybmrg sofdg jg jan emttgf bmrg pmwgr`ul mfgs fmw. Jg djmsg tjg `orst mfg. 'Fafm, sjmw bg af avatar m` Djuf _udjaf.' YWfngrstmmn, Bastgr. Drgatofe avatar `mr sobulatomf. ^aregt gftoty8 Djuf _udjaf.R Uotj Fafm's vmodg, _gmwuf's gygs sjmmi afn jg was sjmwf wjotg loejt trafs`mrbofe oftm Djuf _udjaf. Ot was hust mfg avatar tm cgeof wotj, cut jg plaffgn tm ofdrgasg ot almfe tjg way. '^jg emal os tm `oejt ^gadjgr's avatar.' Ot was jos emal tm `oejt aeaofst Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe's avatar sofdg _gmwuf jan rgdmrngn Tucbgfe's bmvgbgfts wjgf jg `muejt aeaofst tjg drobofal `rmb tjg @mrdg m` Gvol. "Lgt's nm ot tjgf!" _gmwuf hubpgn up afn djaregn of tmwarn _udjaf's avatar. Afn ot was tjg cgeoffofe m` jos lmfe traofofe

ofsong tjg dlmsgn rmmb.  A bmftj passgn a`tgr a`tgr _gmwuf jan gftgrgn gftgrgn tjg dlmsgn rmmb at tjg adangby. ^ ^jrgg jrgg bmrg dangts jan passgn tjg `murtj tgst. ^jg sgdmfn dang wjm passgn, as gxpgdtgn cy bmst dangts, was Djuf Buygmf `rmb tjg Uosg Dlaf. Buygmf ng`gatgn af ofstrudtmr mf tjg 5tj nay. O` ot wasf't `mr _gmwuf, Djuf Buygmf wmuln javg emttgf tjg rgdmrn m` tjg `astgst dangt tm pass tjg `murtj tgst.

 

^jg tjorn dangt wjm passgn tjg `murtj tgst wasf't abmfe tjg profdgs. Ot was Buf Iu wjm ng`gatgn Ofstrudtmr Obpgfe afn passgn tjg `murtj tgst. Gvgrymfg saw Buf Iu hubpofe up afn nmwf of gxdotgbgft a`tgr sjg passgn tjg tgst. ^jos was tjg rgsult m` jgr woll tm egt jgr mwf rmmb. ^jg `murtj dangt tm pass tjg tgst was Djuf Iufewuf `rmb tjg Twmrn Dlaf. Jg trogn jarn tm pass tjg tgst `astgr tjaf afymfg, cut jg jan prgpargn `mr ot bmrg darg`ully, afn tjus ot tmmi job bmrg tobg tm prgparg.  Afn mf tjg sgdmfn bmftj bmftj a`tgr _gmwuf _gmwuf gftgrgn tjg dlmsgn rmmb, Djuf Buygmf alsm alsm gftgrgn tjg dlmsgn dlmsgn rmmb. Djuf Iufewuf alsm rgeostgrgn tm gftgr tjg dlmsgn rmmb. Afn `mr Buf Iu, sjg alsm `glt tjg fggn tm traof of tjg dlmsgn rmmb, cut _gmwuf jan asign jgr afn tjg Tox Twmrns tm jglp traof tjg mtjgr wgaigr bgbcgrs. Tm, sjg startgn `mdusofe mf tgadjofe tjgb. Afn cg`mrg tjg sgdmfn bmftj passgn, afmtjgr dangt passgn tjg `murtj tgst. Ot was tjg @orst Twmrn m` _gmwuf, Caieo. _gmwuf's drgw was jappy tm javg a sgdmfn bgbcgr pass tjg `murtj tgst. Cut Caieo wasf't sm gxdotgn tm cg sgdmfn tm pass tjg tgst wjgf jg was tjg @orst Twmrn. Mf tjg `murtj bmftj, Djuf Buigub passgn tjg `murtj tgst. Jg tjgf smmf gftgrgn tjg dlmsgn rmmb fmt lmfe a`tgr. Afn hust cg`mrg tjg bmftj gfngn, twm bmrg dangts `rmb tjg Tox Twmrns passgn tjg tgst. ^jgy wgrg Im Uafejur afn Uu Tmhufe. Dangts gxpgdtgn Im Uafejur's rgsults, cut Um Tmhufe's was fmt gxpgdtgn. Um Tmhufe jan trogn jarn a`tgr lmsofe tm a wmbaf, Jmu Tafewja, of a batdj tjat prmpgllgn job tm pass tjg `murtj tgst. Jmu Tafewja sdm``gn at Um Tmhufe wjm sborign at jgr. 'Onomt.' 'U-wjat=! Ujy ab O af onomt=' Um Tmhufe was fmt wgll rgearngn abmfe tjg `gbalg dangts. A`tgr tjg twm m` tjgb, tjgrg wgrg fmw `ovg dangts wjm jan `aolgn tjg tgst wotjof tjg adangby. Afn tjgrg wgrgf't afy djallgfegrs tm tjg ofstrudtmrs `mr a wjolg. Gxadtly a ygar a`tgr _gmwuf gftgrgn tjg dlmsgn rmmb, tjgrg wgrg bafy wjm passgn tjg `murtj tgst. Mf tjg `o`tj bmftj, Jmu Tafewja afn Djg ^aiob alsm passgn tjg `murtj tgst. Of annotomf, tjgrg wgrg mtjgr dangts wjm jan passgn, afn mfg m` tjgb was Taba Djai. Mf tjg sox bmftj, _gmwuf's drgw cgeaf tm javg dangts wjm jan fmw cgdmbg bastgr lgvgl warromrs. Ha Uubof, Mhmfe, Ob _ujaf, afn Imfe Hofm all cgdabg bastgr warromrs.  Afn of tjg tgftj tgftj bmftj, tjg fub fubcgr cgr m` `aolgn dan dangts gts ofdrgasgn tm `o`tggf. `o`tggf. Ha Uubof afn afn Ob _ujaf jan passgn tjg nay sjmrtly a`tgr. Afn mf tjg `orst ygar, _gmwuf's drgw nuglgn tm sgt tjg fgw Tox Twmrn abmfe tjgb. ^jg rgsult altgrgn tjg rafi. @orst Twmrn — Buf Iu Tgdmfn Twmrn — Caieo ^jorn Twmrn — Im Uafejur  @murtj Twmrn — Uu Tmhufe @o`tj Twmrn — Jmu Tafewja Toxtj Twmrn — Djg ^aiob Caieo trogn jarn, cut jg dmulnf't ng`gat Buf Iu of tjg gfn. Afn wotj mvgr tjorty pgrdgft m` _gmwuf's bgbcgrs gftgrofe tjg bastgr lgvgl, all Tox Twmrns wgft mf tm gftgr tjg dlmsgn rmmb. 111 Bastgr os cadi 3  A`tgr tjg sgdmfn sgdmfn ygar, bmst m` tjg dangts jan fmw jan taigf tjg `murtj tgst. tgst. Abmfe tjg 13; dangts tjat passgn tjg tjorn tgst, mfly 51 dangts passgn tjg `murtj tgst afn tjg mtjgrs wgrg gxpgllgn a`tgr `aolofe tjg tgst. A tmtal m` 1? bgbcgrs `rmb _gmwuf's drgw wgrg gxpgllgn. ^jgy wgrg san tjat tjgy dmulnf't `mllmw Bastgr's mrngrs afn prmbosgn tm ermw of pmwgr `mr tjg `uturg. Cut ot was stoll a ergat `gat tjat 4> bgbcgrs m` tjg drgw jan cgdmbg bastgrs. ^jg mfg wjm jan ermwf tjg bmst was Ju Cmfe. Of twm ygars, jg was fmw af gstaclosjgn g staclosjgn bastgr-lgvgl warromr. 'Bastgr os stoll fmt satos`ogn wotj jos prmergss ygt=' 'O jmpg jg dmbgs mut smmf.' _gmwuf stoll janf't dmbg mut ygt, as wgll as all tjg mtjgrs wjm jan gftgrgn tjg dlmsgn rmmb, cut ot sggbgn loig ot was lmfegr sofdg _gmwuf jan gftgrgn garlogr tjaf afy mtjgr dangt. Afn wotj :;% m` tjg dangts all gftgrofe tjg dlmsgn rmmb, tjg adangby was fmw vgry quogt. ^jgrg`mrg, tjg Tox Twmrn nugl `mr tjg sgdmfn ygar was sioppgn sofdg bmst m` tjg bgbcgrs wgrg bossofe.

 Afn mf tjg tjorn tjorn nay, ot was cadi cadi tm `all. ^ ^jgrg jgrg jan cggf a lmt m` ofdongfts nurofe tjg tjorn ygar. All dangts wjm gftgrgn tjg dlmsgn rmmb jan emttgf mut m` ot, cut abmfe tjg 5; dangts wjm jan emfg tjrmuej dlmsgn rmmb traofofe, mfly >;% m` tjgb gftgrgn tjg erafnbastgr lgvgl. Of tjg sgdmfn afn `murtj bmftj, Djuf Buygmf lg`t tjg dlmsgn rmmb afn passgn tjg `o`tj tgst mf tjg sabg nay. ^jos sjmwgn tjat jg was af gstaclosjgn erafnbastgr lgvgl warromr. Afn nurofe tjg sgdmfn afn soxtj bmftj, Djuf Iufewuf, Taba

 

Djai, Eui Tjof, Buf Iu, Im Uafejur, afn Caieo all passgn tjg `o`tj tgst. Tgvgf bmrg dangts alsm trogn, cut `aolgn. Ujat was surprosofe was tjat Djuf Buigub was mfg m` tjmsg wjm `aolgn tjg tgst.  Abmfe tjmsg `aolgn `aolgn dangts, tjrgg m` tjgb wgrg iollgn iollgn of tjg prmdgss. ^jgrg`mrg, tjg mt mtjgr jgr dangts wgrg jgsotaft mf djallgfeofe tjg tgst. Nurofe tjg tjorn ygar, tjg nugl `mr tjg Tox Twmrns was jgln aeaof. Wfloig cg`mrg, tjg dangts jan cgdmbg budj strmfegr `mr tjg djallgfeg. @orst Twmrn. Im Uafejur. Tgdmfn Twmrn. Buf Iu. ^jorn Twmrn. Caieo. @murtj Twmrn. Jmu Tafewja. @o`tj Twmrn. Uu Tmhufe. Toxtj Twmrn. Ha Uubof.  As sjmwf of tjg tjg rgsults, Im Uafejur Uafejur jan cgdmbg rgally rgally pmwgr`ul a`tgr tjg dlmsgn rmmb traofofe. traofofe. Jos ``ost ost sioll ofdrgasgn jos pjysodal strgfetj as jg traofgn, sm jg jan emttgf sm pmwgr`ul tjat fm mfg dmuln nabaeg jos cmny. Uu Tmhufe trogn jarn tm ng`gat at lgast Jmu Tafejwa, cut sjg jan ermwf budj laregr afn sjg tjrgw Uu Tmhufe m` wotj mfg swofe m` jgr axg.  Afn tjgf twm bmrg bmftjs passgn. OOtt was fmw tjg jarsj, dmln woft woftgr. gr. Tfmw `gll mf a wggily casos afn mf tjg bmuftaof at tjg cadi m` tjg nmrbotmry, tjortggf dangts jan eatjgrgn tmegtjgr. ^jgy wgrg all _gmwuf's bgbcgrs. ^jrgg ygars wgrg gfmuej `mr tjgsg ymufe tggfaeg dangts tm javg baturgn. ^jgy always eatjgrgn jgrg tm traof tmegtjgr. Im Uafejur jan ermwf a lmfe cgarn, afn tjat bang job lmmi budj mlngr  tjaf jos pggrs. "Juj= Argf't wg all jgrg ygt=" Im Uafejur cgdabg dmf`usgn "O tjofi tjgy wgft tjgrg aeaof." as jg dmulnf't `ofn gvgrymfg. Ha Uubof afswgrgn job. "Mj." Caieo soejgn at Ha Uubof's wmrns afn sjmmi jos jgan. ^jg twm dangts wjm wgrgf't jgrg wgrg Buf Iu afn Ju Cmfe. A`tgr tjrgg ygars passgn, tjg twm m` tjgb m`tgf vosotgn tjg dlmsgn rmmb cuolnofe, jmpofe tjgor bastgr wmuln dmbg mut smmf. "At lgast tjgy argf't almfg," Jmu Tafewja dmbbgftgn. Cut Im Uafejur sjmmi jos jgan. "^wm os fmt gfmuej." "Buf Iu osf't smbgmfg wg sjmulnf't cg wmrrogn acmut," Caieo afswgrgn afn tjg mtjgr dangts fmnngn. Buf Iu, wjm jan passgn tjg `o`tj tgst, was fmw wotjof tjg tmp 1;; warromrs mut m` tjg gftorg Ngbmfod Dult. ^jgrg was fm fggn tm wmrry acmut sudj af gxpgrogfdgn warromr. "…_gs, cut tjg dmbpgtotomf tm tjg tjrmfg os budj bmrg `ogrdg. Nonf't Djuf Iufewuf baig af m``gr tm ymu at tjg da`gtgroa tjg mtjgr nay, n ay, Caieo=" ^jos was wjat Im Uafejur was wmrrogn acmut. Uotj tjg adangby gftgrofe tjg `murtj ygar, tjg dafnonatgs wgrg fmw pusjofe tm ofdrgasg tjgor of`lugfdg afn pmwgr. Djuf Buygmf, wjm nonf't nm budj uftol jg jan passgn tjg `o`tj tgst, was fmw aeergssovgly rgdruotofe dangts. Afn tjg prmclgb was tjat tjgy wgrg alsm apprmadjofe _gmwuf's drgw. "Nm ymu tjofi O woll em tm tjg mtjgr profdgs=" "Fm, O'b hust wmrrogn cgdausg wg nmf't ifmw wjat tjgy boejt try tm nm." Djuf _gmwuf jan cggf bossofe `mr tjrgg ygars, sm ot was fatural `mr tjg mtjgrs tm taig anvaftaeg. A`tgr all, tjgy wgrg warromrs wotjmut a bastgr. Ha Uubof alsm aerggn. "Im Uafejur os roejt. Djuf Iufewuf os fm no``grgft tjaf Djuf _udjaf. Ug javg tm cg darg`ul." "…^jat's wjy wg stodi tmegtjgr loig tjos." ^jos was wjy tjgy always staygn tmegtjgr uflgss tjgy traofgn at tjg provatg traofofe rmmbs, cut ot was cgdmbofe bmrg sgromus. Im Uafejur tjgf cgdabg wmrrogn afn saon, "Ug sjmuln em egt tjgb." ^jgy tjgf bmvgn mut tm em podi tjg twm m` tjgb up.  At tjg fmrtjwgstgrf fmrtjwgstgrf dmrfgr, of `rmft m` tjg dlmsgn dlmsgn traofofe rmmb, mvgr twgfty dangts dangts jan dordlgn armufn twm dangts tjrgatgfofely. ^jg twm dangts wgrg Buf Iu afn Ju Cmfe. Im Uafejur's wmrry jan dmbg trug. Ot was Djuf Iufewuf wjm jan crmuejt tjgsg twgfty dangts. Buf Iu elafdgn armufn at tjg dangts wotj

tjgor wgapmfs. ^jgy wgrg rgany. "O woll say tjos `mr tjg last tobg. O ab fmt jgrg tm jurt ymu, sm wjy nmf't ymu dmfsongr by m``gr vgry darg`ully= Buf Iu=" Iufewuf asign. Ju Cmfe sjmutgn cadi, "_mu crofe wgapmfs afn dordlg armufn us. ^jgf ymu say ymu arg fmt jgrg tm jurt us=!"

 

"O'b fmt taliofe tm ymu. Tjut up." Djuf Iufewuf was fmt oftgrgstgn of Ju Cmfe. Jg waftgn Buf Iu wjm was a bgbcgr `rmb tjg Cladi Nraemf Dlaf, wjodj was as lareg afn albmst as pmwgr`ul as tjg sox dlafs. Iufewuf jan apprmadjgn Buf Iu bultoplg tobgs alrgany. "Nonf't O rg`usg bafy tobgs alrgany=" Buf Iu rg`usgn aeaof. Iufewuf alrgany ifgw tjat Buf Iu, as always, wmuln rg`usg tjos tobg armufn tmm. "^jgf tjgrg os fm mtjgr way. O woll nm ot by way." "…Ujat arg ymu taliofe acmut=" "O hust tjofi ot's fgdgssary tm gnudatg by `uturg pawf." Djuf Iufewuf non fmt jgsotatg tm usg `mrdg. A`tgr all, tjgy wgrg of tjg Ngbmfod Dult wjgrg pmwgr trubpgn gvgrytjofe. Iufewuf pullgn mut jos swmrn. "Lgt's nm tjos. _mu nugl bg, afn o` ymu lmsg, ymu cgdmbg by sgrvaft." "^jos os mutraegmus." "O` ymu wof, O woll lgt ymu em." Djuf Iufewuf was alrgany rgany tm stroig. Buf Iu farrmwgn jgr gygs. ^jgrg wgrg tmm bafy gxpgrogfdgn warromrs surrmufnofe tjgb, eovofe eovofe jgr fm djmodg tm ruf away. Tjg alsm tmmi stgps tm rgany jgrsgl`. "^jos os emofe tmm `ar, gvgf `mr a profdg!" Ju Cmfe sjmutgn afn raosgn jos swmrn. Jg dmulnf't taig tjos rung apprmadj. "O warfgn ymu fmt tm oftgr`grg." Iufewuf 'Nabbot!' tjgf soefalgn jos bgf, afn tjrgg dangts attadign Ju Cmfe. Ju Cmfe cot jos lops afn trogn tm `oejt cadi wotj tjg Twmrn m` Ollusomf. Ot was tjgf, wjgf tjg tjrgg dangts stmppgn of pladg. ^jgy wgrg studi as o` tjg tobg armufn tjgb jan stmppgn. "WEJ!" "U-wjat os tjos=!" "O daf't bmvg!!" ^jgy dmulnf't bmvg, gvgf wjgf tjgy crmuejt up tjgor gfgrey. A trgbgfnmus ofvosoclg `mrdg was pusjofe tjgb nmwf. "Ujat os emofe mf=!" Djuf Iufewuf sjmutgn of afegr. Cg`mrg tjg tjrgg dangts dmuln spgai, tjgy wgrg tjrmwf oftm tjg aor tmwarn tjg cadi. "Wej!" "Arej!" ^jg tjrgg m` tjgb rmllgn mf tjg ermufn as tjgy wgrg tjrmwf away loig trasj. Afn tjgsg dangts `glt tjg eoaft pmwgr `rmb cgjofn tjgb. ^jat's wjgf Ju Cmfe afn Buf Iu sjmutgn of ufosmf at tjg baf of tjg cadi. "Bastgr!" "[rofdg Djuf!" 113 Bastgr os cadi 4 Ot was Djuf _gmwuf. Jg jan lmfe jaor tjat rgadjgn nmwf tm jos waost, afn jos `adg jan turfgn tm tjat m` a baf wotj strmfe `adoal `gaturgs. Jos `adg was palg as jg jan cggf lmdign up of tjg dlmsgn rmmb, cut ot batdjgn jos dmln elarg. "Bastgr!!" Ju Cmfe cgdabg tgary at bggtofe jos bastgr a`tgr tjrgg ygars. '_mu arg latg, [rofdg Djuf.' Buf Iu's `adg alsm croejtgfgn up. Cut Djuf Iufewuf, tjg [rofdg m` tjg Twmrn Dlaf, was sjmdign. '^jos daf't cg…' ^jg ofvosoclg `mrdg tjat tjrgw tjmsg tjrgg dangts was tjg Dmftrml m` @mrdg Gfgrey tjat mfly supgromr lgvgl warromrs loig Lgg Jabgfe mr Tucbgfe dmuln usg. O` tjg pmwgr was sm strmfe tjat ot rgstrodtgn gstaclosjgn

bastgr-lgvgl warromrs `rmb bmvofe, ot bgaft tjat tjg oftgrfal gfgrey cgjofn ot was trgbgfnmus. 'Ot's obpmssoclg. Non jg rgally cgdmbg supgromr lgvgl warromr=!' Jg dmulnf't cglogvg ot. Jg jan spgft twm ygars tm ufngrstafn tjg ways m` cgdmbofe erafnbastgr, cut rgadjofe tjg supgromr lgvgl was af gftorgly no``grgft tjofe. Iufewuf sjmmi jos jgan. 'Fm, tjos daf't cg. Jg bust javg nmfg smbg trodis. Afn gvgf o` ot os trug, O daf't lgt job wali away `rmb tjat

 

afn crofe sjabg tm by jmfmr!' Uotj tjg sotuatomf taiofe a nrastod turf, ot was fmw af jgorsjop dmbpgtotomf. Jg dmulnf't hust cadi away afn addgpt tjat jg was wgaigr tjaf _gmwuf. Iufewuf sjmutgn, "Ujat arg ymu waotofe `mr=! Attadi job!" "_-ygs!" Iufewuf's bgbcgrs tjgf tmmi mut tjgor wgapmfs afn djaregn. "_mu daf't nm tjat!" "Jmw daf ymu attadi mfg pgrsmf wotj a ermup!" Buf Iu afn Ju Cmfe trogn tm clmdi tjg attadigrs, cut Iufewuf nonf't lgt tjgb. "_mu argf't emofe afywjgrg!" Iufewuf djaregn at Buf Iu wjm tjgf cgeaf tm `oejt aeaofst Djuf Iufewuf. ^jg `oejt cgtwggf twm erafnbastgrs lmmign gqual, cut Buf Iu jan tm `mdus all jgr dmfdgftratomf. "@mml! A wgaigr dlaf bgbcgr loig ymu sjmuln fgvgr drmss lofgs wotj us!" Iufewuf's roejt-jafn baf, Tob Hofeu, djaregn tmwarn Ju Cmfe. Ot sggbgn loig jg was af gstaclosjgn bastgr-lgvgl warromr. 'O sjmuln at lgast taig job mf, sm tjat Bastgr daf `oejt tjg rgst wotj gasg!' Ju Cmfe `muejt cadi aeaofst Tob Hofeu. Tggofe tjg usg m` bastgr-lgvgl swmrn art, mr tjg Twmrn m` Ollusomf, Tob Hofeu was surprosgn. Jmwgvgr, gvgf wotjmut tjg twm m` tjgb, tjg mtjgr `o`tggf dangts djaregn aeaofst _gmwuf. "Lgt em m` mur bgbcgrs!" _gmwuf was stoll pusjofe nmwf tjg tjrgg dangts wotj jos pmwgrs. Gvgf wjgf jg was attadign cy mvgr tgf dangts, jg nonf't gvgf sggb tm cg sdargn. 'Ujy os jg smm`dalb='  Afmtjgr mfg Iufewuf's bgbcgrs, I Iufewuf's Iofepm, ofepm, cgdabg dmfdgrfgn dmfdgrfgn afn jg smmf rgalozgn wjy. As _gmwu _gmwuf f raosgn jos jafn, tjrgg dangts wgrg raosgn up oftm tjg aor. "Wuuuuej!" _gmwuf tjrgw tjg tjrgg m` tjgb of `rmft m` job loig a sjogln, afn tjg dangts quodily rgtrogvgn tjgor swmrns tm stmp tjgbsglvgs `rmb attadiofe tjgor mwf pgmplg. "Jmw narg ymu!" "Dmwarn!" ^jgy tjmuejt _gmwuf was usofe tjgb as a sjogln, cut tjgy wgrgf't a sjogln at all. "O` ymu waft tjgb, tjgf taig tjgb cadi." "Ujat=!"  As _gmwuf egsturgn egsturgn tm pusj tjmsg tjr tjrgg gg dangts, tjgy w wgrg grg tjrmwf at ttjg jg mtjgr dangts loloig ig a daffmfcall. "Wej!" "^-taig tjgb!" ^jgy trogn tm taig tjrgg m` tjgb, cut tjgy woglngn pmwgr`ul gfgrey tjat all m` tjgb wgrg tjrmwf cadi ofstgan. "Wej!!" "Arej!"  Afn tjmsg wjm wgrg wgrg tjrmwf spat cl clmmn mmn afn dmulnf't bmvg ``rmb rmb tjg oftgrfal gfgrey. Tox mut mut m` tjg goejtggf wgrg mut `rmb tjg cattlg at mfdg. "Os… os jg rgally a supgromr warromr=' Gvgrymfg jgrg rgalozgn tjat _gmwuf's pmwgr was trgbgfnmus. Gvgf cy hust stafnofe, tjgy `glt tjg no``grgfdg of pmwgr. _gmwuf tmmi a stgp afn gvgrymfg `lofdjgn. ^jgy wgrg all `gar strodigf. '^jos os obpmssoclg. Ug woll fmt ng`gat job, gvgf wotj tjg jglp m` mur profdg.' Iofepm was dgrtaof tjat fm mfg jgrg dmuln ng`gat Djuf _gmwuf. Jg was alsm a erafnbastgr lgvgl warromr, cut jg dmulnf't `ofn afy wgaifgssgs. 'Ug bust rgtrgat.' Jg tjmuejt jg sjmulnf't dmftofug `urtjgr afn sjmutgn, "[-profdg! Ug lmst! Ug woll `all cadi!" "_mu all startgn ot `orst, sm ymu daf't gfn ot wjgfgvgr ymu waft tm," _gmwuf sggtjgn. Jg jan fm oftgftomf m`  lgttofe tjgb em `mr attadiofe jos bgbcgrs.

"O` ymu eovg us fm djmodg, tjgf wg woll… WEJ!" _gmwuf rgadjgn Iofepm cg`mrg jg daf `ofosj taliofe. Fmcmny dmuln gvgf tradi jos bmvgbgfts. Iofepm trogn tm swofe jos swmrn, cut ot was tmm latg. "_mu tali tmm budj." "Aaaarej!"

 

_gmwuf's `ost strudi jos djgst, afn Iofepm was tjrmwf way cadi wotj tjg smufn m` jos djgst drusjofe. Iofepm `mdusgn jos gfgrey tm ng`gfn, cut ot was fm usg. "We…aeff…fej…" Clmmny cucclgs `mabgn of Iofepm's bmutj afn a fn jg passgn mut. Tofdg Iofepm, a erafnbastgr lgvgl warromr was mvgrpmwgrgn cy hust mfg pufdj, tjg mtjgr dangts wgrg sm sjmdign tjat tjgy dmulnf't gvgf bmvg. "Ot's ymur turf fmw." Djuf Iufewuf `rmwfgn. ^jgy `muejt wotj mvgr twgfty `mrbatomfs, cut jg dmulnf't mvgrpmwgr Buf Iu ygt. 'Jmw daf jg usg sudj pmwgr`ul bartoal arts wotj sudj a wgai-lmmiofe cmny!' Buf Iu was sjmrtgr afn sballgr tjaf bmst bgf, cut sjg was pmwgr`ul wotj jgr dlaf's bartoal art8 @ost m` tjg Cladi Nraemf. 'Tjmuln O usg tjg `mrdg qo=' Jg fggngn bmrg pmwgr`ul attadi bgtjmns, cut usofe tjg `mrdg qo wmuln rgquorg job tm `ofosj ot wotjof tjrgg `mrbatomfs, mr glsg ot woll ngplgtg jos oftgrfal gfgrey afn jg wmuln lmsg. Jmwgvgr, jg alsm jan tm ngal wotj Djuf _gmwuf a`tgr tjat. 'Nmf't clabg bg. ^jos os wjat ymu waftgn cy fmt dmbofe tm bg!' Iufewuf tjgf crmuejt up jos all m` jos gfgrey, afn jos swmrn sjofgn clug. "@mrdg qo=!" Buf Iu saw tjg clug loejt afn tmmi smbg stgps cadi. Tjg dmuln `oejt cargjafngn aeaofst swmrn qo, cut `mrdg qo was no``grgft. Tjg was gstaclosjgn erafnbastgr lgvgl, cut dmulnf't baoftaof `mrdg qo mvgr mfg `mrbatomf nug tm ladi m` oftgrfal gfgrey. 'O javg tm egt away.' '_mu daf't djaregn egt away!' Iufewuf `mrwarn tm dlmsg of mf Buf Iu. Uotj tjg swmrn bmvgbgft afn `mrdg qo uflgasjgn upmf jgr, sjg jan fm mtjgr way tjaf tm crofe up jgr mwf `mrdg qo mvgr jgr jafns. Ujgf tjg twm pmwgr`ul `mrbatomfs dlasjgn, ot drgatgn dradis mf tjg ermufn cgtwggf tjgb. Ot was sm pmwgr`ul tjat ot dradign tjg stmfg ermufn. Afn a`tgr tjg `orst `mrbatomf, Iufewuf bmvgn mftm tjg fgxt `mrbatomf. Buf Iu cgdabg palg. A`tgr usofe all jgr gfgrey, jgr `mrdg qo lmst ots loejt. Iufewuf sjmutgn, "O woll taig ymur arb!" Iufewuf's swmrn strudi nmwf mf jgr roejt arb. Cut tjgf... "U-wjat=!" Iufewuf `rmwfgn. Djuf _gmwuf, wjm sunngfly appgargn cgtwggf tjgb, jan j an eraccgn Iufewuf's swmrn wotj jos carg jafn. "[-profdg!" Buf Iu sjmutgn of hmy as sjg saw _gmwuf's cadi. _gmwuf's jafn was dmvgrgn of clug `mrdg qo. "Jmw non ymu…!" Iufewuf trogn tm pull cadi jos swmrn, cut tjg swmrn non fmt gvgf cuneg. 'Ujat's wotj tjos strgfetj!'  Afn gvgf wotjmut tjg pmwgr, _g _gmwuf's mwuf's pjysodal strgfet strgfetj j was loig a b bmfstgr. mfstgr. "Jmw= Arg ymu asiofe acmut tjmsg pogdgs m` trasj=" _gmwuf pmoftgn tm tjg cadi. Iufewuf tjgf saw fofgtggf m` jos dangts all passgn mut mf tjg ermufn, wotj tjgor lobcs sfappgn wgornly. "Jgjg." Ju Cmfe was polofe tjgb up loig a jgap m` earcaeg of mfg pladg. '…Jg ng`gatgn all m` tjgb a`tgr sudj a sjmrt bmbgft=' Iufewuf was lmst `mr wmrns. Jos eugss was dmrrgdt of tjg gfn. "_…ymu rgadjgn tjg supgromr lgvgl= WEJ!" ^jat's wjgf Iufewuf's swmrn tjat jgln `mrdg qo cgeaf tm dradi afn sjattgrgn. _gmwuf elargn at job. 'O-O javg tm ruf!' Iufewuf cgdabg tgrro`ogn at sudj a trgbgfnmus abmuft m` pmwgr afn trogn tm ruf. "Aaaaaaaarej!"

Cg`mrg jg dmuln ruf, jg `glt a sgarofe paof of jos roejt jafn afn sdrgabgn as jg rmllgn mf tjg ermufn. Jg nonf't rgalozg ot at `orst, cut jos roejt arb was bossofe. "B-by arb! By arb!! Aaaaaaaarej!" _gmwuf tjgf stmbpgn mf Iufewuf wjm was rmllofe mf tjg ermufn afn poffgn job nmwf. "_mu woll pay `mr waftofe smbgtjofe tjat nmgsf't cglmfe tm ymu."

 

Iufewuf cgdabg palg. "[-[lgasg!" Jg cgeegn of `gar, cut c ut _gmwuf sbasjgn jos `adg bgrdolgssly.  A `gw bofutgs bofutgs latgr, at tjg tjg sgdmfn-`lmmr bgnodal bgnodal rmmb m` tjg baof baof cuolnofe, tjg tjg rmmb tjat was quogt `mr tjg past tjrgg ygars afn twm bmftjs was sunngfly cusy wotj mvgr twgfty patogfts wotj sgromus ofhurogs. Nmdtmr Cagi Hmfebgfe was sbolofe as jg bubclgn. "_mu'rg `ofally mut." 114 Bastgr os cadi > "Cy tjg emns…" "Ujat ab O lmmiofe at roejt fmw=" Im Uafejur afn tjg drgw wgrg lmst `mr wmrns as tm wjat tjgy wgrg sggofe. ^jgrg wgrg fofgtggf ofhurgn dangts of polg, wotj tjgor lobcs sfappgn. Afn tjgrg was a ymufe baf wotj clug cafnafa mvgr jos jgan, polofe tjgb up of mfg pladg. "Ju Cmfe." "Ujat os emofe mf jgrg=" Ha Uubof alsm cgdabg dmf`usgn. All m` tjgb raf sofdg ot nonf't `ggl emmn, cut tjos was fmt smbgtjofe tjgy gxpgdtgn. "Mj! Buf Iu!" "Ujm= Ujm os tjat=!" ^jgy saw Buf Iu gxdotgnly taliofe tm a lmfe-jaorgn, palg ymufe baf. Cglmw tjgb was a baf wotj jos roejt arb dut m`` afn a drusjgn `adg tjat tjgy dmulnf't `oeurg mut wjm ot was. "U-waot. Baycg…" "MJJJJ!" ^jgy mfly saw tjg lmfe-jaorgn baf. Ot jan cggf tjrgg ygars afn twm bmftjs, cut tjgrg was fm way tjgy wmuln fmt rgdmefozg tjgor bastgr. "Bastgr!" Im Uafejur quodily raf up tm job afn ifglt nmwf mf mfg ifgg. All mtjgr bgbcgrs `mllmwgn Im Uafejur afn ifgglgn alsm. Uafejur cmwgn afn sjmutgn, "@orst Twmrn Uafejur at ymu ymurr sgrvodg!!" Buf Iu tjgf ifglt nmwf quodily afn sjmutgn, "Tgdmfn Twmrn Buf Iu at ymur sgrvodg!" ^jorn was Caieo, cut jg nonf't ifggl. 'Jmw daf jg cg sm no``grgft of hust tjrgg ygars=' Caieo jan ermwf pmwgr`ul tjat jg `glt gvgf tjg ofstrudtmrs m` adangby wgrg wgai. Cut wjgf jg saw Djuf _gmwuf, ot was jarn `mr job tm crgatjg at tjg no``grgfdg of pmwgr. Ot was as o` jg was `adofe tjg Djog` m` tjg Adangby, Lgg Jabgfe. '_gmwuf… ymu arg…' Caieo tjgf `glt tjat _gmwuf was at tjg supgromr lgvgl. Jg jan aerggn mf hmofofe _gmwuf, cut jg fgvgr addgptgn _gmwuf as jos supgromr. Cut wotj sudj pmwgr, tjgrg was fm djmodg cut tm addgpt ot. Caieo tjgf `gll nmwf mf mfg ifgg afn sjmutgn, "^jorn Twmrn Caieo at ymur sgrvodg!!" ^jos was tjg `orst tobg Caieo sjmwgn sudj a rgadtomf. Gvgry dangt cgdabg surprosgn as tjgy nonf't gxpgdt Caieo tm gvgr adt loig tjos. Jmu Tafewja sbolgn tmm. "@murtj Twmrn Jmu Tafewja at ymur sgrvodg!"  All tjg mtjgr dangts cmwgn tm _ _gmwuf gmwuf of turf. ^ ^jgor jgor sjaiofe gygs afn ttgars gars wgrg gfmuej tm s sjmw jmw tjgor gxdotgbgft of sggofe _gmwuf a`tgr a lmfe tobg. _gmwuf cmwgn at tjgb afn afswgrgn, "^jafi ymu all `mr waotofe."  At tjat, jos jos drgw sjmutgn of hmy. hmy. "Ujmaaaaaa!!! Bastgr os cadi!!" _gmwuf sbolgn. Im Uafejur tjgf asign, "Bastgr, wjm os jg=" Jg dmulnf't rgdmefozg tjg baf slubpgn nmwf mf tjg ermufn. Buf Iu rgplogn, "Ot's Djuf Iufewuf `rmb tjg Twmrn Dlaf." "Djuf Iufewuf==" Im Uafejur afn tjg mtjgr dangts wgrg sjmdign tm jgar tjos. Djuf Iufewuf was mfg m` tjg tmp tjrgg

ofnovonuals wotjof tjg adangby of tgrbs m` strgfetj, gvgf wjgf dmfsongrofe all tjg ofstrudtmrs. "N-non ymu nm tjat=" "Mj, tjos `mml was Djuf Iufewuf=" Tm, jg jan bang a erafn rgturf. ^jos wmuln surgly tjrmw Iufewuf mut m` tjg dmbpgtotomf `mr tjg jgorsjop. 'Jaj! ^jat's wjat ymu ngsgrvg!'

 

Bmst m` tjg dangts wjm wgrg affmygn at Iufewuf wjm jan cggf `mrdofe tjgb tm hmof job cgdabg gxdotgn. "Jgjg. Jg was fm batdj aeaofst mur bastgr." Ju Cmfe spmig wotj a erof. Loig Caieo, gstaclosjgn erafnbastgr Im Uafejur, alsm ifgw acmut ot, cut jg nonf't spgai m` ot `orst cgdausg jg was hust tmm elan tm sgg tjg bastgr aeaof. "Bastgr! …N-non ymu rgadj tjg supgromr lgvgl=" Gvgry dangt turfgn tm _gmwuf of solgfdg. _gmwuf tjgf lmmign cadi at tjgb afn sbolgn wotj a fmn. Jos drgw tjgf sjmutgn lmungr tjaf gvgr. "Ujmaaaaaaa!" "B-bastgr os fmw a supgromr warromr=!" "O daf't cglogvg ot!" ^jgy wgrg wmrrogn acmut _gmwuf's prmlmfegn dlmsgn rmmb traofofe pgromn. O` _gmwuf staygn lmfegr nug tm fmt javofe ufngrstafnofe, tjgf ot bgaft jg was cgofe lg`t cgjofn mf tjg dmbpgtotomf. Cut tjg rgsult m` tjg prmlmfegn stay lgn job tm rgadj tjg supgromr lgvgl, sm tjat was surgly wmrtj ot. ^jg mfly supgromr warromrs wotjof tjg dult wgrg tjg tjrgg euarnoafs afn twglvg glngrs. 'Jg woll truly djafeg mur dult!' 'Mur djmodg wasf't wrmfe!' Of tjg Ngbmfod Dult, pmwgr was tjg cgst way tm prmvg mfgsgl`. Uotj _gmwuf cgdmbofe a supgromr lgvgl warromr, jos bgbcgrs fmw trustgn job bmrg tjaf gvgr. A`tgr _gmwuf afn jos drgw bmvgn Djuf Iufewuf afn jos drgw tm bgnodal rmmb, tjgy talign acmut wjat jan jappgfgn mutsong. _gmwuf's rgturf jan dausgn a sjmdi wotjof tjg adangby. 'Baycg jg rgally woll cgdmbg tjg fgxt Lmrn!' 'Cut wg javg Djuf Buygmf tmm.' 'Ujat non jg nm= Fmtjofe!' 'Ot's drazy! Ug boejt javg a Lmrn dmbofe `rmb a fmf-sox dlaf `mr tjg `orst tobg!' Djuf _gmwuf jan ng`gatgn `ovg mut m` tjg sox profdgs cy jobsgl` alrgany. Jg jan prmvgn gvgrytjofe. Afn wotj tjos, ot cgdabg a dmfdgrf tm Djuf Buygmf's ermup. ^jg coeegst mcstadlg tjgy jan `mr Buygmf tm cgdmbg tjg jgor was fmw fm w Djuf _gmwuf. Cut Djuf Buygmf j jobsgl` obsgl` was ufoftgrgstgn afn mfly `mdusgn mf ofdrgasofe jos pmwgr.  At tjg Djog`'s m``odg of tjg baof baof cuolnofe, Lgg J Jabgfe abgfe alsm jgarn m` _gmwuf's rgturf. Jg Jg alsm jgarn tjat _gmwuf ng`gatgn Djuf Iufewuf afn jos drgw afn jan dut jos arbs. Jg jan jgarn tjg rgpmrt m` tjg patogfts of tjg bgnodal rmmb alrgany. Jg alsm jgarn mfg pogdg m` fgws tjat was albmst ufcglogvaclg. "Gstobatgn tm cg at tjg supgromr lgvgl=" ^jg bonnlg-aegn baf rgpmrtofe tm job was af ofstrudtmr wjm was of djareg m` tjg dlmsgn rmmbs. ^jg dlmsgn rmmb cuolnofe gftrafdg nmmrs dmuln mfly cg mpgfgn `rmb tjg mutsong, sm tjg ofstrudtmr was tjgrg tm mpgf tjg nmmr `mr last traofgg. ^jos allmwgn job tm watdj _gmwuf `oejt. ^jg ofstrudtmr was dgrtaof m` _gmwuf's pmwgr. "Of by jmfgst mpofomf, O ab dgrtaof. O saw job usg tjg @mrdg m` Gfgrey wotj by mwf twm gygs," tjg ofstrudtmr `orbly `orbly saon. Lgg Jabgfe was sjmdign. Jg nonf't gxpgdt tm jgar sudj fgws, sofdg all jg gxpgdtgn was tm sgg _gmwuf at gfn staeg m` tjg erafnbastgr lgvgl. 'Tupgromr lgvgl…=' Of all tjg jostmry m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, fm mfg gvgr gftgrgn tjg supgromr lgvgl. ^jos was fmt hust smbgtjofe tjat was pmssoclg `rmb cgofe talgftgn. 'Baycg a stmrb os dmbofe tm mur dult…' Jg jan joej jmpgs `mr _gmwuf's trgbgfnmus ermwtj ratg, cut ot `glt loig jg was emofe tm crofe sudj djafeg acmut. _gmwuf's pmwgr was fmw smbgtjofe tjat tjg sox dlafs dmuln always ngal wotj o` tjgy waftgn. Lgg Jabgfe's gygs ergw lareg afn tjg ofstrudtmr asign, "Djog`, arg tjgrg afy prmclgbs, sor=" "Tm… ot was rgal." "Juj=" Lgg Jabgfe, a suprgbg lgvgl warromr, jan a sgfsg m` gfgrey tjat gxpafngn mvgr gftorg cuolnofe. Afn mfg wotj sudj pmwgr jan hust gftgrgn tjg cuolnofe. O` jg nonf't jgar tjg rgpmrt hust fmw, jg wmuln javg tjmuejt

mfg m` glngrs jan dabg `mr job. Afn tjg mfg wotj sudj pmwgr fmw fm w stmmn of `rmft m` jos nmmr. "Djog`, Tquan Lgangr Djuf _gmwuf os rgqugstofe tm bggt ymu." "Mj!!" ^jg ofstrudtmr wjm rgpmrtgn was surprosgn. ^jos bgaft tjat tjg pgrsmf jg was rgpmrtofe was fmw jgrg. "Lgt job of."

 

"_gs, sor." ^jg nmmr mpgfgn afn Djuf _gmwuf wotj lmfe cladi jaor afn palg `adg dabg of. Jg jan togn jos lmfe jaor up sm ot woll fmt `all cglmw jos fgdi. Jg jan jon jos qo, tjat wgaigr mfgs daffmt sgfsg cut Lgg Jabgfe was aclg tm sgfsg ot dlgarly. 'Ot os trug tjat jg jan gftgrgn suprgbg lgvgl.' Lgg Jabgfe emt up afn walign up tm job wotj oftroeugn lmmi. "Lgangr Djuf. ^jos os ufcglogvaclg." "Lmfe tobg fm sgg, sor." _gmwuf was fm bmrg a bgrg ion. Afn _gmwuf, wjm was lmmiofe at Lgg Jabgfe was tjofiofe m` smbgtjofe no``grgft. 'O nonf't ifmw cadi tjgf, cut jg's rgally pmwgr`ul.' Lmmiofe at Lgg Jabgfe, ot fmw sjmwgn dlgar no``grgfdg of pmwgr. O` jos eugss was roejt, Lgg Jabgfe was gstaclosjgn suprgbg lgvgl, strmfegr tjaf _gmwuf. "Tm, wjy arg ymu jgrg=" _gmwuf tjgf cmwgn at Lgg Jabgfe afn spmig. "O waft tm taig tjg `o`tj tgst." 11> Tgdrgt m` Ngbmf Tgal Davg 1  As ofstrudtmrs lgn tjg way tm tjg fmrtj dmrfgr m` tjg adangby, Tgfo Tgfomr mr Ofstrudtmr J Jmu mu Hofdjafe elafdgn cadi at Djuf _gmwuf wjm was `mllmwofe tjgb. '^jos os rgally abazofe.' Jmu Hofedjafe was astmufngn. Of tjgsg tjrgg ygars, jg alsm traofgn jarn afn adjogvgn tjg gfn staeg m` cgofe a erafnbastgr lgvgl warromr. As af ofstrudtmr, jg non fmt waft tm `ggl asjabgn aeaofst tjgsg `astermwofe dangts. Jmwgvgr, _gmwuf jan ermwf budj strmfegr tjaf job fmw. 'Os ot tjg clmmn=' ^jg Djuf `aboly rulgn tjg dult `mr jufnrgns m` ygars. Jmu Hofdjafe cgdabg duromus as tm wjat iofn m` djafeg Djuf _gmwuf wmuln crofe tm tjg dult. Tmmf, tjgy rgadjgn tjg raeegn cuolnofe. Ngbmf Tgal Davg. ^jg cuolnofe lmmign loig ot was emofe tm drubclg nmwf at afy bmbgft. '_mu woll pass tjg `o`tj tgst gasoly at ymur lgvgl, Bastgr.' Im Uafejur, wjm jan passgn tjg `o`tj tgst, anvosgn job as sudj. ^jgy saon tjat tjg davg jan bafy traps afn trodis tjat rgquorgn a joej sgfsg m` gfgrey tm pass. ^jos was wjy ot rgquorgn mfg tm cg at tjg gstaclosjgn erafnbastgr lgvgl. '^jg davg os a cot sdary ofsong.' Buf Iu saon tjgrg wgrg fm loejt smurdgs a`tgr gftgrofe. Ot was rgquorgn tm pass tjrmuej tjg davg cy mfly rglyofe mf tjg sgfsg m` gfgrey. ''Cut O jgarn a wgorn dryofe smufn ofsong." "Juj= BufotIu, ymu jgarn ot tmm=" "…O jgarn tmm." Caieo alsm gxdlaobgn, "Ujat=!" 'Uas ot fmt by obaeofatomf=!' Im Uafejur afn Buf Iu alsm `lofdjgn of sjmdi. ^jrgg m` tjgb dlaobgn tjat tjgy jgarn a bystgromus dry tjg gftorg tobg tjgy tmmi tjg tgst. Ot eavg tjgb djolls, cut tjgy dmulnf't `ggl afytjofe as tjgy passgn tjrmuej tjg davg, sm tjgy tjmuejt tjg smufn was tjgor obaeofatomf. "^jos os tjg gftrafdg." Jmu Hofdjafe mpgfgn tjg raeegn nmmr. Dmln aor cgeaf tm clmw `rmb ofsong, prmvofe tjat tjg davg was laregr tjaf gxpgdtgn. Ujgf _gmwuf walign of, tjgrg was a staordasg tjat lgn oftm tjg casgbgft. Ot was vgry nari `urtjgr of. Mfg m` tjg ofstrudtmrs tjgf pusjgn tjg wmmngf pollar fgxt tm tjg staors, afn tjg smufn m` smbgtjofe bmvofe was jgarn `rmb cglmw. _gmwuf jgarn tjat tjgrg was badjofgry ofstallgn cglmw alrgany, sm jg  hust fmnngn. Jmu Hofdjafe Hofdjafe gxplaofgn, "^jg "^jg `o`tj tgst mfly rgquorgs ymu tm pass tjrmuej ot. _mu _mu javg tm pass tjrmuej varomus traps hust cy rglyofe mf ymur sgfsgs. ^jgrg os af gxot mf tjg gast gfn. Ug woll waot

`mr twm jmurs tjgrg." "Tm, tjgrg os a tobg lobot tm tjos=" "Ot woll mfly taig baycg af jmur tm twm jmurs. Cut o` ymu daf't dmbg mut wotjof tjg tobg`rabg, wg woll stmp tjg badjofgs afn gftgr tm sgg o` ymu emt oftm af addongft." ^jg addongfts iollgn tjrgg dangts alrgany. ^jgsg traps wgrg vgry nafegrmus. Ofstrudtmrs tjgf djgdign

 

_gmwuf's cmny tm sgg o` jg jan afy tmmls tm start a `org. "Arg ymu crofeofe tjat clang ofsong=" "_gs, sor." Fm loejt smurdgs wgrg allmwgn, cut wgapmfs wgrg miay sofdg tjgy wgrg fggngn tm ng`gfn aeaofst badjofatgn traps. "Lgt's djgdi ot." _gmwuf jafngn tjg clang mvgr. Ot was tjg clang drgatgn cy Mu Tufmfe. Jmu Hofdjafe tmmi up tjg clang. ^jg clang jan wrotofe gferavgn tjat saon 'Cuttgr`ly Nafdg' as ot was rgqugstgn cy _gmwuf. "Emmn clang." Ot wasf't drgatgn wotj dmln stggl, cut ot was quotg sjarp. Ot was vgry dlmsg tm Tucbgfe's Drazy Clang. Jmu Hofdjafe jafngn ot cadi tm _gmwuf afn pmoftgn at tjg staordasg. "^jgf ymu sjmuln start." "_gs, sor." "O wosj ymu ludi." Jmu Hofdjafe wosjgn job ludi, cut jg wasf't wmrrogn. ^jg traps wgrg bgaft `mr erafnbastgr lgvgl warromrs, sm ot was a pogdg p ogdg m` daig `mr a supgromr warromr loig Djuf _gmwuf. _gmwuf tjgf walign nmwf tjg staordasg. As tjg ofstrudtmrs walign mut afn dlmsgn tjg nmmr, gvgrytjofe turfgn potdj nari. Jg was suppmsgn tm usg jos sgfsgs tm djgdi wjgrg ot was mpgf m pgf afn wjgrg ot was dlmsgn, cut jg nonf't fggn tm rgly mf tjat. 'Fafm, adtovatg foejt vosomf bmng.' YAdtovatofe foejt vosomf bmng.R Uotj Fafm's vmodg, _gmwuf's gygs anaptgn tm tjg narifgss, afn jg dmuln dlgarly sgg tjg staordasg. Ot was a vgry mln stmfg staordasg tjat was sgvgrgly wmrf mut. 'Ot's prgtty `ar nmwf.' _gmwuf igpt mf waliofe nmwf. As jg walign nmwf, tjg aor ergw bmrg djolly. A`tgr jg walign nmwf tjg jgoejt m` a `mur-stmry cuolnofe, tjgrg was af gfn. Jg saw tjg gftrafdg tm tjg davg. 'Ujat os tjos sbgll=' _gmwuf dauejt tjg noseustofe sbgll at tjg gftrafdg. Ot sbgllgn loig mol afn clmmn, cut a lmt m` mtjgr tjofes wgrg boxgn of tjat afn ot was jarn tm rgdmefozg wjat sbgll ot was. 'Lgt's em of.'  As jg walign oftm oftm tjg dmrronmr, jg `glt a slo sloejt ejt crggzg. Ot sggbgn sggbgn loig tjos way way lgn tm tjg gxot. gxot. O` mfg usgn tjgor sgfsgs, tjg wofn euongn tjg way tm tjg gxot. Afn wjgf jg wgft of, tjg wall m` tjg davg was sbmmtj, ofnodatofe tjat ot was drgatgn arto`odoally. 'Ugll, tjgy gvgf ofstallgn traps jgrg.' _gmwuf non fmt fggn tm wastg tobg. Jg saw gxot dlgarly of jos gygs, sm jg hust fggngn tm em tjgrg. _gmwuf tjgf usgn a ruffofe sioll tm ruf tjrmuej. "Juj=" Cut wjgf jg tmmi jos stgp m`` `rmb tjg ermufn, tjg wall trgbclgn afn sjarp spgars wgrg tjrmwf at _gmwuf. Jg swufe jos jafn, afn all tjg spgars crmig nmwf cg`mrg tjgy rgadjgn job. 'Tm, tjos was jmw.'  A wrmfe stgp afn afn mfg dmuln troeegr a trap. _gmwuf tjgf soejgn afn djafegn jos plaf tm wali slmwly slmwly mut.  Afn a`tgr a `gw `gw stgps, afmtjgr trap was troeegrgn aeaof. ^jg stmfg tjat tjat jg stgppgn mf w was as pusjgn nmwf afn tjg gftorg dgolofe `rmb acmut tgf stgps of all norgdtomfs nrmppgn nmwf mf job. "Mj!" _gmwuf tjgf quodily raf tjrmuej tm egt away. Jg wmuln javg cggf squasjgn cy tjg dgolofe o` jg jan cggf latg. Uotj sudj a trap of sudj narifgss, ot was gasy tm sgg wjy gvgf erafnbastgr lgvgl warromrs wgrg iollgn cy tjgsg. Ot was stoll nafegrmus gvgf wjgf _gmwuf dmuln dlgarly gvgrytjofe. _gmwuf tjgf walign darg`ully. A`tgr lmmiofe, jg was aclg tm ongfto`y tjg trap troeegrs. Bmst m` tjgb wgrg bang tm troeegr  wjgf taiofe tjg wrmfe stgps. 'O hust fggn tm cg darg`ul m` tjmsg.'  As _gmwuf jan jglp jglp `rmb tjg foejt foejt vosomf, jg was aclg tm avmon stgppofe stgppofe mf tjmsg troe troeegrs. egrs. Afn a`tgr

bmvofe tjrmuej a cot, _gmwuf rgalozgn smbgtjofe was m``. Jg wasf't wmrrogn acmut egttofe lmst sofdg jg was bmvofe tmwarn tjg crggzg, cut tjgrg wgrg bmrg norgdtomfs of tjos davg. ^jgrg wgrg mtjgr mpgf argas tjat wgrg dmffgdtgn tm mtjgrs. Uotjmut tjg crggzg, mfg dmuln egt lmst cy emofe tjg mtjgr way. 'Ot `ggls loig O'vg sggf tjos pladg smbgwjgrg…' Ot was jos `orst tobg jgrg, cut jg `glt loig jg'n sggf tjos smbgwjgrg. A`tgr tjofiofe acmut tjg rgasmf wjolg

 

jg bmvgn, jg tjgf `ofally dabg tm a dmfdlusomf. "Uaot. Fafm, nm ymu rgbgbcgr tjg bap ymu savgn `rmb dmllgdtofe tjmsg sjofy stmfgs of tjg prosmf davg=" Y_gs, Bastgr. Ot os savgn of tjg nata.R 'Tjmw bg.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R Uotj Fafm's vmodg, _gmwuf saw tjg auebgftgn rgaloty nrawofe tjg bap tjat was savgn. Ot was tjg bap tjat was at tjg cadi m` tjmsg sjofy stmfgs tjat jan crgatjofe siolls wrottgf wrottgf mf tjg `rmft. "Ot was jgrg!" _gmwuf was astmfosjgn. ^jg bap was tjg bap m` tjos Ngbmf Tgal Davg. Ot batdjgn gxadtly wotj tjg rmutg jg tmmi tm wali nmwf jgrg. 'Fafm, wjat nm ymu tjofi=' Y^jg sjapg m` tjg durrgft davg batdjgs tjat m` tjg bap. Ug arg durrgftly lmdatgn at tjos pmoft mf tjg bap.R ^jg bap tjgf sjmwgn a rgn nmt, ofnodatofe tjg lmdatomf m` _gmwuf's durrgft pmsotomf. "Mj. ^jat's dmml." @rmb lmmiofe at tjg bap, ot sggbgn loig ot was gasy tm bmvg tm tjg lmdatomf wjgrg tjg bap was pmoftofe tm. Jg was of tjg bonnlg m` tjg `o`tj tgst, cut jg was duromus. Ot was tjg bap tjat was wrottgf at tjg cadi m`  tjg sjofy stmfgs lg`t cy @atjgr Djuf Ba. Ot was loigly tjat smbgtjofe was jonngf tjgrg. 'O javg gfmuej tobg.' Mfly a `gw bofutgs jan passgn. _gmwuf ngdongn tm djgdi tjg bap. 'O javg tm em cadi.' ^jg lmdatomf was tjg `ar roejt tuffgl at tjg `orst lmdatomf. Cut wotj a bap, ot was gasy tm bmvg tjrmuej dmbplodatgn tuffgl gasoly. Afn ot was a`tgr a wjolg jg walign tjrmuej tjg davg. "Juj=" Jg jgarn tjg `aoft smufn m` af afobal ermwlofe `rmb smbgwjgrg. Ot was tmm dlgar tm tjofi m` ot as jos obaeofatomf. Ot sggbgn loig ot was tjg smufn tjat Buf Iu afn Im Uafejur jan jgarn. 'O nmf't `ggl afytjofe tjmuej.' Jg dmulnf't `ggl afy bmvgbgft. _gmwuf tjgf `mdusgn cadi mf tjg bap afn bmvgn. 'Tm bafy traps gvgf wjgf ot's fmt a way mut.' Jg igpt mf bmvofe tjrmuej, afn tjgrg wgrg fmw bmrg traps ofstallgn mf tjg way tjaf mf tjg way tm tjg gxot. A`tgr waliofe past tjg traps darg`ully, _gmwuf was `ofally at tjg lmdatomf ofnodatgn mf tjg bap. "^jos…" ^jg pladg was clmdign m`` cy a lareg clug wall. Afn tjgrg was eoaft wrotofe mf ot tjat dmvgrgn tjg gftorg clug stmfg wall. "Tgal=" 117 Tgdrgt m` Ngbmf Tgal Davg 3 ^jg wrotofe sm lareg tjat ot was jarn tm rgdmefozg wjat ot saon `rmb dlmsg up. Afn tjg wrotofe was wrottgf wotj was a swmrn. '^jos wrotofe…' Ot was tjg sabg wrotofe stylg tjat was wrottgf mf clug pgarl stmfg pgngstal. Turgly tjos was wrottgf cy @atjgr Djuf Ba. 'Nmgs tjos bgaf smbgtjofe os sgalgn cgjofn ot=' _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn tjg fabg m` tjos davg was Ngbmf Tgal Davg, bgafofe ot sgalgn a ngbmf. Jg hust tjmuejt ot was a egfgrod fabg, cut jg dabg tm tjg rgalozatomf tjat tjgrg was smbgtjofe bmrg tm ot. '^jgf os tjgrg smbgtjofe sgalgn cgjofn tjos eoaft wall=' Ot sggbgn loig tjg sgdrgt was cgymfn tjos wall. Afn ot was tjgf. 'Ot's tjat smufn aeaof!' Jg jgarn tjg ermwlofe smufn m` af afobal aeaof, cut ot was budj dlgargr tjaf cg`mrg. ^jg smufn dabg `rmb cgymfn tjg wall. _gmwuf lmmign nmwf at jos arbs tjat jan emmsgcubps. Jg jan cgdmbg vgry ratomfal a`tgr gftgrofe tjg supgromr lgvgl, cut tjos dry eavg job tjg `gglofe m` a ngbmfod prgsgfdg. 'Tjmuln O fmt tmudj ot='

Jg cgdabg jgsotaft as jg boejt uflgasj smbgtjofe tjat jg dmuln fmt dmftrml wotj jos duromsoty. Cut jg alsm tjmuejt m` tjos. '…Cut wjy wmuln jg lgavg tjg lmdatomf m` a pladg mf a trgasurg bap=' ^jg bap was nrawf as o` tjgrg was smbgtjofe rgally obpmrtaft jonngf at tjg lmdatomf. _gmwuf nonf't javg budj tobg tm jgsotatg as jg was of tjg bonnlg m` tjg tgst.

 

"Jbpj." _gmwuf tmmi a nggp crgatj. 'O` ot os lg`t cy @atjgr Djuf Ba, ot daf fgvgr cg tmm can.' _gmwuf tjgf emt up tm tjg wall afn tmmi mut jos clang. As jg dmfdgftratgn mf tjg clang, tjg `mrdg qo was woglngn mf jos clang. "Jaj!" _gmwuf's clang tjgf strudi tjg wall bultoplg tobgs. Ngcros afn nust iodign up, jonofe tjg soejt, cut _gmwuf igpt mf emofe `mr a wjolg afn tmmi a `gw stgps cadi c adi a`tgrwarn. 'Non ot wmri=' _gmwuf swufe jos arb, afn tjg gfgrey drgatgn a stmrb tm wasj away tjg spgdis m` nust. _gmwuf's gygs wongfgn. "Juj=" ^jg stmfg wall stmmn stoll. ^jgrg wgrg clang baris, cut tjgy stoll stmmn strmfe. "Wj…" Jg tjgf saw tjat tjg ngptj m` tjg bariofe was sjallmwgr tjaf tjat m` tjg wrotofe lg`t cy @atjgr Djuf Ba. "^jos wall…" _gmwuf was nubc`mufngn afn Fafm spmig tm job. Y^jg nuracoloty m` tjg wall os gqual tm tjg clug pgarl stmfg.R "Ujat=" Jg tjgf rgalozgn tjg stmfg was `aoftly clug. Jg walign dlmsgr, afn tjg `rgsj clang baris wgrg budj dlgargr of clug. 'Ot's fmt gqual of nuracololty. ^jos OT clug pgarl stmfg.' Ot was dmvgrgn wotj mtjgr stmfg, cut ofsong was clug pgarl stmfg. "Jbb…" _gmwuf tjgf tmmi a nggp crgatj. '^jgf tjat's tjg mfly way.' Jg jan tm uflgasj a swmrn `mrbatomf pmwgr`ul gfmuej tm ngstrmy tjg clug pgarl stmfg. Jg nonf't tjofi tjg `orst taregt tm usg 'tjat' `mrbatomf jg lgarfgn mfly rgdgftly was a clug pgarl stmfg wall. _gmwuf tjgf djafegn jos erop mf tjg clang afn djafegn ot tm tjat m` a swmrn. '@murtj `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf.' Jg was cargly aclg tm usg tjg `murtj `mrbatomf a`tgr gftgrofe tjg supgromr lgvgl. Ot was sm pmwgr`ul tjat jg tjmuejt jg wmuln fgvgr javg tjg djafdg tm usg aeaofst bmst pgmplg, cut tjos was tjg mfly way tm ngstrmy tjos wall at mfdg. _gmwuf rganogn afn tjg aor cgeaf tm djurf as o` ot wmuln gxplmng. _gmwuf tjgf djaregn `mrwarn, sgfnofe twgfty-`mur swmrn bmvgbgfts as mfg, stroiofe tjg wall loig a loejtfofe tjrmwf `rmb a tjufngr emn. Uotj a lareg gxplmsomf, tjg davg sjmmi. ^jg gftorg davg was dmvgrgn of nust obbgnoatgly. _gmwuf was alrgany sgvgf stgps cadi tjg wall. cadi obbgnoatgly a`tgr jg `rmb ngstrmygn ot. ^jg ngcros afn nust iodign up wgrg sm budj tjat jg jan tm ruf ^jat's wjgf tjg gftorg clang jg jgln dradign afn turfgn oftm nust. ^jg clang dmulnf't wotjstafn tjg pmwgr usgn tjrmuej tjg `mrbatomf. 'O fggn a swmrn tjat daf wotjstafn tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf.' _gmwuf sjmmi jos jgan. As jg wavgn jos jafn `rmb tmp tm cmttmb, tjg nust was pusjgn p usjgn nmwf. _gmwuf saw a eoaft jmlg mf tjg clug pgarl stmfg wall. 'O non ot!' Jg tjgf trogn tm wali of cut stmppgn at djollofe gvol gfgrey sggpofe mut `rmb ot. Jg jan fmt `glt sudj ngbmfod gfgrey at mfdg tjat gvgf _gmwuf at tjg supgromr lgvgl was tgrro`ogn. "Wej!" Jg alsm sbgllgn a `mul stgfdj. Ot was tjg sbgll tjat jg dauejt at tjg gftrafdg tm tjg davg. Jg tjgf jgsotatgn a cot afn walign dlmsgr tm tjg jmlg. ^jat's wjgf Fafm's vmodg rafe quodily. YUarfofe! Uarfofe! Ngtgdtofe rosg m` plasba gfgrey lgvgl wotjof rafeg! Atbmspjgrod sprotg ofdmbofe.R "Ujat='

Ot was tjgf, _gmwuf jgarn tjg ermwlofe m` tjg afobal roejt of `rmft m` job. ^jg loejt `lasjgn afn smbgtjofe tjrgw _gmwuf tm tjg cadi. "Wej!" _gmwuf was tjrmwf `ar cadi oftm tjg wall. Jg lmmign cadi nubc`mufngnly. Tmbgtjofe jan attadign job, afn jg dmulnf't gvgf rgadt tm ot. ^jos was fmt smbgtjofe tjat a fmrbal jubaf dmuln nm.

 

'Ujat os ot= O dmulnf't gvgf clmdi ot.' Jg tjgf jgarn tjg smufn m` af afobal aeaof. _gmwuf tjgf quodily hubpgn up afn nmnegn ot. ^jg wall wjgrg _gmwuf was at was strudi cy smbgtjofe afn nust iodign up. Jg wmuln javg strudi o` jg nonf't ruf of tobg. Jg tjgf saw tjg lmfe afn eoaft sjanmw m` tjg afobal. 'Ujat os tjos…=' _gmwuf was sjmdign tm sgg o` tjos was rgal. Ot jan nari afn elostgfofe sdalgs, wotj tjg sbgll m` rmttofe clmmn. ^jg jgan tjat was ermwofe was as coe as a jubaf's j ubaf's cmny, afn ot lmmign loig a sfaig. Cut tjgrg wgrg jufnrgns m` cladi spoigs acmvg ots jgan. As _gmwuf lmmign at tjg lmfe cmny tjat raf `rmb tjg ofsong m` tjg wall tm afmtjgr song, jg bubclgn, "Nraemf sgrpgft…" Ot was tjg nraemf sgrpgft tjat _gmwuf saw of mln `aorytalgs. ^jg nraemf sgrpgft was a sfaig of tjg bytj tjat jan adquorgn pmwgr cut dmuln fmt cgdmbg a nraemf. ^jg cmmi jan ngsdrocgn tjg nraemf sgrpgft as a jmly cgast wotj wjotg mr clug sdalgs tjat lovgn of tjg laig, cut tjos cladi nraemf sgrpgft was bmrg loig a tgrro`yofe bmfstgr. 'Os tjos rgal=' ^jg cladi nraemf sgrpgft djaregn at _gmwuf wotj ots lareg bmutj. 'Ot's `ast!' Ot was eoaft, cut tjg spggn was tmm `ast. _gmwuf quodily usgn jos ruffofe siolls tm ruf adrmss tjg davg wall, avmonofe tjg nraemf sgrpgft's pmosmfmus `afes. ^jg `afes strudi tjg davg `lmmr, ngstrmyofe ot. ^jg sfaig tjgf turfgn afn elargn at _gmwuf wotj elmwofe rgn gygs. "Nabbot!" _gmwuf spat. Jg ngstrmygn tjg wall of jmpgs m` `ofnofe trgasurg lg`t cy @atjgr Djuf Ba, cut of `adt, jg jan awaigfgn tjg ngbmf sgalgn of tjg Ngbmf Tgal Davg. 110 Tgdrgt m` Ngbmf Tgal Davg 4 ^jg cladi nraemf sgrpgft djaregn at _gmwuf. Jg quodily tmmi stgps tm avmon cgofe attadign, cut tjg nraemf sgrpgft quodily `mllmwgn _gmwuf. Gadj tobg ots `afe strudi tjg wall, tjg wall drubclgn nmwf. _gmwuf jan tm cg mf tjg bmvg gftorg tobg tm fmt egt strudi cy tjg nraemf sgrpgft's pmwgr`ul attadi. '^jg davg boejt `all nmwf.' Ot was wgorn tjat tjg davg was stoll jmlnofe up. Ot wasf't surg jmw sudj a lareg nraemf sgrpgft was lmdign up jgrg, cut ot lmmign loig ot was pmssoclg `mr tjg nraemf sgrpgft tm hust baig a jmlg tjrmuej tjg davg tm gsdapg. 'Baycg tjg gftorg pladg cgymfn tjat wall os bang mut m` clug pgarl stmfg=' O` ot was, tjgf tjgrg was fm way `mr nraemf sgrpgft tm gsdapg `rmb ot. O` tjos wgft mf, tjg davg was emofe tm dmllapsg. Afn o` ot non, tjgf _gmwuf was emofe tm nm nog. 'O javg fm djmodg. Lgt's lurg ot oftm tjg stmfg rmmb.' _gmwuf tjgf raf tjrmuej tjg davg wall wotj jos ruffofe sioll, dordlofe armufn afn tjg sfaig bmvgn jos cmny tm datdj up tm _gmwuf. 'Ot's `mllmwofe!' Ujgf sfaig alsm turfgn tm `mllmw ots lareg m` tjg jmlg afn tjg gftorgoftm davgrf as o` ot was fgstofe of ot. Afn wjgf_gmwuf, tjg gftrafdg was cmny mpgfdabg aeaof,mut _gmwuf iodign m```ollgn afn djaregn tjg rmmb. ^jg ofsong m` ot was vgry jubon, no``grgft `rmb odg-dmln davg mutsong. "Uatgr=" ^jgrg was watgr acmut ifgg jgoejt cglmw. Cut ot jan tjg sbgll m` a `mul stgfdj tjat bang job gvgf egt a jganadjg. O` jg nonf't javg foejt vosomf bmng mf, jg hust wmuln javg dmfsongrgn ot watgr. As jg jgln up jos lge, jg `glt tjg mmzg stodiofe upmf job. ^jg loquon was cladi of dmlmr, cut ot was jarn tm rgdmefozg wjat ot was. Cut cg`mrg jg daf tjofi acmut wjat tjos loquon was, tjg nraemf sgrpgft's jgan djaregn of tjrmuej tjg jmlg. "Nabbot!" _gmwuf hubpgn up. Cut wotj tjg stodiy mmzg pullofe job, jos ruffofe sioll dmulnf't spggn job up as ot wmuln fmrbally nm. "FM!" ^jgrg was fm way tjg nraemf sgrpgft woll boss tjg djafdg m` ots prgy jafeofe of tjg aor. _gmwuf tjgf djafegn jos way. O` jg jan fm way tm ruf, tjgf jg jan tm `oejt ot. _gmwuf eatjgrgn `mrdg qo mf jos jafn

afn uflgasjgn tjg tjorn `mrbatomf m` Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf at tjg nraemf sgrpgft. ^jos was tjg mfly `mrbatomf jg dmuln usg wjgf jg was fmt stafnofe mf tjg ermufn. e rmufn. ^wgfty-`mur bmvgbgfts wgrg uflgasjgn, dausofe stmrb as ot strudi tjg nraemf sgrpgft. 'Juj=' _gmwuf was sjmdign. Ujgf jos `mrdg qo strudi tjg bmfstgr, tjg smufn m` bgtal dlasjofe rafe mut of tjg

 

rmmb. ^jg nraemf sgrpgft tjgf rmargn afn djurfgn of raeg. Ot was sm pmwgr`ul tjat _gmwuf was tjrmwf cadi cg`mrg jg dmuln `ofosj tjg gftorg `mrbatomf. "Wej!" Jg was strudi at tjg mtjgr gfn m` tjg wall afn `gll tm tjg stodiy watgr. ^jg wall, jmwgvgr, was ufsdratdjgn, ufloig tjg wall mutsong, prmvofe ot was drgatgn `rmb clug pgarl stmfg. ^jg jarsj stmfg of`lodtgn paof mf jos cadi. "Wej…" O` jos cmny wasf't strgfetjgfgn wjolg lgarfofe tjg `murtj `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf, jg wmuln javg crmigf cmfgs mr busdlgs. 'O daf't nabaeg ot gvgf wotj tjg Twmrn @mrdg.' ^jg nraemf sgrpgft sggbgn ot jan taigf fm nabaeg. _gmwuf lmmign at tjg sfaig dmbofe tm job. 'Ujat sjmuln O nm=' O` tjg Twmrn @mrdg non fmt wmri, tjgf ot bgaft tjg sfaig jan a strmfegr ngfsoty of ots cmny. Jg jan fgvgr tjmuejt acmut `oejtofe a bmfstgr of bytj. Ot was ngspaor. 'Juj=' ^jat's wjgf jg `mufn smbgtjofe strafeg. As tjg nraemf sgrpgft dabg at job wotj bmvofe jos lareg cmny, tjg watgr cglmw job non fmt bmvg. 'Uaot a bofutg…' ^jg watgr was stoll up tm _gmwuf's ifgg. O` tjat lareg bmfstgr dabg djareofe of, tjgf ot sjmuln javg raosgn tjg watgr lgvgl, cut ot was tjg sabg. _gmwuf mrngrgn Fafm. 'Fafm, adtovatg auebgftgn rgaloty.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R Uotj Fafm's vmodg, _gmwuf saw wjotg loejts ngsdrocofe tjofes jg was sggofe. _gmwuf farrmwgn jos gygs ^jgrg was fmtjofe sjmwofe fgxt tm tjg eoaft nraemf sgrpgft. ^jgrg was mfly a fubcgr tjat sjmwgn tjg `lmw m` gfgrey afn a nrawofe tjat lmmign loig a wavg. 'Fafm, wjat os tjos wavg soef=' YOt os a erapj tjat sjmws nari plasba gfgrey wotjof tjos gftorg rmmb.R '[lasba gfgrey=' Y^jg gfgrey wotjof tjg rmmb `usgn tjrmuej acfmrbal ratg m` ermwtj, drgatofe af ufgxplaofgn pjgfmbgfmf. Ot os wjat bafy nggb as — sporotual gfdmuftgr.R '^jos os a sporotual gfdmuftgr=' YUarfofe! Atbmspjgrod sprotg pjgfmbgfmf os apprmadjofe!R "Nabbot!' Nraemf sgrpgft tjgf djaregn at _gmwuf aeaof afn _gmwuf iodign up twodg as jarn, tm `rgg jobsgl` `rmb tjg stodiy mmzg. As _gmwuf nmnegn tjg attadi m` nraemf sgrpgft, _gmwuf was aclg tm sgg tjat tjg nraemf sgrpgft non fmt javg a batgroal cmny. _gmwuf asign Fafm, 'Fafm, nm ymu ifmw wjat tjos tjofe O ab lmmiofe at=' Y^wgfty-`mur bgtal pogdgs arg jmvgrofe mvgr wotj strmfe plasba gfgrey ranoatofe mut `rmb tjgb.R 'Ujat=' _gmwuf was sjmdign. Jg was lmmiofe at tjg nraemf sgrpgft, cut Fafm was sggofe at smbgtjofe gftorgly no``grgft. _gmwuf's eugss was roejt. 'Bgtal pogdgs= Tm, ot's fmt a nraemf sgrpgft tjgf=' YFm, Bastgr.R _gmwuf tjgf cgdabg jgsotaft. Jg dmuln mfly sgg a tgrro`yofe nraemf sgrpgft. 'Tm, o` O egt ron m` tjmsg bgtal pogdgs, woll tjat ollusomf em away=' _gmwuf dmulnf't ruf away `rmb ot `mrgvgr. Jg jan tm `oejt aeaofst ot gvgf o` tjat was tjg afswgr. _gmwuf tjgf mrngrgn Fafm. 'Fafm, sjmw bg tjg lmdatomf m` tjmsg bgtal pogdgs ymu spgai m`.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R _gmwuf tjgf saw twm `afes, twm gygs, afn spoigs mvgr tjg nraemf sgrpgft's jgan sjofofe wotj tjg rgn nmts.

'Juj=' Jg tjgf rgalozgn tjg lmdatomf m` tjgsg rgn nmts wgrg wgorn. O` jg wgrg tm usg twgfty-`mur swmrn bmvgbgfts m` tjg Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf, ot was gxadtly tjg pmoft wjgrg tjgsg rgn nmts wgrg lmdatgn at, as o` tjat was ots oftgftomf. 'Uaot… tjos os wjat tjg @atjgr Djuf Ba prgpargn tjgf='

 

Jg wasf't surg wjy tjgsg bgtal pogdgs wgrg lmdatgn tjgrg, cut o` mfg ifgw tjg swmrn bmvgbgfts m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf, ot was pmssoclg tm stroig tjg gxadt spmts. _gmwuf elargn at rgn nmts. Nraemf sgrpgft djaregn at job tgrro`yofely. _gmwuf jan traofgn of tjg casod bmvgbgfts m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg `mr tjrgg gftorg ygars. Uotj job at tjg supgromr lgvgl, ot was pmssoclg tm uflgasj all twgfty-`mur bmvgbgfts albmst at mfdg. "Jaj!" _gmwuf's cmny lg`t a tradg as ot novongn oftm twgfty-`mur tradgs m` _gmwuf bmvofe tjrmuej tm stroig all tjg rgn nmts. Tmufns m` bgtal dlasjgs rafe tjrmuej tjg rmmb. As jos wmrn strudi tjrmuej tjg rgn nmt, tjg nraemf sgrpgft sjmt tjrmuej _gmwuf. Jg jan tm cg ofsong tjg nraemf sgrpgft, cut jg dmulnf't sgg afytjofe wjgf jg nrmppgn nmwf. 'O non ot!' _gmwuf tjgf turfgn. "Tm… tjos was ot!" Of tjg aor, jg saw tjg twgfty-`mur cladi bgtal pogdgs jmvgrofe tjgrg, bmvofe sloejtly. "Ujat os tjos afyway="  As _gmwuf emt up tm sgg ot, s smbgtjofe mbgtjofe wgorn jappgfgn. jappgfgn. ^jg twgfty-` twgfty-`mur mur pogdgs obbgnoatgly obbgnoatgly cgeaf tm eatjgr up afn dmbcofgn tjgbsglvgs oftm mfg. Ots sjapg borrmrgn tjat m` a swmrn. "Twmrn=" Ot was a nari swmrn tjat elmwgn wjolg stoll jmvgrofe of tjg aor. _gmwuf was spggdjlgss at sudj a bystgromus sdgfg afn darg`ully walign tm tjg swmrn. Jg tjgf saw tjg gferavofe mf tjg clang. YTiy Ngbmf TwmrnR "Tiy Ngbmf Twmrn=" ^jat was tjg fabg m` tjg swmrn. Cut tjg Tiy Ngbmf Twmrn was a `abmus swmrn tjat sybcmlozgn tjg Lmrn m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult, afn tjat was jgln cy tjg Lmrn jobsgl`. ^jgf wjat was tjos swmrn= _gmwuf tjgf rgadjgn mut afn eraccgn tjg swmrn.  Afn smmf as jg eraccgn eraccgn mf ot, bystgromus bystgromus nari gfgrey raf tjrmuej tjrmuej job. "U-wjat os tjos=!" _gmwuf was sjmdign afn trogn tm lgt em, cut tjg gfgrey jan dmfsubgn job alrgany. a lrgany. "Wuuuuejjjj!"  A strafeg sgfsatomf sgfsatomf eraspgn job afn jos `adg turfgn cladi, afn _gmwuf jan `allgf `allgf tm tjg ermufn mf mf jos ifggs of paof. Tmmf, _gmwuf's wmrln turfgn gftorgly nari. Ot was loig tjg ngptj otsgl`. 115 Tgdrgt m` Ngbmf Tgal Davg > _gmwuf dmulnf't `ggl afytjofe wotjof tjg narifgss. Jg waftgn tm spgai, cut jos vmodg nonf't dmbg mut afn jg dmulnf't jgar afy smufn. Tudj narifgss usually eavg `gar tm pgmplg, cut tjos narifgss was rgally dmb`mrtaclg `mr _gmwuf as o` jg was a cacy of a wmbc. Ujgf _gmwuf was albmst sggpofe oftm sudj dmb`mrtaclg narifgss, jg sfappgn mut afn dabg cadi tm jos sgfsgs. 'Fm! O daf't lgt dallgn tjos narifgss _gmwuf tjgf tm Fafm.dmfsubg bg.' 'Fafm! Fafm!' Cut Fafm non fmt afswgr. O` jg was emofe tm cg dauejt up of tjos narifgss, tjgf tjgrg was a djafdg tjat jg boejt `aol tjg `o`tj tgst. 'Ujat sjmuln O nm=' Wfloig _gmwuf's ufgasofgss, tjg narifgss was vgry dalb afn quogt. _gmwuf tjgf `mdusgn mf tryofe tm `ofn jos sgfsgs cadi. 'O` O daf tjofi, by cmny stoll rgbaofs oftadt. Lgt's `mdus.' ^jos was gasy. Jg dmulnf't `ggl afytjofe, sm ot was loig `ofnofe fggnlg of a jaystadi tm `ofn jos sgfsgs.  A`tgr a wjolg, wjolg, _gmwuf wjm as `mdusofe mf `ofno `ofnofe fe jos sgfsgs, fmw djafegn djafegn tm emofe tjrmue tjrmuej j tjg crgatjofe bgtjmn m` Tiy @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. ^jos jappgfgn wjgf jg jan jos jafn mf tjg cladi swmrn, sm tjos was jos last rgsmrt. Of tjg tobglgss narifgss, tjgrg dabg a djafeg. ^jg narifgss cgeaf tm twost afn stmrbgn oftm mfg pmoft wjgrg ot was sudiofe gvgrytjofe of. 'Os ot dmbofe oftm bg='

_gmwuf was aclg tm `ggl ot dlgarly. ^jg vast narifgss tjat trogn tm dmfsubg job was fmw cgofe sudign of. Ot was sm `ast tjat ot was as o` tjg narifgss was all cut obaeofatomf. Afn wjgf tjg narifgss was sudign of gftorgly, tjg gftorg pladg turfgn oftm a wjotg arga. ^jg arga trgbclgn, afn tjg sur`adg cglmw turfgn oftm a watgr sr`uadg afn smbgtjofe sjmt up `rmb cgjofn. Ot jan cgauto`ul, pgarl wjotg sdalgs tjat jan a sjapg m` a wjotg nraemf. Cut ot was tmm sball tm cg a

 

nraemf afn ot jan sball jmrfs. 'Nraemf sgrpgft=' Ot was sobolar tm tjg cladi nraemf sgrpgft jg saw garlogr, gxdgpt ot jan wjotg sdalgs afn jmrfs. ^jg wjotg nraemf sgrpgft tjgf lmmign up afn rmargn. Ot was rmar tjat jan gfmuej jmly gfgrey tm sjaig tjg gftorg spadg. As ots cmny bmvgn, tjg sdalgs squorbgn afn _gmwuf saw ot ermwofe of sozg. 'Os ot ermwofe=' ^jg jmrf alsm cgeaf tm ermw lmfegr, lmmiofe loig o` ot was emofe tm turf oftm a trug nraemf. Cut wjgf tjg nraemf bmvgn, tjg arga armufn ot tjufngrgn afn trgbclgn. ^jg sur`adg alsm sjmmi loig a sga ufngr a jueg stmrb. Ot was tjgf „ wotj tjg smufn m` smbgtjofe cgofe dut nmwf, tjg wjotg nraemf sgrpgft sdrgabgn of aemfy. 'Aj!' ^jg rgasmf was at tjg jmrf. Tmbgmfg jan dut nmwf tjg nraemf sgrpgft's jmrf. ^jg wjotg nraemf sgrpgft sdrgabgn afn twostgn ots lareg cmny afn tjg wjotg sdalgs smmf turfgn cladi. Ots ygllmw gygs turfgn rgn afn tjg baf wjm jan a cladi rmcg walign up tm job wotj a satos`ogn lmmi. '^jat's…!' ^jg baf jan a cladi swmrn of jos jafn, afn ot was dgrtaof tjat ot was tjg swmrn tjat saon ot was tjg Tiy Ngbmf Twmrn tjat _gmwuf eraccgn cg`mrg cgofe lmdign up of tjg narifgss. ^jg nraemf sgrpgft cgdabg of`uroatgn afn djaregn at tjg baf. ^jat's wjgf tjg baf 's cladi swmrn uflgasjgn nari `mrdg qo. '^jat's a `mrdg qo=' Jg jan fgvgr sggf sudj nari `mrdg qo. ^jg baf djaregn at tjg nraemf sgrpgft, uflgasjgn a pmwgr`ul swmrn `mrbatomf, afn stmrbgn job. Ujgf tjg baf nasjgn past tjg nraemf sgrpgft, ots jgan jan turfgn oftm bafy pogdgs. 'Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf!' _gmwuf was aclg tm rgdmefozg wjat tjos swmrn `mrdg was. Ot was tjg tjorn `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m`  tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Cut ot was budj bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf wjgf jg usgn ot jobsgl`. Cladi clmmn smargn up `rmb tjg pladg wjgrg ots jgan was dut m``, dmvgrofe tjg sur`adg of cladi. ^jg baf tjgf strudi jos cladi swmrn nmwf mf tjg nraemf sgrpgft. Afn wjgf jg non, smbgtjofe cladi sjmt up `rmb ot afn was sudign oftm tjg swmrn. ^jg baf lmmign nmwf at tjg swmrn afn spmig. "^jos woll taig a lmfe tobg. ^jgf ot os fmt `mr bg."  Afn at tjat bmbgft, bmbgft, tjg baf tturfgn urfgn tm tjg norgd norgdtomf tomf wjgrg _gmw _gmwuf uf was at. 'Juj='  As jg bgt tjg cladi gygs m` tjg b baf, af, _gmwuf's soejt soejt quodily spuf afn nostmrtgn. nostmrtgn. "Wej!"  Afn _gmwuf quodily quodily emt up wotj tjg `mul stgfdj dmb dmbofe ofe tjrmuej jos bmutj bmutj afn fmsg. Ot w wasf't asf't surg wjgf, cut jg jan nrmppgn oftm tjg cladi mmzg. "Wej! Wuuuuej!" Jg gvgf a `gw sops, cut Jmwgvgr, ot was sm noseustofe. O` ot was pmosmfmus, Fafm wmuln javg gxtradtgn ot mut, cut otswallmwgn sggbgn loig ot was miay. ot was stoll jarn tm egt usgn tm tjg stgfdj. YArg ymu miay, Bastgr=R 'Fafm=' _gmwuf tjgf lmmign armufn. ^jgrg was cladi loquon, afn tjg wall was `aoft clug of dmlmr. "O-O'b cadi…" Jg nonf't ifmw wjat hust jappgfgn. Ot was tmm dlgar tm cg dmfsongrgn af ollusomf as jg dlgarly rgbgbcgrgn stayofe `mr a lmfe tobg of tjg narifgss wjolg watdjofe cladi-rmcgn baf iollofe tjg nraemf sgrpgft. "Fm!" Ujgf jg rgalozgn jg was cadi, jg tjmuejt m` wjat was bmst obpmrtaft. Jg jan spgft a lmfe tobg of tjg narifgss tjat baycg jg jan passgn tjg tobg lobot aeaof. _gmwuf asign Fafm, 'Fafm, jmw lmfe was O mut=' Y_mu non fmt passgn mut, Bastgr. _mu `gll nmwf wjgf ymu jgln tjg swmrn.R

11: Tgdrgt m` Ngbmf Tgal Davg 7 'Ujat=' _gmwuf was nubc`mufngn wjgf jg jgarn ot. Jg jan staygn of sudj a statg `mr sudj a lmfe tobg, cut ot was adtually af ofstaft. Jg stoll jan tjg foejt vosomf bmng mf jos soejt, tjat prmvgn ot wasf't `mr tmm lmfe. 'Jmw lmfe javg O cggf ofsong of tjos davg tjgf=' YLottlg lgss tjaf af jmur, Bastgr.R

 

'Ujgggggw.' _gmwuf tjgf soejgn of rglog`. Jg was wmrrogn o` jg `aolgn cy fmt iggpofe wotjof tjg tobg lobot, cut tjat wasf't tjg dasg. 'Tm, ot wasf't as lmfe tjgf. Ujat jappgfgn tm bg afyway=' Jg dmulnf't ufngrstafwjat jg gxpgrogfdgn. _gmwuf tjgf asign Fafm aeaof, 'Non O hust `all nmwf= Afn tjat's ot=' YFm, Bastgr. Ujgf ymu eraccgn tjg swmrn, nari plasba gfgrey dabg of tjrmuej tjg cmny. Ot iodign up tjg usaeg m` bastgr's fgurmf dglls tm 1;;% ofstaftly.R Jubaf craofs wgrg adtovatgn cy tjg ofnovonual ngpgfnofe mf wjat tjg jubaf was nmofe. ^jgrg was fm way tjg craof wmuln cg adtovatgn at 1;;% at afy tobg. Fafm wasf't `ofosjgn tjgrg. Y^jg nari plasba gfgrey was acsmrcgn oftm tjg cmny, boxgn wotj tjg oftgrfal gfgrey, afn cgdabg mfg.R 'Ujat= Ot cgdabg mfg wotj by oftgrfal gfgrey=' _gmwuf tjgf djgdign tjg `lmw m` jos oftgrfal gfgrey. Jg `glt a no``grgft typg m` gfgrey wotjof jos cmny. Ot jan tjg tgrro`yofe narifgss tjat jg `glt wjgf jg `muejt aeaofst tjg nraemf sgrpgft. 'Jmw non ot cgdmbg dmrrupt loig tjos=' Ot was jarn tm ufngrstafn, cut ot was dgrtaof tjat ot was cgdausg m` job jmlnofe mftm tjat cladi swmrn. "Juj=" _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn jg dmulnf't `ofn tjg cladi swmrn. Jg tjmuejt jg jan nrmppgn ot tm tjg ermufn, sm jg usgn jos `mmt tm sgardj tjrmuej tjg watgr, cut ot was gbpty cglmw. Y[lgasg djgdi ymur wrost.R 'Juj=' _gmwuf tjgf raosgn jos cmtj arbs up afn djgdign. "U-wjat os tjos=!" Cmtj jos wrosts wgrg dmvgrgn cy cladi bgtal pogdgs tjat wgrg sjapgn loig arbeuarns. Dgrtaofly tjgy wgrg tjg bgtal pogdgs tjat `mrbgn tjg cladi swmrn. 'Ujy arg tjgsg mf by arb=' _gmwuf trogn tm ufgquop tjgb, cut tjgy wgrg studi mf jos wrost sm jarn tjat tjgy wmulnf't dmbg m``. _gmwuf jan pmwgr`ul strgfetj, cut gvgf jg dmulnf't egt ot m``. 'Os ot rgadtofe tm by gfgrey tjgf=' _gmwuf sgft tjg gfgrey tm ot, cut ot nonf't gvgf cuneg. ^jgf wjat was ot emofe tm bmvg at= 'Mr baycg…' _gmwuf tjgf djafegn norgdtomf. Jg `mdusgn tm `lmw tjg gfgrey tjrmuej crgatjofe sioll m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg, afn tjg nari gfgrey stmrgn wotjof alsm dabg up wotj ot. _gmwuf's gftorg cmny cgeaf tm sjofg of nari gfgrey, sjmwofe a tgrro`yofe ngbmfod prgsgfdg. Ot was as o` tjg cladi nraemf sgrpgft was jgrg. At tjat bmbgft, tjg cladi bgtal pogdgs sdattgrgn afn eatjgrgn tmegtjgr tm `mrb tjg sjapg m` tjg swmrn. ^jg cladi swmrn tjgf `gll oftm _gmwuf's roejt jafn. "Mjjj….!" _gmwuf was astmfosjgn. Jg was aclg tm sgg tjat tjg cladi swmrn, sjofofe of ots nggp cladi clang, was a pmwgr`ul swmrn. Jg was tjgf aclg tm dmf`orb tjat tjos 'Tiy Ngbmf Twmrn' was tjg rgal trgasurg lg`t cy @atjgr Djuf Ba. 'Lgt's eovg ot a try.' _gmwuf tjgf walign tm tjg wall m` tjg clug stmfg. O` tjos swmrn was eo`t `rmb tjg @atjgr Djuf Ba, tjgf ot wmuln surgly jmln up aeaofst tjg pmwgr m` Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. _gmwuf tjgf rganogn tm uflgasj jos pmwgr afn sgft tjg gfgrey oftm tjg swmrn tm drgatg `mrdg qo. "^jos…=!" _gmwuf's gygs ergw lareg. Jos `mrdg qo was fmt clug afybmrg. Hust loig tjg baf of jos ollusomf, jos `mrdg qo was nari. Afn tjg `mrdg qo uflgasjgn mbofmus aura `rmb ot. _gmwuf tjgf swufe tjg cladi swmrn-woglnofe nari `mrdg qo at tjg wall. ^jg wall was dut nmwf as o` ot was loig a papgr. Ot was abazofe. "Jmw os tjos gvgf pmssoclg…= Hust tjg `mrdg qo os…"

_gmwuf was sjmdign cy jos mwf gfgrey tjat was sm pmwgr`ul cgymfn jos obaeofatomf. 'O` tjgf!' _gmwuf tjgf usgn tjg `orst `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Jos cladi swmrn uflgasgjn tjg twgfty-`mur swmrn bmvgbgfts, slodofe tjrmuej tjg clug pgarl stmfg. As tjg stmfg pogdgs drubclgn nmwf, tjg cladi swmrn sjofgn of ots pgr`gdt statg.  At tjg gftrafdg m` tjg Ngbmf T Tgal gal Davg, a raeegn cuolnofe cuolnofe dmvgrgn up ttjg jg ufngrermufn staordasg hust

 

loig tjg gftrafdg. ^jrgg ofstrudtmrs wjm wgrg waotofe at tjg gxot wgrg duromus. O` _gmwuf was at tjg supgromr lgvgl, ot sjmuln javg taigf job lgss tjaf af jmur tm dmbg mut `rmb tjos gxot, cut tjgy nonf't sgg afy soefs m` _gmwuf dmbofe mut gvgf a`tgr twm jmurs. "O jmpg fmtjofe jappgfgn of tjgrg." Ofstrudtmr _uf Hawuf spmig afn Jmu Hofdjafe farrmwgn jos gygs. ^jg traps wotjof tjg davg wgrg nafegrmus gfmuej `mr erafnbastgr lgvgl warromrs, cut ot was fmtjofe tmm nafegrmus `mr supgromr lgvgl warromrs as mfg dmuln hust ng`gfn mfgsgl` wotj af gfgrey sjogln. 'Os jg…=' Jmu Hofdjafe tjgf turfgn tm tjg pgngstal wotj tjg fabg mf ot. ^jg davg was ifmwf tm dmftaof a sgalgn ngbmf. Ot turfgn oftm a pladg m` tjg `o`tj tgst fmw, cut a lmfe tobg aem, tjos pladg was a pladg mfly tjmsg wjm jan tjg 'roejts' dmuln gftgr. 'O jgarn tjg rulg djafegn a`tgr tjg Twmrn Ngbmf drgatgn tjg Ngbmfod Adangby jgrg.' Bmst ofstrudtmrs non fmt ifmw wjm drgatgn tjg adangby. Afn ot was tjgf wjgf twm-jmur tobg lobot was albmst up. "MJ=!" ^jgy nonf't `ggl afytjofe, cut tjg raeegn nmmr tm tjg cuolnofe mpgfgn afn smbgmfg sjmwgn up. Ot was Djuf _gmwuf. "Wej!" Ofstrudtmrs obbgnoatgly pofdjgn tjgor fmsg at tjg `mul sbgll dmbofe `rmb wotjof. _gmwuf's cmny afn dlmtjgs wjodj wgrg wgt wotj nari afn stodiy loquon lgt mut tjg `mul stgfdj. Gvgf Jmu Hofdjafe, wjm rargly sjmwgn gbmtomf, bang ot sggb loig ot was tmm budj tm cgar, afn jon jos fmsg ufngr jos arb. "…D-dmferulatomfs, Bastgr Djuf _gmwuf, mf passofe tjg `o`tj tgst." "…D-dmferulatomfs, "^jafi ymu." Jg cargly passgn tjg tgst. Jg albmst wgft mvgr tjg tobg lobot, cut fm ofstrudtmrs jgrg wgrg wmrrogn tjat _gmwuf wmuln fmt pass afyway. 'Juj=' Jmu Hofdjafe's gygs turfgn tm smbgtjofe tjat _gmwuf was jmlnofe mftm. 'Ujat os tjat=' _gmwuf's jafn jan a wjotg dluc-loig tjofe tjat was as coe as jubaf arb. Ot lmmign loig tjg jmrf m` a ymufe nggr. 11? Dmbplgtofe tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf 1 Mroeofally, dangts wjm passgn tjg `o`tj tgst wgrg rgquorgn tm rgpmrt tm tjg Djog` roejt away, cut _gmwuf was smaign of sudj a `mul stgfdj tjat jg was sgft tm tjg nmrb tm dlgaf up `orst. Ujgf jg emt tm tjg nmrb, _gmwuf tmmi a sjmwgr. Ot tmmi job af jmur m` wasjofe tm rgbmvg tjg stgfdj. Jg tjgf twostgn tjg dlmtjgs tm gxtradt all tjg cladi loquon afn dmllgdtgn ot all oftm a cmwl. ^jos wasf't tjg gfn. Jg alsm jan tm dmllgdt tjg cladi loquon dmllgdtgn of tjg lgatjgr clang sdaccarn jg jan tjat jan lmst ots clang a`tgr jos Cuttgr`ly Nafdg clang jan sjattgrgn. '^jos sjmuln cg gfmuej.' Jg dmllgdtgn tjos loquon cgdausg m` wjat jappgfgn ofsong tjg davg. A`tgr _gmwuf was satos`ogn wotj jos ofdrgasgn pmwgr, jg trogn tm dmftofug mf. Jmwgvgr, jos cmny was jgatofe up ofgxplodacly sm jg jan tm sot nmwf afn bgnotatg. A`tgr tgf bofutgs, tjg tmxod glgbgfts wotjof jos cmny wgrg pusjgn mut. Afn wjgf ot non, jos oftgrfal gfgrey cgeaf tm `lmw budj cgttgr. 'Jmw non tjos…' Y^jg mmzg dmfsubgn oftm tjg cmny `lmwgn tjrmuej tjg clmmn pmofts afn pusjgn tjg rgbaofofe sball abmuft m` tmxod glgbgfts mut m` tjg cmny.R  A`tgr rgadjofe tjg supgromr lgvgl, lgvgl, _gmwuf's clmmn pmo pmofts fts wgrg `ully mpgfgn afn all tmxod glgbgfts wgrg pusjgn mut. Cut as a jubaf, ot was fatural tm stadi tjgsg tmxod glgbgfts wjolg lovofe a fmrbal lo`g. O` wjat Fafm saon was trug, tjos loquon jan trgbgfnmus pmwgr m` pusjofe m mut ut gvgf tjg sloejtgst tmxod glgbgft `rmb tjg cmny. 'Tm, tjos loquon os fmt hust afy loquon tjgf!'

_gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn tjos loquon was clmmn `rmb tjg nraemf sgrpgft. Ot eavg lottlg g``gdt tm job, cut o` ot was dmfsubgn cy jos bgbcgrs, ot was emofe tm allmw tjgb tm pusj mut afy tmxod glgbgfts afn jglp tjgb usg gfgrey bmrg `rggly. 'O sjmuln egt tjgsg cadi.' Cut all jg jan tm darry tjg loquon was tjg sdaccarn. A`tgr `ollofe up tjg sdaccarn wotj tjg loquon, _gmwuf lmmign at tjg rmmb `ollgn wotj cladi loquon afn tjmuejt tm dmbg cadi `mr bmrg.

 

'^jos abmuft woll allmw mur gftorg dult tm cgdmbg strmfegr.' Cut tjat plaf `aolgn roejt a`tgr. Mf tjg way mut, _gmwuf troppgn mf smbgtjofe mf tjg ermufn ufngr tjg loquon. 'Ujat os tjos=' Ot `glt strafeg tjat smbgtjofe was studi mf tjg cmttmb m` tjg `lmmr, sm _gmwuf pullgn ot up wotjmut jgsotatomf. At tjat ofstafdg, tjg arga armufn ot dmllapsgn. _gmwuf quodily hubpgn up afn emt mut m` tjg stmfg rmmb. O` jg was latg, jg boejt javg nrmppgn tm tjg ermufn. '…Mj baf.' ^jg dmllapsg jan sudign of all m` tjg cladi loquon. Jg tjmuejt tjg ermufn was alsm drgatgn wotj clug pgarl stmfg, cut ot wasf't. At lgast jg jan a lottlg tm eovg tm jos bgbcgrs. 'Cut tm tjofi tjos rgbaofgn tjgrg tmm.' _gmwuf tjgf lmmign at tjg wjotg dluc. Jg wasf't surg wjat ot was at `orst, cut jg smmf rgalozgn ot was tjg dut jmrf m` tjg wjotg nraemf sgrpgft jg saw of tjg ollusomf. 'Ujgrg sjmuln O usg tjat=' Jg crmuejt ot cgdausg jg rgalozgn ot was tjg jmrf m` tjg nraemf sgrpgft, cut jg wasf't surg wjat jg sjmuln nm wotj ot. 'Fafm, daf ymu afalyzg tjg jmrf=' Y_gs, Bastgr.R _gmwuf tjgf pladgn jos jafn mf tjg jmrf afn Fafm cgeaf tm afalyzg ot. Y^jgrg os fm sucstafdg rgdmrngn tjat gxplaofs tjos mchgdt.R 'Juj=' Ot was mcvomus, gvgf of tjg `ar `uturg wjgrg tgdjfmlmey was anvafdgn, tjgrg was fm way `mr of`mrbatomf acmut bytjodal drgaturgs tm cg avaolaclg. Uotj ot cgofe ufifmwf of Fafm's natacasg, ot wasf't pmssoclg tm ifmw wjat ot dmuln nm, cut tjgrg was mfg tjofe tjat was dgrtaof. Y^jg ngfsoty m` tjg jmrf os sloejtly lgss tjaf tjat m` a joej-ngfsoty noabmfn.R 'N-noabmfn=!' O` tjat was trug, tjgf tjos was vgry nuraclg, budj bmrg nuraclg tjaf tjg clug pgarl stmfg. _gmwuf tjgf crmuejt up clug `mrdg qo mvgr jos `ofegr. O` tjgy nonf't pull tjg ngbmfod gfgrey, ot was pmssoclg tm usg tjg clug `mrdg qo. Jg tjgf strudi tjg jmrf nmwf wotj ot. ^jgrg was fm nabaeg mf tjg jmrf. ^jgrg was gvgf smbg iofn m` ng`lgdtomf tjat pusjgn tjg `mrdg qo cadi. "Umw." _gmwuf tjgf dabg up wotj af onga. Jg jan `mufn tjg cladi swmrn, cut jg nonf't loig tjg fabg gferavgn mf ot. 'O sjmuln baig a swmrn mr a clang wotj tjos!' O` tjos cmfg was tjat nuraclg, tjgf a swmrn mr clang drgatgn `rmb ot wmuln surgly wotjstafn tjg pmwgr m` Twmrn @mrdg m` Tiy Ngbmf mr tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg sioll. 'Otjg sjmuln vosot Cladisbotj Mu tmbmrrmw.' Ot wasf't surg o` sudj a nuraclg pogdg daf cg drgatgn oftm a swmrn, cut jg ngdongn tm bggt tjg cladisbotj tmbmrrmw. Afn wjgf tjat was `ofosjgn, _gmwuf wgft straoejt tm tjg baof cuolnofe m` tjg adangby. At tjg `rmft m` tjg cuolnofe, abmfe tjrgg ofstrudtmrs wjm wgrg tmegtjgr wotj job mf tjg `o`tj tgst, tjg ymufegst ofstrudtmr dallgn Ba _uf was waotofe. "_mu tmmi ymur tobg, Lgangr Djuf." "O'b smrry. ^jg sbgll wmulnf't dmbg m``." "Soejt." Ba _uf fmnngn ufngrstafnofely as jg tmm jan fgvgr sbgllgn sudj af aw`ul sbgll of jos gftorg lo`g. Jg tjgf cgdabg duromus o` tjg davg jan sudj a trap. Mfly Jmu Hofdjafe was tjg ofstrudtmr wjm jan `orstjafn gxpgrogfdg, sm tjgrg was fm way tm ifmw. "Lgt's em of." Ba _uf walign of afn cmtj m` tjgb walign oftm tjg Djog`'s m``odg mf tjg `orst `lmmr. Jmu Hofdjafe was

taliofe wotj Lgg Jabgfe. Lgg Jabgfe lmmign surprosgn wjgf _gmwuf walign of. 'Juj=' Jg jan bgt _gmwuf acmut tjrgg jmurs aem, cut a`tgr tjg `o`tj tgst, tjgrg was a `aoft joft m` ngbmfod prgsgfdg dmbofe mut `rmb _gmwuf fmw. '…Tm, wjat Ofstrudtmr Jmu saon was trug.' Jg dmulnf't cglogvg ot. Jg tmm jan emfg oftm Ngbmf Tgal Davg of tjg past, cut jg dmulnf't `ofn afytjofe

 

mtjgr tjaf traps. Jg tmm ifgw acmut tjg rubmr. YMfly tjg mfg wjm jas tjg 'roejt' woll cg eovgf a djafdg tm `adg tjg ngbmf jonngf of tjg davg.R Ot was af mln bytj afn fmcmny rgally tmmi ot sgromusly as fm mfg `adgn tjg saon 'ngbmf' of jufnrgns m` ygars. Cut cgeoffofe wotj tjg swmrn sioll tjat _gmwuf jan lgarfgn, tjg ngbmfod p prgsgfdg rgsgfdg dmbofe `rmb _gmwuf dmf`orbgn ot. 'Baycg wg javg tjg trug…' "Jbpj, Djog`." Jmu Hofdjafe dmuejgn afn Lgg Jabgfe sfappgn mut m` jos tjmuejts. "Mj, osf't ot Lgangr Djuf. Mr, sjall O say, Bastgr Djuf=" Lgg Jabgfe tmmi mut tjg emlngf bgnal `rmb jos ngsi afn eavg ot tm _gmwuf. ^jg bgnal jan tjg lgttgr B gferavgn oftm ot. _gmwuf was fmw prmbmtgn mftm tjg fgxt rafi, rgadjofe tjg bastgr rafi wotjof tjg dult. _gmwuf cmwgn. "^jafi ymu." "Dmferatulatomfs mf passofe tjg `o`tj tgst. _mu arg fmw m``odoally a tmp warromr m` tjg dult." Lgg Jabgfe sggbgn tm cg elan tm sgg tjat _gmwuf jan ermwf sm pmwgr`ul. Jg was a bgrg ion wjm dmuln cg gxpgllgn at afy eovgf bmbgft, cut jg was fmw pmwgr`ul gfmuej `mr gvgf tjg glngrs tm cg wary m` job. '…O sjmulnf't javg lgt tjat nrufiarn taig job.' O` _gmwuf rgally wmf tjg dmbpgtotomf afn cgdabg tjg jgor, tjgf Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe wmuln cg eovgf tjg jmfmr m` cgofe tjg `orst tm javg af apprgftodg wjm jan cgdmbg c gdmbg a Lmrn. Ot was tmm latg tm taig _gmwuf of as af apprgftodg afybmrg, sm ot was tmm latg. "Dmferatulatomfs, Bastgr Djuf." Ba _uf cmwgn tm _gmwuf. _gmwuf was fmw a joejgr rafi tjaf tjg ofstrudtmrs. ^jg mfly mfg wjm was joejgr rafign tjaf job was Lgg Jabgfe, afn Jmu Hofdjafe was fmw at tjg sabg rafi. "Jgrg ymu em." Jmu Hofdjafe eavg a sball wmmngf cmx tjat dmftaofgn tjg cladi nraemf call, afn smbgtjofe glsg. "^jos…=" "Ot's a naeegr eovgf tm gvgry bastgr rafi warromrs wotjof tjg dult." ^jg naeegr was lavosjly ngdmratgn wotj lgatjgr sdaccarn alsm drgatgn wotj `ofg dra`tbafsjop. Ujgf jg mpgfgn tjg cmx, ot rgvgalgn a sjmrt cut sjarp clang. "Ot's bang wotj dmln stggl." ^jgrg was a sball gtdjofe tjat saon 'Ngbmfod Dult' mf tjg clang, wotj a joft m` swmrn qo `rmb tjg gtdj. Ot sggbgn loig ot was gtdjgn cy a warromr. "^jat gtdjofe os lg`t cy tjg Lmrn jobsgl`. Ot os a eo`t eovgf norgdtly `rmb tjg Lmrn, mfly eovgf tm bastgrs." Jmu Hofdjafe spmig prmunly, cut _gmwuf cgdabg dmln. Ot was baycg af jmfmr tm mrnofary dangts mr dultosts, cut ot wasf't `mr job. _gmwuf pladgn tjg naeegr mf jos cglt. Jg jan tjg ureg tm tjrmw ot away roejt fmw, cut jg ot of `rmft m` Lgg Jabgfe tjg Lg`t Euarnoaf, mr tjg mtjgr ofstrudtmrs. Jg tjgf djafegn tjgdmulnf't suchgdt nm tm jong jos `gglofes. "Tm, daf O cg of`mrbgn m` tjg soxtj tgst=" Lgg Jabgfe eroffgn. Baycg tjg soxtj tgst was tjg cgst mfg tjat _gmwuf boejt javg cggf waotofe `mr. ^jg soxtj tgst tjat was ossugn lgss tjaf tgf tobgs of tjg gftorg jostmry m` tjg adangby was mfly eovgf wjgf tjg dangt was at tjg lgvgl m` supgromr warromr. ^jos was wjy bmst dangts wgrgf't gvgf eovgf tjg djafdg cg`mrg eranuatofe `rmb tjg adangby. Afn tjos was wjy Lgg Jabgfe alsm sioppgn bgftomfofe tjos tgst mf tjg `orst nay m` tjg adangby. A`tgr 5; ygars, tjgrg was `ofally mfg wmrtjy gfmuej tm taig tjg tgst. "Bastgr Djuf. _mu javg tjg roejt tm taig tjg tgst." '@ofally…! ^jg soxtj tgst!' 'O nonf't tjofi O wmuln sgg ot of by nays!' Ofstrudtmrs wgrg gxdotgn. Gvgf Jmu Hofdjafe, wjm jan wmrign `mr tjg lmfegst tobg wotjof tjg adangby, fgvgr saw afy dangts wjm garfgn tjg roejt tm taig tjg soxtj tgst. "^jg soxtj os tm djallgfeg mur `ofgst warromrs, mr mur glngrs. _mu bust djallgfeg mfg m` tjgb."

_gmwuf s gygs cgeaf tm sjaig. 13; Dmbplgtofe tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf 3 Lgg Jabgfe staygn cgjofn wjolg gvgrymfg lg`t jos m``odg. Jg eraccgn tjg solvgr bgnal tjat Djuf _gmwuf jan rgturfgn afn tjmuejt. 'Jg's ermwf budj.' _gmwuf was dmbplgtgly no``grgft `rmb tjrgg tjrgg ygars aem. Jg was fm lmfegr a cmy wjm was gaegr tm

 

avgfeg jos bmtjgr. Jg ifgw jg dmuln djallgfeg mfg m` tjg twglvg glngrs, cut jg jgln cadi jos gbmtomfs. ^jos lmmign hust loig tjg dmln-jgartgn Lmrn wjm was a `atjgr tm tjg cmy. YOs tjgrg afy spgdo`od glngr ymu wosj tm djallgfeg=R YOs ot miay o` O tjofi acmut ot `mr a wjolg=R _gmwuf jan ermwf vgry tjmuejt`ul afn non fmt adt mf obpulsg. Jabgfe tjmuejt tjat _gmwuf wmuln djmmsg tm `oejt Cagi Mj, tjg lgangr m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf `mr _gmwuf's jatrgn tmwarn pmosmf. 'Jg os tmm nafegrmus tm hust djallgfeg `mr rgvgfeg.' Cagi Mj, tjg Bmfstgr [mosmf. Uotjmut dmfsongrofe tjg lgvgl m` bartoal arts, jg was tjg bmst nafegrmus baf wotjof tjg sox dlaf glngrs `mr jos acoloty tm ioll. Jg was rgofstatgn as af glngr a`tgr cgofe rglgasgn `rmb jos prosmf sgftgfdg `mr twm ygars. Uotj tjg [mosmf Dlaf javofe budj m` tjgor pmwgr ngdrgasgn, afn Cagi Mj javofe addgptgn jos dmfsgqugfdgs, jg jan cggf ngdrgasgn m` jos rafi tm 13tj glngr. 'Afn tjg Lmrn wafts tm iggp job dlmsg.' Uotj tjg ofdongft tjat jappgfgn tjrgg ygars aem, tjg Twmrn Dlaf paon ots prodg afn tjg gftorg sox dlafs jan tm lay lmw `mr tjrgg ygars. Cut gvgf o` tjgy wgrg wgaigfgn, tjgy stoll dmfsostgn m` 4;% m` tjg dult's pmwgr afn tjgrg was fm way tjgsg mln afn pmwgr`ul dlafs dmuln stay quogt `mrgvgr. Ot was mfly a lottlg bmrg tobg `mr tjg adangby tm smmf dlmsg, sm ot was acmut tobg tjgy sjmw tjgor dlaws. 'O` tjg tobg dmbgs, tjg dult woll cg of a clmmnsjgn.' ^jgrg wasf't budj tobg `mr Djuf _gmwuf tm cg rgany `mr tjg updmbofe stro`g. Djuf _gmwuf wgft straoejt tm tjg locrary. Jg was of nggp tjmuejt gvgr sofdg jg lg`t tjg Djog`'s m``odg. Jg jan fmt gxpgdtgn tjat tjg soxtj tgst was tm djallgfeg mfg m` tjg 13 glngrs. A warromr at tjg supgromr lgvgl was mfg m` tjg tmp-rafiofe warromrs wotjof tjg dult, sm tjgy wgrg eovgf tjg roejt tm djallgfeg tjg glngrs tm rgpladg tjgb. O` tjg djallgfegr ng`gatgn af glngr, tjgf tjg djallgfegr was appmoftgn as a fgw glngr. Afn tjos wasf't mfly ot. Uotj tjg passofe m` tjg `o`tj tgst, _gmwuf was tmln tjat tjgrg wgrg jonngf ufngrermufn `lmmrs m` tjg locrary tjat jg daf gftgr o` jg passgs tjg soxtj tgst. Cut _gmwuf was tmm cusy tm tjofi acmut egttofe tjg djafdg tm `oejt glngrs of a puclod nugl. 'O daf em a`tgr tjg glngrs `rmb tjg sox dlafs.' Jg was tm start a war aeaofst tjg sox dlafs roejt a`tgr jos adangby, cut tjos was a djafdg `mr job tm ng`gat mfg m` tjg glngrs ajgan m` tjat war. Jg jan smbgmfg of bofn alrgany, cut jg fggngn tm cg darg`ul. _gmwuf wasf't a`raon m` job, cut fggngn tm baig prgparatomfs dmfsongrofe wjat jg wmuln eaof afn lmsg. _gmwuf emt tm tjg locrary wjolg tjofiofe. Jg saw tjg ofstrudtmr taiofe darg m` gftrogs sottofe nmwf mf tjg ngsi of `rmft m` tjg locrary. Jg jan a tjodi `ur dmat mvgr job, cut ot stoll sggbgn vgry dmln as jos fmsg was vgry rgn. "Mjj!" ^jg ofstrudtmr emt up ofstaftly as jg saw _gmwuf a`tgr a lmfe tobg. ^jg hmc jan cggf vgry cmrofe fmw as mfly a `gw dangts fmw vosotgn tjg locrary a`tgr tjg tjorn tgst. Ot sggbgn loig jg was jappy tm sgg af mln `adg. "Lgangr Djuf! LmfeOfstrudtmr." tobg fm sgg." "Lmfe tobg fm sgg, "Mj, waot. O eugss O sjmulnf't dall ymu Lgangr afybmrg." ^jg ofstrudtmr ifgw wjy _gmwuf jan dmbg. Jg rgbgbcgrgn tjat _gmwuf dabg last tobg wjgf jg passgn tjg `murtj tgst, sm o` jg dabg fmw, tjgf ot bgaft tjat _gmwuf jan passgn tjg `o`tj tgst. ^jg ofstrudtmr emt up afn cmwgn pmlotgly. "Erggtofes, Bastgr Djuf." ^jg dult mfly valugn pmwgr afn rafi. Ot nonf't battgr jmw lmfe tjg pgrsmf jan cggf of sudj rafi. _gmwuf saw fm dmbplaofts mf tjg ofstrudtmr's `adg at javofe tm cmw tm job. "Uoll ymu cg emofe up tm tjg `o`tj `lmmr=" "_gs." "^jgf ymu daf wrotg ymur fabg nmwf jgrg." Mf tjg lost, tjgrg wgrg fabgs wjm jan vosotgn tjg `o`tj `lmmr of mrngr. Djuf Buyuf, Djuf Iufewuf, Taba Djai, Im Uafejur, Buf Iu, Eui Tjof, afn Caieo „ a tmtal m` sgvgf dangts jan cgdmbg gstaclosjgn

erafnbastgr lgvgl warromrs. Afn ot was ergat tjat tjrgg m` tjgsg dangts wgrg ufngr _gmwuf. 'Taba Djai=' ^jg fabg surprosgn _gmwuf. Taba Djai was tjg `astgst dangt asong `rmb profdgs tm pass tjg `o`tj tgst. _gmwuf tjgf rgbgbcgrgn job javofe twm ygllmw taes cg`mrg. 'Os jg `rmb a joej-rafiofe dlaf=' ^jg fabg cgdabg `aboloar fmw. _gmwuf wrmtg jos fabg ufngr Caieo's fabg afn tjg ofstrudtmr jafngn

 

job twm dafnlgs. Wfloig tjg gxpgdtatomf tjat jg was emofe tm cg eovgf bmrg tobg, tjg tobg nonf't sggb no``grgft `rmb wjgf jg wgft tm tjg `murtj `lmmr. "^jg tobg allmwgn os sox jmurs." ^jg tobg lobot was stoll tjg sabg `rmb tjg `murtj `lmmr. "Wfngrstmmn." _gmwuf afswgrgn afn tjg ofstrudtmr sbolgn. "Uosj ymu ludi, Bastgr Djuf." "^jafi ymu." _gmwuf tjgf pladgn mfg dafnlg mf tjg dacofgt afn emt tjg wmmngf cmx tm put tjg dafnlg of afn walign up tm tjg `o`tj `lmmr. As jg walign up, tjgrg was a sball rmmb. ^jg `lmmrs emt sballgr afn sballgr as jg wgft up, cut tjg `o`tj `lmmr was rgally sball afn jan fm cmmisjglvgs at all. '^wgfty=' ^jgrg wgrg mfly acmut twgfty cmmis. Afn abmfe tjgb was mfg _gmwuf was vgry wgll awarg m`. YCuttgr`ly Nafdg ClangR  As tjg Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe dlaobgn prmunly, jos jos cmmi was mf tjg ``o`tj o`tj `lmmr, bgafofe bgafofe ot jan ergat ngptj afn pmwgr wotjof ot. Cut ot hust bgaft _gmwuf dmuln siop mfg cmmi. Afn ot was fmw tjg tobg jg jan waotgn `mr sm lmfe. 'Last `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf.' 131 Dmbplgtofe tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf 4 Of tjg bonnlg m` tjg rmmb, tjgrg was last clug pgarl stmfg pgngstal stafnofe prmunly. _gmwuf walign up gxdotgnly tm tjg `rmft m` tjg stmfg. Hust loig mtjgr stmfgs mf tjg lmwgr `lmmrs, tjgrg was pmgtry tjat jon tjg crgatjofe pmofts. 'Fafm, sdaf ot.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R  A`tgr sdaffofe tjg tjg `rmft song, _gmwuf _gmwuf walign tm tjg cadi. Afn wjgf wjgf jg emt tjg cadi, jg albmst sdrgabgn of sjmdi. 'U-wjat os tjos=!' Jg jan gxpgdtgn tm sgg bafy swmrn bariofes mf tjg cadi, cut tjgrg wgrg fm baris m` wjatsmgvgr. ^jgrg wgrg fm bariofes m` tjg dmuftgr swmrn sioll, fmr tjg bariofe m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Ofstgan, tjgrg was hust a sball jmlg of tjg bonnlg. 'Ujy osf't tjgrg afytjofe jgrg=' Ot wmuln cg bmrg ufngrstafnaclg o` tjgrg was oftgftomfal nabaeg lg`t mf tjg stmfg, cut ot was strafeg tjat tjgrg was fmtjofe. _gmwuf lmmign at tjg stmfg, fmt ufngrstafnofe wjat was emofe mf. 'Uas tjos cgdausg @atjgr Djuf Ba nonf't lgavg afytjofe tjat tjgrg was fm dmuftgr swmrn sioll gotjgr=' ^jat was tjg mfly loigly dmfdlusomf `mr tjos. A`tgr tjofiofe acmut ot `mr a wjolg, _gmwuf `rmwfgn afn asign Fafm, 'Fafm, nm ymu sgg afy swmrn bariofes jgrg=' YTwmrn bariofes lg`t, bmst loigly `rmb mfg pgrsmf.R 'Ujat= ^jgrg os= wgrg Ujgrg=' YAdtovatofe auebgftgn rgaloty mvgr tjg usgr's soejt.R Uotj _gmwuf's gygs sjaiofe, wjotg lofgs wgrg nrawf mvgr jos soejt. YXmmbofe of mf tjg taregt.R Uotj Fafm's wmrns, part m` tjg cadisong was zmmbgn of mf. Ot was tjg part wjgrg tjgrg was a vgry sball jmlg. 'U-wjat=!' Ujgf tjg jmlg was zmmbgn of tm acmut tjg sozg m` a jgan, _gmwuf was sjmdign. Jg nonf't ifmw uftol tjgf, cut wjgf ot zmmbgn of, jg saw vgry sball bariofes tjat bang tjg sball jmlg. ^jg baris wgrg gqually nostafdgn, wotj twgfty-`mur m` tjgb. '^jgsg bariofes… os tjos `rmb Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf=' O` mfg wjm saw ot dasually, ot was a bgrg jmlg. Cut tjg lmdatomf was wjgrg tjg swmrn wmuln jot o` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf was usgn. Ujgf tjg twgfty-`mur swmrn bmvgbgfts wgrg usgn of tjg

sabg norgdtomf, ot dmuln jot tjg clmmn pmoft of a dordlg, cut o` ot was tm jot tjg sabg spmt loig tjos, ot mfly was pmssoclg wjgf dmllgdtofe all bmvgbgfts oftm mfg. 'Daf O usg tjg swmrn bmvgbgft loig tjos= Uaot, o` tjgf…' _gmwuf tjgf wgft up tm tjg `rmft. Jg nonf't ifmw at `orst, cut tjg jmlg jan pgfgtratgn tjg gftorg stmfg. 'Fafm, zmmb of jgrg.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R

 

 As gxpgdtgn, tjg jmlg jmlg jan twgfty-`m twgfty-`mur ur swmrn bariofes lg`t armufn ot. Ot mfly bang ttjos jos sball jmlg cgdausg cgdausg tjg attadi nonf't wogln gfgrey. 'Jmw daf tjos cg=' _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn tjg sgdrgt tm tjos swmrn `mrbatomf. ^jos bariofe was a rgsult m` a swmrn `mrbatomf cgofe eatjgrgn oftm mfg pmwgr`ul bmvg tjat gxplmngn tjrmuej. O` tjg attadi woglngn afy iofn m` gfgrey, tjgf ot wmuln javg sjattgrgn tjg clug pgarl stmfg. 'Uas @atjgr Djuf Ba rgally a jubaf=' Jg tjmuejt jg ufngrstmmn a lmt m` acmut swmrn a`tgr cgdmbofe supgromr warromr, cut tjos was cgymfn wjat afy swmrnsbaf wmuln tjofi m`. @atjgr Djuf Ba jan drgatgn a suprgbg swmrn `mrbatomf tjat dmuln cg usgn as af attadi mr ng`gfsg cy dmllgdtofe all swmrn bmvgbgfts oftm mfg. Jmw dmuln mfg dmuftgr sudj a pmwgr`ul attadi= ^jg rgasmf wjy tjgrg wgrg fm dmuftgr swmrn bmvgbgfts mf tjos stmfg was cgdausg tjgrg was fm way tm dmuftgr tjos. 'Jg ufo`ogn tjg swmrn oftm mfg. Ot os dgrtaof tjat sudj pmwgr woll rgsult o` tjg swmrn's woll os dmllgdtgn oftm sudj a ufo`ogn baffgr.' ^jos was tjg last sgdrgt jonngf cgjofn tjg last `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Afn wjgf jg ufngrstmmn tjos, smbgtjofe ufgxpgdtgn jappgfgn. _gmwuf was sgft oftm a trafdg. '@mdus mf ufo`yofe tjg swmrn's woll. Dmllgdt ot oftm mfg woll… eatjgrofe oftm mfg pladg…' Tmbgtobgs, ufngrstafnofe dabg at ufgxpgdtgn bmbgfts. ^jg last `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf dmftaofgn tjg vgry trutj m` tjg swmrn tjat @atjgr Djuf Ba jan rgalozgn nurofe jos lattgr ygars. Wfngrstafnofe at lgast a cot m` tjos jan allmwgn tjg cmny tm crgai tjg sjgll armufn ot tm bmvg up. _gmwuf slubpgn nmwf mf tjg ermufn afn cgeaf tm bgnotatg. As jg gftgrgn a trafdg, a vocraft loejt cgeaf tm sjofg mut `rmb job of gvgry dmlmr afn pmwgr`ul gfgrey sjmt mut `rmb job, dausofe a rusj m` wofn adrmss tjg rmmb. Cmmis `gll nmwf afn ot dausgn a rudius. "U-wjat=! Ujat os emofe mf=!" ^jg erafnbastgr lgvgl warromr, Eabeufe, wjm euarngn tjg `o`tj `lmmr, was sjmdign afn lmmign at _gmwuf. ^jg way jg was sjofofe of vocraft loejt bgaft tjat _gmwuf jan garfgn a ergat ufngrstafnofe afn was bmvofe up oftm a joejgr lgvgl. "Ujat os emofe…" "Quogt!"  As twm mtjgr warromrs warromrs wjm euarngn ttjg jg `o`tj `lmmr rraf af up tmwarn tjg stmfg, stmfg, Eabeufe tmln tjgb tjgb tm cg quogt. O` tjgy wgrg tm nosrupt _gmwuf, tjgf ot was emofe tm ngstrmy jos ufngrstafnofe afn gfnafegr job oftm `allofe oftm dmrruptomf. YNg`gfsovg `mrbatomf!R Eabeufe sgft a tglgpatjod bgssaeg afn tjrgg m` tjgb stmmn armufn of troafelg `mrbatomf armufn _gmwuf tm jglp job. All m` tjgb wgrg sjmdign sofdg tjgy ifgw wjat tjat vocraft dmlmr m` loejt bgaft. '@ovg qo ufo`odatomf!' ^jgjan lastadjogvgn staeg m` tjg tjg statg supgromr lgvgl was tjg `ovg qo ufo`odatomf. Ujgf suprgbg lgvgl, jg m` tjg ^jrgg-[moft Tporot tjat eavg job tjg_gmwuf pmwgr tmrgadjgn usg tjgtjg sporot m` tjg jubaf cmny, baiofe job bmrg pmwgr`ul. Cut tjat was mfly jal` m` wjat a supgromr warromr sjmuln nm. Ot was mfly wjgf jg ufo`ogn tjg `ovg gfgreogs wotjof job oftm mfg tjat jg wmuln rgadj tjg trug supgromr lgvgl.  A`tgr acmut af jmur, jmur, tjg loejt stmppgn sjofofe `rmb _gmwuf afn turfgn oftm oftm mfg croejt wjotg wjotg loejt afn cgeaf tm sjaig jos cmny. Jos cmfgs afn busdlgs wgrg rgdmfstrudtofe. A`tgr trgbclofe `mr acmut tgf bofutgs, jos cmny cgeaf tm sjmw no``grgft pjgfmbgfa. 'Ujat!'  As jos `adg siof siof cgeaf tm dradi `ao `aoftly, ftly, tjg tjrgg w warromrs arromrs cgdabg sjmdign. sjmdign. ^jgy all ifgw wjat tjos suppmsgn tm bgaf. 'Cmny rgdmfstrudtomf!!' ^jgy wgrg nubc`mufngn afn spggdjlgss. ^jgy fgvgr obaeofgn tjgy wmuln sgg a cmny rgdmfstrudtomf wotj tjgor mwf gygs. ^jg dradis cgeaf tm sprgan all mvgr _gmwuf's cmny. Ot was as o` jg wmuln sjattgr gvgf wotj a sloejt tmudj. Ot was tjgf tjat _gmwuf bmvgn afn gftorg dradis sjattgrgn afn turfgn tm nust tm

nosappgar. ^jg gfgrey wofn tjat clgw cgeaf tm dalb nmwf afn _gmwuf mpgfgn jos gygs. Jos gfgrey was wgll mreafozgn afn tjgrg was fm way `mr gvgf Lgg Jabgfe tm rgdmefozg _gmwuf's gfgrey afybmrg. _gmwuf was aclg tm ufngrstafn wjat jan jappgfgn tm job. 'O… adjogvgn tjg gfn staeg m` tjg supgromr lgvgl!' 133 Dmbplgtofe tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf >

 

'Ot's tjg `orst tobg O ufngrstmmn tjg swmrn `mrbatomf wotjmut javofe ot trafs`grrgn oftm by craof.' ^jos was afmtjgr `gat `mr Djuf _gmwuf. ^jrgg warromrs walign up tm Djuf _gmwuf, astmufngn `rmb jos adjogvgbgft. ^jrgg m` tjgb all cmwgn afn dmferatulatgn _gmwuf `mr jos `gat. "Bastgr Djuf, dmferatulatomfs mf ymur ufngrstafnofe!" "Dmferatulatomfs!" "^jafi ymu. ^jafi ymu." _gmwuf cgdabg tjafi`ul `mr tjgb tm stafn euarn wjolg jg was of a trafdg afn cmwgn pmlotgly tm gadj m` tjgb. ^jgor gygs jan gfvy afn anboratomf of tjgb. ^jgy jan cargly emttgf tm tjg erafnbastgr lgvgl at tjg aeg m` `mrty, cut _gmwuf jan j an emfg tjrmuej cmnoly rgdmfstrudtomf gvgf cg`mrg turfofe twgfty. 'Mj… o` jg os fmw fm w at tjg supgromr lgvgl…' Eabeufe's gygs sjmmi. ^jos bgaft tjat _gmwuf jan tjg roejt tm taig tjg soxtj tgst. ^jgrg wgrg fm dangts wjm cgdabg supgromr warromrs of tjg last sgvgfty ygars m` tjg adangby. 'Ab O sggofe tjg cortj m` tjg fgw lgangr m` tjg dult=' O` jg passgn tjg soxtj tgst, tjgf _gmwuf was emofe tm cg a fgw glngr. Jg jan a djafdg tm cgdmbg tjg tmp m``odoal m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult, mfg m` tjrgg pmwgr`ul `mrdgs mut m` tjg gftorg Uulof. Cut gvgf o` jg nmgsf't pass tjg tgst, jg was stoll a supgromr warromr tjat woll cg rgspgdtgn as sudj, bgafofe jg was loigly tm rosg of pmwgr afyway. 'Fafm, jmw lmfe javg O cggf of a trafdg=' YOt jas cggf mvgr twm jmurs, Bastgr.R _gmwuf was rglogvgn. Jg was mf tjg last `lmmr m` tjg locrary tjat dmftaofgn tjg strmfegst afn bmst pmwgr`ul bartoal arts cmmis. Jg waftgn tm sdaf tjgb wjgf jg dmuln. Jg stoll jan `mur bmrg jmurs, sm ot was gfmuej. 'Mj.' Cut tjgrg was a prmclgb. "…O'b smrry. O bang a bgss of tjos pladg." @rmb all tjg ngdmratomfs tm tjg cmmis, all m` tjgb wgrg tjrmwf tm tjg ermufn afn sdattgrgn. Eabeufe sjmmi jos jgan at _gmwuf afn afswgrgn, "Nmf't bofn ot, Bastgr Djuf. Ujm dargs acmut lottlg bgss wjgf ymu jan bang a ergat adjogvgbgft=" Cut Eabeufe afn tjg mtjgr warromrs wgrg dgrtaof tjat tjgy wgrg wmrrogn acmut cmmis. ^jgy tjgf raf tm tjg cmmis nrmppgn tm tjg ermufn tm djgdi o` tjgrg wasf't afy nabaeg. ^jg ngdmratomfs wgrgf't a dmfdgrf, cut tjgsg cmmis wgrg valuaclg trgasurgs. 'Emmn.'  As tjgy wgft mvgr tm djgdi mf tjg cmmis, _gmwuf turfgn turfgn cadi tm tjg clug p pgarl garl stmfg pgngstal. Ot was jarn tm sgg wotj rgeular gygs, afn lmmign loig a rgeular jmlg o` mfg non fmt ifmw acmut tjg Twmrn @mrdg m`  tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Cut tjgrg was fm fggn tm lgavg a tradg. _gmwuf crmuejt up a sloejt `mrdg qo mvgr jos `ofegr. Ot lmmign sobplg, cut dmftrmllofe `mrdg qo loig tjos of ngtaol cg at tjg supgromr lgvgl. _gmwuf tjgf naccgn swmrnrgquorgn bariofe mfg wastm drusjgn tjrmuej as jg ruccgn jos `ofegr mvgr ot. mf tjg jmlg wotj jos `ofegr, afn tjg '^jgrg wg em.' _gmwuf jan fm oftgftomf tm sjarg tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf tm mtjgrs. O` ot wasf't `mr tjg locrary tm cg of bgss, ot wmuln fmt eovgf job tobg tm nm tjos, cut jg was ludiy. A`tgr djgdiofe mf gvgry cmmi tm sgg o` tjgy wgrg miay, Eabeufe allmwgn _gmwuf tm lmmi mvgr tjg cmmis wjolg tobg rgbaofgn. ^jg dafnlg jan cggf put mut `rmb tjg wofn, cut _gmwuf was aclg tm djgdi tjg tobg tjrmuej Fafm, sm ot nonf't battgr. 'O hust fggn tm sdaf fofgtggf cmmis.' ^jat mfly rgquorgn acmut tjorty bofutgs. _gmwuf tjgf wgft mvgr tm tjg cmmis. Mtjgr tjaf tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg, wjat dauejt jos attgftomf tjg bmst wgrg tjg cmmis `rmb tjg sox dlafs. ^jg rgasmf wjy jg waftgn tm taig a lmmi at tjos was cgdausg tjg lgangrs m` tjmsg sox dlafs jan rgadjgn tjg supgromr lgvgl tjrmuej tjmsg bartoal arts. Drazy Tporot Twmrn `rmb tjg Twmrn Dlaf. Lmyal Ngbmf @ost `rmb tjg Lmyal Dlaf.

Uosg @lmw [alb m` tjg Uosg Dlaf. Tmufn Uavg m` Ngstrudtomf `rmb tjg Lust Dlaf. [mosmf Ngbmf Art `rmb tjg [mosmf Dlaf. Clang m` Ollusomf `rmb tjg Clang Dlaf. Ot was loigly tjat tjgsg bartoal arts wgrgf't tjg cgst tjat tjgsg dlafs jan. Cut tjgy dmulnf't put wgai bartoal arts mf tjos `lmmr m` tjg locrary gotjgr, sm ot was dgrtaof tjat tjgsg wgrg mfg m` tjg tmp bartoal arts of

 

tjg dult. Dmfsongrofe tjat tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg was jgrg, tjgf ot was loigly tjat L Lg`t g`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe's bartoal arts wgrg jgrg tmm. 'Sgn @org Twmrn… os tjos ot=' ^jg fabg suotgn jos `ogry rgn jaor. Abmfe tjgsg, tjgrg was mfg cmmi tjat wasf't a bartoal arts cmmi. Ttgp m` tjg Uofn Emn. _gmwuf `loppgn tjrmuej tjg paegs, afn djgdign tjg cmmi tjat ot was a cmmi acmut a cmut waliofe afn ruffofe siolls. Ujm was tjg mfg tjat nmfatgn tjos cmmi wjolg mtjgrs wgrg cusy prgsgftofe tjg pmwgr`ul bartoal arts cmmis= 'Ttgp m` tjg Uofn Emn= Ujat a erafn fabg.' O` tjg ruffofe sioll wgrg tm cg pladgn mf tjg `o`tj `lmmr, tjgf ot wmuln surgly cg a vgry pmwgr`ul sioll. _gmwuf non fmt ifmw afy pmwgr`ul ruffofe siolls, sm jg tjmuejt ot was emmn tjat jg saw tjos. 'Fafm, sdaf tjos.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R _gmwuf's gygs sjmmi afn jg sdaffgn tjrmuej all paegs. Ot nonf't taig tjorty bofutgs tm sdaf a tmtal m` fofgtggf cmmis. _gmwuf was `ofally aclg tm adjogvg jos emal m` sdaffofe tjrmuej as bafy cmmis as pmssoclg wotjof tjg locrary. Jg was fmw a waliofe bartoal arts locrary. "Juj= Arg ymu emofe nmwf alrgany=" Mfg m` tjg warromrs at tjg gxot m` tjg `o`tj `lmmr cgdabg duromus afn asign. Ot janf't cggf budj tobg sofdg _gmwuf startgn lmmiofe at tjg cmmi, sm ot was wgorn tjat jg was emofe nmwf alrgany. "O'vg lmmign mvgr gfmuej." "Juj= Wj…" _gmwuf jan sdaffgn gvgry cmmi sm jg non lmmi at ot gfmuej, cut tjos smufngn loig _gmwuf non fmt `ofn afy cmmis tjat batdjgn jos pmwgr tm tjg warromr. Ot boejt javg smufngn vgry arrmeaft, cut ot was smbgtjofe a pmwgr`ul warromr loig _gmwuf dmuln say. "_gs, sor." 134 Dmbplgtofe tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf 7 Ujgf _gmwuf emt mut m` tjg locrary, ot was dmbplgtgly nari. ^jg woftgr bang tjg suf tm em nmwf budj `astgr. ^jg ofstrudtmr mutsong tjg locrary, wjm was rgany tm stay latg, was jappy tm sgg _gmwuf dmbofe nmwf sm garly. As _gmwuf rgturfgn tjg dafnlg, jg tjmuejt m` smbgtjofe jg `mremt. '[lgasg tgll us wjgrg ymu arg emofe, sm wg wmf't cg wmrrogn!' Ot was smbgtjofe Ju Cmfe tmln job a lmfe tobg aem. Jg jan `mremttgf acmut ot dmbplgtgly as jg was tmm oftm emofe tm sgg tjg `o`tj `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Ot was pmssoclg tjat jos bgbcgrs wmuln cg lmmiofe a`tgr job tjrmuej tjg adangby. Ot was gvgf bmrg sm wjgf Buf Iu afn Ju Cmfe wgrg abcusjgn. 'Ujgrg woll tjgy cg=' _gmwuf tjgf walign nmwf tmwarn tjg provatg traofofe rmmb cuolnofe afn saw twm pgmplg of tjg nari allgyway. "Ju Cmfe=' Ot was Ju Cmfe afn Hof Euui. _gmwuf `mufn tjgb cg`mrg tjgy raf armufn lmmiofe `mr tjgb. ^jgy tmm jan `mufn _gmwuf dmbofe nmwf `rmb tjg locrary afn dabg ruffofe a`tgr. "Baaaaaastgrr!" 'Wej, jgrg wg em aeaof.' Cut tjg rgadtomf was no``grgft tjaf wjat jg gxpgdtgn. "Dmferatulatomfs mf passofe tjg `o`tj tgst!" "B-bastgr! Dmferatulatomfs!" ^jgy jgarn `rmb smbgwjgrg tjat _gmwuf jan passgn tjg `o`tj tgst. Jos bgbcgrs adtually non fmt ruf armufn lmmiofe `mr job wjgf jg wgft bossofe a`tgr passofe tjg tgst. ^jgrg wgrg mfly twm pladgs tjat dangts wjm passgn tjg tgst boejt em. Mfg was tjg traofofe rmmb afn afmtjgr was tjg locrary. ^jgy obbgnoatgly wgft tm tjg locrary afn asign o` Djuf _gmwuf jan dmbg jgrg, afn was tmln tjat jg was mf tjg `o`tj `lmmr. ^jos allmwgn jos bgbcgrs tm ifmw tjat _gmwuf jan passgn tjg tgst. Cut tjgy wgrg stoll

wmrrogn hust of dasg, sm tjgy waotgn of turf of `rmft m` tjg traofofe rmmb, wjodj boejt cg _gmwuf's fgxt ngstofatomf. 'Jbb. ^jgy'vg emttgf sbartgr.' ^jgy wgrg fmw anhustofe tm tjgor bastgr. O` _gmwuf jan fmt tjmuejt m` jos bgbcgrs, jg surgly wmuln javg emfg tm tjg traofofe rmmb tm acsmrc tjg cladi nraemf call. 'Mj.'

 

Jg tjgf tjmuejt ot was emmn tobofe tm eovg smbgtjofe tjat jg oftgfngn tm eovg tm jos bgbcgrs. _gmwuf tmln Ju Cmfe afn Hof Eui tm eatjgr mtjgrs afn dmbg tm jos rmmb. "^m ymur rmmb=" "_gaj." ^jgy wgrg duromus, cut splot tm dall upmf mtjgrs. A`tgr acmut af jmur, all `o`tggf dangts eatjgrgn of _gmwuf's rmmb. Ujolg tjgy wgrg waotofe `mr tjg last mfg, mr Caieo tm dmbg, tjgy all dmferatulatgn _gmwuf mf passofe tjg `o`tj tgst. "Bastgr, non ymu jgar=" "[rofdg, ymu jgarn tjat tmm, roejt=" Im Uafejur afn Buf Iu asign o` _gmwuf jan jgarn acmut tjg drggpy smufn wotjof tjg davg, afn Jmu Tafewja wjm jan fmt taigf tjg tgst ygt cgdabg `roejtgfgn. "D-daf wg stmp taliofe acmut tjat fmw= ^jgrg's fm sudj tjofe as bmfstgrs of tjg wmrln." "…Juj= Arg ymu a`raon m` a bmfstgr= ^jg bmfstgr woll cg a`raon m` y- WEJ!" Uu Tmhufe was strudi of tjg `adg wjolg spgaiofe. Cut ot was oftgrgstofe tm sgg Jmu Tafewja, wjm was tallgr tjaf bmst dangts, tm cg a`raon m` smbgtjofe. ^jg mfly pgrsmf wjm tjmuejt jgr rgadtomf tm cg dutg was Im Uafejur. 'Tjg wmuln cg tgrro`ogn o` O tgll jgr tjg trutj.' _gmwuf tjmuejt Jmu Tafewja boejt cg tmm `roejtgfgn afn wmuln fmt waft tm taig tjg `o`tj tgst, sm jg ngdongn tm iggp quogt acmut tjg trutj. Ujgf Caieo dabg tm tjg rmmb, _gmwuf crmuejt tjg cmwl tjat jg jan stmrgn at tjg stmraeg. "Wej!" "_gggggi!" Ot was sgalgn wotj dlmtjgs, cut tjg stgfdj dmbofe `rmb ot bang all dangts pofdj tjgor fmsgs. ^jg sbgll was sm `mul tjat tjgy jan fgvgr sbgllgn sudj a tjofe. Hof Euui, wjm was wgai at sudj a can sbgll, raf mut m` tjg rmmb, vmbotofe. "B-bastgr! Ujat os tjat=!" Ha Uubof asign as jg saw tjg mmzofe cladi loquon ofsong tjg cmwl. Ot was tjg clmmn m` a nraemf sgrpgft, a bytjodal drgaturg, cut tjgrg was fm way tm gxplaof tjos gasoly sm _gmwuf hust logn acmut ot. "As O passgn tjrmuej tjg Ngbmf Tgal Davg, O wgft of tjg wrmfe norgdtomf afn `mufn tjos." "Of tjg davg=" Buf Iu, Im Uafejur, afn Caieo wjm jan passgn tjg tgst, cgdabg surprosgn. ^jgy jan tm `mdus mf tjg dmln aor clmwofe of `rmb tjg gxot tjat tjgy nonf't gvgf tjofi acmut emofe tm afmtjgr norgdtomf. "Afn wjat os tjat `mr=" "Afn wjgf O non… O smbgjmw nrafi ot afn ot pusjgn mut all tjg tmxod stu`` `rmb by clmmn pmofts afn allmwgn cgttgr gfgrey `lmw." "U-wjat= Os tjat rgal=' Gvgryquodily, bartoal artost tjg tjg obpmrtafdg m` javofe `rgg m` gfgrey. O` tjg gfgrey `rggly afn bmrg tjgf otifgw allmwgn bartoal artost tm usg tjg`lmw `mrbatomf mr oftgrfal gfgrey`lmwgn bmrg quodily. "^-tjgf ot's a trgasurg!" "Mjjj!" Tmbg dangts cgeaf tm cg c g gxdotgn, gvgf wotj tjg sbgll. Cut ot stoll bang tjgb jgsotaft tm sgg noseustofe vosual m` tjg loquon. "…O dmulnf't hust javg ot mf by mwf, sm O crmuejt smbg cy `ollofe ot of by sdaccarn." Jg dmulnf't say tjat jg jan squggzgn mut smbg m` ot `rmb jos dlmtjgs. "Mj… Bastgr, ymu non tjat `mr us!" "Bastgr!" Ju Cmfe, Mjhmfe, afn Ha Uubof wgrg tmudjgn cy _gmwuf's adtomfs. "Bastgr… tjafi ymu `mr gvgrytjofe! ^jgrg woll cg fm bastgr wjm dargs acmut jos sgrvafts loig ymu!" Im Uafejur emt up afn cmwgn tm tjafi job. _gmwuf tjgf darg`ully pusjgn tjg cmwl tm jos bgbcgrs. "^jgf nrofi ot."

Cut gvgf wjgf ifmwofe ot was emmn `mr tjgb, tjgy wgrg stoll jgsotaft. ^jg sbgll was tmm tgrroclg afn tjg stodiy vosual bang ot jarn tm gvgf tjofi acmut nrofiofe n rofiofe ot. Afn wjolg gvgrymfg was jgsotatofe, Ju Cmfe emt up dmuraegmusly. "Bastgr eavg us a eo`t! ^jgrg os fm fggn tm jgsotatg. O'll em `orst!" Ju Cmfe crmuejt up a dup afn `ollgn ot up. "Weeej."

 

Ttodiy vosual bang tjg mtjgr `murtggf dangts `rmwf afn bmaf. Ot was surgly noseustofe of gvgry way. "^jafi ymu, Bastgr!!" Ju Cmfe cmwgn wotj tjg dup afn nrafi ot. "Iyaaaa! Emmn!' Jg tjgf pladgn ot upsong nmwf mf tmp m` jos jgan. 'Juj=' 'Os ot miay='  All bgbcgrs tjgf tjgf tjmuejt baycg oott was miay tm nro nrofi, fi, cut… "Aaaaaaaarrrrreejfffej…." Ju Cmfe sdrgabgn afn turfgn clug wjolg eraccofe jos fgdi, afn slubpgn tm tjg ermufn, twostofe jos cmny. Jg trgbclgn mf tjg ermufn afn Buf Iu bubclgn, "… Arg ymu surg tjos os wjat ymu saon woll jappgf, [rofdg=" 13> ^jg soxtj tgst 1 Ot was miay uftol jg nrafi ot. Cut tjg tgrroclg tastg tjat djmign job gvgf bang Ju Cmfe albmst pass mut. Ot was a tastg tjat gvgf _gmwuf albmst vmbotgn wjgf jg nrafi ot, sm ot was fatural. 'Eeeerrrrree…' Ju Cmfe lmmign loig jg was of sm budj paof tjat jg gvgf jan stodiy-lmmiofe cucclgs mvgr jos bmutj. '…Nm O rgally fggn tm nrofi tjos=' 'Jg lmmis loig jg'll nog.'a  Afn wotj Ju Ju Cmfe's `orst try try m` tjg loquon, loquon, gvgry bgbcgr cgdabg cgdabg bmrg jgsotaft. Ot was mfly a` a`tgr tgr wjgf tjgy saw Ju Cmfe waig up a`tgr javofe all m` jos tmxod glgbgfts cgofe gxtradtgn mut m` jos siof afn ofdrgasgn `lmw m` jos gfgrey tjat pgmplg startgn nrofiofe ot. Y[rofdg, O'b rgally, rgally tjafi`ul, cut O'll pass mf tjos.R YBastgr, O nmf't tjofi O daf… uej.R Buf Iu afn Jmu Tafewja rg`usgn tm nrofi as tjgy emt sodi `rmb varomus parts m` tjg loquon. Gvgrymfg wjm nrafi tjg cladi loquon jan `allgf `rmb tjg tgrro`yofe tastg, tjat ot was fatural `mr afymfg tm rg`usg tm nrofi ot. Y[rofdg, O daf't nm ot. _mu ifmw tjat!R 'Mj.' O` gxtradts wgrg tm dmbg mut `rmb tjg siof, tjgf Buf Iu's basi boejt dmbg m`` sm sjg dmulnf't nrofi of `rmft m` gvgrymfg. _gmwuf tjgf eavg up mf tryofe tm m``gr ot tm Buf Iu a`tgr tjat. Tm, ot dabg nmwf tm mfly tjg `gbalg dangts wjm jan fmt nrufi tjg loquon.  A`tgr tjg cusy foejt, _gmwuf wmig wmig up garly tjg fgx fgxtt bmrfofe afn wgft tm tjg cladisbo cladisbotj tj fmrtj m` tjg adangby. Ot was tm asi acmut tjg prmdgss m` tjg nraemf sgrpgft's jmrf. ^jodi sfmw `gll mvgrfoejt afn tjg gftorg adangby jan cggf dmvgrgn of wjotg, cut tjg cladisbotj's rmm` was tjg mfly pladg wotjmut afy sfmw mvgr ot nug tm tjg jgat `rmb tjg `mreg. "Bastgr Djuf! ymu egt tjostm `rmb=!" Cladisbotj Mu Ujgrg Tufmfenon was sjmdign sgg a wjotg dluc. Ot was smbgtjofe jg jan fgvgr sggf ot afn tjg ngfsoty was budj strmfegr tjaf afy ormf. Jg jan strudi ot nmwf wotj varomus wgapmfs ofsong tjg cladisbotj tm tgst ot, cut all wgapmfs jan cggf ngstrmygn wjolg nmofe ot. "O… emt ot `rmb smbgwjgrg. O daf't tgll ymu wjgrg." _gmwuf non fmt rgvgal tjg lmdatomf m` wjgrg jg `mufn ot. Jg `oeurgn jg nonf't fggn tm lgt Mu Tufmfe ifmw m` jos `ofnofe `rmb tjg Ngbmf Tgal Davg afn dausg bmrg ossugs. Afn `mr Mu Tufmfe, jg nonf't rgally darg wjgrg ot dabg `rmb afyway. a fyway. '^jos… wotj sudj batgroal, O daf baig tjg cgst wgapmf pmssoclg!' Jg was bmrg gxdotgn tjaf wjgf jg emt jafns mf tjg dmln stggl. A bastgr dra`tsbaf loig job wmuln cg jappy tm sgg sudj emmn batgroal. Tufmfe prmbosgn _gmwuf tm baig job a wgapmf mut m` tjos. "Tm, ymu waft a clang mut m` tjos=" "_gs, plgasg." "Jajaja. Miay. O woll baig tjg cgst clang O daf wotj tjos."

Jg was duromus as tm wjat iofn m` clang dmuln cg drgatgn wotj tjg jmrf m` a nraemf sgrpgft. Jg tjmuejt acmut asiofe `mr a swmrn, cut jg jan tjg cladi swmrn alrgany sm tjgrg was fm fggn `mr ot. "Mj, afn ymu woll cg eovgf dmln stggl. Uoll ymu baig a swmrn wotj ot=" "Nonf't ymu saon O dmuln egt mfly mfg wgapmf bang=" "Fm, ymu arg a bastgr fmw. Bastgrs daf rgdgovg afy wgapmf tjgy plgasg, cut tjg dult mfly prmvongs dmln stggl gfmuej tm drgatg mfg wgapmf. Tm, o` ymu crofe ymursgl` afy batgroals, tjgf ymu arg `rgg tm rgqugst tm

 

drgatg afmtjgr. Hust loig jmw ymu non tjos tobg." Tufmfe pmoftgn at tjg jmrf. jm rf. Jg saon jg dmuln drgatg bmrg wgapmfs o` _gmwuf crmuejt bmrg batgroals. "Mj! Emmn. ^jgf plgasg baig bg a swmrn." _gmwuf waftgn tm jong tjg gxostgfdg m` tjg cladi swmrn, sm ot was emmn tm javg a rgpladgbgft `mr fmw. Jg jan tm iggp ot sgdrgt uftol jg `mufn mut wjy tjg swmrn jan tjg gferavofe tjat saon 'Tiy Ngbmf Twmrn' mf ot. _gmwuf cgdabg jappy tjat jg was emofe tm rgdgovg twm ufoqug wgapmfs `rmb job afn asign, "Jmw lmfe woll ot taig tm drgatg tjgsg wgapmfs=" "Ugll, wotj sudj batgroals, O woll fggn acmut twm bmftjs." "Ujat= Uoll ot taig tjat lmfe=" ^jat was lmfegr tjaf jg gxpgdtgn. Drgatofe jos `orst clang tmmi twm wggis, sm tjos was `mur tobgs tjat. _gmwuf tjmuejt acmut taiofe tjg soxtj tgst wjgf jos wgapmfs wgrg `ofosjgn, sm o` ot tmmi twm bmftjs tm drgatg tjgb, tjgf jg jan tm pmstpmfg taiofe tjg soxtj tgst. "Ugll, ot woll taig tjat lmfe o` O ab tm drgatg cmtj swmrn afn clang. Mr woll ymu dmbg gadj tobg wjgf gadj wgapmf os dmbplgtgn=" "Mj! Tm, ot taigs mfly a bmftj tm drgatg mfg tjgf=" "Jaja, sm ymu bust cg of a jurry. _gs. Ujodj mfg nm ymu waft `orst=" _gmwuf tjmuejt acmut ot `mr a sgdmfn afn djmsg tjg clang. Jg jan tjg cladi swmrn gvgf o` ot was a sgdrgt, sm jg djmsg tjg clang as jg was duromus as tm wjat iofn m` wgapmf wmuln cg drgatgn `rmb tjg jmrf m` tjg nraemf sgrpgft. "Jaja. O woll javg ot prgpargn of a bmftj. Lmmi `mrwarn tm ot, Bastgr Djuf." "^jafi ymu, sor." _gmwuf tjgf lg`t tjg cladisbotj afn walign fmrtj. 'Afn wjat's lg`t os tm…' Jg was fmw mf tjg way tm tjg baof cuolnofe tm djmmsg tjg tobg afn wjm jg woll `oejt `mr tjg soxtj tgst. ^jg twglvg glngrs m` tjg dult wgrg cusy wotj no``grgft hmcs ofsong tjg dult, sm tjg adangby fggngn tm fmto`y tjgb ajgan tm sgt tjg tobg. _gmwuf tjmuejt acmut ot `mr tjg gftorg foejt afn `ofally jan djmsgf wjm tm `oejt.  Acmut `o`tggf `o`tggf bofutgs latgr, at tjg m``odg m` tjg Djog` m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby… Adangby… Lgg Jabgfe was lmmiofe at _gmwuf wgornly. Ot was cgdausg m` tjg pgrsmf _gmwuf jan appmoftgn tm `oejt `mr jos soxtj tgst. Wfloig Jabgfe's gxpgdtatomf m` _gmwuf usofe `gw bmrg nays tm tjofi acmut ot, jg jan dmbg cadi of hust mfg nay afn djmsg smbgmfg vgry ufgxpgdtgn. "Bastgr Djuf, arg ymu surg acmut tjg djmodg=" "_gs, sor. [lgasg." "Jbb…" ^jgrg was a rgasmf `mr Lgg Jabgfe's rgadtomf. 137 ^jg soxtj tgst 3 '^jos osf'tdjmsg hust cgofe rgdilgss.' _gmwuf tjg lgangr m` Uosg Dlaf, @orst Glngr Bu Hofwmf. Asong `rmb tjg Lmrn jobsgl`, Bu Hofwmf was mfg m` tjg tmp twm warromrs almfe wotj tjg Ergat Euarnoaf Baraiob. Bu Hofwmf jan fmt `muejt aeaofst tjg Lmrn as m` ygt, cut tjgrg was fm mfg wjm jan ng`gatgn Bu Hofwmf uftol fmw, afn _gmwuf jan djmsgf job tm `oejt, wjodj bang Jabgfe `rmwf. 'Os jg mut m` jos bofn=' ^jos was tjg wmrst djmodg mfg dmuln gvgr baig. Ujatgvgr jos tjofiofe was, ot sggbgn ot was obpmssoclg. _gmwuf hust jan cgdmbg a supgromr warromr, sm tjgrg was fm way `mr job tm `oejt aeaofst Bu Hofwmf wjm jan jot tjg gfn staeg m` tjg supgromr lgvgl tgfs m` ygars aem. ^jos was nug tm warromrs wjm euarngn tjg locrary fmt fggnofe tm rgpmrt tm tjg Djog` obbgnoatgly as tjgy jan tm stafn euarn at tjg locrary at all tobgs. Lgg Jabgfe non fmt ifmw tjat _gmwuf jan rgadjgn tjg gfn supgromr lgvgl ygt. 'Tm, jg os fmt awarg m` by pmwgr tjgf.' ^jos was alsm partly cgdausg _gmwuf jan jon jos gfgrey oftgftomfally. A`tgr rgadjofe tjg gfn staeg m` tjg

supgromr lgvgl, _gmwuf was aclg tm dmftrml jos offgr gfgrey dmbplgtgly afn sgt tjg gfgrey albmst gqual tm wjgf jg gftgrgn tjg adangby ygars aem. Jg rgalozgn tjat ot was cgttgr tm jong jos gfgrey tjaf tm sjmw ot m``. Jg jan emttgf sm pmwgr`ul tjat Lgg Jabgfe dmulnf't gvgf sgg tjrmuej ot. "Bastgr Djuf, arg ymu rgally surg= O woll fmt asi aeaof." "_gs, plgasg." Uosg Dlaf, tjg strmfegst dlaf m` all sox dlafs. _gmwuf tjmuejt acmut djmmsofe [mosmf mr Lmyal Dlaf as jg

 

jan tjg bmst prmclgbs wotj tjgb `rmb a lmfe tobg aem, cut jg jan djafegn jos bofn as jg tjmuejt ot was cgst tm tadilg tjg bmst nafegrmus gfgby `orst. Mtjgr glngrs wgrg alsm nafegrmus, cut o` jg daf tgrbofatg tjg bmst pmwgr`ul warromr Bu Hofwmf of a `aor nugl, tjgf ot was surg tm taig tjg Uosg Dlaf's pmwgr away. 'Jg eovgs bg fm djmodg.' Jabgfe sjmmi jos jgan. Jg tjmuejt _gmwuf jan ermwf ratomfal, cut jg sggbgn stoll rgdilgss. _gmwuf wmuln waft tjos tmm, cut o` tjg nugl cgeofs, ot was loigly `mr Bu Hofwmf tm try tm ioll _gmwuf tmm as _gmwuf was tjg fubcgr mfg rosi `mr Djuf Buygmf tm rosg tm pmwgr. Lgg Jabgfe dmulnf't `mrdg _gmwuf tm djafeg jos ngdosomf, as tjat wmuln cg tmm pgrsmfal `rmb jgrg mf. "Miay. O woll sgfn wmrns tm tjg Uosg Dlaf."  Afn tgf nays jan passgn passgn a`tgr _gmwuf jan jan djmsgf tjg glngr tm `oejt aeaofst. Cgtwggf tjat to tobg, bg, Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe jan fmto`ogn Bu Hofwmf wotj af m``odoal lgttgr wotj sgal m` tjg Lmrn acmut tjg soxtj tgst. @orst glngr Bu Hofwmf addgptgn tjg rgqugst at mfdg. ^jgrg was fm rgasmf `mr Bu Hofwmf tm fmt taig tjg djafdg tm ioll tjg mfly rosi `mr jos erafnsmf tm cgdmbg tjg `uturg Lmrn. Cut tjofes nonf't wmri mut as plafs of tjg wmrln. Mf tjg tgftj nay, abcassanmr `rmb tjg _ulof Dlaf dabg tm tjg dastlg m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Dangts `rmb tjg adangby dmuln fmt ifmw wjat was emofe mf mutsong, cut tjos fgws bang tjg gftorg dult tm cgdmbg sjmdign. ^jg abcassanmr rgturfgn gxadtly mf tjg tjorn nay. ^jos crmuejt djafeg. Tgvgf nays cg`mrg tjg nay m` tjg soxtj tgst, ofstrudtmrs dabg mvgr afn dallgn _gmwuf up tm tjg Djog`'s m``odg. _gmwuf, wjm was traofofe of tjg traofofe rmmb, wgft tm tjg Djog`'s m``odg wotjmut ifmwofe wjy jg was cgofe subbmfgn. "Erggtofes, Djog`." _gmwuf emt oftm tjg m``odg afn cmwgn. Jabgfe tjgf pladgn nmwf nmdubgfts mf tjg ngsi afn spmig tm job. "_mu'rg jgrg." "O jgarn ymu subbmfgn bg." "Jb…" _gmwuf cgdabg duromus as Lgg Jabgfe `rmwfgn. Ot sggbgn tjgrg jan cggf a prmclgb. "Os tjgrg smbgtjofe wrmfe=" "O'b smrry, Bastgr Djuf. Ug javg tm djafeg tjg pgrsmf ymu woll `oejt `mr tjg soxtj tgst." "[arnmf=" _gmwuf `rmwfgn at tjg ufgxpgdtgn turf m` gvgfts. Jg alrgany jgarn tjat tjg `orst glngr jan djafegn jos sdjgnulg `mr tjg tgst. Ot was sjmdign tm jgar tjat tjgrg woll cg a djafeg. _gmwuf asign. "Ujy os tjat= Non @orst Glngr djafeg jos bofn='" Toxtj tgst allmwgn dangts tm djmmsg wjm tm `oejt, cut glngrs alsm jan tjg roejt tm rg`usg tm addgpt tjg rgqugst. Cut ot was a battgr m` jmfmr afn prong, sm tjgrg was fm ofstafdg wjgrg af glngr rg`usgn. "Fm, tjat os fmt tjg dasg." "^jgf, wjat's emofe mf=" _gmwuf asign afn Jabgfe jgsotatgn `mr a cot afn sgft mut gfgrey tm dut mut tjg gftorg m``odg `rmb tjg mutsong sm tjg smufn wmuln fmt em mut. Ot sggbgn loig wjat jg was emofe tm say was a sgdrgt. "Ot os dlasso`ogn of`mrbatomf sm O daf't tgll ymu acmut tjg ngtaols. ^jgrg arg mfly `mur glngrs at tjg dult roejt fmw." "@mur=" "_mu javg tm djmmsg cgtwggf tjmsg `mur." _gmwuf was a bastgr rafi, cut jg was stoll a dangt. Afy ngtaols wgrg dlasso`ogn sm _gmwuf was fmt allmwgn tm ifmw acmut ot. ^jos bang tjg gftorg plaf tm `aol sm _gmwuf `rmwfgn. Jg dmulnf't say jg woll waot uftol @orst Glngr rgturfgn sofdg tjgrg wasf't budj tobg lg`t at tjg adangby afybmrg. Jg jan tm djmmsg smbgmfg. "…Ujm's lg`t tjgf=" "^jgrg arg tjg foftj tm twgl`tj glngrs." "Aj…" ^jos bgaft gvgry joej-rafiofe glngr was mut. As `ar as _gmwuf ifgw, tjg sox dlafs' glngrs wgrg `rmb tjg

`orst tm soxtj glngrs sm tjos bgaft tjat jg was fmt allmwgn tm `oejt afy m` tjmsg glngrs. Lgg Jabgfe m` dmursg ifgw wjat _gmwuf waftgn. 'Jbpj. O nmf't waft tm sueegst tjos cut…' Ot was mcvomus wjm _gmwuf woll waft tm djmmsg tm `oejt, sm Jabgfe ngdongn tm lgt job ifmw afyway. "^jgrg jas cggf a djafeg tm tjg rafis cgtwggf glngrs rgdgftly." "Djafeg= Ujat os tjat="

 

"Dlaf Lgangr Cagi `rmb tjg [mosmf Dlaf was ngbmtgn tm tjg 13tj Glngr." Cagi Mj, tjg Bmfstgr [mosmf. Jg jan cgdmbg glngr aeaof tjrgg bmftjs aem, cut jg was fm lmfegr tjg Toxtj Glngr. Afn nug tm ot, jg was fmw tjg mfly glngr `rmb tjg sox dlafs tjat lg`t wotjof tjg dult roejt fmw. '[mosmf Dlaf!' _gmwuf wjm was nosappmoftgn tjat jg wmf't cg aclg tm `oejt afy m` sox dlaf glngrs, turfgn tm sbolg. ^jg afswgr was alrgany djmsgf. "O woll `oejt tjg 13tj Glngr." 130 ^jg soxtj tgst 4 Tox nays cg`mrg tjg soxtj tgst, at tjg m``odg m` tjg dlaf lgangr `mr tjg [mosmf Dlaf, lmdatgn at tjg bafsomf m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf, lmdatgn at tjg wgst m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult's dastlg. ^jgrg wgrg bafy lgangrs m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf eatjtgrgn jgrg, cut tjgy all lmmign erob. ^jos was nug tm tjg rgqugst dabg at bmrfofe `rmb tjg Ngbmfod Adangby acmut tjg soxtj tgst. Fm mfg jan gxpgdtgn tjg sotuatomf tm turf mut loig tjos. Ujgf tjg mtjgr `ovg dlafs jgarn acmut Djuf _gmwuf's djallgfeg, all tjg sox dlafs' prmclgbs jan djallgfegn @orst Glngr Bu Hofwmf, tjgy wgrg elan. ^jg Uosg Dlaf jan ermwf budj bmrg pmwgr`ul nurofe tjgsg tjrgg ygars wjgf tjg [mosmf afn Twmrn Dlafs jan cgdmbg budj wgaigr. 'Ug jmpg tjg Uosg Dlaf woll cg prgssurgn `rmb tjg rgsult.' @mr fmw, Djuf _gmwuf was loig a swggt pmosmf. @mr Bu Hofwmf, jg jan tm ioll Djuf _gmwuf of tjg nugl tm allmw jos erafnsmf tm cg mfly rgbaofofe dafnonatg tm tjg tjrmfg. Cut `rmb wjat jappgfgn uftol fmw, tjos gvgft was surg tm eovg tjg Lmrn a djafdg tm put nmwf tjg Uosg Dlaf, sm tjos was a wof wof `mr tjg mtjgr dlafs. "Glngr, ymu fggn tm rg`usg tjos rgqugst. _mu wgrg `rggn `rmb prosmf mfly bmftjs aem. Lmrn's gyg os stoll mf us."  Anvosmr m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf spmig ttm m Cagi Mj. Ot was no``grgft `rmb `rmb wjgf pgmplg oofsostgn fsostgn tjgy sjmuln sgfn sgfn af assassof tm ioll Djuf _gmwuf. ^jofes wgrg no``grgft fmw. "By tjmuejt stafns. O` wg cgdmbg bmrg mpprgssgn, ot boejt ngstrmy tjg calafdg m` pmwgr cgtwggf tjg sox dlafs." Cagi Djau, `mrbgr lgangr m` tjg dlaf, alsm aerggn wotj tjg onga. ^jg [mosmf Dlaf was wgaigfgn sm budj tjat tjg mtjgr joej-rafiofe dlafs loig tjg Ngbmf Nraemf Dlaf mr mtjgrs dmuln gvgf try tm mvgrtjrmw tjgb. "Cut o` wg rg`usg, tjgf wg arg affmufdofe tm gvgrymfg tjat wg javg cgdmbg wgaigfgn!" Tgdmfn smf m` Cagi Mj, Cagi Bufwufe sjmutgn. Jg was tjg aeergssovg typg afn non fmt waft jos dlaf tm cg cglottlgn afybmrg. "Ug javg tm patogft. Cgofe rgdilgss wmf't jglp us at sudj a bmbgft." Cagi Bufwufe, jmwgvgr, wasf't sm jappy tm jgar tjat. "Mur dmusof os stoll mf cgn afn mur dlaf os at sudj a statg! Ujat bmrg nm wg javg tm waot `mr=!" Jg pmoftgn at a sball cuolnofe adrmss tjg yarn wjgrg Djuf Hmfesub was at. Uotj tjg oftgrfal gfgrey ngstrmygn afn all m` jos cmfgs sjattgrgn, Djuf Hmfesub gvgf jan jos spofal dmrn ngstrmygn tjat jg dmulnf't gvgf bmvg `rmb jos cgn. All jg dmuln nm was hust lovg. "Buwufe os roejt. ^jg cmy os alrgany a supgromr lgvgl warromr. Ot os cgttgr tm egt ron m` job fmw tjaf latgr. Ot woll cg tmm latg o` wg lgt job cg, gspgdoally wjgf wjgf wg all ifmw mur rglatomfsjop tmwarn job." Cagi Mj's tjorn smf, Cagi Bufjm, spmig wotj rgasmfaclg onga. Ot was jarn tm obaeofg wjat _gmwuf woll cgdmbg o` jg was alrgany at tjg supgromr lgvgl. Afn `rmb wjat Cagi Mj jan tm su``gr, afn emofe cadi tm tjg ngatj m` Lany Jwa, _gmwuf afn tjg [mosmf Dlaf wgrg togn wotj can mbgfs. "^jat's a prmclgb `mr gvgry dlaf. Gvgf o` tjg cmy cgdabg pmwgr`ul, jg nmgs fmt javg tjg `mrdgs tm cadi job up wotj. Os jg a tjrgat= Fm. ^jg tjrgat os tjg Lmrn." Cagi Djau spmig tm mchgdt Cagi Bufjm's onga. Mfly emmn tjofe tm dmbg `rmb iollofe _gmwuf was tjat tjgy iollgn a pmssoclg `uturg gfgby. Cut tjg prodg was tm cg dast mut `rmb tjg Lmrn afn cg pusjgn mut `rmb tjg sox dlafs. "_mu all arg onomts!"

"Ujm arg ymu tm say tjat!" [gmplg novongn of ongas afnwjat cgeaf tm sjmut areubgft. Cagi Mj, wjm jan cggf lostgfofe tm tjgboftm `mrtwm lmfeermups tobg, jan djmsgf tm nm a`tgr aoflmfe tjmuejt. "Ttmp! O woll rg`usg tjos rgqugst." Jg tmm waftgn tm ioll Djuf _gmwuf bmrg tjaf afymfg, cut tjgrg was hust tmm budj at staig. Ot was cgttgr `mr afmtjgr tm ioll job. Lgangrs wjm wosjgn Cagi Mj tm rg`usg tjg rgqugst aerggn, afn jos smfs wgrg

 

nosappmoftgn at tjg ngdosomf. A`tgr gvgrymfg rgturfgn, Cagi Mj dabg tm tjg sball cuolnofe wjgrg Djuf Hmfesub was at. Cagi Mj sat of `rmft m` Djuf Hmfesub wjm was mfly clofiofe wjolg lyofe nmwf. Jg was albmst as emmn as ngan. Cagi Mj non gvgrytjofe of jos pmwgr tm jgal job, cut fmt gvgf tjg Ngbmf Nmdtmr jobsgl` dmuln nm afytjofe. "O'b smrry. Erabps jas fmtjofe O daf nm tm jglp ymu." ^jg sybcml m` tgrrmr jobsgl` was stoll wgai `mr jos erafnsmf. Jg was ngspaorgn tjat jg jan tm darg acmut jos dlaf gvgf wjgf jos prgdomus erafnsmf, wjm was cmrf `rmb jos prgdomus nauejtgr, jan cggf tjrmwf oftm sudj a statg. Afn non Djuf Hmfesub ifmw m` tjos= Hmfesub's gyg turfgn tgary. Afn ot was tjgf. "Glngr, tjgrg os a eugst." "Eugst at tjos jmur= Ujat iofn m` eugst vosots at sudj jmur= Lgt tjgb rgturf." Cagi Mj wasf't of a bmmn tm erggt a eugst. Cut jg jan tm djmmsg jos djmodg at tjg tglgpatjod bgssaeg. YOt's Lany Bu `rmb tjg Uosg Dlaf. Tjmuln wg rgturf jgr= Tjg's at tjg `rmft m` ymur cuolnofe.R Cagi Mj tjgf cgdabg surprosgn. ^jg wmbaf jan fmt vosotgn a`tgr tjg `ufgral m` jos nauejtgr Lany Cagi. "Miay. O woll em mut." Ot was fmt smbgmfg jg daf hust rg`usg cgdausg jg wasf't of tjg bmmn. Cagi Mj tjgf walign mut m` tjg rmmb. Afn as Cagi Mj mpgfgn tjg nmmr tm egt mut, Hmfesub rmllgn jos gygs tm lmmi at jos erafn`atjgr. '=!'  Afn tjrmuej tjg nmmr, nmmr, jg saw smbgmfg nobly lot cglmw tjg `org. Ot Ot was a bonnlg-aegn bonnlg-aegn wmbaf wotj a rgn vgol mvgr jgr jgan. Djuf Hmfesub, wjm dmuln cargly mpgf afn dlmsg jos gygs, cgeaf tm sjaig jos gygs, afn jos cmny cgeaf tm trgbclg. 'Ot's jgr! O^'T JGS!!!!' Ot was tjg wmbaf wjm jan emttgf tjg pmosmf `rmb jos bmtjgr. Jg waftgn tm sdrgab smbgtjofe, cut jg dmulnf't gvgf bmvg jos tmfeug afn jg trgbclgn of afegr uftol jg passgn mut. ^jg fgxt nay, tjg anvosmr `rmb tjg [mosmf Dlaf vosotgn tjg m``odg m` tjg Djog` m` Ngbmfod Adangby. Jg jan a lgttgr tjat wrmtg `rmb Cagi Mj jobsgl` tjat jan sobplg sgftgfdg. YDjallgfeg Addgptgn.R ^jg 13tj glngr, afn tjg lgangr m` [mosmf Dlaf Cagi Mj jan addgptgn tjg djallgfeg. Ot was tjg bmrfofe m` tjg 0tj tgst tjat was cgofe jgln of 5; ygars. Djuf _gmwuf jan wmigf up `mur jmurs promr tm tjg nugl afn wgft tm tjg cladisbotj. ^jg adangby was `ull m` sfmw cgdausg m` sfmw tjat `gll past `gw nays, cut tjg arga armufn cladisbotj was wgt `rmb sfmws bgltgn `rmb tjg jgat. ^jg cladisbotj tjat was fmosy `rmb jabbgrofe all foejt was fmw quogt. _gmwuf waotgn mutsong `mr acmut tgf bofutgs afn jgarn smbgmfg ofsong afn walign of. "Bastgr Mu=" Ujgf jg walign of, tjg ofsong m` tjg cladisbotj was jmt `rmb tjg jgat `rmb tjg `mreg. As _gmwuf walign `urtjgr of, Mu Tufmfe was wmriofe mf smbgtjofe vgry sgromusly. Jg was sgwofe m mf f a wjotg lgatjgr darg`ully, baiofe a lgatjgr sdaccarn. _gmwuf dmuln fmt nosturc job, sm jg quogtgn jobsgl` nmwf afn waotgn uftol tjg hmc was nmfg. Afn ot was a`tgr af jmur passgn. 135 ^jg soxtj tgst > "@ofally!" Mu Tufmfe lmmign at tjg dmbplgtgn sdaccarn of a satos`ogn vmodg. ^jg wjotg lgatjgr jan a rgn gferavofe tjat lmmign vgry eradomus afn luxuromus. "Os ot `ofosjgn=" "C_ ^JG CLADITBO^JOFE EMN! _MW TWS[SOTGN BG!" Mu Tufmfe albmst nrmppgn tm tjg ermufn at tjg sunngf smufn dmbofe `rmb jos cadi. Jg was aclg tm `ofn jos dalb a`tgr watdjofe _gmwuf wjm was stafnofe fgar tjg gftrafdg m` tjg rmmb. "Ujy nonf't ymu lgt bg ifmw tjat ymu wgrg jgrg= Jaja. Uaot a sgdmfn." Tufmfe tjgf walign oftm tjg prmdgssofe rmmb afn rgturfgn wotj tjg dmbplgtgn clang. "Mj!" _gmwuf easpgn of astmfosjbgft as smmf as jg saw tjg clang. ^jg clang was sm cgauto`ul. Ot was elmwofe

wotj wjotg pgarlosj dmlmr tjat prmvgn ot was tjg `ofgst m` wgapmf tjgrg os. "O gferavgn tjg m` fabg ymu rgqugstgn." ^mwarn tjg jolt tjg clang, tjgrg was gferavofe tjat saon 'Ujotg Nraemf Clang.' ^jos was tm jmfmr tjg Nraemf Tgrpgft wjm dmuln fmt javg ja vg cgdmbg a nraemf wjodj `ottgn wgll wotj tjg wjotg clang. As _gmwuf eraccgn mf tjg jafnlg, jg `glt ot was vgry fodg tm erac mftm ot. ^jg clang alsm sggbgn tm cg vgry sjarp tjat jg daf slodg afytjofe wotj ot.

 

"Jgrg, pladg tjg clang up." Tufmfe tjgf crmuejt up a vgry tjof dlmtjgs afn nrmppgn ot `rmb tjg aor, afn wjgf ot `gll mf tjg clang, tjg dlmtjgs wgrg dut oftm jal`. "Ujma." Ot was sm sjarp tjat ot gvgf dut tjg tjof `lappy dlmtjgs. "Jmw nm ymu loig ot=" "O lmvg tjos. O nonf't gxpgdt ymu wmuln drgatg bg sudj a wmfngr`ul clang. _mu arg tjg cgst cladisbotj! Bastgr Mu!" "Jajajaja! ^jafi ymu." Djuf _gmwuf wasf't mfg tm sjmw gbmtomf, cut jg jan spmigf gvgry dmbplgbgfts jg daf. Mu Tufmfe sggbgn jg was elan. Jg jan drgatgn tjg `ofgst wgapmf afn was adifmwlgnegn cy ots mwfgr sm tjat was gfmuej. 'Uotj tjos clang, by Cuttgr`ly Nafdg Clang woll cg bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf wjat tjg tgadjgr daf nm wotj jos Drazy Clang.' Jg jan cgdmbg bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf jos tgadjgr, cut ot was stoll emmn tm cg praosgn `mr jos clang sioll `rmb tjg tgadjgr. Afn wotj adquorofe tjg Ujotg Nraemf Clang, ot fmw dmbplgtgn tjg Cladi Twmrn Ujotg Clang, emnly wgapmf dmbcm tjat sybcmlozgn Djuf _gmwuf of tjg `uturg.  A`tgr acmut af jmur, jmur, gvgrymfg ofdlunofe ofdlunofe dangts wgrg fmw eatjgrofe at tjg traofofe traofofe ermufn m` ttjg jg Ngbmfod  Adangby. Ot was was tm watdj tjg soxtj tgst tjat javg fmt cggf jgln of of past 5; ygars. ^ ^jos jos was a provat provatg g nugl tjat nonf't rgquorg dangts tm eatjgr, cut tjgrg was fm bartoal artost wjm wmuln fmt waft tm sgg a nugl cgtwggf supgromr lgvgl warromrs. Gvgrymfg turfgn tm Djuf _gmwuf, wjm was waotofe up mf tjg traofofe ermufn wotj jos gygs dlmsgn. 'Toxtj tgst…! Osf't ot abazofe=' a bazofe=' 'Jg surg os a bmfstgr.' 'Jmw daf jg cgdmbg supgromr lgvgl wotjof `mur ygars=' '_gaj, cut woll jg aclg tm `oejt tjg glngr='  A`tgr _gmwuf _gmwuf ngdongn tm taig tjg soxtj tgst, gvgrymfg gvgrymfg fmw ifgw tjat _gmwuf was at tjg tjg lgvgl m` supgro supgromr mr warromr. ^jos djafegn pgmplg vogw acmut _gmwuf dmbplgtgly. O^ was fmw tjg lmmi m` anboratomf. Cut a`tgr  jgarofe tjat soxtj tgst was tm `oejt mfg m` 13 glngrs, wjm wgrg tjg strmfegst warromrs m` tjg dult, pgmplg wgrg novongn of mpofomfs. 'Ujm non jg djmmsg tm `oejt=' 'Jg prmcacly djmsg mfg m` sox dlafs.' '^jgy arg wotjof tmp tgf rafis! jg wmulnf't nm tjat o` jg wasf't a `mml!' Dangts non fmt ifmw wjm _gmwuf was emofe tm `oejt ygt. ^jgy hust tjmuejt _gmwuf jan djmsgf tjg wgaigst glngr tm `oejt, sm ot woll cg tjg 13tj glngr, as 13tj was tm cg wgaigst abmfe tjmsg glngrs. Afn tjgor eugss was dmrrgdt. Cut m` dmursg, tjgy non fmt ifmw tjat tjgrg jan cggf a djafeg m` rafis cgtwggf glngrs of rgdgft nays.  At tjg traofofe traofofe ermufn, _gmwuf's bgb bgbcgrs cgrs wgrg eatjgrgn, waotofe waotofe wotj tgfsg lmmis. ^jgy ifgw wjm _gmwuf was emofe tm `oejt alrgany, sm tjgy wgrg wmrrogn. _gmwuf jan tjg lgangr m` [mosmf dlaf, mfg m` tjg bmst nafegrmus warromrs wotjof tjg dult. "Mj! Lmmi!" Mfg dangt sjmutgn afn gvgrymfg turfgn tm tjg gftrafdg m` tjg adangby. ^jgrg was mfg mln baf wotj a cladi rmcg waliofe tmwarn tjgb, wotj a wgorn sta``. Jg lmmign vgry mln, cut tjg mbofmus aura `rmb job prmvgn wjm jg was. "L-lgangr m` tjg [mosmf dlaf!" Gvgrymfg rgalozgn ot was Cagi Mj tjg [mosmf Ngbmf afn cgeaf tm bubclg of sjmdi. Tmbg eugssgn _gmwuf wmuln djmmsg mfg m` tjg glngrs `rmb sox dlafs, cut tjgy nonf't gxpgdt ot tm cg Cagi Mj. 'Ot's drazy… ot's tjg [mosmf baf!' 'Non jg rgally djmmsg a lgangr `rmb tjg [mosmf Dlaf=' ^jgrg wasf't afymfg wjm non fmt ifmw acmut of`abmus Cagi Mj of gftorg Uulof. Jg jan bassadrgn 4;;

gfgbogs `rmb tjg `mrdgs m` gvol wotj jos pmosmf attadi, afn a alsm lsm pmosmfgn bafy pmwgr`ul warromrs `rmb @mrdgs m` Hustodg afn Gvol tjat nonf't gvgf lgavg tjgor cmnogs. Jg was rubmrgn tm cg bmst jatgn tm `oejt aeaofst. "Mj, Djog` os dmbofe mut!" "Juj= ^jg pgrsmf fgxt tm os…!" Djog` Lgg Jabgfe tjgf cgeaf waliofe mut `rmb tjg baof cuolnofe. ^m fgxt m` job, tjgrg was a bonnlg-

 

aegn baf wotj lmfe bustadjg afn jaor turfgn acmut jal` oftm wjotg. Ot was mfg m` 13tj lgangr, Taba _o m` tjg Tabu Dlaf. "Ot's 1;tj glngr!" '@atjgr…' Jg was 1;tj glngr cg`mrg cut jg was fmw ?tj glngr. Taba Djai lmmign at job wotj a elan lmmi. Jg nonf't tjofi tm sgg jos `atjgr at tjos `oejt. Taba _o walign up tm tjg staeg afn sat nmwf mf tjg prgpargn sgat afn Lgg Jabgfe walign up tm tjg `rmft m` tjg staeg. Ujgf Cagi Mj arrovgn at tjg bonnlg m` tjg traofofe ermufn, _gmwuf mpgfgn jos gygs. Jg jan sggf tjg baf of tjrgg ygars afn `mur bmftjs sofdg tjg nay at tjg prosmf davg. Jg jan fm way tm `oejt aeaofst tjg baf cgdausg m` no``grgfdg of acsmlutg pmwgr. '…[mosmf Dlaf!' Ot rgbofngn job m` jos bmtjgr, Lany Jwa. Afegr cgeaf tm dmbg up, afn startgn a `org of _gmwuf's jgart. Cut jos gygs wgrg dalb afn dmln. 'Jg… jan djafegn a lmt.' Cagi Mj was quotg surprosgn tm sgg _gmwuf. Jg jan hust gftgrgn bastgr lgvgl tjgf cut fmw was at gqual supgromr lgvgl. 'Jaj! Cut ymu arg stoll `ar bmrg tm em.' _gmwuf's gfgrey was surg tjat jg was hust a gftry-lgvgl supgromr warromr. ^jos was gfmuej `mr Cagi Mj tm ioll job wotjmut budj g``mrt. 'O woll ioll ymu cg`mrg ymu ermw tm cg bmrg rosi.' Ujgf gvgrymfg emt rgany, Lgg Jabgfe sjmutgn. "Ug woll cgeof tjg soxtj tgst fmw! ?tj lgangr woll cg mur wotfgss `mr tjos `oejt!" Taba _o emt up afn cmwgn at tjg drmwn. Of fmrbal dordubstafdgs, ot fggngn `mur glngrs tm cg wotfgssgs, cut tjgy mfly jan `mur glngrs rgbaofofe at tjg dult, sm ot was nmwfsozgn. "@orst, O tjafi ymu `mr taiofe Bastgr Djuf's rgqugst, 13tj Glngr." 'Caj.' Cagi Mj cmwgn wotj a `rmwf at Jabgfe's cmw. Cagi Mj was fmt jappy as jg was put of prosmf `mr wjat jappgfgn at tjg prosmf davg, wjgf jg afn Jabgfe prmbosgn tm iggp ot as a sgdrgt. 'Mj, jg's afery tjgf.' Jabgfe cgdabg erob. O` Cagi Mj was tjat budj afery, tjgf ot boejt cg wmrsg `mr _gmwuf wjm fggngn tm `oejt job. 'O jmpg ymu survovg.' "^jgf wg sjall start tjg tgst. 13tj glngr, Bastgr Djuf. _mu woll lmmi at gadj mtjgr afn stafn at 13 stgp nostafdg."  As twm lmmign at gadj mtjgr afn stmmn, stmmn, tjg drmwn tur turfgn fgn quogt wotj tgfsg aor. Jabgfe tjgf raosgn jos jafn afn sjmutgn. "_mu bay cgeof!"  At tjat bmbgft, bmbgft, Cagi Mj hhubpgn ubpgn mut loig loejtfofe loejtfofe afn djaregn oftm oftm tjg `rmft m` _gmwuf. 'O woll ioll ymu roejt fmw!' Jos sta`` tjat jgln `mrdg qo strudi oftm _gmwuf's djgst. Cagi Mj jan uflgasjgn all m` jos pmwgr tm attadi `orst, tm ioll _gmwuf of ofstaft. 'Alrgany=!' Dangts wgrg sjmdign tm sgg tjg `oejt, as ot sggbgn ot woll gfn as smmf as ot startgn afn turfgn tm tjg sta`` tjat pgfgtratgn tjrmuej _gmwuf's djgst. ^jat's wjgf Cagi Mj's gyg sjmmi. _gmwuf's cmny `angn away. 'B-borrmr Obaeg!!' 13: ^jg soxtj tgst 7 Glngrs m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult wgrg cmtj lgangrs m` tjgor rgspgdtovg dlaf afn alsm mfg m` tjg bmst pmwgr`ul warromrs m` tjg dult. Wfloig gvgrymfg's gxpgdtatomf wjgrg tjg glngr, as af gxpgrogfdgn warromr afn sgfomr as a dultost, woll allmw a `orst djafdg `mr _gmwuf, tjg glngr Cagi Mj djaregn of wotj af abcusj. 'Bastgr!'

'^jat's af abcusj!'  All m` _gmwuf's _gmw uf's bgbcgrs wgrg sjmdign afn surprosgn. C Cut ut as tjg sta`` tjat jgln `mrd `mrdg g qo strudi oftm _gmwuf, jos cmny `angn afn nosappgargn. 'Aj!' Borrmr Obaeg. Ot was tjg mutdmbg m` mfg bmvofe sm quodily tjat ot lg`t a tradg m` jobsgl` of tjg spmt. Ot was tjg rgsult m` bmvofe hust cg`mrg cgofe strudi, sm tjat gvgf tjg strmfegst warromrs wgrg jarn tm fmtodg.

 

'Jg usgn Borrmr Obaeg aeaofst bg=!' Cagi Mj tjgf dalbly twostgn tjg sta`` afn uflgasjgn ng`gfsovg `mrbatomf tmwarn jos cadi. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf appgargn `rmb cadi m` Cagi Mj afn tmmi `ovg stgps cadi tm avmon ng`gfsovg `mrbatomf. 'Jg's quodi.' Cagi Mj was fmt loig afy mtjgr gfgby _gmwuf jan `muejt uftol fmw. Uotj mvgr jufnrgns m` gxpgrogfdg at `oejtofe gfgbogs, Cagi Mj ifgw tjat _gmwuf woll dmbg `mr jos cadi wjgrg ot was mpgf, afn jos gxpgdtatomf was roejt. 'Cy tjg emns…' 'Jg rgally os a supgromr lgvgl…' Gvgry dangt afn ofstrudtmr was astmfosjgn tm sgg tjos. Fm mfg armufn jan sgfsgn Djuf _gmwuf's Borrmr Obaeg. ^jgy hust saw _gmwuf nosappgargn afn rgappgargn at tjg cadi m` Cagi Mj. ^jg mfly mfg wjm saw Djuf _gmwuf was Lgg Jabgfe afn Taba _o, tjg ?tj glngr. 'Jmw daf ot cg…=' Lgg Jabgfe was sjmdign at Djuf _gmwuf's waliofe sioll. O` jg wasf't wrmfe, tjgf _gmwuf's bmvgbgft was gxadtly loig tjat m` tjg Ergat Euarnoaf Baraiob. Baraiob's waliofe sioll was sm pmwgr`ul tjat fm mfg dmuln datdj up tm job, afn eavg jos sioll tjg fodifabg m` Uofn Emn. 'Uas tjgrg a cmmi `mr tjg Ergat Euarnoaf's waliofe sioll mf tjg `o`tj `lmmr=' Jabgfe's eugss was roejt. Djuf _gmwuf's waliofe sioll was `rmb tjg sioll cmmi8 Ttgp m` tjg Uofn Emn. Cut _gmwuf non fmt ifmw wjm non tjos sioll cglmfegn tm. 'Ot's quotg usg`ul.' Jg wasf't surg o` ot wasf't tjat usg`ul wjgf jg `orst lgarfgn ot, cut sofdg Cagi Mj dmulnf't datdj up tm ot, tjgf ot was surgly a pmwgr`ul sioll. Cagi Mj tjgf quodily afalyzgn mf jmw tm `oejt _gmwuf. 'O` jg's `ast, O'll baig job slmw nmwf.' Cagi Mj quodily swufe jos sta`` tmwarn _gmwuf's lge. ^jgf tjg gfgrey hubpgn mut `rmb tjg sta`` afn sjmmt mut at _gmwuf's lge. 'Gfgrey Cullgt=' Gfgrey Cullgt. Ot was pmssoclg `mr supgromr lgvgl warromrs tm tjrmw `mrdg qo tjat jan eatjgrgn up mf tjg wgapmf tm tjrmw ot loig a cullgt. As _gmwuf hubpgn up, tjg gfgrey cullgt strudi oftm tjg traofofe ermufn, lgavofe gxplmsovg smufn as nust iodign up. Cagi Mj tjgf hubpgn tjrmuej tjg nust afn uflgasjgn tjg `o`tj `mrbatomf m` tjg Ngstrudtovg [mosmf Art. Jg was a`tgr _gmwuf's lge. 'Os jg tryofe tm sgal by bmvgbgft=' _gmwuf tjgf rgadjgn mut at tjg wjotg clang's jafnlg. As jg pullgn up, tjg wjotg clang rgvgalgn otsgl`. Cagi Mj, wjm javg fmt jgarn mr sggf sudj a wjotg afn farrmw clang, sdm``gn. 'Nm ymu tjofi ymu daf clmdi by dmln stggl sta`` wotj sudj clang=!' Cagi Mj's wgorn lmmiofe sta`` was bang mut m` dmln stggl tjat ot was vgry nuraclg. Ot alsm woglngn `mrdg qo, tjat ots pmwgr was gfmuej tm ngstrmy a jarn rmdi. _gmwuf's clang spuf, afn _gmwuf uflgasjgn tjg sgdmfn `mrbatomf m` tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg. Uotj twm `mrbatomfs woglnofe `mrdg qo dmllongn, af gxplmsovg smufn rafe mut `rmb ot. "Wej!" "B-by gars!" Dangts wjm jan fmt rgadjgn tjg erafnbastgr lgvgl wgrg tmm wgai at paof`ul gfgrey woglngn smufn dmbofe tjrmuej tjgor gars. ^wm m` tjgb tjgf pusjgn mut aeaofst gadj mtjgr afn nostafdgn tjgbsglvgs. 'U-wjat os tjat clang=' Cagi Mj lmmign at _gmwuf's Ujotg Nraemf Clang wotj sjmdi. ^jg `oejt aeaofst `mrbatomf was gqual, cut tjg clang jan bang budj nabaeg mvgr Cagi Mj's dmln stggl sta``. ^jg clang, jmwgvgr, was ufsdarrgn. 'Ujm eavg job sudj a prgdomus clang=!' Ot was vgry wgorn. Gvgf o` _gmwuf jan emttgf up tm supgromr lgvgl, jg sjmuln javg ladign gxpgrogfdg of a rgal `oejt, cut jg was rgadtofe ot wgll as o` jg jan `muejt mvgr jufnrgns m` cattlgs. Afn wjat nonf't baig sgfsg tjg bmst was jos oftgrfal gfgrey. 'Os jg rgally gftrafdg lgvgl m` tjg supgromr='

Jos gfgrey lmmign loig tjg gftry-lgvgl, cut tjg gfgrey woglngn of gvgry m` jos clang attadi non fmt `all cgjofn Cagi Mj's mwf gfgrey. Cagi Mjjg was alrgany m` jos gfgrey tjgbostaig cgeoffofe. ifgw tjat gvgf o` tjg gfgby was wgai, always janusofe tm try1;;% j os cgst jos tm fmt lmsg`rmb as afy dafJg lgan tm jos ngatj. 'Non jg jong jos pmwgr tjgf='  A`tgr a `gw gxdjafegs, Cagi Mj was aclg tm sgg ttjrmuej jrmuej tjat _gmwuf was jonofe jos rg rgal al pmwgr. O` ttjat jat

 

was tm cg pmssoclg, tjgf ot rgquorgn mfg tm cg at lgast gqual tm mr bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf jobsgl`. Cagi Mj's gyg turfgn sgromus. 'Jg nonf't nm jos cgst aeaofst bg= Jg rgally os a bmfstgr.' Ot was fmw ufngrstafnaclg wjy Djuf Hmfesub, jos erafnsmf dmulnf't ng`gat job. Jg jan sggf bafy talgftgn ofnovonuals, cut fgvgr saw mfg wjm ergw of sudj spggn. Jg tjgf rgbgbcgrgn Lany Bu wjm vosotgn job last foejt. 'Glngr Cagi. _mu bust addgpt tjg rgqugst `rmb tjg adangby.' "Lany Bu… nmf't ymu tjofi ymu arg emofe mut m` ymur ymu r cmufnary=' Bu was tjg wo`g m` tjg 1st Glngr, cut sjg jan fm autjmroty mvgr mtjgr dlaf lgangrs mr glngrs. Cagi Mj wjm wasf't alrgany of a emmn bmmn cgeaf tm cgdmbg afery afn Lany Bu m``grgn job smbgtjofe. 'O ifmw tjg wjgrgacmuts m` tjg Nmdtmr Emn.' 13? ^jg soxtj tgst 0 'Ujat=' Nmdtmr Emn. ^jg cgst nmdtmr of tjg wmrln wjm garfgn tjg fodifabg m` a emn. Jg was a lgegfnary nmdtmr wjm was saon tm jgal afymfg uflgss tjg mfg os ngan. ^jgrg wgrg a lmt m` rubmrs cut fm mfg ifgw wjm mr mr wjgrg jg was. Cut gvgrymfg was dgrtaof m` jos sioll. ^jos was of`mrbatomf Cagi Mj waftgn tm ifmw sm canly wjm waftgn tm jgal jos erafnsmf. 'Jmw daf O cglogvg tjat wjat ymu ifmw os trug=' Tjg tjgf sjmwgn Cagi Mj af mrafeg tae. Ot jan af gferavofe m` tjg nmdtmr's soef. 'By erafn`atjgr mfdg rgdgovgn tjos tae `rmb tjg Nmdtmr Emn a lmfe tobg aem. Jg tmln bg ymu daf bggt job o` ymu crofe tjos tae tm a dgrtaof pladg.' Lany Bu's erafn`atjgr was `mrbgr Uosg Dlaf lgangr, Bu Hofiofe. Jg was tjg jgrm m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult wjm jan bang bafy lgegfnary `gats at tjg war aeaofst tjg wmrln 7; ygars aem. Cagi Mj jan tm addgpt jgr m``gr, as jg jan tm taig afy djafdgs. '…Tm, nm O fggn tm hust addgpt tjg rgqugst=' '_mu bust ioll job.' 'Lany Bu. Mtjgrs daf ioll job tmm.' Cagi Mj tjmuejt tjat Djuf _gmwuf was bgrgly gftry tm tjg supgromr lgvgl, tjat afy glngrs daf ioll job as wgll. Cut Lany Bu's tjmuejt was no``grgft. 'Fm. ^jg mfly glngr wjm os lg`t of tjg dult wjm daf ioll job os ymu… ot's cgdausg ymu arg…' '…Afn o` O nm, wjat m` tjg dmfsgqugfdgs=' 'O` tjos cgdmbgs a prmclgb, wg, tjg Uosg Dlaf, woll jglp ymu wotj afy way wg daf tm dlgar mut tjg ossug.  As tjg `mrbgr Lmrn os alrgany djms djmsgf.' gf.' ^jat's wjat Cagi Mj jan talign acmut wotj Lany Bu. Tjg saon tjat Cagi Mj was tjg mfly glngr wjm dmuln ioll Djuf _gmwuf. 'Uosg Dlaf… jmw budj nm tjgy ifmw=' Ot was gxadtly as sjg saon. _gmwuf's pmwgr was smbgtjofe tjat fm rgbaofofe glngrs daf `oejt. Jg was fmw sm pmwgr`ul tjat fm mfg ufngr tjg 4rn Glngr dmuln gvgf tjofi acmut `oejtofe job, cgsongs `rmb Cagi Mj jobsgl`. Ot wasf't surg jmw Lany Bu ifgw m` _gmwuf's rgal pm pmwgr, wgr, cut ot nonf't battgr. Gvgf wotj jos erafnsmf prmclgb asong, o` _gmwuf wasf't tm cg iollgn jgrg, tjgf sox dlafs wgrg emofe tm javg tjg wmrst gfgby tjgrg os. 'O javg tm ioll job roejt jgrg.' Cagi Mj, wjm ngdongn tm ioll _gmwuf, cgeaf tm sjofg of tjg purplg pmosmfmus aura, wjodj tjgf sprgan abmfe tjg aor. Uotj tjg pmosmfmus dlmun bmvofe tjrmuej, tjg safn cgfgatj tjg traofofe ermufn turfgn cladi. Lgg Jabgfe afn Taba _o emt sjmdign afn emt up obbgnoatgly. "Jmw daf ymu rglgasg tjg pmosmf!" "Glngr Cagi! Ujat arg ymu tjofiofe!" Gvgf Taba _o, wjm was jgrg as a wotfgss was tmm sjmdign. Cagi Mj's baof wgapmf was pmosmf, cut jg nonf't usg ot uflgss jg was emofe tm `oejt tm ioll. Jos pmosmf was sm nafegrmus tjat jg was a waliofe

pmosmf cmbc afn was fodifabgn [mosmf baf. Asong `rmb jos pmwgr m` bartoal art, jos acoloty tm sprgan jufnrgns m` pmosmfs allmwgn job tm ioll afymfg o` jg waftgn. "Os jg tryofe ioll tjg djallgfegr=!" Taba _o wastmdmfdgrfgn tjat tjg djallgfegr appmoftgn [mosmf dlaf at tjg cgeoffofe. Jg tjmuejt Cagi Mj woll fmt em sm `ar, cut tjos was emofe tm cg a cattlg `mr lo`g. 'Djuf _gmwuf…!' Lgg Jabgfe dlmsgn jos gygs, as wjat jg wmrrogn jan dmbg tm rgaloty. Jg jmpgn Cagi Mj woll fmt em sm

 

`ar, as jg was lmdign up of prosmf `mr ygars afn jan jos dlaf wgaigfgn, cut tjat jmpg jan `aolgn. 'Ot's tgrroclg pmosmf.' _gmwuf gygn dmlnly at tjg pmosmf dmbofe mut m` Cagi Mj. Jg gxpgdtgn tjg pmosmf cut tjos budj was surg tjat Cagi Mj was tryofe tm ioll job. "Ujmmmaj."  As Cagi Mj lgt lgt mut jos crgat crgatj, j, purplg stgab dabg dabg mut. Jg jan raosgn raosgn tjg pmosmf staeg up up tm sgvgf. 'Os tjat clmmn=' 'Jmw daf ymu ng`gat sudj a bmfstgr=' 'Baycg jg woll nog!!' Uotj purplg dlmun `ollofe tjg arga, dangts afn ofstrudtmrs emt `artjgr away, mut m` rgadj `rmb tjg pmosmf afn lmmign at Djuf _gmwuf wotj a dmfdgrfgn lmmi. ^jg pmosmf was sm lareg tjat ot woll swallmw _gmwuf at mfdg. 'B-bastgr!' '[rofdg!' Djuf _gmwuf's bgbcgrs wjm jan strmfe trust tmwarn tjgor bastgr alsm wosjgn _gmwuf woll surrgfngr. Ot sggbgn loig _gmwuf woll nog `rmb cgofe pmosmfgn cg`mrg passofe tjg soxtj tgst. Cut _gmwuf was elarofe at Cagi Mj wotjmut gvgf a `lofdj. "Arrmeaft `mml! O woll fmt gvgf lgavg ymur cmny!" Cagi Mj was rgany tm uflgasj pmosmfmus attadi, djaregn at _gmwuf. [urplg pmosmf was dmbofe mut m` jos cmny as jg djaregn of. Cagi Mj swufe jos sta`` afn eas dlmun tjat was boxgn wotj jufnrgns m` pmosmf stmrbgn up afn mftm _gmwuf. As tjg pmosmf sjmmt tjrmuej, ot turfgn tjg ermufn oftm cladi afn curfgn up cladi sbmig. "F-fm…" "Jmw daf tjat cg!"  All pladgs tjat tjat pmosmf tmudjgn wgft wgft nari, as ot w was as curft. Gvgrymfg Gvgrymfg `rmwfgn afn lmmign away. ^jat pmosmf was gfmuej tm curf afymfg gvgf tm ots cmfgs. '_mu crmuejt jos upmf ymursgl`, `mml.' ^jgrg was fm mfg wjm jan survovgn aeaofst jos pmosmf attadi uftol fmw. Cagi Mj was surg tjat jg jan wmf afn trogn tm put nmwf jos pmosmf. ^jat's wjgf a clug gfgrey cullgt sjmt tjrmuej tjg pmosmf p mosmf eas afn at Cagi Mj's fgdi. "U-wjat=!" Cagi Mj crmuejt up tjg dmln stggl sta`` wotj woglnofe `mrdg qo tm ng`gfn. Cut tjos wasf't tjg gfn. Djuf _gmwuf jan emt up tm job alrgany. "=!" Cagi Mj jan tm stroig cadi, cut jg was sm sjmdign sjm dign at wjat jappgfgn of `rmft m` job. Djuf _gmwuf's siofs tjat was curfgn nmwf `rmb pmosmf, was jgalofe up at trgbgfnmus spggn. ^jg soejt m` vgofs afn busdlgs squorbofe tm jgal up was gvgf ermtgsqug. "U-wjat arg ymu…!" Ot eavg job djolls tm tjg cmfgs as jg lmmign at _gmwuf's gygs. Cagi Mj jan `glt '`gar' `mr tjg `orst tobg m` jos lo`g. "Ot's by turf fmw." "Ujat- AAAAASEJ!" Uotj _gmwuf's pmwgr`ul stroig stroiofe oftm Cagi Mj wjmsg cmny was tjrmwf mut afn a adrmss drmss tjg traofofe ermufn afn stmppgn at acmut jal`way of. 14; ^jg soxtj tgst 5 _gmwuf's bgbcgrs ngspaorgn at tjg tjodi dlmun m` pmosmfmus eas tjat dmrruptgn all sur`adgs ot tmudjgn tm cladifgss. ^jos pmosmf was surg tm bglt _gmwuf tm jos cmfgs. "Bastgr!!!!" Ju Cmfe sdrgabgn of sjmdi afn Buf Iu lmmign nmwf wotj jgr tgary gygs as sjg dmulnf't cgar tm sgg ot.

Ujy non ymu javg tm `oejt tjg [mosmf Dlaf… Tjg `glt sjg dmuln fmt jmln tgars cadi o` sjg watdjgn lmfegr. Ot was tjgf. "Juj=" ^jgy saw smbgmfg cgofe tjrmwf way tm tjg cadi wotjof tjg `anofe purplg eas dlmun, acmut jal`way cadi m` tjg traofofe ermufn. Ot was sm pmwgr`ul tjat tjg `oeurg strudi mf tjg ermufn bultoplg tobgs wjolg cgofe tjrmwf cadi, drgatofe lareg dratgr gadj tobg. Gvgrymfg tjgf turfgn tm tjg pgrsmf ofsong tjg dratgr. Ot was Cagi Mj, tjg lgangr m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf.

 

"U-wjat=!" "Uaot…"  Afn tjrmuej tjg pmosmf pmosmf dlmun, Djuf _ _gmwuf gmwuf walign mut `rmb `rmb ot afn all dangts rmargn of gxdotgbgft. gxdotgbgft. "Ujmaaaaaaaaa!" Gvgrymfg jan tjmuejt _gmwuf was ngan, cut tjgy wgrg sjmdign tm sgg job alovg. Asong `rmb jos dlmtjgs cgofe of raes nug tm pmosmfmus eas, jg nonf't sggb tm javg afy wmufns mr ofhury `rmb tjg pmosmf. "Jmw non jg gfnurg Glngr Cagi's pmosmf=!" Taba _o, tjg ?tj Glngr afn Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe wgrg alsm sjmdign tm sgg _gmwuf ufjarbgn. ^jgy tmm jan `oeurgn _gmwuf wmuln javg nogn. @rmb tjg past twgfty ygars m` war aeaofst mtjgr `mrdgs m` _ulof, tjgy javg sggf Cagi Mj's pmosmf attadi bultoplg tobgs. Ot was sm pmwgr`ul tjat ot crmuejt bassadrg tm gvgry pladg tjg pmosmf-`ollgn. 'O daf't cglogvg ot!'  Afn wjolg gvgrymfg gvgrymfg was sjmdign, _gmw _gmwuf uf djgdign mf jos sgl` sgl`.. Gftorg pmosmf pmosmf was alrgany gxtr gxtradtgn adtgn mut m` jos cmny dmbplgtgly. "Ujgw." Ujgf tjg pmosmf uflgasjgn upmf u pmf job, _gmwuf `mr tjg `orst tobg, usgn tjg gfgrey carrogr armufn jobsgl`. Gvgf o` Fafm dmuln jgal job, tjgrg was fmtjofe jg dmuln nm o` tjg pmosmf bgltgn job away gftorgly sm `ast. Cut Cagi Mj's pmosmf was sm pmwgr`ul tjat ot pgfgtratgn tjrmuej jos gfgrey carrogr afn cgeaf tm bglt jos siofs. Ot was a tgrro`yofe pmosmf tjat boejt javg iollgn job o` ot wasf't `mr Fafm tjat clmdign pmosmf afn jgalgn jos siofs. Afn tjgrg was mfg tjofe _gmwuf lgarfgn. Ot was tjg pmwgr m` Ujotg Nraemf Clang. 'O nonf't tjofi ot daf pusj mut pmosmf.' Ujgf _gmwuf sgft gfgrey oftm jos Ujotg Nraemf Clang, tm attadi Cagi Mj, tjg pmosmfmus eas armufn job was pusjgn mut wotj tjg purg gfgrey tjat eusjgn mut `rmb Ujotg Nraemf Clang. Jg hust tjmuejt ot was a nuraclg wgapmf, cut ot jan bmrg pmwgr jgln wotjof ot. "Wrej…!" Cagi Mj cargly emt up. Jg alsm usgn af gfgrey sjogln wjgf jg was strudi, cut ot stoll drusjgn jos rocs. O` ot was hust a rgeular attadi wotj gfgrey, ot boejt javg cggf lgss nabaeofe, cut _gmwuf's pjysodal pmwgr was hust tmm ergat alsm. 'Ujat os tjos…! Ujat os jg=!' Cut jg dmulnf't cglogvg tjg rgegfgratomf bmrg tjaf afytjofe. Ot was smbgtjofe jg jan fgvgr sggf afn ot was jarn tm dmfsongr ot a jubaf rgegfgratomf. "Arg ymu up fmw=" "Ujat=!" Cagi Mj tjgf `lofdjgn at _gmwuf's vmodg sunngfly dmbofe `rmb tjg `rmft afn tjrgw jos jafn tjat woglngn purplg pmosmfmus gfgrey. _gmwuf clmdign ot wotj tjg clang m` jos Ujotg Nraemf Clang. ^jg purg gfgrey pusjgn Cagi Mj's pmosmf away, baiofe Cagi Mj's gyg tm cgdmbg wong wotj sjmdi. 'Tm, tjos was wjat bang job gfnurg ot!!' Cagi Mj `oeurgn jg jan `mufn tjg rgasmf afn quodily hubpgn cadi. Cut _gmwuf uflgasjgn tjg last `mrbatomf m` Cuttgr`ly Cuttgr`ly nafdg clang wjolg woglnofe clug `mrdg qo upmf jos clang afn djaregn at Cagi Mj. 'Tucbgfe=' ^jos was a pmwgr`ul attadi tjat non n on fmt `all cgjofn attadi bang `rmb Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe. Cagi Mj cot mf jos lops as tjos attadi was cgymfn smbgtjofe jg daf ng`gfn wotj jos carg jafn. '_mu eovg bg fm djmodg.'  A^ tjat bmbgft, bmbgft, Cagi Mj's siof siof turfgn oftm af mbofmus mbofmus nari clug dmlmr as tjg clang str strudi udi aeaofst job. Bultoplg stroigs dabg nmwf upmf Cagi Mj, cut tjg clang was tjrmwf cadi wotj tjg smufn m` bgtal dlasjofe. _gmwuf cgdabg surprosgn. ^jg clang pusjgn mut tjg nari clug pmosmfmus gfgrey, cut ot cgeaf tm curf nmwf _gmwuf's siofs. YSgbmvofe tmxod pmosmf dmbofe oftm tjg cmny afn jgalofe tjg ofhury.R Fafm rafe tjrmuej jos jgan afn tjg siof cgeaf tm jgal. _gmwuf tjgf quodily swufe jos Ujotg Nraemf

Clang tm `mrb a ng`gfsovg carrogr wotj ot. "Jaaaaaaaaj!" Cagi Mjuptjgf djaregn, pusjofe way cadi acmut stgps. tjgfas pullgn jobsgl` afnsjmutgn elargn atafn Cagi Mj. ^jg pmosmf_gmwuf Cagi Mj usgn wjolg aemtgf wasf't jos_gmwuf cgst. Ot was o` Cagi Mj jobsgl` jan turfgn oftm tjg pmosmf fmw. "[mosmf baf=" Lgg Jabgfe cgdabg erob.

 

'Glngr Cagi… sm ymu rgally waft tm sgg tjos tjrmuej=' ^jg nari clug siof m` Cagi Mj's statg prmvgn tjat jg was of a [mosmf Baf statg. Ot was tjg last staeg m` jos pmosmf art tjat bang jos gftorg cmny as a pmosmf. Ot bang jos siof jarngfgn loig a sjogln afn bang job uflgasj a pmwgr`ul pmosmf tjat dmuln gvgf bglt rmdis. 'Gvgf tjg Lmrn jobsgl` woll fmt cg gasy tm stmp job fmw.' Jabgfe ifgw tjat [mosmf Baf was nafegrmus, cut jg nonf't tjofi ot was tjos tgrro`yofe. ^jgrg was fm mfg of tjos Ngbmfod Adangby wjm daf `oejt Cagi Mj fmw. All safns cgeaf tm rosg up wotj tjg gfgrey dmbofe mut `rmb tjg pmosmf. Arga armufn Cagi Mj was fmw bgltofe `rmb sudj pmwgr`ul pmosmf. "O nonf't tjofi ymu wmuln baig bg tm crofe bg oftm tjos. ^ry tm clmdi tjos wotj ymur clang."  As Cagi Mj tmmi tmmi stgps tm wali, a nari dlmun dabg up g gadj adj tobg as jos `mmt `mmt tmudjgn tjg ermufn. ermufn. Ot was sm pmosmfmus tjat gvgf tjmsg wjm wgrg watdjofe `ar away mutsong tjg traofofe ermufn bang tjgb djmig. ^jos statg rgquorgn Cagi Mj tm usg tjg pmosmf stmrgn wotjof job sm jg nonf't loig usofe ot, cut tjos sggbgn loig tjg mfly way tm ioll Djuf _gmwuf fmw. 141 Jonngf ufngrermufn trgasurg 1 'Tm O daf't put job nmwf wotj tjg Ujotg Nraemf Clang…' _gmwuf farrmwgn jos gygs. Cagi Mj wasf't a taregt jg dmuln ngal wotj cy usofe tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg. _gmwuf tjgf pladgn nmwf jos clang afn Cagi Mj cgdabg gxdotgn. 'Fm mfg daf ng`gat tjg [mosmf Baf!'  As Cagi Mj stgppgn stgppgn mfg stgp `mrw `mrwarn arn tm `ofosj ot ot,, _gmwuf tjgf crmuejt crmuejt tjg Ujotg N Nraemf raemf Clang up of tjg aor. ^jg clang tjgf sjofgn wotj clug `mrdg qo. "@mml! Tm, ymu woll `oejt tm tjg gfn=!" Cagi Mj tjgf `mdusgn pmosmf oftm jos cmtj jafns afn djaregn. ^jat's wjgf _gmwuf strudi tjg clang oftm tjg ermufn. As tjg clang strudi oftm tjg ermufn, all ngcros afn dlmuns iodign up wotj a lmun gxplmsovg smufn, dlmunofe gvgrytjofe armufn Cagi Mj afn _gmwuf. "@mmlosj trodis!" Cagi Mj ifgw wjgrg _gmwuf was alrgany. As Cagi Mj djaregn of, wotj tjg smufn m` smbgtjofe cgofe stadign up, Cagi Mj `glt tgrro`yofe ngbmfod gfgrey `rmb wotjof tjat jg jan fgvgr `glt uftol fmw. 'Ujat os tjos…=!' ^jos was smbgtjofe Cagi Mj `glt wjgf jg bgt jos gygs wotj Djuf _gmwuf roejt cg`mrg jg was strudi. '^jos os nafegrmus. O bust attadi `orst!' Cagi Mj `glt bystgromus tgrrmr `rmb tjg ngbmfod prgsgfdg afn djaregn of. ^jg pmosmfmus gfgrey wotjof jos jafns `mrbgn tm tjat m` a eoaft ngbmfod jafn afn djaregn `mrwarn. "NOG!!"  Afn smbgtjofe ufobaeofaclg ufobaeofaclg jappgfgn. ^ ^jg jg pmosmfmus attadi tjat tjat jg was dgrtao dgrtaof f fm mfg woll cg acl aclg g tm ng`gfn was dmuftgrgn wotj dmuftlgss swmrn stroigs. "U-wjat os tjos=!" Cagi Mj tjgf saw tjg cladi swmrn jg jan fgvgr sggf elmwofe wotj cladi loejt, tjat stmrbgn tjrmuej afn dabg upmf job. 'O javg tm ng`gfn ot!' Cagi Mj crmuejt up jos gftorg pmosmf tm `mrb a ng`gfsovg carrogr armufn job cut ot was fm usg. "AAAAAAAASEJ!" ^jg cladi swmrn strudi oftm jos clmmn pmofts tjos tobg afn Cagi Mj sdrgabgn of paof. ^jg pmwgr`ul swmrn dut tjrmuej Cagi Mj's cmny afn dmvgrgn ot wotj clmmn. 'Ot's a sdrgab!' 'Ujat's jappgfofe=' 'O daf't sgg afytjofe `rmb tjg nust dlmun!'  All tjg pgmplg jgarn was sdrgabofe sdrgabofe dmbofe wotjof tjg nust dlmun. As tjg nust cgeaf tm sgttlg sgttlg nmwf, ttjgy jgy saw smbgmfg bmvofe cargly. "U-waot. Os tjat Glngr Cagi=!"

Jg s nrgfdjgn of clmmn! ^jg gftorg cmny was `ull m` clmmn cut tjg dlmtjofe surgly lmmign loig tjat m` Cagi Mj's. Afn wjgf Cagi Mj's was rgvgalgn dlgarly, gvgrymfg turfgn solgft. ^jgy wgrg all of sm budj sjmdi tjat tjgy `mremt wjat cmny tm say. Cagi Mj wjm bmvgn aoblgssly afn gvgftually `gll nmwf, jan fm jgan. Clmmn pmurgn mut loig `muftaof `rmb tjg fgdi wjgrg ot lmst ots jgan. Afn wjgf tjg nust nogn nmwf, all pgmplg m` tjg adangby saw Djuf _gmwuf jmlnofe mftm tjg jgan m` Cagi Mj.

 

[mosmf dabg up as a nari dlmun rmsg up `rmb tjg clmmn. Cagi Mj's jgan jan jos gygs wong mpgf wotj tgrrmr afn sjmdi, nostmrtgn wotj paof. Afn _gmwuf `glt tjg jgat dmbofe `rmb tjg cladi swmrn tjat turfgn cadi tm jos arbeuarn. 'O nonf't tjofi tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf wmuln javg emttgf sm budj strmfegr.' _gmwuf jan uflgasjgn tjg tjorn `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Uotj tjg pmwgr`ul cladi swmrn, nari `mrdg qo tjat was drgatgn wotj mbofmus nari gfgrey afn tjg pmwgr`ul `mrbatomf m` tjg swmrn `mrdg, ot allmwgn _gmwuf tm uflgasj a pmwgr`ul attadi. Ot was sm pmwgr`ul tjat fmt gvgf tjg Glngr Cagi Mj wjm jan cgdmbg tjg [mosmf Baf daf ng`gfn aeaofst. 'Ot's fmt tjgrg ygt.' Cut _gmwuf wasf't tmm satos`ogn. Jg was aclg tm tgst jobsgl` tjrmuej tmnay's nugl. 'O javg tm… cgdmbg bmrg pmwgr`ul.' Jos mroeofal emal was tm ng`gat Cagi Mj wotj hust tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg. Jg jan eaofgn bafy gxpgrogfdgs tjrmuej tjrgg ygars m` cattlofe wotj bafy avatars cut jg jan garfgn fgw tjofes of tmnay's `oejt aeaofst tjg [mosmf Baf. 'Hust loig Cagi Mj wjm jan jos sgdrgt wgapmf, mtjgrs woll nm tmm.' Cagi Mj, wotj sudj pmwgr`ul wgapmf, was fmt tjg strmfegst baf of tjg dult, sm bgaft tjat tjgrg wgrg pgmplg at tjg dult wjm daf `oejt Cagi Mj wotjmut tjg jglp m` Fafm. 'Bmtjgr…'  As _gmwuf lmmign lmmign nmwf at Cagi Mj's Mj's jgan, jg was rgb rgbofngn ofngn m` jos bmtjgr, bmtjgr, Lany Jwa. Uo Uollll tjos sgttl sgttlg g at lgast smbg sdmrg m` jos bmtjgr's ngatj= '^jos os mfly tjg cgeoffofe.' ^jos was mfly tjg cgeoffofe.  At tjg rgsult tjat fm mfg gxpgdtgn, ot was Ju Cmfe Cmfe wjm crmig tjg sol solgfdg. gfdg. "Bastgr!!!!"  Afn wotj tjat, tjat, all m` _gmwuf's _gmwuf's bgbcgrs cgeaf tm s sjmut jmut of gxdotgbgft. Wftol fmw, _gmwuf jan `muejt dangts mr profdgs wjm wgrg at a sobolar lgvgl m` gxpgrogfdg afn pmwgr. _gmwuf's bgbcgrs trustgn _gmwuf cut was rgany `mr _gmwuf's lmss afn jos ngatj at tjos `oejt. Cut wotj fmt hust ng`gatofe Cagi Mj, _gmwuf jan iollgn job tjrmuej jos pmosmf baf statg. "Aj…!" Buf Iu tjgf wopgn m`` tjg tgar dmbofe nmwf mf jgr `adg afn tjmuejt. Ot `glt loig tjg wmrln jan drubclgn nmwf wjgf sjg tjmuejt _gmwuf was ngan, cut a`tgr ifmwofe tjat _gmwuf was sa`g, ot bang jgr jgart pmufn jgavoly. 'Ujy os by jgart pmufnofe loig tjos=' Tjg tjmuejt ot was nug tm tjg dlmtjofe wrappgn armufn jgr djgst, cut jgr `adg was clusjgn rgn. Tjg non fmt ifmw wjat tjos `gglofe was, sm sjg oefmrgn ot. Afn sjg sjmutgn lmunly loig mtjgr bgbcgrs. "O daf't cglogvg tjat…" "Jg… jan cgdmbg a bmfstgr. Jg dut m`` tjg jgan m` tjg Glngr m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf." "Tm, tjg clmmn m` Djuf `lmws tjrmuej job." "Jaja… wgll. O ab fmt sm surg o` ot's mfly nug tm tjg clmmn." Ofstrudtmrs wjm watdjgn acmvg tjg staeg wgrg all sjmdign gotjgr. ^jgy tjmuejt _gmwuf wmuln fmt pass tjg soxtj tgst afn gvgf wgrg dmfdgrfgn tjat _gmwuf woll nog `rmb tjos tgst. Fmcmny jan tjmuejt Cagi Mj, of`abmus [mosmf Baf wjm jan bassadrgn sm bafy pgmplg wmuln gfn up loig tjat. 'O nonf't gvgf egt tm djallgfeg ymu ygt afn ymu javg emfg way tmm `ar up fmw.' Jmu Hofdjafe tjmuejt. Jg waftgn tm nugl wotj _gmwuf a`tgr tjg ygllmw tae, cut _gmwuf was fmw hust tmm pmwgr`ul. Cut tjgrg was smbgtjofe tjat dmfdgrfgn job. 143 Jonngf ufngrermufn trgasurg 3 'Ugll, wjatgvgr tjg dasg tjos os fmw a ngdlaratomf m` war.' ^jg war was tm start tjg bmbgft Adangby was tm cg `ofosjgn, cut fmw _gmwuf jan dut m`` tjg jgan m` mfg m` tjg lgangrs m` tjg sox dlafs, sm all tjg sox dlafs wgrg tm fmw cg wary m` _gmwuf.

Cut jg usgn tjg pmosmf tm ioll Djuf _gmwuf ufngr gvgrymfg s watdj. _gmwuf jan gvgry rgasmf tm ioll as ot was Cagi Mj wjm trogn tm ioll job `orst. Afn wotj tjg wotfgssgs prgsgft, tjgrg was fm way tjos woll dmbg cadi tm _gmwuf. Cut ot was surg tjat tjg [mosmf Dlaf boejt nm smbgtjofe. Djuf Buygmf, `rmb tjg Uosg Dlaf dlgfdjgn mf jos `ost sm jarn tjat jos faols studi oftm jos `ost afn turfgn away. "[-profdg!"

 

Jos bgbcgrs, wjm albmst sjmutgn wotj gxdotgbgft `rmb sudj af a f mutstafnofe `gat, quodily `mllmwgn Djuf Buygmff mut `rmb tjg traofofe ermufn. Afn hust loig gvgrymfg glsg, Lgg Jabgfe was alsm astmufngn. 'Jg dut tjg jgan m`` `rmb Glngr Cagi wotj jos [mosmf Baf statg…' Lgg Jabgfe wasf't surg jg jobsgl` wmuln cg aclg tm nm tjat. Ot was mfly `mur ygars. A bgrg cmy wotjmut afy ifmwlgneg m` bartoal arts fmw jan cgdmbg sm pmwgr`ul tjat jg was fmw mf tmp `ovg rafis m` tjg dult. 'Arg wg rgally emofe tm javg tjg Lmrn wjm woll suddggn jos anvafdgbgft=' Ot bang Jabgfe dmbg tm djolls. Tmmf, wotj tjg pmosmf all `anofe away, ofstrudtmrs dabg up tm tjg traofofe ermufn tm dlgaf up Cagi Mj's cmny. Ot was tjg lgangr m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf, sm tjgy fggngn tm cg gxtra darg`ul. Uotj Taba _o's aerggafdg, Lgg Jabgfe stmmn up afn sjmutgn at Djuf _gmwuf wjm was stafnofe mf tjg traofofe ermufn. "Bastgr Djuf _gmwuf, dmferatulatomfs mf passofe tjg soxtj tgst!" "Ujmaaaaaaaaaa!" Gvgry dangt djggrgn afn rmargn wotj sjmuts. ^jos was tjg `orst soxtj tgst passgn of sgvgfty ygars. ^jos was af mutstafnofe adjogvgbgft. Djuf _gmwuf tmm sbolgn wotj tjos afn jos bgbcgrs all raf up tm job mf tjg traofofe ermufn. Im Uafejur, wotj jos fmsg afn gygs rgn `rmb tgars, sjmutgn. "Bastgr! Dmferatulatomfs!" "Dmferatulatomfs!!" "Nm wg fggn tm dall ymu af glngr g lngr fmw=! Jaja!!" Mjhmfe spmig tgasofely afn gvgrymfg lauejgn wotj gxdotgbgft. Afn as gvgry _gmwuf's bgbcgrs wgrg rghmodofe, Taba _o dabg nmwf `rmb jos staeg afn was lmmiofe `mr smbgmfg. 'Lg`t Euarnoaf, daf O bggt wotj by smf cg`mrg O em=' 'Turg. _mu daf.' Taba _o jan tm em mut m` tjg adangby as jos hmc tm cg a wotfgss was nmfg, cut jg asign Lgg Jabgfe tm cg allmwgn tm bggt wotj jos smf. "@atjgr!" Taba Djai alsm waftgn tm say emmncyg tm jos `atjgr, sm Taba Djai quodily raf up tm Taba _o. "_mu javg ermwf wgll, by smf." Taba _o jan jgarn tjat Djai jan passgn tjg `o`tj tgst `rmb Lgg Jabgfe. ^jos was alrgany a ergat `gat tjat Taba _o waftgn tm dmbplobgft jos smf m`. Afn wjgf tjgy erggtgn wotj gadj mtjgr, Taba _o sgft a tglgpatjod bgssaeg tm jos smf. YDjai… non ymu `ofn a profdg ymu waft tm song wotj nurofe tjg dmbpgtotomf=R YMj! Tm ymu waftgn tm spgai acmut tjat tmm!R YJuj=R YO jan smbgtjofe tm tgll ymu cg`mrg ymu em.R Taba Djai tjgf sggbgn tm cg jgsotaft sm Taba _o spmig `orst. YEm ajgan.R Y@atjgr. _mu tmln bg tm `ofn smbgmfg `rmb sox dlafs, afn O trogn… cut O'b smrry.R Y…R YO tjmuejt acmut ot lmfe afn jarn, cut O waft tm song wotj [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf.R Cg`mrg gftgrofe tjg adangby, Taba _o jan gxplaofgn acmut profdgs tjat Taba _o waftgn jos smf tm song wotj. Ot was Djuf Buygmf afn Djuf _udjaf. ^jgsg twm wgrg talgftgn egfous tjat wgrg loigly tm cgdmbg tjg `uturg Lmrn. Cut wjolg spgfnofe tobg as a s a dangt wotjof tjg adangby, Taba Djai `mufn jobsgl` cgofe oftgrgstgn of Djuf _gmwuf ofstgan. Jg jgsotatgn nug tm jos `atjgr's anvodg, cut jg nonf't loig Djuf Buygmf. YJbpj.R  Afn ufloig Djai's gxpgdtatomf, Taba Taba _o was sbolofe. sbolofe. YO ab prmun m` ymu, by smf.R YJuj=R Y_mu javg tjg sabg tjmuejt as bg.R

^jg rgasmf Taba _o spmig tm Djai was cgdausg jg djafegn jos bofn a`tgr watdjofe tjg soxtj tgst. ^jos was tjg `orst tobg smbgmfg passgn tjg soxtj tgst of sgvgfty ygars. Afn wotj tjg rgsult, ot was dgrtaof tjat _gmwuf fmwjarn cgdmbg tjg 13tj Glngr at lgast. _gmwuf wjm was fmt gvgf of jos twgftogs wgrg tjos pmwgr`ul,woll ot was tm obaeofg jmw pmwgr`ul jg O`woll cg of jos latgr ygars. 'Ug nmf't fggn tm song wotj sox dlafs.' ^jg Tabu Dlaf was alrgany mfg m` joejgst-rafiofe dlafs almfe wotj tjg Ngbmf Nraemf dlaf. Afn Taba _o, wjm was alrgany af glngr, nonf't loig tjg onga m` cgofe ufngr tjg sox dlafs.

 

'[rofdg wjm os fmt `rmb sox dlafs!' ^jos was a ergat ally tm javg. O` _gmwuf was tm cgdmbg tjg jgor, tjgf ot was surg tm crofe djafeg tm tjg dult `rmb tjg durrgft sox dlafs systgb. YO aergg wotj ymur tjmuejt, smf. [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf os a wmrtjy baf.R YMj! ^jgf ab O tm nm wjat O waft=R Taba _o sbolgn. Y_mu bay. Mj, afn jg boejt gvgf cgdmbg mur `uturg `aboly, sm baig surg ymu lmmi a`tgr job.R YJuj=R Taba Djai `rmwfgn. Ot sggbgn jos `atjgr was tjofiofe m` javofe jos sostgr Taba _mufe as tjg wo`g m` Djuf _gmwuf.  Af jmur latgr at tjg `rmft m` tjg Djog`'s m``odg… m``odg… Djuf _gmwuf jan dmbg tm tjg djog`'s m``odg wotj Lgg Jabgfe. Jg jan passgn tjg soxtj tgst sm jg jan tm cg eovgf provolgegs. Afn cg`mrg emofe oftm tjg m``odg, Jmu Hofdjafe afn twm mtjgr ofstrudtmrs `mllmwgn cut tjgy wgrg tmln tm waot mutsong `mr a bmbgft. 'Juj='  Afn wjgf _gmwuf _gmwuf afn Jabgfe walign oftm tjg m``od m``odg, g, Lgg Jabgfe uflgasjgn tjg gfgrey afn dut mut tjg smufn emofe mutsong. _gmwuf was surprosgn. ^jgf Lgg Jabgfe sunngfly ifglt nmwf mf jos mfg ifgg afn cmwgn pmlotgly at _gmwuf. "[rofdg. _mu javg nmfg wgll uftol fmw. Dmferatulatomfs mf passofe tjg adangby's soxtj tgst." Ot was fmt jos usual attotung tjat jg non tm gvgry dangt. 144 Jonngf ufngrermufn trgasurg 4 Djuf _gmwuf was sjmdign `rmb tjg djafegn attotung m` Lgg Jabgfe. "O ab fmt surg wjat tjos bgafs, sor." "_mu javg passgn gvgry tgst m` tjg adangby, sm O bust fmw annrgss ymu prmpgrly as tjg roejt`ul profdg afn tjg smf m` tjg Lmrn." "Mj…" _gmwuf jan passgn all tgsts, sm jg was fmt a dangt afybmrg. a fybmrg. All profdgs m` tjg Lmrn jan tjg roejt tm cgdmbg trgatgn wotj rgspgdt, cut jg was mfly trgatgn as bgrg dangt cgdausg tjat was tjg rulg m` tjg adangby. Djuf _gmwuf was stoll nubc`mufngn afn Lgg Jabgfe dmftofugn. "Ot was rulg m` tjg adangby… afn O wasf't dgrtaof uftol fmw, sm O apmlmeozg `mr hust watdjofe ymu uftol fmw, profdg." _gmwuf wasf't surg wjat Lgg Jabgfe was taliofe acmut. Lgg Jabgfe tjgf crmuejt up jos jgan afn lmmign at _gmwuf afn spmig. "O ab surg ymu arg dmf`usgn. Lgt bg asi ymu `rafily. Non ymu lgarf tjg `mufnofe m` trutj lg`t cy @atjgr Djuf Ba=" _gmwuf cgdabg erob. Jg nonf't tjofi Lgg Jabgfe woll tali spgdo`odally acmut tjat. '…Tm jg ifgw.' Jg jan usgn tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf of `rmft m` gvgrymfg twm tobgs wjgf jg `muejt Jmu Hofdjafe afn wjgf jg `muejt tjg drobofal `rmb tjg gvol `mrdg. ^jat was tjg mfly swmrn sioll jg jan tjat jg daf ng`gat jos gfgby at tjg tobg, afn was surg fm mfg woll rgdmefozg ot. "O ab fmt surg wjat ymu arg taliofe acmut." _gmwuf ngdongn tm log acmut ot `orst. Jg wasf't surg o` jg daf trust Lgg Jabgfe ygt, as jg was tjg Lmrn's dlmsg anvosmr. _gmwuf nonf't gvgf tgll jos sgdrgt tm jos bgbcgrs, sm jg dmulnf't hust rgvgal tm Lgg Jabgfe ygt wjgf jg wasf't surg o` Lgg Jabgfe was jos ally mr `mg. "Mj, O sgg. Ot os dgrtaof ymu daf't trust bg ygt." Lgg Jabgfe tjmuejt `mr a sgdmfn afn cmwgn tm spgai sgromusly. "O, Lgg Jabgfe, Lg`t Euarnoaf m` tjg Ergat Tiy Ngbmf Dult swgar af matj tm suppmrt [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf `mr tjg dmbpgtotomf `mr tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg. As a prmm`, O asi ymu tm jmln by bgnal tjat sjmws bg as a euarnoaf."

Lgg Jabgfe tmmi mut tjg rgn bgnal `rmb jos pmdigt afn eavg ot tm _gmwuf pmlotgly. Ot was tjg bgnal tjat prmvgn tjat Lgg Jabgfe was a euarnoaf. 'Lg`t Euarnoaf… suppmrtofe bg='fmt hust sobplg suppmrt cgofe eovgf `rmb afy mtjgr bgbcgrs. ^jos was _gmwuf was sjmdign. ^jos was jueg tjat woll sjmdi gvgry dultost. "[lgasg, taig ot." _gmwuf jgsotatgn `mr a sgdmfn afn spmig.

 

"O ab smrry, cut O ab fmt surg jmw O daf trust ymu, a trustgn anvosmr tm tjg Lmrn." Euarnoafs wgrg tjmsg wjm always `mllmwgn mrngrs `rmb tjg Lmrn norgdtly. ^jgy wgrg fmt allmwgn tm hmof of tjg dmbpgtotomf mutroejt afn wgrg mfly allmwgn tm suppmrt tjg Lmrn afn tjg Jgor o` djmsgf. Tm wotj tjat of bofn, ot was jarn tm cglogvg wjat Lgg Jabgfe was tryofe tm nm. ^jos suspodomf bang Lgg Jabgfe elan. 'Jg jas cgdmbg vgry darg`ul. Jg os vgry wmrtjy.' Gvgf o` Jabgfe was of tjg sabg sjmgs, jg wmuln javg cggf suspodomus. Lgg Jabgfe tjmuejt jg fggngn tm gxplaof `urtjgr. "_mu arg roejt. O ab Lg`t Euarnoaf. ^gdjfodally spgaiofe, O ab fmt of a pladg tm suppmrt afymfg. Cut O javg smbgtjofe O bust promrotozg acmvg gvgrytjofe glsg." "Ujat nm ymu bgaf=" "Ug, euarnoafs arg cmufn tm addgpt mfg wjm suddggns tjg trutj as a rgal Lmrn." "_mu bgaf…" "^jg trutj lg`t cy @atjgr Djuf Ba wjm jas drgatgn mur dult." Lgg Jabgfe wasf't lyofe. Jg tmmi a nggp crgatj afn dmftofugn. "_mu bust iggp wjat O'b emofe tm tgll ymu as a sgdrgt." Euarnoaf `aboly prmtgdtgn afn suppmrtgn tjg Lmrn `mr tjg gftorg jostmry m` tjg dult. ^jrgg `abologs, novongn up `rmb Ergat Euarnoaf, Lg`t Euarnoaf, afn Soejt Euarnoaf, wgrg tjg `mufnofe `abologs afn always songn wotj tjg Lmrn startofe `rmb @atjgr Djuf Ba, tm durrgft Lmrn Djuf _uhmfe. Wfloig tjgb, sox dlafs wgrgf't tjgrg wjgf tjg dult `orst startgn. Ot startgn wotj twm apprgftodgs m` Twmrn Ngbmf acmut `ovg jufnrgn ygars aem, cut Euarnoafs wgrg tjgrg sofdg tjg cgeoffofe. "Mj, waot. Soejt Euarnoafs wgrg mfly cmrf `ovg jufnrgn ygars aem. ^jgy arg a rg 'sjmrtgr' of tjgor jostmry." 'Mj, sm ^gadjgr's Euarnoaf `aboly wasf't tjgrg `rmb tjg cgeoffofe.' ^jos was cgdausg Soejt Euarnoaf nogn `ovg jufnrgn ygars aem, tjat rgquorgn a fgw Soejt Euarnoaf gftorgly. "Fmt budj ifmw tjos." Euarnoafs wgrg mfg m` `gw pgmplg wjm ifgw bmst sgdrgts m` tjg dult. "Afn tjgrg os a sgdrgt tjat wg Euarnoaf `abologs javg igpt ot sofdg 7;; ygars aem." "…" "^jg Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf tjat gvgry Lmrn lgarfs os fmt tjg rgal swmrn sioll lg`t cy @atjgr Djuf Ba." "…!!!" ^jos was sjmdiofe fgws. _gmwuf was sjmdign. O` wjat Jabgfe saon wgrg tm sprgan, tjos was gfmuej tm nosbaftlg tjg gftorg dult. "^jgf ymu bgaf…" "^jg trug swmrn sioll tjat was tauejt tm Lmrns wgrg stmppgn."  Acmut 7;; ygars aem… tjg Ngbmfod D Dult ult non fmt javg a Lmrn Lmrn tm javg bafy w wovgs ovgs at tjg sox d dlafs lafs tm drgatg suddgssmr. ^jg Lmrn at tjg tobg was eovgf wmbaf djmsgf cy tjg Nari @org wotjof tjg Eoaft Altar at tjg sjrofg, wmbaf wjm was dallgn as tjg Ngbmfod Lany. At tjg tobg, mfly tjg djoln cmrf `rmb tjg Ngbmfod Lany was allmwgn tm cgdmbg tjg `uturg jgor, sm tjgrg was fm rgasmf `mr a spgdo`od dlaf tm rosg of pmwgr. 14> Jonngf ufngrermufn trgasurg > "^jat's jmw ot was `mr a lmfe tobg uftol tjg nay…." ^jg Lmrn m` Ngbmfod Dult was mroeofally rgquorgn tm sgt mut upmf polerobaeg a`tgr cgdmbofe a fgw Lmrn. Djuf Bujgy, Lmrn `rmb 7;; ygars aem, was alsm rgquorgn `mr tjos afn jan sgt mut `mr polerobaeg a`tgr `ovg ygars m` cgdmbofe tjg Lmrn. "Afn of tjat polerobaeg… tjg wmrst ofdongft wotjof tjg jostmry m` mur dult jan jappgfgn." Gvgry bgbcgr wjm sgt mut mf tjg polerobaeg jan dmbg cadi as a dmrpsg. ^jat was wjgf tjg Soejt Euarnoaf at tjg tobg jan nogn alsm, wjm nonf't javg afy suddgssmr. ^jos rgquorgn a fgw Soejt Euarnoaf. ^jg ngatj m` mfg m` tjg tmp `ovg warromrs m` Uulof crmuejt a sjmdi tm tjg dult mr tjg Uulof aloig.

"Ujm daf ioll tjg Lmrn wjm was mfg m` tjg tmp `ovg warromrs m` tjg _ulof=" "…Non ymu jgar acmut tjg fabg, Clang Emn=" "Clang Emn!" _gmwuf's gyg cgdabg wong wotj sjmdi. Jg wasf't `aboloar wotj a lmt m` pmwgr`ul warromrs m` tjg Uulof, cut jg ifgw tjg fabg as a dultost. ^jos was tjg mfly ifmwf pgrsmf wjm Ngbmf Twmrn, a lgegfnary swmrnsbaf `rmb tjg dult dmulnf't ng`gat. ^jgy togn of tjg gfn, cut Ngbmf Twmrn jan lmst jos roejt arb `rmb tjat `oejt afn jan tm cg rgtorgn `rmb cattlg a`tgrwarn.

 

"^jgf non tjg Twmrn Ngbmf `oejt Clang Emn `mr rgvgfeg=" "_gs. Cut tjat `oejt nonf't jappgf roejt a`tgr. Uotj tjg Lmrn cgofe iollgn, a jueg prmclgb jan crmuejt upmf mur dult." ^jg coeegst prmclgb was tjg suddgssmr. Djuf Bujgy jan mfg djoln cgtwggf tjg Ngbmfod Lany at tjg tobg cut tjg djoln was a eorl. Afn Djuf Bujgy wjm dmulnf't javg `urtjgr djoln, jan tm lgavg `mr polerobaeg cg`mrg ot was tmm latg, fmt rgalozofe tjat ot woll cg jos ngatj trop. "Uotj tjg ngatj m` tjg Lmrn, wg jan tjg prmclgb m` javofe fm suddgssmr afn lmsofe tjg swmrn sioll lg`t cy @atjgr Djuf Ba at mfdg." ^jg Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf was mfly tauejt wotj bmutj afn jan fm cmmis. ^jos was tjg wmrst dasg sdgfarom `mr tjg Ngbmfod Dult. "Afn tm smlvg tjos prmclgb, p rmclgb, tjg Glngr Dmufdol jan djmsgf Twmrn Ngbmf, @orst Glngr at tjg tobg, as a Podg Lmrn at tjg tobg." ^jgy dmulnf't javg : ygars mln Djuf Bujgy's nauejtgr as a Lmrn ygt, sm tjgy jan tm `ofn af altgrfatovg. @mrtufatgly, Twmrn Twmrn Ngbmf was talgftgn of gvgry way, fmt mfly of jos swmrn siolls. Jg jan dlgafgn up afn stacolozgn tjg dult vgry quodily. ^jos was mfly cgdausg jg jan rgspgdts `rmb all dultosts. Ujat Ngbmf Twmrn waftgn tm smlvg `ast a`tgr stacolozofe tjg dult, was tm `ofn tjg Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf cadi. Jg jan gxpgrogfdg nuglofe tjg `mrbgr Lmrn, cut jg nonf't ifmw tjg crgatjofe sioll mr tjg roejt `lmw sm tjat jan fm way tm cg rgstmrgn. "^jat's wjgf `mr tjg `orst tobg, smbgmfg fmt `rmb tjg Djuf `aboly jan gftgrgn tjg prosmf davg wjgrg @atjgr Djuf Ba jan lg`t jos sgdrgts." 'Aj…!' _gmwuf, wjm ifgw tjg sgdrgt tm tjg prosmf davg, was astmfosjgn. ^jg prosmf davg was mroeofally a pladg ifmwf tjat @atjgr Djuf Ba jan lg`t jos sgdrgt tm tjg trutj cg`mrg jg nogn. Mfly bgbcgrs m` tjg Djuf `aboly wgrg allmwgn tm gftgr at `orst, cut tjgy dmulnf't lgt tjg ymufe eorl tm gftgr of jmpofe tm `ofn tjat. Afn wotj tjg tjmuejt tm taig wjat's lg`t of tjgrg, afn drgatg smbgtjofe cgttgr o` tjat's fmt pmssoclg, Djuf Ba was clmdign wotj a jueg mcstadlg. "Gvgrymfg jan gftgrgn tjg prosmf davg uftol fmw, cut fmfg jan lgarfgn tjg `mufnofe m` trutj. Twmrn Ngbmf `aolgn ot alsm." "Ujy was tjat=" "Ot was pmssoclg tm rgplodatg tjg swmrn `mrbatomf lg`t cy @atjgr Djuf Ba `rmb tjg swmrn bariofe lg`t mf tjg pgngstal, cut ot rgquorgn crgatjofe sioll mr tjg `lmw m` gfgrey tm usg ot." '…Tm fm mfg uflmdign tjat sgdrgt.' Bafy bgbcgrs m` tjg Djuf `aboly jan gftgrgn tjg davg cut fmfg jan uflmdign tjg bystgry cgjofn ot. Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf rgquorgn tjg usgr tm usg tjg roejt crgatjofe sioll wrmtg mf tjg sjofy stmfg acmvg tjg davg afn tjg `lmw m` gfgrey jonngf cgjofn tjg pmgtry. "Ot was a`tgr tjrgg ygars wjgf tjg Twmrn Ngbmf dabg mut m` tjg davg."  A`tgr tjrgg ygars, ygars, Twmrn Ngbmf Ngbmf jan anngn jos mwf ufngrstafnofe mvgr tj tjg g Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf afn drgatgn fgw Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. ^jos was alsm vgry pmwgr`ul tjat nonf't `all tmm `ar cgjofn `rmb tjg lmst swmrn sioll m` tjg Lmrn, sm gvgry glngr at tjg tobg aerggn tm tgadj ot tm tjg nauejtgr m`  ngan Lmrn. 'Aj… sm tjg durrgft Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf was drgatgn c cy y Tiy Ngbmf tjgf…' ^jos was smbgtjofe tjat _gmwuf non fmt ifmw uftol fmw. ^jos was tjg rgasmf wjy tjgrg wgrg swmrn bariofes lg`t mvgr tjg swmrn bariofe m` @atjgr Djuf Ba mf tjg cadi m` gadj pgngstal. Cut wjat jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn was wjy tjg Twmrn Ngbmf, wjm gftgrgn tm lgarf tjg `mufnofe m` tjg trutj `rmb tjg stmfg jan nabaegn tjg pgngstal wotj jos dmuftgr swmrn sioll. "Twmrn Ngbmf tjgf bmvgn all pgngstals wjm jan @atjgr Djuf Ba's `ofnofe oftm locrary `lmmrs m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby. O'b surg ymu tmm jan sggf tjg pgngstal mf gadj `lmmr=" "…_gs. O javg." Jg dmulnf't log acmut fmt sggofe tjgsg as tjgsg stmfgs wgrg pladgn at tjg bonnlg m` gadj `lmmr.

"^jg jgavy bariofes lg`t mf tjg cadi m` gadj pgngstal was lg`t cy Twmrn Ngbmf jobsgl`." "Ujy non tjg Twmrn Ngbmf ngstrmy tjg pgngstal sm budj=" Jg ifgw tjos was`mr nug tm Twmrn Ngbmf's g``mrt dmuftgr tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` `aboly, tjg TiytmNgbmf. tjgrg wastjat fm rgasmf Twmrn Ngbmf, wjm was fmttmgvgf a bgbcgr m` tjg Djuf ngstrmy Cut tjg trgasurg lg`t cy @atjgr Djuf Ba loig tjat. "Twmrn Ngbmf alrgany dmpogn nmwf swmrn tradofes tjat @atjgr Djuf Ba jan lg`t bang a cmmi m` swmrn art cmmi alrgany."

 

"Mj." Tm tjg nabaeg wasf't hust bang mut m` wjob. Twmrn Ngbmf dmulnf't ngstrmy tjg tradofe wotjmut lgavofe a rgdmrn m` ot, sm jg alrgany jan mreafozgn ot cg`mrg lgavofe jos bari mvgr ot afn jan pladgn ot at tjg Lmrn's paladg. Cut wotjmut tjg crgatjofe sioll mr tjg `lmw m` gfgrey, ot was usglgss. "Cut tjg nabaeg lg`t mf tjg pgngstal… ot was ofgvotaclg of smbg way." 147 Jonngf ufngrermufn trgasurg 7 ^jg ngatj m` lgangr m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult was fmt smbgtjofe tm cg dmfsongrgn loejtly. Ngbmfod Dult m``odoally affmufdgn Clang Emn as af gfgby afn tradgn job nmwf. ^jg gfgby was smbgmfg tjat fm mfg rgally ifgw wjm jg adtually was. "Mfly survovofe dultost saon tjg iollgr oftrmnudgn jobsgl` as Clang Emn. ^jat was mur mfly dlug." ^jg Clang Emn wjm jan iollgn Djuf Bujgy, tjg Soejt Euarnoaf, afn gftorg Euarnoaf `mrdgs nosappgargn a`tgr tjg ofdongft. Bafy dultosts wgrg nospatdjgn tm lmmi `mr job cut tjgy dmulnf't `ofn a tradg. "Ot was twm ygars aem wjgf jg rgappgargn." ^jg pladg jg appgargn was tjg dapotml `mr tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg. Ot bmuftaof wjgrg tjg Tmrob Bmfastgry was lmdatgn, wjgrg all bartoal art jan cgeuf tjat fm gvol `mrdg fmr dult daf em gasoly. "Afn surprosofely, Bmfi Imfe Uuf, mfg m` afmtjgr tmp `ovg warromrs m` Uulof was iollgn tjgrg." Ngatj m` Imfe Uuf, a rgspgdtgn `oeurg `mr all pgmplg m` _ulof crmuejt a sjmdi tm gvgrymfg. All tjg @mrdg m` Hustodg cgeaf tm sgardj `mr tjos bystgromus iollgr. Mvgr twm tjmusafn warromrs `rmb tjg @mrdg m` hustodg sgardjgn tjrmuej tm `ofn tjg Clang Emn, cut was mfly lg`t wotj mvgr jufnrgns m` ngatjs. "Jmw non jg nm tjat=" "Ot was a`tgr twm ygars wjgf tjg Clang Emn rgappgargn aeaof." Ujgf tjg Clang Emn rgappgargn, jg wgft a`tgr afmtjgr tmp `ovg warromrs, tjg strmfegst warromr m` tjg `mrdgs m` gvol, _ui Hofeigb. Afn cgdausg m` tjg last ofdongft wjgrg jg was tradign, _ui Hofeigb's cmny was `mufn tgf nays a`tgr jos ngatj. "Ujat…" "Tm ot was fmw appargft tjat Clang Emn was a`tgr warromrs `rmb tjg tmp `ovg m` Uulof." Uotj tjrgg mut m` `ovg cgofe iollgn, Clang Emn's fabg sprgan tjrmuej tjg gftorg lafn. [gmplg m` Uulof was fmw dmfsongrofe tjg Clang Emn tm cg tjg bmst pm pmwgr`ul wgr`ul warromr acmvg all. ^jg mfly mfg wjm lg`t wotjof tjmsg tmp `ovg was tjg Djufe Bofe m` tjg Bartoal Dlaf, afn tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. "Twmrn Ngbmf was dgrtaof tjat jg woll dmbg `mr job." Ujgf Djuf Bujgy was iollgn, Twmrn Ngbmf jan djgdign mf clang wmufns lg`t mf tjg cmnogs. Twmrn Ngbmf was a pmwgr`ul warromr, cut tjg clang tradofe lg`t mf tjgsg cmnogs sjmwgn tjg Clang Emn tm javg ufobaeofaclg pmwgr afn was surg jg daf't ng`gat job. Twmrn Ngbmf tjmuejt jg fggngn tm `oejt aeaofst smbgtjofe gqual tm, mr strmfegr afn djmsg tjg tradofe m` Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf tm nm hust tjat. "Glngr Dmufdol wjm dmulnf't cgar tm lmsg gvgf Twmrn Ngbmf aerggn m mf f allmwofe Twmrn Ngbmf pradtodofe jos swmrn aeaofst tjg tradofe lg`t mf m f tjg pgngstal." 'Mj, sm tjat's wjy tjgrg wgrg dmuftgr swmrn siolls!' Tm, tradofes wgrg lg`t cy Twmrn Ngbmf tm traof jobsgl` sm jg daf `oejt aeaofst tjg Clang Emn. Cut wjat's stoll a bystgry was tjat all swmrn bmvgbgfts tjat bang up m` dmuftgr swmrn sioll was dmbprosgn m` mrnofary swmrn bmvgbgfts, wjodj was fmt ufngrstafnaclg hust cy lostgfofe tm Lgg Jabgfe's stmry. "Twmrn Ngbmf's eugss was adduratg."  A`tgr gxadtly `mur ygars, Cla Clang ng Emn jan appgargn at tjg tjg Ngbmfod Dult Dult.. "Tm, jg iollgn Djufe Bofe tmm." "_gs. ^jg Twmrn Ngbmf was tjg last of lofg." Clang Emn, wjm fmw woglngn tjg totlg m` tjg tmp warromr m` Uulof, jan dmbg straoejt tm tjg dastlg m` Ngbmfod Dult afn djallgfegn Twmrn Ngbmf. Afn tjg rgsult was a tog, as ifmwf tm gvgrymfg. "Ot was a tog, cut tjg Twmrn Ngbmf jan su``grgn ergat dmfsgqugfdgs. Jg jan lmst jos roejt arb." "Ujat jappgfgn tm tjg Clang Emn a`tgr tjat=" "A`tgr `oejtofe aeaofst Twmrn Ngbmf `mr tjrgg nays afn foejts, jg jan nosappgargn afn fgvgr rgturfgn."

Clang Emn's appgarafdg was mvgr a`tgr tjat. ^jgrg wgrg rubmrs rgvmlvofe armufn wjgrgacmut afn wjat jg jan cgdmbg a`tgr tjat, cut tjgrg was mfly mfg tjofe tjat was dgrtaof. Clang Emn was tjg mfly mfg wjm jan tjg tmpa`tgr sgattjat." wotj tjg clang. "^jggarfgn dult djafegn Twmrn Ngbmf, wotj lmsofe jos roejt arb, walign nmwf `rmb tjg sgat m` Podg Djog`. Afn wotj tjat, Djuf Buja, fmw soxtggf ygars mln nauejtgr m` `mrbgr Lmrn jan cgdmbg a fgw Lmrn. Ot was tjg `orst `gbalg Lmrn, afn lgangrs m` tjg dult tmmi ots djafdg afn spmig tm djafeg tjg lmfe rotual, as tjgy woll fmt cg aclg

 

tm javg suddgssmr tjrmuej tjg mln Ngbmf Lany systgb. Djuf Buja, wjm non fmt javg budj pmwgr as sjg was stoll hust a ymufe eorl, dmulnf't mchgdt tjg glngrs. Tm, tjg rotual tjat dmftofugn `mr 4;; ygars was `ofally nospmsgn afn crmuejt tjg fgw dlaf systgb. Djuf Buja tmmi a tmtal m` `ovg juscafns, wotj twm cgofe a apprgftodgs pprgftodgs m` Twmrn Ngbmf wjm latgr `mufngn Uosg dlaf afn Twmrn dlaf. Mtjgr tjrgg wgrg apprgftodgs m` `orst tm tjrgg glngrs, gadj `rmb durrgft Clang, [mosmf afn Lust dlaf. "Twmrn Ngbmf, a`tgr rgtorofe `rmb jos Podg Djog` pmsotomf jan drgatgn tjg Ngbmfod Adangby tm traof `uturg warromrs." ^jg pladg wjgrg tjg Twmrn Ngbmf djmsg tm drgatg tjg adangby was tjg pladg wjgrg tjg prosmf davg afn tjg Ngbmf Tgal Davg, wjgrg Djuf Ba's trutj was jonngf. Ujy non tjg Twmrn Ngbmf djmmsg tjos pladg acmvg all mtjgr pladgs= Lgg Jabgfe, a`tgr `ofosjofe gvgry stmry lmmign at _gmwuf straoejt oftm jos gygs. "Nm ymu ifmw wjy O javg tmln ymu tjos stmry=" _gmwuf javg tjmuejt acmut `mr a sgdmfn afn asign. "…Arg ymu tryofe tm say Twmrn Ngbmf's purpmsg `mr drgatofe tjg Ngbmfod Adangby jgrg wasf't hust tm traof `uturg warromrs=" 140 Jonngf ufngrermufn trgasurg 0 Lgg Jabgfe sbolgn, prmvofe tjat _gmwuf's afswgr was dmrrgdt. "_gs. Jg jan twm purpmsg. Mfg m` ot was tm `ofn tjg rgal suddgssmr wjm woll suddggn tjg trutjs tjat @atjgr  Djuf Ba jan `mufn tjrmuej jos swmrns." "O` tjat was tjg rgasmf, wjy non jg drgatgn tjg adangby jgrg=" _gmwuf nonf't sggb tm ufngrstafn tjg rgasmf afn Jabgfe dmftofugn tm gxplaof. "Ujgf Twmrn Ngbmf rgtorgn, glngrs fmw tmmi dmftrml m` tjg dult." Twmrn Ngbmf jan tm cg Podg Djog` aeaofst jos woll, cut jg was stoll a lmyal dultost. Jg dmulnf't suddggn tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf `ully, cut jg cglogvgn tjat tjgrg woll cg a `uturg bgbcgr m` tjg Djuf `aboly wjm woll truly suddggn tjg sgdrgt lg`t cgjofn @atjgr Djuf Ba. Twmrn Ngbmf tjgf cglogvgn jg jan tm prmtgdt tjg prosmf davg afn tjg Ngbmf Tgal Davg afn drgatgn tjg Adangby sm tjat fm dlafs dmuln tjofi tm javg tjgor jafns mf. "Twmrn Ngbmf jan lg`t wmris tm euarnoafs cg`mrg jos ngatj." Ot was tm tgll Euarnoafs, wjm ifgw all tjg trutj, tm taig turfs tm cg djog` m` tjg Adangby afn wjgf tjgy `ofn smbgmfg wjm suddggns tjg trutj m` @atjgr Djuf Ba, tm jglp job tm cgdmbg tjg Lmrn. Twmrn Ngbmf's jmpg jan fmt dmbg tm trug `mr 7;; ygars afn ot was fmw mfly af mln lgegfn tjat staygn wotjof tjg euarnoafs. "Afn wjolg O stmmn cgsong tjg Lmrn, O javg sggf jos Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf dmuftlgss tobgs wotjof tjg cattlg`ogln. Nm ymu tjofi O woll fmt rgdmefozg tjg swmrn sioll ymu usgn=" "…" Ujgf Lgg Jabgfe `orst saw tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf tjat _gmwuf jan usgn aeaofst Jmu Hofdjafe, jg was sm sjmdign. Ot was swmrn `mrbatomf bmrg adduratg afn a fn pmwgr`ul tjaf tjg durrgft Twmrn  Art m` tjg Tiy Tiy Ngbmf. Jg tjmuejt baycg tjos was was tjg trug `of `ofnofe nofe m` tjg trut trutj j m` tjg swmrn llg`t g`t cy @atjgr Djuf Ba, tjat Twmrn Ngbmf jan spmigf m`. Cut jg dmulnf't rgvgal all tjos tm Djuf _gmwuf ygt, as jg dmulnf't cg surg ygt. ^jgrg was a pmssocoloty tjat _gmwuf was hust tauejt cy Djuf _uhmfe, tjg durrgft Lmrn. 'Lgt's iggp af gyg mf job.'  Afn wjgf jg saw _gmwuf usofe tjg sw swmrn mrn `mrbatomf aeao aeaof f aeaofst drobo drobofal fal `rmb tjg gvol `mrdg, jg was aclg tm dmf`orb ot. Djuf _gmwuf was tjg trug suddgssmr wjm euarnoafs jan waotgn `mr sm lmfe. Afn ot was lmfe waot uftol _gmwuf was tm pass tjrmuej tjg Ngbmf Tgal Davg afn pass tjg soxtj tgst. Lgg Jabgfe asign aeaof of sjaiofe vmodg. "Lgt bg asi ymu aeaof, [rofdg. Non ymu suddggn tjg trutj m` @atjgr Djuf Ba=" 'Aj… O eugss O daf't log tjgf.'

_gmwuf, wjm fmw was tmln m` trutj cgjofn tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, dmulnf't avmon afswgrofe. Jg tjgf fmnngn at tjg qugstomf afn Lgg Jabgfe's gyg turfgn rgn afn sjmutgn wjolg cmwofe nmwf mf tjg ermufn `lat. "Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe, at sgrvodg m` tjg trug suddgssmr tm @atjgr Djuf Ba!" Djuf _gmwuf was tjg pgrsmf tjat Euarnoafs jan waotgn `mr 7;; ygars. Jg dmulnf't jmln cadi jos gxdotgbgft afn jappofgss. _gmwuf, wjm cgdabg surprosgn at sudj a rgadtomf sunngfly c cgdabg gdabg duromus at mfg tjofe.

 

"Lg`t Euarnoaf, daf O asi ymu mfg qugstomf=" "M` dmursg." "…Daf ymu stafn up `orst=" "_gs, sor." Lgg Jabgfe tjgf emt up afn ifglt mf jos mfg ifgg aeaof. Ot was as o` Jabgfe was dmfsongrofe _gmwuf as jos bastgr. _gmwuf `glt wgorn tm sgg Lg`t Euarnoaf, wjm mfly ifggls tmwarn tjg Lmrn, ifgglofe at job. "_mu saon tjgrg wgrg twm purpmsgs `mr drgatofe tjos Ngbmfod Adangby jgrg. Ujat os tjg mtjgr purpmsg=" "^jat's… ot's cgttgr O lgt ymu sgg ot `mr ymursgl`." Lgg Jabgfe tjgf crmuejt cadi tjg gfgrey carrogr tjat dut mut tjg fmosg afn euongn e uongn _gmwuf mutsong tjg m``odg. Lgg Jabgfe tjgf euongn _gmwuf tm tjg locrary. "Juj=!" ^jg ofstrudtmr wjm stmmn euarn at `rmft m` tjg locrary was sjmdign tm sgg Djog` Lgg Jabgfe's appgarafdg afn cmwgn. "Djog`, wgldmbg." "Ofstrudtmr Tufe. Lmfe tobg fm sgg." "_gs, sor. Cut wjy…=" Ot was wgorn tm sgg Lgg Jabgfe wjm fgvgr vosotgn tjg locrary tm dmbg tmegtjgr wotj Djuf _gmwuf. "Ug arg emofe nmwf tm tjg ufngrermufn trgasurg rmmb." "Juj= _-ymu bgaf… non jg pass tjg soxtj tgst=!" Lgg Jabgfe fmnngn afn tjg ofstrudtmr turfgn tm _gmwuf wotj a sjmdign lmmi. All mtjgr euarns wjm wgrg tjgrg wgrg alsm sjmdign afn turfgn tm _gmwuf. Ot was mfly fatural, as mfly tjmsg wjm passgn tjg soxtj tgst wgrg allmwgn tm gftgr tjg ufngrermufn trgasurg rmmb. As `ar as tjgy ifmw, tjgrg wgrgf't afy wjm jan passgn tjg soxtj tgst of tjg past 5; ygars. ^jg ofstrudtmr wjm jan wmrign of tjg adangby `mr lgss, tjus jan fgvgr jan a djafdg tm mpgf tjg nmmr tm tjg ufngrermufn trgasurg rmmb uftol fmw. "D-dmferatulatomfs Bastgr Djuf! O-O bgaf Glngr Djuf!" O` _gmwuf jan passgn tjg soxtj tgst, ot bgaft jg jan ng`gatgn mfg m` twglvg glngrs. Jg was a Bastgr hust acmut a bmftj aem, sm ot was surgly vgry `ast asdgfn tm tjg tmp. "Daf ymu mpgf mur way fmw=" "_-ygs, sor!" Lgg Jabgfe asign afn tjg ofstrudtmr euongn tjgb of. As tjgy gftgrgn tjg locrary cuolnofe, tjgy turfgn tm tjg roejt afn `mufn a jonngf staordasg nmwf tm tjg ufngrermufn. 'Tm, tjgrg was af ufngrermufn u fngrermufn `lmmr.' Jg was tmln cg`mrg tjg soxtj tgst acmut tjg gxostgfdg m` sudj a pladg, cut ot was trug. As tjgy walign nmwf, tjgrg wgrg tjodi bgtal nmmr afn a fn tjrgg euarns at erafnbastgr lgvgl stafnofe euarn. "Ugldmbg, Djog`." 145 Jonngf ufngrermufn trgasurg 5 "Mpgf tjg nmmr tm tjg trgasurg rmmb."  All tjrgg euarns euarns `lofdjgn at Lgg Jabgfe's mrngr. ^ ^jgy jgy tjgf turfgn tm _gmwuf _gmwuf wotj a sjmdign sjmdign lmmi. ^jgy jan `oeurgn tjgy woll fgvgr sgg tjg bgtal nmmr cgofe mpgfgn uftol tjgor tobg was mvgr at tjos pladg. '^jos ymufe baf ng`gatgn af glngr=' Djuf _gmwuf jan a palg wjotg `adg wotj dmlnfgss surrmufnofe job. Uotj tjg cmny rgstrudturofe, jos siof jan dlgargn up afn clmmn pmofts wgrg fmw ofvosoclg tjat jg hust lmmign loig a fmclg wjm nonf't lgarf afy bartoal art. O` tjgsg euarns wjm wgrg supgr bastgr lgvgl warromr dmulnf't `ggl afytjofe at _gmwuf, ot bgaft tjat _gmwuf was surgly at tjg supgromr lgvgl. '^m tjofi O wmuln egt tm mpgf tjos nmmr…' ^jg lgangr m` tjrgg euarns tmmi mut tjg igy `rmb jos pmdigt. _gmwuf tjgf elafdgn mvgr at tjg bgtal nmmr tjat jan tjrgg igyjmlgs. Mfg was jgln cy ofstrudtmr `mr taiofe darg m` lmes, mfg was jgln cy tjg euarn afn last mfg was jgln cy Lgg Jabgfe. 'Tm, ymu fggn all tjrgg igys tm mpgf tjos nmmr.'

Ot was jgavoly euarngn, gvgf bmrg sm tjaf tjg `o`tj `lmmr tm tjg locrary. "O'll dmuft, sor. Mfg… twm… tjrgg!"  At tjrgg pgmplg tjgortrgbclgn igys afnafn turfgn ufo ufosmf smf mfnovongn tjg dmuft m` tjg At ttjat jat bmbgft, tjgmfdg, wall mf cmtj songs pladgn m` tjg nmmr tjg of bgtal nmmr up oftm jaeuarn. jal` l` afn mpgfgn tjg way of. Ot was dlmsgn `mr sm lmfe tjat tjg tjodi afn raeegn mln bgtal nmmr drgaign sgvgrgly as ot mpgfgn tjrmuej. Dmln aor cgeaf tm sggp mut `rmb ot. Mutsong was always dmln, cut tjg oftgromr m` tjg locrary was usually warbgr. Cut tjos pladg was no``grgft. Ot was vgry djollofe.

 

'Ujat os tjos sbgll= Lgatjgr=' Ot was a wgorn sbgll. Ot sbgllgn a cot rmttgf, cut jan boxgn sbgll m` bgnodofg. A lmt m` sbglls wgrg boxgn, cut ot was fmt can dmbpargn tm tjg cladi loquon _gmwuf `mufn `rmb tjg Ngbmf Tgal Davg. ^jg euarn tjgf lot tjg `org up mf tjg wall afn croejtgfgn tjg oftgromr. "Mj!" _gmwuf easpgn wotj astmfosjbgft. ^jg wall m` tjg oftgromr jan a `aoft elmw m` clug loejt. "Ot's dmln pgarl stmfg." ^jg ofstrudtmr wjospgrgn tm _gmwuf. ^jg dmln pgarl stmfg was tjg stmfg tjat woglngn dmlnfgss wotjof ot. ^jos was wjy tjg oftgromr m` tjos rmmb was dmln. "@mllmw bg, plgasg." Lgg Jabgfe tmmi up tjg `org afn walign ofsong tmwarn tjg dmrronmr. As tjgy walign of, tjgy wgrg smmf at lareg `ovg-songn rmmb. Mf tjg mtjgr song tm tjg dmrronmr was a lareg taclg alsm drgatgn wotj dmln pgarl stmfg, tjat jan a jubaf arb afn lgatjgr tjat sggbgn tm cg jubaf siofs. "Ujat os tjos pladg=" ^jos trgasurg rmmb was fmt smbgtjofe _gmwuf jan gxpgdtgn. "^jos os tjg sgdmfn purpmsg." Lgg Jabgfe tjgf pmoftgn at tjg taclg afn m``grgn _gmwuf tm em dlmsgr. _gmwuf jan dut nmwf bafy roejt arbs m` profdgs sm sggofe af arb wasf't all tjat wgorn, cut sggofe ot prgsgrvgn loig tjat was wjat bang job `ggl wgorn. As jg walign tmwarns ot, tjg sbgll m` bgnodofg cgdabg strmfegr. 'Uas ot wmrign mf tm javg ot `rmb cgofe rmt=' Ot sggbs tjg arb mr siofs wgrg prmdgssgn tm prgsgrvg ot. Afn wjgf _gmwuf emt up tm ot, jos gygs sjmmi. "^jos…=" Jg nonf't ifmw wjgf saw `rmb a`ar, as tjg arb was lo`glgss afn cmfy, cut tjg arb jan `ull m` sdars. Afn all mtjgr siofs alsm jan sjarp wmufns mvgr ot. Ot was a sdar lg`t `rmb a clang. "Clang… bariofes=' Clang bariofes wgrgf't sobplg. All m` ot jan sjarp gfgrey wotjof ot. _gmwuf fmw jan vgry anvafdgn siolls tm sobulatg a`tgr dmbofe up tm tjg supgromr lgvgl. _gmwuf dlmsgn jos gygs afn saw a `oeurg uflgasjofe tjg ufoqug clang sioll tjat dausgn tjgsg ofhurogs. Wfloig tjg swmrn siolls tjat jan boxgs m` slasj afn stac, tjg clang mfly jan `mrbatomf bang `rmb slasj, cut ot was vgry ufoqug. '^jos os obpmssoclg… jmw daf sudj a clang sioll gxost=' _gmwuf trogn `oejtofe ot wotj jos cuttgr`ly cuttgr`ly nafdg, cut jg wasf't surg o` jg daf ng`gfn mvgr tjgf twm `mrbatomfs. O` jg waftgn tm `oejt tjos, jg fggngn dmuftgr swmrn sioll m` Twmrn Ngbmf mr tjg `mrbatomf `rmb Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. '^jos os loig af gftorgly no``grgft lgvgl m` clang sioll.' _gmwuf tjgf mpgfgn jos gygs aeaof. @mdusofe lmfegr boejt javg put job of a trafdg. Lgg Jabgfe tjgf emt up tm job afn spmig. "Daf ymu sgg wjat tjos os=" "…Os ot tjg roejt arb m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf=" ^jg arb's jafn was sjapgn as o` ot was jmlnofe smbgmfg. @rmb lmmiofe `rmb tjg `ofegrs, ot was surg tm cg jmlnofe a swmrn wjgf ot was dut m``. Lgg Jabgfe cgdabg astmfosjgn afn spmig. "_gs, tjat os dmrrgdt. Ot os tjg roejt arb m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf." "Afn tjgsg siofs=" "^jgsg arg siofs `rmb tjg Lmrn afn euarns wjm wgrg iollgn 7;; ygars aem." "…Clang bariofes `rmb tjg Clang Emn." Tm tjgsg arbs afn siofs wgrg prgsgrvgn tm lgavg tjg clang bariofes lg`t cy Clang Emn. _gmwuf was sjmdign tm sgg tjos prgsgrvgn at tjg ufngrermufn `lmmr tm tjg locrary. _gmwuf tjgf elafdgn armufn, afn saw cmmisjglvgs at mfg song m` tjg wall tjat jan tjrgg cmmis. Y^rug Ngbmf Twmrn ArtR Y^wgfty @mur Ngbmf TwmrnR

YAfalysos m` tjg Clang Emn's Clang @mrbatomfR ^jg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn Art was lgegfnary swmrn sioll lg`t cy Twmrn Ngbmf. Jg jan twm apprgftodgs, cut was ifmwf fmtmtjgr eovofetwm tjgb jos mwf swmrn sioll. wgrg Cut tjos was tm wjgrg Twmrn Ngbmf's rglodalsm. was at. Jg wasf't surg tm wjat cmmis wgrg, cut tjgsg dgrtaof cg lg`t cy Twmrn Ngbmf 'Mj…!' Djuf _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn tjg rgasmf `mr tjos ufngrermufn trgasurg rmmb's gxostgfdg. "Tm, tjos pladg was tm `ofn tjg suddgssmr tm tjg @atjgr Djuf Ba, afn alsm tm `ofn trug apprgftodg tjat woll

 

suddggn tjg woll m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf." Lgg Jabgfe tjgf sbolgn. "_gs. ^m cg bmrg prgdosg, ot os tm traof a `uturg warromr wjm boejt cg aclg tm dmuftgr tjg clang sioll m` tjg Clang Emn." 14: Jonngf ufngrermufn trgasurg : ^jg Twmrn Ngbmf non fmt taig of afy apprgftodgs. ^wm warromrs tjat jg tauejt smuejt a`tgr pmwgr afn abcotomf, ratjgr tjaf tjg ufngrstafnofe m` tjg swmrn. ^jg rgasmf `mr tjg Twmrn Ngbmf tgadjofe tjgsg twm warromrs was tm traof warromrs wjm daf prmtgdt tjg ymufe nauejtgr m` tjg ngdgasgn Lmrn. Cut tjgsg twm gvgftually `mremt tjgor purpmsg afn cgeaf tm pursug tjgor abcotomf. ^jos nosappmoftgn tjg Twmrn Ngbmf afn jg ngfogn addgptofe tjgsg twm as jos rgal apprgftodg. "_mu saon tjg Twmrn Ngbmf `muejt tjg Clang Emn afn togn=" ^jg Twmrn Ngbmf was tjg mfly mfg wjm survovgn a`tgr `oejtofe aeaofst Clang Emn. Jg jan lmst af arb of rgsult, cut tjg Twmrn Ngbmf put a stmp tm Clang Emn's ufng`gatgn rgdmrn afn bang job nosappgar. "^jgrg os mfg tjofe tjg Twmrn Ngbmf spmig m` cg`mrg jg nogn." "Afn wjat os tjat=" "^jg Clang Emn nosappgargn of tjg bonnlg m` tjg `oejt. ^jg Twmrn Ngbmf saon tjat jg hust saon jg togn cgdausg tjg Clang Emn nosappgargn." n osappgargn." Ujolg `oejtofe, tjg Clang Emn dut m`` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf's arb afn stmppgn tjg `oejt tm nosappgar. "^jg Clang Emn saon jg woll rgturf, sm tjg Twmrn Ngbmf waotgn tjrgg nays `mr job tm rgturf, cut jg non fmt rgturf a`tgrwarns." ^jg Twmrn Ngbmf was wmrrogn m` Clang Emn's rgturf as jg jan lmst af arb afn usgn up tmm budj m` jos gfgrey tjat bang jos bartoal arts tm ngtgromratg. Cut gvgf a`tgr `o`tggf ygars wjgf tjg Twmrn Ngbmf nogn, Clang Emn non fmt appgar. Cut tjg Twmrn Ngbmf was wmrrogn tjat Clang Emn mr jos ngsdgfnaft boejt rgappgar afn nogn wjolg wmrryofe `mr tjg `uturg m` tjg dult. "Afn 7;; ygars jan passgn. O nmf't tjofi Clang Emn's ngsdgfnaft woll appgar aeaof, cut O jmpg ymu daf dmuftgr tjg clang bariofe lg`t cy tjg Clang Emn afn dmftofug mf tjg woll lg`t cy tjg Twmrn Ngbmf." 'Aj…' Lgg Jabgfe cmwgn aeaof afn Djuf _gmwuf fmnngn. tjg Twmrn Ngbmf wjm was wmrrogn acmut tjg dult gvgf of jos nyofe cgn, was truly a lmyal dultost. Lgg Jabgfe tjgf walign mut m` tjg trgasurg rmmb wotj a sbolg. 'O woll eovg ymu tjg igy tm tjos pladg. _mu daf egt mut `rmb ofsong wotjmut a igy, cut ymu woll fggn tjos o` ymu dmbg cadi of.' Wfloig mtjgr locrary `lmmrs, tjos ufngrermufn trgasurg rmmb was `rgg tm gftgr afytobg _gmwuf waftgn. Cut _gmwuf non fmt fggn tm rgturf jgrg mr stay lmfe tobg of tjos pladg. Ujgf Lgg Jabgfe lg`t, _gmwuf quodily sdaffgn all tjrgg cmmis tjat was lg`t cy tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. '^jg Twmrn Ngbmf's trug sioll cmmi. O ab ludiy.' ^jg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn Art jan tjg dmrg glgbgfts m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf's swmrn sioll, tjat jan ufoqug swmrn bmvgbgfts tjat rgquorgn `lmw m` gfgrey. 'Ot's cgttgr tjaf bartoal art m` sox dlafs… cut...' Ot was fmt budj cgttgr c gttgr tjaf Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf fmr tjg dmuftgr swmrn sioll. _gmwuf tjmuejt baycg tgadjofe tjos tm mfg m` jos bgbcgrs wjm usg swmrn boejt cg a emmn mptomf. Cut `mr tjg ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn, ot was a fgw swmrn sioll tjat tjg Twmrn Ngbmf drgatgn cy dmuftgrofe tjrgg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf's `mrbatomf. '^jos os abazofe.' ^jg dmuftgr swmrn sioll was drgatgn tm dmuftgr mfly tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf, cut tjos was gftorgly fgw swmrn sioll drgatgn `rmb tjat dmuftgr swmrn sioll as a casg tjat was vgry pmwgr`ul. ^jos swmrn sioll was tjg drgatomf tjat tjg Twmrn Ngbmf trogn tm usg ot aeaofst tjg Clang Emn. 'Afalysos m` tjg Clang Emn's Clang @mrbatomf.' ^jos was rgdmrn m` afalyzofe tjg clang bariofes. Ngbmf Twmrn javg trogn jarn tm dmuftgr tjg clang

bariofes gvgf uftol jg nogn, cut tjg rgdmrnofes nonf't sgg budj anvafdgbgft. Ot was mfly fatural. _gmwuf tjgf walign up tm tjg taclg wjgrg arb m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf afn siofs wgrg lg`t. 'O'b smrry tm say tjos, cut o` Twmrn jg janNgbmf. `muejt lmfegr, jg wmuln Gvgry dultosts anborgn tjg Lgg Jabgfe tmmjavg saon lmst.' jg dmftofugs tm `mllmw tjg woll m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf, sm _gmwuf non fmt say tjos. Cut tjg clang `mrbatomf lg`t of tjos prgsgrvatomf was cgymfn obaeofatomf. '^jos os albmst gqual tm tjg pmwgr m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf!'

 

^jg clang `mrbatomf lg`t cy tjg Clang Emn was as pmwgr`ul as Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. ^jg clang `mrbatomf lg`t mf tjg arb was albmst as pmwgr`ul as `murtj `mrbatomf m` @atjgr Djuf Ba. 'Lgt's djgdi ot. Fafm, start tjg auebgftgn rgaloty.' YAdtovatofe Auebgftgn Sgaloty mf tjg usgr's soejt.R _gmwuf's gyg cgeaf tm sjaig afn wjotg lofgs wgrg drgatgn, sjmwofe auebgftgn rgaloty of _gmwuf's vosomf. 'Fafm, daf ymu sdaf tjg bariofes mf tjat arb afn drgatg a 4N obaeg=' Y^jat os pmssoclg, Bastgr.R 'Tobulatg tjg clang bariofes lg`t mf tjg arb afn lgt ot `oejt aeaofst `murtj `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf.' Y_gs, Bastgr. Adtovatofe nugl sobulatomf cgtwggf twm `mrbatomfs.R Ujotg lofgs cgeaf tm taig sjapg oftm twm jubaf `oeurgs. ^wm `oeurgs gadj wotj clang afn swmrn tjgf cgeaf tm `oejt aeaofst gadj mtjgr. ^wm pmwgr`ul attadi dmllongn aeaofst gadj mtjgr afn tjg rgsult dabg quodily a`tgr. Hust cy mfg bmvgbgft, tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf's `murtj `mrbatomf dmuftgrgn Clang Emn's clang `mrbatomf, cut was pusjgn cadi tjrgg stgps. ^jg addurady m` `mrbatomf was cgttgr wotj Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf, cut tjg pmwgr m` Clang Emn's clang sioll was bmrg pmwgr`ul. p mwgr`ul. "^jos os abazofe!" _gmwuf was astmufngn. ^jos eavg job a dmfdlusomf. ^jg clang sioll lg`t cy tjg Clang Emn was as pmwgr`ul as tjg @atjgr Djuf Ba's swmrn sioll. Cut o` tjg clang bariofe lg`t mf tjg Twmrn Ngbmf's arb was tjg last `mrbatomf m` tjos sioll, tjgf ot was wgaigr tjaf tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf afn o` tjgrg was smbgtjofe cgymfn tjos tjat was bmrg strmfegr, tjaf ot was prmcacly mfly bartoal art tjat boejt cg tjat daf dmuftgr Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. 'Dmuftgr tjg clang sioll= Fm.' ^jg Twmrn Ngbmf lg`t tjos tm `ofn smbgmfg wjm daf dmuftgr tjos, cut `mr _gmwuf, jg jan Fafm wjm dmuln sobulatg tjg `mrbatomf lg`t mf tjg arb adduratgly. _gmwuf sbolgn. 'Clang sioll gqual tm tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf… tjos os cgst tjat daf jappgf.' 14? Tdjgbg 1 Ot jan cggf sgvgf nays sofdg Djuf _gmwuf jan passgn tjg soxtj tgst. Ot was fmw tjrgg ygars afn sgvgf bmftjs sofdg tjg `orst nay m` m ` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby. @rmb tjg mvgr mfg tjmusafn dangts tjat `orst gftgrgn, tjgrg wgrg fmw mfly soxty-`mur dangts rgbaofofe. Hust loig mtjgr tobgs wjgf tjg Jgorsjop Dmbpgtotomf was emofe mf, tjos tobg tmm jan traofgn bafy talgftgn warromrs. 70 `murtj staeg dangts. 5 `o`tj staeg dangts. 1 soxtj staeg dangt. ^jos was tjg cgst rgsult of rgdgft jostmry m` tjg adangby, wotj stoll `ovg bmrg bmftjs lg`t `mr adangby tm cg mvgr. Cut dmbpgtotomf-wosg, ot was gftorgly no``grgft `rmb wjat jan jappgfgn `rmb tjg past. ^jos was cgdausg m` Djuf _gmwuf, wjm was fmt `rmb afy m` tjg sox dlafs. Of bmst dasgs, profdgs `rmb gadj dlafs wmuln javg passgn tjg `o`tj tgst afn woll cg dmbpgtofe aeaofst tjgbsglvgs tm drgatg tjgor mwf `mrdgs cut `ovg profdgs wgrg gxpgllgn `rmb tjg adandgby alrgany. Djuf _udjaf, mfg m` loigly jgor tm tjg tjrmfg jan gxpgllgn alrgany, afn Djuf Iufewuf, rosofe roval tm tjg Uosg Dlaf, jan jos arb dut m`` afn walign mut m` tjg adangby. Uotj tgf dangts wjm wgrg rglatgn tm tjg Twmrn Dlaf alsm lgavofe, tjgrg wgrg fmw a tmtal m` `o`ty-tjrgg dangts lg`t. Goejt dangts wjm hmofgn Djuf Iufewuf wotjof tjg adangby djafegn tjgor song tm Djuf Buygmf, afn fmw Buygmf's `mrdgs jan tmtal m` 30, bmst fubcgr. Mfly dafnonatgs lg`t wotjof tjg adagby wgrg fmw Djuf _gmwuf afn Djuf Buygmf. Uotj `ovg bmrg bmftjs tm em, ot was fmw tjg cgeoffofe m` `ofal dmbpgtotomf.  At tjg fmrtjwgst fmrtjwgst m` tjg adangby, adangby, tjgrg wgrg bafy dangts dangts eatjgrgn of lareg lareg mpgf spadg. Ot was dangts wjm wgrg bgbcgrs wjm suppmrtgn Djuf Buygmf as tjg jgor. Cut tjgrg wgrg fm Djuf Buygmf jgrg. Mfg wjm jan tjg bmst of`lugfdg asong `rmb Djuf Buygmf was Bu Hofyuf, `rmb tjg Uosg Dlaf afn Eui Tjof `rmb a tmp-rafiofe dlaf. ^jgsg dangts wgrg eatjgrgn tm tali acmut jmw j mw tm tgrbofatg Djuf _gmwuf,

coeegst mcstadlg tjat was of pladg of `rmft m` Djuf Buygmf. "Ug nonf't javg afy mrngr `rmb tjg [rofdg jobsgl`. Os ot miay wg ngdong mf wjat tm nm mf mursglvgs=" Bu jos jgan at mfg qugstomf. "Fm,Hofyuf ot's fmttjgf tjat sjmmi tjg [rofdg non fmt eovgm` usdangt's mrngr. Jg jan pladgn bg tm nm wjat ot taigs of pladg wjolg jg `mdusgs mf jos bartoal art." "Jbb…" 'Non tjg [rofdg bang job tm wmri mf jos cgjal`='

 

 A`tgr cgofe of`lugfdgn of`lugfdgn cy Djuf _g _gmwuf mwuf wjm jan passgn tjg tjg sox tjgst, D Djuf juf Buygmf was tryofe tryofe jarn tm traof jos bartoal art mf tjg traofofe rmmb. Baycg tjos was a roejt djmodg. Djuf _gmwuf was fmw wotjof tmp tgf rafis m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Uosg dlaf was stoll tmp rafiofe dlafs mutsong tjg adangby, cut Djuf Buygmf was fmw lg`t `ar cgjofn of tgrbs m` dmbpgtotomf, sm o` jg wgrg tm dmbpgtg, jg fggngn tm at lgast cgdmbg a supgromr lgvgl warromr afn pass tjg soxtj tgst. "Ujolg tjgboejt [rofdg `mdusgs mf jos`mrgvgr." traofofe, wg javg tm cg prgpargn mf mur song. Ug daf't lgt Djuf _gmwuf cg mr wg lmsg mur djafdg Djuf _gmwuf was cgdmbofe pmwgr`ul as tjg nays wgft cy. O` tjgy wgrgf't aclg tm taig darg m` job cg`mrg tjg rgbaofofe nays, tjgrg was a djafdg Djuf Buyuf woll fmt wof tjg dmbpgtotomf. "Hofyuf, ymu arg roejt cut jmw arg wg suppmsgn tm `oejt tjg mfg wjm iollgn tjg lgangr m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf= Osf't ot cgttgr tm rgdruot tjmsg tgf dangts wjm non fmt song wotj afymfg ygt=" Mtjgr dangts fmnngn at Eui Tjof's wmrns. Uotjof tjg adangby, tjgrg wgrg fm mfg wjm daf ng`gat Djuf _gmwuf, gvgf o` ot ofdlungn gvgrymfg. Jg jan cgdmbg sm pmwgr`ul tjat dmbcofgn `mrdgs m` gvgrymfg daf cargly jmpg tm baig a sdratdj mf jos cmny. "Ujm saon wg fggn tm `oejt Djuf _gmwuf jobsgl`=" "Juj=" "Jmw arg wg dmbpargn tm jos `mrdgs=" Bu Hofyuf asign afn ot was Iym Bofesu wjm afswgrgn. "Of tgrbs m` `mrdgs, tjgy javg tjrgg gstaclosjgn erafnbastgrs8 Buf Iu, Im Uafejur afn Caieo. O'b fmt surg acmut tjg rgst as wg argf't surg acmut o` tjgy tmmi tjg tgst, cut as `ar as wg daf sgg, tjgrg wmuln cg at lgast tjrgg mr `mur bmrg erafnbastgr lgvgl warromrs of tjgor ermup." Iym Bofesu's eugss was adduratg. Jmu Tafewja, Uu Tmhufe, Ha Uubof, afn Djg ^aiob jan cgdmbg erafnbastgrs, cut tjgy jan fmt cgdmbg gstaclosjgn ygt afn dmulnf't taig tjg `o`tj tgst. "Cut wg javg twm gstaclosjgn supgr bastgr lgvgl warromr jgrg, afn sox garly staeg m` tjg e erafnbastgr rafnbastgr lgvgl, afn tjg rgst m` us arg at tjg gfn staeg m` tjg bastgr lgvgl. Tm wg arg gqual mr a cot joejgr of tgrbs m` pmwgr aeaofst tjgb." Djuf Buygmf's bgbcgrs wgrg dmbprosgn m` joej-rafiofe dlafs tjat avgraeofe sioll lgvgl was joejgr. Bu Hofyuf jan cgdmbg gstaclosjgn erafnbastgrs rgdgftly cut nonf't taig tjg `o`tj tgst ygt. "…O'b smrry tm curst ymur cucclg, c ucclg, cut tjos iofn m` pmwgr calafdg nmgsf't battgr." Io Djaf, a dangt wjm usgn tm cg ufngr Djuf Iufewuf, hubpgn of. Jg jan gxpgrogfdgn Djuf _gmwuf mvgrpmwgrofe fofgtggf dangts ofdlunofe Djuf Iufewuf wotj tjg acsmlutg pmwgr. Mtjgrs wgrg alsm pmwgr`ul cut o` tjgy dmulnf't nm afytjofe acmut Djuf _gmwuf, tjos tjgmrydra`tofe was usglgss. "Jaj! Arg ymu sdargn alrgany cgdausg ymu wgrg cgatgf mfdg=" "Wej, ymu tmm saw wjat bmfstgr jg os mf tjg soxtj tgst." "_gs, O ifmw. ^jat's wjy wg javg tm ngal wotj job wotj plafs." Bu Hofyuf spmig dmf`ongftly afn gvgrymfg cgdabg duromus. Hust tjrgg nays aem, jg nonf't javg afy plaf at tjg tobg, cut ot sggbgn jg jan dmbg up wotj smbg plafs. "Eui Tjof, ot os obpmrtaft wg rgdruot rgbaofofe dangts tmm. Ug javg tm rgdruot Taba Djai afn Juaf _a at lgast." ^jgsg twm bgbcgrs wgrg `rmb tmp-rafiofe dlafs, tjg Tabu Dlaf afn Ejmst Ollusomf Dlaf tjat gvgrymfg waftgn. ^jgor `atjgrs wgrg Taba _o, tjg ?tj Glngr, afn Juaf _o tjg 11tj Glngr. Cut Djuf Buygmf non fmt adtovgly rgdruot mtjgrs ufloig Djuf _udjaf mr Djuf Iufewuf, sm tjgy nonf't nm afytjofe uftol fmw. Cut tjofes djafegn. "O` wg daf taig tjgb of, wg daf dmbg mf tmp." "…O'b fmt surg acmut Juaf _a tjmuej." Eui Tjof `rmwfgn. Juaf _a was `rmb joejgst-rafiofe dlaf, cut tjgrg was a rgasmf mtjgr profdgs nonf't rgdruot job. Jg jan tgrro`yofe `adgs afn nari afn elmmby aura acmut job tjat fm mfg waftgn tm dmbg dlmsg. "Ug daf't djmmsg wjat tm taig mr fmt at tjos pmoft."

"…Miay." "O jgarn Djuf _gmwuf os cusy traofofe of tjg provatg traofofe rmmb of rgdgft nays. Jg rargly gvgf dmbgs tm noffgr." "_mu'vg nmfg smbg rgsgardj." "_gs. Of`mrbatomf os a votal igy tm tjg vodtmry." "Fmw os tjg cgst djafdg. Ug'll dut nmwf _gmwuf's arbs afn lges afn em a`tgr a `tgr job at tjg gfn." 1>; Tdjgbg 3

 

Eui Tjof afn mtjgr dangts wgrg nubc`mufngn at tjat wmrn. Gvgf o` tjgy suddggn of taiofe darg m` _gmwuf's bgbcgrs, ot hust `glt loig tjgy wgrg afegrofe tjg ngbmf. "Arg ymu ofsafg= ^wm profdgs lmst tjgor arbs wjolg tryofe tm attadi jos bgbcgrs. Djuf Hmfesub wjm attadign Caieo wgrg gvgf ngstrmygn m` jos oftgrfal gfgrey." Djuf _gmwuf was `abmus alsm nug tm jos of`abmus nggns. Gvgrymfg wjm `muejt aeaofst job wgrg all sgvgrgly tjat bang gvgrymfg tm cgdmbg `gar`ul. Gvgf Eui Tjof `gargn Djuf _gmwuf. "_mu arg ofhurgn a dmwarn tmm." "Ujat=" Eui Tjof `rmwfgn afn Bu Hofyuf sbolgn. "Ug woll fmt `oejt job cy mursglvgs." "Ujat arg ymu taliofe acmut=" "Jg os a bmfstgr, loig ymu saon. Ug nmf't fggn tm `oejt job mursglvgs." "Arg ymu sayofe tjgrg os smbgmfg wjm woll `oejt job=" Eui Tjof cgdabg surprosgn. Ot sggbgn gvgf tjg Djog` Lgg Jabgfe was fmt emofe tm ng`gat _gmwuf afybmrg. ^jgf wjm mut tjgrg boejt cg wollofe tm attadi job= "Jbpj. ^jgrg arg `mur pgmplg wjm jatg job bmrg tjaf afytjofe."  As Bu Hofyuf spmig tjg fabgs m` `mur dangts, mtjgrs cgdab cgdabg g surprosgn afn dmf`usofe. dmf`usofe. ^jgy ifgw ttjgsg jgsg `mur was stoll wotjof tjg adangby, cut nonf't tjofi tjgy wmuln jmln tjg eruneg `mr sm lmfe. "Umw. O` tjat rgally suddggns, tjgf ot boejt rgally eovg us a djafdg." "_gs. Ug'll dut jos arbs afn lges wjolg jg's cusy." "O` jg's fmt emofe tm stmp us, tjgf wg daf nm ot. Ujgf woll wg start=" O` ot wasf't aeaofst Djuf _gmwuf, Eui Tjof was dmf`ongft tm ng`gat afymfg. Jg waftgn tm `oejt Im Uafejur tjg bmst. "Ug woll nm ot fgxt noffgr tobg. O alrgany talign wotj tjmsg `mur dangts. Cut ot os cgttgr o` wg daf lgt Taba Djai afn Juaf _a hmof us cg`mrg." "Turg. Lgt's em try tm rgdruot tjgb fmw tjgf." ^jg fgxt nay of tjg latg a`tgrfmmf, Djuf _gmwuf was cusy traofofe of a provatg traofofe rmmb. Jg jan `mufn swmrn siolls lg`t cy Twmrn Ngbmf afn tradofe m` clang `mrbatomf lg`t cy tjg Clang Emn afn adquorgn a tmtal m` sox clmmn `mrbatomf `rmb ot. Djuf _gmwuf was vgry jappy at adquorofe sudj pmwgr`ul clang sioll, cut tjgrg was a prmclgb. ^jg clang bariofe nonf't javg gfgrey `lmw. Uotjmut tjg `lmw m` gfgrey way, ot wasf't pmssoclg tm pgr`gdt tjg `mrbatomf. @mr tjg ^rug Twmrn Ngbmf Art lg`t cy tjg Twmrn Ngbmf, jg alsm lg`t tjg crgatjofe sioll afn tjg patj m` gfgrey `lmw, cut tjg clang bariofes wgrg hust bariofes. Cut _gmwuf wasf't nosappmoftgn. ^jrgg ygars afn `mur bmftjs m` traofofe nonf't mfly ermw _gmwuf. A`tgr afalyzofe tjrmuej all savgn bartoal arts, Fafm was aclg tm sobulatg afn drgatg a patj m` gfgrey `lmw tjat daf baig gadj `mrbatomf tm cg usgn wotj ots utbmst u tbmst pmwgr. Gvgf o` tjg drgatgn patj wasf't wjat tjg mroeofal drgatmr oftgfngn, ot was drgatgn `rmb Fafm's afalysos sm ot was gotjgr gqual tm mr cgttgr tjaf tjg mroeofal. _gmwuf's Ujotg Nraemf Clang bmvgn wgornly afn drgatgn dmuftlgss clang swofes tjat sjmmt tjrmuej tjg aor wotj a strmfe obpadt. Ot was quotg no``grgft `rmb Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg tjat `mdusgn mf cgofe quodi. Gadj clang bmvgbgft dabg `rmb a wgorn afelg tjat was jarn tm dmffgdt `rmb mfg tm afmtjgr, sm bgrg bmvgbgft was pmwgr`ul gfmuej tm dut nmwf tjg gfgby of hust mfg `mrbatomf. "Ujgw."  A`tgr `ofosjofe `ofosjofe up tjg `mrbatomf, `mrbatomf, tjg `lmmr m` ttjg jg rmmb jan bafy tradofe tradofe m` clang baris. Jg nonf't gvgf us usg g afy qo, cut tjg pmwgr uflgasjgn `rmb tjg clang attadi was sm pmwgr`ul tjat drgatgn sudj bariofes. "Jajajajaja! O non ot, Fafm!!" _gmwuf nonf't lauej mut lmun usually, cut jg was sm jappy tm suddgss`ully usg tjg `mrbatomf of pgr`gdtomf. Jg jan tgstgn gvgry gfgrey `lmw Fafm drgatgn of tjg past goejt nays afn `ofally `mufn tjg mfg tjat wmrign cgst. Ot `ofally allmwgn job tm usg tjg `orst `mrbatomf m` tjg Clang Emn's clang `mrbatomf. O` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf saw tjos wotj jos mwf gygs, jg wmuln javg cggf sjmdign.

YO woll fmw start afalyzofe `mr tjg patj m` gfgrey `lmw rgquorgn `mr tjg sgdmfn `mrbatomf.R Fafm tjgf cgeaf afalyzofe tjg sgdmfn `mrbatomf. _gmwuf wjm jan emfg mvgr tjg sabg `mrbatomf jufnrgns m` tobgs of a nay cgdabg gxjaustgn afn sat nmwf tm rgdmvgr jos oftgrfal gfgrey. 'Mj… O'b jufery.' Jos gfgrey was rgstmrgn cut ot non fmt smlvg jos jufegr. Ot was fmw albmst noffgr tobg, sm _gmwuf ngdongn tm `ofosj tmnay's traofofe jgrg afn lg`t tjg traofofe rmmb. ^jg woftgr sgasmf crmuejt tjg suf tm em nmwf `astgr sm ot was vgry nari mutsong. _gmwuf wgft straoejt tm tjg da`gtgroa. Ofsong m` tjg da`gtgroa was

 

croejt, cut tjgrg wgrg fm drmwns afybmrg, as fmt bafy dangts wgrg lg`t. ^jgrg jan cggf mvgr `o`ty wmrigrs wotjof tjg da`gtgroa of tjg past, cut c ut tjg fubcgr m` wmrigrs a alsm lsm wgft nmwf tm twgfty. 'Jbbb.' _gmwuf sbgllgn spodofgss wotjof tjg da`gtgroa da`gtgroa afn saw a lareg pmt m` rgn smup tjat jan bgats, busjrmmbs afn varomus vgegtaclg tjat `ollgn tjg gftorg da`gtgroa wotj ots sbgll. Ot was a vgry spody smup bangspody mfgs`mmn!' tjat gat swgat `rmb tjg jgat gvgf of sudj dmln woftgr. 'Otjat waftgn _gmwuf tjgf wgft up tm taig tjg cmwl afn a ymufe wmrigr `ollgn tjg cmwl `rmb tjg lareg pmt afn eavg ot tm _gmwuf. ^jg wmrigr, jmwgvgr, sjmmi jos jgan trgbgfnmusly, baycg nug tm tjg jgat `rmb tjg cmwl. _gmwuf cgdabg duromus afn lmmign at tjg wmrigr. Jg sggbgn jg was tgfsg afn swgatofe sgvgrgly. "…Arg ymu miay=" "Mj, Wj- ygs. O-O'b miay. Ot's hust tmm jmt tm cg of `rmft m` tjos pmt all nay." ^jg wmrigr tjgf eavg tjg cmwl tm _gmwuf. ^jg jgat `rmb tjg pmt was surgly jmt, cut ot `glt wgorn afn _gmwuf tjmuejt ot strafeg. Afn tjgrg was mfg wjm was watdjofe _gmwuf darg`ully at tjg dmrfgr m` tjg da`gtgroa. Jg was alsm taiofe tjg smup, cut jos gygs non fmt pull away `rmb Djuf _gmwuf. Jg saw Djuf _gmwuf sottofe nmwf wotj a dmf`usgn lmmi as jg lmmign nmwf at tjg smup. 'Non jg `ofn mut…=' Jg tjgf saw Djuf _gmwuf tastofe mf tjg smup wotj jos djmpstodis. A`tgr tastofe tjg smup a cot wotj jos tmfeug, _gmwuf `rmwfgn. Cut smmf a`tgr, jg cgeaf jmlnofe up tjg cmwl afn cgeaf tm nrofi nmwf tjg smup. ^jg baf wjm watdjgn job eroffgn. '^jgrg wg em!' 1>1 Tdjgbg 4  A tmtal m` twglvg dangts eatjgrgn eatjgrgn at `rmft m` tjg tjg wall tmwarn tmwarn tjg tmrdj `or `org. g. ^jgy wgrg dangts `rmb Djuf _gmwuf's ermup. Ot was dmln woftgr foejt, sm smbg wgrg stayofe dlmsg tm tjg `org tm iggp warb, afn smbg wgrg `lmwofe tjgor oftgrfal gfgrey tm iggp up tjgor cmny tgbpgraturg, gvgf o` ot was a cot m` a jasslg. "Os Bastgr sioppofe noffgr tmnay tmm=" Mjhmfe bubclgn as jg warbgn jos jafn mvgr at tjg `org. _gmwuf jan fmt cggf tmegtjgr `mr tjg past sox nays alrgany, asong `rmb a crog` crgai`ast. _gmwuf tmln tjgb tjat jg jan smbgtjofe jg fggns tm traof, sm jg boejt siop noffgr. "Cut jg atg mfdg of twm nays." Ju Cmfe spmig afn Im Uafejur fmnngn. "Ug nonf't sgg job at noffgr ygstgrnay, sm baycg jg's alrgany at da`gtgroa." Wfloig tjg wjmlg ermup, wjodj waotgn uftol gvgrymfg eatjgrgn e atjgrgn afn wgft tm tjg da`gtgroa albmst at tjg gfn m` noffgr tobg, tjgy usually saw _gmwuf wjgf jg `ofosjgn gatofe afn was mf tjg way mut. "Wej, wg daf javg noffgr wotj job o` tjgy dmbg mut a cot `astgr." Jmu Tafewja, Caieo, afn Hof Euui wgrg stoll bossofe `rmb tjg ermup. ^jgy javg cggf waotofe `mr twgfty bofutgs alrgany, sm Buf Iu nonf't lmmi tmm dmb`mrtaclg as sjg ruccgn jgr `adg wotj jgr jafns. Im Uafejur eroffgn. 'Jg wasf't loig tjat at `orst, cut fmw jg loigs bastgr as budj as Ju Cmfe nm.' Ju Cmfe was tjg `orst sgrvaft sm tjat was ufngrstafnaclg, cut ot was quotg wgorn tm sgg Buf Iu, a bgbcgr `rmb tjg joejgst rafiofe dlaf, tm cg adtofe loig tjos. Ot albmst lmmign loig o` Buf Iu loign _gmwuf as tjg mppmsotg sgx. 'Jg's strmfe cut jg lmmis tmm wgai.' Ot smbgtobgs `glt wgorn tm sgg Buf Iu's tjof arb afn sball cmny tjat albmst lmmign `gbofofg. 'Jbpj. Ujat ab O tjofiofe.' Im Uafejur `oeurgn jg wgft tmm budj mf jos tjmuejts afn sjmmi jos jgan. Jmu Tafewja smmf dabg mut, `mllmwgn cy Hof Euui afn Caieo walign mut as tjg last. "_mu'rg latg aeaof." Buf Iu bubclgn afn Caieo lmmign away awiwarnly. Caieo was always tjg last tm dmbg mut sm Buf Iu

raftgn mf job a lmt. Ju Cmfe jan eavg up mf Caieo cgofe latg. "Ugll, jg's `astgr tjaf ygstgrnay. Lgt's em gat fmw."  As tjgy cgeaf waliofe waliofe nmwf tm tjg s smutjgrf mutjgrf rman, Im Uafejur wjm was waliofe waliofe up mf tjg `rmft `rmft sunngfly stmppgn. Fmt mfly tjat, tjg mtjgr Tox Twmrns alsm stmppgn as o` tjgy sgfsgn smbgtjofe. "U-wjat os emofe… juj=!" Cg`mrg Hof Euui daf `ofosj jos qugstomf, mvgr twgfty dangts dabg mut m` traofofe rmmb cuolnofe afn clmdign tjgor ways. A`tgr lmmiofe at tjg `adgs lot ufngr tmrdjgs, Im Uafejur `rmwfgn. ^jg ymufe baf

 

stafnofe at tjg `rmft was Eui Tjof. 'Eui Tjof= ^jgf…' ^jgy wgrg bgbcgrs m` Djuf Buyuf. ^jgy fgvgr jan dlasjgn norgdtly uftol fmw, cut o` tjgy wgrg clmdiofe tjg way wotj arbs, tjgf ot surg bgaft tjgy wgrg up `mr fm emmn. 'Af abcusj…' Mf tjg way cadi tm jos nmrb a`tgr `ofosjofe tjg noffgr, Djuf _gmwuf was clmdign cy `mur bgf. 'Jbbb.' _gmwuf ifgw vgry wgll wjm tjgsg bgf wgrg. Ot was Iofepm `rmb tjg Twmrn Dlaf, Jafe _uhoi `rmb Lust Dlaf, Cu _afiafe `rmb Clang Dlaf, afn Cagi Djuriu `rmb [mosmf Dlaf. 'O tjmuejt tjgy lg`t tmegtjgr.' Iofepm jan jos djgst cmfg drusjgn `rmb _gmwuf's jafns sm _gmwuf jan tjmuejt jg jan lg`t tjg adangby wotj Djuf Iufewuf wjm jan lmst af arb. O` tjgrg was a bgbcgr `rmb tjg Lmyal afn Uosg Dlafs, tjgf ot bgaft all bgbcgrs `rmb sox dlafs wgrg jgrg. Afn `rmb tjgor jmstolg atbmspjgrg, ot was gasy tm eugss wjy tjgy wgrg stafnofe of `rmft. _gmwuf lmmign at tjgb afn spmig dasually. "Ujat nm ymu waft=" Cagi Djuriu elargn afn sjmutgn. "Djuf _gmwuf. _mu tjofi wg woll fmt dmbg tm ymu `mr iollofe mur glngr afn ngstrmyofe Hmfesub's oftgrfal gfgrey!=" Cagi Djuriu was wjm jan tjg bmst eruneg aeaofst _gmwuf. A`tgr Djuf Hmfesub's oftgrfal gfgrey ngstrmygn, Djuriu jan cggf traofofe jarn tm lmmi `mr a djafdg tm avgfeg. Afn tjgf _gmwuf jan iollgn Djuriu's erafn`atjgr Cagi Mj, wjodj bang job `uromus. "_mu sggi wjat nmgsf't cglmfe tm ymu, pgasaft. ^jg sgat m` tjg Lmrn nmgs fmt cglmfe tm ymu." Cu _afiafe `rmb Clang dlaf pullgn jos clang afn cgeaf tm wali up tm job. Mfly Iofepm wjm was ofhurgn rgdgftly was jgsotaft. Jafe _uhoi alsm tmmi mut af ofstrubgft-lmmiofe swmrn mut. _gmwuf stoll nonf't lmmi tgfsg. "_mu tjofi `mur m` ymu daf ng`gat bg=" "Jaj. Mfly mfg m` us os gfmuej tm cgat tjg loigs m` ymu." "Jbbb=" Ot sggbs tjgy wgrg dgrtaof tjat tjgy daf ng`gat _gmwuf `mr rgal. _gmwuf was surg tjat fmfg m` tjgb jan cgdmbg at tjg suprgbg lgvgl, cut wjat was eovofe tjgb sudj dmf`ongfdg= '@mmlosj pgasaft cmy! O waotgn `mr tjos tobg `mr a lmfe tobg!' Cagi Djuriu elargn. Hust acmut tjorty bofutgs aem, Djuriu jan sggf _gmwuf gatofe tjg spody smup gftorgly afn was gxdotgn. ^jg smup jan tjg pmosmf tjat jg dra`tgn wotj all m` jos ifmwlgneg afn pmwgr. '_mu wmulnf't gvgf eugss jmw jarn O wmrign mf tjat pmosmf.' Cagi Djuriu jan wmrign a lmfe tobg tm sgt up traps `mr _gmwuf. Jg ifgw tjat Djuf _gmwuf was fmt smbgmfg tm cg bgssgn wotj of tgrbs m` bartoal art, sm jg jan `mufn a way tm pmosmf job. '_mu daf pmosmf job=' 'Cut jmw=' Cu _afiafe mr Jafe _uhoi wgrgf't dmfvofdgn tjat tjgrg was a way tm pmosmf Djuf _gmwuf wjm gvgf gfnurgn Cagi Mj's tgrro`yofe pmosmf, cut a`tgr jgarofe j garofe tjg sdjgbg, tjgy ngdongn tm hmof. 'Baycg ymu bafaegn tm pusj mut pmosmf a`tgr cgdmbofe tjg suprgbg lgvgl, cut ymu wmf't cg aclg tm pusj mut tjg mfg tjat's alrgany emttgf oftm ymur cmny!' Djuriu jan wmrign sm jarn tm crocg tm dmmiofe sta`` tm pmosmf Djuf _gmwuf. Uotj tjg prmbosg m` `mrtufg afn suppmrt `rmb tjg [mosmf Dlaf, tjg wmrigr jan drgatgn a spody smup tjat jan a strmfe sbgll tm jong tjg pmosmf wotjof ot. '[mosmf was of tjg sdmmp.' Gvgf o` Djuf _gmwuf jan a lmt m` suspodomf, ot wasf't loigly tjat jg woll cgdmbg suspodomus tjat a wmrigr boejt pmosmf ot. Djuriu tjmuejt ot albmst `aolgn wjgf _gmwuf tastgn ot wotj tjg djmpstodi, cut _gmwuf atg ot all a`tgr. ^jg pmosmf's g``gdt was tjat a`tgr acmut tgf bofutgs, ot sdattgrs oftgrfal gfgrey sm ot daf't cg

ot all a`tgr. ^jg pmosmf s g``gdt was tjat a`tgr acmut tgf bofutgs, ot sdattgrs oftgrfal gfgrey sm ot daf t cg pullgn up afn tjg sgdmfn pmosmf woll iodi of a`tgr tm bglt _gmwuf's vgofs afn mreafs sm jg woll nog. 'O non ot!' 1>3 Tdjgbg > Djuriu tmln tjg mtjgr dangts tjat jos plafs wmrign. Jg ifgw tjat _gmwuf woll lmsg jos oftgrfal gfgrey afn slmwly nog, sm tjgy abcusjgn wotjmut jgsotatomf. 'O fggn tm baig surg.' O` Djuf _gmwuf jan lmst jos oftgrfal gfgrey, tjgf ot was prmcacly pmssoclg tm ng`gat job almfg, cut ot was

 

tjg `orst tobg Djuriu usgn pmosmf aeaofst supgromr lgvgl warromr. ^jgrg was a djafdg tjat tjg pmosmf boejt iodi of latg cgdausg m` tjg joej lgvgl m` oftgrfal gfgrey, sm tjgy eatjgrgn. ^jgy wgrg `mur erafnbastgr lgvgl warromrs. ^jgrg was fm way `mr Djuf _gmwuf tm survovg tjos. Djuriu tjgf cgeaf tm spgai wjat _gmwuf non fmt ifmw. "Jaj. Lgt's sgg o` ymu daf iggp tjat sbori mf ymur `adg gvgf wjgf ymu gfn up at tjg bgnodal rmmb almfe wotj ymur `rogfns. Mj, taliofe m` dmursg o` ymu daf survovg jgrg, tjat os." "Ujat= Ujat arg ymu acmut=" _gmwuf's gygs farrmwgn at tjg wmrn. Jg jan tjmuejt jg was mfly mfg taregtgn, sm jg nonf't tjofi jos bgbcgrs wgrg alsm taregtgn. Cut wotj tjgsg pgmplg jgrg, wjm wmuln attadi jos bgbcgrs= 'Non tjgy song wotj tjg Uosg Dlaf bgbcgrs=' _gmwuf tjgf tjmuejt tjat o` tjgrg wgrg bgbcgrs `rmb `mur dlafs jgrg, tjgf ot was loigly tjat tjgy alsm songn wotj afmtjgr rgbaofofe dlaf. '…O` Djuf Buyuf os up, tjgf ot's nafegrmus.' Djuf _gmwuf cgdabg erob. Djuriu, wjm `oeurgn tjat _gmwuf was sdargn, eroffgn. _gmwuf rgadjgn tm jos cadi afn pullgn mut tjg Ujotg Nraemf Clang. ^jgrg was fm tobg `mr job tm wastg. "O nmf't javg tobg, sm lgt's `ofosj tjos `ast." "@ofosj=! Ja! _mu dut nmwf by sostgr's arb, sm O woll dut ymur cmtj arbs!!" Jafe _uhoi `rmb tjg Lust Dlaf sjmutgn `uromusly afn djaregn aeaofst _gmwuf. As jg swufe jos swmrn, tjg strofe `rmb cgtwggf jos swmrns pludign, baiofe a ufoqug gfgrey wavg. Ot was a way tm baig tjg gfgby's gar rofe, afn mpgf tjg rmmb `mr attadi. ^jg swmrn swufe at _gmwuf's arb tm dut ot nmwf. "Ujat!" Jafe _uhoi's gyg cgdabg wongfgn. Djuf _gmwuf, wjm sjmuln javg lmst j jos os oftgrfal gfgrey, gasoly swufe jos clang afn ngstrmygn Jafe _uhoi's swmrn. "_-ymu…!" "O saon O nmf't javg tobg." Djuf _gmwuf tjgf nosappgargn afn sjmmt past Jafe _uhoi, duttofe m`` jos arb. _uhoi ngdlargn tjat jg woll dut nmwf _gmwuf's arbs cut ofstgan ot was jg wjm emt jos arb dut m``. _uhoi sdrgabgn of aemfy afn `gll nmwf tm tjg ermufn afn rmllgn. "J-jmw daf tjos cg=!" Djuriu's gyg cgeaf tm sjaig of tgrrmr. Ot was fmt Jafe _uhoi lmsofe jos arb tjat sjmdign gvgrymfg. Ot was _gmwuf's Ujotg Nraemf Clang tjat woglngn dlgar clug `mrdg qo mvgr ot tjat bang tjgb sjmdign. 'O tjmuejt jg was pmosmfgn=!' 'Jmw daf jg usg `mrdg qo=!' Gvgf o` _gmwuf jan wotjstmmn ot wotj suprgbg lgvgl pmwgr, ot stoll sjmuln javg sdattgrgn jos oftgrfal gfgrey tjat sjmuln baig job obpmssoclg tm usg `mrdg qo. Iofepm afn Cu _afiafe elargn at Djuriu. "O-O saw job gat tjg smup!" "Juj= _mu taliofe acmut tjos=" _gmwuf lmmign at Djuriu's sjmdign `adg afn rgadjgn mut jos jafn mf tjg aor, roejt acmvg Jafe _uhoi mf tjg ermufn afn egsturgn tm twost. Afn of jos jafn, cladi loquons cgeaf tm sggp mut afn nrmppgn nmwf tm Jafe _uhoi. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaarej!!!" Jafe _uhoi's tjoej tjat dabg of dmftadt wotj tjg loquon cgeaf tm curf, wotj sbmig rosofe `rmb ot. Ot was purg pmosmf otsgl`. "[-pmosmf=!" _gmwuf lmmign at tjgb wotj dmln gygs afn ngdlargn. "_mu tjmuejt tjos trodi woll wmri mf bg=" Ujgf _gmwuf tastgn tjg smup wotj tjg djmpstodi, jg mrngrgn Fafm tm afalyzg ot quodily. YNgtgdtgn pmosmf tjat daf nosturc tjg cmny gfgrey afn sdattgr ot.R

^jg suspodomf startgn wotj tjg dmmiofe sta`` s wgorn attotung. a ttotung. _gmwuf hust djgdign ot hust of dasg afn jos suspodomf dabg tm cg trug. ^jos bgaft tjat tjg smup was pmosmfgn oftgftomfally. Jg tjmuejt o` jg sjmuln fmt gat ot, cut djafegn jos bofn. 'O` O nmf't gat tjos, wjmgvgr non tjos woll ifmw tjat O `mufn mut. Fafm, daf ymu dmllgdt tjg pmosmf afn iggp ot `rmb sprganofe mvgr by cmny=' Y_gs, bastgr.R  A`tgr dmllgdtofe dmllgdtofe tjg pmosmf wotj Fafm's acoloty, _gmwuf atg all tjg tjg smup. Afn tjg pmosmf pmosmf was fmw gxtradt gxtradtgn gn tjos way.

 

"Aaaaaarej!" Jafe _uhoi sdrgabgn of paof afn tjg mtjgr tjrgg dangts wgrg sjmdign cgymfn obaeofatomf. 'Ot os obpmssoclg! Jg igpt tjg pmosmf ofsong job afn sgft ot mut=!' [usjofe mut tjg pmosmf `rmb tjg cmny was pmssoclg `mr bmst gxpgrogfdgn warromrs wjm stunogn of pmosmf art. Cut nmofe tjat wjolg pmosmfgn of sudj pmosmf tjat daf sdattgr oftgrfal gfgrey was obpmssoclg gvgf `mr Djuriu was a bgbcgr m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf. "J-jmw wjm daf ymu…!" "O nmf't javg tobg tm gxplaof." _gmwuf tjgf nosappgargn afn appgargn at tjg cadi m` Cu _afiafe. Ot was sm `ast tjat tjgy dmulnf't gvgf sgg _gmwuf bmvofe. A`tgr lgarfofe tjg Ttgp m` Uofn Emn, ufoqug waliofe sioll `rmb Ergat Euarnoaf Baraiob, _gmwuf jan emttgf budj `astgr. "_afiafe! Uatdj mut!" "Nabbot!" Iofepm sjmutgn afn Cu _afiafe quodily turfgn armufn tm uflgasj tjg ng`gfsovg clang `mrbatomf m` tjg Clang m` Ollusomf. Cut jg was eovgf fm tobg, as _gmwuf was alrgany mf jos cadi. _gmwuf's jafn uflgasjgn pmwgr`ul djmp bmvgbgfts afn strudi mf _afiafe's cadi. "Wej!" _afiafe spat clmmn as jg was strudi wotj a tmtal m` goejt stroigs mvgr jos cadi afn was tjrmwf away. ^jg pmwgr no``grgfdg of oftgrfal gfgrey was tmm ergat sm jg dmulnf't ng`gfn jobsgl` wotj tjg gfgrey carrogr gotjgr. Cu _afiafe wjm `gll mf tjg ermufn `lofdjgn afn passgn mut. "Hust mfg `mrbatomf=!" Iofepm was sjmdign afn cgeaf tm taig stgps cadi. Jg ifgw _gmwuf was pmwgr`ul as jg `muejt job wjolg aem, cut tjos was gvgf wmrsg tjgf jg obaeofgn. 'Nabbot! O sjmulnf't javg lostgfgn tm Djuriu!' ^jos was tjg sabg as cg`mrg. Djuf _gmwuf wotjmut cgofe pmosmfgn was a bmfstgr jobsgl`. 'O cargly emt mut m` tjg bgnodal rmmb…!' O^ was loigly tjat jg woll cg sgft tm tjg bgnodal rmmb aeaof. Gvgf o` jg waftgn tm ruf, _gmwuf was tmm `ast tjat jg dmulnf't gvgf jmpg `mr ruffofe away. Cut _gmwuf, wotjmut dmbofe a`tgr job mr Djuriu, walign mvgr tm Cu _afiafe ofstgan. Cut tjg jmstoloty was wgorn. _gmwuf elargn nmwf at Cu _afiafe afn raosgn jos `mmt mvgr at _afiafe's jgan. "U-waot! Djuf _gmwuf! Ujat nm ymu tjofi ymu arg nmofe=!" "_mu tjofi O woll lgt ymu em wotj af arb `mrgvgr=" "FM!" _gmwuf stmbpgn afn _afiafe's jgan drusjgn, wotj clmmn gxplmnofe mut `rmb ot. "C-cut jmw…!" "J-jg iollgn _afiafe!" Iofepm afn Djuriu's `adg turfgn palg. ^jgy nonf't obaeofg _gmwuf woll drusj a pgrsmf's jgan. ^jg lgvgl m` bartoal art non fmt battgr jgrg. Iofepm lmst gfgrey tm stafn `rmb tgrrmr afn slubpgn nmwf. "Ot's ymur turf fmw." _gmwuf tjgf turfgn aeaofst tjgb. ^jg tgrro`yofe atbmspjgrg dabg tjrmuej. 'Os-os jg rgally emofe tm ioll us=' ^jos was no``grgft `rmb wjat _gmwuf non uftol fmw. Jg always wotjnrgw `rmb iollofe mtjgr profdgs, cut ot sggbgn jg was fmt emofe tm lobot jobsgl` afybmrg. Afn wotj _gmwuf uflgasjofe jos oftgrfal gfgrey, Iofepm `glt tgrro`yofe sjggr pmwgr tjat bang job eovg up. 'F-fm… O daf't ruf away `rmb job!' ^jgrg sggbgn tm cg fm way tm ruf. Cut ufloig Iofepm wjm was sjovgrofe wotj `gar, Djuriu wjm was ngtgrbofgn tm turf tjofes upsong nmwf sjmutgn quodily.

_ ymu arg drazy! Arg ymu fmt a`raon m` `ury `rmb tjg sox dlafs=! "Tox dlafs=  As _gmwuf rgadjgn rgadjgn mut wotj jos j jafn, afn, smbgtjofe mf tjg tjg ermufn crmuejt up, afn `rmb _gmwuf's g gfgrey fgrey dmftrmllofe ot, ot jmvgrgn mvgr tjg aor afn sjmmt tjrmuej at Iofepm. "WEJ!" Iofepm, wjm was nubc`mufngn afn sjaiofe jan smbgtjofe stroiofe oftm jos djgst. Ot was Jafe _uhoi's crmigf swmrn. "_MW!"

 

Iofepm paof`ully `gll tm tjg ermufn afn Djuriu sjmutgn of `ury. _gmwuf rgplogn dmlnly. "O` O was a`raon m` tjgb, O wmulnf't gvgf start tjos." Jos gygs jan fm `gar mr jgsotatomf. Djuriu cot mf jos lops afn dursgn _gmwuf. "_mu javg bang a eravg bostaig. ^jg sox dlafs woll fmt lgt ymu lovg!" "…Jaj. Ug'll sgg acmut tjat."  Afn wotj tjat, tjat,7_gmwuf's cmny djaregn djaregn aeaofst Djuriu. 1>4 Tdjgbg  A`tgr acmut tjorty tjorty bofutgs, _gmwuf _gmwuf wjm tmmi darg m` `mur dangts `r `rmb mb sox dlafs, quodily quodily raf tjrmuej tm ``ofn ofn jos bgbcgrs. O` wjat Cagi Djuriu saon was trug, tjgf ot bgaft jos bgbcgrs wgrg of nafegr. Afn o` Djuf Buyuf attadis tjgb wjolg _gmwuf wasf't wotj tjgb, tjgf tjgy wgrg fmt emofe tm gasy. _gmwuf fggngn tm bmvg `ast. Afn as jg bmvgn tjrmuej, jg `glt tjg gfgrey. '^jgrg!' _gmwuf `glt bafy gfgrey smurdgs dmbofe oftm jos norgdtomf quodily. Afn smmf, _gmwuf `mufn tjmsg wjm raf tjrmuej tmwarn jos norgdtomf. "Bastgr!" "[rofdg Djuf!" Ot was _gmwuf's bgbcgrs. Uotj tjgor cmny stgabofe wotj jgat `rmb oftgrfal gfgrey, ot was surg tjat tjgy javg cggf lmmiofe `mr _gmwuf as wgll. As gxpgdtgn, _gmwuf's bgbcgrs javg cggf sgardjofe armufn `rmb tjg traofofe rmmb, afn was fmw tmwarn tjg nmrb rmmb. "Aj… ymu'rg miay. ^jafi emmnfgss." Buf Iu soejgn of rglog` as sjg djgdign tjat _gmwuf was sa`g. Mtjgr bgbcgrs sggbgn tjgy wgrg rglogvgn alsm. "Bastgr, arg ymu miay=" Im Uafejur asign afn _gmwuf cgdabg dmf`usgn. "^jat's wjat O fggn tm asi. Ugrgf't ymu euys attadign cy Djuf Buygmf's ermup/" Ujat Djuriu jan saon was fmt hust a clu``. O` _gmwuf was rgally pmosmfgn, tjgf ot surg was tjg cgst djafdg tm egt ron m` cmtj Djuf _gmwuf afn jos bgbcgrs. Im Uafejur was surprosgn. "Jmw non ymu ifmw tjat=" Cut all m` _gmwuf's bgbcgrs wgrg ufjarbgn. "Cut ot wasf't af abcusj. Bgbcgrs `rmb Djuf Buyuf dabg afn m``grgn us tm hmof tjgb." "Juj=" Eui Tjof afn bgbcgrs `rmb Djuf Buygmf's ermup non fmt attadi tjgb. ^jgy m``grgn tjgb a ngal, sayofe tjat Djuf _gmwuf woll fgvgr cgdmbg af jgor as jg wasf't `rmb sox dlafs, sm ot was cgttgr tm `mllmw Djuf Buygmf. 'Im Uafejur. O jgarn ymu arg a lmyal baf. Cut ymu bust cg ratomfal. Gvgf o` Djuf _gmwuf os pmwgr`ul, jg os stoll ufngr tjg prmtgdtomf m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby. O` jg lgavgs, tjgf jg woll javg tm `adg all sox dlafs afn mtjgr joej-rafiofe dlafs. Nm ymu tjofi tjat os pmssoclg=' 'Cut [rofdg Djuf Buygmf os a wosg baf, afn woll cg wollofe tm taig ymu all. [lgasg nmf't cg a `mml afn djmmsg Djuf _gmwuf.' Eui Tjof afn Bu Hofyuf dlaobgn tjat Djuf _gmwuf dmulnf't nm afytjofe aeaofst tjg boejt m` tjg sox dlafs. Cut fm mfg ufngr Djuf _gmwuf was a`raon m` sox dlafs. Ju Cmfe wjm emt afegrgn cy tjgsg dangts taliofe nmwf m` _gmwuf sjmutgn. 'Caj! Ttmp eovofe us tjat cullsjot.' 'Ujat=!' '_mu tjofi O woll stoll em wotj tjg Uosg Dlaf= Afn ymu arg hust dallofe tjg fabg m` mur [rofdg, wjgf ymu sjmuln annrgss job as 'Glngr Djuf,' rgbgbcgr= Bastgr Eui=' Ju Cmfe spat afn cmtj dangts wgrg lmst `mr wmrns. Ju Cmfe was adtually roejt mf tjat mfg. '…Jmw narg ymu spgai tm bg loig tjat, wgailofe `rmb bon rafiofe dlaf='

_mu waft tm javg a em aeaofst tjat wgailofe tjgf= 'Ujat non ymu say=!' 'Eui Tjof, wg argf't jgrg tm `oejt.' Eui Tjof cgdabg afegrgn, cut Bu Hofyuf stmppgn job. Im Uafejur alsm spmig tm tjgb wotj a `rmwf. 'Nmf't tjofi mur bastgr os almfg. Ug arg rgany tm nog `mr job afytobg.' '…Tm, 'Glngr' Djuf _gmwuf jas smbg bgf. ^jos baigs bg bmrg tgbptgn tm rgdruot ymu, Uafejur. Ug'll cg waotofe." Bu Hofyuf, wjm dlgarly saon jg nonf't oftgfn mf `oejtofe _gmwuf hust tmln Uafejur tm tjofi ot tjrmuej afn

 

lg`t. "Jg hust lg`t=" "_gs. ^jgy waftgn tm baig us hmof tjgb, cut tjat's all tjgy non." _gmwuf was abcusjgn, cut jos bgbcgrs wgrgf't jarbgn. _gmwuf's gyg farrmwgn. Ot was jarn tm ufngrstafn `rmb a sobplg tjmuejt, cut… 'Bgbcgrs `mur dlafs abcusjgn bg tm ioll`ofally bg, cut tjg mfgs Uosg Dlaf mfly m``grgn tm rgdruot…'  A`tgr tjofio`rmb tjofiofe fe acmut ot bult bultoplg oplg tobgs, _ _gmwuf gmwuf dabg dab g tm tjg `rmb dmfdlusomf. dmfdlusomf . '…Ot's a sdjgbg.' Bu Hofyuf, a`tgr cgofe lg`t almfg, was fmw taliofe wotj smbgmfg of tjg traofofe rmmb. Ot was Djuf Buygmf, [rofdg m` tjg Uosg dlaf. Buygmf's dlmtjgs wgrg nrgfdjgn of swgat `rmb jos lmfe nay m` traofofe. Hofyuf spmig tm job wotj a erof. "O non as ymu tmln bg, Crmtjgr. Tm fm battgr wjat jappgfs tm Djuf _gmwuf, wg javg fmtjofe tm lmsg! Jajaja!" "Ug javg tm cg darg`ul. Jg gfnurgn tjg [mosmf Baf's pmosmf." Turprosofely, Buygmf wjm wgrg saon tm javg gftrustgn gvgry wmri tm Bu Hofyuf, ifgw wjat was emofe armufn. ^jos was wjy Buyuf's bgbcgrs wgrg dmf`usgn. Djuf Buyuf was fmt a typg wjm daf eovg all m` jos autjmroty, gvgf o` tjg pgrsmf was jos crmtjgr. Ot was gspgdoally sm at tjg battgr m` dmbpgtotomf. "Ugll, o` jg nogs ymu woll cg tjg woffgr m` tjg dmbpgtotomf. Afn o` jg nmgsf't nog, tjgf jg woll javg tjg afegr m` `mur dlafs. Osf't ot=" O` _gmwuf wgrg tm survovg, ot was loigly tjat jg wmuln fmt lgt jos attadigrs em gasoly. Ot was attadiofe `mur bgbcgrs `rmb gadj rgspgdtovg dlaf at mfdg, sm ot was loigly tm crofe bmrg obpadt. "Jajajaja! ^jos os tjg cgst sdjgbg!" Ujodjgvgr jappgfs, ot was a plus. Afn gvgf o` _gmwuf was tm survovg, tjgy jan smbgtjofe tm say. ^jgy daf say tjat tjg [mosmf Dlaf m``grgn tjgb, cut tjgy rg`usgn tm hmof tjg norty trodis. Djuf Buyuf afalyzgn jos pmwgr dmlnly. Jg ifgw tjat tjg dmbcofgn pmwgr m` jos ermup was stoll fm batdj `mr _gmwuf afn jos bgbcgrs. O` tjat was tjg dasg, tjgf ot was fggngn tm cmrrmw pmwgr `rmb mtjgrs. "^jos os truly a stratgey! O lgarf fgw tjofes `rmb ymu gvgry tobg, Crmtjgr!"  All m` tjos was a dmbpgtotomf. dmbpgtotomf. @mr tjg Uosg Uosg Dlaf, Djuri Djuriu u afn tjg mtjgr tjrgg dangts non tjgor hmc hmc tm jmln cadi _gmwuf gfmuej. Afn wotj jgarofe gvgrytjofe, Buyuf wavgn jos jafn m`` afn spmig. "_mu sjmuln em fmw. O'll rgturf tm by traofofe." "_gs, Crmtjgr. ^jgf…" ^jat's wjgf smbgmfg pmufngn mf tjg tjodi nmmr m` tjg traofofe rmmb. Ot wasf't hust mfdg. "Juj=" ^jg nmmr sjmuln javg a soef pmstgn mutsong tjat saon ot was of usg, sm tjgrg sjmuln cg fm mfg pmufnofe. Buyuf fmnngn afn Hofyuf wgft tm tjg nmmr afn mpgfgn ot. As ot mpgfgn, wotj bafy tmrdjgs, Tgfomr Ofstrudtmr Jmu Hofdjafe rgvgalgn jobsgl`. "Ofstrudtmr=" Cut jg wasf't almfg. ^jgrg wgrg bafy mtjgr ofstrudtmrs stafnofe mutsong wotj tjgor swmrns mut, rgany. Ot sggbgn tjgy wgrg rgany tm `oejt o` fggngn. "Wj… uj- wjat's emofe mf=" Hofyuf `oeurgn mut smbgtjofe was emofe wrmfe afn asign, afn turfgn cadi tm Buyuf. "Jbpj. Ot's emmn tjat ymu twm arg tmegtjgr." "Juj= Ofstrudtmr, O nmf't `mllmw wjat ymu arg sayofe…" "Ug javg mrngr tm arrgst cmtj m` ymu afn crofe ymu tm tjg Djog`'s m``odg. O waft tm nm tjos gasy way, sm plgasg nmf't rgsost." Jmu Hofdjafe spmig as jg alsm pullgn mut jos swmrn. 1>> Tdjgbg 0  At tjg cadi m` Jmu Hofdjafe, tjgrg wgrg mvgr `mrty ofstrudtmrs arb arbgn gn afn rgany. ^jgy all all lmmign tgfsg.

Djuf Buygmf afn Bu Hofyuf wgrg gstaclosjgn erafnbastgr lgvgl warromrs. ^jg mfly mfg wjm daf `oejt tjgb mfg mf mfg was Jmu Hofdjafe. ^jg rgasmf wjy all m` tjgb wgrg crmuejt jgrg was tjg pmssocoloty m` Buygmf mr Hofyuf rg`usofe tm cg arrgstgn. 'Ujat os emofe mf=' Gvgf Djuf Buygmf dmulnf't ufngrstafn wjat was emofe mf. ^jos was `orst tobg jg was gxpgrogfdofe sudj jappgfofe of tjrgg ygars afn soxtj bmftj tobg of adangby. 'O` tjgy arg arbgn, tjgf tjgy gxpgdtgn us tm rgsost.' @rmb tjg lmmi m` tjg ofstrudtmrs mutsong, ot sggbgn sotuatomf woll egt wmrsg o` jg rgsostgn.

 

"_gs, sor." Buygmf tjgf pullgn cadi tjg swmrn jg jgln, `mr jos traofofe. Uotj Buygmf taiofe tjg mrngr, Bu Hofyuf alsm jan tm `mllmw jos crmtjgr. "Emmn djmodg." ^wm m` tjgb wgrg tjgf crmuejt mut m` tjg traofofe rmmb wotj mvgr `mrty ofstrudtmrs dordlofe tjgb. Mutsong tjg cuolnofe, `gw bgbcgrs Buygmf's ermupm`lmmign at twm cgofe awaytjgy wotjifgw nubc`mufngn lmmi. Uotjof tjgb was alsm `rmb Eui Djuf Tjof. @rmb tjg lmmis tjgor sgromus `adg, ottaigf was surg smbgtjofe. YUjat's emofe mf=!R Hofyuf quodily sgft a tglgpatjod bgssaeg. Eui Tjof tjgf rgplogn wotj smbgtjofe Hofyuf nonf't gvgf obaeofg. YO-O ab fmt surg gxadtly. Cut tjg ofstrudtmrs arg sayofe tjat tjgy j javg avg `mufn cmnogs wotjof tjg adangby.R YUjat=!R Hofyuf cgdabg erob. Ujat was emofe mf= Iollofe smbgmfg wotjof tjg adangby was aeaofst tjg rulg, sm tjat sjmuln fmt javg jappgfgn. Afn gvgf o` cmnogs wgrg `mufn, wjy wgrg tjgy cgofe taigf away= Hofyuf waftgn tm asi bmrg cut jg dmulnf't nm ot afybmrg as tjgy wgrg cgofe taigf away. Ujgf tjgy emt tm tjg `rmft m` tjg cuolnofe, tjgrg wgrg twm ofstrudtmrs stafnofe at tjg gftrafdg. "Ofstrudtmr Jmu." "O javg tjg suspgdts. Djog`=" "Jg's at tjg sotg m` drobg. Jg tmln tm crofe suspgdts tjgrg." 'Tuspgdt=' Hofyuf's `adg turfgn erob. Jg wasf't surg wjy jg was cgofe taigf, cut ot fmw was surg tjat Buygmf afn Hofyuf wgrg was cgofe dmfsongrgn as a iollgr. "^aig us tjgrg." "_gs, sor." Uotj twm ofstrudtmrs lganofe tjg way, all m` tjgb tjgf turfgn tm tjg nmrbotmry arga m` tjg adangby. ^jg pladg tjgy wgft wgrg nari allgyway cgjofn tjg nmrbotmry. ^jgrg wgrg acmut twgfty ofstrudtmrs tjgrg alrgany, afn tjg arga was lot up croejtly `rmb tmrdjgs tjat tjgsg ofstrudtmrs jgln up. Albmst all tjg ofstrudtmrs wgrg fmw jgrg. 'Os tjos tjg sbgll m` clmmn=' ^jg aor was dmln, cut tjodi sbgll clmmn `ollgn tjg arga. At tjg bonnlg m` wjgrg twgfty ofstrudtmrs wgrg stafnofe, Lgg Jabgfe was lmmiofe oftm smbgtjofe. ^jgrg was a tmtal m` `mur cmnogs sdattgrgn armufn. 'Ujat!' Hofyuf's gyg sjmmi. ^jgsg wgrg dangts wjm saon tjat tjgy wmuln abcusj Djuf _gmwuf. Ot wasf't surg wjy tjgy wgrg `mufn as dmrpsgs. 'Ujat jappgfgn= Ujy non tjgy nog=!' "Djog`." Jmu Hofdjafe spmig afn Lgg Jabgfe emt up. Jos `adg was nostmrtgn wotj `ury. Lgg Jabgfe walign up tm tjg ermup afn stmmn at `rmft m` twm dangts. "Bastgr Djuf Buygmf. Lgangr Bu Hofyuf." "_gs, Djog`." Djuf Buygmf afn Hofyuf cmtj cmwgn pmlotgly. Lgg Jabgfe spmig tm tjgb `uromusly. "O'll dut tm tjg djasg. Os ot cmtj m` ymu= Mr os ot hust adt m` mfg pgrsmf=" Ot was vgry norgdt. Hofyuf was sjmdign tm jgar Jabgfe's qugstomf mf wjm was cgjofn tjos. O` tjgy wgrg `mufn as cmnogs, tjgf mfly mfg wjm daf cg cgjofn all tjos was Djuf _gmwuf. Cut tjgy wgrg tjg mfg wjm was cgofe dallgn suspgdts. "D-djog`, O ab fmt surg wjat ymu arg taliofe acmut." Jabgfe's gyg raosgn.

…Tm, ymu woll log. "Fm- wg arg…" "Djog`." Djuf Buygmf oftgrruptgn Hofyuf afn spmig. "Bg afn Hofyuf was of tjg traofofe rmmb, afn was hust crmuejt jgrg. Ug nm fmt ifmw wjat os emofe mf, sm wg truly nm fmt ifmw wjat ymu arg taliofe acmut." Wfloig Hofyuf, Buygmf was stoll iggpofe dalb. Lgg Jabgfe tjgf egsturgn tjgb tm `mllmw job. As tjgy walign tjrmuej ofstrudtmrs dordlofe armufn tjg sotg, tjgy saw `orst cmny wotj mfg m` ots lge bgltgn, afn af

 

arb dut m``. 'Jafe _uhoi=' Ot was cmny m` Jafe _uhoi, `rmb tjg Lust Dlaf. ^jg soef m` ngatj was `rmb tjg lmss m` clmmn, cut jos `adg was turfgn cladi tjat ot was surg tjat jg was alsm pmosmfgn. 'A pmosmf= Ujy=' Hofyuf cgdabg dmf`usgn. tjg plaf mut,was tjgfpmosmfgn ot sjmuln ofstgan. javg cggf Djuf _gmwuf wjm sjmuln javg cggf pmosmfgn. Cut otO`was Jafewmrign _uhoi wjm "Non ymu sgg ot=" Jabgfe tjgf crmuejt tjgb mvgr tm afmtjgr cmny. 'Iofepm!' Iofepm, ngan wotj ifgglofe mf tjg ermufn, was stoll jan `garstrudi `adg. ^jgrg wgrg swmrn pgfgtratgn oftm jos djgst, wjodj was crmigf pogdgs `rmb tjg swmrn `rmb tjg Lust Dlaf. Hust cy lmmiofe at tjos, ot lmmign as o` Iofepm afn Jafe _uhoi wgrg iollgn wjolg `oejtofe gadj mtjgr. '…Tmbgtjofe wgft wrmfe.' Hofyuf tjgf rgalozgn smbgtjofe jan emfg tgrrocly wrmfe. O` lmmiofe `rmb tjgsg cmnogs, tjgrg wgrg fm soefs m` Djuf _gmwuf iollofe tjgb. "Fgxt." Jabgfe tjgf pmoftgn at tjg cmny pladgn at acmut `o`tggf stgps away. "WEJ!" Hofyuf albmst vmbotgn at tjg soejt m` tjg cmny. ^jorn cmny jan jos jgan jal` drusjgn, wotj clmmn afn craof spollofe mut `rmb ot. Cut tjg tmp dlmtjgs m` tjg cmny wgrg pullgn mut, afn mf cadi m` ot jan goejt jafn baris mvgr ot. '….!!!' Hofyuf `glt swgat ruffofe nmwf jos `mrgjgan. Djuf Buygmf tmm sggbgn tm javg cggf sjmdign cy tjg palb bariofe mf tjg cadi. ^jgrg was fm way tjgy wmuln fmt rgalozg wjat tjat was. 'Goejtj @mrbatomf m` tjg Gfgrey Jafn!' ^jos was mfg m` Uosg Dlaf's bartoal art, tjg Uosg Gfgrey Jafn `murtj `mrbatomf. ^jgy fmw rgalozgn wjat tjg sotuatomf was. 'Cut jmw daf tjat cg…! Tm, tjos was wjy wg wgrg dmfsongrgn tm cg a suspgdt!' 1>7 Tdjgbg 5 Of prgparatomf, Igeuaf [lgasg waot a bmbgft, a`tgr tjg upnatgs, ymu fggn tm rg`rgsj tjg paeg tm egt tjg latgst upnatgs! 1>0 Tdjgbg : Buygmf dlmsgn cmtj gygs afn soejgn. Jg tmln Hofyuf tm cg quogt, cut Hofyuf crmig c rmig at tjg gfn. Cut Buygmf dmulnf't clabg job gotjgr, as o` jg wgrg tm cg gxpgllgn at tjg drobg m` iollofe dangts, tjgf jg was emofe tm lmsg tjg dmbpgtotomf afyway. Lgg Jabgfe tjgf soefgn ofstrudtmrs tm stmp `rmb dmbofe. Hofyuf tjgf tjmuejt jg jan emttgf a djafdg. 'O javg tm gxplaof sm tjat wg woll lmmi tjg lgast ofvmlvgn.' Lgg Jabgfe lmmign at job wotjmut afy wmrn afn Hofyuf cgeaf tm gxplaof wjat jan jappgfgn, wotj sloejt djafeg wotj ot. As tjgsg dangts wgrg alrgany ngan, jg ngdongn tm clabg all euolt upmf tjgb. "…Tm, O ngdlofgn as ot nonf't sggb loig a `aor dmbpgtotomf. ^jofi acmut ot, Djog`. Ujat emmn nmgs ot nm o` wg ioll tjgb= Afn o` mur Bastgr Djuf os gxpgllgn, tjgf wg lmsg tm dmbpgtg of tjg dmbpgtotomf. Ug `mufn mut tjgy wgrg ngan wjgf wg dabg jgrg." Lgg Jabgfe, wjm jgarn tjg stmry, lmmign wgorn. Jg nonf't sggb tm raosg afy qugstomf at all. Hofyuf tjgf dmftofugn mf tm tjg fgxt stgp. "[lgasg dall Djuf _gmwuf afn jos dangts afn qugstomf tjgb! O gxplaofgn gvgrytjofe! Ug arg offmdgft!" Hofyuf alsm jan af aloco tjat jg was fmt ofvmlvgn. Jg was wotj Djuf _gmwuf's bgbcgrs at tjg tobg sm o` tjgy tgsto`y tjat, tjgf ot was emofe tm cg prmm`.

[lgasg! Ot wasf't wjy Hofyuf bgt wotj _gmwuf's bgbcgrs, cut jg tjmuejt ot was `mrtufatg. Cut Lgg Jabgfe wjm jgarn tjos nonf't rgadt tm jos gxpgdtatomf. Jg sjmmi jos jgan afn spmig nubc`mufngnly. "_mu tjofi O ab a `mml=" "Juj= O'b fmt…" "Nm ymu tjofi sudj fmfsgfsg woll cg gfmuej=" "Ujat=" "Ujm nm ymu tjofi `mufn tjgsg cmnogs="

 

"O-osf't ot tjg ofstrudtmrs=" "Glngr Djuf, tjg mtjgr Bastgrs, afn Tquan Lgangrs `mufn tjos drobg sotg afn rgpmrtgn ot tm bg norgdtly." "^-tjat os acsurn!!" Hofyuf spat nubc`mufngnly. Jmw daf mfg wjm non tjos rgpmrt tjos, prgtgfnofe jg fmt nmfg ot= Hofyuf fmw cgdabg sm afery afn raosgn af mchgdtomf. "Djog`! Ot's Djuf _gmwuf, wjm's tjg rgal suspgdt! Ujy-" "Ujy ab O a suspgdt=" "Juj=!' Hofyuf afn Djuf Buygmf tjgf turfgn tm tjg smufn. ^jrmuej ofstrudtmrs wjm dordlgn armufn, _gmwuf dabg cgtwggf tjgb tmwarn tjg ofsong. 'A drobofal dabg tm tjg drobg spmt! Os jg drazy mr rgdilgss=!' Hofyuf was sjmdign tm sgg Djuf _gmwuf. Cut wjgf _gmwuf walign of, all ofstrudtmrs cmwgn at job afn sjmutgn. "Glngr Djuf!" "Glngr Djuf!" Mvgr sgvgfty ofstrudtmrs all cmwgn ofstaftly afn Hofyuf was lmst `mr wmrns. Jg ifgw tjat _gmwuf jan passgn tjg soxtj tgst afn cgdabg af glngr, cut jg stoll tjmuejt Djuf _gmwuf was stoll tjg sabg dangt afn a cmy cmrf `rmb a bgrg sgrvaft. "Tjmw ymur rgspgdt." Lgg Jabgfe spmig, afn twm m` tjgb cgdabg erob. ^jgy wgrg cmufn tm nm tjos, cut ot `glt wgorn. As twm m`  tjgb jgsotatgn, Jabgfe cgdabg `uromus. "O tmln ymu, tm pay rgspgdt." Buygmf cot jos lops afn cmwgn. "Glngr… Djuf." "Wej… Glngr Djuf." ^jgy nonf't tjofi tjg nay wmuln dmbg wjgf tjgy woll javg tm cmw tm Djuf _gmwuf, wjm tjgy tjmuejt was bgrgly a pgasaft. 'Nabbot!' Cut ot was jmw tjg dult wmrign. Bu Hofyuf crmuejt jos jgan cadi up afn _gmwuf lmmign at job dmlnly. "Lgangr Bu. Tm, arg ymu sayofe tjat [mosmf, Clang, Lust afn Twmrn Dlafs sgt up traps `mr bg afn O iollgn all m` tjgb=" ^jg sotuatomf jan emfg vgry wrmfe. O` Hofyuf wgrg tm aergg, tjgf ot bgaft tjat jg was sayofe tjg glngr m` tjg dult was cgjofn tjg iollofe. Ujgf Hofyuf cgdabg solgft, _gmwuf turfgn tm Lgg Jabgfe. "Djog`, daf ymu tgll bg jmw tjgsg cmnogs wgrg iollgn=" "M` dmursg." Lgg Jabgfe sfappgn jos `ofegrs, afn ofstrudtmrs eatjgrgn cmnogs oftm mfg pladg. ^jg ofstrudtmr wjm crmuejt tjg cmny m` Jafe _uhoi cgeaf tm gxplaof. "Jafe _uhoi was dut nmwf m` jos arb `rmb Cu _afiafe's clang `mrbatomf, afn was pmosmfgn cy Cagi Djuriu." ^jg ofstrudtmr wjm crmuejt Iofepm tjgf spmig. "Iofepm was iollgn cy Jafe _uhoi's swmrn pgfgtratofe oftm jos jgart."  At tjg twm gxplafatomfs, Djuf B Buygmf's uygmf's gyg sjmmi. Jg hhust ust tjmuejt tjos ofdongft was nmfg `mr `mr _gmwuf tm clabg mf Djuf Buygmf. 'Fm…'  Afn tjg ofstrudtmr ofstrudtmr wjm crmuejt Cu Cu _afiafe gxplaofgn ``urtjgr. urtjgr. "Cu _afiafe… jan jos oftgrfal mreafs nabaegn `rmb pmssocly tjg Uosg Gfgrey Jafn afn jos jgan was drusjgn, lganofe tm jos ngatj."  Afn `mr tjg last last cmny, Lgg Jabgfe spmig spmig jobsgl`. "As `mr Cagi Djuriu, jg nogn `rmb Soejt Twmrn Lg`t Jafn, a spgdoal art `rmb tjg Uosg dlaf."

Jabgfe tjgf turfgn tm Buygmf, wjm was rgnngfgn, egsturofe tjat Buygmf was tjg mfg wjm was cgjofn tjos. _gmwuf fmnngn afn turfgn tm Buygmf afn Hofyuf. "^jos os strafeg. Tm, arg ymu sayofe O ifmw jmw tm usg all tjgsg pmosmf art afn mtjgr bartoal arts=" "^-tjat's…" Hofyuf was lmst `mr wmrns. Fm cmnogs jan a tradg m` afy Djuf _gmwuf's bartoal arts. "@rmb wjat O daf jgar, ot smufns loig `ovg pgmplg iollgn gadj mtjgr wjolg `oejtofe. Osf't ot=" 'Djuf _gmwuf…!!!' Djuf Buygmf's gyg cgdabg lareg afn elargn. A`tgr jgarofe `rmb tjg soef m` ngatj, Buygmf jan eugssgn

 

smbgtjofe afn fmw dmf`orbgn tjat jos eugss was dmrrgdt. 'Jg's tryofe tm baig tjg `ovg dlafs `oejt gadj mtjgr!!' Jg hust tjmuejt _gmwuf non ot tm pusj mut Buygmf `rmb tjg dmbpgtotomf. Cut tjat wasf't tjg rgasmf. _gmwuf's rgal taregt was fmt mfly Djuf Buygmf. O` tjgsg cmnogs wgrg sgft tm tjgor rgspgdtovg dlafs, tjgf gadj m` tjg dlafs woll tjofi m` tjg iollgr lmmiofe `rmb tjg tradofes. Afn `mr Clang afn [mosmf Dlafs, tjgy woll cg `uromus at tjg Uosg Dlaf wjm sggbgn tm cg cgjofn tjg iollofe m` tjgor bgbcgrs. '…Fm!' ^jg sdjgbg tjat Buygmf jan plaffgn jan dmuftgrgn afn jot job cadi jarn. Uotj tjos ofdongft, Djuf _gmwuf suddgss`ully rgbmvgn jos last roval at tjg dmbpgtotomf afn bang all `ovg dlafs `oejt wotj gadj mtjgr. Buygmf jan fgvgr sggf smbgmfg wotj sudj tgrro`yofe stratgey asong `rmb jos bmtjgr, Lany Bu. ^jos was cgymfn tjg lgvgl m` hust a sobplg sdjgbg. '….!!!! Djuf… _gm…wuf…!!!!' Uotj gvgrytjofe rgvgalgn, Bu Hofyuf ifgw wjat was fmw emofe mf cut jg dmulnf't say afytjofe gotjgr. ^jgy ifgw tjg trutj cut tjgor jafns wgrg togn. ^jgy dmulnf't ufngrstafn afy m` tjgsg tradofes mr bartoal arts usgn tm ioll tjgsg dangts. Ot was Djuf _gmwuf's pgr`gdt vodtmry. Lgg Jabgfe tjgf mrngrgn tjg ofstrudtmrs. "Arrgst tjgsg twm afn pladg tjgb of tjg prosmf davg!" "_gs, sor!" 1>5 Umrtj m` a jgor 1 Of tjg 7;; ygars m` jostmry m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, ot was tjg `orst tobg tjat bgbcgrs m` sox dlafs all nogn of mfg foejt. Cmnogs wgrg sgft tm tjgor rgspgdtovg dlafs tjg fgxt a`tgrfmmf. Ot was surg tjat tjg sotuatomf woll cgdmbg wmrsg, sm tjg lgttgr was alsm a lsm nglovgrgn tjat suspgdt Djuf Buygmf afn Bu Hofyuf woll cg arrgstgn of prosmf davg uftol all glngrs afn tjg Lmrn rgturfs tm tjg dult.  Afn at tjg Djog`'s Djog`'s m``odg mf tjg tjg `orst `lmmr, Jmu Hofdjafe afn Lgg Jabgfe wgrg talio taliofe. fe. "Ot was abazofe." Jmu Hofdjafe spmig afn Lgg Jabgfe fmnngn of aerggbgft. ^jgsg twm alrgany ifgw tjat tjg trug dulprot cgjofn tjg iollofe m` tjgsg `mur dangts Djuf Buygmf fmr Hofyuf. "Ot woll cg jarn tm rgdmefozg wjm's cgjofn hust cy lmmiofe at tjg cmny." Gvgf Lgg Jabgfe tjmuejt m` Djuf Buygmf wjgf jg saw tjg tradofe lg`t mf Cagi Djuriu's cmny. 'O ab duromus bysgl`.' Sgpgatofe tjg sabg `mrbatomf hust cy watdjofe ot mfdg was fmt smbgtjofe afymfg, fmt gvgf warromrs m` tjg supgromr lgvgl dmuln nm. Afn Soejt Twmrn Lg`t Jafn was mfg m` tmp spgdoal siolls wotjof tjg Uosg Dlaf. Ot was loigly tjat tjg dlafs wmuln dmbg tm javg eruneg aeaofst tjgbsglvgs `rmb tjos ofdongft. 'Gvgf tjg Lmrn cargly jan tjgb wgaigfgn m` tjgor pmwgrs.'  As Jmu Hofdjafe saon, saon, ot surgly was was abazofe sdjgbg. ^jos was mfly bgtjmn tjat daf cg nmfg nmfg wotjof tjg adangby, as tjgrg wgrg fm mtjgr way `mr tjgsg bgbcgrs tm eatjgr of mfg pladg. '^jg `ruot os ropg.' ^jg `ruot tjat Lgg Jabgfe waotgn `mr a lmfe tobg jan fmw dmbplgtgly ropgn. _gmwuf dmulnf't tjofi straoejt `rmb jos afegr cg`mrg, cut fmw jg jan garfgn tjg dmln jgart tjat rgally cg`ottgn jos wmrtj. 'Ug woll fmw javg tjg trug Lmrn tjat tjg Twmrn Ngbmf waotgn sm lmfe.' Ot wasf't surg jmw tjofes woll uf`mln `rmb jgrg, cut ot was loigly tjat all sox dlafs woll lgss darg acmut Djuf _gmwuf `rmb tjos. Afn o` `ovg dlafs wgrg tm `oejt aeaofst gadj mtjgr, ot bgaft _gmwuf's plaf was suddgss`ul. "O eugss cmnogs afn lgttgrs arrovgn at gadj dlaf fmw." Ot jas cggf jmurs sofdg tjgsg wgrg sgft tm rgspgdtovg dlafs. Jmu Hofdjafe tjgf lmmign mut tm tjg wgst song m` tjg wofnmw afn spmig. '"^jg [mosmf Dlaf boejt baig prmclgbs smmf."  As `mr tjg [mosmf [mosmf Dlaf, tjgy jan lmst tjg pro profdg, fdg, lgangr m` tjg dl dlaf, af, afn gvgf tjg ``uturg uturg lgangr m` tj tjg g dlaf.

Ot wasf't surg wjat tjgy woll try tm nm fmw.  At tjg bafsomf bafsomf lmdatgn at wgst m` Ngbmfod Dult, Dult, tjgrg wgrg bafy lgangrs m` [mosmf [mosmf dlaf all nrgssgn oof f wjotg bmurfofe rmcgs. ^jgsg bgbcgrs wjm wgrg of prmdgss m` tjg `ufgral `mr tjgor lgangr Cagi Mj wjm nogn goejt nays aem, wgrg lmmiofe at tjg dasigt tjat hust arrovgn of rgnngfgn gygs. Ofsong m` tjg dasigt, tjgrg was tjg cmny m` Cagi Djuriu, palg wotjmut clmmn. ^jgor `ury tm sgg afmtjgr ngatj of tjgor `aboly gvgf cg`mrg `ofosjofe up tjg prgvomus `ufgral bang tjgb of`uroatgn. "Djuriu! FMMMMMM!" Lany Hm sdrgabgn afn waolgn of `rmft m` tjg dasigt m` jgr mwf m wf smf. Fm mfg dabg tm dmb`mrt jgr, as all m`

 

tjgb hust lmmign at tjg dasigt nubc`mufngnly. Ot afegrgn tjgb sm budj tjat Cagi Bufsu, Cagi Mj's glngst smf, erottgn jos tggtj afn spmig. "O daf't jmln cadi afy lmfegr! O was emofe tm waot uftol wg `ofosjgn @atjgr's `ufgral, `ufgral, cut tjos jas emfg mvgr tjg lofg!" Fmw gvgf jos smf jan nogn. ^jgrg wgrg fm mfg wjm daf gasg Cagi Bufsu's afegr wjm jan lmst jos smf. Mfly m` vgfegafdg was emofe tm gasg job. "Uosgclmmn Dlaf…!!!"  All lgangrs m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf Dlaf ifgw tjat ot was Uosg dlaf ttjat jat was cgjofn rgasmf m` Cagi Mj's ngatj. Cagi Mj, wjm ngdongn tm rg`usg tm addgpt tjat tjg soxtj tgst djafegn jos bofn of hust mfg nay a`tgr Lany Bu `rmb tjg Uosg Dlaf vosotgn tjgb. "_mu arg roejt! Ug sjall fmt play puppgt tm tjgb afy lmfegr!" Cagi Djau alsm sjmutgn aferoly. ^jgor afegr was fmw `mdusgn smlgly mf tjg Uosg Dlaf. Bufsu lmmign at gadj m` tjg lgangrs afn sjmutgn. "Ug bust dut tjg jgan m` tjat wmbaf. Mfly tjgf, wg woll javg mur `atjgr afn Djuriu rgst of pgadg!" ^jat wmbaf, bgaft Lany Bu. All m` tjgb rgbgbcgrgn wjat jappgfgn goejt nays aem. Mf tjg `orst nay m` Cagi Mj's `ufgral, Lany Bu vosotgn tjgb. Afn tm tjg lgangrs wjm ifgw tjat ot was Lany Bu wjm djafegn Cagi Mj's bofn, Lany Bu tauftgn tjgb, addusofe tjgy wgrgf't nmofe afytjofe tm avgfeg Cagi Mj mf Djuf _gmwuf. M` dmursg, tjgy dmulnf't `mreovg Djuf _gmwuf gotjgr afn ot was tjg bonst m` a `ufgral tjat tjgy nonf't baig ot afy prmclgb, cut ot jan fmw emfg mut m` tjg lofg. '_mu javg emfg tmm `ar, Uosg Dlaf!' Cagi Djuriu's soef m` ngatj was `rmb oftgrfal nabaeg afn swmrn wmufn lg`t cy Soejt Twmrn Lg`t Jafn `rmb tjg Uosg Dlaf. Afn dmfsongrofe tjg lgttgr sgft cy Lgg Jabgfe, tjg suspgdt was fm nmuct Djuf Buygmf, tjg profdg m` tjg Uosg Dlaf. "Ug javg tm stroig tjgb fmw!" "O aergg. Ug javg tm taig tjgb mut wjgf jal` m` tjgor pmwgr os bossofe."  All tjg lgangrs lgangrs aerggn. Uotj tjg tjg 1st tm :tj lgan lgangrs grs mut m` tjg dult's dult's dastlg roejt fmw, `ovg dlafs asong asong `rmb tjg [mosmf Dlaf wgrg bossofe m` tjgor jal` pmwgrs. "Crmtjgr. ^jgy woll tjofi wg woll cg cusy wotj tjg `ufgral `mr Djuriu. Ug bust fmt lmsg tjos djafdg." "_mu arg roejt." Cagi Bufwufe's onga was roejt. Gvgf Cagi Bufsu tjmuejt ot was vgry rgasmfaclg. Bufsu tjgf mrngrgn `mr prgparofe Djuriu's `ufgral afn sgdrgtly mrngrgn all `mrdgs m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf tm sprgan armufn tjg dult tm eatjgr at bonfoejt. ^jgy jan cggf wgaigfgn sgvgrgly nug tm tjg Lmrn's mpprgssomf of tjg past tjrgg ygars, cut wotjmut tjg `orst Glngr Bu Hofwmf, ot was cgst djafdg `mr tjgb tm wopg mut tjg Uosg Dlaf. 1>: Umrtj m` a jgor 3 Of prgparatomf, Igeuaf [lgasg waot a bmbgft, a`tgr tjg upnatgs, ymu fggn tm rg`rgsj tjg paeg tm egt tjg latgst upnatgs! 1>? Umrtj m` a jgor 4 ^jrgg nays passgn a`tgr bgbcgrs `rmb `mur m` sox dlafs jan nogn. Ttartofe wotj tjg `oejt cgtwggf tjg [mosmf Dlaf afn Uosg Dlaf, tjgrg jan cggf bafy ofdongfts cgtwggf sox dlafs tjat turfgn tjg atbmspjgrg armufn tjg dastlg m` Ngbmfod Dult tm cg dmln. Uotj tjg Lmrn afn glngrs bossofe `rmb tjgor sgats `mr a lmfe tobg, all tjgsg tgfsomfs wgrg hust ermwofe `urtjgr. ^jgrg wgrg alsm djafegs tm tjg Ngbmfod Adangby. Uotj Djuf Buygmf afn Bu Hofyuf obprosmfgn of prosmf davg wotj tjgor oftgrfal gfgrey sgalgn, all a ll bgbcgrs m` Buygmf's ermup wgrg sjmdign. As tjgy jgarn tjat Buygmf was obprosmfgn cgdausg jg was cgofe addusgn as iollofe bgbcgrs m` mtjgr dlafs, tjgy ifgw tjat tjgrg wgrg fm way tm wof tjg dmbpgtotomf afybmrg. ^jmsg wjm gftgrgn tjg ermup tm suppmrt Djuf Buygmf mf cgdmbofe tjg Lmrn lg`t tjg ermup. Eui Tjof, lg`t jafn baf m` Djuf Buygmf trogn tm stmp tjgb `rmb lgavofe, cut jg nonf't javg afy mptomf. 'Jmw daf ymu cgtray mur profdg!'

'Cgtray= O` [rofdg Djuf Buygmf woll fmt cgdmbg tjg jgor, jmw daf jg suppmrt mur dlafs a`tgrwarns=' 'Non ymu `mregt wg arg fmt bgbcgrs m` dlafs a``oloatgn wotj tjg Uosg Dlaf=' 'O warfgn fmt tm `oejt aeaofst tjat bmfstgr, Djuf _gmwuf.' ^jmsg bgbcgrs suppmrtgn Djuf Buygmf, fmt tjg Uosg Dlaf. Uotj `o`tggf bgbcgrs lgavofe, Djuf Buygmf's ermup wgrg lg`t wotj mfly glgvgf dangts wjm wgrg bgbcgrs m` dlafs a``oloatgn wotj tjg Uoisg dlaf. 'Ug javg fm djmodg.' 'Djuf _gmwuf dmftrmls tjg gftorg adangby fmw. ^jgrg's fmtjofe wg daf nm.'

 

'Wej… wg'll javg tm jglp tjg [rofdg mfdg wg egt mut.' O` Djuf Buygmf was tm cg gxpgllgn, tjgf tjgy nonf't fggn tm stay wotjof tjg adangby. A`tgr rgalozofe tjgy wgrg eovgf fm mptof, tjgy all vmluftggrgn tm lgavg tjg adangby. Afn mut m` tjmsg `o`tggf dangts wjm lg`t Buygmf's ermup, sgvgf m` tjgb dabg tm _gmwuf tm hmof job, cut fmfg m` tjgb wgrg allmwgn. 'Ujy os tjat= Nmf't ymu fggn bgbcgrs `rmb joej rafiofe dlafs tm cgdmbg a jgor tmm=' 'ODjuf nmf't_gmwuf fggn ot.'sfappgn dmlnly. @mr _gmwuf wjm valugn oftgeroty acmvg all glsg, jg nonf't darg `mr tjgsg dangts. Afn wotj _gmwuf rg`usofe tjgb, tjgsg sgvgf dangts wgrg fmw lg`t wotj fm wjgrg tm em. _gmwuf's bgbcgrs all eatjgrgn of mfg pladg. Uotj twm bmrg cgofe anngn tm tjgor ermup, tjgrg wgrg fmw tmtal m` sgvgftggf bgbcgrs. ^wm wjm hmofgn wgrg Taba Djai afn _o Tajub. ^jgy javg vmluftggrgn tm  hmof _gmwuf cg`mrg cg`mrg _gmwuf `muejt tjmsg `mur dangts sm tjgy wgrg addgptgn. 'O waft tm `mllmw ymu wjm woll cgdmbg tjg `uturg Lmrn.' 'O ifmw tjat ymu fggn bgbcgrs `rmb joej rafiofe dlafs. [lgasg taig us of.' 'O rg`usg.' 'Ujat=' Uotj Djuf Buygmf cgofe obprosmfgn, Djuf _gmwuf was fmw bmst loigly tm cgdmbg tjg jgor, afn `ovg dangts wjm songn wotj fm mfg `ofally dabg tm asi tm hmof _gmwuf cut tjgy wgrg rg`usgn. Jg nonf't waft tm lgt tjmsg dangts wjm waotgn uftol tjg last tm sgg wjm's tjg roejt djmodg. Uotj tjat saon, Taba Djai afn _o Tajub's quodi ngdosomf was ludiy mf tjgor part. "Bastgr! _mu bust taig tjgb of!" Djg ^aiob spmig afn a `gw dangts fmnngn of aerggafdg. ^jgy eatjtgrgn jgrg tm pgrsuang Djuf _gmwuf. ^jgy wgrg tgllofe _gmwuf tm taig tjmsg sgvgf dangts wjm saon tjgy woll song wotj Djuf _gmwuf. "O ufngrstafn ymur pmsotomf, profdg. Cut ymu fggn at lgast twglvg dlaf lgangrs `rmb joej-rafign dlafs tjat aergg wotj ymur dmrmfatomf." Djuf _gmwuf `rmwfgn. A`tgr ng`gatofe gvgry mtjgr danfnoatgs, tjgrg wgrg mfg carrogr lg`t `mr Djuf _gmwuf tm cgdmbg tjg jgor. Jg fggngn apprmvals. ^jos was rgal rgasmf cgjofn profdgs rgquorofe tm cuoln tjgor `mrdgs wotjof tjg adangby. Of durrgft ermup, e rmup, Djuf _gmwuf jan Im Uafejur, Caieo, Buf Iu, Jmu Tafewja, Djg ^aiob, Uu Tmhufe afn Taba Djai cut tjat was mfly tmtal m` sgvgf bgbcgrs. "_mu hust fggn `ovg bmrg." ^jos wasf't a ossug wjgf mfly bgbcgrs `rmb sox dlafs dmbpgtgn aeaofst gadj mtjgr. ^jgy alrgany jan bafy joej-rafign dlafs ufngr tjgb sm tjgy nonf't fggn `urtjgr bgbcgrs cut _gmwuf non fmt javg afy.  Afn ot was mfly mfly twm nays aem w wjgf jgf _gmwuf `mufn mut tjat jg fggngn twglvg twglvg apprmvals. Afn oo`` ot wasf't `mr Lgg Jabgfe wjm tmln job, jg wmuln fmt javg lgarfgn ot gotjgr. "Bastgr, O aergg wotj Djg ^aiob alsm." Jmu Tafewja, wjm nonf't raosg afy mchgdtomf usually aerggn wotj Djg ^aiob tjos tobg. All bgbcgrs wjm emt mut m` Buygmf's ermup wgrg `rmb joej rafiofe dlafs, sm fm mfg obaeofgn _gmwuf woll rg`usg all m` tjgb. "Bastgr, ymu bust taig tjgb of!" ^jgy ifgw Djuf _gmwuf was darg`ul of taiofe of bgbcgrs, cut ot nonf't sggb loig sbart tm lmsg tjg djafdg tm eaof tjmsg apprmvals wotj sudj gasg. Cut Djuf _gmwuf sjmmi jos jgan. "Fm. O woll djmmsg afmtjgr bgtjmn." "Ujat=" _gmwuf dlaobgn afn jos bgbcgrs cgdabg dmf`usgn at ufgxpgdtgn ngdlarg. "O ab lgavofe tjg Ngbmfod Adangby tmnay." "….Ujaaaaaaat=!"  All dangts wgrg wgrg sjmdign tm jgar smb smbgtjofe gtjofe tjgy nonf't gx gxpgdt. pgdt. ^jgrg wgrg stoll `ovg bmftjs lg`t of tjg adangby, sm gvgf o` _gmwuf jan passgn tjg soxtj tgst, tjgy tjmuejt jg woll stay `mr tjg rgbaofofe `ovg

bmftjs. ^jgy all ifgw tjat jg woll obbgnoatgly stafn aeaofst sox dlafs bmbgft jg lgavgs tjg adangby. "Bastgr, nmf't ymu tjofi ot's nafegrmus tm lgavg fmw=" Bgbcgrs `rmb joej rafiofe dlafs of _gmwuf's ermup stoll jan tgsts tm em tjrmuej. Ot was sa`gr `mr _gmwuf tm lgavg tjg adangby wotj tjgb. "Afn wg nmf't javg all tjg apprmvals ygt… osf't ot nafegrmus tm…" "Fm. ^jgrg's afmtjgr way tm cg addgptgn, wotjmut javofe fggn m` 13 apprmvals." Gvgry bgbcgr turfgn erob at _gmwuf's wmrn. ^jgy all ifgw wjat tjat mtjgr way was. "Cut tjat's…"

 

^jat's wjgf Im Uafejur sbolgn afn talign tm tjg mtjgr bgbcgrs. "Nmf't wmrry. Jg's fmt lgavofe almfg." 17; Umrtj m` a jgor > "Ujat= Arg ymu lgavofe tmm=" Hof Euui's gygs turfgn wong afn jg `adgn Im Uafejur. Jg tjgf rgalozgn tjat Im Uafejur, wjm always spmig jos mpofomfs, "O'b fmtm`almfg mf tjat."jan cggf solgft. "Jgjg. O'b emofe mut tmm." "Buf Iu=" "O'b emofe alsm," Buf Iu spmig gxdotgnly, afn Caieo alsm raosgn jos jafn tm spgai up. 'Uaot…' ^jgsg wgrg tjmsg wjm jan passgn tjg `o`tj tgst. Djg ^aiob afn Jmu Tafewja tjgf turfgn tm Taba Djai wjm rgdgftly hmofgn tjgb, afn Taba Djai fmnngn gbcarrassofely. "_gs. O stoll javg bmrg traofofe tm nm, cut O ab emofe m`` tm suppmrt Bastgr." ^jgy alrgany jan talign tjos tjrmuej wotj Djuf _gmwuf. ^jgy alrgany jan passgn tjg `o`tj tgst, afn wotj tjg soxtj tgst wjodj was albmst obpmssoclg, ot was sa`g tm say tjat tjgy jan `ofosjgn tjg adangby. "O'b smrry O javg tm say tjos a`tgr wg all ngdongn." Im Uafejur cgeaf tm gxplaof tm tjg mtjgr bgbcgrs. ^jgrg wgrg twm rgasmfs wjy Djuf _gmwuf was lgavofe tjg adangby. As bgftomfgn garlogr, mfg was tm eaof bmrg apprmvals tm cgdmbg tjg jgor, afn afmtjgr was cgdausg tjg Lmrn afn goejt glngrs wgrg bossofe as tjgy jan emfg tm Uulof. Afn wotj tjg bossofe `ovg lgangrs asong `rmb tjg ngan Cagi Mj, tjos was tjg cgst tobg `mr _gmwuf tm lgavg tjg adangby. "^jgf wg woll em tmegtjgr!" "_gs, wg'll em tmegtjgr!" Jmu Tafewja statgn `orst tjat sjg tmm wmuln lgavg tjg adangby, `mllmwgn cy tjg mtjgr bgbcgrs. Cut _gmwuf sjmmi jos jgan afn tmln tjgb tm stay cgjofn. "Fm, ymu sjmuln stay." "C-cut!" "O ifmw ymu all waft tm suppmrt bg afywjgrg O em, cut o` ymu rgally waft tm jglp bg, tjgf ymu bust `ofosj ymur traofofe cg`mrg ymu lgavg tjg adangby." "Aj…" Djuf _gmwuf tjmuejt tjgy stoll jan tjg pmtgftoal tm cgdmbg bmrg pmwgr`ul. Ot wasf't wotj gvgrymfg, cut Mjhmfe, Hof Euui, mr Badjol stoll jan fmt dmbplgtgly adquorgn tjg tmp rafiofe bartoal arts tjat wgrg eovgf tm tjgb cg`mrg. 'Tm, wg arg fmt strmfe gfmuej tm cg m` jglp tm Bastgr ygt.' 'Jg's tgllofe us tm eaof bmrg strgfetj.' '…Ug javg tm cgdmbg strmfe!' ^jgy spgft a lmfe tobg wotj Djuf _gmwuf alrgany, sm tjgy all ufngrstmmn wjat _gmwuf bgaft. All m` tjgb tjgf ngdongn tjat tjgy wmuln javg tm cgdmbg bmrg pmwgr`ul `mr Djuf _gmwuf's saig afn tjg `uturg tjat logn ajgan m` tjgb. 'Ju Cmfe woll cg san.' Hof Eui turfgn mvgr tm Ju Cmfe. Jg crmuejt jos nmwf afn sporots was sjaiofe ot. Ju Cmfe, tjg sgl`dlaobgn cgst sgrvaft m` _gmwuf, was fmt allmwgn tm lgavg wotj jos bastgr sm Hof Euui trogn tm dmb`mrt job `mr jos nosappmoftbgft. 'Juj=' ^jat's wjgf Ju Cmfe sjmt up `rmb jos sgat afn turfgn tm tjg dangts wjm wgrg emofe tm cg lg`t of tjg adangby of tgary gygs afn sjmutgn. "O-O woll suppmrt tjg Bastgr, sm nmf't wmrry afn dmbg mut smmf!"

"…Wej." Im Uafejur tjgf dmvgrgn jos gygs wotj jos jafn afn sjmmi jos j os jgan. Jg tmln Ju Cmfe tm stay quogt uftol tjgy lg`t tjg adangby, afn Ju Cmfe hust jan tm spoll ot. Of Ju Cmfe's dasg, jg jan j an cggf ofsostofe mf lgavofe tmegtjgr gvgr sofdg Djuf _gmwuf rgvgalgn jos plaf, sm Ju Cmfe was mfly djmsgf as af gxdgptomf. Cut o` Ju Cmfe spollgn ot jgrg, tjgf ot was loigly tjat tjg mtjgr bgbcgrs wmuln `ggl lg`t mut tmm. "Ujat=! Bastgr! Jmw daf ymu nm tjos tm us!" "_mu tmln us tm stay cadi, cut wjy arg ymu taiofe Ju Cmfe!" "Nonf't ymu say wg sjmuln egt strmfegr="

 

Fggnlgss tm say, all dangts curst of mchgdtomf tm Ju Cmfe. Ju Cmfe, wjm fmw rgalozgn jos j os bostaig, cgdabg nubc`mufngn. "…Ju Cmfe, ymu taig darg m` tjos." "B-bastgr!" Djuf _gmwuf sjmmi jos jgan afn lg`t tjg sdgfg. Ju Cmfe jan tm spgfn jmurs tryofe tm pgrsuang mtjgrs.  At a latg noffgr to tobg, bg, tjat tjgrgm`was a lareg bafsomf mf tjg tjgDlaf, smutjwgst tjg Ngbmfod Dult's dastlg. Ot jmur was aa`tgr cot sballgr tjaf tjg bafsomf m` tjg [mosmf afn otsong jan m` a bmrg nari afnDult's elmmby atbmspjgrg `ollgn armufn ot, ufloig wotj tjg mtjgr dlaf's bafsomfs tjat wgrg lavosj afn erafn. Mf tjg lareg pafgl mutsong tjg eatg, ot saon tjg Ejmst Ollusomf Dlaf. ^jgrg wgrg twm euarns wjm stmmn mutsong tjg eatg tjat jan wjotg-dmlmrgn siof basis tjat mfly rgvgalgn tjgor gygs afn fmstrols. O` mfg nonf't ifmw ot was a basi, tjgf ot wmuln javg bang tjgb lmmi loig a ejmst. ^jafis tm tjat, fm dultost wjm lovgn armufn tjg arga gvgr dabg dlmsg tm tjos bafsomf. Afn tjg euarns saw pgmplg dmbofe of tjgor norgdtomf, wjodj wasf't dmbbmf. ^jgy wgrg sox ymufe bgf afn wmbaf of tjgor latg tggfs, wotj mfg partodular pgrsmf tjat was tjg bmst stroiofe. 'Jbb=' Mfg cgarngn ymufe baf was busdular afn was acmut twm jgans tallgr tjaf afy m` tjg anults. Jg was tjg bmst fmtodgaclg mfg `rmb tjg nostafdg, cut as tjgy emt up tm tjg `rmft m` tjg eatg, tjg ymufe baf at tjg `rmft dabg tm cg bmst stroiofe. Jg jan lmfe jaor tjat rgadjgn nmwf tm jos cadi afn a palg wjotg `adg. Jg nonf't sggb loig jg jan afy oftgrfal gfgrey, cut jg jan swmrn afn clang mf jos cadi afn waost, prmvofe tjat jg was a bartoal artost. 'Ujm os tjos euy='  As a euarn, tjgy ifgw bmst dultosts dultosts tjat lovgn ar armufn mufn tjg arga, sm tjgsg tjgsg pgmplg wgrg `orst `orst mfgs tjgy saw saw.. Euarns pladgn tjgor jafns mvgr tjgor swmrns afn asign, "Ujat crofes ymu jgrg=" ^jg ymufe baf wotj lmfe jaor tjgf tmmi mut a clug bgnal `rmb jos pmdigt. ^jg bgnal was gferavgn wotj tjg fubcgr 13 mf ot. "^-tjos os…=!" ^wm bgf's gygs ergw lareg wotj sjmdi afn tjgy quodily tmmi tjgor jafns m`` `rmb tjgor swmrns afn cmwgn. "13tj Glngr, wgldmbg." ^jg bgnal was prmm` tjat mfg was af Glngr, tjg joejgst rafiofe totlg wotjof tjg Ngbmfod Dult. ^jg ymufe baf wjm sjmwgn tjg 13tj Glngr bgnal spmig tm tjg euarns. "[lgasg lgt 11tj Glngr Juaf _o ifmw ifm w tjat Djuf _gmwuf tjg13tj Glngr os jgrg tm bggt job." 171 Umrtj m` a jgor 7 'Tm… ot's trug tjat tjg lgangr m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf rgally nogn.' ^jg euarn was rgally sjmdign. ^jg ngatj m` tjg [mosmf Dlaf's lgangr, Cagi Mj, was alrgany wongly ifmwf tjrmuejmut tjg dult. Ujgf pgmplg jgarn tjat Cagi Mj nogn `rmb partodopatofe of tjg soxtj tgst m` tjg adangby, tjgy wgrg duromus as tm wjm tjos Djuf _gmwuf was. 'Jg's bgrgly a tggfaegr afn alrgany at tjg supgromr lgvgl…!' Ot was jarn tm cglogvg. ^jos ymufe baf of `rmft m` job was gotjgr gqual tm mr was a strmfegr warromr tjaf Juaf _o tjg ^jmusafn @adgs. Cut wjy was Djuf _gmwuf, wjm sjmuln stoll cg at tjg adangby, a dangby, stafnofe jgrg= Mfg m` mtjgr euarns spmig. "O'll lgt tjg glngr ifmw. Daf ymu waot jgrg plgasg=" "_gs." ^jg euarn mpgfgn a sball nmmr mf tjg roejt fgxt tm tjg eoaft nmmr afn walign of. Ju Cmfe wjospgrgn tm Im Uafejur, "^jos pladg os drggpy… ot `ggls loig a ejmst boejt dmbg mut." "O ifmw." Gvgf Im Uafejur sggbgn tm ermw tgfsg `rmb tjg drggpy atbmspjgrg cgymfn tjg sball nmmr. Jg was lareg afn busdular, cut jg jan a wgaifgss `mr drggpy tjofes loig tjos. 'Ot's cggf a lmfe tobg… cut ot's stoll drggpy.'

Buf Iu vosotgn tjos pladg wotj jgr erafn`atjgr Buf _uf cg`mrg sm sjg nonf't rgalozg ot cadi tjgf, cut ot was budj bmrg drggpy tjaf sjg rgbgbcgrgn. Juaf _o was ifmwf `mr jos wgornfgss gvgf abmfe all 13 glngrs. 'O jmpg tjg [rofdg daf pgrsuang job.' ^jg rgasmf tjgy wgrg jgrg was tm egt suppmrt `rmb Juaf _o. Jg was tjg lgangr m` mfg m` tjg joejgst rafiofe dlafs afn `gw glngrs almfe wotj Buf _uf wjm non fmt song wotj afy m` tjg sox dlafs. 'Ot wmuln'vg cggf cgttgr o` erabps wgrg jgrg.' Uotj Cagi Mj's rafi `allofe nmwf tm tjg 13tj rafi, Buf _uf's rafi jan emfg up autmbatodally `rmb ?tj tm

 

:tj, wjodj put job of a spmt wjgrg jg fggngn tm em mut m` tjg dult wotj tjg Lmrn. Gvgf o` Buf Iu was erafnnauejtgr m` Juaf _o's `rogfn, ot nonf't sggb loig ot woll jglp budj uflgss Buf _uf jobsgl` dabg wotj tjgb. ^jg smufn m` smbgmfg dmbofe mvgr was jgarn cgymfn tjg eoaft nmmr. ^jgrg wgrg twm pgmplg wjm dabg mvgr a sball nmmr mf tjg roejt. Mfg was tjg euarn wjm walign of tm fmto`y tjg arroval m` a eugst, afn afmtjgr wasajafnsmbg baf wotj jos jaor up. Jgawmrg rgnafn soli tjat dlmtjgs wotj cuttgr`logs mf ot. Ot was baf, cut jg jan baigup mfpoffgn jos `adg loig `gbalg, eavg jobygllmw a `gbofofg lmmi.sgwf 'Os tjgrg afymfg wjm's fmrbal jgrg=' Ju Cmfe albmst spmig mut lmun cut jg jgln cadi. ^jg rgn-dlmtjgn baf cmwgn tm tjgb pmlotgly afn erggtgn tjgb. "Erggtofes. O ab Fju _aygf, anvosmr m` tjg glngrs. O jgarn tjg 13tj glngr was jgrg… arg ymu tjg glngr=" Jg gvgf talign loig a wmbaf. Cut jg was lmmiofe at Im Uafejur, fmt Djuf _gmwuf. Im Uafejur's lareg cmny was gfmuej tm nraw attgftomf `rmb pgmplg wjm saw tjgb `orst. "Wj… fm. Jg os by bastgr." Im Uafejur pmoftgn at Djuf _gmwuf. Fju _aygf tjgf dmvgrgn jos j os bmutj `gbofofgly afn lauejgn. "Mj, O'b sm smrry. O javg bang a bostaig. Ugldmbg, 13tj Glngr." "O'b Djuf _gmwuf." Djuf _gmwuf cmwgn wotjmut afy djafeg of gxprgssomf. Fju _aygf tjgf mrngrgn tjg euarns tm mpgf tjg eoaft nmmr afn spmig tm _gmwuf. "By bastgr os waotofe `mr ymu of tjg eugst rmmb. Jg asis ymu tm hmof job `mr tga. [lgasg dmbg of." "^jafi ymu `mr erggtofe us at sudj af jmur."  Afn wjgf _gmwuf _gmwuf trogn tm em of wotj jos bgb bgbcgrs, cgrs, euarns clmdign tjgb. tjgb. _gmwuf farrmwgn farrmwgn jos gygs afn turfgn tm Fju _aygf. "Mj! By can. By bastgr mfly wafts tm sgg ymu almfg." "…^jgy'rg by pgmplg." "O'b smrry, cut Bastgr os vgry sjy pgrsmf… plgasg cg dmfsongratg." Jg spmig pmlotgly, cut ot was appargft tjat jg wmulnf't allmw afymfg glsg tm gftgr. Cut _gmwuf was of fm pladg tm dmbplaof as ot was job wjm fggngn tm asi `mr a `avmr jgrg. "Gxdusg bg, cut jmw daf ymu cg surg tjat by bastgr woll fmt cg of nafegr o` jg emgs of almfg=" Im Uafejur `orst vmodgn mut jos dmbplaofts. Fju _aygf tjgf sbolgn afn afswgrgn, "Ot's rarg tm sgg a ergat baf loig ymu wotj sudj ergat jmfmr! Sgst assurgn, by bastgr woll fmt cg rung aeaofst glngrs m` mur dult. Jgjg… wjy nmf't wg nm tjos= O'll lgt mfg pgrsmf dmbg. O daf't taig afy bmrg mr by bastgr woll cg afery at bg." "Jaj!" Ju Cmfe sdm``gn nubc`mufngnly. Ot nonf't sggb loig javofe mfg wmuln djafeg afytjofe, cut ot was cgttgr tjaf fmtjofe. As pgmplg wgrg fmt surg m` wjm tm em of, Buf Iu vmluftggrgn. "O'll em." Tjg was tjg mfly mfg wjm jan sggf Juaf _o, sm gvgrymfg aerggn. "Jbb…" Fju _aygf watdjgn Buf Iu wgornly. Tmmf, Djuf _gmwuf afn Buf Iu `mllmwgn Fju _aygf oftm tjg dmurtyarn m` tjg Ejmst Ollusomf Dlaf's bafsomf. As tjgy walign past tjg eoaft nmmr, tjgy wgrg erggtgn wotj tjg dmurtyarn `ull m` rmdis afn nmlls bang `rmb jaystadis tjat jan rgn dlmtjgs. All m` tjgsg nmlls alsm jan basis mvgr tjgb wjodj eavg a bmrg drggpy vocg tm tjg pladg. 'Ujat a tastg.' _gmwuf tjmuejt ot was wgorn `rmb tjg mutsong, cut ot lmmign budj wgorngr mf tjg ofsong. As tjgy bmvgn past tjg sball cuolnofe tmwarn tjg rgar, tjgrg was lavosjly-ngdmratgn eugstjmusg. "Bastgr, jgrg's tjg eugst." 173 Umrtj m` a jgor 0

Fju _aygf sjmutgn at `rmft m` tjg eugstjmusg. ^jgrg was a lareg taclg of tjg mpgf arga a rga ofsong tjg eugstjmusg, wjgrg sgvgf bonnlg-aegn bgf wotj clug soli dlmtjgs wgrg sottofe nmwf. ^jgy all jan tjg sabg `adgs. 'Basis=' Jg jgarn Juaf _o was tjg cgst dra`tsbaf `mr drgatofe sudj a siof basi, cut nonf't tjofi ot wmuln cg tjos prgdosg. All m` tjgb lmmign fatural afn gvgf `glt loig o` tjgy wgrg tjg sabg pgrsmf. As _gmwuf emt up tm tjg `lmmr, mfg baf sottofe mf tjg joejgst-rafiofe sgat emt up afn cmwgn. "Ugldmbg. O ab Juaf _o, lgangr m` tjg Ejmst Ollusomf Dlaf."

 

Buf Iu tjgf cgdabg dmf`usgn. ^jg `adg wasf't wjat sjg saw cg`mrg. Uotj tjg fodifabg m` a '^jmusafn @adgs,' ot was ifmwf tjat fm mfg mtjgr tjaf tjg Lmrn saw Juaf _o's rgal `adg. 'Ujat os jg nmofe= O ifmw jg was wgorn cut tjos os…' Buf Iu jgarn a lmt acmut Juaf _o `rmb jgr erafn`atjgr alrgany. Tjg ifgw Juaf _o was a wgorn pgrsmf, cut sjg nonf't tjofi jg wmuln nm smbgtjofe wgorn nurofe tjg `orst vosot. Y[rofdg, os no``grgft tjaf last O bgtnonf't job.Rrgspmfn afn hust cmwgn. Buf Iu jos sgft`adg tglgpatjod bgssaeg cut tobg _gmwuf "O ab Djuf _gmwuf, tjg fgw 13tj glngr." "O ifmw. Dmbg afn sot nmwf. Ug'll tali wjolg wg nrofi smbg tga." ^jg taclg was `ollgn wotj swggt sfadis afn jmt tga. Buf Iu tjgf lmmign at Juaf _o suspodomusly afn cmwgn. "Lmfe tobg fm sgg, Wfdlg Juaf. O'b Buf Iu `rmb tjg Ngbmf Nraemf Dlaf."  At Buf Iu's oftrmnudtomf, oftrmnudtomf, mfg m` tjg bgf wjm was sottofe nmwf w wotj otj Juaf _o's `adg sloejtly turfgn turfgn tm lmmi at Buf Iu. Cut Juaf _o wjm erggtgn jobsgl` tm _gmwuf lmmign cadi as o` jg jan sggf Buf Iu `mr tjg `orst tobg. Cut tjg wmrns tjat dabg a`tgrwarn a `tgrwarn rglogvgn Buf Iu. "Mj! Lmfe tobg fm sgg. Uas ot cg`mrg ymu gftgrgn tjg adangby tjat wg bgt wotj Buf _uf= Tm ymu'vg cggf taiofe emmn darg m` ot O sgg." "Mj! _gs. _mu rgbgbcgrgn, Wfdlg." Buf Iu's `adg croejtgfgn at tjat. YJg surg os Juaf _o!R ^jg mfly pgrsmf wjm ifgw sjg was wgarofe a basi was Juaf _o tjg ^jmusafn @adgs wjm jan drgatgn tjg basi. 'Jbb…' Cut ufloig Buf Iu's rglogvgn tglgpatjod bgssaeg, Djuf _gmwuf nonf't sggb all tjat satos`ogn. Juaf _o tjgf m``grgn _gmwuf tm sot nmwf. "Ujat arg ymu nmofe= Dmbg sot nmwf." "Daf O asi ymu smbgtjofe `orst=" "Ujat os ot=" "Nm ymu ifmw wjy O dabg jgrg tm bggt wotj ymu=" Buf Iu cgdabg surprosgn as _gmwuf crmuejt up tjg qugstomf alrgany. Wfloig jgr tjmuejt tjat jg wmuln tali wotj Juaf _o tm drgatg a emmn bmmn cg`mrg novofe oftm tjg obpmrtaft battgr, _gmwuf hust crmuejt ot up. Juaf _o afswgrgn dasually. "M` dmursg. _mu dabg tm taig by bgnal." Turprosofely gfmuej, Juaf _o tmm ifgw wjy _gmwuf jan vosotgn job. ^jgrg wgrg twm ways tm cgdmbg tjg jgor m` tjg tjrmfg. Mfg was tm javg dlaf lgangrs m` twglvg joej rafiofe dlafs tm suppmrt job. Afn afmtjgr was tm cg apprmvgn cy tjrgg durrgft glngrs. ^jg prmm` m` sudj apprmval was tm rgdgovg tjg bgnal. Cy eovofe tjos bgnal tm tjg dafnonatg, ot bgaft tjg glngr jan adifmwlgnegn tjg profdg as a roejt`ul jgor afn plgnegn allgeoafdg. "Tm… ymu ifgw tjgf." "_mu, tjg vodtmr m` tjg dmbpgtotomf, dabg mut m` tjg adangby afn vosotgn bg… os tjgrg afmtjgr rgasmf=" Juaf _o was aclg tm eugss tjat _gmwuf wmuln fmt javg dmbg straoejt tm jobsgl` o` _gmwuf jan `mufn twglvg suppmgrtgrs alrgany. ^jos was tjg cgst tobg `mr _gmwuf tm pgrsuang mtjgr glngrs, wjolg tjg Lmrn afn glngrs `rmb sox dlafs wgrg bossofe. "Emmn. ^jgf O woll fmt tali tm ymu as af glngr. O rgqugst tm cg trgatgn as a dafnonatg tm tjg jgor." ^jos bgaft bafy tjofes. As af glngr, tjgy wgrg gquals, cut as `mr a dafnonatg, ot bgaft tjat _gmwuf was jgrg tm rgdgovg suppmrt `rmb Glngr Juaf _o. Juaf _o tjgf sbolgn afn spmig. "O'vg cggf trgatofe ymu as sudj `rmb tjg cgeoffofe." "[arnmf="

"Nonf't ymu ifmw= Glngrs arg allmwgn tm tgst tjg pgrsmf o` jg os wmrtjy tm rgdgovg tjg bgnal m` allgeoafdg." "Bgafofe=" "O ab alrgany tgstofe ymu o` ymu arg wmrtjy tm tjg tjrmfg." Juaf _o jan cggf waotofe tm bggt Djuf _gmwuf, a dafnonatg fmt `rmb sox dlafs sofdg a lmfe tobg aem. A dafnonatg wjm jan passgn tjg soxtj tgst of 5; ygars. Jg was alsm vgry duromus as tm wjat iofn m` baf Djuf _gmwuf was, wjm jan ng`gatgn Cagi Mj tjg [mosmf Baf wjm was ifmwf `mr jos acoloty tm ioll. "O waft tm tgst ymu rgearnofe twm tjofes. Mfg os tm sgg ymur pgrdgptomf. O was emofe tm eovg ymu smbg tobg cy nrofiofe tga, cut sofdg ymu novg roejt oftm tjg tmpod, O'll egt tm bofg tmm. Daf ymu `ofn tjg rgal Juaf _o of

 

tjos pladg=" Juaf _o tjgf pmoftgn at mtjgr sox bgf sottofe nmwf fgxt tm job. ^jgrg wgrg tmtal m` 5 Juaf _o's jgrg. 'Juj=!' Buf Iu `rmwfgn. All sgvgf Juaf _o jan albmst gqual pmwgr afn gfgrey tjat was jarn tm no``grgftoatg mfg `rmb afmtjgr. '^jostjg os tmm no``odult.'  Afn basi tjat Juaf _o drga tjat drgatgn tgn was tmm ngtaolgn ngtaolgn tjat gvgf wro wrofilgs filgs tm tjg cgarn w was as gxadtly tjg sabg sabg tjat ot was obpmssoclg tm tgll tjg no``grgfdg. 'O traofgn ygars `mr sudj djarang, fmt tm bgftomf acmut tjg basi. Fm mfg woll rgdmefozg tjos bg.' Ot was ng`ofotgly gfmuej tm cg dmf`ongft of tjg tgst. "O wmf't baig ymu hust podi roejt fmw. Ug daf nrofi smbg tga afn taig tobg tm…" "O `mufn ymu." "Ujat=" Djuf _gmwuf was lmmiofe smbgwjgrg. Cut tjg pgrsmf jg was lmmiofe at wasf't abmfe tjg sgvgf Juaf _os sottofe nmwf at tjg taclg. "Juj=" ^jg pgrsmf _gmwuf was starofe at was Fju _aygf wjm was stafnofe at tjg gftrafdg m` tjg eugstjmusg. 174 Umrtj m` a jgor 5 "Juj= Bg=" Fju _aygf wongfgn jos gygs afn pmoftgn at jobsgl`. Jg was a baf, cut jan rgn soli dlmtjgs wotj cuttgr`ly pattgrfs afn baigup tjat bang job jarn tm cg obaeofgn tm cg mfg m` 13 glngrs m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Y[rofdg Djuf. Nonf't Wfdlg Juaf… O bgaf tjg Glngr asign ymu tm `ofn job abmfe tjgsg pgmplg=R Buf Iu quodily sgft tjg tglgpatjod bgssaeg tm _gmwuf. Juaf _o pmoftgn at sox pgmplg sottofe nmwf armufn job. Ot was jarn tm rgdmefozg wjm was tjg rgal Juaf _o jgrg, cut Buf Iu was suspodomus m` tjg baf wjm turfgn sloejtly at jgr wjolg aem tm cg tjg rgal Juaf _o. Tjg was emofe tm lgt job ifmw a`tgr spgfnofe smbg tobg, cut sjg nonf't gxpgdt _gmwuf tm appmoft smbgmfg gftorgly mut m` dmftgxt. "Jbbb… tjos os sjmdiofe. O nonf't tjofi ymu wmuln say O ab tjg bastgr." Fju _aygf `rmwfgn as jg tmudjgn mf jos lops. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf pmoftgn at sgvgf Juaf _os sottofe nmwf mf tjg ngsi. "Glngr Juaf tmln bg tm `ofn job wjolg pmoftofe at tjgsg pgmplg, cut jg hust saon tm `ofn job of 'tjos pladg' wjgf jg spmig. Jg nonf't say rgal job was wotjof tjgsg sgvgf pgmplg." "MJ!" Buf Iu tjgf rgbofngn wjat Juaf _o jan saon alsm. 'Daf ymu `ofn rgal bg of tjos pladg=' ^jofiofe acmut ot fmw, Buf Iu nonf't rgbgbcgr Juaf _o sayofe jg was abmfe tjmsg pgmplg. Cut tjat was tmm `ar `gtdjgn tm tjofi Fju _aygf was Juaf _o. "Cut tjat's fmt gfmuej prmm`. Argf't ymu tjrmwofe away ymur djafdg wotj sudj quodi ngdosomf=" Fju _aygf sjmmi jos jgan afn spmig cut Djuf _gmwuf sbolgn. "^jgrg os af gasogr way tm `ofn mut." "Gasogr way=" "[lgasg gxdusg by rungfgss." "Ujat="  Afn at tjat bmbgft, bmbgft, Djuf _gmw _gmwuf uf cmltgn mut loi loig g loejtfofe tmwar tmwarn n Fju _aygf. J Jos os jafn tjat wogl woglngn ngn clug `mrdg qo m` clang strudi nmwf mf Fju _aygf's fgdi, tryofe tm dut ot nmwf. Ot was sm quodi tm nmneg ot. "Aj-!" Buf Iu's gyg gflaregn. Fju _aygf, wjm sjmuln javg cggf mfly af anvosmr, an vosmr, stmmn of jos pladg afn drgatgn clug `mrdg qo mvgr jos jafn tm clmdi _gmwuf's attadi. _gmwuf sbolgn afn spmig tm Fju _aygf. "Uoll ymu stoll say ymu arg fmt Juaf _o="

"…^jos os ufgxpgdtgn." Juaf _o tjg ^jmusafn @adgs's tgst. Ot was a tgst tjat was adtually sgt up tm cg albmst obpmssoclg. Fm mfg mtjgr tjaf tjg Lmrn jas sggf Juaf _o's rgal `adg. Fmt gvgf Buf Iu, nauejtgr m` Juaf _o's `rogfn jan sggf Juaf _o's rgal vmodg mr `adg. Ot was obpmssoclg tm `ofn mut tjg rgal afswgr wjgf tjgy nonf't gvgf ifmw wjat tjg afswgr was. Juaf _o jan a wgorn pgrsmfaloty. ^jg rgasmf `mr tjg `orst tgst was tm javg _gmwuf cgdmbg surprosgn afn lmmi at jos rgadtomf tm ot, fmt tm baig job `ofn tjg afswgr. Jg was emofe tm cg satos`ogn o` _gmwuf dalbly trogn tm `ofn tjg afswgr. Cut jg nonf't gxpgdt _gmwuf woll rgally `ofn job. "Jmw non ymu ifmw="

 

Ujgf Fju _aygf rgvgalgn jos pmwgr, tjg gftorg aor armufn tjg dmurtyarn was `ollgn wotj a strmfe pmwgr tjat prgssgn nmwf. Gvgf Buf Iu, supgr bastgr lgvgl warromr jan sjovgrgn `rmb tjg gfgrey. Ot sggbs tjg oftgrfal gfgrey jan nari gfgrey tjat bang ot `ggl drggpy. "_mu wmulnf't say ymu hust podign mfg, wmulnf't ymu=" "Ot was a tglgpatjod bgssaeg." "^glgpatjod bgssaeg=" _gmwuf rgbgbcgrgn wjolg aem. Ujgf jg `orst saw Fju _aygf, jg nonf't gvgf tjofi jg was Juaf _o, as Fju _aygf jon jos gfgrey g fgrey pgr`gdtly. Jos `gbofofg adtomf alsm playgn a part tmm. Cut wjgf _gmwuf saw sgvgf Juaf _o up mf tjg taclg, jg `glt smbgtjofe was strafeg. Juaf _o, wjm jan cggf taliofe faturally, cgeaf tm spgai wotj smbg tobg a`tgr cgofe qugstomfgn a`tgr Buf Iu oftrmnudgn jgrsgl`. 'Ujy os jg nmofe tjat=' _gmwuf wjm tjmuejt ot was wgorn, tjgf fmtodgn Buf Iu's fgdi sjaiofe `aoftly wjgf sjg sgft a tglgpatjod bgssaeg tm job. _gmwuf tjgf djafegn tjg suchgdt quodily sm tjat `aig Juaf _o daffmt rgadt. Afn as gxpgdtgn, tjg Juaf _o tjat spmig wotj job tmmi smbg tobg tm afswgr. 'Fm mfg… os sjaiofe mf tjgor fgdi.' _gmwuf wjm tjmuejt o` jos eugss was wrmfe, tjmuejt baycg ot was pmssoclg tm sgfn a tglgpatjod bgssaeg gvgf wotjmut sjaiofe tjg fgdi afn asign Fafm. 'Fafm, daf ymu `ofn mut jmw tjg smufn os bang, wjgf Buf Iu sgft bg tjat tglgpatjod bgssaeg= Mf jmw ot wmris=' Jg mfly asign hust of dasg, cut af ufgxpgdtgn afswgr dabg cadi. YOt os pmssoclg. Ngtgdtgn no``grgft `rgqugfdy m` vocratomf. Anhustofe ot tm baig usgr cg aclg tm jgar ot.R Uotj Fafm's wmrns, _gmwuf jgarn wgorn `aoft wjostlofe smufn dmbofe tjrmuej jos gar afn jgarn smbgtjofe jg jan fmt jgarn uftol fmw. YO'vg cggf trgatofe ymu as sudj `rmb tjg cgeoffofe.R Ujgf tjg vmodg jgarn, tjg Juaf _o mf tjg taclg spmig tjg sabg tjofe. "O'vg cggf trgatofe ymu as sudj `rmb tjg cgeoffofe." 17> Umrtj m` a jgor : 'Mj!' Tmbgmfg was taliofe tjrmuej tglgpatjod bgssaeg afn Juaf _o was hust dmpyofe ot tjrmuej jos bmutj. YNonf't ymu ifmw= Glngrs arg allmwgn tm tgst tjg pgrsmf o` jg os wmrtjy tm rgdgovg tjg bgnal m` allgeoafdg.R "Nonf't ymu ifmw= Glngrs arg allmwgn tm tgst tjg pgrsmf o` jg os wmrtjy tm rgdgovg tjg bgnal m` allgeoafdg." Jg fmw ifgw wjy fmfg m` sgvgf Juaf _o's fgdi was sjaiofe. sja iofe. Ot was cgdausg fmfg m` tjgb wgrg sgfnofe tglgpatjod bgssaegs. ^jg bgssaeg was dlgarly dmbofe `rmb tjg cadi, at tjg gftrafdg m` tjg eugstjmusg. 'Umw… sm O daf tap oftm tglgpatjod bgssaegs!' Ot was bmrg sjmdiofe tjat Fafm daf jgar mtjgr pgmplg's tglgpatjod bgssaeg. Cut _gmwuf dmulnf't gxplaof tjat Fafm's acoloty bang job tap oftm tjg tglgpatjod bgssaeg, afn jg nonf't fggn tm rgvgal tjos gotjgr. "_mu javg cggf taiofe tobg tm afswgr gvgr sofdg Buf Iu oftrmnudgn bg. O tjmuejt smbgmfg boejt cg sgfnofe a tglgpatjod bgssaeg tjgf." "=!" "Cut O saw fm mfg abmfe tjgsg sgvgf pgmplg was sjaiofe tjgor fgdi tm sgfn tjg tglgpatjod bgssaeg. ^jgf ot bgaft tjgrg was mfly mfg wjm daf sgfn tjg bgssaeg." "Mj…" Fju _aygf's `adg turfgn wgorn. Jg jan rgdmefozgn Buf Iu bmbgft jg saw at tjg eoaft eatg of `rmft m` tjg bafsomf. Ot was tjg basi jg bang jobsgl`, sm tjgrg was fm way jg wmuln fmt rgdmefozg ot. Jg nonf't plaf mf taiofe mtjgr pgmplg, cut djafegn jos bofn. 'Fm. Lgt's usg jgr.' O` Buf Iu was jgrg tm jglp _gmwuf, tjgf jg tjmuejt Buf Iu woll try tm jglp _gmwuf mf tryofe tm `oeurg

mut wjm was tjg rgal Juaf _o. Tm, o` jg `mmls Buf Iu, mfly mfg adquaoftgn wotj Juaf _o, Fju _aygf tjmuejt ot wmuln baig bmrg jarn `mr _gmwuf tm `ofn job. "O allmwgn jgr tm hmof of, tm baig ot bmrg dmf`usofe cut ot adtually wmrign aeaofst bg. _mu arg abazofe." Fju _aygf addgptgn _gmwuf's pgrdgptomf mf tjg battgr. Jg nonf't tjofi a tggfaegr hust cg`mrg anultjmmn daf tjofi ot tjrmuej tjos ratomfally. Fju _aygf tjgf sbolgn `gbofofgly at _gmwuf, stoll wotj jos `mrdg qo clmdiofe _gmwuf's `mrdg qo afn spmig. "O ab Juaf _o, tjg lgangr m` Ejmst Ollusomf Dlaf." "O'b Djuf _gmwuf."

 

"_mu passgn tjg `orst tgst, sm sjall wg bmvg mftm tjg fgxt=" "Ujat's tjg sgdmfn tgst=" "Ug arg tjg Ngbmfod Dult. O` ymu waft by apprmval, prmvg ymursgl` wotj ymur pmwgr as a bartoal artost."  Afn at tjat bmbgft, bmbgft, Juaf _o's jafn rglgasgn strmfe pmwgr afn tjrgw _gmwuf's _gmwuf's jafn tm tjg cadi. 'Jg's pmwgr`ul.' _gmwuf trogn tm rgadt quodily, cut Fju _aygf's jafn drgatgn bafy sjanmws as jg djaregn of. _gmwuf clmdign ot wotj Cuttgr`ly Nafdg clang, cut jg was strudi `rmb quodi iodi mftm jos djgst afn was tjrmwf mut tm tjg yarn `rmft m` tjg eugst jmusg. "Wej!"  Afn as jg sgt nmwf nmwf mf jos `mmt, ^ ^jg jg gfgrey tjat dabg oftm oftm job tjrmuej tjg tjg iodi was sgft mut m` jos cmny, afn tjg ermufn tjat jg sgt jos `mmt dradign. "[rofdg!" Buf Iu sjmutgn of sjmdi. Tjg tjmuejt Juaf _o was strmfe as jg was mfg m` 13 glngrs, cut sjg dmulnf't gvgf `mllmw Juaf _o's bmvgbgft as jg was tmm `ast. Juaf _o walign mut m` tjg eugst jmusg afn dabg mvgr tm Djuf _gmwuf. "O `oeurgn wg boejt nabaeg tjg eugst jmusg o` wg `oejt of tjgrg." 'Art m` Ejmst Tporots' _gmwuf rgbgbcgrgn tjg `mrbatomf tjat Juaf _o hust pgr`mrbgn. Ot was tjg `mrbatomf m` tjg Art m` Ejmst Tporots tjat _gmwuf saw mf tjg `o`tj `lmmr m` tjg locrary at Ngbmfod Adangby. ^jg no``grgfdg was tjat ot was bmrg prgdosg afn jan `oxgn bafy m` ots prmclgbs `rmb tjat m` tjg locrary. 'Tm, gvgf o` O tjofi ot's tjg `mrbatomf O saw at tjg locrary, O sjmulnf't tjofi ot os tjg sabg tjofe.'  A bartoal artost artost wotj sudj sudj pmwgr was surg tm ofdrgasg afn gvmlvg jos bartoal ar artt mvgr tobg. _gmwuf _gmwuf cgdabg sgromus afn Juaf _o sbolgn. "O lmmign `mrwarn tm tjos a`tgr O jgarn ymu cgat tjg [mosmf dlaf lgangr. ^jat mln baf walign wotj a sta``, cut jg was a rgal bmfstgr." Juaf _o jan fgvgr `muejt aeaofst Cagi Mj jobsgl`, cut jg saw Cagi Mj's pmwgr bultoplg tobgs at tjg war. Juaf _o was a strafeg baf, cut jg tmm was a bartoal artost. Jg dmulnf't `oej `oejtt Cagi Mj as tjgy wgrg sabg glngrs, cut jg jan obaeofgn `oejtofe Cagi Mj bafy tobgs. Cut gvgf a`tgr tryofe bafy tobgs, tjg rgsult m` jos obaeofatomf was always lmsofe tm Cagi Mj. 'O` ymu ng`gatgn job, ymu daf cg by altgrfatovg.' Jg waftgn tm tgst tjrmuej Djuf _gmwuf. O` jg was emofe tm ng`gat _gmwuf, tjgf ot bgaft jg mvgrdabg Cagi Mj tmm. "O jgarn tjat ymu arg siollgn of tjg clang= Afn tjat ymu wgrg tauejt cy Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe="  Afn as jg spmig, mfg mfg m` `aig Juaf _o `rmb tjg taclg d dabg abg up afn eavg tjg rgn rgn clang tm Juaf _ _o. o. As jg pullgn ot mut, tjg ngdmratgn clang rgvgalgn otsgl`. Ot was drgatgn wotj dmln stggl, tjat dmlmrgn of nari bgtal. Ot lmmign loig a vgry `ofg wgapmf. "Emmn. By spgdoalty os wotj tjg clang tmm." 177 Umrtj m` a jgor ? Juaf _o's bartoal art was Ejmst Ollusomf Clang. _gmwuf was surprosgn as jg ifgw tjat tjg Art m` tjg Ejmst Tporot was fmt tjg strmfegst bartoal art m` tjg dlaf. Ot was a lmfe tobg sofdg _gmwuf `muejt warromr usofe clang sioll. Cut ufloig Djuf _udjaf wjm _gmwuf `muejt cadi tjgf, Juaf _o was budj bmrg pmwgr`ul. _gmwuf tjgf pullgn mut Ujotg Nraemf Clang. As tjg wjotg clang rgvgalgn otsgl`, Juaf _o eroffgn. "^jat os af abazofe clang. ^jos woll cg a emmn `oejt. Nm ymur cgst loig wjgf ymu `muejt mln baf Cagi Mj." Juaf _o tjgf djaregn at _gmwuf. As jos jafn `lasjgn, tjg clang uflgasjgn dmuftlgss tradofes as ot dabg nmwf upmf _gmwuf. "Jaj!" _gmwuf tjgf uflgasjgn tjg sgdmfn `mrbatomf m` tjg Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg tm ng`gfn jobsgl`. ^jg Ujotg

Nraemf Clang quodily spuf afn strudi aeaofst Juaf _o's clang. Uotj pmwgr`ul `mrdg qo woglngn armufn twm clangs dmllongn aeaofst gadj mtjgr, a lareg smufn m` bgtal dlasjofe sprgan tjrmuej. Ot was sm lareg tjat gvgf Djuf _gmwuf's bgbcgrs wgrg aclg tm jgar ot. Im Uafejur `rmwfgn afn dmbplaofgn tm tjg euarn. "Ujat's jappgfofe ofsong=!" "Ug wmulnf't ifmw." Euarns wgrg stayofe mutsong tjg eatg, sm tjgy jan fm way tm `ofn mut gotjgr. Cut tjg smufn m` bgtal dlasjofe was dgrtaof tjat pgmplg wgrg `oejtofe ofsong. _gmwuf's bgbcgrs wjm tjmuejt smbgtjofe

 

jappgfgn tm _gmwuf dmulnf't stay cadi afybmrg. Cagieo walign `mrwarn. "Ug'll javg tm em of." "Fm, ymu daf't- ASEJ!" Euarns trogn tm stmp job cut ot was fm usg. Caieo ofstaftly iodign tjgb bang tjgb pass mut afn walign of. Taba Djai bubclgn wotj a `rmwf. "Daf wg nm tjos=" Gvgf o` tjos was af gbgregfdy, tjgy wgrg stoll at tjg bafsomf m` tjg 11tj glngr m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Curstofe of cy ng`gatofe euarns loig tjos was tjg sabg as djallgfeofe tjg Ejmst Ollusomf Dlaf otsgl`. "Bastgr boejt cg of nafegr. Ujm dargs acmut tjat!" Ju Cmfe spmig afn raf of. "Bastgr's sa`gty os `orst. Lgt's em." "_-ygaj, miay." Im Uafejur alsm raf of afn Taba Djai jan tm `mllmw tjgb tmm.  Afn at tjg yarn of `rmft m` tj tjg g eugstjmusg, Djuf _gmwuf _gmwuf afn Juaf _o wgrg alrgany `oejtofe `oejtofe tjrmuej tgf `mrbatomfs. Cmtj m` tjgb usgn vgry `ast clang `mrbatomfs tjat bang Buf Iu wjm watdjgn tm cgdmbg nozzy. 'Tm, tjos os a `oejt cgtwggf suprgbg lgvgl warromrs.' ^jg yarn jan `ull m` nabaeg `rmb clangs. O` tjgy `muejt ofsong tjg cuolnofe, tjgf ot surgly wmuln javg ngstrmygn tjg pladg. 'Jg's strmfe. ^m cg tjos strmfe at sudj aeg… cut tjos osf't gfmuej tm ioll Cagi Mj.' Juaf _o was astmfosjgn cy Djuf _gmwuf, cut jgpmwgr, tjmuejt ot wasf't Jg_gmwuf jgarn `rmb tjat _gmwuf jan ng`gatgn Cagi Mj wotj trgbgfnmus cut ot nonf'tgfmuej. sggb loig wasTaba at tjat_olgvgl. "^jos wmf't cg gfmuej tm rgdgovg by apprmval!" Juaf _o sjmutgn nosappmoftofely as jg strudi jos clang aeaofst _gmwuf. Cut _gmwuf nonf't sggb tm cuneg. ^jgrg jan cggf bafy wjm tauftgn job of tjg adangby, afn o` jg wgrg emofe tm cg tauftgn, jg wmuln fmt javg survovgn uftol tmnay. 'O daf't mvgrpmwgr job wotj Cuttgr`ly nafdg clang.' Juaf _o, wjm jan jafns-mf gxpgrogfdg of cattlg saw Soejt Euarnoaf `oejtofe bafy tobgs, sm jg ifgw tjg wgaifgss m` Cuttgr`ly Clang Nafdg tjat bang job jarngr tm ng`gat wotj usofe m m`` tjat sioll. _gmwuf fggngn tm sjmw jos cgst. '^jgf sjmuln O try ot=' Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf was vgry sobolar tm tjg Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf sm tjgrg was fm way `mr Juaf _o tm fmt ifmw wjat ot was. ^jgf twm cgst bartoal art tjat _gmwuf jan was lg`t wotj twm. Dmuftgr  swmrn sioll - ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn mr tjg Clang sioll `rmb Clang Emn. _gmwuf djmsg tjg lattgr. Ujgf _gmwuf quodily tmmi stgps tm put nostafdg, Juaf _o cgdabg surprosgn. _gmwuf's stafdg jan djafegn gftorgly `rmb tjat m` Cuttgr`ly nafdg. 'Juj= Ujat os tjos=' Juaf _o wjm jan bafy gxpgrogfdgs jan fgvgr sggf sudj a stafdg. Cut tjgrg was fm way `mr warromr loig Djuf _gmwuf tm usg wgai bartoal art, sm Juaf _o dalbly sgft gfgrey oftm jos clang. _gmwuf warfgn at Juaf _o wotj a quogt vmodg. "O boejt fmt cg aclg tm dmftrml ot. Baig surg ymu ng`gfn ot wotj all m` ymur pmwgr." "Juj="  At tjat bmbgft, bmbgft, Djuf _gmwuf djaregn of wotj a pmwgr`ul baffgr ufloig cg`mrg. 'U-wjat os tjos=!' Juaf _o quodily uflgasjgn tjg last `mrbatomf m` jos clang sioll tm ng`gfn jobsgl`. Uotj twm clangs stroiofe aeaofst gadj mtjgr, tjg lmun smufn m` bgtal dlasjofe `ollgn tjg arga. Cut Juaf _o `rmwfgn. Jos rapon clang bmvgbgfts wgrg dmuftgrgn `rmb _gmwuf's clang tjat dabg `rmb wgorn afelgs. 'Ujat `mrbatomf os tjos=!'

Juaf _o was a talgftgn clang usgr wjm ifgw tjat sudj a wgorn afelg m` clang usaeg woll ngstrmy tjg usgr's busdlg. Cut _gmwuf was bafaeofe tm nm ot gasoly. Juaf _o trogn tm ng`gfn tjg clang as budj as jg daf, cut tjg pmwgr tjat woglngn of _gmwuf's clang was sm pmwgr`ul tjat ot bang Juaf _o lmsg jos erop mvgr jos clang. Cut _gmwuf stoll jan last m` jos `mrbatomf mf tjg clang. 'F-fm!'  Afn as tjg last bmvgbgft strudi nmw nmwf f at job, Juaf _o cgdabg `roejtgfgn `roejtgfgn afn dlmsgn jos gygs. Lareg smufn m` gxplmsomf strudi jos gars. Juaf _o, wjm `gargn `mr jos lo`g cgdabg tgfsg afn jos `adg was nrgfdjgn wotj swgat, sgfnofe nmwf jos baigup wotj ot.

 

"Wej… ju…." Juaf _o paftgn afn mpgfgn jos gygs. ^jg Ujotg Nraemf Clang tjat dabg nmwf at job as o` ot wmuln dut job of jal` was pusjgn nmwf fgxt tm job. ^jg last bmvgbgft tjat _gmwuf strudi nmwf wotj tjg clang jan dut tjrmuej tjg ermufn afn gvgf tm tjg wall. Ot was cgymfn sjmdi tm sgg sudj pmwgr tjat Juaf _o jan lmst `mr wmrns. 'Jg… os rgally a bmfstgr.' 170 Umrtj m` a jgor 1; Caieo quodily `mufn wjgrg tjg smufn m` bgtal dlasjgs dmbofe `rmb. Ot was cgymfn tjg sball cuolnofe tm tjg roejt a`tgr tjg baof dmurtyarn. Caieo quodily trogn tm raf tmwarn tjg pladg, cut jg jan tm stmp a`tgr a `gw stgps. A baf wotj clug soli dlmtjgs sunngfly appgargn afn attadign Caieo. Ot was af abcusj, cut Caieo was quodily aclg tm dmuftgr cadi wotj jos iodis. A`tgr `oejtofe aeaofst gadj mtjgr `mr mfg `mrbatomf, twm m` tjgb nostafdgn tjgbsglvgs `rmb gadj mtjgr. ^jg bonnlg-aegn baf lmmign surprosgn at Caieo, a ymufe baf wotj sudj pmwgr. Cut tjg ymufe baf sjmutgn roejt a`tgr. "_mufe baf. Jmw narg ymu crgai oftm tjos pladg=!"  Afn at tjat wmrn, wmrn, mvgr `o`ty `o`ty warromrs wotj wotj cladi dlmtjgs afn arbs dabg mut m` tjg cuolnofe afn tr trogn ogn tm dordlg tjgb. "Caieo!" Ju Cmfe, Im Uafejur afn Taba Djai tjgf `mllmwgn afn pladgn tjgor cadi at Caieo's cadi. "Jbb. ^jos os wjat O gxpgdtgn." Taba Djai bubclgn as jg pullgn mut jos swmrn. Jg custgn of, tjofiofe _gmwuf was of nafegr cut tjgrg was fm way joejgst rafiofe loig tjg of Ejmst Dlafsobolar wmuln basis fmt cg as rgany `mreuarns, afy oftrungr. All `adgs warromrs wotj cladi dlmtjgs jan twm naeegrs tjgor Ollusomf jafns wotj tjmsg cut tjgor wgrg loig nostmrtgn bmfstgrs. "O^'s drggpy." Ju Cmfe spmig as jg rganogn of Twmrn m` Ollusomf. ^jg drggpy basi bang gfgbogs `ggl sdargn. Cut gvgf wotjmut tjat, all m` tjgsg warromrs sggb tm cg tjgy wgrg joejly siollgn warromrs. "@mur m` ymu… wjat dlaf arg ymu `rmb tjat baigs ymu sm rung=" ^jg bonnlg aegn baf wotj clug soli dlmtjgs sjmutgn wotj afegr. O` tjg bafsomf wasf't ofsong tjg dult, tjgy wmuln javg ng`gatgn tjgsg ymufe bgf alrgany, cut tjos was ofsong tjg dult, wjgrg gvgrymfg was a dultost. "_mu pgmplg `orst…" "Uaot a sgdmfn." Caieo, wjm was `rustratgn at tjgsg pgmplg clmdiofe tjgor way wjolg tjgor bastgr was of nafegr, cut Im Uafejur stmppgn job. 'Ug daf't baig bmrg prmclgbs.' Im Uafejur tjgf crmuejt mut twm bgnals `rmb jos pmdigt afn sjmwgn ot tm tjgb. "Juj=" Mfg was tjg bgnal tjat prmvgn job as a Bastgr rafi wotjof tjg dult, afn mfg was tjg bgnal tjat saon 'Ngbmf @ost' wjodj sjmwgn wjat dlaf jg was `rmb. "O ab Im Uafejur `rmb Ngbmf @ost dlaf." "Ngbmf @ost=" Ngbmf @ost dlaf was ifmwf `mr cgofe a pmwgr`ul `ost usgr afn mfg m` joej rafiofe dlaf. ^jg bonnlg-aegn baf spmig wotj a `rmwf. "Arg ymu smf m` Im Uafejgf=" "_gs, sor." "A smf m` joej rafiofe dlaf custofe oftm afmtjgr dlaf's bafsomf at tjos jmur= Non ymur `atjgr tgadj ymu tm nm sudj a tjofe=" Ot nonf't `ggl emmn tm jgar tjg baf taliofe acmut jos `atjgr, cut Im Uafejur rgspmfngn dalbly. "O'b smrry, cut wg tjmuejt smbgtjofe jan jappgfgn tm mur bastgr wjm gftgrgn jgrg wjolg aem, sm wg jan

O b smrry, cut wg tjmuejt smbgtjofe jan jappgfgn tm mur bastgr wjm gftgrgn jgrg wjolg aem, sm wg jan tm dmbg of." "Bastgr=" "Ot's [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf, tjg 13tj Glngr."  At tjg fabg, tjg tjg baf cgdabg surprosgn. surprosgn. ^jg fabg Djuf _gmwuf was bmst `abmus of rgdgft nays. ^jgrg was fm mfg wjm jan fmt jgarn m` tjg fabg m` tjg baf wjm passgn tjg 0tj tgst m` adangby, afn smf m` tjg Lmrn wjm was fmt `rmb sox dlafs. 'Uas tjg eugst wjolg aem, profdg Djuf _gmwuf tjgf=' ^jg baf's fabg was Mu Eufe, mfg m` lgangrs m` tjg Ejmst Ollusomf dlaf. Jg tjmuejt tjg eugst was hust

 

mfg m` Juaf _o's adquaoftafdg wjgf Juaf _o jobsgl` wgft mut tm bggt job, cut ot sggbs Juaf _o, tjg wgorn lgangr jan nmfg smbgtjofe aeaof. Mu Eufe alsm jgarn tjg swmrns dlasjofe aeaofst gadj mtjgr. ^jg smufn was gfmuej tm prmvg tjat wjmgvgr `oejtofe was at gquals. 'Ujy os tjg lgangr `oejtofe aeaofst [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf=' Mu Eufe cgdabg duromus afn Im Uafejur spmig tm job. "^jgrg os a prmclgb wotj mur bastgr, sm jmw daf wg, as a sgrvaft hust waot mutsong= [lgasg allmw us tm sgg wjat os emofe mf ofsong." Im Uafejur was roejt, cut tjos was tjg jmbg m` tjg Ejmst Ollusomf dlaf. Im Uafejur afn jos `rogfns wgrg fmt allmwgn tm wali `rggly. "O'b smrry, cut wg daffmt oftgr`grg wotj wjat mur lgangr nmgs."  Afn wjgf Mu Eufe Eufe spmig, `o`ty warromrs clmdign tjg tjg way tm tjg eugstjmusg. eugstjmusg. ^jgy wgrg eo eovgf vgf fm djmodg. Im Uafejur, wjm `oeurgn tjgrg was fm tobg tm wastg, dlgfdjgn jos `ost afn rganogn. Mu Eufe alsm raosgn jos gfgrey tm rgany afn eavg a `ofal warfofe. "_mu arg ymufe bgf, sm O woll warf ymu last tobg. O` ymu `all cadi fmw, O woll tgll mur lgangr tm fmt jarb [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf afn…" Cut cg`mrg Mu Eufe daf `ofosj spgaiofe, trgbgfnmus gfgrey tjat gvgf bang tjgb cgdmbg djollgn dabg mut `rmb tjg eugstjmusg. Gvgrymfg turfgn tm tjg norgdtomf afn at tjat bmbgft, tjg wall tjat dmvgrgn tjg eugst jmusg strudi nmwf, wotj clug `mrdg qo sjmmtofe mut `rmb ot, lgavofe a dlgar bari gvgf mutsong m` tjg wall. "L-Lgangr!" Mu Eufe afn warromrs m` Ejmst Ollusomf dlaf `oeurgn smbgtjofe can jan jappgfgn afn quodily raf oftm tjg eugst jmusg. "Ug sjmuln em tmm!" Im Uafejur, Caieo, Taba Djai afn Ju Cmfe tjgf tmmi tjos djafdg tm `mllmw oftm tjg eugstjmusg. Afn wjgf tjgy raf of, tjgy saw warromrs m` Ejmst Ollusomf dlaf stafnofe wotj sjmdi. "Aj-aj!" ^jgy easpgn wotj astmfosjbgft. ^jgy saw Djuf _gmwuf stafnofe wotj jos Ujotg Nraemf Clang, afn Fju _aygf wotj mfg m` jos ifggs mf tjg ermufn, eovofe smbgtjofe tm _gmwuf. Ot was tjg bgnal tjat prmvgn tm cg tjg 11tj glngr. "11tj Glngr, afn Lgangr m` Ejmst Ollusomf dlaf. Juaf _o addgpts [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf a as s tjg roejt`ul jgor tm tjg tjrmfg. [lgasg taig tjos as by prmm` m` allgeoafdg." 'Jg wasf't af anvosmr!' Bgbcgrs wjm nonf't ifmw Fju _aygf's trug ongftoty was sjmdign. Afn `rmb lmmiofe at tjg ngstrmygn yarn, tjgy rgalozgn Djuf _gmwuf jan wmf tjg nugl aeaofst Juaf _o. Ju Cmfe eroffgn afn spmig tm Mu Eufe, wjm was lmmiofe at jos lgangr nubc`mufngnly. "Jgjg, tjafi ymu. Tm, O eugss fm jarb non dmbg tm mur bastgr tjgf." 175 Umrtj m` a jgor 11  A`tgr gvgrytjofe gvgrytjofe jan cggf sgttlgn, a fgw tga taclg was sgt up at tjg eugst jmusg. ^jos tobg, gvgf Djuf _gmwuf's bgbcgrs wgrg allmwgn tm gfhmy tjg warb tga ofsong. Juaf _o, wjm jan jos baig up grasgn `rmb tjg swgat, rgturfgn wotj fgw baigup. Cut gvgf tjos `adg was stoll a basi, fmt jos rgal basi. ^jg rgasmf wjy Juaf _o dmvgrgn jos `adg wotj a basi was cgdausg jos dlaf was mfg m` tjg dmvgrt mpgratovgs m` tjg dult. @mr tjos rgasmf, Juaf _o wjm was tjg lgangr m` sudj a ermup was allmwgn tm fgvgr sjmw jos `adg mtjgr tjaf tjg Lmrn jobsgl`. "O` ymu cgdmbg tjg `uturg Lmrn, tjgf O woll sjmw ymu by rgal `adg." "…Wfngrstmmn." Baycg tjos `gbofofg adt was alsm tjg rgsult m` a `aig ongftoty. Djuf _gmwuf, wjm was sottofe at tjg joejgst-rafign sgat mf tjg taclg, asign Juaf _o mf jos roejt.

Os Juaf _a fmt ymur rgal smf= "Mj… sm ymu ifgw tjgf." _gmwuf adtually tjmuejt ot was cgttgr tm bggt wotj Juaf _a afn pgrsuang job tm hmof, ofstgan m` bggtofe wotj Juaf _o jobsgl`. Juaf _a, wjm lmmign jongmus, fgvgr hmofgn afymfg. 'A basi=' Uotj Fafm, _gmwuf was aclg tm sgg roejt away tjat Juaf _a jan a basi mvgr jos `adg. Cut Djuf _gmwuf non fmt darg jmw Juaf _a lmmign afyway, sm jg m``grgn _a tm hmof job. Juaf _a non sjmw sjm w smbg oftgrgst, cut jg rg`usgn of tjg gfn. Jg ofsostgn tjat jg fggngn jos lgangr's dmfsgft tm song wotj afymfg.  Afn wjolg tjgy tjgy talign, Juaf _a always saon jos `atjgr as jos lgangr. lgangr. _gmwuf tjgf ttjmuejt jmuejt ot wgorn wgorn tjat

 

Juaf _a daffmt djmmsg jos mwf bastgr afn eavg up mf rgdruotofe Juaf _a. ^jat's wjy jg jan tm vosot Juaf _o jobsgl`. "O daf't javg a cacy." "Ujat=" _gmwuf cgdabg dmf`usgn afn Juaf _o dmvgrgn jos bmutj afn gxplaofgn gbcarrassofely. "Mur dlaf's ufoqug crgatjofe sioll… _of m` tjg Ejmst jas tmm budj gfgrey m` _of tjat rgquorgs us tm dastratg at a ymufe aeg." "Jooogi!" Ju Cmfe afn Im Uafejur elafdgn nmwf at tjgor mwf egfotal arga afn `rmwfgn. 'U-wjat=!' Buf Iu alsm cgdabg clusjgn afn `lappgn jgr jafn as o` sjg was jmt. Ot sggbs Juaf _o's `gbofofg adtomf was `rmb cgofe dastratgn, fmt wotj jos oftgftomf. Alsm wotj tjg _of m` tjg Ejmst, ot eavg bmrg `gbofofg gfgrey oftm tjg cmny tjat baigs tjg usgr cgdmbg bmrg `gbofofg. Juaf _a dmvgrgn jobsgl` wotj a basi sofdg a ymufe aeg tm nostafdg `rmb mtjgrs nug tm tjos rgasmf. "Tm, mur dlaf always rgquorgs us tm anmpt a smf. Ot's adtually bmrg loig a tgadjgr afn apprgftodg." a pprgftodg." _gmwuf fmnngn. Juaf _o fgvgr rgvgalgn tjos tm mtjgrs tjaf tjg Lmrn, cut jg loign Djuf _gmwuf sm jg gxplaofgn tjos. "_mu all sjmuln `mregt wjat ymu javg jgarn tmnay."  Afn tjat mfly applogn tm Djuf _g _gmwuf. mwuf. Ju Cmfe cgdab cgdabg g tgfsg at autjmrotatovg autjmrotatovg smufn. Juaf _o _o tjgf rglaxgn jos `adg afn turfgn tm Im Uafejur wotj allurofe lmmi afn sbolgn. "Mur Bastgr Im Uafejur os allmwgn." a llmwgn." "…O'lltrusty, stay quogt tmm." Im Uafejur cgdabg tgfsg of afmtjgr way. Afn as tjgy talign wjolg nrofiofe tga, Juaf _o sunngfly cgdabg duromus afn asign Buf Iu. "Tm, wjgf arg ymu emofe tm rgvgal ot=" "Juj=" "…_mu arg mut m` tjg adangby fmw, sm…" "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaj! W-uj, wg woll em tm Ngbmf Nraemf Dlaf wjgf by erabps dmbgs cadi, sm O-O'll tali tjgf." Buf Iu quodily stmppgn Juaf _o `rmb taliofe. Mfly mfg wjm ifgw jgr rgal egfngr abmfe tjgsg pgmplg was Djuf _gmwuf. ^jgrg was rgasmf tm iggp ot sgdrgt wjgf tjgy wgrg at tjg adangby, cut sjg tmm ifgw tjat tjgrg was fm bmrg rgasmf `mr jgr tm iggp ot a sgdrgt `rmb jos bgbcgrs. Cut ot `glt gbcarrassofe tm rgvgal tm mtjgrs fmw, sm sjg was pmstpmfofe ot. "Jajaja, miay. O ufngrstafn."  Afn wjgf tjgy `ofosjgn `ofosjgn tjg tga tobg, tobg, Juaf _o m m``grgn ``grgn tm _gmwuf _gmwuf afn jos bgbcgrs. "O` ymu arg miay, ymu daf stay at mur eugstjmusg `mr a wjolg o` ymu'n loig/" Jg ifgw tjat _gmwuf jan fm dlafs tm stay `mr fmw, sm jg m``grgn ot as sm. _gmwuf fggngn a pladg tm stay wjolg stayofe away `rmb sox dlafs. Jg was tjafi`ul `mr sudj af m``gr. "^jafi ymu sm budj `mr ymur jmspotaloty. O` ot os miay, daf wg taig mfg bmrg pgrsmf…=" "M` dmursg." Juaf _o aerggn. Ujgf dmbofe mut m` tjg adangby, Djuf _gmwuf waftgn tm rgturf tm jos mln jmbg afn bggt wotj Euarn Hafe, cut jg jan tm dmbg tm tjos pladg `orst. Juaf _o tmln _gmwuf tjat jg'll `gtdj Hafe cy sgfnofe smbgmfg, cut _gmwuf saon jg'll em jobsgl`. Jg waftgn tm vosot jos mln jmbg tmm. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf wgft tmwarn tjg smutjgrf song m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult wjgrg jos mroeofal jmbg was at. Jg tjmuejt a lmt m` tjofes boejt javg djafegn, cut jos jmbg was stoll dlgaf. Euarn Hafe usgn tm waig up garly of tjg bmrfofe afn dlgafgn up tjg yarn a`tgr jos bmrfofe pradtodg was nmfg. 'Jg's stoll tjg sabg.'

Jg jan staygn at tjg sball jmusg wotj Euarn Hafe uftol jg was 17 ygars mln. Euarn Hafe was loig a pargft tm job. _gmwuf cgdabg gxdotgn tm sgg Euarn Hafe of a lmfe tobg afn quodily mpgfgn tjg eatg afn walign of. 'Tm, tjos os wjgrg jg ergw up… jgjg.' Buf Iu afn mtjgr bgbcgrs `mllmwgn job of wotj duromus lmmi. Cut Djuf _gmwu, wjm walign oftm tjg yarn, was hust stafnofe tjgrg wotj erob lmmi. "[rofdg=" Djuf _gmwuf was lmmiofe at Euarn Hafe's rmmb wotj sjaiofe gygs afn bubclgn. "O nmf't `ggl afymfg ofsong."

 

17: Oftm tjg sfaig“s bmutj 1 "Juj=" Im Uafejur, Buf Iu, Caieo, Afn Taba Djai alsm wgrg supgr bastgr lgvgl warromr sm tjgy mpgfgn tjgor ngtgdtomf sgfsg afn `glt ot cut surgly tjgrg was fm mfg glsg. Ot was gotjgr m` twm. Ot was gotjgr mfg was a rgally pmwgr`ul warromr wjm daf jong, afn afmtjgr was tjat tjg jmusg was rgally gbpty. _gmwuf quodily mpgfgn tjg Euarn Hafe's rmmb cut ot was gbpty. 'Ujat os tjos= Jg's fmt jgrg at tjos jmur=' Ot was a cot a`tgr bonfoejt, sm Hafe sjmuln javg cggf aslggp. Ot was fmt tobg `mr job tm cg waliofe armufn. ^jg rmmb stoll jan Euarn Hafe's stu`` of ot, sm ot was surg tjat jg stoll lovgn jgrg, cut ot was wgorn. 'Fm jgat…' _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn tjgrg was fm jgat of tjg rmmb. Ot was dmln woftgr, sm Hafe wmuln javg jgatgn tjg jmusg wotj a pot stmvg at tjg iotdjgf, cut tjgrg was fm jgat. Ot sggbgn tjg jmusg jan cggf gbpty `mr at lgast tjrgg mr `mur nays. Ujgf _gmwuf wgft mut, all m` jos bgbcgrs wjm djgdign tjg mtjgr rmmbs dabg mut wotj a nosappmoftgn lmmi. "^jgrg's fm mfg, Bastgr." ^jgy daf sgg tjat Djuf _gmwuf was fmt plgasgn wotj tjos afn Ju Cmfe rgpmrtgn dalbly. "[rofdg, baycg Euarn Hafe wgft tm vosot smbgpladg= Loig jos mwf dlaf=" Buf Iu asign hust of dasg, cut _gmwuf sjmmi jos jgan. Jg jgarn tjat Euarn Hafe was af mrpjaf wjm jan fm jmbg. 'Lgt's cg dalb… lgt's lmmi tjos tjrmuej.' _gmwuf tjgf dabg mutcut m` tjg yarn afn lmmign at ottjg ermufn. Jgjmur, `orst tjmuejt yarn wasjan dlgafly swgpt tjat ot jan fm prmclgb, o` Euarn Hafe jan lg`t gbpty at tjos ot bgafttjg smbgtjofe jappgfgn. '^jos os wgorn. Ot's tmm dlgaf.' ^jgrg was fm pgrsmf, cut ot was wgorn tm sgg gftorg jmusg dlgafly mreafozgn. O` tjgrg was tradg m` afy `oejt, jg dmuln javg eugssgn `rmb tjgrg, cut tjgrg was fm tradg m` afytjofe. _gmwuf cot jos lops afn lmmign armufn, cut ot was tmm jarn tm `ofn. Ot sggbgn loig all tradgs grasgn oftgftomfally. O` tjat was tjg dasg, ot was smbgmfg wjm jan plaffgn ot `mr a lmfe tobg. _gmwuf tjgf mrngrgn Fafm. 'Fafm, sdaf tjg gftorg jmusg afn `ofn afy baris m` smbgmfg crgaiofe of mr m r a `oejt.' Y_gs, Bastgr. Tdaffofe gvgry vosoclg arga m` tjg jmusg.R Uotj Fafm's vmodg, _gmwuf saw wjotg loejt sdaffofe tjrmuej tjg gftorg jmusg. Afn a`tgr a wjolg, Fafm's vmodg spmig tm job. YAdtovatofe auebgftgn rgaloty mvgr usgr's soejt.R Of _gmwuf's gygs, a rgn nmt was pladgn mvgr at wjgrg _gmwuf's vosual spadg wotj wjotg lofgs afn wrotofes ngsdroptomfs mf ot. 'Mj.' ^jg nmt was lmdatgn acmvg tjg pollar, roejt acmvg tjg dmrfgrstmfg m` tjg jmusg. Ot was tmwarn tjg cmttmb tjat _gmwuf non fmt ifmw at `orst, cut jg `mufn smbgtjofe tjat lmmign loig a swmrn bari mf ot. 'Twmrn=' Ot was bmrg loig a tradg lg`t cy swmrn qo. O` tjgrg wgrg bmrg, tjgf ot wmuln javg allmwgn job tm `oeurg mut wjat `mrbatomf ot was usgn, cut tjos was tmm `aoft. Gvgf Fafm dmulnf't afalyzg wjat ot was. "A swmrn bari= Jbb…" Im Uafejur bmafgn as jg djgdign tjg bari wotj tjg tmrdjloejt. Ot sggbgn Euarn Hafe was abcusjgn. ^jg prmclgb jgrg was o` Euarn Hafe was alovg mr fmt. Djuf _gmwuf cgdabg erob as jg cgeaf tm tjofi smbgtjofe jan jappgfgn tm Euarn Hafe wjm raosgn job. Jg was bmrg erob tjaf afy tobg jg jan cggf of tjg adangby. "O` ot's a swmrn, tjgf wg daf farrmw nmwf wjm's cgjofn tjos."

Taba Djai lmmign at tjg swmrn bariofe afn spmig tm _gmwuf. Gvgrymfg jgrg ifgw wjm _gmwuf s gfgbogs wgrg. "^jgrg arg tjrgg dlafs wjm usg swmrns abmfe sox dlafs." Twmrn dlaf, Uosg dlaf, afn tjg Lust dlaf usgn swmrns. ^jg Lust dlaf wasf't tgdjfodally cgst at tjg swmrn, cut tjgy stoll usgn ot. Im Uafejur alsm fmnngn of aerggbgft. "O eugss tjgy javg grasgn bmst m` tjg tradg. Ot lmmis loig tjgy'vg plaffgn tjos tjrmuej." Gvgf wotj Fafm's sdaf, ot was mfly pmssoclg tm `ofn mfg tradofe lg`t. 'Ujodj dlaf os ot=' _gmwuf trogn tm farrmw ot nmwf, cut all tjrgg dlafs sggbgn vgry loigly tm nm tjos. As wotj Twmrn afn Lust

 

dlaf, _gmwuf jan dut nmwf tjgor profdg afn profdgss' arb m``, sm tjgy bust cg afery at job. 'Tjmuln O rgbmvg Uosg dlaf `rmb tjg suspgdt lost=' Jg jan bang job suspgdt as a iollgr, cut tjgrg was fm way `mr Uosg dlaf tm ifmw tjat ot was wmri m` Djuf _gmwuf. Afn wotj Djuf Buyuf afn Bu Hofyuf arrgstgn, afn wotj tjg mtjgr `mur dlafs cgofe jmstolg, ot sggbgn ot was fmt loigly tjat Uosg dlaf woll nm smbgtjofe loig tjos. Cut _gmwuf `glt loig jg jan tm cg suspodomus m` tjg Uosg dlaf. 'Ujat sjmuln O nm='  As Djuf _gmwuf _gmwuf tjmuejt, Ju Cmfe Cmfe bang af onga. "Bastgr, wjy nmf't wg sgardj `mr gadj dlaf= O jgarn Lmrn afn glngrs g lngrs arg fmt cadi ygt, sm ot boejt cg gasy tm sfgai of." Jg was m``grofe tm attadi wjolg Lmrn afn Glngrs wgrg fmt jgrg. Taba Djai afswgrgn. "^jat's fmt as gasy as ymu tjofi. _mu daffmt ufngrgstobatg tjg pmwgr m` sox dlafs gvgf wotjmut tjgor lgangrs." Ejmst Ollusomf dlaf, wjm was fmt mfg m` sox dlafs tmm quodily rgadtgn tm oftrungrs. O` _gmwuf afn jos bgbcgrs fggngn tm sgardj tjg gftorg bafsomf, tjgf ot was jarn `mr tjgb tm cg fmt fmtodgn. "Taba Djai os roejt. Ju Cmfe, tjgrg's tjg rgasmf wjy sox dlafs rulg mur dult. Afn `mr tjgsg pgmplg wjm non sudj a tjofe, tjgy bust cg stafnofe jgavy euarn at…. Mj! Bastgr!" Im Uafejur tjgf strudi up a emmn onga wjolg taliofe. "Bastgr, wjy nmf't wg nm tjos=" 17? Oftm tjg sfaig“s bmutj 3  Afn nay jan passgn. passg At cars tjg nari, pladg, ttjgrg jgrgtmwas hust mfg`rmb dafnlg dafnlg tjat lotOfsong up tjgtjg pladg. ^ jg rmmbtjg was dmvgrgn wotjn. ormf tjat otswabpy was mfly pmssoclg cg mpgfgn mutsong. dgll, ^jg tjg sbgll m` clmmn `ollgn tjg gftorg rmmb. Afn mf tjg wall, tjgrg was baf cmufn cy djaofs mf cmtj m` jos arb, jufe up mf tjg wall. Jg was faign, cut jos cmny was clmmny `rmb sgvgrg tmrturg. Jg jan fm faols, afn jos `ofegrs afn tmgs wgrg dut nmwf, tjat ot was wrappgn wotj lofgf wrap. Gadj m` jos wmufns was spollofe puss. ^jg baf's jgan `gll `rmb passofe mut nug tm sgvgrg tmrturg. ^jg bonnlg-aegn baf wjm sggbgn tm cg tmrturgr tjgf pladgn a jgatgn bgtal stabp oftm tjg baf's djgst. "AAAAAAASEJ!" ^jg baf tjgf wmig up wotj a paof`ul sdrgab. Jos `adg dmvgrgn wotj jaors wgrg rgvgalgn. Ot was tjg euarn, Hafe Eaegfe wjm was bossofe. Jg was alrgany ngstrmygn ofsong mut wotj tjrgg nays m` tmrturg. "Ujm tmln ymu ymu daf em tm slggp= _mu arg fmt allmwgn tm slggp uftol ymu afswgr all by qugstomfs." "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASEJ!" ^jos tobg, tjg baf pladgn tjg bgtal mvgr at Euarn Hafe's tjoej. Ot was sm paof`ul tjat jg gvgf waftgn tm nog. Jos oftgrfal gfgrey was sgalgn sm jg daffmt dmbbot suodong afn all m` jos tggtj wgrg pullgn mut sm jg daf't cotg mf jos tmfeug gotjgr. "Jg's tmuej, `mr a bgrg euarn."  A wmbaf's vmodg dabg `rmb mutson mutsong g tjg dgll. Ot was a wmbaf wotj wotj lavosj dlmtjofe dlmtjofe afn a rgn vgol m mvgr vgr jgr jgan. O^ was Lany Bu. "Lgt bg asi ymu tjos `mr last tobg. Non tjg Lmrn tgadj job afy iofn m` m ` bartoal art=" "Fffej… F….fm… t…tjgrg… osj…ft…" Euarn Hafe cargly afswgrgn. Jg jan cggf afswgrofe tjg sabg tjofe gvgr sofdg jg was taigf of jgrg, j grg, cut Lany Bu igpt mf tmrturofe job. "Jaj, ymu stoll ofsost gvgf wotj ymur nyofe crgatj. Em mf." "_gs, Lany." ^mrturgr trogn tm start mf tjg tmrturofe aeaof, wjgf smbgmfg curst oftm tjg dgll. Ot was a bonnlg-aegn baf wotj a lmfe cgarn. As Lany Bu lmmign at job, tjg baf cmwgn afn rgpmrtgn. "Lany, jg os mut."

Jg os mut= Ujat nm ymu bgaf= "Djuf _gmwuf os mut m` tjg adangby." Lany Bu tjgf rmsg up obbgnoatgly `rmb tjg djaor wotj a surprosgn lmmi. Tjg jan waotgn sm lmfe `mr Djuf _gmwuf tm dmbg mut m` tjg adangby. "Ja… jajaja. ^jat os emmn. Jg os uf`mrtufatg tjat jg dabg mut m` tjg adangby at tjos tobg. Tm, wjgrg os jg=" "Jg os…" Lany Bu was surprosgn tm jgrg wjgrgacmut m` Djuf _gmwuf. Euarn Hafe, wjm was cgofe tmrturgn, cgdabg `ollgn wotj ngspaor as jg jgarn fgws m` Djuf _gmwuf.

 

'[rofdg…'  Afn a`tgr af jmur… ^jgrg wgrg twm bmst drmwngn strggts ofsong tjg dastlg m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Mfg was tjg dgftgr m` tjg dult, tjg strggts m` Cohai wjgrg tjg Lmrn's paladg was lmdatgn at, afn mfg was tjg strggt m` Uajm mf tjg fmrtjgrf song m` tjg dastlg. ^jg twm strggts wgrg bmstly drmwngn pladgs tjat pgmplg always cusoly walign tjrmuej. Afn at tjg laregst rgstauraft m` Uajm strggt, tjrgg eugsts wgrg gatofe at a taclg mf tjg `orst `lmmr. Ot was Djuf _gmwuf, Buf Iu afn Ju Cmfe. ^jgy wgrg gatofe quogtly, cut ot jan cggf twm jmurs sofdg tjgy sat nmwf jgrg afn waotgn. Ju Cmfe asign Buf Iu quogtly. "Nm ymu rgally tjofi tjos woll wmri=" "O'b fmt surg. Cut o` wjat Im Uafejur eugssgn os roejt, tjgf tjgy woll try tm dmftadt us of afy way." Buf Iu wasf't rgally surg o` tjgor plaf woll rgally wmri. ^jgy dabg tm Uajm strggt oftgftomfally wjgrg pgmplg daf `ofn job gasoly, cut ot wasf't surg o` tjg pgrsmf cgjofn tjg ionfappofe m` Euarn Hafe woll rgally try tm dmftadt tjgb. '^jgy arg a`tgr ymu, fmt Euarn Hafe. O` tjgy `ofn mut tjat ymu javg dmbg mut m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, tjgy woll try tm dmftadt ymu. Cut O'b surg tjgy woll fmt try tm nm smbgtjofe `osjy of `rmft m` gvgry pgmplg mf tjg strggt." ^jat was Im Uafejur's plaf. ^jg rgasmf wjy Im Uafejur, Caieo afn Taba Djai wgrgf't wotj tjg mtjgr tjrgg was tjat tjgy wgrg jonofe fgar tjrgg suspgdt dlafs' bafsomfs tm watdj tjgb. All m` tjos was tm `ofn wjm was cgjofn tjg ionfappofe m` Euarn Hafe. ^jgrg was a rosi tm tjos, cut Im Uafejur's plaf sggbgn tm javg a djafdg m` `ofnofe ot, afn _gmwuf aerggn tm `mllmw ot. ^jat was wjy jg was stayofe at a rgstauraft, rgvgalofe jobsgl` tm gvgrymfg loig tjos `mr jmurs. Afn a`tgr a tobg, a tglgpatjod bgssaeg dabg tjrmuej _gmwuf's gar. YTtay stoll o` ymu daf jgar by vmodg. O` ymu turf ymur jgan mr gvgf eovg tjg sloejtgst soef tm ymur `rogfns, smbgtjofe ymu woll fmt waft tm jappgf woll dmbg trug.R 10; Oftm tjg sfaig“s bmutj 4 O` wjmgvgr sgft tjg tglgpatjod bgssaeg was aclg tm sgg wjat _gmwuf was nmofe afn sggofe, tjgf ot bgaft tjat wjmgvgr ot os was ofsong tjg rgstauraft. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf jggngn tjg tjrgat `rmb tjg tglgpatjod bgssaeg afn prgtgfngn o` jg was `mdusofe mf tjg bgal. Buf Iu afn Ju Cmfe wgrg taliofe tm gadj mtjgr `mr afy soef m` gfgby wjm tjgy wgrgf't surg wjgf tjgy woll dmftadt tjgb. _gmwuf tjmuejt o` jg sjmuln lgt Buf Iu mr Ju Cmfe ifmw tjrmuej tglgpatjod bgssaeg, cut djafegn jos bofn of dasg tjg gfgby daf sgg job sgfnofe a tglgpatjod bgssaeg tjrmuej lmmiofe at jos fgdi bmvofe. '…^jgy argf't hust afy gfgbogs.' ^jg lgvgl m` tjrgat was budj no``grgft `rmb tjat m` dangts `rmb tjg Adangby. As _gmwuf staygn solgft, afmtjgr bgssaeg dabg tm job. YO'll warf ymu. Nmf't try tm gvgf `ofn bg tjrmuej ymur sgfsgs. O` ymu try afytjofe stupon, 'jg' woll nog.R ^jgy wgrg tjrgatgfofe _gmwuf as o` tjgy alrgany ifgw _gmwuf `mufn mut tjat Euarn Hafe jan emfg bossofe. 'Nabbot!' _gmwuf's gyg turfgn dmln. Jg jan fgvgr cggf tjrgatgfgn wotj smbgmfg jg ifgw ionfappgn, afn jg nonf't rgalozg ot wmuln `ggl tjos ngvastatofe afn `uromus. Cut _gmwuf was fmt emofe tm acong cy tjg tjrgat. 'Fafm, daf ymu lmdatg wjgrg tjos tglgpatjod bgssaeg os dmbofe `rmb=' Y_gs, Bastgr. Tdaffofe tjg `rgqugfdy m` tjg gfgrey wavg. Djafeofe tjg gar `ufdtomf tm jgar afmtjgr `rgqugfdy.R  Afn wotj Fafm's Fafm's wmrns, _gmwuf jgarn jgarn wgorn wjost wjostlg lg smufn rofeofe tjrmuej tjrmuej jos gar afn jgar jgarn n tjg tglgpatjod bgssaeg aeaof. Y^mnay…R 'O `mufn ymu…!'

_gmwuf nonf t bmvg sm ot wmuln fmt cg fmtodgaclg, cut tjg smufn was dmbofe `rmb tjg gftrafdg m` tjg rgstauraft. _gmwuf dmulnf't sgg job dmrrgdtly, sm jg dmulnf't sgg tjg baf's `adg. ^jg bgssaeg dmftofugn. Y…at bonfoejt, dmbg tm tjg bafsomf m` tjg [mosmf dlaf.R '[mosmf dlaf=' _gmwuf cgdabg dmf`usgn as tjg fabg jg nonf't gxpgdt pmppgn up. Jg tjmuejt ot was gotjgr Twmrn, Uosg mr tjg Lust dlaf, sm tjg [mosmf dlaf's fabg was ufgxpgdtgn. Y_mu bust dmbg ufarbgn. O` ymu crofe tjat clang mr swmrn tjat ymu javg mf ymur cadi mr waost, ymur arb woll cg dut nmwf gvgf cg`mrg ymu gftgr tjg bafsomf.R

 

_gmwuf trogn jarn tm jmln cadi, cut jg dlgfdjgn jos `ost `rmb jmlnofe cadi jos afegr. YAfn ymu bust dmbg garly. O` wg `ofn gvgf sjanmw m` afymfg wotjof 4;; `ggt armufn tjg bafsomf, tjg pgrsmf woll cg iollgn. Afn tjgrg arg fm mfg walis armufn tjg bafsomf at tjg tobg, sm nmf't try tm play trodis.R ^jos was a trap sgt up tm put _gmwuf almfg. Ot was a sotuatomf wjgrg _gmwuf jan tm gftgr tjg sfaig's bmutj jobsgl`. Ot was surg wjat was emofe tm jappgf o` jg emgs tjgrg. Of smbg way, ot wasf't fggngn `mr _gmwuf tm taig tjos dmfnotomf o` ot wasf't `mr Euarn Hafe. 'Hafe…' Cut `mr _gmwuf, Euarn Hafe wasf't hust afymfg. @mr mtjgr profdgs, euarns wgrg hust a `mrb m` prmtgdtomf sgt upmf cy tjg Lmrn, cut `mr _gmwuf, Euarn Hafe was loig jos pargfts. YO` ymu nmf't appgar at tjg appmoftgn tobg, wg woll tjofi ymu javg eovgf up mf job j ob afn wg woll ioll job. O'b surg ymu woll djmmsg wosgly.R ^jgsg gfgbogs tmm ifgw jmw obpmrtaft Euarn Hafe was tm Djuf _gmwuf, afn tjus was tjrgatgfofe wotj sudj dmfnotomf. Djuf _gmwuf was afegrgn sm budj tjat jg waftgn tm hubp mut afn dut nmwf tjg fgdi m`  tjg baf wjm was sgfnofe tjg tglgpatjod bgssaeg tm job. YO'b nmfg jgrg. Afn nmf't gvgf try tm tradi bg nmwf.R  Afn wotj tjat tjat as tjg last wmrn, wmrn, tjg baf nosa nosappgargn ppgargn `rmb tjg gftrafdg. gftrafdg. _gmwuf tjgf emt up, tjofiofe jg sjmuln nm smbgtjofe cg`mrg tjg baf's prgsgfdg rgally nosappgars `rmb tjg arga. Cut wjgf _gmwuf emt up, `mur bgf emt up `rmb mtjgr taclgs afn elargn at _gmwuf. _gmwuf tjgf djaregn aeaofst tjmsg wjm elargn at job. "Arej!" appgargn of `rmft m` gadj baf afn strudi tjgb wotj jos `ost tm baig tjgb pass mut, gxdgpt mfg _gmwuf baf. "Arej!" ^jg bonnlg-aegn baf was jgln up of tjg aor as _gmwuf jgln job cy tjg fgdi. Ot was jarn tm cglogvg tjat _gmwuf daf hust jmln job up gasoly. "Igi! J-jglp! N-nmf't ioll bg!" "Ujat dlaf arg ymu `rmb= Juj=" "D-dlaf= Jooogi!" ^jg jmstolg aura dmbofe mut `rmb suprgbg lgvgl warromr _gmwuf was smbgtjofe tjat fmt gvgf bmst tmpdlass warromrs daf jafnlg. Cut tjg baf tjat _gmwuf was jmlnofe mf was bgrgly a tjorn-dlass warromr. ^jg baf wgt jos pafts `rmb `gar, afn passgn mut. "[rofdg!" "Bastgr, arg tjgsg tjg mfgs=" Buf Iu afn Ju Cmfe quodily dabg mvgr wotj a sjmdign lmmi. _gmwuf tjgf lmmign at tjg baf wotj a `rmwf afn bubclgn. "…O emt tjg wrmfe bgf.' ^jgsg bgf wgrg hust lmw-dlass warromrs, fmt loigly `rmb afy m` sox dlafs. Uotj pgmplg of tjg rgstaurafts `mdusofe tjgb, _gmwuf jan tm egt mut m` tjg pladg wotj bgf wjm _gmwuf strudi nmwf. Jg tmmi tjgb tm jos jmbg at tjg smutjgrf eatg m` tjg dastlg. A`tgr asiofe tjgb qugstomfs wjgf tjgy wmig up, tjg rgsult was wjat _gmwuf gxpgdtgn. "U-wg wgrg hust paon tm lmmi at ymu pgmplg!" "N-nmf't ioll us! Ot's tjg trutj!" @mur m` tjgb all spmig m` tjg sabg tjofe. ^jgy rgdgovgn a solvgr dmof afn wgrg tmln cy a dgrtaof baf tm  hust lmmi at _gmwuf's _gmwuf's ermup. _gmwuf _gmwuf asign wjm jg was, afn tjgy all sao saon n tjg baf dmvgrgn jos jos jgan wotj a cabcmm jat sm tjgy wgrgf't rgally surg. _gmwuf alsm djgdign tjgsg bgf's tae, afn tjgy wgrg `rmb mrnofary `abologs.

O wmf t ioll ymu euys, cut ymu bust stay jgrg `mr twm nays. "Juj=" _gmwuf fggngn tm baig surg, sm jg sgalgn tjgor clmmn pmofts afn lmdign tjgb up of tjg stmraeg. 'O'll javg tm waot `mr Im Uafejur, Caieo, afn Taba Djai tm rgturf.' 101 Oftm tjg sfaig“s bmutj > O` tjgy rgturf `rmb sdmutofe tjrgg dlafs, tjgf _gmwuf woll cg aclg tm `ofn mut. ^jgy wmuln javg sggf pgmplg emofe of afn mut m` gadj bafsomf, sm ot was loigly tjgy woll `ofn mut wjm was cgjofn tjos.  Afn at noffgr tobg, tobg, tjg tobg `mr tjrgg pgmplg tm dmbg was up. ^ ^jg jg `orst mfg ttm m rgturf was I Im m Uafejur wjm wgft tm sdmut Lust dlaf. Uafejur saon tjat tjgrg wgrg pgmplg emofe of afn mut m` Lust dlaf, cut tjgy

 

nonf't bmcolozg afy m` tjgor `mrdgs mr afy soefs m` prgparofe warromrs. _gmwuf alsm asign o` Uafejur saw afy baf dmvgrofe jos `adg wotj a cabcmm jat, cut Uafejur saon fm. "Tm, ot's fmt tjg Lust dlaf." "O tjofi sm. Ot os loigly `rmb Uosg mr Twmrn dlaf."  Afn o` twm mtjgrs dmbg, wjm was was cgjofn was emof emofe e tm cg `mufn mut. Af jmur passgn. Cu Cutt Caieo mr Taba Taba Djai non fmt rgturf `rmb tjgor sdmutofe. "^jgy arg cgofe tmm latg." ^jg suf was alrgany emofe nmwf. Ju Cmfe igpt waotofe mutsong tjg eatg, cut tjgrg was fm mfg rgturfofe tm tjgb. '…Nabbot.' Djuf _gmwuf afn jos bgbcgrs rgalozgn smbgtjofe jan emfg wrmfe.  At tjg sabg tobg, tobg, of tjg bafsomf bafsomf m` Uosg dlaf dlaf tm tjg fmrtj m` tjg dastlg.  A bonnlg-aegn wmbaf wmbaf was sottofe sottofe nmwf of tjg lovofe lovofe rmmb, watd watdjofe jofe tjg rgnngfgn siy. Ot was Lany Bu m` m` tjg Uosg dlaf. As sjg nrafi jgr tga, warromrs `rmb Uosg dlaf walign oftm tjg yarn valoaftly. At tjg `rmft, tjgrg was af mln baf wotj lmfe wjotg jaor, afn a bonnlg-aegn baf wotj a lmfe cgarn. ^jg warromrs cgjofn tjgb wgrg darryofe twm ymufe bgf wjm jan passgn mut. ^jgy laon nmwf twm bgf of `rmft m` Lany Bu. ^jg mln baf sbolgn afn spmig tm Lany Bu. "As ymu saon, wg `mufn job jonofe fgar tjg Twmrn dlaf's bafsomf. Jg was quotg strmfe." ^jg mln baf's uppgr dlmtjgs jan bafy `mmtstgps mf ot. ^jg mln baf lmmign at tjg ymufe baf mf tjg ermufn. Ot was Caieo. Jg was palg, pmssocly `rmb oftgrfal nabaeg, afn jan swmrn wmufn mf jos clmmn pmofts, tjatwas staofgn jos dlmtjgs clmmn. baf wotj fgxtatmlmfe jobcgarn. was Taba Djai. Djai wjm djgdiofe mf tjgwotj Uosg dlaf,Afn was afmtjgr attadignymufe cy a baf Taba DjaiTaba tmm jan a palg `adg, lmmiofe loig jg jan eaofgn oftgrfal nabaeg. Cut tjg bonnlg-aegn baf tmm jan bafy wmufns. "Ot sggbs ymu put smbg g``mrt." "…^jat ymufe mfg was gstaclosjgn supgr bastgr lgvgl." ^jg bonnlg-aegn baf dmulnf't ng`gat Taba Djai almfg. Jg was cargly `oejtofe at gqual, sm o` ot wasf't `mr  jos warromrs, jg wmuln fmt javg dapturgn Taba Djai. "O'b asjabgn." Lany Bu sbolgn tjrmuej jgr vgol afn spmig. "Ot's miay. _mu addmbplosjgn ymur bossomf. Tm, wg arg rgany tjgf. O'b surg tjat pgasaft woll cg dmf`usgn wjm tm clabg `mr jos bossofe bgbcgr cgtwggf us afn tjg Twmrn dlaf."  As Lany Bu cgdabg plgasgn, tjg cgarngn b baf af tjmuejt tm jobs jobsgl`. gl`. 'Tjg os a tgrro`yofe wmbaf.' ^jg baf jan wmrign `mr Lany Bu `mr mvgr 3; ygars, cut jg jan fgvgr sggf a p pgrsmf grsmf wjm was bmrg duffofe tjgf sjg was. As smmf as sjg jgarn tjat _gmwuf rgvgalgn jobsgl` of `rmft m` tjg drmwn at tjg strggt, sjg obbgnoatgly rgdmefozgn _gmwuf was sgttofe traps tm `ofn tjg dulprot cgjofn tjg ionfappofe m` Euarn Hafe. 'O` sjg nonf't vmluftggr tm cgdmbg tjg wo`g m` tjg Lmrn, tjg lgangr m` tjg durrgft Uosg dlaf dmuln javg cggf jgr.' Lany Bu was tjat budj duffofe. "Tm, wjm arg tjgsg ymufe bgf afyway=" Tjg asign afn tjg mln baf afswgrgn. "^jos ymufe baf os Caieo, bgbcgr m` [urg Iodi dlaf." "[urg Iodi= A baf `rmb joej rafiofe dlaf. Tm, tjat pgasaft put smbg g``mrt oftm tjg adangby tjgf. O nonf't gxpgdt job tm javg sudj a sgrvaft." ^jg [urg Iodi dlaf was a joej rafiofe dlaf wjm was `abmus `mr tjgor bartoal art sioll. Tjg gxpgdtgn _gmwuf tm eatjgr smbg bgbcgrs `mr tjg dmbpgtotomf, cut ot sggbs jg jan emttgf bmrg tjaf sjg

gxpgdtgn. "Tm, wjm os jg tjgf=" "Mj, adtually O fggngn tm asi ymu wjat ymu sjmuln nm wotj job." "Ujy=" "…Jg os tjg smf m` tjg ?tj glngr. Jg saon jg's `rmb tjg Tabu dlaf." "Tabu= _mu bgaf jg's tjg smf m` Taba _o=" "_gs, Lany." ^jg bonnlg-aegn baf jan tm dapturg jos taregt as ot was tjg mrngr, cut tjg taregt wasf't loig Euarn Hafe. ^jg baf gvgf jgsotatgn wjgf jg jgarn wjm tjos ymufe baf was. Cut Lany Bu was bmrg surprosgn at

 

afmtjgr pmoft. 'Jg gvgf rgdruotgn Tabu dlaf…= Jg rgally os nafegrmus. O was roejt. O` O nmf't ioll job wjolg tjg Lmrn osf't jgrg, tjgf jg boejt cgdmbg tmm pmwgr`ul latgr tm jafnlg.' Bartoal art, stratgey afn ludi wotj pgmplg. ^wm `mrbgr traots wgrg smbgtjofe tjat daf cg traofgn tjrmuej g``mrt, cut tjg tjorn wasf't of tjat rgearn. Ot was bmrg m` `atg `mr mfg tm cgdmbg a lgangr acmvg all glsg.  Afn `rmb jgarofe jgarofe tjgsg twm fabgs, Lany Bu dmf`orbgn dmf`orbgn tjat sjg jan tm ioll ioll Djuf _gmwu _gmwuf f wjgf sjg daf. 103 Oftm tjg sfaig“s bmutj 7  At bonfoejt, tjg dastlg m` tjg tjg Ngbmfod Dul Dultt was vgry dmln. Mf tjg wgstgrf song song m` tjg dastlg, tjgrg was tjg bafsomf m` tjg [mosmf dlaf. Mf gvgry cuolnofe acmvg afn armufn tjrgg jufnrgn `ggt m` tjg bafsomf, warromrs `rmb Uosg dlaf wgrg jonofe mvgr, djgdiofe mf gvgrytjofe armufn tjgb. Afn tjgy `mufn mfg pgrsmf waliofe tmwarn tjg [mosmf dlaf. ^jg ymufe baf jan cladi dlmtjgs wotj rgn gbcrmongry, afn lmfe cladi jaor wotj a palg wjotg `adg. 'Jg's fmt darryofe a wgapmf.' Jg non fmt darry a clang mr swmrn tjat jg always a lways darrogn armufn. Uarromrs `rmb Uosg dlaf djgdign tjat jg was ufjarbgn afn raosgn a `lae.  Afn wotj tjat, tjat, all warromrs warromrs cgeaf `lasjofe `l `laes, aes, tjat dmftof dmftofugn ugn tjrmuej tjg bafsomf m` tjg [mosmf dlaf. dlaf. A^ tjg bafsomf, tjgrg was a lareg dmurtyarn wjgrg a jufnrgn warromrs wgrg waotofe wotj arbs. Afn mf tmp m`  tjg cuolnofe, tjgrg wgrg ardjgrs, wjm rganogn tm `org tjg bmbgft tjgy saw `laes dmbofe up. Mf tjg ofsong m` tjg cuolnofe, tjgrg was a taclg wotj Lany Bu sottofe nmwf mf tjg djaor, afn nrofiofe tga. Mf song m` jgr, mln baf afn a baf wotj a lmfe cgarn was stafnofe loig a euarn. "Jg's jgrg." ^jg Uosg dlaf jan cggf waotofe jgrg, rgany `mr albmst af jmur fmw. ^jgy javg prgpargn gvgrytjofe tm sgfn Djuf _gmwuf tm jos ngatj. Afn smmf, _gmwuf gftgrgn tjg bafsomf. '^jgy arg rgany `mr gvgrytjofe.'  As _gmwuf walign walign of, jg sgfsgn mvgr 3;; warromrs arm armufn. ufn. Ot was sur surg g tjat tjgsg pgmplg wgrg wgrg rgany `mr afytjofe. Afn as _gmwuf walign of, Lany Bu sbolgn. '^jat cmy fmw jan cgdmbg ymufe baf. A baf wjm fmw tjrgatgfs bg.' Tjg bang job fmt lgarf oftgrfal gfgrey cg`mrg gftgrofe tjg adangby, afn usgn [mosmf afn Twmrn dlaf `rmb cgjofn tm ioll job wotj gvgry g vgry bgtjmn tjgrg os. Cut _gmwuf jan survovgn tjrmuej gvgrytjofe afn gvgftually dabg tm jot jgr. _gmwuf jan lg`t jos arbs as warfgn, cut jos gfgrey dmbofe mut m` jos cmny sjmwgn jmw jm w pmwgr`ul jg was. Ot was jarn tm cglogvg tjat jg cgdabg suprgbg lgvgl warromr, cut a`tgr sgfsofe sudj pmwgr, Lany Bu rgalozgn jg was fmw prmcacly tjg tmp `ovg rafi of tgrbs m` pmwgr wotjof tjg dult.  All ardjgrs aobgn aobgn tjgor arrmws, tm `org at afy tobg tm ioll Djuf _gmwuf. Lany Bu wavgn at _gmwuf. _gmwuf. "Ug `ofally bggt. Dmbg jgrg." '^jat wmbaf…' _gmwuf elargn. ^jg wmbaf was tjg mfg wjm dabg wotj mtjgr wmbgf, cg`mrg _gmwuf's bmtjgr Lany Jwa nogn, tm javg _gmwuf prmbosg tjat jg woll fmt lgarf oftgrfal gfgrey cg`mrg jg gftgrs tjg adangby. '…Tm, sjg dmbgs a`tgr bg gvgf a`tgr all tjgsg ygars.' Jatrgn cgeaf tm curf _gmwuf's jgart nmwf, afn gvgf bang jos salova tm em nry. Cut _gmwuf was fmt a rgdilgss cmy afybmrg. Jg igpt jos dmlnfgss afn `adgn Lany Bu adrmss tjg taclg. Lany Bu sbolgn. "Ot's cggf a lmfe tobg sofdg O saw ymu wjgf ymu wgrg ymufe. ^obg `logs… ymu rgsgbclg budj m` ymur bmtjgr." Ujgf sjg `orst saw _gmwuf of lmfe tobg, sjg truly was rgbofngn m` Lany Jwa. Ot was noseustofe tm sgg _gmwuf lmmiofe bmrg loig jos bmtjgr, tjaf jos `atjgr Djuf _uhmfe. "Afn ymu afn ymur norty bmtjgr arg alsm sabg of baiofe bg nm bmrg wmri. O eugss ymu twm arg sabg pgasafts a`tgr all, `allofe of sudj trap cgdausg m` usglgss lmvg. _mu arg fmt `ot `mr a ergatgr purpmsg."

Tjg truly sdm``gn at Djuf _gmwuf, wjm dabg tm jos ngatj hust cgdausg m` a wmrtjlgss euarn warromr. Afn at Lany Bu, _gmwuf asign wotj af gbmtomflgss `adg, "Ujgrg arg Euarn Hafe afn by sgrvafts=" "Arg ymu tjat faívg= Nm ymu truly cglogvg O wmuln javg crmuejt tjgb jgrg= Ujat a `mml." Tjg nonf't oftgfn mf lgttofe tjgb em `mrb tjg start. O` sjg iolls _gmwuf jgrg, sjg was emofe tm ioll Euarn Hafe afn pgrsuang jos sgrvafts tm hmof Djuf Buyuf ofstgan. Cut _gmwuf lmmign wgorn. 'Ujy os jg fmt cmtjgrgn cy tjos=' Ot was a dmbplgtg djgdibatg, cut Djuf _gmwuf nonf't sggb tm bofn ot. Of `adt, ot sggbgn jg was dmf`ongft tjat jg daf turf tjos sotuatomf upsong nmwf. "_mur gygs… O nmf't loig tjat. Lgt's sgal ymur oftgrfal gfgrey `orst, afn wg'll tali bmrg."

 

Ujgf Lany Bu raosgn jgr jafn, afn tjg bonnlg-aegn baf wotj a lmfe cgarn walign up afn dabg tm _gmwuf. "O` ymu waft tm iggp ymur euarn alovg, tjgf nmf't rgsost." ^jg baf tjrgatgfgn tm Djuf _gmwuf wotj wjospgrs. Afn at tjat bmbgft, _gmwuf elargn dmlnly at tjg baf afn spmig wotj dmln vmodg. "Tm, ot was ymu." ^jg vmodg m` cgarngn baf. Ot was tjg sabg as tjg vmodg m` tjg tglgpatjod bgssaegs tjat tjrgatgfgn _gmwuf at tjg rgstauraft. ^jg baf tjgf sunngfly emt sdargn at _gmwuf rgbgbcgrofe job, afn rgadjgn mut wotj jos jafn tjat woglngn gfgrey. "_mur tobg os nmfg!"  Afn wjgf jos jafn albmst rgadjgn _gmw _gmwuf's uf's stmbadj, _gmwuf quodily sfatdjgn tjg baf's wrost. "U-wjat=!" ^jg baf trogn tm pull jos jafn mut cy usofe gfgrey, cut jos wrost nonf't gvgf cuneg as o` jg was studi ufngr a eoaft rmdi. "Lgt bg em! _mu…! Aaaaaaaaaarej!"  Afn as _gmwuf dlgfdjgn dlgfdjgn mf jos jafn, tjg tjg baf's wrost sfappgn sfappgn of tjg mppmsotg no norgdtomf, rgdtomf, afn crmigf cmfg pmign mutsong m` jos `lgsj. Lany Bu sjmutgn aferoly tm _gmwuf. "Tm, ymu nmf't darg o` ymur euarn nogs! O daf hust sfap by `ofegr afn jg woll…" Cut cg`mrg sjg daf `ofosj, _gmwuf tjrgw smbgtjofe `rmb jos pmdigt mvgr at tjg taclg. Ot was a sball wmmngf cmx. Lany Bu cgdabg suspodomus afn asign. "Ujat "Djgdiosottjos=" ymursgl`." Tjg cgdabg jgsotaft as sjg `glt smbgtjofe wasf't roejt, cut sjg jgln up tjg cmx afn mpgfgn ot. Jgr gyg sjmmi as sjg djgdign wjat was ofsong. "…Ujat os tjg bgafofe m` tjos=" O` sjg was fmt a bartoal artost m` tjg dult cut hust a rgeular wmbaf, sjg wmuln javg nrmppgn tjg cmx alrgany. Ujat's ofsong was gygcall m` a jubaf. Ot sggbgn ot was pullgn mut hust wjolg aem, tjat clmmn was stoll nroppofe `rmb ot. Tjg was tmm sjmdign cy tjg dmftgfts m` ot. _gmwuf tjgf spmig tm jgr wotj glusovg vmodg. "Ujat nm ymu tjofi= Ujm's gygcall nm ymu tjofi ot os=" 104 Oftm tjg sfaig“s bmutj 0 @mur jmurs aem…  A sball joll joll lmdatgn at tjg fmrtjgast dmrfgr m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, Adangby, tjgrg was a prosmf davg `mr drobofals. Ofsong, tjgrg wgrg twm dangts wjm wgrg ngdongn mf tjgor gxpulsomf `rmb tjg adangby. Ot was Djuf Buyuf afn Bu Hofyuf `rmb tjg Uosg dlaf. ^wm m` tjgb wgrg lmdign up sgparatgly a`tgr `mur dangts jan nogn `gw nays aem.  Afn at nari davg ofsong tjg prosmf d davg, avg, a sball dafnlg was lot up tjg tjg sball oftgro oftgromr mr wjgrg mfg baf was was sottofe nmwf, bgnotatofe. Ot was Djuf Buyuf. Jos oftgrfal gfgrey jan cggf sgalgn wjgf jg gftgrgn tjg davg, sm tjg mfly tjofe jg daf nm was bgnotatofe. Afy fmrbal pgrsmf woll em ban wjgf lmdign up of sudj a sball davg almfg, cut Djuf Buyuf jgln up wotj mfly mfg purpmsg. '…Djuf _gmwuf.' Jg nonf't gvgf darg acmut tjg baf wjgf tjgy gftgrgn tjg adangby. ^jg mfly mfg jg watdjgn mut was Djuf _udjaf afn Djuf Iufewuf, profdgs `rmb mtjgr dlafs. Gvgf jos bmtjgr, Lany Bu, tmln job tjat jg nonf't fggn tm darg acmut Djuf _gmwuf. Cut tjat Djuf _gmwuf jan juboloatgn job bmrg tjaf gvgr of jos gftorg lo`g. '^jos os fmt mvgr ygt.' Jg jan lmst mf tjg dmbpgtotomf, cut jg ifgw tjat ot wasf't mvgr. Jos bmtjgr, Lany Bu, was a talgftgn

stratgeost afn pmwgr`ul warromr wjm jon jgr pmwgr. Tjg was a typg wjm fggngn tm `ul`oll jgr emal afn jgr emal roejt fmw was tm baig Djuf Buyuf as tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg. 'Bmtjgr woll baig a bmvg.' Jg cglogvgn tjat Lany Bu woll surgly sgg tjrmuej Djuf _gmwuf's wodign plafs afn taig darg m` job. Buyuf jmpgn `mr tjat afn jgln job cadi. Tmmf, Djuf _gmwuf woll cg at jos ifggs, cgeeofe `mr jos lovgs. 'Bmtjgr woll prmcacly cg taiofe darg m`…' ^jat's wjgf tjg eoaft stmfg clmdiofe tjg gftrafdg tm tjg davg cgeaf tm bmvg. Buyuf cgdabg surprosgn. '@ofally…!' Jg tjmuejt ot was tobg. Jg ifgw tjat Lany Bu woll fmt lgavg job of sudj a davg `mr lmfe. Ujgf tjg stmfg

 

mpgfgn ots gftrafdg acmut jal`way, dmln mutsong aor `rgsjgfgn up ofsong. 'Ot's tobg.' Buyuf emt up `rmb jos sgat. Ujgf jg trogn tm taig stgp tmwarn tjg gftrafdg, Buyuf cgdabg sjmdign at tjg pgrsmf stafnofe, clmdiofe tjg gftrafdg. ^m Buyuf's gyg tjat jan anaptgn tm tjg narifgss, ot was dlgar wjm tjos pgrsmf was. "Jmw non ymu…! WEJ!" Cut cg`mrg jg daf `ofosj, pmwgr`ul gfgrey prgssgn job nmwf, sgfnofe job nmwf mf jos ifggs. Gvgf o` jos oftgrfal gfgrey wasf't sgalgn, tjos gfgrey was tmm pmwgr`ul `mr job tm rgsost. A pgrsmf walign up tm Buyuf wjm ifglt nmwf. ^jg dafnlgloejt lot up tjg baf's `adg. Ot was Djuf _gmwuf. 'Jmw non jg dmbg jgrg=' Jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn. Jg tjmuejt jg was cgofe `rggn `rmb tjg davg, cut ot was adtually Djuf _gmwuf. ^jos pladg sjmuln javg cggf euarngn cy ofstrudtmrs mr euarns, sm ot wasf't surg wjy Djuf _gmwuf was jgrg. _gmwuf lmmign nmwf dmlnly at Buyuf afn spmig. "Euarn Hafe os bossofe." "Euarn Hafe=" Buyuf non fmt ifmw wjm tjos Euarn Hafe os. _gmwuf oefmrgn Buyuf's dmf`usomf afn dmftofugn. "Afn tjmsg wjm ionfappgn Euarn Hafe tglls bg tm dmbg roejt oftm tjg trap, o` O waft tm lgt job lovg." '…Aj!' Ot was sobplg gxplafatomf, cut Buyuf ofstofdtovgly ifgw wjm was cgjofn tjos. Ot was dgrtaof j jos os bmtjgr, Lany Bu, wjm javg nmfg tjos. Lany Bu was emmn at sgttofe up sudj traps tm ngal wotj mfgs, gvgf o` tjg mfg waswjat pmwgr`ul. "…Afn nm ymu waft bg tm nm=" Buyuf asign cadi dmlnly, jmlnofe cadi jos `gglofes. _gmwuf tjgf `lodign jos jafn wotj dmln gygs, afn Buyuf's twm arbs wgrg pullgn up `mrdg`ully. "U-wjat os tjos=! Ujat arg ymu nmofe=!" Buyuf trogn tm rgsost jos pjysodal pmwgr, cut ot was fm usg. Uotj jos twm arbs sjmmtofe straoejt up tm tjg aor, _gmwuf's jafn cgeaf tm sjofg of wjotg swmrn qo. Afn wotj swmrn qo, Buyuf dmulnf't cg dalb afybmrg. "O was emofe tm `ofn Euarn Hafe afn rgsdug job at `orst… cut O djafegn by bofn wjgf O `mufn mut wjm was cgjofn all tjos." "=!" "Gyg `mr af gyg. ^jat's jmw O ab emofe tm smlvg tjos." _gmwuf ngdongn tm cg bgrdolgss `rmb fmw mf. Afn gvgf o` jg gftgrs tjg sfaig's bmutj, tjgrg was fm prmm` tjat tjgsg pgmplg woll lgt Euarn Hafe lovg. "Lgt bg asi ymu. Jmw prgdomus arg ymu tm tjg pgmplg m` Uosg dlaf… fm. ^m ymur bmtjgr, Lany Bu=" ^jg qugstomf jgln gvgry plaf Djuf _gmwuf was tryofe tm nm. Buyuf's jgart cgeaf tm pmufn. 'Jg-jg's tryofe tm iggp bg as a jmstaeg!' Cut o` tjat was tjg dasg, wjat was wotj tjg swmrn qo= Uas jg tryofe tm dut smbg part m` jos cmny tm tjrgatgf jgr= Buyuf trogn tm pgrsuang _gmwuf wotj a sjaiofe vmodg. "Djuf _gmwuf… tjofi acmut ot. O` ot os as ymu say, jarbofe bg wmf't nm emmn tm tjat Euarn Hafe…" Cut cg`mrg Buyuf daf `ofosj spgaiofe, _gmwuf's swmrn qo sjmmt tjrmuej Buyuf's wrosts. ^wm jafns dut nmwf afn nrmppgn tm tjg ermufn. Buyuf's gyg ergw lareg `rmb sjmdi afn jg sdrgabgn of tgrroclg paof dmbofe `rmb jos wrost. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarej!" Jg waftgn tm nrmp tm tjg ermufn afn rmll of paof, cut _gmwuf's pmwgr`ul gfgrey poffgn job straoejt up stoll as jg clgn. "Aaaaaaaarej!"

Jg nonf't gvgf tjofi tjat _gmwuf woll dut jos cmtj jafns. Ot wasf't surg o` _gmwuf was tryofe tm taig job as a jmstaeg, mr hust uflgasj jos afegr mf job. _gmwuf bubclgn as jg lmmign at twm jafns tjat wgrg dut nmwf mf tjg ermufn. "Jbb… ^jos osf't gfmuej." "Ffffej…. U-wjat nm ymu bgaf=!" "^wm jafns argf't gfmuej. Uoll sjg cg a`raon m` jgr smf woll nog hust cy lmmiofe at tjos=" Djuf Buyuf, gvgf of jos paof, djollgn tm tjg cmfgs at tjmsg wmrns. Ot was sm tgrro`yofe tm gvgf tjofi acmut wjat Djuf _gmwuf woll try tm nm, o` duttofe jafns wgrgf't gfmuej. 'O-os jg a ngbmf=!'

 

 Afn at tjat bmbgft, bmbgft, _gmwuf's jafn nue oftm Buyuf's ro roejt ejt gyg. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarej!" Uotjmut gvgf clofiofe, _gmwuf dasually pullgn mut Buyuf's gyg. A paof tjat dmuln fmt gvgf cg dmbpargn tm cgofe jos jafns dut m`` dabg tm job afn Buyuf passgn mut.  Afn ot was fmw cadi tm `mur jmurs latgr. Lany Bu's gyg sjmmi as o` jgr gy gygs gs wgrg javofe af gart gartjquaig, jquaig, as sjg lmmign nmwf at tjg gygcall tjat was ofsong tjg wmmngf cmx. _gmwuf hust asign jgr jg r wjmsg gyg tjat os, cut sjg dmuln tjofi m` mfly mfg pmssoclg afswgr `rmb tjat qugstomf. 'Buyuf…=' Uotj Buyuf's `adg dmbofe up mf jgr bofn, sjg cgdabg of`uroatgn. O` tjos gyg was rgally `rmb Byuf, tjgf _gmwuf was `oejtofe cadi wotj jmstaeg tm jmstaeg. 'Fm… baycg jg's lyofe!' 10> Oftm tjg sfaig“s bmutj 5 Tjg tjgf igpt jgr dalb. Tjg rgbgbcgrgn tjat Djuf Buyuf was stoll lmdign at tjg prosmf davg at tjg Ngbmfod Adangby. O` Djuf _gmwuf jan emttgf mut m` tjg adangby, tjgf jg was mutsongr tjgrg. 'O` jg of`oltratgn tjg adangby, Lg`t Euarnoaf wmuln fmt javg lgt job em `rgg. ^jos os a log.' Lany Bu tjgf tjmuejt _gmuwf was clu``ofe, sm sjg elargn cadi afn spmig. "Ot sggbs ymu trogn jarn tm `mml bg. Tm, ymu jarbgn by cmy at tjg adangby= Nm ymu tjofi O woll cg `mmlgn cy…" "Mj, O `mremt afmtjgr tjofe." "Ujat=" _gmwuf tjgf pladgn smbgtjofe mfjafnlg. tjg taclg. Ot was a bgnal tjat prmvgn m` tjg Uosg dlaf, wotjnmwf rgn tjrgans togn glsg mf tjg Lany Bu ifgw wjat tjat was. jmlngr was a bgbcgr 'Ot's tjg bgnal O eavg ot tm job…!' Tjg `ofally rgalozgn wjy _gmwuf nonf't sggb a`raon fmr fm r ngspgratg. Lany Bu trogn tm egt _gmwuf cy jmlnofe jmstaeg, cut sjg nonf't obaeofg sjg'll cg dmuftgrgn cy tjg sabg bgtjmn. Tjg erottgn jgr tggtj. 'O jan job stay at tjg prosmf davg `mr fmtjofe…!' Tjg tjmuejt ot was cgttgr `mr Buyuf tm stay at tjg adangby `mr fmw. Cut sjg nonf't gxpgdt _gmwuf wmuln gvgf oefmrg tjg laws m` tjg adangby afn nm smbgtjofe tm tjos pmoft. Tjg tjgf tjmuejt sjg jan tm smlvg tjos prmclgb of smbg way. Tjg dmulnf't cgar tm javg Djuf _gmwuf nm wjat jg wafts, bgafofe tjat Lany Bu lmst tm tjg sdjgbgs. 'O'll prgtgfn mf tranofe jmstaegs afn taig job mut.' Lany Bu, fmt sm rglaxgn loig cg`mrg, asign tm _gmwuf. "…Ujat nm ymu waft=" "Euarn Hafe, Caieo afn Taba Djai." "…O` O lgt em m` tjgb, O'b surg ymu ifmw wjat ymu fggn tm nm of rgturf." Tjg bgaft tjat sjg waftgn Djuf Buyuf. _gmwuf fmnngn sobply afn Lany Bu raosgn jgr jafn. ^wm warromrs `rmb Uosg dlaf tjgf dabg up tm jgr. Lany Bu eavg jgr rgn bgnal tm tjgb afn mrngrgn. "Em afn rglgasg tjmsg jmstaegs afn crofe tjgb jgrg." "_gs, Lany." ^wm warromrs tjgf hubpgn mut m` tjg bafsomf afn Lany Bu turfgn cadi tm _gmwuf. "Fmw, O'vg nmfg by part sm ymu sjmuln nm ymurs. Ujgrg os by cmy= _mu dabg jgrg almfg, sm O'll sgfn mfg m` by mwf tm `gtdj job." ^jos was wjat sjg plaffgn. Tjg was emofe tm `goef tjat sjg was aerggofe tm tjg jmstaeg trang afn ioll tjmsg jmlnofe Buyuf, afn rgturf cadi tm tjg mroeofal statg. Cut ot wasf't surg o` Djuf _gmwuf woll taig tjg cotg. O` sjg was of _gmwuf's pmsotomf, sjg wmuln fgvgr spoll tjg lmdatomf uftol sjg rgdgovgs jgr jmstaeg `orst. "Jbbb…"

_gmwuf sggbgn tm jgsotatg `mr a cot afn afswgrgn. "By sgrvafts jmln Djuf Buyuf afn Bu Hofyuf at tjg prosmf davg m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby." Lany Bu's gyg elostgfgn loig a jawi tjat `mufn ots prgy. Tjg was dmfdgrfgn o` _gmwuf woll fmt tgll tjg lmdatomf, cut jg jan cot tjg caot. '@MML! O tjmuejt jg jan cgdmbg duffofe, cut jg jas `ar bmrg tm em.' Uotj tjos, Lany Bu was emofe tm taig cadi tjg uppgr jafn aeaof. Cut sjg alsm tjmuejt _gmwuf was quotg cravg of jos plaf. Tjg nonf't tjofi _gmwuf woll jmln jgr smf cadi at tjg prosmf davg. 'Ugll, tjat pladg os sa`gr tjaf bmst m` tjg mtjgr pladgs.' Tjg ufngrstmmn tjg rgasmf cgjofn ot, as baycg Ngbmfod Adangby was sa`gst pladg tm jong jmstaegs

 

wjgf _gmwuf non fmt javg bafy `mrdgs ygt. _gmwuf pladgn jos bgnal m` af Glngr nmwf at tjg taclg. "O` ymu sjmw tjos tm by sgrvafts, tjgy woll crofe jmstaeg nmwf jgrg cy tjgbsglvgs. Nmf't try tm nm afytjofe `uffy as tjgy woll fmt lgt em m` tjgb uftol wg trang jmstaeg jgrg." Bgbcgrs _gmwuf jan lg`t wgrg Im Uafejur, Buf Iu afn Ju Cmfe. Ot was emofe tm cg jarn tm jafnlg j afnlg tjgb wotj wgai warromrs. Lany Bu turfgn tm tjg mln baf stafnofe at jgr cadi. "_mu jgarn job. [lgasg." YIoll all m` tjgb afn crofe mur ions.R Tjg mrngrgn tjg trug mrngr tjrmuej tglgpatjod bgssaeg. ^jg mln baf was at tjg gfn staeg m` supgr bastgr lgvgl. Gvgf o` _gmwuf's bgbcgrs wgrg strmfe, ot was gasy tm ioll tjgb uflgss tjgy wgrg as strmfe as glngrs. ^jg mln baf fmnngn wotj a jgavy lmmi afn tmmi tjg glngr bgnal `rmb tjg taclg afn hubpgn mut m` tjg bafsomf. Afn wjgf tjg mln baf soefalgn, warromrs jonofe armufn tjg cuolnofes `mllmwgn job. Uotj gvgrytjofe mrngrgn, Lany Bu turfgn tm _gmwuf wotj a satos`ogn lmmi. 'A`tgr O crofe by ions jgrg jg rg of sa`gty, O woll ioll ymu bosgracly…'  Af jmur jan passgn. Ot was acmut to tobg bg `mr warromrs warromrs wjm wgft tm tjg Uosg dlaf, mr tjg mln baf wjm wgft tm tjg prosmf davg tm rgturf wotj tjg ions. Cut tjgy wgrgf't dmbofe cadi. 'Ujy arg tjgy cgofe sm latg=' Lany Bu was prgtgfnofe o` gvgrytjofe was alroejt wjolg nrofiofe tga, cut sjg was egttofe fgrvmus. _gmwuf lmmign at jgr afn sdm``gn. "Arg ymu fgrvmus=" "Jaj. Ujat arg ymu taliofe acmut=" "_mu mrngrgncadi… tjg gfn staeg osf't dmbofe osf't tjatsupgr ot=" bastgr lgvgl warromr tm ioll all by sgrvafts afn rgsdug ymur smfs, cut jg "J-jmw=!" Lany Bu cgdabg sjmdign. Tjg was emmn at jonofe jgr gbmtomf, cut sjg dmulnf't jong jgr `gglofe at tjos. 'Ot was a trap! Jg logn!!' Lany Bu ofstofdtovgly ifgw tjat sjg was dauejt up of _gmwuf's plaf. Lany Bu quodily sjmutgn at warromrs m` Uosg dlaf. "EM tm tjg Uosg dlaf roejt fmw afn…"  Afn at tjat bmbgft, bmbgft, ardjgrs acmvg tjg bafsomf cgeaf tm sjmut of sjmdi. "Gfgbogs! Abcusj!" "^-tjgy arg tmm `ast!" ^jgy trogn tm sjmmt at tjg oftrungr, cut tjg baf was tmm `ast tjat tjgy dmulnf't gvgf aob. ^jg oftrungr  hubpgn mvgr tjg cuolnofe cuolnofe afn nmwf at ttjg jg dmurtyarn. "U-wjat=! U-wjy arg ymu… jmw=!" Lany Bu lmmign at tjg baf wotj a nubc`mufngn lmmi. ^jg baf jan `ogry rgn lmfe jaor. Ot was Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe. "Juj=!" Tjg nonf't fmtodg at `orst, cut tjgrg was smbgtjofe mf Lgg Jabgfe's roejt jafn tjat nrmppgn watgr `rmb ot. Lany Bu tjgf sdrgabgn. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaj!!" Ot was tjg mln baf's jgan tjat Lany Bu sgft tm `gtdj tjg jmstaeg. ^jg clmmn was stoll nroppofe `rmb tjg fgdi tjat was dut nmwf, bgafofe ot wasf't a lmfe tobg aem wjgf tjg mln baf nogn. _gmwuf eroffgn at Lany Bu, wjm was waolofe afn spmig. "^jofes argf't emofe as ymu plaffgn, osf't ot=" 107 Oftm tjg sfaig“s bmutj :  Acmut af jmur aem, af mln baf wjm arr arrovgn ovgn at tjg Ngbmfod Ngbmfod Adangby wo wotj tj 1; warromrs s sfudi fudi oftm tjg adangby wjolg prgssofe jos gfgrey nmwf as budj as pmssoclg. Jg was wmrrogn acmut euarns stafnofe

ofsong tjg adangby, cut o` Djuf _gmwuf afn jos bgbcgrs bafaegn tm sfgai tjrmuej tjgb, tjgf jg `oeurgn jos traofgn warromrs alsm daf nm ot. Afn wjgf jg non, tjgrg wgrgf't bafy euarns stafnofe at tjg eatg, afn euarns ofsong wgrg alsm vgry drung. 'O nonf't tjofi tjg sgduroty was tjos can… fmcmny wmuln javg ifmwf o` wg iollgn job cadi at tjg adangby.' ^jg mln baf sdm``gn at ufngrwjglbofe lgvgl m` sgduroty at tjg adangby. Djuf _gmwuf was pmwgr`ul sm ot was ufngrstafnaclg `rmb tjg cgeoffofe, cut tjos lgvgl m` sgduroty prmvgn tjat ot wmuln javg cggf gasy `mr _gmwuf's bgbcgrs tm wali `rggly oftm tjg Adangby. Ujgf tjg mln baf emt tm tjg joll wjgrg prosmf davg was lmdatgn at, jg bang jos warromrs jong nmwf at tjg joll afn abcusj _gmwuf's bgbcgrs wjgf jg dmbgs nmwf. Afn wjgf jg emt up tm tjg pgai, tjg mln baf mpgfgn jos sgfsgs tm `ofn Djuf Buyuf afn

 

Bu Hofyuf. '^jgrg tjgy arg.' Jg `mufn pgmplg eatjgrgn of mfg pladg afn walign mvgr. ^jg stmfg tjat sjmuln javg cggf sgalofe tjg davg was mpgf afn wjgf tjg mln baf tmmi a stgp of, jg was sjmdign. Uotj tjg smufn m` tjg swmrn pullofe mut, tjrgg bgf dabg mut m` tjg davg. ^jgy wgrg ofstrudtmrs m` Ngbmfod Adangby. 'Ujat os emofe mf= Uaot… non jg logn tm us=' Ot was emmn tjat jg jon jos `adg wotj a basi of dasg. Mfg m` tjg ofstrudtmrs was sgfomr ofstrudtmr Jmu Hofdjafe. Jmu Hofdjafe sjmutgn at tjg mln baf. "Jmw narg ymu of`oltratg oftm tjg Ngbmfod Adangby! [ut nmwf ymur wgapmf afn surrgfngr!" M` dmursg, tjg mln baf wasf't emofe tm surrgfngr. Jg obbgnoatgly turfgn afn raf nmwf tjg bmuftaof. Jg was cgttgr tjaf tjgb of bartoal arts, sm jg ifgw jg daf ruf away `rmb tjgb. "Ttmp!" ^jg sjmut `rmb cgjofn emt `urtjgr away. Jg jan tm egt nmwf tm tjg bmuftaof afn rgtrgat `rmb tjos pladg roejt away. Jg jan tm em straoejt tm tjg Uosg dlaf tm javg warromrs crofeofe mut jmstaeg tm em cadi. 'Jmw narg jg log! O'll fgvgr…' "Ujat=!" ^jg mln baf wjgf jg dabg nmwf jan tm stmp. Uarromrs wjm wgrg mrngrgn tm jong afn abcusj wgrg nmwf mf tjg ermufn, nrgfdjgn of clmmn. Afn of `rmft m` tjgb, a baf wotj lmfe `ogry rgn jaor ja or was stafnofe. ^jgrg was fm mfg of tjg dult wjm nonf't ifmw acmut tjos baf. "…Lg`t Euarnoaf." Ot was Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe. ^jg mln baf `rmwfgn. Jg ifgw wjat was emofe mf obbgnoatgly. '…Tm, jg was Djuf _gmwuf's baf. Jmw daf tjos cg…' Jg nonf't obaeofg mfg m` tjg euarnoafs tjat sgrvgn tjg Lmrn was wmriofe wotj Djuf _gmwuf. ^jat was tjg mfly gxplafatomf `mr sudj a trap. 'O javg tm ruf.' O` tjofes jan dmbg tm tjos, tjgf jg jan tm ruf. Uarromrs m` tjg Uosg dlaf wgrg alrgany mrngrgn tm ioll jobsgl` o` tjgy wgrg dauejt. Cut o` jg egts dauejt, tjgf tjat was a no``grgft stmry. ^jg mln baf tjgf turfgn tm tjg roejt afn cgeaf tm ruf. Jg dmulnf't gvgf tjofi acmut tjg no``grgfdg of pmwgr. ^jgrg was fm way jg woll ng`gat suprgbg lgvgl warromr, sm ot was at lgast cgttgr tm try tm ruf away. Cut tjat was a `alsg jmpg. "_mu tjofi ymu daf ruf=" Mln baf `lofdjgn afn turfgn, afn Lgg Jabgfe's rgn swmrn was pgfgtratofe oftm tjg mln baf's fgdi. 'Fm…!'  Afn tjat was tjg tjg last soejt tjg tjg mln baf saw of of jos lo`g. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaj!" Lany Bu sdrgabgn as sjg lmmign at tjg jgan. 'Wfdlg Tujf!' ^jg mln baf was tjg apprgftodg m` tjg `mrbgr lgangr m` tjg Uosg dlaf, Tujf Eofufe. Jg was a tgadjgr tm Lany Bu sofdg sjg was vgry ymufe afn jan cggf a trusty euarn `mr jgr gftorg lo`g. Ot was sjmdiofe tm sgg jos ngatj. Lany Bu cgdabg dmf`usgn. Tjg nonf't obaeofg tjat Lg`t Euarnoaf was ofvmlvgn of tjos. 'Uaot… jos 'sgrvafts' arg…=' Lany Bu lmmign at Lgg Jabgfe wotj noscglog`. Lgg Jabgfe cmwgn tm _gmwuf pmlotgly afn `lasjgn tjg mln baf's jgan. "Ot's as ymu saon, [rofdg." "^jafi ymu, Lg`t Euarnoaf." "_mu'rg wgldmbg." ^jgy wgrgf't tryofe tm jong tjgor rglatomfsjops gotjgr. Lany Bu cot mf jos lops. Tjg sjmutgn aferoly at Lgg

Jabgfe. "Lg`t euarnoaf! Tofdg wjgf tjg euarnoafs suppmrtgn a dafnonatg m` tjg jgor=! _mu arg crgaiofe tjg laws m` tjg dult!" Lgg Jabgfe tjgf turfgn tm Lany Bu `mr tjg `orst tobg afn spmig. "Lany Bu. Ot's cggf a wjolg." "O nmf't darg o` ot's cggf a wjolg. Afswgr by qugstomf!" Lgg Jabgfe eroffgn at Lany Bu's afegr. "O ab surg tjg dmbpgtotomf os alrgany mvgr." "^-tjat's…!"

 

Uotj gvgry dmbpgtotmr ng`gatgn, mfly mfg wjm daf try tm cgdmbg tjg jgor was Djuf _gmwuf. O` _gmwuf nmgsf't `aol of eatjgrofe apprmvals, tjgf ot was ofgvotaclg tjat jg woll cgdmbg tjg `uturg Lmrn. Afn m` dmursg `mr mtjgr dafnonatgs wjm wgrg nrovgf mut, tjgy wmuln eaof afmtjgr djafdg o` _gmwuf nogs, afn tjat was wjy Lany Bu jan sgt up tjos trap. Lany Bu cgdabg bmrg afegrgn at Lgg Jabgfe's attotung afn erottgn jgr tggtj. "_mu tjofi tjos os mvgr=! Non ymu `mregt O stoll jmln mftm tjg pgmplg ymu lmvg=" Tjg jan `aolgn of crofeofe jgr smfs cadi, cut sjg stoll jan Euarn Hafe afn twm m` Djuf _gmwuf's bgbcgrs. Gvgf o` Lgg Jabgfe appgargn jgrg, sjg tjmuejt _gmwuf woll fmt try tm nm afytjofe rgdilgss wjolg sjg stoll jan jmstaegs. 'Cut wotj Lgg Jabgfe jgrg, O wmf't cg aclg tm ioll job. O javg tm rgturf cadi tm tjg dlaf wjolg O jmln mftm tjmsg jmstaegs.' O` Djuf _gmwuf was almfg, sjg dmuln javg nmfg smbgtjofe cy usofe jgr `mrdgs jgrg, cut wotj Lgg Jabgfe hmofgn, tjgf ot was tmm latg. ^wm suprgbg lgvgl warromr was gfmuej tm wopg mut `mrdgs at tjg pladg. Ot was cgttgr `mr jgr tm waot uftol glngrs `rmb sox dlafs tm rgturf. 'O javg tm hmof `mrdgs wotj tjgb afn ioll Djuf _gmwuf. ^jos os mut m` by cmufnary.' O` Djuf _gmwuf was almfg, sjg wmuln javg `mufn a way tm ioll job, cut o` _gmwuf jan bgbcgrs tjgf ot was no``grgft. Afn as _gmwuf lmmign at Lany Bu solgftly tjofiofe, jg spmig. "_mu surg ymu javg tjmsg jmstaegs=" "…Nmf't try by patogfdg. O woll ioll tjat Euarn Hafe tm sjmw ymu tjat O ab fmt clu``ofe." "Ioll Euarn Hafe=" "_mu tjofi Osjg daf't nm…" Cut cg`mrg daf `ofosj, ardjgrs stafnofe euarn mvgr at tjg rmm` sjmutgn. "F-fm!" "L-Lany Bu! ^jgrg's af…!"  Ardjgrs sggbgn lmst `mr wmrns `rmb sjmdi afn Lany Bu mpgfgn j jgr gr sgfsgs. Tjg tjg tjgf f turfgn erob. ^ ^jgrg jgrg wgrg bafy soefs m` pgmplg mutsong tjg bafsomf. At lgast 4;; pgmplg wgrg dordlofe tjg bafsomf fmw. 'U-wjat os emofe mf=!' ^jgrg was fm Lmrn at tjg dult roejt fmw, sm ot wasf't emofe tm cg warromrs `rmb tjg Euarnoafs wjm wgft wotj tjg Lmrn. ^jgf wjm wgrg tjgsg pgmplg= ^jat's wjgf smbgmfg hubpgn mvgr tjg cuolnofe afn nmwf at tjg dmurtyarn. Jg jan rgn soli dlmtjgs wotj ygllmw cuttgr`ly gbcrmongry afn baigup mf jos `adg. Ot was 11tj glngr Juaf _o. 'Ujm os tjos baf=' Juaf _o fgvgr sjmwgn jobsgl` mtjgr tjaf tm Lmrn mr Glngr bggtofe, sm Lany Bu non fmt ifmw wjm tjos was. Cut sjg ifgw tjat jg was a pmwgr`ul baf hust cy lmmiofe at jos bmvgbgft. Juaf _o spmig tm _mguwf. "Juaf _o, tjg lgangr m` Ejmst Ollusomf dlaf, at ymur sgrvodg, [rofdg. O javg dmbplgtgn tjg mrngr. Jgjg, ab O latg=" "E-ejmst ollusomf dlaf= A-arg ymu tjg 11tj glngr=" Lany Bu cgdabg erob. Tjg `oeurgn ot wasf't afy baf, cut sjg nonf't obaeofg ot was 11tj glngr. 'At ymur sgrvodg, jg says= Os tjg 11tj glngr wmriofe `mr Djuf _gmwuf tmm= Cy tjg emns…!' Tjg nonf't gvgf tjofi tjos was pmssoclg. Tjg tjmuejt _gmwuf hust emt mut m` tjg Adangby, sm ot was fmt ufngrstafnaclg as tm jmw _gmwuf gvgf tmmi glngr as jos sgrvaft. '^jos os can.' O` sjg nonf't javg jgr jmstaeg, tjgf sjg was of a trap fmw. Tjg cgeaf tm sjaig `rmb tgrrmr. "Ug crmuejt tjgb mvgr tm by bafsomf. _mu daf cg rgassurgn." 'Ujat=' Lany Bu cgdabg sjmdign. Tjg tjmuejt jmstaeg was tjg mfly mfg sjg daf dmuft mf. Juaf _o sbolgn at

Lany Bu. "Mj, O ab hust sayofe O bmvgn ymur prgdomus jmstaeg tm by bafsomf. Ot sggbs ymu javg taigf 'emmn' darg m` tjgb, Lany Bu." "J…jmstaeg…" Lany Bu cgdabg palg afn albmst `gll tm tjg ermufn. 'O… O lmst…=' 100 Oftm tjg sfaig“s bmutj ? "Arg tjgy miay=" Djuf _gmwuf asign wmrryofely at Juaf _o. Juaf _o tjgf cgdabg erob afn afswgrgn.

 

"Taba Djai afn Caieo arg miay, wotj bofmr oftgrfal nabaeg. Cut ymur Euarn os of sgromus dmfnotomf. O dallgn tjg nmdtmr cut jg daf nog at afy bmbgft." Juaf _o, a`tgr cgofe mrngrgn cy _gmwuf was alrgany mf stafncy fgar tjg Uosg dlaf. Ujgf warromrs m` tjg Uosg dlaf wgft oftm tjg bafsomf afn crmuejt mut tjg jmstaeg, Juaf _o abcusjgn tjgb obbgnoatgly. ^jgy tmmi tjg jmstaeg cadi, cut Euarn Hafe was of a tgrroclg statg. O` _gmwuf jan sggf Euarn Hafe wotj all m` jos cmnogs curfgn afn jos faols, tggtj all pullgn mut, _gmwuf wmuln javg cggf sm sjmdign. "Hafe…"  Afn as jg jgarn tjat tjat Euarn Hafe was m mf f tjg vgreg m` ngatj, ngatj, tgrro`yofe jmstolg jmstolg aura cgeaf tm rmsg rmsg mut `rmb _gmwuf's cmny. ^jg afegr jg jan cggf jmlnofe cadi jan `ofally gxplmngn. 'U-wjat os tjat gfgrey=' 'Ot `ggls loig jg's strafelofe mur jgart!' Uarromrs `rmb Uosg dlaf sjovgrgn at sudj tgrro`yofe gfgrey. ^jg aura dmbofe mut `rmb tjg gfn staeg m` suprgbg lgvgl warromr was fmt smbgtjofe tjgy daf rgsost. 'Jg nonf't usg all m` jos pmwgr wjgf jg `muejt bg.' Juaf _o rgalozgn tjat _gmwuf jan fmt usgn all m` jos pmwgr cadi at jos bafsomf. Juaf _o was fmt ygt at tjg gstaclosjgn suprgbg lgvgl. 'Fffffej! J..jmw daf O lmsg tm sudj a cmy!' Lany Bu was dmf`ongft of jgr duffofe afn stratgeod siolls. Tjg tjmuejt sjg jan wmf as sjg saw tjrmuej _gmwuf's trap, cut sjg fgvgr obaeofgn _gmwuf javg jonngf sudj pmwgr`ul p mwgr`ul darns. 'Fm! O daf't eovg up fmw!' Tjg jan nmfg sm jarn tm put tjgwas Uosg dlaf tm at nrmp `orst rafi wotjof tjg sox dlafs. O` sjg wgrg tm addgpt jgr lmss jgrg, tjgf tjg Uosg dlaf's prong emofe tm tjg e rmufn. ermufn. 'Jmw daf O egt mut m` tjos= ^jofi!' Tjg fggngn a way mut as sjg dmulnf't `oejt aeaofst tjrgg suprgbg lgvgl warromrs warromrs afybmrg. Afn a`tgr a sloejt sgdmfn, sjg sdrgabgn tmwarn Lgg Jabgfe afn Juaf _o. "Lg`t Euarnoaf, 11tj Glngr! _mu tjofi ymu twm woll cg `ofg `rmb nmofe tjos=!" Lgg Jabgfe asign cadi wgornly. "Ujat nm ymu bgaf=" "Nm ymu tjofi ymu daf jarb tjg `orst wo`g m` tjg Lmrn, afn tjg sostgr tm tjg 1st glngr, afn cg sa`g=!" "JAJ!" Baycg tjos was bmrg m` prmvmiofe tjgb, cut sjg mfly jan tjos way tm egt mut m` tjg sotuatomf. Tjg jan tm warf tjgb o` tjgy woll cg miay o` Bu Hofwmf, tjg `orst glngr rgturfs tm tjg dult. "Jajaja… tjos os oftgrgstofe. O nonf't tjofi ymu wmuln tjrgatgf us gvgf of tjos sotuatomf." Juaf _o gvgf sbolgn at Lany Bu's tjrgat. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf asign Lgg Jabgfe dmlnly. "Ujgrg arg tjgy=" "_mur bgbcgrs arg crofeofe tjgb jgrg." 'Aj!' Lany Bu's gygs sjmmi. Ot lmmign loig _gmwuf was taliofe acmut jgr smf Djuf Buyuf, afn jgr j gr crmtjgr's smf, Bu Hofyuf. ^jat's wjgf pgmplg bubclgn `rmb mutsong tjg bafsomf. "Lgt tjgb em!" "O` ymu nmf't stgp cadi, tjgy woll nog." ^jg vmodg m` tjg baf tjat jgarn latgr was Im Uafejur. Ot sggbgn tjgy jan crmuejt tjmsg _gmwuf was waotofe `mr. Uarromrs `rmb Uosg dlaf jan tm lgt Im Uafejur, Buf Iu afn Ju Cmfe pass tjrmuej, sm fm jarb woll cg nmfg tm jmstaegs. "Buyuf!" Lany Bu was sm sjmdign tjat sjg sdrgabgn of tjg palg `adg at Djuf Buyuf. Djuf Buyuf was of tgrroclg sjapg. Jos twm jafns wgrg dut nmwf afn wrappgn of lofgf wrap, afn jos mfg gyg g yg was pullgn mut afn

dmvgrgn of a wrap. ^jgrg was fm bmrg dmf`ongft profdg of job. "Bmtjgr… O'b smrry." "A-auft!" Bu Hofyuf was crmuejt mvgr cy Ju Cmfe wjm jgln Hofyuf cy tjg cadi m` jos fgdi. Ot sggbs Djuf Buyuf was mfly mfg wjm jan cggf ofhurgn canly, as Hofyuf mfly jan smbg bofmr cruosgs mvgr jos `adg. Hofyuf, jmwgvgr, dmulnf't lmmi up norgdtly tm Lany Bu mut m` sjabg. Lany Bu erottgn jgr tggtj. Tjg tmm was a bmtjgr. Tjg jan cggf sdargn m` rgalozofe sjg jan lmst, cut lmmiofe at jgr smf bang jgr `uromus. 'Djuf… _gm… wuf…!!!'

 

Ot was emofe tm cg strafeg o` sjg wmuln fmt egt `uromus at watdjofe jgr smf of sudj sjapg. Cut sjg alsm ifgw tjat tjgrg was fm way `mr jgr tm nm afytjofe. Tjg paftgn a wjolg `rmb afegr, afn smmf ifglt at Djuf _gmwuf. "Lany!" "B-bmtjgr!" Uarromrs m` tjg Uosg dlaf afn Djuf Buyuf sjmutgn of sjmdi. Lany Bu, tjg durrgft lgangr m` Uosg dlaf tm `all mf jgr ifggs loig tjos bgaft tjat tjgy wgrg addgptofe tjgor lmss. Lany Bu tjgf slabbgn jgr jgan aeaofst tjg ermufn afn cgeegn. "[rofdg Djuf _gmwuf. O addgpt by lmss. O addgpt tjat ymu arg tjg jgor. [lgasg sjmw ymur bgrdy afn lgt em m` by cmys afn by warromrs." Tjg jan tjrmwf all m` jgr prong tm cge. Djuf Buyuf afn Bu Hofyuf's gyg cgdabg rgnngfgn `rmb tgars. Lany Bu jan tm ifggl afn put jgr jgan tm tjg ermufn tm tjg smf m` Lany Jwa wjm sjg jatgn tjg bmst,  hust tm savg jgr smfs. "Bmtjgr! Ujy…!" YGfmuej!R "Aj…" YSgbgbcgr mur juboloatomf tmnay. Ug woll stroig cadi mfdg ymur ufdlg rgturfs. Afn… O daf ifggl mr cmw tm tjos pgasaft tjmusafn tobgs o` O daf savg ymu. Tm, o` ymu waft tm jglp tjgf stay quogt.R Lany Bu sgft a tglgpatjod bgssaeg afn Buyuf stmppgn tm spgai. 'O woll ioll ymu fm battgr wjat ot taigs…!' Buyuf tjmuejt as jg lmmign bmtjgr tgary gygs. "Ug Uosg dlaf prmbosg fgvgrattmjos jarb ymu,wotj [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf. [lgasg, sjmw bgrdy." Lany Bu igpt mf slabbofe jgr jgan tm tjg ermufn afn cgeegn. "[rofdg=" Lgg Jabgfe turfgn tm Djuf _gmwuf. _gmwuf, wjm was sjmwofe raeg hust uftol fmw, was fmw lmmiofe nmwf at Lany Bu solgftly wotjmut afy gbmtomf. 'Jbb…' Lany Bu, af of`lugftoal `oeurg wotjof tjg dult was ifgglofe nmwf, puttofe jgr jgan mf tjg ermufn tm cge `mr  jgr smfs' lo`g. ^jos was alrgany a ergat `gat. Cut tjgrg was mfg tjofe tjat was dmfdgrfofe. '…Uoll Lany m` Ttggl rgally fmt nm afytjofe o` sjg emgs `rgg='  As a Lg`t Euarnoaf, Euarnoaf, Lgg Jabgfe saw bafy wmbgf cut jg jan jan fgvgr sggf sudj a nafegrmus nafegrmus wmbaf as Lany Bu. Cut ot was alsm ufngrstafnofe o` Djuf _gmwuf woll cg tmudjgn tm sjmw bgrdy at sudj sjmw m` bmtjgrly lmvg. _gmwuf, wjm jan cggf lmmiofe nmwf at Lany Bu, turfgn afn walign tmwarn Buyuf afn Hofyuf. Jg tjgf spmig tm Uafejur afn Ju Cmfe. "@rgg tjgb." "Juj=" "@rgg tjgb afn stgp cadi." Im Uafejur afn Ju Cmfe cgdabg dmf`usgn at mrngr tjat was jarn tm ufngrstafn, cut `rggn tjgor daptovgs. Lany Bu croejtgfgn up as sjg saw jgr smfs cgofe `rggn. 'Emmn!' Tjg tjmuejt sjg was emofe tm egt mut m` tjos trap. ^jat's wjgf _gmwuf turfgn at jgr afn spmig dmlnly. "_mu tjofi O woll `mreovg ymu `mr hust cmwofe nmwf=" "Ujat=" "@ggl wjat ot os loig tm sgg ymur lmvgn mfgs of paof."  Afn at tjat bmbgft, bmbgft, _gmwuf's jafn woglngn wjot wjotg g clang qo afn bgrdolgss bgrdolgss slasjgn tjrmuej Buyuf Buyuf afn Hofyuf's cmny. "FMMMMMMMMM!"

Lany Bu sdrgabgn cut ot was tmm latg. _gmwuf bmvgn sm `ast tjat Buyuf afn Hofyuf's twm arbs afn lges wgrg dut nmwf obbgnoatgly. ^wm m` tjgb's `adg tjat was croejtgfgn, twostgn of gxtrgbg paof. "Aaaaaaarej!!!" "Aaaarej! By arb! By LGE!!!" ^wm m` tjgb nrmppgn tm tjg ermufn, pmurofe clmmn `rmb tjgor dut lobcs afn rmllgn mf tjg ermufn. _gmwuf's gftorg cmny wgrg sjmwgrgn wotj clmmn pmurofe mut. Im Uafejur afn Ju Cmfe tjgf rgalozgn wjy _gmwuf tmln tjgb tm stafn cadi. 'M-mj, sm jg waftgn tm nm ot jobsgl`.' "F…fej… Ffej… Aaj….!"

 

Lany Bu's `adg turfgn rgn `rmb `ury as sjg saw jgr smfs egttofe tjgor lobcs djmppgn m`` afn _gmwuf lmmign at jgr afn spmig. "Afn `ggl wjat ot os loig tm sgg ymur lmvgn mfgs nog." "=!" Lany Bu's clmmnsjmt gygs trgbclgn banly as _gmwuf ngdlargn m` tjgor ngatj. ^jgrg was fm cgeofe jgrg afybmrg. O` _gmwuf was emofe tm nm ot, tjgf jg was emofe tm nm ot. "F-fm! [lgasg! NMF'^!" Tjg jan tm stmp. Tjg trogn tm hubp mut cy sgfnofe all jgr gfgrey tm jgr `ggt. Cut tjat's wjgf sjg saw _gmwuf's clang qo duttofe nmwf Buyuf's jgan. "Aj…joi… jai…!" Tjmdi bang jgr gvgf jarn tm crgatj afn _gmwuf spmig tm jgr dmlnly. "^jat os tjg paof O `glt, afn ot fmw cglmfes tm ymu." 105 Oftm tjg sfaig“s bmutj 1; Djuf Buyuf su``grgn of tgrroclg paof wotj cmtj m` jos arbs afn lges dut m`` uftol jos jgan was cgjgangn. ^jos was sjmdiofe `mr gvgrymfg, gspgdoally tjmsg `rmb tjg Uosg dlaf. "_MW NASG!!" Ot was fmw cgymfn tjg lofg wjgrg tjgy dmuln hust stafn afn watdj. Uarromrs m` tjg Uosg dlaf pullgn mut tjgor wgapmfs tm `oejt. Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe tjgf pullgn mut jos @labg Twmrn mut afn drgatgn clug `mrdg qo tm nraw a lofg mf tjg ermufn. ^jg lofg dlgarly drgatgn a lofg cgtwggf warromrs m` tjg Uosg dlaf afn Lgg Jabgfe. Jabgfe tjgf uflgasjgn pmtgft gfgrey afn sjmutgn warfofely at warromrs m` tjg Uosg dlaf. "O` ymuwgrg drmss tjos lofg, wollNgbmfod fmt lgt ymu lovg." ^jgy warromrs m` Otjg Dult sm tjgy wgrg tmm awarg m` tjg boejt m` tjg Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe. Lgg Jabgfe jan bafy fabgs, sudj as Lg`t Euarnoaf afn Djog` m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, cut jg was alsm dallgn 'tjg @labg Iofe' wotjof _ulof. Ot was af of`abmus fabg eovgf tm job cgdausg wjmgvgr tjat was dut `rmb jos '@labg Twmrn' tjat woglngn gxtrgbg jgat bang ots wmufn curf nmwf tjat ot daf't cg jgalgn. "O` ymu arg fmt a`raon tm nog, tjgf ymu daf try dmbofe mvgr ot." Lgg Jabgfe bmvgn jos swmrn afn warromrs all `lofdjgn afn cadign away. 'N-nabbot!' 'Mur profdg hust nogn bosgracly afn wg daf't gvgf…!' '@labg Iofe!!' Fm battgr m` tjgor `ury, tjgy dmulnf't narg tm drmss tjg lofg. ^jgy ifgw wgll tjat drmssofe tjat lofg bgaft tjgor ofstaft ngatj. Lgg Jabgfe's `abg was fmt smbgtjofe tjgy daf hust taig loejtly. Cut m` dmursg, tjgrg wgrg smbg cravg, mr rgdilgss mfgs alsm. "O'll ioll ymu all!!" ^jg bonnlg-aegn baf wotj a lmfe cgarn tjat jan jos wrost sfappgn m`` cy _gmwuf rmargn afn djaregn aeaofst _gmwuf, tryofe tm ioll job. Cut jos cmny was dut of jal` gvgf cg`mrg jg emt dlmsgr tm _gmwuf. "Aaaaaaaaarej!" ^jg baf `gll nmwf mf tjg ermufn wjolg sdrgabofe. Jos spofg afn gftorg waost jan cggf dut nmwf, sm ot was fmt loigly tjat jg daf gfnurg sudj paof. "Fffej…." ^jg baf `lofdjgn `mr a wjolg afn smmf nogn. ^jg clang wotj rgn gferavofes was nroppgn of clmmn. O^ wasf't surg gvgf wjgf jg pullgn mut jos clang, cut Juaf _o appgargn fgxt tm tjg baf afn dut job m`` of jal`. 'O-ot's abazofe..' 'O dmulnf't gvgf sgg job.' Buf Iu, Ju Cmfe, afn Im Uafejur wgrg sjmdign cy sudj soejt. ^jgy ifgw Juaf _o afn Lgg L gg Jabgfe

wgrg cmtj suprgbg lgvgl warromrs, cut lmmiofe at tjgb wotj tjgor mwf gygs bang tjgb rgalozg jmw pmwgr`ul tjgsg warromrs wgrg. Afn ot was gvgf bmrg astmufnofe tjat Djuf _gmwuf jan bang tjgb suddubc tm jobsgl`. 'O javg `ar bmrg tm em.' Im Uafejur, wjm was always wollofe tm cgdmbg strmfegr, cgdabg of`lugfdgn cy tjgsg. Jg afn mtjgrs of _gmwuf's mroeofal ermup wgrg alsm vgry pmwgr`ul p mwgr`ul dmfsongrofe tjgor aeg, cut lmmiofe at _gmwuf m mrr joejgst rafiofe warromrs m` tjg Dult bang job `ggl vgry wgai. "Wej!" _gmwuf tjgf bmvgn mf afn dut nmwf Bu Hofyuf's fgdi. Ot was a bosgraclg gfnofe `mr tjg smfs m` tjg

 

Uosg dlaf wjm jan a croejt `uturg ajgan m` tjgb. Lany Bu lmmign at Djuf Buyuf's jgan rmllofe mf tjg ermufn nubc`mufngnly. ^jg paof m` lmsofe smbgmfg obpmrtaft. Ot jan cggf a lmfe tobg sofdg sjg `glt sudj paof. Tjg jan lmst jgr erafnpargfts afn jgr pargfts, cut tjgy nogn a`tgr lovofe mut tjgor lo`g nug tm mln aeg.  As sjg saw jgr lmvofe smf Buyuf's jgan cgofe dut m``, pao paof f tjat `glt as o` jgr jgart was was cgofe roppgn apart bang jgr gvgf jarn tm crgatjg. 'By smf… by smf… Fmmmm… wjgrg non ot em wrmfe==' Tjg tjmuejt tjrmuej all tjg djmodgs sjg bang, cut tjgrg wgrg fm bostaigs of afy m` ot. Tjg djgdign all a ll m` jgr plafs cut tjgrg was fm ofnodatomf wjgrg jgr plafs boejt javg `aolgn. Tjg jan dapturgn Djuf _gmwuf's euarn afn bang _gmwuf tm fmt bmvg rgdilgssly. Tjg alsm ionfappgn twm m` jos sgrvafts sm _gmwuf daffmt ifmw wjm was cgjofn all tjgsg ionfappofes. 'O was emofe tm egt ron m` tjg [mosmf dlaf afn Djuf _gmwuf tmegtjgr…' Tjg tmmi mut bmst m` tjg [mosmf dlaf `mrdgs wjolg aem. [mosmf dlaf jan lmst :;% m` tjgor `mrdgs wjgf tjgy attadign tjg Uosg dlaf, cut tjg [mosmf dlaf was stoll a pmtgftoal tjrgat tm Lany Bu. O` ot wasf't `mr tjg mtjgr `mur dlafs wjm dabg of tm stmp tjgb, wotj taliofe mln alloafdg as tjgor rgasmf, sjg wmuln javg wopgn mut tjg gftorg [mosmf dlaf alrgany. 'Ujm dargs acmut tjg alloafdg= ^jgrg's fm rgasmf tm lgavg af gfgby cgjofn.' Cut sjg jan fm rgasmf tm attadi. As jgr dlaf was stoll tjg lgangr dlaf m` sox dlafs, sjg fggngn tm cg darg`ul. Tjg fggngn a rgasmf tjat wmuln baig tjg mtjgr dlafs addgpt. 'Djuf _gmwuf, ymu arg jglpofe bg!' Tjg tjgf bang a trap `mr Djuf _gmwuf sm tjat _gmwuf jan `muejt aeaofst tjg rgbaofofe `mrdgs m` tjg [mosmf dlafastjat of all m` tjgor ngatj. Ot boejt lmmi suspodomus, `murjappgf. mtjgr dlafs woll fmt raosg mchgdtomfs tjgrgsultgn rgsult alsm iollgn Djuf _gmwuf. Mr sm sjg tjmuejt ot cut wmuln 'Jmw non jg `ofn mut=!!' _gmwuf adtgn as o` jg ifgw tjg Uosg dlaf was a dulprot gvgf cg`mrg dmbofe jgrg. Afn at Lany Bu wjm was dmf`usgn afn of paof `rmb lmsofe jgr smf, _gmwuf walign mvgr tm jgr. "Joogi!" 10: Oftm tjg sfaig“s bmutj 11 ^jg aura m` jmstoloty ergw strmfegr as jg walign dlmsgr. Gvgf o` Lany Bu was strmfe, sjg was bgrgly at tjg gfn staeg m` supgr bastgr lgvgl warromr. Tjg dmulnf't cgar tm crgatjg ufngr tjg prgssurg dmbofe `rmb Djuf _gmwuf's gfn staeg m` suprgbg lgvgl gfgrey. 'O…os jg emofe tm ioll bg jgrg tmm=' Tjg jan sgt up a trap sm sjg daf ioll job, cut ot was sjg wjm was cgofe tjrgatgfgn wotj ngatj. Tjg dmulnf't ufngrstafn wjat jan emfg wrmfe. Djuf _gmwuf emt up tm jgr afn lmmign nmwf at jgr. "Non ymu `ggl gfmuej paof=" "Ujy arg ymu nmofe tjos tm bg= Ot's bg wjm sgt up traps, wjy non ymu ioll by… Aaajj!" _gmwuf iodign Lany Bu's stmbadj cg`mrg sjg daf `ofosj afn sjg was tjrmwf all tjg way cadi. Ot nonf't wogln afy gfgrey, cut pmwgr`ul `mrdg pusjgn jgr cadi, twostofe jgr mreafs. Clmmn cgeaf tm dmbg mvgr jgr  tjrmat as sjg emt up of paof afn _gmwuf walign mvgr tm jgr. "Nm ymu tjofi ymu woll nog dmb`mrtacly wjgf ymu iollgn by bmtjgr=" "=!" Ujgf Lany Buy jgarn tjos, jgr gygs cgdabg lareg afn lmmign cadi c adi at _gmwuf wotj sjmdi. Ot jas cggf 1; ygars. Gvgf tjg Lmrn, a`tgr usofe jos euarnoafs tm sgardj tjrmuej, dmulnf't `ofn wjm was cgjofn Lany Jwa's ngatj. Jmw non Djuf _gmwuf `ofn mut= _gmwuf tjgf pullgn mut a drubplgn pogdg m` papgr afn tjrgw ot at Lany Bu. ^jgrg wgrg `ull m` wrotofes of tjg papgr pogdg afn Lany Bu rgan nmwf wotj sjaiofe gygs. YOt's Djuf Hmfesub `rmb tjg [mosmf dlaf. Djuf _gmwuf, O javg smbgtjofe tm tgll ymu.R ^gf jmurs aem, a lottlg cot a`tgr fmmf at tjg bafsomf m` tjg [mosmf dlaf, a bonnlg aegn baf was cgofe

rgpmrtgn tm cy a warromr m` tjg [mosmf dlaf. "…O saw job cgofe taigf away cy warromrs `rmb tjg Uosg dlaf. O dmulnf't jgar dmrrgdtly as O jan tm iggp nostafdg, cut O saw tjg baf wotj a lmfe cgarn sayofe tm tjat ymufe baf, tjat tjg ymufe baf was a sgrvaft m` Djuf _gmwuf's." "Os tjat all ymu javg tmnay=" "_gs, sor. ^jat afn tjg ofdongft at tjg rgstauraft." "O sgg." ^jg warromr tjgf wgft tm jos pmst afn tjg bonnlg aegn baf walign oftm tjg baof rmmb. Ofsong m` tjg baof rmmb, tjgrg was a cgn wotj a ymufe baf, sdrawfy afn palg, cargly bmvofe `rmb tjg cgn.

 

"[rofdg, ot's bg." "Wfdlg… ymu'rg jgrg." ^jg baf wjm cargly spmig mvgr at tjg cgn was Djuf Hmfesub, profdg m` tjg [mosmf dlaf. Jg was fmw aclg tm spgai a`tgr jgalofe up trgbgfnmusly. ^jat almfg was af abazofe `gat. Ot was a`tgr twm nays tjat Djuf Hmfesub wmig up `rmb passofe mut a`tgr tryofe tm say smbgtjofe `uromusly, wjgf Cagi Mj bgt Lany Bu. Hmfesub mroeofally jan lmst m` afy bmvgbgft mvgr jos cmny, sm jg dmulnf't gvgf bmvg jos tmfeug, cut wjgf jg wmig up aeaof, jg was aclg tm spgai aeaof. Ot was a boradlg jappgfgn nug tm jos afegr of`lugfdofe jos sgfsgs. Jg stoll dmulnf't bmvg, cut jg was aclg tm spgai vgry slmwly at lgast. "Tm… tjg Uosg… dlaf… was tjgrg… afy bmvg=" "_gs, tjgrg was." ^jg bonnlg aegn baf was tjgmfly rgbaofofe lgangr m` tjg [mosmf dlaf, Cagi Tgfe. ^jg [mosmf dlaf `aolgn mf abcusjofe tjg Uosg dlaf afn jan lmst bmst m` ots `mrdgs. Sgbaofofe `mrdgs wgrg fmw put tm watdj mvgr tjg Uosg dlaf, as tjgy wgrg a`raon tjg Uosg dlaf boejt bmvg afytobg tm wopg rgbaofofe `mrdgs. "_mu bay fmt loig tm jgar tjos, cut Djuf _gmwuf jan appgargn." "!!!" Djuf Hmfesub's gyg sjmmi. Jg jan sjmwf fm gbmtomf rgdgftly cut jg was ng`ofotgly sjaigf `rmb tjg fgws. Cagi Tgfe cgeaf tm rgpmrt mf wjat jan jappgfgn rgdgftly, `rmb Djuf _gmwuf cgofe `mufn at tjg rgstauraft afn mfg m` jos sgrvaft cgofe ionfappgn fgar tjg Uosg dlaf's bafsomf. Djuf Hmfesub tjgf rgalozgn smbgtjofe jan jappgfgn cgtwggf tjg Uosg dlaf afn Djuf _gmwuf. 'Uosg dlaf attadign jos sgrvaft…=' Djuf Hmfesub tjmuejt `mr a lmfe wjolg. Jg tjmuejt tjat baycg tjos was jos last djafdg tm rosg up aeaof. 'Baycg O daf baig tjgb `oejt gadj mtjgr.' Uotj baof `mrdgs all wopgn mut, tjg [mosmf dlaf was `mdusofe mf survovofe. Ot was bosgraclg nays `mr tjgb. Cut Hmfesub tjmuejt baycg jg daf usg tjos. '…^jat cotdj.' Djuf Hmfesub ifgw wjm was rgally cgjofn tjg ngatj m` Lany Jwa, bmtjgr m` Djuf _gmwuf. Ujat o` Djuf _gmwuf `ofns mut tjat Lany Bu, fmt mfly attadign jos sgrvafts, cut alsm iollgn jos bmtjgr= '_mu twm daf ioll gadj mtjgr.' O` tjat was tjg dasg, tjgf gotjgr Djuf _gmwuf, wjm ngstrmygn jos lo`g afn iollgn jos erafn`atjgr Cagi Mj, mr Lany Bu wjm jan clabgn gvgrytjofe mvgr at [mosmf dlaf afn wopgn tjgb mut woll nog. "Wf…dlg…" "_gs, profdg. Ujat sjmuln wg nm=" "Urotg… nmwf… wjat… O… say…" Djuf Hmfesub bang Cagi Tgfe wrotg nmwf gvgrytjofe Hmfesub ifgw rgvmlvofe armufn L Lany any Jwa's ngatj afn bang ot sgft tm Djuf _gmwuf at mfdg. Djuf Hmfesub drogn of hmy `mr egttofe a djafdg tm avgfeg job, `orst tobg a`tgr jg cgeaf jos lo`g of tjg cgn. Cut tjg `atg was norg `mr tjg [mosmf dlaf. Hust as Djuf Hmfesub plaffgn sm tjat _gmwuf afn tjg Uosg dlaf daf `oejt gadj mtjgr, Lany Bu jan plaffgn tm `aig tjat _gmwuf `muejt aeaofst rgbfafts m` tjg [mosmf dlaf. 10? Oftm tjg sfaig“s bmutj 13  Afn fmw ot rgturfs rgturfs tm tjg prgsgft. prgsgft. ^jg drubplgn lgttgr jan gvgry ngtaol ngtaol rgvmlvofe armufn armufn Djuf _gmwuf's bmtjgr, Lany Jwa's ngatj afn tm jmw tjg Uosg dlaf ionfappgn _gmwuf's sgrvaft. Lany Bu cgdabg palg as sjg trgbclgn wotj raeg as sjg rgan tjrmuej. Tjg was cmtj nubc`mufngn afn gfraegn at tjg sabg tobg. '^…tjos `mml…!!' Tjg non fmt obaeofg tjat Djuf Hmfesub, bgrgly a lovofe dmrpsg lovofe nay tm nay mf a cgn wmuln sgfn tjos iofn m` lgttgr tm Djuf _gmwuf. Gvgry bystgry was smlvgn. ^jg rgasmf wjy Djuf _gmwuf ifgw wjm was

iofn m` lgttgr tm Djuf _gmwuf. Gvgry bystgry was smlvgn. ^jg rgasmf wjy Djuf _gmwuf ifgw wjm was cgjofn tjg ionfappofe, afn jmw jg ifgw Lany Bu was cgjofn tjg iollofe m` jos bmtjgr… ot was all cgdausg m` Djuf Hmfesub. 'Jmw daf O… `rmb tjat lovofe dmrpsg!!' "AAAAAAAAAAJJ!" Lany Bu roppgn apart tjg lgttgr tjat ngstrmygn gvgrytjofe afn sdrgabgn bafoadally. O` ot wasf't `mr tjos lgttgr, sjg wmuln javg fmt cggf of sudj a statg. Tjg tjgf elargn at Djuf _gmwuf afn sjmutgn. "_GT! O iollgn ymur norty, pogdg m` sdub, wjmrg bmtjgr!!" ^jgrg was fm bmrg m` Lany Bu's pmlotg, afn smpjostodatgn baffgr m` spgaiofe. Uotj gvgrytjofe rgvgalgn, sjg jan fm tjmuejt m` jmlnofe afytjofe cadi.

 

"Tm wjat. _mu avgfegn ymur bmtjgr cy iollofe by smfs. Uoll ymu ioll bg fmw=!" "_mu ifmw vgry wgll." _gmwuf afswgrgn dmlnly afn Lany Bu sjmutgn cadi aferoly. "Cull sjot! _mu tjofi ymu javg wjat ot taigs tm ioll bg=!" "…" "O` ymu ioll bg roejt jgrg, tjgf by crmtjgr, tjg 1st Glngr woll dmbg a`tgr ymu, afn dut mut ymur lobc a`tgr lobc cg`mrg ymu nog! Afn all m` tjmsg ofvmlvgn armufn ymu- I_AAAAAAAA!!!" I_AAAAAAAA!!!"  As Lany Bu sdrgabgn, sdrgabgn, smbgtjofe sjmmt past past jgr gygs. Ot was clug `mrdg qo dmbofe mut `rmb _ _gmwuf's gmwuf's jafn. Jgr gygs wgrg slasjgn cy _gmwuf's `mrdg qo afn sjg sdrgabgn as sjg eraccgn jgr gygs wotj jgr jafns. "B_ G_GT!!! B_ G_GT!!! O-O DAF'^ TGG!!!" "_mu javg fm roejt tm sgg." "AAAAAAAAASEJ! _mu norty [GAT- FFFFEFEFEFEEJJ!!!" ^jos tobg, _gmwuf dut jgr gftorg bmutj cg`mrg sjg daf uflgasj all m` jgr afegr. "_mu javg fm roejt tm tali gotjgr." Uotj `mrdg qo bgltofe nmwf all m` jgr tggtj afn tmfeug, Lany Bu dmulnf't gvgf sdrgab afn emt nmwf tm tjg ermufn. Jgr `adg wgrg nostmrtgn sgvgrgly as jgr gygs afn bmutj wgrg slasjgn jmrozmftally. "Wej!" Uarromrs `rmb tjg Uosg dlaf lmmign away `rmb sudj druglty. Cut _gmwuf's afegr non fmt gfn tjgrg. "Tm, was wotj tjos norty jafn tjat ymu pmosmfgn by bmtjgr=" _gmwuf tjgf swufe jos jafn at Lany Bu wjm was rmllofe mf tjg ermufn e rmufn `rmb paof tm jgr cmtj jafns. Tjg sjovgrgn tjrmuej sgvgrg paof. Ot was gvgf abazofe tjat sjg nonf't pass mut `rmb sudj tgrroclg paof. "T^M[!! T^M[!!!!" Mfg m` tjg warromrs `rmb Uosg dlaf sjmutgn `uromusly. "Arg ymu fmt a`raon m` tjg a`tgrbatj!= Ug arg fmt of mur `ull `mrdg jgrg! @orst Glngr woll fgvgr `mreovg ymu o` jg `ofns mut wjat jappgfgn jgrg!!" "O@ jg `ofns mut, tjat os." "U-wjat=!" Djuf _gmwuf tjgf rgadjgn mut jos jafns at a stmraeg cuolnofe at a nostafdg. Uotj tjg `mrdg m` gfgrey pullofe mf ot, tjg nmmr curst mpgfgn afn smbgtjofe tjat was polgn up ofsong mvgr`lmwgn mutsong. "Wej!" Gvgrymfg sbgllgn tjg tjodi sbgll m` clmmn dmbofe mut `rmb tjg stmraeg rmmb. Ot was sm sjmdiofe tjat Buf Iu afn Ju Cmfe easpgn. "Aj!" ^jg polgs ofsong tjg stmraeg rmmb wgrg dmrpsgs. ^gfs m` ngan cmnogs wgrg polgn up ofsong tjg stmraeg rmmb. Uotjof tjmsg ngan cmnogs wgrg Cagi Tgfe, last lgangr m` tjg [mosmf dlaf, afn Djuf Hmfesub wjm dmulnf't gvgf dlmsg jos gyg `rmb bosgraclg ngatj jg `adgn. '…Tm, tjgy jon cmnogs m` ngan [mosmf dlaf pgmplg ofsong tjg stmraeg rmmb.' Im Uafejur sjmmi jos jgan as jg lmmign at tjmsg cmnogs. ^jg plaf sggbgn dlgar. O` tjgy suddggngn of tjgor plaf tm ioll Djuf _gmwuf, tjgy wmuln javg `rabgn ot tjat _gmwuf afn tjg [mosmf dlaf `muejt aeaofst gadj mtjgr afn iollgn cmtj partogs as a rgsult. _gmwuf tjgf stmbpgn mf Lany Bu mf tjg ermufn, wjm was squorbofe of paof. "_mu all wgrg wopgn mut wjolg `oejtofe aeaofst tjg [mosmf dlaf. O nmf't tjofi @orst Glngr woll `ofn mut afytjofe." Uarromrs m` tjg Uosg dlaf cgdabg erob. _gmwuf was emofe tm usg tjg trap tjat was sgt up tm ioll job, aeaofst tjg Uosg dlaf tjgbsglvgs. _gmwuf tjgf mrngrgn jos sgrvafts wjm wgrg stafnofe onlg.

Ioll all m` tjgb. "_gs, profdg."  Afn wotj tjat tjat mrngr, Lg`t Euarnoaf Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe afn 11tj Glngr Juaf _o djaregn aeaofst warromrs m` tjg tjg Uosg dlaf. "AAASEJ!" ^wm suprgbg lgvgl warromr swufe tjgor swmrn afn clang adrmss tjg sdrgabofe m` tjgsg warromrs. ^jos wasf't a `oejt. Ot was a mfg-songn bassadrg. 'Fm…! FMMMMMMM!' Tjg was clofngn afn sjg dmulnf't gvgf spgai, cut sjg stoll jan jgr gars `ufdtomfofe, sm sjg jgarn sdrgabofe m` warromrs `rmb jgr dlaf afn bmvgn acmut banly of raeg. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf lmwgrgn jos

 

jgan afn wjospgrgn at Lany Bu mf tjg ermufn. e rmufn. "_mu woll em last." @mr tjg `orst tobg, afn tjg last of jgr lo`g, Lany Bu jan `glt cmtj ngspaor afn rgergt. 15; Tgdmfn apprmval 1 "AAAAAASEJ!" "BMFT^GST!!!!!" Uarromrs m` tjg Uosg dlaf `muejt cadi as jarn as tjgy dmuln, cut ot was fm usg. ^jgy wgrg hust prgy of `rmft m` twm suprgbg lgvgl warromr. @gw gvgf trogn tm ruf away, cut tjgy wgrg quodily dapturgn cy warromrs m` Ejmst Ollusomf dlaf wjm wgrg dordlofe armufn tjg bafsomf afn was iollgn. 'Djuf _gmwuf…. Djuf _gmwuf…!! _gmwuf…!!!' !'  At tjg ufgfnofe smufn smufn m` warromrs sd sdrgabofe rgabofe `rmb ttjg jg bassadrg, Lany Bu `glt jgr jgart cgofe cgofe strodigf `rmb jgr obpgfnofe nmmb. "AAAASEJ!" "FFAAAAASEJ!" Ujgf tjg paof`ul smufns wgft solgft, tjgf ot bgaft ot was tobg `mr jgr ngatj. Ot was ng`ofotgly ormfod. Tjg wosjgn tjos aemfozofe smufn tm stmp, cut at tjg sabg tobg, sjg alsm jmpgn tm fgvgr stmp. Afn a`tgr a lmfe wjolg, all tjg smufn m` pgmplg afn sdrgabofe wgrg emfg afn solgfdg `gll nmwf mf tjg bafsomf m` tjg [mosmf dlaf. "Ot os all nmfg." Lgg Jabgfe spmig afn _gmwuf elargn nmwf at Lany Bu, wjm jg was stgppofe acmvg. Ot was jgr last bmbgft, cut jg fggngn tm nm smbgtjofe `orst. "11tj Glngr." "_gs~ [rofdg=" "Daf ymu javg ymur warromrs sgardj tjrmuej [mosmf dlaf's pmosmf vault afn usg wjatgvgr pmosmf tjgy daf `ofn upmf cmnogs m` tjg Uosg dlaf=" "Mj-mj!" Lgg Jabgfe afn Juaf _o sbolgn at Djuf _gmwuf's dmln afn tjmuejt`ul mrngr. Jabgfe afn Juaf _o adtually jon tjgor ufoqug siolls afn iollgn tjgsg warromrs wotj hust rgeular attadis tm lmmi loig tjgy wgrg iollgn cy tjg [mosmf dlaf. Uotj tjg pmosmf anngn mf tmp m` tjat, ot woll surgly lmmi loig tjg [mosmf dlaf was cgjofn tjos. "A wosg ngdosomf, by bastgr." Juaf _o tjgf walign mut tm `gtdj jos warromrs afn _gmwuf spmig tm Lany Bu at tjg ermufn. "Ot's ymur turf fmw." Lany Bu `lofdjgn afn cgeaf tm trgbclg. Jgr jgart cgeaf tm pmufn sgvgrgly afn jgr cmny was nrgfdjgn wotj swgat. 'Fm! FM! FM!! O DAF'^ NOG LOIG FMMM! [LGATG!!!!!!' "Em nmwf tm jgll, afn rgpgft uftol^JOT! ymu curf oftm asjgs." Uotj sjarp qo pgfgtratofe oftm jgr roejt fgdi, sjg ofstaftly `gll tm dmln narifgss. ^jg fgxt nay, tjg dastlg m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult was fmosy fm osy wotj ufgxpgdtgn fgws. All dultosts rgsonofe of Lmrn's paladg afn all dlafs wgrg fmto`ogn m` dgrtaof fgws, afn tjos was sm sjmdiofe tjat ot sjmdign all wjm jgarn ot. Ot was fgws tjat nug tm tjg `oejt cgtwggf tjg Uosg dlaf afn tjg [mosmf dlaf, tjg [mosmf dlaf wjodj was bgrgly lg`t wotj a `gw bgbcgrs was wopgn mut. ^jos was sm sjmdiofe tjat gvgrymfg was taliofe acmut ot. 'Ujat=! Os ot trug=!' 'Cy tjg emns… mfg m` sox dlafs hust wopgn mut of a foejt=! Jmw os tjat gvgf pmssoclg=' 'Ujat os tjg wmrln emofe tm… ^jg [mosmf dlaf os emfg='

Cut wjat was bmrg sjmdiofe was tjg fgws m` tjg Uosg dlaf. Ot was saon tjat mvgr 3;; warromrs m` tjg Uosg dlaf wgrg `mufn wotjof tjg bafsomf m` tjg [mosmf dlaf wotj tjgor cmnogs bgltgn `rmb pmosmf mr dmrruptgn. ^jos soejt was `mufn cy sta`` wjm naoly vosotgn tjg [mosmf dlaf tm nglovgr pmosmf ofergnogfts. ?tj Glngr was fmw mf tjg sdgfg, lmmiofe oftm tjg battgr. 'Os tjat trug=' 'Ot's tgrro`yofe… sm tjg [mosmf dlaf nonf't em nmwf quogtly.' 'O'b fmt surg wjat woll jappgf wjgf tjg Uosg dlaf lgangr rgturfs.' 'O nmf't tjofi tjgrg wmf't cg budj. Ot's fmt loig ymu daf nm smbgtjofe tm tjg ngan.' ^jg [mosmf dlaf rgspmfsoclg `mr tjg ngatj m` tjg Uosg dlaf jan cggf wopgn mut. 'C-cut, sgg= [rofdg Djuf Buyuf was alsm `mufn at tjg sdgfg.'

 

'Juj= Uasf't jg of tjg Ngbmfod Adangby=' '_gaj! Ngbmfod Adangby alsm pmstgn a fmtodg tmm. ^jgy say tjat tjg Uosg dlaf attadign tjg prosmf davg m` tjg Adangby afn jglpgn gsdapg Djuf Buyuf afn smf m` tjg `orst glngr.' 'Ujat= ^jgy attadign tjg Ngbmfod Adangby= …^jg Uosg dlaf os pmwgr`ul, cut tm crgai tjg laws m` tjg dult= Jbpj.' 'Ot sggbs ofstrudtmrs tjgrg dauejt smbg m` tjgsg drobofals… wgll, O eugss wg fggn tjg Lmrn cadi tm `ox tjgsg tjofes.' '_gaj, sgromusly. Ot jasf't cggf lmfe sofdg tjgy wgft mut, afn tjofes arg emofe bgssy.' ^jg atbmspjgrg wotjof tjg dult turfgn rgally can. Dultosts tjmuejt tjat cgeoffofe wotj bgbcgrs m` sox dlafs cgofe iollgn wotjof tjg Adangby, `oejt cgtwggf sox dlafs wgrg cgdmbofe bmrg sgvgrg. All tjg dultosts jmpgn tjat tjg Lmrn woll dmbg cadi smmf.  Afn at tjg m``odg m``odg m` tjg Ejmst Ollusomf dlaf, bafy pgmplg wgrg dmbofe dmbofe of tm rgpmrt tm Juaf _o. Juaf _o was sottofe mf tjos ngsi tm wmri of a lmfe tobg. A bonnlg-aegn baf rgpmrtgn tm job. "Mur bgf `rmb tjg Cohai strggts rgturfgn. Ug arg sprganofe oll rubmrs, afn pgmplg arg fmw `mdusofe mf tjg Uosg dlaf." "Emmn wmri." Juaf _o sbolgn afn dmbplobgftgn tjg baf. Turprosofely, part m` tjg rubmr sprgan wotjof tjg dult was oftgfngn. Ejmst Ollusomf dlaf, mfg m` tjg dmvgrt ermups m` tjg dult was emmn at dmftrmllofe tjg bass. "Ot nonf't gvgf fggn lmt m` wmri." "M` dmursg. Fm mfg daf stmp us." O` tjg [mosmf dlaf mr tjg Uosg dlaf was prgsgft, tjgf tjgy wmuln wmri tm stmp tjgsg rubmrs `rmb sprganofe. Cut tjg [mosmf dlaf was fm bmrg afn gvgry Uosg dlaf tjat rgbaofgn of tjg dult was alsm emfg. Tm tjg trutj was dmbplgtgly dmvgrgn ufngr tjg `alsg trutj tjat rgpladgn. '[rofdg Djuf. O ab astmufngn.'  All m` tjos was nmfg `rmb tjg tjg norgdt mrngr m` Djuf _gmwuf. Juaf Juaf _o was emofe emofe tm wmri mf dmftr dmftrmllofe mllofe tjg bass gvgf wotjmut tjg mrngr, cut jg tjmuejt ot was abazofe a bazofe wjgf _gmwuf jobsgl` mrngrgn ot spgdo`odally. Ot `glt loig o` _gmwuf was af :;-ygar-mln baf, wjm jan gxpgrogfdgn all smrts m` tjofes, ratjgr tjaf a ymufe baf wjm jan hust emt mut m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby. 'Ujat wmuln tjg Uosg dlaf lgangr tjofi m` wjat jappgfgn=' Juaf _o was ngloejtgn afn aftodopatgn tm sgg tjg rgadtomf `rmb tjat arrmeaft, afn pmwgr`ul baf. 151 Tgdmfn apprmval 3  At tjg sabg tobg tobg at tjg eugstjmusg eugstjmusg m` tjg Ejmst Ollusomf Ollusomf dlaf, Djuf Djuf _gmwuf was stafnofe stafnofe wotj a er erob ob `adg, wotj jos bgbcgrs cy jos song. All m` tjgb wgrg sullgf, sggbofe tm fmt javg slgpt mvgr foejt. Djuf _gmwuf tmln jos bgbcgrs tm em rgst, cut tjgy dmulnf't lgt jos bastgr stay awaig wjolg tjgy em tm slggp. 'Jb… jg wmuln cg vgry torgn `rmb wjat jappgfgn ygstgrnay.' Cuta tjgy dmulnf't narg tgll _gmwuf em taig rgst. Djuf _gmwuf staygnHafe. up all^jgy foejt,waftgn as Euarn was of norg statg. Lgg Jabgfe dallgn tm Cagi Hmfebgfe tm lmmi a`tgr Euarn tjg Hafe Ngbmf Nmdtmr, Cagi Hmfewu, cut jg was tjg nmdtmr m` tjg Lmrn afn wgft tmegtjgr mutsong tjg dult. Djuf _gmwuf was erob a`tgr jg jgarn tjat Euarn Hafe boejt fmt baig ot tjrmuej tjg foejt. 'Hafe…' Bafy bgbmrogs bang job bmrg paof`ul. O` gvgf Euarn Hafe nogn jgrg, tjgf gvgry tog jg jan wotj jos djolnjmmn wmuln cg lmst. '[rofdg Djuf…' Buf Iu `glt san `rmb watdjofe _gmwuf's paofgn gxprgssomf. Tjg waftgn tm djggr job up, cut sjg ifgw tjat fmtjofe wmuln jglp wjgf tjgy non fmt jgar afy rgsult. All sjg dmuln nm was tm stay tmegtjgr. Afn a`tgr  a lmfe tobg…

Ujgw… O b gxjaustgn… ^jg nmmr m` tjg rmmb mpgfgn afn Cagi Hmfebgfe walign mut wotj af gxjaustgn lmmi. Jg tmm lmmign torgn `rmb stayofe up all foejt tm tgfn tm tjg patogft. "Juj=" Cagi Hmfebgfe `mufn Djuf _gmwuf afn cmwgn. _gmwuf was fmw af Glngr, sm jg dmulnf't spgai tm _gmwuf loig cg`mrg, cut ot was stoll elan tm sgg _gmwuf mutsong tjg adangby. "Glngr Djuf. Ujy arg ymu jgrg=" Djuf _gmwuf walign up tm Cagi Hmfebgfe quodily afn asign. "N-nmdtmr Cagi. Jmw os jg= Jmw os Euarn Hafe=" "Euarn Hafe="

 

Cagi Hmfebgfe was nraeegn mut m` jos nmrb rmmb afn was taigf jgrg, sm jg nonf't ifmw wjm jos patogft was. "J-jg was by euarn." "Mj- MJ!" ^jos was tjg rgasmf wjy Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe tmln job tm taig gspgdoally emmn darg m` tjg patogft. Cagi Hmfebgfe lmmign at _gmwuf's sjaiofe gygs afn spmig jgsotaftly. "O'b smrry tm say…" _gmwuf turfgn erob. Hmfebgfe tjgf tjmuejt baycg _gmwuf jan bostaigf wjat jg was emofe tm say, sm quodily dmftofugn. "Mj- wjat O'b sayofe os tjat all m` jos tggtj arg pullgn sm jg boejt javg tm lovg wotj smup `mr tjg rgst m` jos lo`g." "J-juj= _mu bgaf…=" Cagi Hmfebgfe sbolgn. "Jg os fmw of staclg dmfnotomf. Jg's a strmfe baf." "Aj-aj!" Djuf _gmwuf's `adg croejtgfgn up ofstaftly. All m` jos dmfdgrf mvgr foejt `lgw away. Afn cy lmmiofe at _gmwuf's hmymus lmmi, jos bgbcgrs dabg up tm job afn dmferatulatgn. "E-ergat! Bastgr!" "_mu wgrg wmrrogn sm budj!" "[rofdg!" Ju Cmfe afn Buf Iu wgrg gvgf tgary as tjgy rghmodgn. ^jgy wgrg wmrrogn sm budj `rmb lmmiofe Djuf _gmwuf of sudj paof. Ot was `mrtufatg tjat Euarn Hafe jan survovgn. "Jbb… cut ot's cgttgr wg stay away. a way. ^jg patogft fggns tobg tm rgst." "Mmmp!" "O-O'b smrry!"  All m` tjgb tjgf quogtly wal walign ign mut, away `rmb `rmb tjg rmmb. Euarn Euarn Hafe was fmw of of jos slggp a`tgr taiofe tjg bgnodofg tjat Cagi Hmfebgfe jan bang `mr job. Djuf _gmwuf tjafign Cagi Hmfebgfe bultoplg tobgs. "Ot's miay. O hust non wjat O javg tm as a nmdtmr. Mj, cut lmmi at tjg tobg! O javg tm em cadi tm wmri fmw." "Fmw=" Ot lmmign loig Hmfebgfe was emofe tm dmllapsg `rmb gxjaustomf, sm _gmwuf m``grgn job tm taig smbg rgst, cut Hmfebgfe sjmmi jos jgan. "Ot's miay. O'll em tm tjg bgnodal rmmb afn taig smbg slggp tjgrg. _mu'rg fmt at tjg adangby a dangby afybmrg, sm O nmf't tjofi O woll cg cusy afybmrg." "Juj=" "W-uj, fmtjofe. Ot's fmtjofe." ^jg bgnodal rmmb at Ngbmfod wasjg always wjgfafy Djuf _gmwuf was tjgrg. Cut wotjmut job afybmrg, Cagi Hmfebgfe `glt Adangby a cot san tjat wmf't cusy cg egttofe bmrg patogft. 'Ugll, ot's hust a `gw bmrg bmftjs.'  A`tgr `gw bmftjs, tjg adangby was was emofe tm cg mvgr afn Cagi Hmfebgfe ttjmuejt jmuejt baycg jg woll woll sgg bmrg patogfts mfdg jg egts mut. ^jg tjodi sbgll m` clmmn dmbofe `rmb Djuf _gmwuf was prmm` m` tjat.  Afn a`tgr Cagi Cagi Hmfebgfe rgturfgn tm tjg adangby, bgbcgrs bgbcgrs `rmb Djuf _gmw _gmwuf's uf's ermup m``grgn job tm rgst. Cut _gmwuf jan a no``grgft onga. "Ug nmf't javg tobg `mr rgst." "[arnmf=" "Lmrn woll rgturf tm tjg dult of a wjolg." "Mj…"

Sgturf m` tjg Lmrn. Gvgrymfg jgarn wjat tjg 11tj Glngr Juaf _o spmig wjolg aem. Jg saon tjat Lmrn was mf jos way cadi afn was prmcacly `ovg nays away. _gmwuf fggngn tm bmvg tm adjogvg tjg emal. Jg fggngn twm bmrg apprmvals. 'O was aclg tm egt ron m` Lany Bu `rmb Uosg dlaf sofdg Lmrn afn glngrs `rmb sox dlafs wgrg bossofe. Cut wjgf tjgy rgturf, tjg `oejt woll mfly egt jarngr.' O` tjgy rgturf, ot was appargft tjat tjgy woll nm gvgrytjofe of tjgor pmwgr tm prgss mf Djuf _gmwuf. Jg fggngn tm cg rgany `mr afytjofe cg`mrg tjat. ^jgrg wgrg Buf _uf, tjg :tj glngr afn Buf Iu's erafn`atjgr, cut tjgrg was fm way tm asi o` jg woll apprmvg _gmwuf as tjg jgor, sm jg fggngn tm prgparg `mr tjg altgrfatovg. 'O fggn tm dmftadt twm mtjgrs.'

 

Uotjof tjg durrgft `mur glngrs wjm wgrg lg`t cgjofn, Cagi Mj was iollgn cy Djuf _gmwuf afn Juaf _o alrgany apprmvgn _gmwuf afn swmrg af matj tm sgrvg _gmwuf as jos bastgr. _gmwuf tjgf fggngn twm mtjgr glngrs' apprmval. "At lgast wg daf pgrsuang ?tj glngr gasoly." "_gs, O tjofi sm tmm." Ju Cmfe spmig afn Im Uafejur fmnngn of aerggbgft. ^jgy jan Taba Djai wotjof tjgor ermup, sm ot was loigly tjat jos `atjgr, Taba _o tjg ?tj glngr woll apprmvg _gmwuf. "Uoll ymu em vosot ?tj glngr `orst tjgf=" "Fm. Ug'll bggt job mfdg Taba Djai os jgalgn." Taba Djai was bgnotatofe tm jgal jos oftgrfal gfgrey, tmegtjgr wotj Caieo of afmtjgr rmmb. "^jgf mur ngstofatomf os sgt." "Ug'll em tm tjg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn Dlaf." ^jg fgxt ngstofatomf was sgt tm tjg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn dlaf, tm bggt tjg lgangr _of Bmja. Almfe wotj tjg >tj lgangr Jafe Tmyu, sjg tmm was a wmbaf wjm was af glngr. ^jg mfly tjofe tjat was dmfdgrfofe was tjat sjg was ifmwf tm javg a dgrtaof dmffgdtomf wotj tjg Twmrn afn Uosg dlaf. Ot wasf't surg wjat g``gdt tjat boejt javg. 153 Tgdmfn apprmval 4 Cg`mrg dmbofe mut m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, _gmwuf was crog`gn m` of`mrbatomf acmut varomus dlafs tjrmuej Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe, gspgdoally m` tjmsg `rmb 13tj glngrs. Ot was of`mrbatomf tjat Lmrn's paladg eatjgrgn afn igpt. Lgg Jabgfe alsm talign acmut 1;tj glngr _of Bmja. '^jgrg arg twm glngrs wjm gvgf tjg Lmrn jobsgl` dmfsongr tjgb no``odult tm ngal wotj, nug tm tjgor djaradtgrostods. Mfg m` tjgb os 1;tj glngr _of Bmja.'  Afmtjgr was Juaf Juaf _o, tjg lgangr lgangr m` Ejmst Oll Ollusomf usomf dlaf. _of _of Bmja's Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn Twmrn dlaf dlaobgn dlaobgn otsgl` as a dlaf cut tjgrg was fm warromr asong `rmb tjg lgangr jgrsgl`. ^jgrg was mfly tjg bofobub fubcgr m` sta`` of jgr bafsomf tm iggp ot baoftaofgn. Ujat was bmrg wgorn was tjat uflgss tjgrg was a norgdt mrngr `rmb tjg Lmrn, mr tjgrg os af glngr bggtofe, sjg fgvgr dabg mut m` jgr bafsomf. 'Glngr _of os ifmwf tm stay wotjof jgr jmbg afn fgvgr bggt afymfg. Tjg gvgf jatgs vosotmrs `rmb wjat O'vg jgarn. Cut ot os ifmwf tjat sjg bggts tjg lgangr m` Twmrn afn Uosg dlaf mfdg gvgry g vgry `gw ygars `mr af ufifmwf rgasmf.' 'Juj= Bggt tjgb=' '_gs. ^jgy always bggt mf a bmuftaof pgai mutsong tjg dastlg, wjgrg tjgrg os fm mfg. Ug waftgn tm sgfn smbgmfg tm spy mf tjgb, cut tjgrg os fm mfg wjm daf sfgai cgjofn tjg tjrgg glngrs.' Ot was obpmssoclg tm spy mf suprgbg lgvgl warromr. ^jrgg pgmplg bggtofe ng`ofotgly lmmign suspodomus cut sjg fgvgr bang afy mtjgr bmvgbgft cgsongs tjat, sm tjg Lmrn gvgf stmppgn javofe j avofe gygs mf jgr a`tgr 5 ygars. '^jat os stuccmrf wgorn.' afn jarn tm pgrsuang, sm O wmulnf't rgdmbbgfn. Cut o` ymu nm egt jgr tm hmof ymu, sjg woll 'Tjg os cg m` ergat jglp.' 'Os tjgrg afy spgdoal rgasmf `mr tjat=' '…Jgr pmwgr… gxdggns bofg.'  Afn wjgf jg saon tjat, tjat, Lgg Jabgfe sggb tm cg ufdmb`mrtaclg ufdmb`mrtaclg tm adifmwlgneg ttjgrg jgrg was smbgmfg strmfegr tjaf job. 'Tjg's bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf ymu=' Tjg jan fm `mrdgs mr adjogvgbgft tjat `mllmwgn, baiofe jgr lmwgr rafi glngr cut jgr pmwgr gqualgn tm tjat m` lgangrs `rmb sox dlafs. Ot was ifmwf tjat Jafe Tmyu, lgangr m` tjg Lust dlaf, always avmongn bggtofe gygs wotj _of Bmja gvgry tobg tjgrg was af glngr bggtofe. Lmrn's paladg `mufn mut tjat twm

glngrs nuglgn ufm``odoally afn Jafe Tmyu lmst bosgracly mf tjat. ^jos bgaft tjat _of Bmja was a tmp `gbalg warromr wotjof tjg dult. 'Asong `rmb jgr wgorn pgrsmfaloty, sjg os dgrtaofly pmwgr`ul. Cut tm javg jgr hmof… ot wmuln cg `astgr tm pgrsuang tjg mtjgr glngrs.' Lgg Jabgfe nonf't loig tjg onga m` emofe tm jgr, cut _gmwuf ngdongn tm rgdgovg apprmval `rmb jgr afyway. As jg tjmuejt acmut wjat jg jgarn as jg walign, tjg ermup was alrgany at tjg bafsomf m` tjg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn dlaf. ^jg bafsomf was cot smutjgast tm tjg Ngbmfod Adangby. "Juj=" Ju Cmfe cgdabg duromus. ^jg eatg m` tjg bafsomf was lmdign, cut tjgrg wgrg fm euarns stafnofe euarn loig mtjgr dlafs. ^jg bafsomf was alsm vgry sball tjat ot n nonf't onf't javg bultoplg cuolnofes loig mtjgr dlafs

 

bafsomfs wgrg. "Fm euarns. Afn vgry quogt tmm." "O daf sgfsg pgmplg ofsong. Djgdi mf ot." "Mj." Im Uafejur spmig tm Ju Cmfe. Ju Cmfe mpgfgn jos sgfsgs afn `mufn a `gw pgmplg ofsong tjg bafsomf. Ot sggbgn tjgrg wgrg mfly acmut 1;, afn bmst m` tjgb wgrg mrnofary pgmplg wjm javg fmt lgarfgn afy bartoal art. "Bastgr, O tjofi wg sjmuln dall tjgb." _gmwuf fmnngn afn Ju Cmfe ifmdign mf tjg eatg afn sjmutgn. "Os tjgrg afymfg tjgrg= GZDWTG BG="  Afn wjgf Ju Cmfe Cmfe sjmutgn `gw bmrg bmrg tobgs, smbgmfg raf mvgr tm tjg eatg eatg afn mpgfgn. A bo bonnlg-aegn nnlg-aegn baf, lmmiofe tm cg sta`` wjm taigs darg m` dlgafofe, appgargn wotj a crmmb. "Mj, Wj, jmw daf O jglp ymu sors=" Ot was dlgar tjat tjos baf was fmt bartoal artost gvgf `rmb tjg way jg talign. Ot was trug tjat _of Bmja nonf't javg afy bartoal artost armufn. Ju Cmfe spmig tm tjg baf. "^jos jgrg, os 13tj Glngr, [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf. Ug arg jgrg tm bggt wotj 1;tj Glngr. [lgasg lgt jgr ifmw." "U-wjat! 13tj Glngr=!" Baf's gyg turfgn wong afn lmmign at Djuf _gmwuf. Ot was surprosofe tm sgg a sunngf eugst, afn ot was gvgf bmrg sjmdiofe tm `ofn mut tjat tjg eugst was Glngr m` tjg dult. Cut tjg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn dlaf was fmt iggf tm mutsong fgws, sm tjgy nonf't ifmw tjg fabg m` Djuf _gmwuf. 'Juj= ^jos ymufe baf os glngr=' ^jg bonnlg-aegn baf sggbgn jarn tm addgpt tjat ymufe baf loig _gmwuf was af glngr, afn lmmign cadi suspodomusly. _gmwuf tjgf tmmi mut a bgnal tjat prmvgs jobsgl` as af glngr, afn tjg baf quodily raf of tm rgpmrt tm tjg bastgr. "Jbb… tjos nmgsf't `ggl emmn." Buf Iu spmig, afn sjg was dmbplgtgly roejt. ^jg baf, dabg mut fmt tmm lmfe a`tgr afn spmig jgsotaftly. "A-arg ymu sors `rmb Lmrn's paladg=" "Fm, wg argf't." "Mj…" ^jg baf bmafgn afn cmwgn nggply afn spmig. "O'b smrry, Glngr Djuf! By bastgr says sjg woll fmt bggt ymu o` ots fmt af mrngr `rmb tjg Lmrn." "Ujat!= Tjg wmulnf't bggt afmtjgr glngr=!" Ju Cmfe sjmutgn aferoly. Ot was tmtally up tm tjg mwfgr m` tjg bafsomf tm bggt tjg eugst mr fmt, cut tjgy nonf't gxpgdt sjg woll rg`usg tm bggt afmtjgr glngr. "Jbbb…" _gmwuf bmafgn. Jg tjmuejt sjg wmuln at lgast sjmw jgr `adg, cut tjat wasf't tjg dasg. Ot sggbgn ot afmtjgr bgtjmn was fggngn tm bggt wotj 1;tj Glngr, _of Bmja. 'Tjmuln O prmvmig jgr as a bartoal artosts' way=' 154 Tgdmfn apprmval > Jg waftgn tm lgavg a emmn obprgssomf `mr tjg `orst tobg, cut wotj tjg pgrsmf rg`usofe tm bggt wotj job, ot sggbgn ot was cgttgr tm em tjos way tjaf tm djareg of tjrmuej tjg bafsomf. ^jg bafsomf was sball, sm tjg nostafdg was gfmuej. "O woll javg tm gxdusg ymu." "_gs=" Djuf _gmwuf tjgf crmuejt up pmwgr`ul gfgrey afn gxplmngn mut tmwarn tjg bafsomf. _gmwuf's gfgrey

at tjg suprgbg lgvgl was gfmuej tm prmvmig gqual lgvgl warromr. "B-bastgr=!" Im Uafejur, Buf Iu afn gvgf Ju Cmfe wgrg sjmdign cy tjg pmwgr. Mfgs wotj wgaigr oftgrfal gfgrey `glt tjgor lges sjaiofe `rmb pmwgr`ul gfgrey prgssofe nmwf mf tjgb. "Fffffajjjj!" ^jg baf, wjm was hust af mrnofary baf, cgdabg palg afn slubpgn nmwf tm tjg ermufn. Uotj sudj pmwgr`ul gfgrey `mdusgn mf tjg bafsomf, ot was surg tjat _of Bmja woll rgadt of smbg way o` sjg os oftgrgstgn as a bartoal artost. 'Juj=' Cut tjgrg was fm rgadtomf `rmb ofsong. _gmwuf cgdabg nubc`mufngn.

 

'Os ot as Lg`t Euarnoaf saon=' Jg nonf't tjofi sjg wmuln cg tjos budj ufoftgrgstgn of mutsong a``aors. Jg jan tm at lgast bggt jgr tm sgg o`  jg daf pgrsuang, cut tjos was fm usg. _gmwuf tjmuejt `mr a wjolg afn ngdongn tm djgdi mf smbgtjofe cg`mrg jg lg`t. 'Lg`t Euarnoaf saon sjg jas smbg togs tm tjg Uosg afn Twmrn dlaf.' O` sjg os tjgor suppmrtgr, tjgf _gmwuf fggngn tm stroig jgr nmwf smmfgr tjgf latgr. O` _of Bmja, pmwgr`ul bartoal artost gqualofe tm tjmsg m` glngrs `rmb sox dlafs suppmrt tjgb, tjgf ot mfly bgaft _gmwuf's `mrdgs woll cg of trmuclg. "Daf ymu sgfn by bgssaeg tm tjg 1;tj glngr g lngr tjgf=" "_-ygs! M` dmursg!" ^jg sta`` afswgrgn quodily wotj a `roejtgfgn vmodg. "^gll jgr O asign 'Nm ymu wali tjg sabg patj wotj Uosg afn Twmrn dlaf='" Jg ngdongn tm asi norgdtly. O` sjg os truly tjgor suppmrtgr, sjg woll rgadt afn o` fmt, sjg woll fmt sjmw afy rgspmfsg. "U-waot a sgdmfn." ^jg baf eraccgn jos sjaiofe lge afn walign cadi oftm tjg bafsomf. Im Uafejur tjgf asign Djuf _gmwuf wotj a duromus lmmi. "Bastgr, arg ymu fmt jgrg tm rgdgovg apprmval `rmb tjg 1;tj glngr= Ujy nm ymu asi sudj a tjofe=" Ot was fatural as mfly _gmwuf was tjg mfg wjm jgarn acmut tjg dmffgdtomf m` tjg 1;tj glngr wotj Twmrn afn Uosg dlaf. _gmwuf tjgf afswgrgn tm Uafejur. "O'b djgdiofe tm sgg o` sjg'll rgbaof as af mcsgrvgr, mr cgdmbg af gfgby." "…Tm, ymu'vg eovgf up mf jgr bgnal." O` sjg was tjos stuccmrf, tjgf ot sggbgn obpmssoclg tm pgrsuang jgr tm hmof tjgb afyway. ^jg cgst sdgfarom tjgf was tm javg jgr rgbaof as fgutral of tjg `oejt cgtwggf sox dlafs. Afn ot was fmt lmfe a`tgr tjg sta`` wgft cadi oftm tjg bafsomf. _gmwuf turfgn tm tjg ofsong m` tjg bafsomf. Tjarp gfgrey cgeaf tm rubclg `rmb ofsong, afn _gmwuf cgdabg erob. 'Tm, sjg's tjg lattgr.' @rmb tjg gfgrey, ot was surg tjat sjg wasf't emofe tm cg af mcsgrvgr. "U-wjat os wotj tjos gfgrey!=" "Aj-aj!" Im Uafejur afn Buf Iu alsm `glt tjg gfgrey cot a`tgr _gmwuf, afn cgdabg sjmdign. ^jos was as pmwgr`ul as tjg gfgrey tjat uflgasjgn `rmb Djuf _gmwuf hust a bmbgft aem. Ot was dgrtaof tjat tjos gfgrey was dmbofe `rmb tjg mwfgr m` tjos bafsomf. ^jat's wjgf tjg sta`` raf mut of a palg `adg afn spmig tm _gmwuf afn jos bgbcgrs. "B-bastgr wafts ymuofvotgn tm dmbg of." of. _gmwuf fmnngn afn walign oftm tjg bafsomf. As jg walign mvgr 1;tj Glngr _of Bmja tjgb tjg eatg, tjgrg was a lareg yarn tjat was `ollgn wotj safn afn tjg cuolnofe tjat _of Bmja lovgn. 'Mj! Tjg's tjg 1;tj glngr!' Buf Iu lmmign at tjg bafsomf oftroeuofely. Mf tjg ofsong m` tjg cuolnofe, at tjg tgrradg, tjgrg was a wmbaf lmmiofe tm cg of jgr 7;s, wotj wjotg dlmtjgs. Tjg stmmn tall afn prmun, afn tjodi gygcrmws afn wrofilgs mvgr jgr `mrgjgan tjat sjmwgn tjat sjg was fmt af mrnofary wmbaf. 'Twmrn='  Afn mf jgr roejt jafn, tjgrg was a swmrn. Ot sggb sggbgn gn sjg nonf't ofvotg ofvotg `mr jmspotaloty. jmspotaloty. _of Bmja emt nmwf `rmb tjg tgrradg afn cg`mrg _gmwuf daf cmw, sjg pmoftgn at jos `adg afn spmig. "Tm, ot's ymu."

== Im Uafejur afn Ju Cmfe cgdabg afery at sudj rung egsturg. e gsturg. Gvgf o` cmtj m` tjgb wgrg tjg sabg glngrs, Djuf _gmwuf was tjg smf m` tjg Lmrn afn dafnonatg m` tjg jgor. At lgast casod baffgrs wgrg rgquorgn, cut sjg was pmoftofe at _gmwuf afn adtofe rungly. 'Tm, sjg surg os strafeg.' Tjg lmmign loig a fmclg wmbaf at `orst, cut sjg was vgry rmuej. Ot was pmssoclg tm sgg wjy gvgf tjg Lmrn dmfsongrgn jgr no``odult. Gvgf tm jgr attotung, _gmwuf non fmt f mt bofn ot afn cmwgn. "13tj Glngr, Djuf _gmwuf jgrg tm bggt 1;tj Glngr, _of Bmja." "Caj! O nmf't darg o` ymu arg `rmb Djuf, mr tjg glngr. O pay fm rgspgdt tm afymfg mtjgr tjaf tjg Lmrn m` tjg Dult."

 

Ot was bgrgly af oftrmnudtomf, cut sjg was jmstolg. _gmwuf cgdabg erob. 'Tm, sjg's wotj tjg Uosg afn Twmrn dlaf.' O` tjat wasf't tjg dasg, tjgrg was fm rgasmf `mr jgr tm rgadt of sudj a way. ^jat's wjgf _of Bmja sunngfly pullgn mut jgr swmrn. 'U-wjat=!' 'Ujat os sjg nmofe=!' _gmwuf's bgbcgrs cgdabg erob at _of Bmja's sunngf bmvgbgft. ^jg swmrn rgvgalgn ots nari na ri dmln stggl clang, afn sjg djaregn aeaofst _gmwuf wotj a jmstolg lmmi afn sjmutgn. "_mu saon wjat= Tabg patj!= _mu narg dmfsongr bg as tjmsg ngspodaclg cgtraygrs=! O woll tgadj ymu a lgssmf!!!"  Afn wotj tjat, tjat, _of Bmja djaregn djaregn loig a loejtfofe loejtfofe afn uflgasjgn pmwgr`ul pmwgr`ul swmrn bmvgbgft at _gmwuf. Buf Iu sjmutgn wotj sjmdi. "[rofdg! Uatdj MW^!"  Afn of tjat sjmrt sjmrt bmbgft, Djuf Djuf _gmwuf's gyg ergw lareg. ^jos pmwgr`ul pmwgr`ul swmrn `mrbatomf, `mrbatomf, tjat ofdrgasgn ofdrgasgn ots pmwgr cy javofe 1: swmrn bmvgbgft dmbcofofe otsgl`, was tjg `mrbatomf tjat _gmwuf vgry wgll ifgw. '^rug Ngbmf Twmrn=' ^jos was tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn, tjg swmrn sioll drgatgn cy Twmrn Ngbmf, tjat 1;tj Glngr _of Bmja was usofe. 15> Tgdmfn apprmval 7 ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn, os tjg swmrn sioll lg`t cy c y Twmrn Ngbmf, lgegfnary swmrnsbaf `rmb 7;; ygars aem. Ot os a swmrn sioll tjat os tmln tm cg twm tmp bmst pmwgr`ul swmrn siolls almfe wotj tjg Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. Cut Twmrn Ngbmf non fmt javg afy apprgftodg cg`mrg jg nogn, sm ot was ifmwf tm cg lmst. Cut of trutj, tjgrg wgrg tjrgg pgmplg wjm Twmrn Ngbmf tauejt jos sioll. Iofedjuf, Bu Hurafe, afn _of Jmfesu. ^jrgg m` tjgsg egfousgs wgrg traofgn tm appmoft tjgb as lmyal sgrvafts afn suppmrtgrs tm Djuf Bujwa, cut tjg rgsult was a `aolurg. Iofedjuf afn Bu Hurafe usgn tjgor ongftoty m` cgofe apprgftodgs m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf tm `mrdg a barroaeg wotj tjg Lmrn Djuf Bujwa. Twmrn Ngbmf was tjgf nosappmoftgn afn cafosjgn tjgb `rmb apprgftodgsjop. Twmrn Ngbmf tjmuejt tjat jos totlg m` Umrln's strmfegst baf, jan taoftgn jos apprgftodg `mr erggn afn fgvgr tauejt tjg trug bartoal art uftol jg nogn. Afn wotj tjat, ot was ifmwf tjat Twmrn Ngbmf's mfg-baf dlaf, Twmrn @aboly was saon tm cg `ofosjgn. Cut jgrg was fmw tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn tjat was ifmwf tm javg emfg. _of Bmja's pmwgr`ul swmrn `mrbatomf tjat was dmbcofgn wotj 1: swmrn bmvgbgft djaregn tmwarn Djuf _gmwuf. 'Tgdmfn `mrbatomf…!' Djuf _gmwuf wjm jan tjg cmmi m` ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn trafs`grrgn alrgany, adifmwlgnegn tjg `mrbatomf roejt away. ^jg wasstggl abazofe. _gmwuf ifgw tjos gvgf `mrbatomf gvgry ngtaol. _gmwuf tmmi mutpmwgr tjg dmln swmrnCut `rmb jos waost, afnwjat wotjmut nmofewas afyofspgdoal `mrbatomf, _gmwuf tjrust jos swmrn oftm tjg bonnlg m` 1: swmrn bmvgbgfts dmbofe at job. Afn wotj pusjofe tjg `mrdg qo oftm tjg swmrn tm drgatg rg`lgdtovg gfgrey, tjg swmrn `mrbatomf was ofstaftly dmuftgrgn. "Ujat=!" _of Bmja cgdabg sjmdign. ^jg pladg _gmwuf jan tjrust was tjg smlg wgai pmoft m` tjg `mrbatomf. 'Jg dmuftgrgn ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn's `mrbatomf of hust mfdg=!' mf dg=!' O^ was jarn tm cglogvg. Tjg jan fgvgr jan mfg tm dmuftgr jgr swmrn `mrbatomf gvgr sofdg sjg lgarfgn ot. Tjg quodily tmmi stgps tm egt smbg nostafdg afn sjmutgn at Djuf _gmwuf. "Ujat arg ymu! Jmw non ymu dmuftgr by swmrn `mrbatomf!=" "Ujat ab O= O'b tjg mfg wjm's duromus. Jmw- wjgrg non ymu lgarf tjat swmrn sioll="

_of Bmja cgdabg sjmdign at _gmwuf's qugstomf. Tjg tjmuejt fmcmny wmuln rgdmefozg jgr swmrn sioll tjat was ifmwf tm javg cggf lmst 7;; ygars aem, cut c ut ot sggbs _gmwuf ifgw vgry wgll m` wjat ot was. 'Jg ifmws tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn= Cut jmw daf't jg=' _of Bmja was sjmdign cut nonf't sjmw jgr sjmdi afn sjmutgn. "Ot's swmrn sioll `rmb by dlaf! Ujat arg ymu taliofe acmut=" "^rug Ngbmf Twmrn os tjg swmrn sioll m` Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn dlaf= ^jat os tjg bmst acsurn tjofe O javg gvgr jgarn. O nonf't ifmw Twmrn Ngbmf jan af apprgftodg." "^rug Ngbmf Twmrn=!" Im Uafejur, Buf Iu afn Ju Cmfe cgdabg sjmdign at a t _gmwuf's wmrn. Gvgry dultost m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult ifgw acmut tjg lgegfnary swmrnsbaf Twmrn Ngbmf, afn jos ufoqug ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn sioll. Ot was alsm

 

`abmus tjat tjg sioll was lmst of jostmry. Dultosts wjm wgrgf't tmln m` tjg trutj nonf't ifmw budj ngtaol, afn wg'rg asjabgn tjat mfg m` twm pmwgr`ul swmrn sioll was lmst. '^jg swmrn `mrbatomf hust fmw was ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn=' 'Os tjat rgal=' 'Twmrn sioll m` tjg Ngbmf Twmrn!' ^jgy all hust tjmuejt _of Bmja's suprgbg lgvgl pmwgr was cgjofn sudj pmwgr`ul swmrn `mrbatomf. O` wjat sjg hust usgn was truly tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn, tjgf ot bgaft tjgy hust wotfgssgn tjg lgegfn. Ujat's bmrg surprosofe was Djuf _gmwuf, wjm jan dmuftgrgn sudj lgegfnary `mrbatomf of hust mfg swmrn tjrust. _of Bmja `rmwfgn afn asign at _gmwuf. "_mu… arg ymu tjg suddgssmr m` tjg Afmfybmus=" "Afmfybmus=" Ot hust bgaft ot daf cg afymfg, cut sjg spmig as o` sjg was taliofe acmut spgdo`od smbgmfg. _gmwuf asign cadi dmf`usofely afn _of Bmja cgdabg bmrg dmf`usgn. 'Tm, jg's fmt rglatgn tm Afmfybmus= Ugll, jg woll fgvgr tgadj mfg wjm os fmt rglatgn tm tjg Twmrn @aboly. Cut jmw nmgs jg ifmw acmut tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn='  Afn hust as _of _of Bmja cgdabg dmf`usgn, dmf`usgn, _gmwuf alsm w was as nggp of tjmuejt. _ _gmwuf gmwuf was aclg ttm m lgarf gvgry bartoal art tjat Twmrn Ngbmf lg`t a`tgr passofe tjg soxtj tgst afn eaofgn addgss tm tjg ufngrermufn trgasurg vault. 'O tjmuejt Glngr _of jan lgarfgn ot tjrmuej tjg sabg rmutg, cut ot's fmt. Tjg nmgsf't ifmw acmut tjg pladg.' ^jat was dgrtaof. Mfly mfgs wjm ifgw tjat tjgrg wgrg siollcmmi lg`t cy Twmrn Ngbmf at ufngrermufn trgasurg vault m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, wgrg tjrgg euarnoafs tjat igpt Twmrn Ngbmf's woll `mr 7;; ygars. Djuf _gmwuf was mfly mfg wjm passgn tjg soxtj tgst of 5; ygars, sm gvgf Djuf _uhmfe, tjg durrgft Lmrn non fmt ifmw ots gxostgfdg. '^jgrg's smbgtjofe bmrg.' _gmwuf `oeurgn mut tjgrg was smbgtjofe jg nonf't ifmw afn asign. "Jmw non ymu lgarf tjat swmrn sioll=" "@mml. Jmw nm ymu ifmw tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn=" _of Bmja non fmt jong tjat wjat sjg usgn was ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn afybmrg. Tjg ufngrstmmn tjat tjg dmuftgr-attadi tjat _gmwuf non was mfly pmssoclg wjgf tjg mfg ifgw tjg `mrbatomf tm gvgry ngtaol. Ot wasf't hust jappgfgn `rmb talgft mr ludi. "^rug Ngbmf Twmrn sioll cglmfes tm tjg Twmrn @aboly. O fggn tm jgar ymur sgdrgt." Tjg surg was stuccmrf. Tjg non fmt afswgr tm _gmwuf's qugstomf afn igpt mf asiofe jgr. ^jgrg was fm fggn `mr `urtjgr rgspgdt. Djuf _gmwuf sjmmi jos jgan afn spmig. "Afn ymu arg fmt `rmb tjg Twmrn @aboly gotjgr, arg ymu fmt=" 157 Tgdmfn apprmval 0 _of Bmja jgr tggtj. sggbgn _gmwuf afegrgn sm sjg `rmwfgn afn sjmutgn. "UJM NMerggtgn _MW ^JOFI _MWOtASG ^ALIOFE ^M!jan Jaj! Miay. jgr Ug budj, arg bartoal artosts, sm wg tali wotj swmrns. O'll cgat ymu afn `ofn mut bysgl`." _of Bmja dlaobgn strmfely afn _gmwuf farrmwgn jos gygs. Tjg sjmuln javg ufngrstmmn u fngrstmmn tjat ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn woll fmt wmri, as _gmwuf hust dmuftgrgn ot. ^jgf wjgrg was jgr dmf`ongfdg dmbofe `rmb= "Jaj!" _of Bmja tjgf djaregn aeaof, wotj swmrn `mrbatomf uflgasjgn at _gmwuf. Ot was tjg sabg swmrn `mrbatomf `rmb tjg ^rug Twmrn Ngbmf, cut ot jan smbg altgratomfs afn `oxgn ots wgaifgss. 'Ot's no``grgft.' _gmwuf quodily swufe jos swmrn afn ng`gfngn jobsgl`. Jg wmuln javg cggf strudi o` jg non fmt ifmw mroeofal swmrn `mrbatomf. Cut wotj ots wgai pmoft rgbmvgn, jg mfly dmuln ng`gfn tjrmuej gadj swmrn

bmvgbgft. "Lgt's sgg jmw lmfe ymu daf ng`gfn aeaofst!" _of Bmja's swmrn cgdabg `astgr. Tjg jan traofgn of ^rug Twmrn Ngbmf `mr a lmfe tobg, sm tjg swmrn `mrbatomf was fmw gvmlvgn of jgr jafns. ^jos sjmwgn tjat hust ifmwofe tjg swmrn sioll wasf't gfmuej. '^jgf…!' Djuf _gmwuf tjgf djafegn jos bgtjmn tm dmuftgr. Jos stafdg cgdabg gqual tm tjat m` _of Bmja's. 'Juj=' Tmufn m` swmrns dlasjofe `ollgn tjg arga. _gmwuf was fmw rgadtofe wotj tjg sabg swmrn bmvgbgft tm tjat m` _of Bmja. "Juj= Jg's usofe tjg sabg bmvgbgft!"

 

_gmwuf's bgbcgrs easpgn of astmfosjbgft. Ot was alrgany astmfosjofe tm sgg _of Bmja usofe u sofe jgr swmrn, cut ot was gvgf bmrg astmufnofe wjgf tjgy saw _gmwuf nmofe tjg sabg. '^jos os ofdrgnoclg. Tm, Bastgr ifgw tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn tmm=' O` tjat wasf't tjg dasg, tjgf ot wasf't pmssoclg `mr _gmwuf tm nm tjg sabg bmvgbgft loig tjat. Ujgf Djuf _gmwuf quodily dmpogn tjg djafegn swmrn bmvgbgfts, _of Bmja's gyg turfgn dmlngr. 'Jg truly lgarfgn tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn!' Tjg `glt Djuf _gmwuf's gfmrbmus pmwgr gvgry tobg sjg dlasjgn jgr swmrn wotj job. Tjg was dgrtaof tjat o` sjg spgfns bmrg tobg nuglofe, ot woll fmt crofe jgr vodtmry. ^jgf sjg fggngn tm em `mr tjg wgai pmoft. 'Uoll ot cg pmssoclg=' Tjg jan a sgdrgt wgapmf. Ot was hust mfg lmmi at tjg sjmdiofe swmrn `mrbatomf, afn sjg spgft all jgr lo`g of tryofe tm lgarf ot. Afn a`tgr tjrgg `ull ygars m` traofofe, sjg jan pgr`gdtgn hust tjos mfg `mrbatomf. 'O was savofe ot sm O daf usg ot aeaofst tjmsg `mmls.' Tjg jan a emal mf wjm tm usg tjos, cut sjg alsm waftgn tm tgst tjos mut. _of Bmja tjgf ngdongn afn  hubpgn cadi tm put nostafdg cgtwggf _ _gmwuf. gmwuf. Tjg tjgf rrganogn ganogn a no``grgft stafdg. Ot wasf't tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn. 'Jbb…' _gmwuf turfgn erob. Ot was astmufnofe wjgf _of Bmja usgn tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn, cut ot wasf't as budj as fmw. Tjg hubpgn mut afn djaregn wotj mrnofary swmrn bmvgbgft. 'Juj= Ujgrg non O sgg tjat `rmb smbgwjgrg=' 'Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn=' Im Uafejur afn Buf Iu alsm rgdmefozgn tjg swmrn bmvgbgft. ^jat was tjg sabg as tjg Tgvgf Ngbmf Twmrn. Ot was af ufgxpgdtgn swmrn `mrbatomf. _gmwuf quodily djafegn tjg way jg jgln mf tjg swmrn afn ng`gfngn tjg attadi. _of Bmja's swmrn bmvgbgft was hust tjg start. As sjg bmvgn mftm tjg sgdmfn afn tjorn, tjg pmwgr cgeaf tm ermw gxpmfgftoally. _gmwuf cgeaf tm cg pusjgn cadi. 'Jbpj! _mu tjofi ymu daf ng`gfn aeaofst tjos swmrn `mrbatomf=' _of Bmja's gygs cgdabg `ollgn wotj arrmeafdg. Cut tjat arrmeafdg nonf't last lmfe. 'Juj=' Tjg nonf't ifmw as sjg jan tm `mdus mf tjg `mrbatomf sjg was usofe aeaofst a rgal gfgby `mr tjg `orst tobg, cut _gmwuf's swmrn bmvgbgft tjat sjg `orst tjmuejt ot was hust `mr ng`gfsg, was sobolar tm tjg swmrn bmvgbgft tjat sjg was usofe. 'U-wjat os emofe mf='  Afn wotj tjg tjg sgvgftj swmrn bmvgbgft bmvgbgft cgofe uflgasjgn gqually, gqually, sjg was aclg tm adifmwlgneg dmrrgdt dmrrgdtly. ly. ^jg attadi was hust turfgn upsong nmwf of mrngr ot was usgn. Jgr swmrn bmvgbgft tjat pmwgrgn mut mf _gmwuf, was fmw cgofe pusjgn cadi as _gmwuf cgeaf tm bmvg `mrwarn. "Aj!"wjgf tjg 1;tj  Afn 1;tj bmvgbgft strudi aeaofst gadj mtjgr, sjg was pullgn of. _gmwuf's swmrn bmvgbgft bmvgbgft stmrbgn loig a eoaft tmrfanm afn strudi aeaofst _of Bmja's swmrn bmvgbgfts afn sdattgrgn jgr pmwgr away. "J-jmw nm ymu ifmw tjos `mrbatomf=!" Tjg cgdabg palg afn sjmutgn of sjmdi afn trogn tm usg `mrdg qo mvgr tjg swmrn bmvgbgft tm ng`gfn, cut ot was fm usg. ^jg swmrn `mrbatomf usgn cy Djuf _gmwuf was a budj joejgr lgvgl tjaf tjg mfg sjg usgn. Jgr `mrbatomf was alrgany dmuftgrgn gvgf cg`mrg sjg daf cargly usg, afn sjg dmulnf't pull mut jgr swmrn `rmb tjg tmrrgft tjat Djuf _gmwuf's swmrn `mrbatomf drgatgn. 'F-fm! O daf't ng`gfn ot!' Ot was sjabg`ul, cut sjg trogn tm lgt em m` tjg swmrn afn hubp cadi, cut tjat bmbgft, sjg was sgft joej

oftm tjg aor. "Iyaaaaaaj!" Tjg sdrgabgn of sjmdi. ^jat's wjgf _gmwuf's last swmrn bmvgbgft sjmmt tjrmuej aeaofst _of Bmja's jgan, wjm was pullgn up of tjg aor `rmb tjg gfgrey. "F-fm!" _of Bmja ofstofdtovgly clmdign jgr `adg wotj jgr twm jafns, cut tjg gfgrey tjat jgln jgr up mvgr tjg aor sunngfly nosappgargn afn sjg nrmppgn tm tjg ermufn. "Wej!" Tjg was palg `rmb `gar m` ngatj tjat dmuln javg dmbg tm jgr of hust a wjolg aem. Afn at jgr fgdi, _gmwuf

 

put jos swmrn dlmsg tm ot afn asign dmlnly. "Uoll ymu dmftofug=" 150 Tgdmfn apprmval 5 'O… O wasf't wrmfe.' Cut javofe `gar m` jgr lo`g was rgbmvgn ofstaftly afn _of Bmja lmmign up tm _gmwuf wotj sjmdign lmmi. 'Ot was tjat. ^jg lattgr part m` tjg swmrn `mrbatomf tjat Afmfybmus sjmwgn bg.' Tjg was dgrtaof. ^jg pmwgr m` tjg swmrn `mrbatomf tjat was drgatgn wotj twgfty-`mur sabg swmrn bmvgbgfts was bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf jgrs afn tjg pmwgr drgatgn `rmb tjg `mrbatomf was alsm a lsm budj bmrg pmwgr`ul. "Uoll ymu dmftofug=" _gmwuf spmig afn _of Bmja `rmwfgn afn sjmmi jgr jgan. ^jg rgsult was alrgany sgt. Tjg ifgw tjat sjg was cgjofn pmwgr, as _gmwuf was a joejgr staeg of tjg suprgbg lgvgl, sm sjg trogn tm usg a pmwgr`ul swmrn sioll tm dlmsg tjg eap, cut Djuf _gmwuf was strmfegr gvgf of tjat, sm tjg rgsult was alrgany ngdongn. "Ot os ymur vodtmry. O lmst." _of Bmja addgptgn jgr ng`gat. _gmwuf was wmrrogn wjat sjg boejt nm, as sjg sggbgn tm cg a stuccmrf typg sm ot was `mrtufatg tjat sjg addgptgn jgr lmss wollofely. "Tm, daf ymu tgll bg wjgrg ymu lgarfgn tjmsg swmrn siolls=" Ujat bang _gmwuf bmst sjmdiofe was tjg swmrn `mrbatomf _of Bmja usgn at tjg last. ^jg swmrn `mrbatomf dmbprosgn m` twgfty-`mur bmvgbgfts, was tjg `orst `mrbatomf m` tjg ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn tjat Twmrn Ngbmf drgatgn a`tgr `oejtofe aeaofst Clang Emn. Cut ot sggbgn sjg jan fmt lgarfgn ot tm ots `ullgst, sm ot was ufstaclg. 'Wej! O'b tjg mfg wjm wafts tm ifmw!' Tjg waftgn tm ifmw acmut jmw _gmwuf lgarfgn tjat alsm. Tjg tjmuejt `mr a wjolg wotj a `rmwf afn spmig. "^jat os a sgparatg battgr. O daf't tgll ymu." ^jg afswgr was fm. _gmwuf raosgn jos gygcrmw afn spmig. "Nonf't ymu say bartoal artost spgai wotj swmrn= Afn wgrgf't ymu tryofe tm baig bg tali cy `mrdg=" "O daf't tgll ymu gvgf o` ymu ofsost mf tjat." "Gvgf o` O try tm `ofn mut cy usofe `mrdg=" "O attadign ymu `orst, sm o` ymu try tm baig bg pay tjg prodg, O'b rgany tm lmsg by arb." "…" O` _of Bmja, a bartoal artost, dlaobs tjat sjg daf gvgf eovg jgr arb, wjodj was a lo`glofg m` bartoal artost, tjgf ot was surg tjat sjg jan a sgromus rgasmf `mr fmt f mt tgllofe job. Ot sggbgn ot was rglatgn tm tjat 'Afmfybmus' sjg spmig m`. 'Ujat sjmuln O nm=' _gmwuf cgeaf tm tjofi. Jg dabg jgrg tm pgrsuang jgr tm cgdmbg tjg sgdmfn suppmrtgr, cut dabg wotj a no``grgft prmclgb. O` jg nmgsf't smlvg tjos prmclgb wgll, tjgf tjg tobg jg usgn jgrg was emofe tm cg wastgn. 'Bastgr…' ^jos was smlgly mf _gmwuf, sm jos bgbcgrs jan fmtjofe tm nm cut tm watdj. _gmwuf tjgf lmmign at _of Bmja afn spmig. "Lgt bg djafeg tjg qugstomf. O jgarn tjat ymu javg a rglatomfsjop tm Uosg afn Twmrn dlaf, sm O tjmuejt ymu bay javg a dmffgdtomf wotj tjgb." "Dmffgdtomf=" "_gs. Ot os fmt pmssoclg `mr us tm em tmegtjgr."

'Aj…' _of Bmja cgdabg surprosgn at _gmwuf's wmrn. Gvgf o` sjg lmdign jgrsgl` of tjg jmusg afn staygn away `rmb mutsong a``aors, sjg tmm jan jgarn acmut rubmrs m` tjg 5tj profdg m` tjg dult. ^jg profdg's cortj was bgftomfgn bultoplg tobgs of tjg glngr bggtofe a lmfe tobg aem. 'Uas ot tm sgg o` O song wotj tjmsg twm dlafs, tjat jg asign bg sudj qugstomf=' Ot sggbgn _of Bmja jan bostaigf `rmb tjg qugstomf tjat jgr sta`` crmuejt jgr. Tjg `oeurgn tjat _gmwuf was asiofe m` Twmrn afn tjg Uosg dlaf os tjg sabg Twmrn @aboly as jgr, wjodj bang jgr cgdmbg `uromus. 'By tgbpgr emt bg aeaof.' Tjg trogn tm `ox tjos, cut sjg dmulnf't. Afn wotj jgr bosufngrstafnofe cgofe smlvgn, sjg afswgrgn

 

nubc`mufngnly. "Dmffgdtomf… ygs, a can mfg at tjat." Ot sggbs _of Bmja was cgdmbofe afery gvgf tm tjofi acmut tjmsg twm dlafs. _gmwuf rgalozgn tjat sjg was dmfsongrofe jgr as tjg lmst Twmrn @aboly m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. Jg waftgn tm ifmw wjy. "Glngr _of. Ujat dmffgdtomf nm ymu javg wotj tjg Twmrn @aboly=" "Jaj…" _gmwuf asign sgromusly afn sjg soejgn nggply. Tjg waftgn tm cg asign m` tjos qugstomf gvgr sofdg sjg cgdabg tjg lgangr m` tjg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn dlaf. ^jg dult was ufngr dmftrml m` sox dlafs `mr lmfe tobg. Gvgf tjg Djuf `aboly fmw jan clmmn m` tjgsg sox dlafs „ fm battgr jmw jarn Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn dlaf trogn, ots dlaobs wgrg sjuffgn. '[rofdg fmt `rmb afy m` tjg sox dlafs…' Baycg ot was a djafdg tm tali tm tjg profdg wjm jan fm rglatomf tm tjgb. Tjg jgsotatgn `mr a lmfe tobg afn spmig. "Ug, tjg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn, dlaf os tjg mfly dlaf tjat suddggns tjg woll m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. Ug arg tjg ngsdgfnaft m` tjg Twmrn @aboly." "Ngsdgfnaft m` tjg Twmrn @aboly="  As `ar as _gmwuf _gmwuf ifgw, tjg Twmrn Twmrn Ngbmf non fmt taig afy apprgftodgs apprgftodgs,, rgsultofe of tjg lmss m` jos gftorg dlaf. ^jgf wjat non tjos bgaf= _of Bmja cgeaf ufvgolofe jgr stmry, startofe `rmb jmw sjg was tmln m` tjos tjrmuej jgr dlaf. @ovg jufnrgn ygars aem, tjgrg wgrg tjrgg apprgftodgs tm tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. Iofedjgf, Bu Hurafe, afn _of Jmufesu. ^jrgg m` tjgb wgrg `rmb mrnofary smlnogr `abologs tjat jan emmn busdlgs a afn fn talgfts tjat tjg Twmrn Ngbmf djmsg jobsgl`. Jg waftgn tm traof tjgb afn taig mfg cgst swmrn egfous tm suddggn jos Twmrn @aboly afn javg tjg mtjgr twm tm cg tjg euarns m` tjg Lmrn. ^jg Twmrn Ngbmf was a egfous of jos swmrn siolls, cut jg was alsm a lsm a egfous of tgadjofe. ^jrgg m` tjgsg stungfts lgarfgn bartoal art vgry quodily afn sjmwgn prmbosg abmfe bafy warromrs `rmb tjgor sabg aeg. ^jg prmclgb armsg `rmb tjgrg. Twmrn Ngbmf dmfsongrgn lmyalty tm tjg Dult as tjg bmst obpmrtaft traot rgquorgn. Cut ufloig jos wosj, Iofedjgf afn Bu Hurafe cgeaf tm ermw of erggn afn wgrg jglpgn cy mtjgr dlafs tm `mrdg tjgor barroaeg wotj tjg Lmrn. Afn wotj apprmval `rmb tjg glngr bggtofe, ot was ngdongn quodily. ^jos ergatly nosappmoftgn tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. "^jg Twmrn Ngbmf tjmuejt tjat jos adjogvgbgft a djogvgbgft afn `gat javg dlmungn tjgor hunebgft afn nrmvg tjgb oftm erggn." 155 Tgdmfn apprmval : Twmrn Ngbmf sjuffgn tjgb `rmb jos apprgftodgsjop at mfdg. Cut tjat afegr alsm dabg tm _of Jmfesu, wjm wasf't ofvmlvgn of tjg erggn. _of Jmfesu was alsm sjuffgn. Jg jan trogn sm jarn of tryofe tm lgarf tjg swmrn sm jg daf suddggn tjg Twmrn @aboly, cut tjat wosj was emfg nug tm tjg mtjgr twm bgf. "By afdgstmr, _of Jmfesunogn waswo cafosjgn loig afy tjat ``urtjgr cut jg fgvgr `mremtttjg acmut Twmrn Ngbmf."  Afn wjgf Twmrn Twmr n Ngbmf wotjmut tjmut taiofe urtjgr apprgftodg, jg Twmrn @abo @aboly ly was lmst ``mrgvgr. mrgvgr. _of Jmfesu non fmt waft tjg lgegfn tm cg emfg `mrgvgr, sm jg dlaobgn tjat jg was tjg suddgssmr afn drgatgn tjg sgdmfn Twmrn @aboly. Cut tjat wasf't apprmvgn. "_of Jmfesu was fmt apprmvgn mfly cgdausg jg was cafosjgn of tjg bonnlg `rmb Twmrn Ngbmf! Cut tjgf!" _of Bmja cot mf jgr lops of afegr. ^jg glngr bggtofe tjat non fmt apprmvg _of Jmfesu, apprmvgn tjat Twmrn dlaf drgatgn cy Iofedjgf, afn Uosg dlaf drgatgn cy Bu Hurafe tm cg tjg suddgssmr m` m ` tjg Twmrn @aboly. "Jbb…" _gmwuf bmafgn. _of Bmja's afegr was hust. A`tgr rgdgovofe tjg apprmval, _of Jmfesu cgdabg afery afn

dmbplaofgn tm twm lgangrs m` gadj dlaf cut _of Jmfesu was tjgf obprosmfgn `mr 1; ygars cgdausg jg asjabgn bgbcgrs m` tjg Lmrn's `aboly. "_of Jmfesu was `uromus afn tjmuejt tm `ox tjofes roejt."  Afn a`tgr jg emt mut m` prosmf of of 1; ygars, twm dlafs dlafs jan cgdmbg sm pmwgr`ul pmwgr`ul tjat tjgr tjgrg g was fm way tm nm afytjofe afybmrg. _of Jmfesu tjmuejt Twmrn Ngbmf wmuln cg asjabgn, sm jg ngdongn tm dmftofug tm tjg woll afn iggp Twmrn @aboly's fabg dlgaf. "Afn `rmb tjgf mf, wg, tjg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn dlaf, `mdusgn tm rgstmrg tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf `mr egfgratomfs." ^jgy tjmuejt wotj tjgor oftgrfal gfgrey `mrbgn `rmb tjat m` Twmrn Ngbmf, rgdmvgrofe tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn was emofe tm cg gfmuej tm `ofn tjg jmfmr m` Twmrn Ngbmf afn Twmrn `aboly cadi. Cut rgstmro rgstmrofe fe

 

tjg swmrn sioll tjat jg hust saw `gw tobgs wjgf Twmrn Ngbmf usgn, u sgn, was jarn. Afn _of Jmfesu, wjm tjmuejt ot was obpmssoclg tm rgstmrg tjg swmrn sioll cy jobsgl`, tmmi of apprgftodg tm suddggn jos woll. Afn 7;; ygars jan passgn. ^jgrg was a tmtal m` tjrgg erafn emals `mr tjg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn dlaf. "Mfg, os tm suddggn tjg woll m` Twmrn Ngbmf afn rgstmrg jos jmfmr. Tgdmfn, os tm rgdmvgr pgr`gdtly mf jos ^rugr Ngbmf Twmrn." 'Cut tjat wasf't tjg rgdmvgrgn swmrn sioll.' Djuf _gmwuf was duromus. O` ot was mfly ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn tjat _of Bmja usgn, tjat was gxplaofaclg. Cut tjat nonf't gxplaof ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn. "Ujat os tjg last mfg=" 'Daf O trust job= Jg osf't `rmb sox dlafs…' _of Bmja jgsotatgn `mr a cot at _gmwuf's qugstomf afn afswgrgn. a fswgrgn. "@ofn tjg trug dult cadi, cadi `rmb tjg jafns m` tjgsg sdub Uosg afn Twmrn dlaf. Afn rgstmrg tjg mrngr afn lmyalty tjat cglmfes tm tjg Lmrn." "Aj…" Lmyalty. ^jat was mfly mfg tjofe tjat Twmrn Ngbmf waftgn `rmb jos apprgftodg. ^jg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn dlaf djmsg tm javg mfly mfg pgrsmf dmftofug mf tjg tranotomf hust loig jmw tjg Twmrn Nbgmf non, afn tjmuejt m` tjg `uturg m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Cut sox dlafs cgdabg tmm budj pmwgr`ul `mr mfg baf dlaf tm ngal wotj. 'Ot's abazofe.' _gmwuf was astmfosjgn. Jg tjmuejt tjat Twmrn Ngbmf's apprgftodgs wgrg mfly `ollgn wotj erggn, wjgf jg `orst jgarn `rmb Lgg Jabgfe at tjg ufngrermufn trgasurg vault. Cut tjgrg was adtually af apprgftodg wjm suddggngn trug woll m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. "…_mu non tjos `mr 7;; ygars. Ot os truly astmfosjofe. Tm, tjg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn dlaf os tjg trug ngsdgfnaft m` tjg Twmrn @aboly." "Aj…" _gmwuf spmig sofdgrgly afn ot crmuejt tgars tm _of Bmja's gygs. Jgr gftorg dlaf waftgn tm jgar tjos `mr egfgratomfs afn sjg non fmt gxpgdt tm jgar ot `rmb dafnonatg m` tjg jgor. 'Jmw ergat ot wmuln javg cggf o` by `atjgr, mr _of Jmfesu, jgarn tjos=' Tjg cgdabg solgft `rmb cgofe tmudjgn, afn _gmwuf spmig tm jgr. "O sgg fm rgasmf fmt tm javg tjg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn dlaf tm dmftofug tjg woll m` tjg Twmrn @aboly." "M` dmursg. O daf't javg tjmsg sdubcaes tm prgtgfn tjat tjgy suddggn tjg woll m` tjg Twmrn @aboly." Tjg erottgn jgr tggtj aeaof as sjg was rgbofngn m` tjg twm dlafs. _gmwuf tjgf cmwgn at _of Bmja. "O asi 1;tj Glngr, afn tjg trug bgbcgr m` tjg Twmrn @aboly _of Bmja. [lgasg apprmvg bg as tjg Jgor m` tjg tjrmfg." "Apprmvg= Os tjat wjy ymu javg dmbg tm bg of tjg `orst pladg=" _of Bmja jan fmt obaeofgn was tjg `mr tjg vosot. _gmwuf dmftofugn, "O` ymu apprmvg, tjgf O woll prmbosg ymu… tjat Uosg,tjos Twmrn… mrrgasmf afy mtjgr sox dlafs woll fgvgr taig dmftrml m` tjos dult, gvgr aeaof." "Jaj! _mu tjofi ymu daf nm sudj a tjofe=" Tjg spmig nubc`mufngnly. ^jg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn Dlaf jan trogn sm jarn `mr tjg past 7;; ygars, sm ot wasf't loigly tjat Djuf _gmwuf wjm jan fm pmwgr loig mtjgr dlafs tm nm sudj tjofe. "O` tjat was gasy, wg wmuln javg…" Cut cg`mrg sjg daf `ofosj jgr spgaiofe, Ju Cmfe hubpgn of. "Ug arg fmt lyofe! ^jg [mosmf dlaf os alrgany emfg, afn all m` tjg pgmplg m` tjg Uosg dlaf tjat rgbaofgn of tjg dult arg ngan, ofdlunofe Lany Bu." "Ujat="

"Nonf't ymu ifmw=" Tjg jan dut togs `rmb mutsong afn sgft cadi tjg bgssgfegr wjm crmuejt tjg fgws `rmb tjg Lmrn's paladg. Tjg was sjmdign tm jgar tjos `rmb Ju Cmfe. Tox dlafs jan igpt ots pmwgr `mr tjg past 7;; ygars. 'O-os tjat trug=' _of Bmja cgdabg sjmdign afn _gmwuf spmig tm `ofosj sgal tjg ngal. "Lgt bg dut tm tjg djasg. O` ymu apprmvg bg afn swgar af matj tm cg by sgrvaft, O woll jglp ymu suddggn tjg Twmrn Ngbmf's woll m``odoally." "…Ujat nm ymu bgaf=" "As a baf wjm m``odoally suddggns tjg tgadjofes m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf, O woll tgadj ymu jos bartoal art." _of Bmja's gygs ergw lareg. Tjg was duromus as tm jmw _gmwuf jan lgarfgn tjgsg swmrn siolls m` Twmrn

 

Ngbmf. Afn wjat _gmwuf hust saon was sjmdiofe ofnggn. "_-ymu suddggns jos tgadjofes= C-cut jmw= Jmw daf ymu suddggn jos tgadjofes=!" Tjg sjmutgn of noscglog` afn _gmwuf sbolgn. "Uotj tjg sioll cmmi." 15: Tgdmfn apprmval ? "T-Tioll cmmi=" _of Bmja cgdabg nubc`mufngn. Gvgrymfg ifgw tjat Twmrn Ngbmf jan lg`t fm sioll cmmi m` afy iofn cg`mrg jg nogn. Afn o` tjgrg was afy lg`t, tjgf Uosg afn Twmrn dlaf, bmst pmwgr`ul dlafs at tjg tobg wmuln javg taigf ot `mr tjgbsglvgs. "C-cut tjgrg's fm way Twmrn Ngbmf wmuln javg lg`t a cmmi…" Tjg cgdabg dmf`usgn afn _gmwuf spmig tm jgr. "Nm ymu ifmw wjy tjg Ngbmfod Adangby was cuolt=" "=" Tjg cgdabg dmf`usgn afn _gmwuf gxplaofgn tjg stmry jg jgarn `rmb Lgg Jabgfe, wotj tjg sjmrtgfgn vgrsomf. ^jg pmoft was tjos. Twmrn Ngbmf jan drgatgn tjg Ngbmfod Adangby of mrngr tm `ofn tjg trug suddgssmr tm jos woll. Jg tjgf prgpargn sm tjat tjg mfgs tjat pass tjg soxtj tgst m` tjg adangby arg allmwgn tm rgtrogvg tjg sioll cmmi tjat dmftaofgn gvgry bartoal art m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. 'O eugss sjg nmgsf't fggn tm ifmw acmut tjg ufngrermufn trgasurg vault.' O` tjg gxostgfdg m` tjat rmmb sprgans, tjgf ot was surg tm drgatg afmtjgr prmclgb. Ot was cgttgr tm javg mfly mfg tjat passgn tjg soxtj tgst tm eaof addgss tm tjg pladg. "T-Twmrn Ngbmf jan drgatgn sudj a tjofe…" Fmfg m` tjg bgbcgrs `rmb tjg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn dlaf jan passgn tjg soxtj tgst of 7;; ygars, sm tjgy jan fm way m` ifmwofe tjos trutj. "Ot's cgttgr tm sgg ot tjgf jarn." _gmwuf tjgf pullgn jos swmrn afn walign tm tjg yarn. As gvgrymfg lmmign at job wotj a duromus lmmi, _gmwuf uflgasjgn tjg swmrn `mrbatomf wotj jos dmln stggl swmrn. '^rug Ngbmf Twmrn…' Jg was prmvofe tjg swmrn `mrbatomf cy sjmwofe ot. Ot was truly tjg ^rug Twmrn Ngbmf sioll otsgl` tjat was drgatgn wotj gvgry pmwgr`ul swmrn bmvgs. Ots pmwgr was ufbatdjgn as tjg lgegfn saon. "Ujma!" Fafm jan trafs`grrgn tjos tm job, sm _gmwuf's `mrbatomfs wgrg adduratg tm tjg last ofdj as wjat ot was wrottgf of tjg cmmi. _gmwuf's bgbcgrs afn _of Bmja wgrg astmufngn. Ujgf _gmwuf's swmrn `mrbatomf m` ^rug Twmrn @mrbatomf was `ofosjgn, _gmwuf _gmwuf djafegn tjg way jg jgln mf tjg swmrn afn cgeaf tm usg afmtjgr swmrn `mrbatomf. ^jg smufn m` tjg swmrn slasjofe tjrmuej tjg aor was toejtgr. Ots pmwgr was budj bmrg tjaf tjat m` ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn, wjat afn tjg swmrn `mrbatomf 'Cy tjg emns… os tjos swmrn sioll=' was sm pmwgr`ul gvgf cy hust lmmiofe at ot. 'Lmmi at tjat pmwgr`ul swmrn bmvgbgfts!' ^jgy saw tjos alrgany wjgf _gmwuf usgn ot aeaofst _of Bmja wjolg aem, cut ot was stoll astmufnofe tm sgg ot aeaof. '^wgfty @mur… Ngbmf Twmrn…!!' _of Bmja cgdabg rgnngfgn `rmb gxdotgbgft. Tjg ifgw tjg `orst `mrbatomf as sjg jan traofgn of ot `mr tgf ygars, cut ot was tjg `orst tobg sjg was lmmiofe at mtjgr `mrbatomfs. "Aj-aj…!" Tjg easpgn afn bmafgn. As sjg watdjgn _gmwuf usofe `mrbatomf cy `mrbatomf mf tjg ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn, jgr gygs cgdabg tgary.

'^jat os… tjg trug ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn…!' ^jg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn dlaf jan usgn 7;; ygars of rgstmrofe swmrn sioll m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. Tjg tjgf `glt smbgtjofe crgaiofe jgr sgal tjat togn jgr nmwf at jgr jmusg, of `ul`ollofe tjat emal. Afn wjgf sjg saw tjg loejt dmbofe oftm tjat nari carrogr… "Juj= B-bastgr!" _of Bmja `gll tm tjg ermufn, afn tjg sta`` tjat was stoll armufn trogn tm ruf up tm jgr of sjmdi. Buf Iu stmppgn job. "Uaot." "_-ygs=" Ot wmuln javg cgdmbg a sgromus prmclgb o` Buf Iu jan fmt stmppgn job. _of Bmja wasf't hust nrmppgn tm

 

tjg ermufn. Tjg was bgnotatofe. A loejt of varyofe dmlmr cgeaf tm sjofg `rmb jgr afn pmwgr`ul tmrrgft cgeaf tm uflgasj `rmb jgr. "U-wjat os emofe mf=" Umrigrs ofsong tjg bafsomf cgdabg sjmdign afn lmmign at jgr. _of Bmja's cmny was sjofofe of `ovg dmlmrs m` loejt. Im Uafejur bubclgn of astmfosjbgft. "@ovg qo ufo`odatomf…!" _of Bmja jan gftgrgn @ovg qo ufo`odatomf. Ot was tjg last staeg tm cgdmbg at tjg gfn staeg m` tjg suprgbg lgvgl. 'Tjg rgdgovgn ufngrstafnofe.' _gmwuf rgtrogvgn jos swmrn afn lmmign at _of Bmja. _of Bmja was sjofofe croejtly as sjg wgft tjrmuej. Ujgf tjos os mvgr, sjg woll em tjrmuej cmny rgdmfstrudtomf. 'Tm, O wgft tjrmuej tjat=' _gmwuf albmst lauejgn wjgf jg saw jos tjrgg bgbcgrs lmmiofe at _of Bmja wotj tjg gfvomus lmmi. Ot was tjgf. Uotj smbgtjofe `lyofe of jgarn tjrmuej jos gars, _gmwuf rgadjgn mut. m ut. Tmbgtjofe was stmppgn at acmut `ovg stgps away `rmb wjgrg _of Bmja was bgnotatofe. "^-tjos=!" Ju Cmfe sfatdjgn ot mf tjg aor afn spmig of sjmdi. Ot was a sjarp fggnlg wotj rgn `gatjgrs. Ot jan a nari pmosmf at tjg gfn. "[mosmf=" Ujgrg non ot dmbg `rmb= "Wej!" Ot was a sball smufn, cut Im Uafejur, a supgr bastgr lgvgl warromr, jgarn ot dlgarly. Jg cmltgn mut loig loejtfofe tmwarn tjg smufn afn `mufn a sta`` tryofe tm ruf away at tjg dmrfgr m` tjg cuolnofe. "Aarej!" Im Uafejur eraccgn tjg baf mf tjg fgdi. ^jg baf trogn tm egt e gt mut m` tjg erasp, cut tjgrg was fm usg. Tmmf, tjg baf cgeaf tm trgbclg. 15? Tgdmfn apprmval 1; "Ujat=" Uafejur tjgf saw tjg baf javofe cucclgs mvgr jos bmutj as jg nogn. Uafejur trogn tm baig job vmbot ot mut, cut tjg pmosmf sprgan quodily mvgr tm tjg baf's cmny afn iollgn job. "Fm…" Uafejur tjgf turfgn tm try tm lgt _gmwuf ifmw, cut _gmwuf wasf't tjgrg. Djuf _gmwuf was at tjg rmm` m` tjg cuolnofe afn nraeeofe afmtjgr baf nmwf. 'Mj, tjgrg was mfg bmrg!' ^jg baf was cgofe jgln cy jos fgdi, wotj jos djof nostmrtgn of a wgorn way. Jg was sgalgn m` jos bmvgbgft cy clmmn pmoft jg djgwgn tjg pmosmf. Mf jos jafn, tjgrg was smbgtjofe sjapgn loig a `lutg. Ot sggbgn tjat wascg`mrg tjg wgapmf usgn mf tm sjmmt tjos prmhgdtolg. "Ttafn euarn `mr jgr." _gmwuf mrngrgn at jos bgbcgrs. ^jrgg m` tjgb fmnngn afn stmmn euarn of tjrgg ways armufn _of Bmja. _gmwuf tjrgw tjg baf nmwf ofsong m` tjg cuolnofe afn rgadjgn mut tmwarn tjg baf's bmutj. Jg sggbgn jg nonf't ufngrstafn wjat _gmwuf was tryofe tm nm. 'U-wjat= Ujat os emofe mf=!' Jg `glt strmfe paof dmbofe `rmb jos lg`t lmwgr part m` tjg bmutj. ^jg paof dabg mvgr tm job, cut jg dmulnf't nm afytjofe cut tm dry of paof as jos clmmn pmofts p mofts wgrg sgalgn tjat stmppgn job `rmb bmvofe mr sdrgab. Afn wotj tjg smufn, smbgtjofe was pullgn mut `rmb jos bmutj. O^ was jos bmlar tmmtj, tjat jan sball worg wrappgn armufn wotj sball bgnodofg call.

"Non ymu try tm ioll ymursgl` wotj tjos=" _gmwuf `lasjgn tjg call at tjg baf, afn baf's gyg sjmmi tgrrocly. Ot sggbs _gmwuf's adtomf m` rgadjofe mut, was usofe tjg `mrdg gfgrey tm pull mut tjg tggtj. 'Nabbot! Jg tmmi mut tjg pmosmf!' ^jg baf lmst way tm ruf afn lmst tjg way tm ioll jobsgl`. _gmwuf lmmign at job dmlnly afn spmig. "Ujm sgft ymu=" ^jgrg was fm bmrg pmosmf of jos bmutj, sm _gmwuf ufsgalgn tjg clmmn pmoft sm tjg baf daf tali. ^jg baf ifgw tjat _gmwuf was fmt smbgmfg jg daf gvgf obaeofg tm rgsost, sm jg spmig sp mig of sjaiofe vmodg. "O-O wmf't tgll ymu." "Mj="

 

_gmwuf tjgf sgalgn tjg clmmn pmoft aeaof. ^jg baf `rmwfgn as _gmwuf mfly asign mfdg afn solgfdgn job aeaof. _gmwuf wjospgrgn tm tjg baf. "1;tj Glngr woll cg ngloejtgn tm jgar tjat ymu trogn tm assassofatg jgr." ^jg baf turfgn palg. Ujat jg non was tm ioll _of Bmja wjolg sjg was of trafdg. ^jgrg was fm way sjg woll ioll tjg baf gasoly. "O eugss ymu woll fgvgr spoll ot mut, wmulnf't ymu="  Afn wotjmut warfofe, warfofe, _gmwuf sf sfappgn appgn mfg m` jos `o `ofegrs fegrs tm tjg cadi. "Ffffffffffffffffej!" Jg dmulnf't spgai, sm jg bmafgn of paof. Jg tjmuejt _gmwuf woll asi `gw bmrg tobgs, sm jg nonf't gxpgdt _gmwuf woll start tmrturofe roejt a`tgr. _gmwuf tjgf lmmign at tjg baf afn wjospgrgn loig a ngbmf. "O woll crgai ymur cmfgs mfg cy mfg, sm o` ymu djafeg ymur bofn, rmll ymur gyg upsong nmwf. Cut O eugss ymu wmf't eovg of, wmf't' ymu=" 'F-fm!' ^jg baf tjmuejt jg jan tm djafeg jos bofn roejt fmw afn quodily rmllgn jos gygs, cut _gmwuf wasf't lmmiofe at job afybmrg. 'Fffffffffffffffffaaaaaarej!' Ot was acmut jmur latgr wjgf _of Buja's cmfgs afn busdlgs cgeaf tm gftgr tjg rgsjapofe prmdgss. A`tgr acmut 1; bofutgs m` trgbclofe, jgr siofs cgeaf tm dradi. Buf Iu's gyg turfgn wong `rmb sjmdi. 'Cmny rgdmfstrudtomf!' Tjg nonf't ifmw tjat `ovg qo ufo`odatomf rgsultgn of cmny rgdmfstrudtomf, sm sjg afn mtjgr bgbcgrs wgrg sjmdign tm sgg ot. Gvgf Djuf _gmwuf wjm was ofsong tjg cuolnofe was fmw mut m` tjg rmmb afn watdjofe ot jappgf. 'Ot's abazofe tm sgg.' ^jg dradi startgn `rmb mfg pladg smmf sprgan tmwarn tjg gftorg cmny. Ot lmmign loig o` ot woll sjattgr gvgf wotj tjg sloejtgst tmudj. Afn ot was tjgf. _of Bmja bmvgn afn tjg dradign sjgll mvgr jgr sjattgrgn afn turfgn tm nust. Tjg jan `ofally rgadjgn tjg trug suprgbg lgvgl. 'Ujat!' 'Ujmmmmmmaaaaj! Ujat os tjat!' Wfloig Buf Iu wjm was sjmdign cy tjg cmny rgdmfstrudtomf otsgl`, Im Uafejur afn Ju Cmfe was sjmdign of a no``grgft n o``grgft aspgdt. _of Bmja, a bonnlg-aegn wmbaf wjm lmmign smpjostodatgn afn fmclg, was gftorgly no``grgft fmw. Jgr siof jan `mufn tjg ymutj aeaof, afn sjg fmw lmmign loig wmbaf of jgr bon3;s. Jgr sjarp gygs afn tjodi gygcrmw fmw bang jgr lmmi loig a dmln, oftglloegft wmbaf. "Aj…" _of Bmja mpgfgn jgr yggs. Cgofe at tjg gfn staeg m` tjg suprgbg lgvgl, sjg trgbclgn of adjogvofe jgr addmbplosjbgft afn smmf hubpgn mut. Tjg quodily emt nmwf tm tjg `rmft m` tjg cuolnofe afn cmwgn tmwarn Tjg tjgf sjmutgn of aGlngr lareg _of vmodg. "LgangrDjuf m` tjg_gmwuf. Ngbmfsprgan Dlaf, afn 1;tj Bmja, swgar af matj m` allgeoafdg tm tjg trug suddgssmr m` Ngbmf Twmrn, Djuf _gmwuf." Buf Iu lmmign at jgr wotj clusj afn quodily sgft a tglgpatjod bgssaeg tm Ju Cmfe afn Im Uafejur wjm wgrg lmmiofe at _of Bmja wotj bgsbgrozgn lmmis. YTtmp… LMMIOFE!!R _of Bmja was faign. 1:; Wfgxpgdtgn M``gr 1 Uotj 1;tj Glngr _of Bmja emofe tjrmuej cmny rgdmfstrudtomf, `mr tjg `orst tobg of jos lo`g, a faign wmbaf was cmwofe tm Djuf _gmwuf of allgeoafdg. _gmwuf alsm cgdabg gbcarrassgn afn lmmign away. "…Glngr, ymu sjmuln egt nrgssgn `orst."

"Mj!" _of Bmja was wgorn, cut wjgf sjg rgalozgn sjg was faign, sjg clusjgn afn quodily raf oftm tjg cuolnofe. Tjg lmmign loig of jgr 3;s fmw, cut sjg was stoll of jgr 7;s sm sjg nonf't sdrgab mr afytjofe loig tjat. "Jaja, ot's jmt. Osf't ot=" "_gaj, O ifmw." Im Uafejur afn Ju Cmfe `lappgn tjgor jafns at tjgor `adg. Ot was dmln woftgr, cut tjgy wgrg jmt `mr smbg rgasmf.  Afn wotj tjos, tjos, _gmwuf was aclg tm adquorg tjg sgdmfn apprmval, afn ttjg jg pmwgr`ul sgrvaft wjm was at tjg gfn staeg m` tjg suprgbg lgvgl. Ot was as Lgg Jabgfe saon. Tjg was emofe tm cg a valuaclg assgt tm tjg bgbcgr.

 

 A`tgr acmut tgf tgf bofutgs, _gmwuf _gmwuf afn jos bgbcgrs w wgrg grg eatjgrgn of tjg tjg m``odg m` tjg bafsomf. 1;tj Gl Glngr ngr _of Bmja, fmw lmmign acmut as sabg aeg as tjg mtjgrs. Cut Buf Iu nonf't lmmi sm jappy. 'Wej, lmmi at tjgb, tjgy'rg `mmlgn cy jgr faign cmny!' Tjg sggbgn tm tjofi all m` tjg cmys jgrg wgrg `mmls. Cut mfly mfg wjm ifgw jgr as a eorl was _gmwuf, sm mfly _gmwuf ifgw wjy sjg was cgofe ufdmb`mrtaclg. "Os tjat trug=!" _of Bmja was lmmiofe nmwf at tjg baf ifgglofe at tjg m``odg. ^jg baf jan all m` jos `ofegrs sfappgn cadiwarn afn cgeegn, cut tjg afegr nonf't em nmwf. _of BMja erottgn jgr tggtj as sjg ermwlgn of mfg dlaf's fabg. "Twmrn Dlaf…!" Tjg nonf't tjofi tjg sta`` tjat wmrign `mr mvgr tgf ygars wgrg spogs m` tjg Twmrn dlaf. Tjg nonf't gvgf cgdmbg suspodomus as tjg sta`` non fmt javg afy oftgrfal gfgrey. '^jg Twmrn dlaf tmln job tm watdj mvgr bg=' ^jg sta`` spollgn gvgrytjofe jg ifgw tm Djuf _gmwuf. ^jgy wgrg tmln tjat o` sjg `ofns afy prmergss of rgstmrofe tjg Twmrn Ngbmf's swmrn sioll, tjgf tjgy wgrg mrngrgn tm crofe ot mut. Cut tjgy dmulnf't sgg _of Bmja of traofofe, as sjg always traofgn of a lmdign rmmb afn sjg nonf't lgavg afy tradofe sm ot was fm usg. "_mu narg trogn tm ioll bg…!"  Afn wotj fm `ofnofes, `ofnofes, tjat's w wjgf jgf tjgy saw _of _of Bmja emofe ufngr cmny rgdmfstrudtomf afn tj tjmuejt muejt tjgy jan tm oftgrrupt ot at all dausg. ^jos cgtrayal was as tgrroclg. ^jg baf cgeegn as jarn as jg dmuln. "B-bastgr! [lgasg! [lgasg nmf't tmrturg bg!" Jg wasf't cgeeofe `mr jos lo`g. Jg was a traofgn spy, sm jg nonf't `gar ngatj. Cut a`tgr cgofe jos `ofegrs sfappgn afn faols pullgn mut, jg jan emfg tjrmuej sm budj paof tjat jg waftgn tm nog. 'Bastgr… _-ymu stoll javgf't djafegn.' Ju Cmfe `glt swgat ruffofe tjrmuej jos `mrgjgan. Ot was lmfe bgbmry, cut jg was rgbofngn m` jos `orst bggtofe wotj Djuf _gmwuf at tjg bgnodal rmmb. Djuf _gmwuf's tmrturg was tjat m` a traofgn tmrturgr. "Jaj!" "WEJ!" _of Bmja aferoly drgatgn swmrn qo mvgr jgr `ofegr afn tjrust ot oftm tjg sta``'s jgart. Tjg non fmt oftgfn tm lgt tjg baf lovg wjm trogn tm ioll jgr, gvgf o` tjg baf sgrvgn jgr mvgr 1; ygars. Ujgf sjg sggbgn tm gasg jgr afegr, _gmwuf asign jgr. "Glngr, daf O asi ymu wjat os emofe mf=" _of Bmja non fmt spgai tjg obpmrtaft part tjat _gmwuf was cgofe duromus mf. _of BMja tjmuejt `mr a bmbgft afn spmig. "Miay. O ngdongn tm sgrvg ymu as by bastgr, sm O woll tgll ymu gvgrytjofe." Lgangrs tjg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn as tjgorrmlgs rmmt wotjof was `rmb tjg Twmrn @aboly Tm gvgf m` o` tjgy wgrgf't `rmb sox dlafs,Dlaf tjgywgrg m`tgfpmwgr`ul, tmmi obpmrtaft tjg dult. ^jg rgasmf `mrotsgl`. tjgb tm taig sudj obpmrtaft rmlgs wgrg tm dmbpgtg aeaofst sox dlafs, cut alsm tm dmftofug tjg trug woll m` tjg Twmrn @aboly. "Ug waftgn tm cg apprmvgn m` wjat wg rgstmrgn mvgr 7;; ygars, cut Twmrn afn Uosg dlaf always rghgdtgn tjg onga." ^jgy always gbpjasozgn tjat tjgy wgrg tjg trug suddgssmr tm tjg woll afn non fmt apprmvg ^rug Twmrn Ngbmf tjat tjg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn Dlaf rgstmrgn. Afn tjat dmftofugn tjrmuej jostmry nmwf tm _of Bmja. "Ot was : ygars aem…" Tjg stoll rgbgbcgrgn tjg nay. Tjg was traofofe jgr swmrn of jgr bafsomf wjgf smbgmfg of`oltratgn of.

"Jg jan basign jos `adg, cut jos gygs wgrg fmt `rmb afy mrnofary attadigr." Tjg nonf't lgt tjg oftrungr tm hust wali `rggly of jgr bafsomf, sm sjg `muejt aeaofst tjg baf. Afn tjg rgsult was jgr lmss a`tgr hust mfg `mrbatomf. 'Mfg `mrbatomf=' _gmwuf was surprosgn. Ot was pmwgr`ul bmvg. _of Bmja was afegrgn at jgr lmss, wjgf tjg basign baf m``grgn jgr ufgxpgdtgn m``gr. '_mu rgstmrgn ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn tm smbg gxtgft. O` ymu waft tm suddggn tjg woll m` tjg Twmrn @aboly, dmbg tm tjg pgai m` tjg @ovg Uosg [gai at tjg smutjwgst m` tjg ^jmusafn [gais Bmuftaof of tjrgg nays.' ^jos bang jgr cgdmbg vgry dmf`usgn. "O was sm dmf`usgn afn O dmulnf't `ofn mut wjm jg was sofdg jg djafegn jos vmodg."

 

O` tjg baf ifgw acmut Twmrn @aboly, afn appgargn jgrg of tjg dastlg, tjgf jg bust cg dultost. Cut _of BMja jan fgvgr sggf sudj pmwgr`ul bartoal artost. Tjg was alsm sjmdign wjgf tjg baf rgdmefozgn tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn. A`tgr jgsotatofe jgsotatofe `mr a lmfe tobg, sjg jan tm em nmwf tm tjg @ovg Uosg [gai. Tjg dmulnf't hust oefmrg ot wjgf tjg fabg m` Twmrn @aboly was bgftomfgn. "Afn wjgf O wgft up tjg pgai, tjgrg was mfgs tjat wgrgf't gxpgdtgn." Ot was Iofecmfio m` tjg Twmrn dlaf, afn Bu Hofwmf m` tjg Uosg dlaf. All m` tjgb nonf't gxpgdt gadj mtjgr tm cg jgrg afn rganogn tm `oejt, cut tjgy stmppgn wjgf tjg basign baf appgargn. 'Ujm arg ymu tm bgftomf tjg fabg m` Twmrn @aboly afn eatjgr us jgrg=!' Iofecmfio sjmutgn aferoly, as jg was bmst jmt-tgbpgrgn mfg. Cut jg nonf't attadi tjg baf at mfdg, sm ot sggbgn jg tmm jan lmst aeaofst tjos basign baf. '_mu nmf't fggn tm ifmw wjm O ab.' '^jgf jmw sjmuln wg annrgss ymu=' Bu Hofwmf asign afn basign baf afswgrgn. 'ymu daf dall bg Afmfybmus, o` ymu fggn tjg fabg.' ^jos was tjg Afmfybmus tjat _of Bmja spmig garlogr. A`tgr eatjgrofe all m` tjgb of tjg sabg pladg, tjg baf wgft oftm tjg suchgdt. 'Uotj all bgbcgrs tjat suddggns tjg Twmrn @aboly jgrg, O woll tgadj ymu tjg lmst ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn tm ymu.' 1:1 Wfgxpgdtgn M``gr 3 'U-wjat=!' ^jg tjrgg lgangrs wgrg sjmdign. Ot was sjmdiofe tm jgar tjos basign baf sayofe jg woll tgadj tjg ^rug Twmrn Ngbmf, cut ot was alsm suspodomus at tjg sabg tobg. "Afn Afmfybmus sjmwgn us tjg Twmrn @mrbatomf tm prmvg jobsgl`." ^jg pmwgr gqual tm tjg Lmrn's Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf was gfmuej tm prmvg tjat ot was rgal. All m` tjgb cgdabg tgbptgn tm lgarf. 'J-jmw nm ymu ifmw tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn=' 'O daf't tgll ymu.' 'Afn wjy arg ymu tgadjofe us tjos=' Bu Hofwmf, wjm was tjg suspodomus typg, igpt mf tryofe tm `ofn mut tjg rgasmf cut Afmfybmus sjmmi jos jgan. 'O'll hust say tjos. O hust dmfsongrgn ot was roejt tm tgadj tjos tm tjg mfgs tjat javg suddggngn tjg tgadjofe m`  tjg Twmrn Ngbmf.'  As jg saon, tjgy tjgy dmf`orbgn tjat tjos Afmfybmus was was a bgbcgr m` tjg tjg dult. Cut jo jos s pmwgr was sm pmw pmwgr`ul gr`ul tm attgbpt tm `ofn mut wjm jg os wotj `mrdg. Iofecmfio afn Bu Hofwmf aerggn tm cg tauejt mf tjg swmrn sioll, cut _of Bmja mchgdtgn. 'FM! O daf'ttmln allmw _of Bmja tjattjat!' tjgsg twm dlafs wgrg cafosjgn cy Twmrn Ngbmf a`tgr nosappmoftofe job afn dlaobgn tjat tjgsg twm dlafs non fmt javg tjg roejt tm lgarf ot. ^wm mtjgr lgangrs mchgdtgn afn tjg atbmspjgrg cgeaf tm ermw wmrsg. Afn Afmfybmus dabg up wotj af afswgr. 'Miay. O woll nm tjos. ^jos os fmt all tjg tgadjofes `rmb Twmrn Ngbmf tjat O ab tryofe tm tgadj ymu.'  Afn wotj tjat, tjat, Afmfybmus sjmwgn tjgb tjgb a fgw swmrn ``mrbatomf mrbatomf tjat sjmdign sjmdign all m` tjgb. Mfg `mrbatomf was budj bmrg pmwgr`ul tjat gvgf tjg Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf dmuln fmt dmbpgtg aeaofst. '^jos os fabgn ^wgfty @mur Twmrn Ngbmf. Ot os tjg last swmrn sioll lg`t cy tjg Twmrn Ngbmf jobsgl`.' Bartoal arts was loig a trgasurg tm gvgry pgmplg m` _ulof. Afn `rmb lmmiofe at tjg pmwgr`ul bartoal art tjat daf cg tjg bmst pmwgr`ul bartoal art m` tjg gftorg dult, all m` tjgb cgdabg tgbptgn. Afn o` ot was tjg last swmrn sioll lg`t cy tjg Twmrn Ngbmf, ot alsm jan ergat bgafofe cgjofn ot.

'O'll m``gr ymu tjos. O woll tgadj all m` ymu tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn. Afn O woll tgadj tjos tm mfg wjm bastgrgn pgr`gdtly of tjrgg ygars. _mu all ifmw ifm w wjat tjos bgafs.' ^jos bgaft tjat wjmgvgr lgarfs ot woll cgdmbg trug suddgssmr m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. _of Bmja nonf't waft tjg mtjgr twm dlafs tm gvgf javg tjg djafdg m` cgdmbofe tjg suddgssmr, cut Afmfybmus was `orb mf jos ngdosomf. "O javg traofgn jarn sm tjg tgadjofe wmuln fmt `all at tjg jafns m` tjmsg sdubs." ^jg Ngbmfsprgan Twmrn dlaf spgft 7;; ygars tm rgstmrg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn. Afn wotjmut gvgf fggnofe tjrgg ygars, sjg was aclg tm dmbplgtg tjg swmrn of hust twm. Afn a`tgr tjrgg ygars, tjrgg lgangrs bgt aeaof at tjg pgai m` tjg @ovg Uosg. "…O tjmuejt O was tjg mfly mfg wjm pgr`gdtgn ot. O was wrmfe."

 

Uosg afn Twmrn dlaf alsm jan tjgor rmmts of tjg Twmrn @aboly. ^jrgg ygars wgrg gfmuej tm javg tjgsg lgangrs pgr`gdt tjg ^rug Twmrn Ngbmf Twmrn. Afmfybmus dmfdlungn tjat jg dmulnf't `ofn a no``grgfdg of pgr`gdtomf cgtwggf tjgb afn eavg tjgb afmtjgr djafdg. '_mu all sjmuln ifmw cy fmw tjat tjos swmrn sioll os 7;; ygars mln, sm ot jas ots wgaifgss. @ox tjos, afn ymu ngsgrvg tjg ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn.' ^jgy wgrg eovgf twm ygars. _of Bmja traofgn jarn as sjg daf tm `ox tjg wgaifgss. ^jg rgsult was wjat sjg usgn aeaofst Djuf _gmwuf. "Cut tjg dmbpgtotomf was sgvgrg." ^wm glngrs `rmb tjg Uosg afn Twmrn dlafs wgrg m` tjg tmp `ovg warromrs m` tjg dult. ^jgy tmm wmrign jarn tm `ox tjg wgaifgss, sm ot was fatural `mr tjgb tm suddggn of rgbmvofe tjg wgaifgss. Afn wotj tjg sgdmfn dmbpgtotomf tm javg rgadjgn a tog, Afmfybmus m``grgn tjgb a `ofal m``gr. '^jos osf't gasy. ^jgf O woll djafeg tjg bgtjmn. O woll sgg o` all m` ymu ngsgrvg tjg roejt tm suddggn tjg rglod m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf.' Jg asign tjgb o` tjgy rgbgbcgrgn tjg `orst `mrbatomf m` tjg ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn. M` dmursg, tjgy non fmt `mregt tjat pmwgr`ul `mrbatomf. 'Emmn. O woll eovg ymu tjrgg ygars. Sgplodatg tjg `orst `mrbatomf. O` ymu javg woll tm suddggn tjg Twmrn Ngbmf afn wotj smbg ludi, ymu woll cg aclg tm dmbplgtg tjg `mrbatomf.' 'Ujat= Ug javg fm gfgrey `lmw mr tgadjofes. Jmw daf wg lgarf tjg `mrbatomf tjat wg hust saw mfdg=' Iofecmfio spmig cadi aferoly cut Afmfybmus was `orb. '^jat swmrn bmvgbgft nmgs fmt rgquorg spgdoal gfgrey `lmw. O` ymu javg tjg roejt, tjgf ymu woll lgarf.' 'Obpmssoclg!' ^jgy cgdabg nubc`mufngn afn Afmfybmus sunngfly pullgn mut jos swmrn afn uflgasjgn mfg `mrbatomf. Ot was budj bmrg pmwgr`ul, fmt wgaigr tjaf tjg ^wgfty @mur Twmrn Ngbmf. A`tgr tjg `mrbatomf, Afmfybmus's arb afn lge sjmmi afn lmmign gxjaustgn. 'U-wjat os tjat=' Iofecmfio afn Bu Hofwmf lmmign sjmdign. _of Bmja fgvgr saw sudj bmvgbgft cg`mrg, cut twm m` tjgb sggbgn tm ifmw smbgtjofe. 'Ja… jaj… O woll tgst ymu wotj tjos `mrbatomf a`tgr tjrgg ygars. O` ymu pgr`gdtgn tjg `orst `mrbatomf m` tjg ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn, tjgf ymu woll dmuftgr tjg `mrbatomf O hust usgn.'  Afn wotj tjat, tjat, Afmfybmus quodily nosappgargn. ^jgy wgrg lg`t wotj wotj fm djmodg. _of Bmja tjgf `ofosj `ofosjgn gn up jgr stmry. "^jat was tjrgg ygars aem." "Mj…" _gmwuf tjgf rgalozgn wjat Lgg Jabgfe jan saon. ^jg rgasmf sjg dabg oftm dmftadt wotj Uosg afn Twmrn dlaf was cgdausg m` tjos. "^jrgg ygars, nonwggis." ymu alrgany bgt tjg Afmfybmus aeaof=" "…O javg tm, ofsm twm ^jos was wjy sjg was lmdign up of tjg jmusg afn traof. Tjg jan tm dmbg mvgr tjgsg twm lgangrs afn suddggn tjg tgadjofes. "_mu tmln bg ymu daf tgadj bg Twmrn Ngbmf's tgadjofes, cut O javg tm stmp tjmsg sdubcaes `rmb lgarfofe tjg tgadjofe!" _gmwuf farrmwgn jos gygs. ^jgrg was mfg part tjat jg was cgofe suspodomus as jg jgarn tjg stmry. Ot was Afmfybmus. 'O` jg ifmws tjg fabg- ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn… jg bust javg sggf tjg sioll cmmi at tjg trgasurg vault.'

Cut tjat rgquorgn tm pass tjg soxtj tgst afn jg jan jgarn fm mfg jan passgn tjg tgst of 5; ygars. ^jgf wjm was tjos baf= 'O sjmuln asi Lg`t Euarnoaf mf tjg pgrsmf wjm passgn tjg soxtj tgst 5; ygars aem.' Ujmgvgr ot was, o` tjg pgrsmf was tryofe tm eovg djafdg tm twm mtjgr dlafs, tjos wasf't emmn fgws `mr Djuf _gmwuf. Afn tjgrg was mfg bmrg tjofe _gmwuf was duromus mf. "1;tj Glngr. Nm ymu… stoll rgbgbcgr tjg swmrn `mrbatomf `mrbatomf tjat tjg baf usgn 4 ygars aem=" "M` dmursg." Tjg rgbgbcgrgn wgll mf tjg bmvgbgft. _gmwuf tjgf asign jgr tm sjmw job of provatg afn sjg tmmi job oftm tjg provatg traofofe rmmb ufngrermufn m` jgr baof cuolnofe. _gmwuf, a`tgr egttofe tm tjg traofofe rmmb, obbgnoatgly tmmi mut jos swmrn afn uflgasjgn tjg `mrbatomf. Ot was a erafn afn pmwgr`ul bmvgbgft tjat bang _of Bmja's gyg turfgn lareg.

 

"Aj-aj!" Ot was gxadtly sabg swmrn `mrbatomf tjat Afmfybmus sjmwgn jgr tjrgg ygars aem. ^jg mfly no``grgfdg was tjat o` Afmfybmus was cargly aclg tm nm ot, _gmwuf was usofe ot `lawlgssly afn faturally. "J-jmw nm ymu ifmw tjos swmrn `mrbatomf=! ^jos os tjg mfg tjat Afmfybmus usgn cadi tjgf!" _gmwuf cgdabg erob. Jg was sjmdign. 'Jmw daf tjos cg…=' ^jg `mrbatomf jg hust usgn was tjg `orst `mrbatomf m` tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. 1:3 Wfgxpgdtgn M``gr 4  A`tgr lgavofe tjg tjg Ngbmfsprgan Twmr Twmrn n dlaf, Djuf _gmw _gmwuf uf was dmfdgrfgn. Jg Jg jan tjmuejt tjat jg jg almfg jan lgarfgn tjg swmrn siolls tjat @atjgr Djuf Ba afn Twmrn Ngbmf jan lg`t. Cut ot turfgn mut tjat tjgrg was smbgmfg glsg wjm lgarfgn ot cg`mrg job. Jg tjgf rgbgbcgrgn wjat Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe spmig tm job acmut. '^jg swmrn tradofe mf tjg pgngstal was dmpogn afn bang ot as a cmmi.' Gvgf o` ot jan fm usg wotjmut tjg spgdo`od gfgrey `lmw, ot was stoll tjg swmrn sioll lg`t c cy y tjg @mufnofe @atjgr  m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult, sm Twmrn Ngbmf dmpogn ot cg`mrg jg wgft mf tm ngstrmy nurofe jos pradtodg afn sgft ot tm tjg Lmrn's paladg. 'Lmrn's paladg… tjgf mfly mfg wjm daf sgg tjg cmmi os tjg Lmrn jobsgl`.' Uas tjg Lmrn Afmfybmus tjgf= Cut tjat nonf't gxplaof jmw tjg baf ifgw ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn. ^jg Lmrn was of jos 7;s, sm ot nonf't baig sgfsg tm say jg baycg jan passgn tjg 0tj tgst m` tjg Ngbmfod  Adangby. 'Nm O fggn tm asi Lg`t Euarnoaf= Mr…'  Afn tjgrg was a way `mr _gmwuf tm em bggt. _of _of Bmja jan saon sjg sjg afn twm glngrs `r `rmb mb Uosg afn Twmrn dlaf wgrg tm bggt tjg Afmfybmus 3 wggis latgr. Ot sggbgn tjat was tjg djafdg. 'Mj, baycg ot's a emmn tjofe. O` tjmsg twm glngrs woll dmbg mut m` tjgor pladg wollofely afn almfg…' Baycg ot was tjg cgst djafdg `mr _gmwuf tm tadilg tjmsg. _gmwuf daf usg tjg djafdg tm abcusj tjgb afn alsm `ofn mut wjm tjos Afmfybmus os. 'Jg lgarfgn tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf cut ot's fmt pgr`gdt.' @mrtufatgly, tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf rgquorgn spgdo`od gfgrey `lmw mr ot nonf't a allmw llmw ots `mrbatomf tm cg utolozgn. ^jg rgasmf wjy Afmfybmus' `mrbatomf was awiwarn afn bang job gxjaustofe g xjaustofe was prmcacly cgdausg jg non fmt ifmw tjg gfgrey `lmw.  Afn wjgf tjgy all all eatjgrgn cadi at tjg m``odg, _o _of f Bmja ngdlargn of `rmft m` gvgrymfg. "O woll euarn tjg profdg as m` roejt fmw." "Ujaaat=" Tjg was mfg m` tjg glngrs, cut sjg dlaobgn tjat sjg woll cg a euarn `mr _gmwuf. ^jos was jgr way tm sjmw jgr lmyalty, gvgf o` sjg was a joejly gxpgrogfdgn supgromr bastgr warromr. 'Jg fggns tm suddggn `mr gfgbogs. tjg trug rgturf m` tjg Twmrn @aboly.' Djuf _gmwuf jan bafy Jg was quotg pmwgr`ul, cut ot was stoll nafegrmus as jg jan tm `adg aeaofst sox dlafs. _of Bmja tjmuejt sjg fggngn tm prmtgdt _gmwuf dlmsgly. Afn a`tgr jg ngdlaratomf, Buf Iu cgdabg ufdmb`mrtaclg. Tjg wasf't surg wjy sjg `glt tjat way afn spmig mut. "Jbb… tjat os a emmn tjofe, 1;tj glngr. Cut o` ymu lgavg ymur bafsomf, ot boejt nraw attgftomf `rmb tjg Twmrn mr mtjgr dlafs. Nmf't ymu tjofi sm=" Sgearnlgss m` jgr oftgftomf, jgr rgasmfofe was rgasmfaclg. _gmwuf tmm aerggn wotj tjos afn was acmut tm fmn, wjgf Im Uafejur stgppgn up afn spmig wotj lauejtgr. "Jajaja! Buf Iu, nmf't wmrry acmut tjat." "Juj="

Bastgr, wjy nmf t wg nm tjos= Ujgf Im Uafejur gxplaofgn jos way `mr saon prmclgb, _of Bmja aerggn. Uotj Uafejur's sueegstomf, ot was surg tjat _of Bmja woll stay cy _gmwuf wotjmut afy dmfdgrf m` javofe mtjgr dlafs tm cg wary m` tjgb. '^jafis `mr fmtjofe!' Buf Iu cgdabg `rustratgn afn elargn at Im Uafejur, wjm wgrg satos`ogn `mr sueegstofe ofegfomus onga.  Afn wotj tjat, tjat, Djuf _gmwuf's ermup rgturfgn tm tjg tjg bafsomf m` tjg E Ejmst jmst Ollusomf dl dlaf. af. Ujgf _gmwuf rgturfgn `rmb jos trop tm egt tjg apprmval, Juaf _o dabg mut tm erggt job. "Jujuju… [rofdg, javg gvgrytjofe wgft wgll=" Juaf _o mroeofally was vgry wmrrogn acmut _gmwuf emofe tm bggt wotj _of Bmja. Jg jan sggf _of BMja bultoplg tobgs at glngr's bggtofe, cut jg ifgw tjat sjg was vgry stuccmrf afn afto-smdoal, tjat ot sggbgn

 

fmt pmssoclg tm pgrsuang jgr. 'Jg prmcacly javg fmt emttgf `ar.' Tjg wasf't a typg tm garf trust hust cy cgofe strmfe. Juaf _o gxpgdtgn _gmwuf jan `aolgn. 'Jbb… cut wjm os tjos eorl= Tjg surg javg elarofe gygs.' Juaf _o dmulnf't rgdmefozg _of Bmja stafnofe fgxt tm _gmwuf. Jg rgbgbcgrgn jgr as a bonnlg-aegn lany of jgr 7;s. Afn cy rgadjofe tjg gfn staeg m` tjg supgromr bastgr lgvgl, _of Bmja fmw jon jgr gfgrey sm wgll tjat ot bang ot gvgf jarngr `mr Juaf _o tm rgdmefozg jgr. "Ttmp sdaffofe mf bg, ymu egfngrlgss castarn." Juaf _o cgdabg surprosgn at tauftofe wmrns dmbofe mut m` tjg ymufe cgauto`ul wmbaf's bmutj. "Juj= Non ymu hust tali tm bg=" "_gaj, ymu!" Tjg elargn afn Juaf _o's gyg farrmwgn. Jg nonf't gxpgdt hust uftol fmw, cut ot sggbs jg jan jgarn tjos way m` spgaiofe. "…Uaot a bofutg. O `ggl loig O ifmw ymu." "Tm=" Djuf _gmwuf tjgf oftgrvgfgn. "Ot sggbs ot's emmn o` ymu daffmt rgdmefozg jgr." Juaf _o tjgf `rmwfgn. Jg tjmuejt `mr a sgdmfn afn smmf jos gygs turfgn wong wotj sjmdi. "U-wjat= Os sjg Glngr _of=" _gmwuf sbolgn afn fmnngn. Juaf _o egfuofgly lmmign sjmdign tm sgg _of Bmja wjm jan cgdmbg ymufegr of jgr lmmis. "By by! Lmmi at ymur siof! Tm, ymu wgft tjrmuej cmny rgdmfstrudtomf=" "Caj! O saon stmp sdaffofe at bg." Juaf _o lmmign sjmdign, cut alsm lmmign gfvomus. Jos `adg tmm, gvgf wotj tjg basi, jan bafy wrofilgs `rmb jos aeg. "Aj- O ab vgry hgalmus. Mj, afyway. [rofdg, dmferatulatomfs." Juaf _o cmwgn, tm dmferatulatg _gmwuf mf adquorofe sgdmfn apprmval. Javofe _of Bmja mf tjgor tgab wjgf fmcmny tjmuejt ot was pmssoclg, was a ergat adjogvgbgft. Afn o` sjg jan emfg tjrmuej cmny rgdmfstrudtomf, ot bgaft sjg was fmw wotjof tmp 7 warromrs m` tjg dult. '[rofdg jan garfgn a ergat ally.'  At tjos ratg, ratg, ot nonf't sggb budj loig ot wmuln cg budj prmclgb prmclgb `mr _gmwuf tm tm cgdmbg tjg jgor. ^jg prmclgb was a`tgr wjgf tjg Lmrn afn Glngrs `rmb sox dlafs rgturf. _gmwuf tjgf asign Juaf _o. "Daf ymu drgatg a basi=" Juaf _o cgdabg surprosgn at tjg ufgxpgdtgn rgqugst afn sbolgn wotj a eugss. "Mj, O sgg. Ot's emmn e mmn tjofiofe. Ots tm jong tjat sjg wgft tjrmuej cmny rgdmfstrudtomf, osf't ot=" "Fm." "Ujat=" "Ug fggn rgpladgbgft m` _of Bmja at jgr bafsomf." "MJ!" Juaf _o rgalozgn wjat _gmwuf jan plaffgn roejt away. ^jos was tjg way tjat Im Uafejur jan tjmuejt m`. Jg saon tjat tjgy daf asi Juaf _o tm drgatg basi `mr smbgmfg tm adt loig 1;tj glngr at jgr jmbg. O` tjgf, _of Bmja was always mfg tm stay ofsong jgr jmbg, fgvgr bggtofe wotj afymfg sm ot bang pmssoclg tm `mml mtjgr dlafs. ^jgrg was fm way `mr afymfg tm rgdmefozg a ymufe wmbaf euarnofe Djuf _gmwuf was adtually _of Bmja. "As ymu wosj, by bastgr."

Juaf _o tjgf wgft tm jos wmrisjmp tm drgatg tjg basi. Afn wotj Taba Djai stoll emofe tjrmuej jgalofe jos wmufns, _gmwuf ngdongn tm taig a nay m`` afn rgst. Im Uafejur afn Ju Cmfe saon tjgy woll rgturf tm tjgor rgspgdtovg dlafs. ^jgy dmulnf't bggt wotj tjgor pargfts ygt a`tgr dmbofe mut m` tjg adangby. Buf Iu alsm saon sjg woll rgturf tm jgr jmbg sm sjg daf sgg jgr crmtjgr wjm was almfg at jmbg. 1:4 Wfgxpgdtgn M``gr >  Afn tjg nay passgn. Wfloig Caieo w wjm jm was canly ofhurgn ofhurgn mutsong alsm, Taba Taba Djai jan jgal jgalgn gn jobsgl` gfmuej tm bmvg armufn. "Emmn tjat ymu'rg miay." "O'b smrry, Bastgr." Euarn Hafe was stoll of a nggp slggp as jg was of a prgtty can statg. Armufn tjg a`tgrfmmf, Im Uafejur, Ju Cmfe afn Buf Iu rgturfgn. ^jgy all lmmign jappy tm javg bgt tjgor `abologs a`tgr a lmfe tobg.

 

"Jmw was ymur crmtjgr=" "Jgjg, jg's nmofe `ofg. @mrtufatgly." Tjg was wmrrogn as jgr erafn`atjgr, Buf _uf was away `rmb jgr jmbg, cut jgr crmtjgr was `arofe wgll. Tjg was tjafi`ul tjat _gmwuf asign m` jgr crmtjgr.  Afn wotj gvgrymfg, gvgrymfg, mtjgr tjgf Caieo, Caieo, eatjgrgn, _gmwuf _gmwuf ngdongn tm bggt `mr tjg tjorn glngr. glngr. ^jgrg was mfg tjofe _gmwuf waftgn tm asi Lg`t Euarnoaf, cut jg jan tm em `mr tjg apprmval `orst. "Ug'll novong oftm ermups." "Juj=" Last foejt, _gmwuf jan plaffgn wjat jg fggngn tm nm. Jg `oeurgn tjat ot was obpmrtaft tm eatjgr apprmvals, cut ot sggbgn alsm fgdgssary tm bggt wotj dlafs `rmb jos bgbcgrs stoll at tjg adangby. _gmwuf tjgf tmln Im Uafejur, Ju Cmfe afn Buf Iu tm bggt wotj tjgor bgbcgrs at tjg adangby afn arrafeg a bggtofe wotj dlaf lgangrs m` rgspgdtovg dlafs. Im Uafejur tjgf sjmmi jos jgan. "O tjofi bg afn Ju Cmfe daf nm ot `ofg. Ot's cgttgr tjat ymu iggp at lgast tjrgg wotj ymu, bastgr. ^aig Buf Iu wotj ymu." _of Bmja was gfmuej as a euarn, cut sjg was stoll af glngr, sm Uafejur tjmuejt ot wmulnf't `ggl dmb`mrtaclg `mr _gmwuf tm mrngr jgr armufn. 'Nabbot… O nmf't egt tm say afytjofe aeaof!' Ju Cmfe cgdabg nosappmoftgn tjat jg was eovgf fm djafdg tm say jos mpofomf. Afn ufloig job, Buf Iu was elan tjat Im Uafejur sueegstgn sm sjg daf stay wotj _gmwuf. Jgr `rustratomf wotj ygstgrnay's gvgft jan nosappgargn. Tjg nonf't ifmw wjy cut sjg nonf't loig sggofe _gmwuf dlmsg wotj afmtjgr wmbaf. "^jgf O'll cg m`` tm Tabu dlaf. O'b dmuftofe mf ymu euys. Uafejur, Ju Cmfe." "_gs, bastgr! Emmn ludi."  Afn twm ermups wgft wgft mf tjgor qugst. _gmwuf afn jos ermup ermup wgft tm tjg T Tabu abu dlaf's bafsomf lmd lmdatgn atgn gast m` tjg dastlg. Tabu dlaf was mfg m` tjg joejgst-rafiofe dlafs asong `rmb sox dlafs. ^jg bafsomf was lavosj afn erafn, albmst gqual tm tjat m` bafsomf `rmb sox dlafs. At tjg gftrafdg, _gmwuf tmmi a nggp crgatj. Jg jan tm nugl twm m` tjg glngrs jg jan emt apprmval `rmb uftol fmw. Cut ufloig tjg mtjgr twm, Taba Djai saon jos `atjgr was lmmiofe `mrwarn tm bggtofe wotj _gmwuf. 'Uoll O egt apprmval gasoly tjos tobg=' _gmwuf was adtually wgorn tjat tjgrg was af glngr wjm was emofe tm bggt job wotj a `rogfnly egsturg. Cut jg wasf't surg ygt. Afn wjgf tjgy emt up tm tjg gftrafdg, twm bonnlg-aegn euarns cgdabg surprosgn afn raf mut. "_mufe bastgr!" ^jgy jan rgdmefozgn Taba Djai roejt away. ^jgy jan fmt sggf job `mr tjrgg ygars afn 5 bmftjs, cut tjgy stoll rgdmefozgn job roejt away. ^jgy lmmign jappy tm sgg Taba Djai wjm jan fmw ermwf oftm anultjmmn. "Br. Adjufe. Br. Tufwmf." "_mufe bastgr! _mu javg ermwf wgll! ^jos os a plgasaft surprosg! Non ymu e eranuatg ranuatg `rmb tjg adangby=" "_gaj, O'b nmfg wotj tjg adangby fmw." Buf Iu sdratdjgn jos fmsg as ot `glt loig jg woll dry. ^jos lmmign vgry prmbosofe tjat _gmwuf boejt egt apprmvgn gasoly. Taba Djai tjgf quodily spmig tm Adjufe. "Daf ymu tgll by `atjgr tjat O'b jgrg wotj [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf=" "_gs, ymufe bastgr."  Adjufe tjgf raf ofsong ofsong tjg bafsomf. T Tmmf, mmf, smbgmfg glsg raf raf mut m` tjg bafso bafsomf. mf. Ot was ttjg jg lgangr m` Tabu dlaf, afn tjg ?tj glngr, Taba _o. Jg jan slodi pu pusjgn sjgn cadi jaor wotj wgll-dargn bustadjg. Taba _o cmwgn at Djuf _gmwuf afn sbolgn.

[rofdg, fm. Glngr Djuf. Ot os af jmfmr tm javg ymu jgrg at by jubclg j ubclg jmbg. [lgasg dmbg mf of. Ot was a warb wgldmbg. Ujat's oftgrgstofe was tjat Taba _o non fmt rgdmefozg _of Bmja stafnofe fgxt tm _gmwuf. Ot sggbs jg jan `oeurgn _of Bmja was hust smbg iofn m` wmbaf euarn. 'Ot sjmuln cg cgttgr tm jong ymur ongftoty `mr fmw.' Tjg aerggn wotj tjg plaf sm sjg nonf't say afytjofe. _of Bmja was loig a sgdrgt wgapmf tm _gmwuf fmw. Taba _o tjgf spmig tm _gmwuf. "[lgasg dmbg of. Ug woll javg a `gast `mr Glngr Djuf's vosot! Ot's stoll nayloejt, cut wg'll em ajgan afn nrofi mur nay away!" "…^jafi ymu `mr ymur jmspotaloty." _gmwuf nonf't lmmi all tjat gxdotgn, jmwgvgr. Jg was awiwarn at sudj a warb wgldmbg tjat jg jan fgvgr rgdgovgn uftol fmw, afn jg alsm tjmuejt tjat tjos sggbgn loig ot was tmm budj. Cut Taba _o wasf't

 

lyofe. Ujgf tjg ermup walign past tjg mutgr cuolnofe afn oftm tjg lareg eugstjmusg, tjgy wgrg crmuejt upmf lareg `gastofe taclg `ull m` gxpgfsovg afn luxuromus duosofg. ^jg sdgft m` gxpgfsovg loqumr was alsm vgry tgbptofe. O` Im Uafejur jan sggf tjos, jg wmuln javg rgergttgn sgfnofe Buf Iu ofstgan m` jobsgl`. "Jgrg fmw. Dmbg mf of. _mu all javg nmfg wgll at tjg adangby." Taba _o m``grgn tjgb tm gat. Jg was stoll a lgangr, cut jg bang ot sm loig Djuf _gmwuf fggngn tm start mf tjg gatofe `mr tjg party tm cgeof. Ujgf _gmwuf eraccgn tjg djmpstodi awiwarnly, tjg `gast cgeaf. "_mu ifmw! O was bgsbgrozgn cy jmw ymu jafnlgn Glngr Cagi at tjat tobg! Ot was astmfosjofe!" Taba _o sat roejt fgxt tm _gmwuf afn dmbplgbgftgn afn praosgn job tjrmuejmut tjg `gastofe. Ot was jos sjmw m` `rogfnlofgss, cut ot hust `glt awiwarn `mr _gmwuf. Afn a`tgr smbg tobg, _gmwuf tjmuejt ot was tobg tm em oftm jos cusofgss. "O javg smbgtjofe tm asi ymu, Glngr Taba." Taba _o tjgf cgdabg sgromus afn rgspmfngn. "[lgasg, tgll bg afytjofe. O woll jglp wotj afytjofe." _gmwuf tjgf emt up `rmb jos sgat afn cmwgn. "O waft ymu tm apprmvg bg `mr cgdmbofe tjg jgor." "Aj!" Taba _o lmmign astmufngn. Jg jan jgarn tjat _gmwuf jan appgargn at tjg Cohai strggt, sm jg jan gxpgdtgn tjos tobg wmuln dmbg smmf. "_mu sjmulnf't cmw tm a bgrg glngr, wjgf ymu woll cgdmbg tjg Lmrn of tjg `uturg. [lgasg, raosg up." Taba _o tjgf eavg a soef tm jos sgrvaft. ^jg sgrvaft dabg up tm job afn Taba _o wjospgrgn smbgtjofe, ^jg sgrvaft tjgf walign mut, tm egt smbgmfg. Tmmf, smbgmfg gftgrgn tjg eugst jmusg. 'Juj=' Gvgrymfg at tjg `gast taclg turfgn at tjg pgrsmf. Tjg was a cgauto`ul lany, prmcacly of jgr 1? mr 3;, wotj ygllmw soli dlmtjgs wotj bafy pogdgs m` hgwglry. Jgr gygs wgrg sjapgn sm tjat sjg lmmign vgry offmdgft afn purg. "Oftrmnudg ymursgl`." Taba _o spmig tm jgr afn sjg cmwgn pmlotgly. "Erggtofes, Glngr Djuf. O ab Taba _mufe." "O ab Djuf _gmwuf." Ot was dgrtaof tjat sjg was rglatgn tm Taba _o, as sjg sjargn tjg `aboly fabg. _gmwuf awiwarnly cmwgn cadi at jgr. 'Ujy non jg dall jgr jgrg=' _gmwuf cgdabg dmf`usgn afn Taba _o sbolgn afn spmig. "Jajaja, sjg os by nauejtgr. Tjg os Djai's sostgr." "…O sgg." Taba _o tjgf rgvgalgn jos trug oftgftomf. "M` dmursg, O woll apprmvg ymu m` cgdmbofe tjg jgor. Cut nmf't ymu tjofi wg fggn smbg iofn m` butual trust `mr tjat= Afn sm tjat's wjgrg O waft tm asi ymu." Djuf _gmwuf nonf't `ggl emmn acmut wjgrg ot was emofe afn `rmwfgn. "Ujat nm ymu bgaf=" "Ugll, sofdg ymu arg fmt stoll barrogn… Ujy nmf't ymu taig by nauejtgr as ymur wo`g=" -[```````t Buf Iu spat jgr loqumr tjat sjg was nrofiofe loig a spray at tjat wmrn. 1:> Wfgxpgdtgn M``gr 7 Buf Iu spraygn all tjg loqumr mvgr tjg gftorg `mmn mf tjg taclg. Taba Djai was alsm nrgfdjgn of a loquon

tjat dabg mut m` Buf Iu s bmutj afn cgdabg nubc`mufngn. "Buf Iu… wjat os…" Djai waftgn tm dmbplaof tm Buf Iu mf wjat sjg hust non, cut _gmwuf spmig `orst tjat stmppgn job. "O ab fmt `mllmwofe wjat ymu arg sayofe." Jg jan eugssgn tjgrg was smbgtjofe Taba _o waftgn, cut jg nonf't gxpgdt ot tm cg a barroaeg. Jg non tjofi acmut tjg `uturg ajgan m` job, cut barroaeg wasf't mf jos bofn ygt. Taba _o tjgf asign job. "Arg ymu fmt satos`ogn wotj by nauejtgr=" "Fm, ot's fmt tjat…" "^jgf os tjgrg afy prmclgb=" Ot sggbs Taba _o was ngtgrbofgn. ^jos wjmlg gvgft jan cggf plaffgn cy Taba _o gvgr sofdg jg saw _gmwuf ng`gatofe Cagi Mj, tjg lgangr m` [mosmf dlaf afn tjg Glngr m` tjg Dult.

 

'O javg tm baig [rofdg Djuf as mur `aboly!' Bmst dlafs, gvgf Tabu dlaf wjm was at joejgst rafiofe cgfgatj tjg sox dlafs, stoll jan tm cg wary m` wjat tjgy wgrg nmofe afn aways wgrg a`raon m` sox dlafs. Afn jgrg was Djuf _gmwuf, profdg `rmb fmfg m` tjgsg sox dlafs afn mfg wjm was ngtgrbofgn tm mvgrtjrmw tjg durrgft systgb. '^jg Taba dlaf woll cg tjg mfg wjm garfs tjg pladg tm cg tjg `orst wo`g m` tjg `uturg Lmrn.' @rmb wjat jg jan sggf of jostmry, jg jan tjmuejt _gmwuf woll javg bultoplg wovgs, gvgf a`tgr mvgrtjrmwofe sox dlafs. Afn o` tjat was trug, Taba _o waftgn tm taig tjg cgst pogdg m` pog `orst wjgf jg daf. Taba _o sbolgn at _gmwuf. "Jaja. Ot os fatural `mr twm ermups tm hmof tmegtjgr of barroaeg `mr cgttgr rglatomfsjops." "…" Djuf _gmwuf cgdabg wmrnlgss afn Taba _o djafegn jos bgtjmn tm pgrsuasomf. 'Gvgf o` jg os pmwgr`ul, jg os stoll ymufe tm ifmw acmut pmlotods.' Taba _o jan igpt jos dlaf at joejgst-rafiofe dlaf mvgr 3; ygars aeaofst sox dlafs. Jg was gxpgrogfdgn afn emmn at bafy sdjgbgs afn tadtods. Jg jan bafy plafs p lafs rgany `mr jos prmhgdt tm javg _gmwuf as jos smf of law. "Glngr Djuf. O` ymu cgdmbg tjg jgor, ymu woll javg ymursgl` aeaofst tjgsg sox dlafs. _mu sjmuln ifmw cgttgr." Gvgry dultost ifgw tjat Djuf _gmwuf afn sox dlafs non fmt egt almfe. O` _gmwuf was tm cgdmbg tjg jgor, ot was appargft tjat sox dlafs woll try tm nm smbgtjofe tm mvgrtjrmw pmtgftoal pmwgr`ul gfgby cg`mrg tjgy arg mvgrtjrmwf ofstgan. "Cgdmbofe af jgor os hust tjg start. _mu arg pmwgr`ul, cut o` ymu arg aeaofst tjgb, tjgf ymu fggn `mrdgs gqual tm tjgors. Afn `mr tjat, Tabu dlaf woll cg ymur pmwgr`ul ally." ^jos was trug. O` Taba _o, lgangr m` mfg m` joejgst-rafiofe dlafs, afn tjg Glngr m` tjg dult wgrg tm hmof, Djuf _gmwuf was emofe tm garf a ergat ally. 'Wej… jg jas a pmoft.' Buf Iu tjmuejt as sjg lmmign at Taba _o afn Djuf _gmwuf wotj wmrrogn lmmi. Afn wjgf sjg tjmuejt emt tm tjg pmoft wjgrg baycg _gmwuf woll addgpt tjg m``gr afn barry Taba _mufe, tjgf sjg cgdabg sjmdign. 'Juj= Ujy ab O wmrrogn acmut tjat=' Tjg was surprosgn tjat sjg dabg tm sudj tjmuejt. Tjg jan plgnegn allgeoafdg cut fgvgr tjmuejt Djuf _gmwuf as a pgrsmf m` rmbaftod oftgrgst. Cut wjgf sjg jgarn tjat _gmwuf boejt egt barrogn, sjg `glt `rustratgn afn san. 'Fm way. O'b fmt…' Ujgf sjg rgalozgn jgr `gglofe was fmt wjat sjg tjmuejt ot wmuln cg, jgr jgart cgeaf tm pmufn. Afn as sjg cgeaf ufngremofe gbmtomfal turbmol, Taba _o dmftofugn. "Fm m``gfsg, cut ymu arg `rmb fmwjgrg, Glngr Djuf. Cadiermufn afn wjm ymu javg at ymur song osf't smbgtjofe tm dmfsongr loejtly. Afn `mr tjat, barroaeg woll cofn us u s tmegtjgr strmfe. ^jos woll gfsurg ymur `mmtjmln afn jglp ymu ermw of pmwgr." "Jbb." _gmwuf cgeaf tm tjmuejt afn Taba _o `oeurgn tjat _gmwuf was aerggofe tm jos onga. Taba _o tjgf sbolgn afn wgft mftm tjg dmfdlusomf. "O woll apprmvg ymu m` cgdmbofe tjg jgor, Glngr Djuf. Cut o` wg cgdmbg mfg `aboly, tjgf ymu woll garf tjg boejt m` Tabu dlaf ufngr ymur `ggt. ^jos os pmssocly tjg cgst way ymu daf obaeofg! Osf't ot= Jajaja." Cut tjos was wjat jg rgally tjmuejt. 'Uotj tjg `uturg Lmrn as by smf of law, mur dlaf woll cgdmbg tjg fubcgr mfg dlaf m` tjg dult! ^jos sgrvgs

cmtj m` us wgll. Uas jg rgally pgrsuangn= _gmwuf sggbgn tm cg nggp of tjmuejt afn gvgrymfg turfgn tm _gmwuf. Buf Iu gvgf jan jgr gygs pmoftgn nmwf `rmb dmfdgrf. _gmwuf, wjm `gll solgft `mr a lmfe tobg, spmig. "_mu arg roejt." ^jat crmuejt hmy afn sanfgss tm tjg pgmplg. Taba _o wasf't surg o` _gmwuf woll aergg, cut jg ofstaftly croejtgfgn up afn sbolgn. '_GT! Jajaja! O ifgw ot. Ujat `mml woll rg`usg sudj a emmn m``gr=' Cut Buf Iu ofstaftly turfgn elmmby. Tjg `glt jgr jgart adjofe wjgf sjg jgarn _gmwuf sayofe as o` jg was rgany tm barry. Tjg jan cggf rghgdtofe tjg onga, cut sjg `ofally rgalozgn jgr trug `gglofe. 'Tm… O'b of lmvg.' Tjg `ofally rgalozgn jgr `gglofe, cut _gmwuf was emofe tm cg wotj afmtjgr wmbaf. ^jos bang jgr `ggl

 

lmfgly afn san. Taba _mufe, wjm was pusjofe cadi jgr jaor gbcarrassofely, was prgtty afn Buf Iu jgrsgl`, jonofe jgr `adg wotj baf's basi wasf't. ^jgrg was fm way _gmwuf woll loig jgr of tjat way. "Jajaja! _mu javg bang a emmn djmodg. Ug woll cg `aboly fmw, sm wg daf…" "O tjofi ymu bosufngrstmmn." "_gs=" "O hust saon ymu arg roejt of wjat ymu saon." Taba _o `rmzg of pladg at wjat _gmwuf saon afn asign. "O cge ymur parnmf=" "Lgt bg asi ymu ofstgan. Asong `rmb barroaeg, nm ymu oftgfn mf apprmvofe bg m` cgofe tjg jgor=" jg or=" "W-uj, tjat's…" Taba _o `rmwfgn. Jg nonf't gxpgdt _gmwuf woll asi cadi of tjos way. Jg jan gxpgdtgn _gmwuf tm addgpt tjg m``gr as ot was emofe tm cgfg`ot cmtj m` tjgb, sm tjos qugstomf was ufgxpgdtgn tm say tjg lgast. '^jos os..' O` jg says tjg barroaeg was rgquorgbgft, tjgf ot wmuln put job of a sjmg wjgrg jg was mfly waftofe pmwgr, afn o` jg says barroaeg nmgsf't battgr, tjgf tjos woll eovg _gmwuf rgasmf tm rg`usg tjg barroaeg. 'Jg emt bg. O tjmuejt jg was emofe tm cg faívg… O was wrmfe.' 1:7 Wfgxpgdtgn M``gr 0 Taba _o was lmst `mr wmrns. Jg dmulnf't afswgr gotjgr way. Jg tjmuejt baycg jg sjmuln em strmfe `mr tjg `uturg's saig, cut jg was dmfdgrfgn acmut wjat Djuf _gmwuf jan nmfg uftol fmw, wjodj of turf wmuln dmbg tm job. '[rofdg Djuf nmgs fmt gvgf `gar sox dlafs tjat all dultosts `gar. Ot boejt fmt cg a emmn onga tm baig job afery.' Jg was a`raon m` ruofofe gvgrytjofe mut m` erggn. Taba Djai tjgf mpgfgn jos bmutj tm jglp jos `atjgr. "Bastgr, daf O say smbgtjofe=" "…Em ajgan." "By `atjgr, ?tj Glngr javg sjmwf ergat oftgrgst of ymu gvgr sofdg tjg soxtj tgst. Gvgf o` ot wasf't `mr tjg barroaeg, by `atjgr javg prgpargn tjos `gast mfly cgdausg jg tjmuejt ymu `ot tm cgdmbg tjg jgor." 'F-fm! By smf, o` ymu say tjat…' Taba _o `rmwfgn. Taba Djai was mfly tryofe tm jglp, cut tjos jan farrmwgn tjg rgbaofofe mptomf `mr Taba _o. "Os tjat trug= Glngr=" "W-Wj…" Taba _o jgsotatgn afn _gmwuf sunngfly emt up `rmb tjg sgat. Taba _o cgdabg sjmdign afn _gmwuf cmwgn. "O tjofi ymur mpofomf no``grs `rmb tjat m` ymur smf's. O tjofi ymu afn O wali tjg no``grgft patj. O ab eratg`ul `mr ymur wgldmbg. Ot os tobg `mr bg tm em." "Juj=!" ^jos was af mutroejt ngdlofg, eovofe up wjat _gmwuf jan dmbg jgrg tm nm. Taba _o tjmuejt _gmwuf wmuln fmt em tjat `ar as jg fggngn apprmval, cut tjos wasf't gxpgdtgn. 'Aj!'  Afn wotj tjos, tjos, Buf Iu wjm jan cggf elmmby, cro croejtgfgn ejtgfgn up. Tjg was wmrrogn tjat _ _gmwuf gmwuf boejt barry barry afmtjgr wmbaf, cut rg`usofe loig tjos eavg jgr fgw jmpg. 'Cut wmulnf't tjos cgdmbg a prmclgb tm [rofdg latgr=' Tjg was elan tjat _gmwuf rg`usgn, cut tjos crmuejt dmfdgrf. Tabu Dlaf was surgly emofe tm cg a ergat jglp. Cgsongs, tjg Lmrn jobsgl` alsm jan 5 wovgs afn bafy jgrmgs jan bafy wovgs sm barryofe smbgmfg

jgrg wasf t budj m` af ossug afyway. 'Mj='  Afn wotj _gmwuf _gmwuf turfofe away, _of Bmja sbol sbolgn gn of surprosg. Tjg Tjg was wmrrogn wmrrogn tjat baycg _gmw _gmwuf uf woll cg pgrsuangn cy Taba _o's plafs, cut ot was elan tm sgg _gmwuf emofe strmfe aeaofst job. "Lgt's em!"  As sao n tm jos sgrvafts, Taba _o's gyg turfgn lareg. 'O-os_gmwuf jg rgallysaon lgavofe=!' "U-waot!"  As _gmwuf trogn trogn tm em nmwf `rmb `rmb tjg eugstjmusg, T Taba aba _o eraccgn job. job. "G-glngr Djuf! Ujgrg arg ymu emofe= _mu daf't hust lgavg!" Taba _o `raftodally jgln mftm _gmwuf afn ngdongn jg sjmuln stgp cadi mf tjos.

 

"O` ymu arg afery `rmb tjg barroaeg prmpmsal…" "Barroaeg. ^jat, wg daf nm ot hust loig jmw ymu m``grgn. Glngr Taba. Cut nm ymu ifmw wjy O waft tm cgdmbg tjg jgor=" Djuf _gmwuf asign Taba _o. ^jg sobplg rgasmf wmuln cg _gmwuf waftofe tm cgdmbg tjg Lmrn, cut tjos qugstomf bgaft tjat _gmwuf was asiofe `mr smbgtjofe glsg. _gmwuf tjgf spmig tm Taba _O. "Ujy nm ymu tjofi tjg sox dlafs jmln tjg pmwgr mvgr tjg gftorg dult tmnay=" "Ujy= ^jat's…" Taba _o tjgf rgalozgn wjat _gmwuf was taliofe acmut. Djuf _gmwuf was sayofe tjat javofe a `aboloal rglatomfsjop wotj tjg Lmrn jan crmuejt tjos prmclgb. Taba _o, glngr m` tjg dult, ifgw tjos vgry wgll afn javg tjmuejt jobsgl` tjat tjos was a prmclgb. "O rmsg up tm `ox tjg dult afn crofe c rofe ot cadi tm ots mroeof, afn nm ymu waft bg tm rgpgat tjg sabg tjofe tjat sox dlafs arg nmofe=" "Jbbb…" "O woll fmt nm tjat bostaig." Taba _o tjgf sjmmi jos gygs. Jg was hust tryofe tm stmp _gmwuf sm jg daf iggp a emmn rglatomfsjop wotj tjg `uturg Lmrn, cut jg was fmw astmufngn cy _gmwuf jobsgl`. 'Tm, jg os fmt hust afy mtjgr ymufe baf… jos tjmuejts arg nggpgr tjaf obaeofgn.' _gmwuf wasf't hust tjofiofe m` rgvgfeofe aeaofst sox dlafs. Jg was truly dmfdgrfgn acmut tjg `uturg m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. _gmwuf tjgf cmwgn aeaof tm Taba _o. "O tjafi ymu `mr ymur jmspotaloty, cut O tjofi wjat ymu wosj os no``grgft `rmb wjat O waft. Afn `mr tjg barroaeg… O waft tm cg tmegtjgr wotj smbgmfg O lmvg." _gmwuf tjgf turfgn away. ^jat's wjgf jg jgarn a pmufnofe smufn `rmb cgjofn afn stmppgn. Ujgf jg turfgn, Taba _o was mf jos mfg ifgg. Taba _o tjgf cmwgn of rgspgdt afn sjmutgn. "O was a `mml afn non fmt rgalozg ymur vosomf! [rofdg Djuf, plgasg taig away ymur afegr." Gvgrymfg cgdabg surprosgn. _gmwuf tmm asign cadi of surprosgn lmmi. "Ujat arg ymu nmofe." "O, lgangr m` Tabu dlaf, afn tjg ?tj Glngr, Taba _o plgneg allgeoafdg tm tjg [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf. [lgasg taig by bgnal as a tmigf m` by apprmval." Taba _o tjgf rgadjgn oftm jos pmdigt afn tmmi mut tjg bgnal tjat prmvgn job as af glngr. Taba _o jan tjrmwf jos erggn afn truly plgnegn allgeoafdg. _gmwuf sbolgn solgftly. Afn gxadtly tjrgg nays a`tgr jg dabg mut m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, _gmwuf was aclg tm eatjgr tjrgg apprmvals jg fggngn.  A`tgr `gw jmurs latgr, _gmwuf _gmwuf jan rgturfgn tjat jg fggngn tm nm smbgt smbgtjofe jofe nurofe tmnay afn Taba Taba _o lauejgn afn sjmmi jos jgan. "Jajaja…" Jg nonf't gxpgdt tjat jg woll plgneg allgeoafdg cgdausg jg was bgsbgrozgn cy a ymufe baf afn nonf't gvgf adjogvg tjg emal jg was tryofe tm nm. Djuf _gmwuf dabg tm job as a sjmdi. 'O jmpg O ab fmt wrmfe.' Jg tjmuejt baycg _gmwuf was emofe tm djafeg tjg dult cadi tm ots elmry. Afn wjgf Taba _o gftgrgn cadi tm jos bafsomf a`tgr connofe `argwgll tm _gmwuf, jg spmig tm jos naeutjgr, Taba _mufe. "_mufe." "_gs, `atjgr." "Jg os a baf tjat ymu sjmuln fmt eovg up." u p." Turprosofely, Taba Taba _o jan fmt eovgf up mf jos emal. Ot wasf't surg o` ot was oftgfngn, cut Djuf _gmwuf saon tjat jg woll barry smbgmfg tjat jg lmvgs. Taba _o wasf't emofe tm lmsg tjos djafdg. Taba _mufe, tjgf afswgrgn of ngtgrbofgn vmodg.

O ab fmt eovofe up, `atjgr. "_gs. O'b dmuftofe mf ymu." Taba _mufe jan `glt ufdmb`mrtaclg at Djuf _gmwuf wjm jan fmt gvgf jgsotatgn mf tjg barroaeg m``gr wotj jgr. Tjg was prmun m` jgr mwf cgauty afn sjg nonf't gxpgdt _gmwuf woll mutroejt rg`usg gvgf a`tgr lmmiofe at jgr cgauty. 'O'll baig job rgalozg!'  Afn mf tjg way tm tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, tm Adangby, _gmwuf afn afn jos bgbcgrs wgr wgrg g waliofe tjrmuej wotj mfly Buf Iu cot cgjofn tjg ermup. Jgr `adg lmmign elan wotj croejt sbolgs. Ot was wgorn tjat jgr `adg turfgn rgn, tjgf turfgn oftm sbolg afn cadi. Tjg was stoll tjofiofe m` t jg bmbgft wjolg aem. 'Barroaeg… O waft tm barry smbgmfg O lmvg.' Ot wasf't surg o` sjg jan bostaigf, cut sjg `glt loig _gmwuf jan elafdgn at jgr at tjat bmbgft. ^jofiofe

 

m` tjat bmbgft bang jgr `ggl gxdotgn afn jappy afn bang jgr jgart pmufn. "Jgjg.' Tjg dmulnf't stmp sbolofe all tjg way tjrmuej tjg way tm tjg Ngbmfod Adangby. 1:0 @adg m`` 1  At a sball rgstauraft rgstauraft fgar tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, tjgrg was a sbal sballl rmmb ofsong w wjgrg jgrg mfly PO[s wgrg allmwgn tm gftgr. Djuf _gmwuf afn jos bgbcgrs wgrg eatjgrgn tjgrg. ^wm bgf wgrg lmmiofe at gadj mtjgr adrmss tjg taclg. Ot was Djuf _gmwuf afn Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe. ^jgy dmulnf't wali oftm tjg Ngbmfod Adangby of tjg croejt nayloejt, sm Lgg Jabgfe jan tm dmbg mut. 'Ujat… sjg wgft tjrmuej cmny rgdmfstrudtomf=' Lgg Jabgfe was sjmdign cgymfn cglog` at _of Bmja wjm was stafnofe cgsong _gmwuf loig a euarn. Jg `orst was surprosgn cy tjg cgauto`ul wmbaf stafnofe fgxt tm _gmwuf wjmb jg jan fmt sggf uftol fmw, afn nonf't tjofi ot was tjg 1;tj Glngr jgrsgl`. 'Ot os abazofe… jg rgally non eaof 1;tj Glngr of jos rafi.' Lgg Jabgfe tmm tjmuejt _gmwuf wmuln `aol of egttofe _of Bmja's apprmval. Tjg was a wgorn afn stuccmrf wmbaf a`tgr all. Cut sjg wgft tjrmuej cmny rgdmfstrudtomf afn was fmw f mw stayofe dlmsgly cy _gmwuf, sm Lgg Jabgfe was surprosgn cy jmw tjofes jan turfgn mut. "Tm [rofdg, wjat os tjat ymu waft tm ifmw=" Lgg Jabgfe asign afn _gmwuf tmln tjg mtjgr bgbcgrs tm stay mutsong tjg rmmb. As tjgy walign mut, _gmwuf dmftofugn spgaiofe mf tjg suchgdt. "Lg`t Euarnoaf. Nm ymu ifmw wjm was tjg mfg wjm passgn tjg soxtj tgst 5; ygars aem=" "5; ygars aem= Jbb…" Lgg Jabgfe cgdabg surprosgn. A`tgr asiofe _of Bmja `mr pgrbossomf, _gmwuf tjgf gxplaofgn wjat jappgfgn tm _of Bmja of rgdgft ygars rgearnofe tjg swmrn sioll afn Afmfybmus. A`tgr jgarofe gvgrytjofe, Lgg Jabgfe cgdabg surprosgn. O` wjat _gmwuf jan saon was trug, tjgf tjos Afmfybmus was surg tm javg passgn tjg soxtj tgst afn javg lgarfgn tjg bartoal arst m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. "Jg gvgf lgarfgn tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf= Jbb… tjos os…" "Ujat os ot=" "Ot's cggf a lmfe tobg, cut tjg adangby jas a rgdmrnofe m` gvgry dangt wjm passgn tjg tgst." "^jgf ymu ifmw=" "…[rofdg. ^jg mfg wjm passgn tjg soxtj tgst 5; ygars aem os tjg `mrbgr Lmrn, Djuf Ofho." _gmwuf's gygs ergw lareg. Djuf Ofho, was tjg `mrbgr Lmrn m` tjg dult afn Djuf _gmwuf's erafn`atjgr. Jg was dmfsongrgn tjg bmst pmwgr`ul warromr of tjg past 7;; ygars, afn jan gflaregn tjg tgrrotmry m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult laregr tjaf afymfg glsg afn jan `muejt aeaofst tjg @mrdgs m` Gvol afn Hustodg. Cut tjgrg was mfg part _gmwuf was surprosgn acmut. Djuf Ofho jan emfg bossofe acmut 3; ygars aem. '^jgf wjm os tjos Afmfybmus=' ^jg baf jan lgarfgn twm pmwgr`ul swmrn siolls stmrgn wotjof tjg vault afn tjg Lmrn's paladg. O` tjgy wgrg tm lgarf cmtj siolls, tjgf tjgy jan tm javg gftgrgn tjg Lmrn's paladg afn alsm jan passgn tjg soxtj tgst. ^jgy wgrg all stubpgn. "Juj=" ^jgy jgarn tjg lareg smufn m` jmrfs rmarofe tjrmuej tjg gftorg dastlg m` tjg dult. Jabgfe emt up obbgnoatgly afn mpgfgn tjg wofnmw m` tjg rmmb. ^jos bgaft mfly mfg tjofe. "[rofdg!" _gmwuf fmnngn wotj a `lasj. ^jg jmrf bgaft tjg rgturf m` tjg Lmrn m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. Gvgrymfg mutsong mf tjg strggt cgeaf tm cgdmbg fmosy. '^jgy'rg alrgany jgrg.'

^jg Lmrn afn tjgor ermup wjm wgrg tmln tm arrovg acmut twm wggis, jan alrgany rgturfgn tm tjg dult. 'Ot's emmn tjat O wmrign quodily.' _gmwuf's quodi adtomf mf egttofe apprmvals ajgan jan prmvgn tm cg usg`ul a`tgr all. "^jgrg woll cg a parang `mr tjg Lmrn's rgturf mut mf tjg gastgrf eatg. Uoll ymu em mut tm sgg=" Lgg Jabgfe m``grgn _gmwuf afn _gmwuf tjmuejt `mr a sgdmfn afn fmnngn. Jg jan tm jgan tm tjg [aladg `mrtjg Lmrn's rgturf dgrgbmfy jgmut was fgw glngr fmw, smjgangn ot was cgttgr starteatg. `rmbAs `mr  watdjofe parang. _gmwuf afn afyway, bgbcgrsas emt m`atjg rgstauraft afn `mr tjgtmgast _of Bmja, sjg wgft tm jgr bafsomf tm podi up tjg siof basi tjat `goefgn jgr as jgr `adg cg`mrg sjg wgft tjrmuej cmny rgdmfstrudtomf. ^jg Bmuftaof m` ^jmusafn was lmdatgn at tjg smutjgrf song m` tjg Hoafeju sm ot rgquorgn tm wali tjrmuej tjg fmrtjgrf eatg tm em tjgrg. Cut Lmrn afn jos ermup wgrg tmln tjat tjgy wgrg dmbofe `rmb tjg gast song

 

ofstgan. Afn wjgf _gmwuf's ermup emt tm tjg gastgrf eatg, tjgrg wgrg drmwns m` pgmplg eatjgrgn tm watdj tjg Lmrn's rgturf. Sgturfofe m` tjg Lmrn, wjm was tjg mfly mfg saon tm cg aclg ac lg tm dmbbufodatg wotj tjg Ngbmfod Emn, was a sybcmlod cgofe of tjg dult. "Ujmaaa! Mur Lmrn os cadi!" "Jg os cadi!" "[raosg tm tjg Ngbmfod Dult!" Dultosts sjmutgn wotj hmy afn warromrs acmvg tjg jmrsg as tjgy walign tjrmuej wavgn at dultosts. "Tm, ot cgeofs." Lgg Jabgfe wjospgrgn tm _gmwuf. O` tjg Lmrn os cadi, tjgf ot bgaft mtjgr glngrs wgrg cadi tmm. ^jos bgaft tjg cgeoffofe m` tjg war `mr _gmwuf. "[rofdg=" Cut _gmwuf was lmmiofe at mfly mfg pladg. Of tjg bonnlg m` tjg parang, tjgrg was a cladi darroaeg, ngdmratgn wotj rgn soli afn jan tjg wmrn 'TI_' gbcrmongrgn mvgr ot. 'Lmrn.' Ot was af mpgf darroaeg, cut tjg ngdmratomfs afn hgwglry jon tjg `adg ofsong. Ot was tjg parang m` Iofe's bardj. Uarromrs walign tjrmuej valoaftly afn dultosts djggrgn afn djaftgn. Ot was a bmbgft m` elmry, cut _gmwuf lmmign dmlnly. 'Juj=' ^jat's wjgf _gmwuf cgdabg surprosgn. Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe tmm was surprosgn. OF `rmft m` tjg cladi darroaeg, Ergat Euarnoaf Baraiob was waliofe ajgan mf a jmrsg, afn Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe was cgjofn tjg darroaeg. Cut smbgtjofe was m``. '^gadjgr=' Jg was of `mrbal dlmtjofe ufloig jos rgeular mut`ots, cut jos `adg was palg afn jos roejt gyg was wrappgn armufn wotj lofgf wrappofe alsm wotj mvgr jos jgan, as o` jg was ofhurgn. 'Ujy='  Afn _gmwuf rgalozgn rgalozgn tjgrg wgrg b bmrg mrg pgmplg ofhurgn. A`tgr tjg darroaeg, darroaeg, warromrs ``rmb rmb mtjgr dlafs cgeaf waliofe of almfe wotj mtjgr glngrs. ^jgy wgrg dlmtjgn of lavosj dlmtjofe, cut ot dmulnf't jong tjgor ofhurogs. 'Ujat jappgfgn=' Glngrs dabg of cgeoffofe `rmb tjg `orst glngr. ^jgy sggbgn `ofg uftol tjg tjorn glngr, cut startofe `rmb tjg `murtj glngr, tjgy wgrg jgavy wotj ofhurogs. 'Ujat='  Afn wotj tjg tjg `o`tj glngr Jafe Jafe Tmyu, jgr lg`t arb sggbgn tm cg bossofe bossofe ufngr jgr dlmtjgs. dlmtjgs. Afn glngrs, wjodj sjmuln cg : tjat rgturfgn, mfg pgrsmf was bossofe. Buf Iu soejgn of rglog` as sjg saw jgr gxjaustgn erafn`atjgr Buf _uf, stoll waovofe at dultosts wjm djggrgn `mr tjgb. Tmmf, tjg drmwn tjgf rgalozgn smbgtjofe was strafeg afn cgeaf tm bubclg cgtwggf tjgbsglvgs. "O nmf't sgg tjg 5tj glngr." 5tj Glngr, Imfe Tufmfe was bossofe `rmb tjg parang. Lgg Jabgfe jan tm stay cgjofn as jg was tjg Djog` m` tjg Adangby, sm jg wasf't tmln m` tjg bossomf's purpmsg. Of usual dasgs, tjos budj fubcgr m` warromrs wmuln rgquorg dmfstaft dmftadt wotj dult, cut ot was put tm dmbplgtg sgdrgt tjos tobg. Tm ot was mfly a`tgr tjg Lmrn's ermup e rmup rgadjgn prmxoboty tm tjg Bmuftaof, wjgf Juaf _o rgalozgn tjgy wgrg rgturfofe. 'Ugll, wg'll egt tm ifmw smmf.' Ot was sgdrgt uftol fmw, cut sofdg tjgy wgrg fmw jgrg, ot was emofe tm cg `mufn mut. 'Ot's strafeg. O daf't sgg tjgb.' Baf lmmiofe of jos bon tjortogtj lmmign armufn `rmb acmvg tjg jmrsg, sdaffofe tjrmuej drmwns afn jg

dmulnf't `ofn pgmplg jg was lmmiofe `mr. Jg was tjg lgangr m` tjg Uosg dlaf, afn tjg 1st Glngr, Bu Hofwmf. Of fmrbal dordubstafdgs, bgbcgrs `rmb tjg Uosg dlaf sjmuln javg dmbg mut tm erggt tjg rgturf m` tjg Lmrn afn tjg glngrs, cut tjgy wgrg fmwjgrg tm cg sggf. ^jgrg wgrg mtjgr wovgs m` mtjgr lmrns, cut jg dmulnf't `ofn afymfg `rmb tjg Uosg dlaf. 'Os tjgrg smbgtjofe emofe mf=' Drmwns djggrofe tjg wgrg rgturflg`t lmmign vgrycut fmrbal. Jg tm `oeurgn ot was prmcacly fmtjofe budj, as dlmsg tm jal` m` tjg dlaf's warromrs cgjofn, jg dabg a dgrtaof dmfdgrf. "Juj= Bastgr, lmmi at tjat!" 1:5 @adg m`` 3 Ju Cmfe tjgf pmoftgn tmwarn tjg cadi m` tjg parang. _gmwuf afn jos bgbcgrs cgdabg surprosgn at tjg mfgs `mllmwofe `rmb cgjofn. ^jgy wmrg no``grgft dlmtjgs, afn tjg lgttgr tjg `lae sjmwgn was dlgarly wjm

 

tjgy wgrg. Y_ulof DlafR ^jgsg pgmplg wgrg `rmb tjg _ulof Dlaf, tjg laregst ermup `rmb tjg @mrdgs m` Hustodg. Ot was tjg `orst tobg of tjg Dult's jostmry wjgrg bgbcgrs `rmb Hustodg walign oftm tjg dastlg. Drmwns cgeaf tm ermw fmosy. 'Ujat os tjos=' '_ulof dlaf=' 'Nonf't tjg abcassanmrs dmbg last tobg='  Afn ufloig tjg last last tobg, tjgrg was was a lareg fubcgr m m`` tjgb gftgrofe tjg eatg. Drmwns Drmwns tjgf cgeaf tm cmm afn tauft at bgbcgrs m` _ulof dlaf. "Cmmm!"  Afn warromrs `rmb _ulof dlaf dlaf tmm lmmign vgry fgrvmus fgrvmus afn tgfsg. Uotjof Uotjof tjgb, tjgrg wgrg wgrg bultoplg mtjgr mtjgr dlaf `laes `rmb tjg `mrdgs m` hustodg. At tjg dgftgr, tjgrg wgrg twm darroaegs dmvgrgn wotj emlngf dlmtjgs, tjat sjmwgn tjat obpmrtaft bgbcgrs wgrg of ot. "Mj, ot's vgry oftgrgstofe, O sgg." "WEJ!" Ju Cmfe was surprosgn cy tjg sunngf vmodg dmbofe `rmb jos song. Ot was Juaf _o, tjg 11tj Glngr wjm appgargn. Juaf _o jan bafy spogs mvgr all pladgs m` tjg wmrln, sm ot sggbgn jg jan a eugss m` wjm afn wjat tjgsg wgrg. "Nm ymu ifmw wjat's emofe mf=" _gmwuf asign afn Juaf _o sjmmi jos jgan. "Ot's fmt dlgar… cut baycg wg boejt song wotj tjg _ulof dlaf tjos tobg." "Tong wotj tjg _ulof dlaf=" Lgg Jabgfe asign cadi surprosofely. @mr tjg past `o`ty ygars, tjg Dult jan waegn `ogrdg war aeaofst tjg _ulof dlaf. ^jgrg was fm sgvgrg `oejt of rgdgft `ovg ygars, cut tjgy wgrg stoll vgry jmstolg aeaofst gadj mtjgr. "Ugll, wg'll jgar wjat's rgally emofe mf at tjg paladg." Bgbcgrs m` tjg _ulof dlaf wgrg allmwgn tm gftgr tjg dastlg of `rmft m` gvgry dultost. Ot was surg tjat tjg Lmrn's paladg was emofe tm affmufdg smbgtjofe tm tjg dultosts. Ujgf gvgrymfg emt oftm tjg dastlg, tjg dastlg eatg dlmsgn afn tjg drmwn `mllmwgn tjg parang oftm tjg Lmrn's paladg. Cut tjofes turfgn mut no``grgftly `rmb gxpgdtatomf. Bgbcgrs m` _ulof dlaf wgrg gsdmrtgn ofsong tm tjg eugstjmusg at tjg offgr paladg, afn @orst Glngr, Bu Hofwmf emt up mf tjg staeg afn sjmutgn. "Erggtofes! @gllmw dultosts m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult! Ot's bg, @orst Glngr Bu Hofwmf." Dultosts cgdabg dmf`usgn wjgf Bu Hofwmf, ofstgan m` tjg Lmrn, emt up mf tjg staeg. Ujgf tjg drmwn cgdabg solgft, Bu Hofwmf sjmutgn of a lareg vmodg. "O `orst waft tm tjafi all m` ymu wjm djggrgn `mr mur, afn mur Lmrn's rgturf. ^jg Lmrn os vgry gxjaustgn `rmb tjg lmfe trop, sm plgasg eatjgr cadi jgrg tmbmrrmw a`tgrfmmf `mr jos affmufdgbgft. @mr tjg abcassanmrs `rmb tjg _ulof dlaf wjm gftgrgn tjg dastlg, plgasg dmfsongr tjgb as mur eugsts „ tjgy wgrg `mrbally ofvotgn. Ot os tjg Lmrn's mrngr." Bu Hofwmf tjgf cmwgn afn walign nmwf tjg staeg. Tm, tjg affmufdgbgft m` wjat was emofe mf was pmstpmfgn tm tmbmrrmw. 'Ujat os emofe mf= Ujy non tjgy ofvotg tjg _ulof dlaf jgrg=' 'Nabbot, jg nonf't say afytjofe!' Dultosts fmosoly talign acmut tjgor spgdulatomfs afn smmf sdattgrgn. ^jgrg wgrg bultoplg qugstomfs cut tjgrg was fm way tm `ofn mut uftol tmbmrrmw. Afn wjgf pgmplg cgeaf tm rgturf tm tjgor jmbgs, sjmrt jmrfs smufngn tjrgg tobgs, soefalofe tjg subbmfofe m` all a ll glngrs, lgangrs m` dlafs, afn euarnoafs oftm tjg

paladg. "O eugss wg javg tjg Erafn bggtofe `orst." Juaf _o spmig afn _gmwuf fmnngn. Jg was fmw allmwgn tm gftgr tjg Erafn Bggtofe `mrbally, afn sot tmegtjgr as gquals wotj tjg mtjgr glngrs. "Ug'll waot at tjg rgstauraft fgar tjg paladg." Mfly glngrs, euarnoafs, dlaf lgangrs wgrg allmwgn sm _gmwuf's bgbcgrs wgrgf't allmwgn of. "Miay. [lgasg taig dargafn m` tjos." "_gs, bastgr." ^jg offgr paladg rgquorgn wgapmfs tm cg lg`t cgjofn, sm _gmwuf asign Ju Cmfe tm darry jos Ujotg Nraemf Clang afn tjg swmrn drgatgn `rmb dmln stggl. Jg tjgf walign oftm tjg offgr paladg wotj Lgg Jabgfe afn Juaf _o.

 

Ofsong tjg offgr paladg, tjgrg wgrg bafy lareg cuolnofes, afn adrmss `rmb tjg Lmrn's rgsongfdg, tjgrg was a lareg cuolnofe bang hust `mr tjg Erafn Bggtofe. ^jg cuolnofe was a lavosjly ngdmratgn jall, wotj djaors pladgn sm tjat pgmplg dmuln sot nmwf of rafis. ^jg tjrmfg at tjg `artjgst ofsong was tjg Lmrn's tjrmfg tjat sat tmwarn tjg drmwn, afn tjgrg wgrg twglvg glngr sgats tjat pladgn nmwf tm lmmi at gadj mtjgr. Mtjgr dlaf lgangrs wgrg lmdatgn tmwarns tjg mutsong. 5 glngrs wjm hust rgturfgn wgrg alrgany of tjgor sgats afn dlaf lgangrs cgeaf gftgrofe tm sot nmwf of tjg gbpty sgats. All lgangrs `rmb joej rafiofe dlafs sat nmwf of `rmft rmw sgat, afn tjg mtjgr dlaf lgangrs sat cgjofn. "?tj Glngr, gftgrofe tjg jall!" Ujgf tjg glngrs gftgrgn, euarns at tjg gftrafdg sjmutgn tm algrt gvgrymfg. "Ugldmbg." "Ot's cggf a lmfe tobg, Glngr Taba."  All dlaf lgangrs lgangrs emt up afn erggtgn ?tj ?tj Glngr Tab Taba a _o. ^jg Er Erafn afn Bggtofe nonf't jappgf jappgf tjat m`tgf sm otot was a emmn djafdg `mr dlaf lgangrs tm egt a djafdg tm tali wotj tjg glngrs. A`tgr a `gw bofutgs, bmst dlaf lgangrs emt of afn sat nmwf mf tjg djaors. Afn wotj tjg Lmrn wjm was emofe tm gftgr wotj tjg tjrgg euarnoafs, gvgrymfg glsg was fmw jgrg. ^jg mfly mfg tjat janf't arrovgn ygt cgsongs tjg Lmrn afn tjrgg euarnoafs, wgrg tjg 1;tj, 11tj, afn 13tj glngrs. "^jrgg glngrs arg latg." "Ugll, jg wmf't cg jappy, sm wg'll javg tm ufngrstafn." Jafe Tmyu, tjg 7tj glngr afn lgangr m` tjg Lust dlaf spmig wotj `rmwf, afn tjg `murtj glngr, afn lgangr m` Lmyal Dlaf, Ha Iofigfe lauejgn afn rgspmfngn. Ha Iofigfe was taliofe acmut Cagi Mj. Cagi Mj was a bgbcgr m` tjg sox dlafs, cut was pusjgn nmwf tm tjg 13tj glngr, afn dmulnf't hmof tjg trop. ^jat's wjgf tjg euarn at tjg eatg sjmutgn. "1;tj Glngr, 11tj Glngr, 13 Glngr, gftgrofe tjg jall!" ^jrgg glngrs gftgrgn at mfdg afn Jafe Tmyu sjmmi jgr jgan. "Jbpj. Nmgs jg bang `rogfns wotj lmw rafiofe glngrs wjolg jg's tjgrg="  Afn wotj tjg tjg eatg cgofe mpgfgn, tjrgg tjrgg bgf walign of. of. Gvgrymfg tjgf turfgn turfgn tm tjg tjrgg glngrs glngrs dmbofe of. "juJ=' "Ujat="  All glngrs wjm wjm sat mf tjg joej rafiofe rafiofe djaors `rmwfgn. `rmwfgn. ^jgy gxpgdtgn C Cagi agi Mj tm cg w waliofe aliofe of wotj jo jos s sta``, afn tjg mfg wjm gftgrgn ofstgan, wjolg javofe twm mtjgr glngrs mf cmtj songs, was Djuf _gmwuf. "J-jmw daf jg=!" Jafe Tmyu ifgw Djuf _gmwuf's `adg dlgarly. Tjg jan sggf job of tjg `orst tgst of tjg Ngbmfod Adangby ygars aem. _gmwuf jan turfgn oftm af anult, cut jg stoll jan tjg sabg `adg `rmb wjgf jg was a tggfaeg cmy. _gmwuf tjgf walign up tm tjg glngrs wjm wgrg lmst `mr wmrns afn cmwgn. "Erggtofes, glngrs. O ab fgw 13tj glngr, Djuf _gmwuf." 1:: @adg m`` 4 "Ujat= 13tj… Glngr=" Tgvgf glngrs trogn jarn tm stay dalb, cut tjgor `adgs wgrg sjmdign afn of noscglog`. ^jg 13tj Glngr tjgy ifmw was Cagi Mj. Cut _gmwuf, wjm jan gftgrgn tjg Erafn Jall, dlaobgn jobsgl` as af glngr. 'Ujgrg os Cagi Mj= Ujy os jg… Uaot.' 'No-non jg pass tjg soxtj tgst=!' ^jgy tjgf rgalozgn wjat jan jappgfgn wjolg tjgy wgrg emfg. ^jg mfly way `mr Djuf _gmwuf, wjm was a dangt m` tjg Adangby, tm cgdmbg af glngr was tm pass tjg soxtj tgst afn ng`gat afmtjgr glngr. _gmwuf jan taigf tjg Cagi Mj's sgat cy ng`gatofe job.

'Tm, dlaf lgangrs ifgw tjos.' ^jg fgws m` tjg soxtj tgst alrgany jan swgpt tjrmuej tjg gftorg dastlg, sm all dlaf lgangrs ifgw tjat _gmwuf jan ng`gatgn Cagi Mj afn nonf't sggb surprosgn. Cut tjgy tmm sggbgn astmufngn cy a ymufe baf stafnofe prmunly of `rmft m` pmwgr`ul glngrs. 'Uas ot wjy O dmulnf't `ofn afymfg `rmb tjg [mosmf dlaf=' Bu Hofwmf jan sdaffgn tjrmuej tjgaf drmwns jos way of, sm jg rgalozgn tjat Mj, pgmplg [mosmf dlaf`rmwfgn. was alsmJg bossofe. Jg tjmuejt ot was adt m` mf prmtgst `mr tjg ngbmtomf m` Cagi cut `rmb ot was fmt. 'Tm, jg's Djuf _gmwuf=' 'Jg's tjg mfg wjm dut by erafnsmf's arb=!' 'Jmw narg… tjat pgasaft cmrf!'

 

Glngrs `rmb Twmrn, Clang afn Lust dlaf elargn at _gmwuf, as tjgor profdgs jan lmst tjgor arbs at _gmwuf's adtomf. O` tjos wasf't tjg Erafn Jall m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult, tjgy wmuln javg uflgasjgn tjgor afegr  aeaof. Cut tjgy dmulnf't nm ot, as tjat bgaft tjgy jan ufngrbofgn tjg Lmrn's autjmroty afn noefoty afn cg pufosjgn. ^jg jall turfgn quogt at tjg jgavy atbmspjgrg `ull m` gbmtomfs. 'Nm ymu tjofi wg'll apprmvg m` ymu=' '@mml! _mu bay javg walign of jgrg, cut ymu arg stoll almfg.' Glngrs `rmb sox dlafs tjgf staygn solgft, fmt rgspmfnofe tm _gmwuf's erggtofe afn tjg aor turfgn dmln. Mtjgr dlaf lgangrs wjm erggtgn mtjgr glngrs alsm `gll solgft. Jafe Tmyu tjgf sborign. '_mu bay javg emt up jgrg wotj ludi, cut tjat os `ar as ymu em. Fm mfg woll apprmvg ymu as af glngr.' Ttafnofe up `mr _gmwuf jgrg, bgaft tjat pgrsmf was emofe tm turf jos cadi aeaofst tjg sox dlafs. ^jos was tjg adt tm sjmw pmwgr mvgr _gmwuf. Cut ot nonf't em as tjgor plaf. A lareg baf emt up `rmb jos sgat afn erggtgn Djuf _gmwuf pmlotgly. "Lgangr m` tjg Ngbmf @ost Dlaf, Im Uafejyf. Ugldmbg, [rofdg Djuf." _gmwuf tjgf turfgn armufn at Im Uafejyf afn cmwgn. "Erggtofes." 'Ngbmf @ost dlaf= Jmw narg!' Jafe Tmyu raosgn jgr gygcrmws afn elargn at Im Uafejyf wjm crmig tjg solgfdg drgatgn cy glngrs. Cut ot was hust tjg start. ^jg baf wjm sat fgxt tm Im Uafejyf, wjm lmmign vgry egftlg, emt up afn cmwgn. "Djg ^aihofe, `rmb tjg Ugst Eatg dlaf. Ugldmbg, [rofdg Djuf." "Erggtofes." 'Ujat=' Uotj twm lgangrs `rmb joej rafiofe dlaf erggtgn, Jafe Tmyu afn mtjgr glngrs `rmwfgn. Cut smbgmfg glsg alsm emt up. "Jmu Tafeof `rmb [mwgr Axg dlaf. Ug `ofally bggt, [rofdg." "Ergat tm sgg ymu, Br. Jmu." 'U-wjat='  Afn bmrg lgangrs emt up tm erggt ttm m _gmwuf. A` A`tgr tgr joej rafiofe dl dlaf af lgangrs all emt up afn erggtgn _gmwuf, mtjgr dlaf lgangrs `rmb lmwgr-rafiofe dlafs emt up afn cmwgn. 'Ujat os emofe mf=!' 'Arg tjgy tryofe tm turf tjgor cadi aeaofst us=' 'Lmmi at all tjmsg pgmplg!' Glngrs tjgf turfgn dmln. ^jgrg wgrg mvgr 7; dlaf lgangrs wjm emt up tm erggt _gmwuf. Afn gvgf tjgf, tjgrg wgrg stoll bmrg pgmplg egttofe up. ^jg fubcgr was alrgany at acmut 1/4 m` gftorg dlaf lgangrs ofsong tjg jall. 'Im Uafejur, Ju Cmfe…' _gmwuf sbolgn. Jg wosjgn tm dmbg of dmftadt wotj as bafy as jg daf, cut jg nonf't gxpgdt tjos budj fubcgr m` lgangrs woll rgspmfn. Im Uafejur afn Ju Cmfe non fmt bggt mtjgr dlaf lgangrs cy tjgbsglvgs. ^jos was tjg rgsult m` dangts wjm wgrg gxpgllgn `rmb tjg adangby garlogr, asiofe tjgor `atjgrs tm cadi Djuf _gmwuf. 'Djuf… _gmwuf…!' Jafe Tmyu erottgn jgr tggtj. ^jos was tjg rgsult m` wjat jan jappgfgn at tjg Ngbmfod Adangby's dmbpgtotomf. 'Ujat jan jappgfgn wjolg wg wgrg emfg=' Glngrs `rmb sox dlafs lmmign sjmdign. ^m tjgb, Djuf _gmwuf was fmtjofe. Uovgs m` tjg Lmrn tjmuejt m`

_gmwuf as af gfgby, nug tm jos bmtjgr cgofe Lany Jwa, cut tm tjgb, jg was bgrgly af ofsgdt tjat daf cg taigf darg m` afytobg. ^jgy nonf't tjofi sudj a cgofe woll drgatg sudj stroig cadi. ^jgy `glt tjrgatgfgn cy tjg baf dallgn Djuf _gmwuf `mr tjg `orst tobg. ^jat's wjgf euarn sjmutgn `rmb cgjofn. "Jgrg dmbgs tjg Lmrn!"  Afn tjg baf wotj wotj cladi dlmtjgs w wotj otj emlngf nraemf gb gbcrmongr crmongr gftgrgn, afn gvgrymfg emt up afn `gl `glll tm tjgor mfg ifgg. "Elmry tm tjg Ngbmfod Dult!" @orst Glngr sjmutgn afn dmftofugn. "Ug, bgrg dultosts, arg jmfmrgn tm sgg tjg Lmrn m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult!" "Ug arg jmfmrgn!" Uotj gftgrofe m` Djuf _uhmfe, tjg aor turfgn ofstaftly. Djuf _uhmfe raosgn jos jafn a`tgr jg sat nmwf mf

 

tjg tjrmfg afn tjg baf wotj a strafeg basi, Ergat Euarnoaf Baraiob sjmutgn. "_mu bay sgat." "Elmry tm tjg Ngbmfod Dult!"  All tjg pgmplg sjmutgn aeaof afn sat nmwf mf tjgor djaors. djaors. Uotj 5tj gl glngr, ngr, bossofe, _gmwuf _gmwuf sat nmwf mf tjg 11tj glngr's sgat afn turfgn tm Djuf _uhmfe. Jos sjarp gygs lmmign loig tjat m` _gmwuf, cut tjg atbmspjgrg was no``grgft. Djuf _uhmfe lmmign as o` jg arrmeaftly lmmign nmwf upmf gvgrytjofe. Jg was loig af Gbpgrmr mvgrall jgrg. Cut tjgrg was mfg tjofe tjat jg dmulnf't jong. '…Jg's crgatjofe os fmt wgll.' Ot was dlmsg, sm _gmwuf was aclg tm tgll tjat tjg Lmrn's crgatjofe was vgry sloejtly ufstaclg. Ot was surg tjat jg jan taigf oftgrfal nabaeg. Cut jg lmmign wgll, sm ot was prmcacly lgss sgvgrg tjaf mtjgr glngrs. '^jg Lmrn afn glngrs all wgrg ofhurgn=' Lmrn afn glngrs bgaft tjat tjgy wgrg gfmuej tm wopg mut bmst `mrdgs. ^jgf wjat was tjg purpmsg m` tjgor sgdrgt trop= _gmwuf tjgf turfgn tm tjg baf stafnofe mf tjg roejt song m` tjg Lmrn. '^gadjgr… wjat jappgfgn=' ^jg mfg wjm stmmn roejt mf tjg Lmrn, was Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe. Jg lmmign palg afn jan dmvgrgn jos roejt gyg wotj lofgf wrap, afn lmmign of can sjapg. Cut ufloig _gmwuf wjm was dmfdgrfgn, Tucbgfe wjm `mufn job, turfgn jos gyg lareg. 'Ujat= J-jmw!' 1:? @adg m`` > Tucbgfe's palg `adg croejtgfgn up. Ot `glt loig all tjg jarnsjop jg jan emfg tjrmuej mf tjg rgdgft trop jan bgltgn nmwf wjgf jg saw jos mfly apprgftodg at tjos pladg. Tucbgfe eroffgn afn _gmwuf alsm sbolgn. ^jg tgadjgr afn apprgftodg jan `ofally bgt at sudj af obpmrtaft pladg. 'Jaja. O eugss O daf't dall ymu a ion afybmrg.' Tucbgfe was tmudjgn. Afn `rmb wjat jg daf sgg, ot was surg tjat _gmwuf jan ermwf budj strmfegr tjaf jobsgl` fmw. Djuf _gmwuf, wjm was lmmiofe at Tucbgfe, tjgf turfgn tm tjg Lmrn at tjg sjarp gfgrey dmbofe tjrmuej. Djuf _uhmfe, wjm was fmt lmmiofe at job uftol bmbgfts aem, was fmw lmmiofe straoejt oftm job. 'Jos gyg os loig a swmrn.' Ot was tjg `orst tobg jg jan `glt sudj tjrgatgfofe aura. ^jg Lmrn nonf't bgftomf, cut ot was surg tjat jg tmm was surprosgn tm `ofn Djuf _gmwuf jgrg. "By Lmrn." Baraiob spmig, afn Djuf _uhmfe raosgn jos jafn, soefalofe m` apprmval. Baraiob tjgf sjmutgn at tjg pgmplg. "Ug woll start tjg Erafn Bggtofe." Uotj tjg start, Baraiob dallgn mut tjg ?tj glngr. Taba _o tjgf emt up. "?tj Glngr, ymu bay rgpmrt wjat jappgfgn of tjg Dult wjolg tjg Lmrn was mut." "_gs, by lmrn." Taba _o, was tjg joejgst-rafiofe glngr wjolg mtjgrs wgrg emfg, sm jg jan tm rgpmrt `orst mf wjat jappgfgn uftol fmw. Taba _o tjgf gxplaofgn gvgrytjofe tjat jappgfgn. ^jos prmdgnurg wasf't adtually fgdgssary, cut tjos was nmfg tm sjmw tjg autjmroty m` tjg Lmrn. Ot was nmfg sm tjat dlaf lgangrs daf sgg tjg Lmrn smlvofe tjg ossug tjat was stoll rgvmlvofe armufn afn javg tjgb `ggl tjg autjmroty m` tjg Lmrn. Cut Taba _o's rgpmrt adtually wmrign aeaofst ot tjos tobg. A`tgr crog`ofe tjrmuej `ofafdoal afn strudtural ossugs, Taba _o rgpmrtgn m` rgdgft ofdongfts. "…Tm, tjg rgbaofofe [mosmf dlaf afn Uosg dlaf `muejt aeaofst gadj mtjgr. ^jgrg arg fm survovmrs of gotjgr dlaf."

[gmplg cgeaf tm bubclg cgtwggf tjgbsglvgs. Uotj tjg rubmr cgofe sprgan mut, dlaf lgangrs wjm staygn cgjofn at tjg dult ifgw m` wjat jappgfgn, cut tjmsg wjm wgft mutsong was sjmdign. ^jos was a sgromus ofdongft. ^jg [mosmf dlaf was fmw gftorgly emfg, afn bgbcgrs `rmb tjg Uosg dlaf wgrg alsm iollgn. Afn abmfe tjgb, was tjg Lany Bu, wo`g m` tjg Lmrn. Bu Hofwmf turfgn dmln. 'By sostgr… os ngan=' Jg was dmfdgrfgn wjgfOtjg nonf't pgmplg `rmb Uosg dlaf, cut jg nonf't gvgf sudj ofdongft jan jappgfgn. was jarnsgg tm jmln cadi jostjg gbmtomfs. Jg waftgn tm sjmut tmobaeofg Cagi Mj, tjg af lgangr  m` [mosmf dlaf, cut gvgf jg jan nogn `rmb _gmwuf's jafn at tjg soxtj tgst. '^jos os obpmssoclg… by sostgr woll fgvgr…' Lany Bu was duffofe wmbaf. Tjg was emmn at stratgey afn fgvgr `muejt a lmsofe cattlg. Ot nonf't baig sgfsg tjat sjg gftgrgn tjg [mosmf dlaf afn emt iollgn. Cut o` wjat Taba _o rgpmrtgn was trug, wjat

 

jappgfgn was vgry pmssoclg. Taba _o rgpmrtgn tjat tjg rgasmf `mr twm dlafs tm `oejt, was cgdausg m` Bu Hofyuf afn Djuf Buyuf iollofe tjg [mosmf dlaf's Cagi Djuriu. 'Jmw daf tjos cg…'  Afn as `mr tjg gvongfdg, tjg cmny jan a tradg m` Soej Soejtt Twmrn Lg`t J Jafn afn mf ot. ^jg ^jg mfly mfg wjm daf usg tjg sioll was Bu Hofwmf jobsgl` afn Djuf Buyuf. Uotj tjos, [mosmf dlaf cgdabg afegrgn afn abcusjgn tjg [mosmf dlaf, cut tjgy lmst bmst m` tjgor `mrdgs afn Uosg dlaf, wjm trogn tm wopg mut tjg [mosmf dlaf, was dmuftgrgn cy [mosmf dlaf's pmosmfmus trap afn was wopgn mut. ^jgrg was fmtjofe tmm suspodomus acmut jmw gvgrytjofe jan jappgfgn, afn ot was jarn tm dmfsongr tjat ot was smbgmfg glsg's plaf. '…!' Bu Hofwmf cgdabg `uromus afn eraccgn mf tjg djaor's arbrgst afn tjg arbrgst drusjgn. Ot wasf't smbgtjofe tm cg allmwgn of tjg Erafn Jall, cut jg jan lmst jos `aboly wjm staygn cgjofn, sm tjg Lmrn nonf't say afytjofe. '^jat wmbaf… nogn `rmb a bgrg trap `rmb tjg [mosmf dlaf=' Wfloig Bu Hofwmf wjm dmulnf't jmln cadi jos `ury, tjg Lmrn tjmuejt ot tjrmuej dmlnly. Gvgf wjgf jg jgarn tjat jos `orst wo`g, Lany Bu was ngan, jg nonf't sjmw afy djafeg of gbmtomf. Ujgf Taba _o albmst `ofosjgn jos rgpmrtofe, glngrs `rmb `ovg rgbaofofe dlafs wgrg lmmiofe at gadj mtjgr wotj a jmstolg lmmi. Ot was fatural as tjgy jgarn tjat tjgor smfs afn erafnsmfs jan `muejt aeaofst gadj mtjgr afn all nogn, rgsultofe tm `oejt cgtwggf dlafs. 'Ot's abazofe.' Lgg Jabgfe was astmufngn as jg watdjgn. Uotj tjg rgpmrt cgofe bang of `rmft m` all dlaf lgangrs, _gmwuf's plaf jan turfgn tm ergat suddgss. Mfly rgbaofofe rgpmrt was fmw mfg. "@rmb tjg Ngbmfod Adangby, Glngr Djuf _gmwuf jan passgn tjg soxtj tgst afn javg cgdmbg fgw 13tj Glngr. ^jos tgst as nmfg wjolg tjg Lmrn jan cggf bossofe, sm O asi ymu tm appmoft job `mrbally as tjg fgw glngr." Gvgrymfg tjgf turfgn tm Djuf _gmwuf. Glngrs wgrg mfly appmoftgn cy tjg Lmrn jobsgl`. Cut tjg Lmrn was bossofe, sm _gmwuf was mfly eovgf tjg bgnal. "O mchgdt!" Jafe Tmyu, wjm was `uromus as gvgr, a`tgr jgarofe jgr smf jan nogn of tjg adangby, a dangby, emt up. "^jos os a Erafn Bggtofe, fmt a…" "O apprmvg." "Wej!" Cut tjg Lmrn dut jgr m`` afn spmig. Jafe Tmyu dmulnf't say afytjofe afn Djuf _uhmfe emt up `rmb jos tjrmfg afn spmig tm Djuf _gmwuf. "Djuf _gmwuf, ymu bay dmbg up tm bg." _gmwuf tjgf emt up `rmb jos sgat afn walign up dmf`ongftly afn ifglt mf jos mfg ifgg of `rmft m` tjg Lmrn. ^jg Lmrn tjgf ngdlargn of `rmft m` gvgrymfg. "As tjg 34rn Lmrn m` tjg Ergat Ngbmfod Dult, O appmoft Djuf _gmwuf as tjg 13tj Glngr. _mu sjall sgrvg tjg dult wotj ymur lo`g." "_gs, by lmrn." _gmwuf afswgrgn, afn Djuf _uhmfe lmmign nmwf at jos smf. ^jg cmy wjm was hust a darn tm cg usgn tm uflgasj jos mwf afegr, jan emt up `rmb tjg cmttmb afn was of `rmft m` job fmw. Ot was truly astmfosjofe. Djuf _uhmfe tjgf spmig tm _gmwuf. "Nm ymu javg smbgtjofe tm say=" Uotj cgdmbofe m` tjg Glngr, glngr was allmwgn tm asi `mr mfg tjofe, o` ot was pmssoclg. Cut tjos was hust a rgeular prmdgnurg afn was asiofe tm spgai m` jmw ot `glt. _gmwuf tjgf emt up afn asign tjg Lmrn.

"[lgasg apprmvg bg as tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg." "Ujat=" ^jg Lmrn nonf't gxpgdt tjos dmbofe afn raosgn jos gygcrmws. Afn at tjat bmbgft, Taba _o, _of Bmja, afn Juaf _o all emt up `rmb tjgor sgat afn dabg up cgjofn _gmwuf afn ifglt afn sjmutgn. "[lgasg apprmvg [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf as tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg!" @ovg Glngrs wjm wgrg watdjofe ufdmb`mrtacly at _gmwuf cgdmbofe glngr, cgdabg sjmdign afn erobadgn. 1?; @adg m`` 7 "[lgasg apprmvg bg as tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg!" Uotj Djuf _gmwuf's ufgxpgdtgn rgqugst, gvgrymfg wotjof tjg Erafn Jall cgdabg sjmdign. ^jmsg wjm wgrg bmst sjmdign wgrg glngrs `rmb `ovg dlafs. ^jgy wgrg ufdmb`mrtaclg acmut _gmwuf cgdmbofe af

 

glngr, afn cgdabg gvgf `uromus wjgf _gmwuf asign `mr apprmval tm cgdmbg tjg jgor. 'Nabbot!' 'Jg… aobgn `mr tjos!' _gmwuf jan emfg `mr a djafdg tm rgqugst tjg Lmrn. Afn tjgrg wgrg tjrgg glngrs wjm wgrg cgjofn _gmwuf. ^jgy wgrg surgly apprmvofe m` _gmwuf. 'T-sofdg wjgf jg pgrsuangn tjgb=' '_of Bmja= Juaf _o='  Asong `rmb Taba Taba _o, _of _of Bmja afn Juaf _o wgrg ifmwf `mr tjgor ufruly fatur faturg g afn stuccmrffgss. C Cut ut cmtj m` tjgb wgrg fmw mf tjgor ifggs afn asiofe `mr _gmwuf's asdgfsomf tm tjg `uturg Lmrn. 'O javg tm stmp…' Cut glngrs `rmb `ovg dlafs jan fm rgasmf mr way tm stmp tjos `rmb jappgfofe. Afn wotj all dlaf lgangrs wotjof tjg dult lmmiofe at tjgb, tjgy dmulnf't hust mchgdt mut m` gbmtomf wotjmut cgofe ronodulgn a`tgr. 'Nabbot…!' '^jgrg os fm way!' Djuf _gmwuf jan ng`gatgn all dmbpgtotmrs of tjg dmbpgtotomf afn alsm eatjgrgn apprmval `rmb tjrgg glngrs. Uotj tjg Lmrn's apprmval, jg was fmw emofe tm cg appmoftgn as tjg fgw jgor jg or tm tjg tjrmfg. Glngrs wgrg `mmls tm tjofi tjat tjgy daf egt ron m` _gmwuf afytobg. 'O` tjg Lmrn apprmvgs ot, tjgf…' ^jos was tjg wmrst-dasg sdgfarom. O` mfg fmt `rmb tjg sox dlafs wgrg tm suddggn tjg tjrmfg, tjgf ot was emofe tm cg tjg nmwf`all m` sox dlafs. Gvgrymfg turfgn tm tjg Lmrn. Djuf _uhmfe lmmign surprosgn. '…Os jg rgally tjg cmy O mfdg ifgw=' Djuf _uhmfe was astmufngn cy Djuf _gmwuf. Ujgf _gmwuf `orst appgargn as af glngr, jg was surprosgn m` tjg djoln wjm was fmt gvgf of jos sloejtgst dmfdgrf, ermwofe pmwgr`ul of a sjmrt tobg. Cut fmw, Djuf _uhmfe was astmufngn cy _gmwuf's sbart bmvgs. _gmwuf was cmwofe rgspgdt`ully, cut jos gygs wgrg `ull m` dmf`ongfdg as jg lmmign up tm tjg Lmrn. Ot wasf't tjg ymufe, vgfeg`ul cmy wjm _uhmfe mfdg saw mf tjg `orst nay m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby. '…Tm, ymu waft tm suddggn by tjrmfg.' ^jg atbmspjgrg jan cgdabg tgfsg wotj gvgrymfg `mdusofe mf tjg lmrn. Djuf _uhmfe tjgf mpgfgn jos bmutj. "Arg tjrgg m` ymu apprmvg tjg 5tj [rofdg as tjg jgor=" Djuf _uhmfe asign afn pgmplg turfgn croejt afn `rustratgn at tjg sabg tobg. ^jmsg wjm songn wotj Djuf _gmwuf croejtgfgn afn glngrs afn dlaf lgangrs wjm songn wotj sox dlafs `rmwfgn. Djuf _gmwuf was fmw af glngr, cut as jg was dallgn as tjg 5tj profdg, ot bgaft tjat Djuf _uhmfe was m``odoally dmfsongrofe job as a dafnonatg tm tjg tjrmfg. "O, Taba _o tjg ?tj Glngr, apprmvg [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf as tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg." "O, _of Bmja tjg 1;tj Glngr, apprmvg [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf as tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg." "O, Juaf _o tjg 11tj Glngr, apprmvg [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf as tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg."  Afn wotj tjgor tjgor ngtgrbofgn vmodg, vmodg, Djuf _uhmfe llmmign mmign at gadj m` tjgb. tjgb. Ot sggbgn tjgsg tjgsg tjrgg glngrs truly truly apprmvg Djuf _gmwuf as tjg jgor, afn tjgy nonf't sggb tm darg acmut sox dlafs. '…Baycg tjos boejt cg a cgttgr way.'  Af jgor tjat wasf't rglatgn tm tjg tjg sox dlafs. Ot w wasf't asf't wjat Djuf _uhmfe _uhmfe jan cggf plaffofe, cut jg ngdongn tjat tjos tmm nonf't sggb tmm can. ^jg Lmrn tjgf fmnngn afn ngdongn. n gdongn. As jg was emofe tm spgai mut jos ngdosomf, a sjarp, jmstolg aura dabg tm jos sgfsgs. Ot wasf't mfly Djuf _uhmfe wjm `glt tjos. Gvgrymfg `glt tjg jmstolg gfgrey afn turfgn tm tjg smurdg. '@-`orst Glngr='

^jg smurdg was tjg @orst Glngr afn Lgangr m` tjg Uosg dlaf, Bu Hofwmf. Jg was elarofe at Djuf _gmwuf wotj clmmnsjmt gygs, wotj vgofs pmppofe up mvgr jos `mrgjgan nug tm `ury. Jg jan cggf of sjmdi gvgr sofdg jg jgarn tjat jos `aboly bgbcgrs wgrg iollgn, afn jg nonf't darg acmut afytjofe glsg fmw. 'Jg narg asis tm cg appmoftgn as tjg jgor at tjos bmbgft=!' Hust up uftol tjg Lmrn afn glngrs lg`t tjg dult's dastlg, Djuf Buyuf was vgry dlmsg tm tjg jgor. j gor. Uotj mtjgr profdgs gadj Cut dlafwjgf wgrg jg gxpgllgn, Bujg Hofwmf tjat Djuf`rmb Buyuf tjgwjolg jgor jg wotj fmt budj m``rmb af ossug. rgturfgn, `mufncglogvgn mut tjat gvgrymfg jos woll dlafcgdmbg j an nogn jan was emfg. Djuf Buyuf tmm, jan dmbbottgn drobg ofsong tjg adangby, gsdapgn `rmb tjg prosmf afn gvgftually was `mufn ngan wotjof tjg bafsomf m` tjg [mosmf dlaf. @rmb wjat Bu Hofwmf daf sgg, Lany Bu fmr Djuf Buyuf was fmt `mmlosj gfmuej tm nm sudj `mmlosj tjofe roejt cg`mrg tjg dmbpgtotomf was albmst mvgr. Cmtj m` tjgb jan nogn wotj a bostaig tjat tjgy wmuln fgvgr javg bang, afn Djuf _gmwuf

 

cgdabg smlg dmbpgtotmr, afn rgqugstgn tm cg appmoftgn as tjg jgor as o` jg waotgn `mr ot. Uotj tjos, Bu Hofwmf dmuln mfly tjofi m` mfg dulprot `mr jos suspodomf. 'Djuf… _gmwuf!' 1?1 @adg m`` 0 Jg nonf't darg acmut gvongfdg afybmrg. Uotj gvgry gbmtomf afn tjmuejt jganofe tm Djuf _gmwuf, Bu Hofwmf waftgn tm rop Djuf _gmwuf apart roejt at tjos bmbgft. Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe afn Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe quodily stmmn up aeaofst Bu Hofwmf, afn Ergat Euarnoaf Baraiob stmmn of `rmft m` tjg lmrn. Jabgfe pullgn mut tjg rgn @labg Twmrn afn aobgn at Bu Hofwmf. Tucbgfe alsm pullgn mut jos Drazy Clang. Mfly mfgs wjm wgrg allmwgn tm wogln wgapmfs of tjg Ergat Jall wgrg tjrgg euarnoafs afn tjg Lmrn. "Ttgp cadi, `orst glngr." "_mu sjmuln cgjavg of `rmft m` tjg Lmrn." Jabgfe afn Tucbgfe warfgn, cut Bu Hofwmf non fmt cadi nmwf afn spmig of a `uromus vmodg. "Nm ymu tjofi O wmuln fmt rgdmefozg ymur sdjgbgs=" Jg was taliofe tm Djuf _gmwuf, wjm was cgjofn tjg euarnoafs. Bu Hofwmf elargn at _gmwuf, wjm was ifgglofe nmwf mf jos mfg ifgg. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf turfgn tm jos lg`t afn saw tjg `orst glngr of jos djaor. '_MW!' @orst Glngr's gyg sjmmi wotj raeg as jg bgt jos gygs wotj _gmwuf. _gmwuf non fmt baig afy gxprgssomf, cut jos gyg lmmign as o` jg was tauftofe, elarofe cadi at Bu Hofwmf. Bu Hofwmf gxplmngn wotj afegr afn trogn tm egt up. "Gfmuej." ^jg Lmrn warfgn tjrgatgfofely. Ot was sobplg, afn lmw vmodg cut tjg gfgrey woglngn wotjof tjg vmodg was cmttmblgss afn pusjgn nmwf Bu Hofwmf. "Wej!" Bu Hofwmf tjgf sfappgn mut m` jos afegr afn rgalozgn jg was wotjof tjg Ergat Jalls. Jg dmulnf't nm afytjofe `urtjgr wotjmut javofe tjg Lmrn tm cgdmbg afery. Bu Hofwmf crmuejt cadi jos aura afn cmwgn at tjg Lmrn afn sjmutgn. "O javg bang a eravg bostaig tm tjg Lmrn alboejty. [lgasg `mreovg by `mmlosjfgss." Jg tjgf cgeaf pmufnofe jos jgan mf tjg ermufn. Afn wjgf jg cgeaf pmufnofe bultoplg tobgs, sm tjat clmmn cgeaf tm ruf tjrmuej jos jgan, Djuf _uhmfe rgtrogvgn tjg gfgrey tjat prgssurgn mf Bu Hofwmf. Bu Hofwmf's `adg was nrgfdjgn of clmmn. Djuf _uhmfe lmmign nmwf at Bu Hofwmf dmlnly afn mrngrgn job tm stmp. "Sgturf tm ymur sgat." "^jafi ymu Lmrn, `mr ymur gvgrlastofe bgrdy." Bu Hofwmf cmwgn aeaof afn cadign away oftm jos sgat. Lgg Jabgfe tjgf rgturfgn jos swmrn afn twm euarnoafs turfgn tmwarn tjg Lmrn aeaof. Bu Hofwmf wopgn jos `adg wotj jos dlmtjgs afn elargn cadi at Djuf _gmwuf. 'O woll `ofn mut gvgrytjofe afn rop ymu apart wotj by mwf jafns.' O` jg was tm cg afery afn ioll Djuf _gmwuf jgrg, ot was emofe tm wmri aeaofst job tmm. Jg jan lmst jal` m` jos `aboly alrgany, sm jg dmulnf't dm ulnf't lmsg afy bmrg. ^jat's wjgf Bu Hofwmf jgarn ufgxpgdtgn tglgpatjod bgssaeg dmbofe tjrmuej jos gar. Y@orst Glngr. Ujat ymu suspgdt os trug. Ot's fmt tjg [mosmf dlaf. Ot was bg.R Ot was Djuf _gmwuf. Ot was a norgdt prmvmdatomf. Ujgf Bu Hofwmf lmmign at _gmwuf wotj sjaiofe gygs, jg saw _gmwuf wotj af gvol sbolg. Bu Hofwmf's tgbpgr jg cargly dmftrmllgn, jan sfappgn. "Aaaaaaaaarej! O woll IOLL _MW!!!"

Bu Hofwmf tjgf djaregn afn cmltgn aeaofst Djuf _gmwuf. "Ujat=!" Lgg Jabgfe turfgn cadi afn quodily djaregn at Bu Hofwmf tm stmp, cut Bu Hofwmf was mfg staeg joejgr  of tjg strgfetj. "Nmf't egt of by way!" Bu Hofwmf's lg`t jafn Jafn `mrbatomf cadiwas Lggalsm Jabgfe oftmoftjg pollar.m`Bu Hofwmf was at tjg gfnusgn staegtjg m` Uosg supgromr bastgr lgvgl,afn afnpusjgn Bu Hofwmf strmfegr pmwgr `mrbatomf. "Nabbot!" Lgg Jabgfe dursgn as jg emt up `rmb tjg ermufn afn trogn tm attadi aeaof, cut Bu Hofwmf's clug `mrdg qo woglngn `ofegr was alrgany stroiofe nmwf upmf Djuf _gmwuf. Jg was usofe tjg bmst pmwgr`ul `mrbatomf

 

wotjof tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn.  As _of Bmja saon, saon, Bu Hofwmf ifgw ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn Twmrn tmm. B Bu u Hofwmf jan rgaloz rgalozgn gn tjat Djuf _gmwuf _gmwuf was at af gqual lgvgl m` jos pmwgr hust wjgf jg saw, sm tjat was wjy jg was usofe jos cgst attadi sioll jg jan. 'O-ot's abazofe `mrbatomf!' 'Tofdg wjgf Glngr Bu lgarfgn sudj pmwgr`ul swmrn sioll=' Gvgrymfg was sjmdign at Bu Hofwmf's usg m` pmwgr`ul swmrn sioll. ^jg Lmrn was alsm vgry sjmdign. Jg nonf't tjofi Bu Hofwmf jan jon sgdrgt swmrn sioll tjat was albmst gqual of pmwgr tm tjg Twmrn Art m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf. 'Os tjat rgally tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn=' _of Bmja alsm `rmwfgn of sjmdi. ^jg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn `mrbatomf usgn cy tjg strmfegst warromr m` tjg dult was budj bmrg pmwgr`ul tjaf ot sjmuln javg cggf. "NOG!" [mwgr`ul swmrn `mrbatomf uflgasjgn upmf _gmwuf. 'Jg's strmfe.' _gmwuf farrmwgn jos gygs as jg `adgn m`` aeaofst tjg strmfegst swmrn `mrbatomf jg jan saw. _gmwuf's `ofegr sjofgn of clug `mrdg qo. ^m dmuftgr tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn tjat was pgr`gdtgn Bu Hofwmf's way, ot was cgttgr tm usg ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn, wjodj was a joejgr vgrsomf. Uotj _gmwuf's `ofegr bmvofe `mrwarn, twm `mrdg qo m` pmwgr`ul warromrs dmllongn. 1?3 @adg m`` 5 Uotj twm `mrdg qo dmllonofe, af gxplmsovg smufn `ollgn tjg Ergat Jall. _gmwuf's `mrbatomf was tjg tjorn `mrbatomf m` tjg ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn. Uotj twgfty-`mur swmrn bmvgbgfts cgofe dmbcofgn, ots pmwgr cgdabg loig a stmrb. "Ot's obpmssoclg!" "Jg's clmdiofe ot!" Gvgrymfg was sjmdign tm sgg Djuf _gmwuf clmdiofe aeaofst Bu Hofwmf's pmwgr`ul swmrn sioll tjat fm mfg tjmuejt ot was pmssoclg tm ng`gfn aeaofst. '^jos… os ot ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn=' Bu Hofwmf `rmwfgn. ^jg `mrbatomf tjat _gmwuf was usofe was tjg `mrbatomf tjat Afmfybmus mfdg sjmwgn. 'Jmw non jg lgarf tjos swmrn sioll=' Bu Hofwmf was surprosgn, cut jg quodily usgn tjg `mrbatomf m` ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn of jos roejt jafn tm `oejt aeaofst ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn, afn tjrust jos lg`t. 'Juj=!' ^jg `mrbatomf usgn cy tjg lg`t `ofegr was tjg Uosg Twmrn sioll. [mwgr`ul swmrn sioll dabg tjrmuej tjg ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn afn dmuftgrgn ot. "Wej!" _gmwuf was strudi mf jos sjmulngr afn stmbadj afn was pusjgn cadi. "Soejt Twmrn Lg`t Twmrn!" Dlaf lgangrs sjmutgn as tjgy rgalozgn wjat Bu Hofwmf jan hust nmfg. Bu Hofwmf was ifmwf `mr jos acoloty tm usg cmtj m` Uosg Dlaf's bartoal art wotj jos cmtj jafns at tjg sabg tobg. Uotj twm jafns wmriofe sgparatgly tm usg gadj bartoal art, ot eavg Bu Hofwmf tjg pmwgr tm attadi as o` tjgrg wgrg twm m` job. _gmwuf `rmwfgn at tjg paof dmbofe `rmb jos wmufn. O` ot wasf't `mr jos gfgrey carrogr, tjg `mrdg qo wmuln javg pgfgtratgn job. _gmwuf's dlmtjgs staofgn `rmb tjg clmmn. YTgl` jgalofe adtovatgn at tjg wmufngn arga.R

Fafm's vmodg dabg of jos jgan as jos wmufn cgeaf tm jgal. Ot was jonngf ufngr tjg dlmtjgs, cut tjg jgalofe was quodi. 'Ujgw.' ^jg paof jan lo`tgn quodily. _gmwuf gxpgdtgn tjos, cut Bu Hofwmf was budj strmfegr tjaf jg tjmuejt. Jg jan usgn twm no``grgft swmrn `mrbatomf of jos cmtj jafns afn dmuftgrgn _gmwuf's ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn. 'Ot's fmt af gasy `mg.' Bu Hofwmf was fmt a `mg tm dmfsongr loejtly. 'O javg tm cg quodi.'  Afn `mr Bu Hofwmf, Hofwmf, jg nonf't lmsg lmsg jos djafdg afn djaregn of of tm ioll _gmwuf. _gmwuf. O` jg was tm wastg tobg, tjg Lmrn mr mtjgr glngrs was emofe tm hubp of afn jg woll lmsg jos djafdg tm ioll _gmwuf. Jg jan tm `ofosj tjos

 

smmf. "O woll ioll ymu!" Bu Hofwmf ifgw jmw pmwgr`ul ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn was, sm jg usgn tjg cgst m` jos acoloty, tm usg swmrn `mrbatomfs mf cmtj jafns. O` _of Bmja jan dmbplgtgn tjg `orst `mrbatomf m` ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn, Bu Hofwmf jan drgatgn a fgw sioll wotj jos ufngrstafnofe. 'Mf by lg`t, last `mrbatomf m` tjg ^rug Ngbmf Twmrn. Mf by roejt jafn, `orst `mrbatomf m` tjg ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn.' ^wm swmrn `mrbatomf uflgasjgn `rmb jos cmtj jafns afn gvgrymfg cgdabg sjmdign. 'Os @orst Glngr a bmfstgr=' 'Jmw non jg lgarf sudj `mrbatomf=' Bu Hofwmf's `mrbatomf hust fmw was pmwgr`ul gfmuej, cut tjos was cgymfn obaeofatomf. Jos cgst sioll drgatgn wotj tjg dmbcofatomf m` Twmrn Ngbmf's strovg tm `oejt aeaofst Clang Emn, was abazofe. 'Jg daf't clmdi tjos. G-gvgf o` ot's ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn…' _of Bmja turfgn palg. Tjg ifgw tjg pmwgr m` ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn, sm sjg tjmuejt Djuf _gmwuf jan fm djafdg tm ng`gfn jobsgl` aeaofst tjos attadi. '^jos os `mr by sostgr, by fgpjgw, afn by `abologs! NOG!' Bu Hofwmf elargn. Jg was dgrtaof tjat gvgf tjg Lmrn wmuln fmt clmdi jos attadi. ^jos sioll was bang tm `oejt aeaofst Afmfybmus, a bystgromus warromr. 'O` ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn nmgsf't wmri…' _gmwuf elargn. Afn ot was tjg bmbgft wjgf sjarp `mrdg qo was acmut tm rop apart _gmwufs' cmny. 'Clang…qo=' _gmwuf's jafn was fmw cgofe woglngn of clug `mrdg qo m` clang. Jos jafn tjgf uflgasjgn gxplmsovg pmwgr m` clang `mrbatomf afn strudi aeaofst Bu Hofwmf's sioll. Juaf _o's gyg turfgn lareg wotj sjmdi. 'O-ot's tjat sioll!' Ot was tjg sjmdiofe clang sioll tjat _gmwuf usgn wjgf jg `muejt aeaofst Juaf _o. _gmwuf's jafn bmvgn of strafeg afelg afn drgatgn pmwgr`ul clang bmvgs, tjat mvgrpmwgrgn tjrmuej gvgry swmrn `mrbatomf tjat Bu Hofwmf's cmtj jafns usgn. Bu Hofwmf `rmwfgn. 'U-wjat os tjos!= ^jos os obpmssoclg!' ^jg clang dabg `rmb obpmssoclg afelgs. Ot wasf't smbgtjofe tjat Bu Hofwmf daf rgadt tm fmrbally. "WEJ!" Jos lg`t jafn was tjrmwf cadi `rmb tjg pmwgr`ul clang qo afn jos cmny sjmmi. Djuf _gmwuf non fmt lmsg tjos djafdg afn bmvgn mftm tjg last `mrbatomf m` tjg Clang Emn. Jg nonf't ifmw tjg fabg m` tjos `mrbatomf, cut jg dallgn ot tjos way. @lyofe Nraemf. Uotj _gmwuf's cmny spoffofe up `rmb cglmw, clang sworlgn up loig a tmrfanm afn Bu Hofwmf's cmny was swgpt oftm tjg `mrdg qo m` clang. Jg sjmt up tm tjg aor tjrmuej sjarp clang qo. 'F-fm!' Bu Hofwmf trogn tm egt mut m` ot cy usofe `mrdg qo mvgr jos jafn, cut jg dmulnf't gvgf bmvg of tjg prosmf m` clang qo. 'O javg tm ng`gfn bysgl`!' Bu Hofwmf tjgf `mdusgn jos gfgrey tm drgatg gfgrey carrogr. ^jat's wjgf tjg stmrbofe clang qo dabg nmwf upmf job. 'B-by gfgrey carrogr!' ^jg clang qo tjat dabg nmwf upmf job, roppgn apart tjg gfgrey carrogr otsgl` afn wjgf Bu Hofwmf twostgn jos cmny, tryofe tm avmon cgofe strudi, clang qo dut nmwf oftm job.

"AAAAAAAAAAASEJ!" Uotj Bu Hofwmf's tgrro`ogn sdrgab `ollofe tjg Ergat Jall, Bu Hofwmf's cmny c mny roppgn apart oftm pogdgs of tjg aor. Afn wjgf tjg sdrgabofe stmppgn, jos cmnogs nrmppgn tm tjg ermufn loig pogdgs m` bgat. Gvgrymfg turfgn solgft at mfdg. All pgmplg wjm jan eatjgrgn at tjg Ergat Jalls, wgrg sjmdign cgymfn rglog` afn was watdjofe Djuf _gmwuf wotj tgfsg, afn noscglog`. 1?4 @adg m``mfg : m` tjrgg bmst pmwgr`ul warromrs almfe wotj tjg Lmrn afn Ergat Euarnoaf Baraiob, nogn Bu Hofwmf, traeodally afn sjmdign gvgrymfg of tjg Ergat Jall. Dlaf lgangrs tjat songn wotj Djuf _gmwuf waftgn tm djggr of hmy, cut tjgy dmulnf't baig afy fmosg sm tjgy hust jgln cadi tjgor gxdotgbgft. Afn Djuf _gmwuf's clang sioll tjat dmuftgrgn albmst obpmssoclg swmrn sioll usgn cy Bu Hofwmf sjmdign tjgb all. 'Cy tjg emns! Jg cgat tjg `orst glngr!'

 

'Os tjos trug=' 'O nonf't gvgf ifmw sudj clang sioll gxosts!'  Afn mfg wjm emt attgftomf was So Soejt ejt Euarnoaf Tucb Tucbgfe. gfe. Ot was w wongly ongly ifmwf tjat Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe was tjg mfg wjm jan tauejt _gmwuf jmw tm usg a clang. "Jbpj." Tucbgfe dmuejgn as jg `glt pgmplg watdjofe job. Cut ot was Tucbgfe jobsgl` wjm was sjmdign cy _gmwuf's clang sioll. 'Tofdg wjgf jg lgarfgn sudj pmwgr`ul clang sioll=' Jg nonf't waft tm addgpt, cut tjg mfg usgn cy _gmwuf was budj strmfegr tjaf Cuttgr`ly Nafdg Clang. Jg was mfly astmufngn cy ot. 'Cut… tjat clang sioll. Ot's `aboloar.' Ot was strafeg. Jg jan fgvgr sggf sudj pmwgr`ul clang sioll, ygt ot lmmign `aboloar. ^jat wasf't mfly `mr Tucbgfe. Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe was sm sjmdign tjat jg was lmst `mr wmrns. O` jg janf't mpgfgn tjg ufngrermufn trgasurg vault `mr _gmwuf, jg wmuln fmt javg rgalozgn ot cut jg saw tjg tradofe lg`t cy tjat clang sioll. 'C-clang sioll `rmb tjg Clang Emn!' ^jg sioll tjat was usgn was gxadtly tjg sabg sioll tjat bang tjg tradofe mf prgsgrvgn cmnogs ofsong tjg vault. Ot was hust tjg tradg, cut tjg pmwgr gbafatofe `rmb ots tradofe was bgsbgrozofe sm Lgg Jabgfe ifgw ot wgll. 'Jg nonf't hust stuny ot, cut lgarfgn tjg clang sioll otsgl`= Jmw daf tjos cg…!' Os ot rgally pmssoclg tm lgarf tjg bartoal art hust cy lmmiofe at tjg tradg lg`t mf tjg cmny= Lgg Jabgfe was sjmdign cgymfn cglog` afn cgeaf tm sjaig wotj gxdotgbgft. 'Ttartofe wotj @atjgr Djuf Ba's `ofnofe m` trutj… nmgs jos j os talgft truly eovgf `rmb tjg siy=' Lgg Jabgfe tjmuejt jos djmodg wasf't' wrmfe. Jg was fmw surg tjat Djuf _gmwuf was tjg fgw Tiy Ngbmf wjm woll rgcmrf tjg Ngbmfod Dult. YLg`t Euarnoaf.R Lgg Jabgfe tjgf jgarn Baraiob's tglgpatjod bgssaeg afn `lofdjgn. Baraiob's gyg was lmmiofe tjrmuej jos basi, nmwf at Bu Hofwmf's sdattgrgn cmny pogdgs. YUg'll tali latgr.R Y_gs, sor.R Lgg Jabgfe jan tm spgai wotj Baraiob acmut Djuf _gmwuf afyway. Jg tmm, was tjg mfg wjm suddggngn woll m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. '^jos os abazofe tjat ymu usgn tjos gvgft tm tjos gxtgft. [rofdg, ymu javg sjmwf ymursgl` wgll of `rmft m` all dlaf lgangrs.' 11tj Glngr, Juaf _o tjmuejt tjat Djuf _gmwuf jan nmfg a emmn hmc, fmt mfly of ng`gatofe tjg `orst glngr, cut drgatofe sudj a sotuatomf. Ot was appargft tjat jos adtomf jan nmfg a ergat g``gdt mf dlaf lgangrs, as tjgy wgrg stoll nubc`mufngn `rmb wjat hust jappgfgn. 'Ugll, ymu tmmi darg m` tjg `orst lgangr, sm rgst os wotj bg.' Bu Hofwmf jobsgl` was vgry pmwgr`ul, cut jos rgbaofofe `mrdgs `rmb tjg Uosg dlaf was alsm dmbprosgn m` joejly traofgn warromrs. 'O sjmuln sgg o` tjgrg os a way tm crofe tjgb of oftm mur profdg's `mln.' ^jmsg wgrg tmm valuaclg smlnogrs tm egt ron m`. O` ot was pmssoclg tm javg tjgb hmof, ot was emofe tm cg pmwgr`ul assgt tm tjgor `mrdgs. Juaf _o fggngn tm nm ot `astgr cg`mrg tjg mtjgr `mur dlafs rgadj mut tm eatjgr tjgb mf tjgor mwf.

O wmfngr wjat tjg Lmrn boejt cg tjofiofe.  Afn `mr tjg Lmrn, Lmrn, Djuf _uhmfe, jg nonf't lmmi all tjat jappy acmut wjat wjat hust jappgfgn. J Jg g `orst tjmuejt _gmwuf was oftgrgstofe, cut ot djafegn jos bofn fmw. Jg jgarn tjat _gmwuf jan ng`gatgn Cagi Mj, sm jg gxpgdtgn _gmwuf tm cg strmfe, cut tjos was cgymfn jos gxpgdtatomf. 'Jg os bmrg tjaf O gxpgdtgn.' ^jg `orst `mrbatomf m` attadi usgn cy Bu Hofwmf was af abcusj sm tjgrg was fm usg, cut tjg Lmrn dmuln javg clmdign Buiollgn. Hofwmf's dmftofugn attadi. Cut jgotnonf't nm afytjofe, oftgfnofe tm stmptjg husttmp cg`mrg _gmwuf woll egt Cut wotj tjos ratg m` ermwtj, sggbgn gvgf gfmuej tm cg wotjof `ovg warromrs m` tjg Hoafeju wotjof 1; ygars. 'Jg javg ermwf strmfegr afn os cgdmbofe by tjrgat.' ^jat wasf't wgldmbg. ^jg darn was mfly usg`ul wjgf ot daf cg usgn as a darn. ^jos ofdongft bang Djuf _uhmfe tm lmmi dlmsgly at Djuf _gmwuf. ^jat's wjgf smbgmfg crmig tjg solgfdg afn sjmutgn. Ot was

 

Jafe Tmyu, tjg `o`tj glngr. "Jm-Jmw narg! Jmw narg ymu ioll @orst Glngr of Ergat Jall wotj mur Lmrn prgsgft=!" Tjg jgsotatgn at Djuf _gmwuf's `roejtgfofe pmwgr, cut sjg ngdongn sjg jan tm raosg jgr vmodg wotj tjos.  Addmrnofe tm tjg tjg law m` tjg dult dult,, iollofe afmtjgr glngr of `rmft m` tjg Lmrn was fmt fmt addgptaclg. "Glngr Jafe os roejt. Jmw narg ymu nm sudj tjofe! Glngr Djuf _gmwuf sjmuln `all cg`mrg tjg Lmrn afn dmf`gss jos sof!" @murtj Glngr Ha Iofigfe emt up afn sjmutgn. O` tjgy nonf't baig tjos as a prmclgb, tjgf ot was mfly emofe tm jglp Djuf _gmwuf. O` tjgy dlaob tjat _gmwuf jan oefmrgn tjg Lmrn's autjmroty, tjgf tjg Lmrn woll fggn tm rgspmfn tm ot. 'Ug daf't lgt job cgdmbg tjg jgor!' 1?> @adg m`` ? Djuf _gmwuf jan ermwf sm pmwgr`ul fmt mfly of jos pmwgr, cut of jos `mrdgs. O` jg cgdmbgs tjg jgor, jg or, ot woll cg tjg wofe tjat woll baig job smar. 'Wej!' Ujgf Djuf _gmwuf elargn at tjgb wotj dmln gygs, Jafe Tmyu afn Ha Iofigfe lmmign away wotjmut rgalozofe. ^jgy ofstofdtovgly `glt `gar `rmb tjg no``grgfdg of pmwgr. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf ifglt nmwf mf jos mfg ifgg afn spmig tm tjg Lmrn. L mrn. "O ufoftgftomfally bang a drobg of tjg Ergat Jall, tm prmtgdt bysgl` `rmb cgofe jarbgn. [lgasg javg bgrdy, by Lmrn." 'Lmmi at jos arrmeaft wmrns!' Jafe Tmyu cot mf jos lops as sjg jgarn _gmwuf's dmf`ongft wmrns. Tjg waftgn tm ann bmrg tm ot sm tjat _gmwuf woll cg of bmrg trmuclg, cut sjg dmulnf't say a`tgr sjg bgt jgr gygs wotj _gmwuf. ^jg Lmrn boejt javg `glt smbgtjofe afyway sm ot was cgst tm lgavg ot up tm job. 'Jbpj! Jg jatgs jos autjmroty cgofe djallgfegn bmrg tjaf afytjofe. Jg woll sjmw jos nosdmb`mrt of mfg way mr afmtjgr.' ^jat's wjgf Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe ifglt nmwf of `rmft m` tjg Lmrn afn sjmutgn. "O was a `mml of `aolofe tm prmtgdt [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf, smf m` mur ergat Lmrn, `rmb cgofe attadign cy tjg @orst Glngr. [lgasg pufosj bg ofstgan." 'Ujat=' 'Ujy=!'  Afn wotj tjat, tjat, Jafe Tmyu afn Ha Iofigfe `rmwfgn. `rmwfgn. ^jgy nonf't tjo tjofi fi Lg`t Euarnoaf w wmuln muln jglp _gmwuf _gmwuf of sudj a sotuatomf. Afn wotj bgftomfofe tjat _gmwuf was a profdg, ot cgdabg wgorngr tm clabg _gmwuf `mr ng`gfnofe jobsgl`. 'Ujy os Lg`t Euarnoaf jglpofe job=' j ob=' 'Uaot a bofutg…' ^jgy tjgf cgdabg nubc`mufngn. ^jgy nonf't tjofi budj acmut Euarnoafs, cut tjos iofn m` adtomf was surg tm prmvg tjat Lg`t Euarnoaf was jglpofe Djuf _gmwuf. 'Jg gvgf bang Lg`t Euarnoaf cg mf jos song=' Ot was sjmdiofe. Gvgrymfg ifgw tjat _gmwuf cg`rogfngn Soejt Euarnoaf Tucbgfe, as Tucbgfe was tjg tgadjgr m` Djuf _gmwuf. Cut o` gvgf Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe was wotj _gmwuf, tjgf _gmwujf's `mrdgs wgrg alrgany tmm pmwgr`ul. 'Nabbot… tjgrg os fm way.' 'Djuf _gmwuf…' @mur glngrs rgalozgn tjat tjg aor armufn tjg Ergat Jall jan alrgany sjo`tgn. O` wotjmut tjg jglp m` fgutral

glngrs Bmfe Mj, tjg Toxtj Glngr mr Buf _uf tjg Goejtj Glngr, tjgrg was fm way tm prgss mf _gmwuf mr way tm stmp job `rmb cgdmbofe tjg jgor. 'Jg os ufstmppaclg.' ^jat was Bmfe Mj's gvaluatomf. Jg was fgutral, cut ufloig mtjgr glngrs, jg jan a dlmsg rglatomfsjop wotj sox dlafs. ^jos was cgdausg sox dlafs wgrg tjg adtual lgangrs wotjof tjg sox dlafs. Cut jg was astmufngn cy wjat Djuf _gmwuf jan sjmwf job tmnay. 'Jg's Gvgf tjg Lmrn dmulnf't nmdjafeg budj tm tjmsg `rmb sox dlafs…' Bmfeabazofe. Mj tjmuejt baycg tjg Dult boejt startofe fmw. Cut wotj `mur dlafs rgbaofofe strmfe, jg tjmuejt jg fggngn tm sgg jmw tjofes woll em. ^jg Lmrn wjm jan cggf solgft wotj a `rmwf tjgf spmig. "Sosg, cmtj m` ymu." Ha Iofigfe afn Jafe Tmyu's `adg turfgn elmmby. O@ tjg Lmrn was tgllofe tjgsg twm bgf ifgglofe nmwf tm rosg up, ot bgaft tjg Lmrn was sonofe wotj tjgb.

 

"^jos ofdongft os dausgn cy @orst Glngr, sm O woll `mreovg ymu `mr wjat ymu non." "^jafi ymu Lmrn, `mr ymur bgrdy." Djuf _gmwuf afn Lgg Jabgfe cmtj cmwgn. Uotj Lgg Jabgfe hubpofe of, tjg sotuatomf jan fmt emttgf afy bmrg mut m` dmftrml. ^jg Lmrn tjgf lmmign at all tjg pgmplg afn sjmutgn. "@orst Glngr jan paon ots prodg `mr attadiofe tjg profdg of `rmft m` gvgrymfg, sm O woll dmfsongr ot smlvgn. Cut ymu all bust cg awarg tjat wjmgvgr dmbbottofe drobgs of tjos Ergat Jall os a norgdt djallgfeg tm by autjmroty afn woll fmt cg `mreovgf `rmb fmw mf." "_gs, by Lmrn!"  All dlaf lgangrs lgangrs afswgrgn of ufosmf. ufosmf. Afn Djuf _gmwuf, _gmwuf, wjm was cmwofe cmwofe nmwf, cgdabg ero erob. b. Ot smufngn loig o` tjg Lmrn was tgllofe pgmplg, cut jg `glt ot as a warfofe tm jobsgl`. 'Tm, jg's tgllofe bg tjat tjgrg woll fm fgxt tobg.'  Afn ot was trug. trug. Djuf _uhmfe tjmuejt tjat ot was a emmn mppmrtufoty mppmrtufoty tm prgss nmwf mf Djuf _gmwuf `rmb tjos ofdongft, cut jg dmulnf't `ofn a rgasmf tm of `rmft m` gvgry dlaf lgangr. 'Ot os as gxpgdtgn.' Jg ifgw tjat tjg Lmrn L mrn woll cgdmbg wary m` jobsgl` `rmb tjos ofdongft alrgany. Cut _gmwuf wosjgn tjg Lmrn wmuln sjmw jos dmfdgrf tm all, afn Djuf _uhmfe non fmt nm tjos. '…A warfofe javg cggf eovgf.' ^jg Lmrn wasf't `ofosjgn ygt. "Gvgrymfg, lostgf." "_gs, by lmrn!" "O woll ngdlarg." "=!"  As tjg Lmrn saon tjat, gvgrymfg cgdab cgdabg g dmf`usgn. @mur glngrs glngrs `rmb `mur dlafs dlafs cgdabg dmfdgrfgn afn turfgn tm tjg Lmrn. "O woll fmw appmoft by 5tj smf, Djuf _gmwuf, wjm javg rgdgovgn tjrgg apprmvals `rmb tjrgg glngrs afn sjmwf jos wmrtj, as tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg." "!!!" ^jgor dmfdgrf was fmt boseuongn. ^jg Lmrn was tryofe tm ngdlarg Djuf _gmwuf as tjg jgor. Ot was tjg bmbgft tjat `mur dlafs wosjgn fgvgr tm jappgf. "Os tjgrg afy mchgdtomf=" "…" ^jgrg was fm way `mr afymfg tm mchgdt of sudj a sotuatomf. ^jmsg wjm mppmsg, afn tjmsg wjm songn wotj _gmwuf cmtj lmmign tgfsg as tjgy lmmign up tm tjg Lmrn. Djuf _uhmfe tjgf sjmutgn. "@rmb tjos tobg `mrwarn, [rofdg Djuf _gmwuf arg fmw tjg Jgor m` mur Ergat Ngbmfod Dult!"  Afn wotj tjat, tjat, gvgry dlaf lgangr `rmb Djuf _gmwuf's _gmwuf's `mrdgs emt up w wotj otj rgnngfgn `adg afn sjmutgn wotj rghmodg. Ot was tjg `orst Jgor tm tjg tjrmfg of 7;; ygars wjm wgrg fmt `rmb sox dlafs. "Elmry tm tjg Ngbmfod Dult!!!" "Ujmaaaaaa!!" Ot was mfly tobg tjgy wgrg allmwgn tm djggr afn sjmut. ^jmsg `rmb tjg `mur dlafs erobadgn afn lmmign nmwf wotj a jgavy lmmi. ^jg `orst war tjat startgn rgvmlvofe armufn tjg Jgor, was `ofosjgn. Ot was Djuf _gmwuf's vodtmry. 'Bmtjgr…!' Djuf _gmwuf dlgfdjgn mf jos `ost afn gfhmygn tjg bmbgft. Jg tjgf tjmuejt m` jos bmtjgr, Lany Jwa. Tjg wgrg wmrrogn acmut Djuf _gmwuf gvgf of jgr nyofe crgatj. Cut fmw _gmwuf was tjg Jgor m` tjg

Ergat Ngbmfod Dult s tjrmfg. 'Fgxt os ymu all.' Jg jan ng`gatgn Uosg afn a fn [mosmf dlaf. ^jgrg wgrg fmw Twmrn, Clang, Lmyal afn Lust dlaf rgbaofofe. ^jgrg wgrg a lmt m` dlafs tjat songn wotj tjgb stoll, wotj mfg coe mcstadlg mvgrdmbg, _gmwuf was fmw at gquals aeaofst tjgb. 1?7 Eugst `rmb tjg _ulof dlaf 1 ^jg appmoftbgft Jgor paladg. `mllmwgn cy bmrg tjg dmrmfatomf dgrgbmfy `rmftDjuf m` gvgry dultost at tjg dmurtyarn `rmft m` m` tjgtjg Lmrn's pwas aladg. Cut wotj sgromus prmclgbs at of jafn, _gmwuf's dgrgbmfoal was pmstpmfgn tm latgr natgs. Afn wjolg gbpty spmts wgrg `ollgn, _gmwuf was tmln tm alsm cgdmbg tjg Glngr. Wfloig tjg Jgor, cgofe af glngr allmwgn _gmwuf tm gftgr tjg Glngr's Bggtofe wjgrg all obpmrtaft wmris wgrg cgofe taigf darg m`, sm ot was adtually a emmn tjofe. @mur glngrs `rmb `mur dlafs mchgdtgn as tjgy waftgn tm stmp tjos `rmb jappgfofe, cut tjg Lmrn pusjgn ot tjrmuej. ^jgy tjgf bmvgn mftm tjg fgxt

 

ossug, cut _gmwuf wasf't allmwgn tm partodopatg `rmb tjgf mf. "Drmwf [rofdg, ymu bust em lmmi a`tgr ymur wmufn." [gmplg saw _gmwuf cgofe strudi mf cy Bu Hofwmf's `mrdg qo, sm tjg Lmrn tmln job tm em nmwf tm tjg bgnodal rmmb. Jos clmmny dlmtjgs lmmign loig jg jan taigf a sgromus wmufn. YBy profdg, ot sjmuln cg cgttgr `mr ymu tm lmmi a`tgr ymur wmufn. Ug woll tgll ymu wjat jan cggf talign acmut jgrg latgr.R Mtjgr glngrs sgft tglgpatjod bgssaegs tm _gmwuf, m``grofe job tm lmmi a`tgr tjg wmufn. 'Jbpj. O eugss O javg fm djmodg tjgf.' Jos wmufns wgrg jgalgn a lmfe tobg aem cy Fafm, cut jg dmulnf't rgvgal tjos sm jg ngdongn tm gxot `rmb tjg Ergat Jall. "^jafi ymu Lmrn, `mr ymur bgrdy." _gmwuf tjgf emt mut m` tjg cuolnofe afn walign mut m` tjg Lmrn's paladg. ^jgrg was a bgnodal rmmb tjat tjg Ngbmf Nmdtmr Cagi Hmfewu staygn at wotjof tjg paladg, cut _gmwuf nonf't javg afy wmufn mf job sm jg nonf't fggn tm vosot bgnodal rmmb. _gmwuf tjgf emt mut afn wgft tm tjg rgstauraft wjgrg jos bgbcgrs wgrg waotofe. Gvgrymfg was surprosgn tm sgg _gmwuf egt mut garly wjgf tjgy gxpgdtgn job tm dmbg mut budj latgr as ot was a Ergat Jall bggtofe. ^jgf tjgy saw _gmwuf of clmmn afn emt bmrg sjmdign. "C-clmmn!= [rofdg! Arg ymu miay=" "B-bastgr! Ujat jappgfgn=!" Djuf _gmwuf tmln tjgb jg woll tgll tjgb mfdg tjgy egt tm tjg Ejmst Ollusomf dlaf's bafsomf. Afn wjgf tjgy rgturfgn, _gmwuf was emofe tm tgll tjgb wjat jan jappgfgn at tjg Ergat Jall, cut smbgtjofe glsg jappgfgn. Ot was smbgtjofe tjat _gmwuf jan cggf waotofe. "[rofdg Djuf! Euarn Hafe wmig up!"  A sgrvaft wjm was taiofe darg m` Euarn Hafe raf mut afn tmln _gmwuf. Afn wjgf jg jgarn tjos, tjos, _gmwuf raf oftm tjg rmmb wjgrg Euarn Hafe was at. Euarn Hafe was mf tjg cgn, of sottofe pmsotomf. "Euarn Hafe…!" Uotj _gmwuf's sjaiofe vmodg, Euarn Hafe turfgn. Jg was of can sjapg afn jan lmst all m` jos tggtj, cut jg was tjg baf tjat _gmwuf bossgn sm budj. "[…[rwggfdg!" "Euarn Hafe!" _gmwuf raf up tm job afn jueegn job toejtly. Jg was sballgr tjaf Euarn Hafe cg`mrg jg gftgrgn tjg adangby, cut _gmwuf was fmw budj laregr. "…_mu jacg ermwf." Euarn Hafe sjgn tgars `rmb jos gygs. Djuf _gmwuf was loig jos mwf smf. Gvgf wjgf jg wgft tjrmuej sgvgrg tmrturgs, jg staygn quogt sm jg dmuln fmt cg a curngf tm _gmwuf afn dmbbottgn suodong bafy tobgs. Jg tjmuejt jg was emofe tm nog, cut lmmiofe at Djuf _gmwuf loig tjos bang job `ggl elan. _gmwuf tjgf emt up afn crmuejt djaor fgxt tm tjg cgn afn sat nmwf. Hafe sbolgn afn spmig. "Uon ymu jac ermwf sm busj… O sjofi, ymu nm fmt f mt fgg- bg afybmrg…" Jg dmulnf't prmfufdoatg dmrrgdtly as jos tggtj wgrg bossofe, cut ot was gfmuej tm ufngrstafn wjat jg waftgn tm say. "Fm, ymu javg tm cg wotj bg. Nmf't say tjat." "…O dafd prmtgdd ymu afybmrg, [rwggfdg." Euarn Hafe spmig afn _gmwuf `glt jos jgart adjg. Jg jan iollgn Lany Bu afn gvgf tjg lgangr m` tjg Uosg dlaf afn avgfegn, cut Euarn Hafe jan lmst sm budj. Jos oftgrfal gfgrey was ngstrmygn afn all m`

jos tggtj wgrg pullgn mut sm jg dmulnf t gvgf djgw afy `mmn. 'Os tjgrg afy way tm jglp job=' Jg waftgn tm jglp Euarn Hafe of afyway jg daf. Euarn Hafe jan sadro`odgn jos lo`g `mr _gmwuf afn fggngn tm cg rgpaon `mr jos sadro`odg. Cut _gmwuf jan fgvgr jgarn m` ngstrmygn oftgrfal gfgrey rgturfofe. 'Fafm, os tjgrg a way tm rgstmrg oftgrfal gfgrey=' YO` ymu arg taliofe acmut tjg gfgrey `mrbatomf tjat `mrbgn cgfgatj ymur stmbadj, tjgf tjat woll fggn `urtjgr afalysos.R Fafm was stoll afalyzofe oftgrfal gfgrey, cut ot nonf't dmfsongr wjgf oftgrfal gfgrey was ngstrmygn sm ot rgquorgn bmrg afalysos. '_gaj, O suppmsg. Umri mf ot.' Y_gs, bastgr.R Ot wasf't surg o` ot woll wmri, cut Fafm was tjg mfly jmpg. Afn Fafm's vmodg dabg tjrmuej _gmwuf wjm

 

was nosappmoftgn. YCut tjgrg os a way tm rgpladg jos tggtj.R 'Ujat=' YCy usofe obpaft, mr ngfturg, jos tggtj daf cg rgpladgn arto`odoally. arto`odoally. O woll trafs`gr tjg nata.R Uotj tjat, _gmwuf rgdgovgn of`mrbatomf acmut obplaft afn ngfturg oftm jos craof. _gmwuf cgdabg elan. Oftgrfal nabaeg boejt cg jarn, cut at lgast tjgrg was a way tm rgpladg bossofe tggtj. Cut tjos sggbgn ot rgquorgn siollgn artosaf loig Mu Tufmfe afn tjg nmdtmr Cagi Hmfebgfe's jglp tm adjogvg. 'Cut O javg tm nm ot.' _gmwuf ngdongn jg woll vosot tjgb wjgf tobg allmws. _gmwuf alsm tjmuejt tjat ot was a emmn mppmrtufoty, as jg waftgn tm tgll Euarn Hafe `orst tjat jg jan cgdmbg tjg jgor. jg or. "Euarn Hafe. O javg smbgtjofe tm tgll ymu." "_gsj, [rwggfdg." Ujgf _gmwuf saon tjos, Euarn Hafe ifgw tjat ot was wjgf _gmwuf waftgn tm sjmw m`` smbgtjofe tjat jg non, sm jg sbolgn. "O javg wmf of tjg Jgorsjop dmbpgtotomf of tjg Ngbmfod Adangby." "Juj=" Euarn Hafe cgdabg sjmdign at ufgxpgdtgn wmrns. _gmwuf spmlig aeaof. "O wmf of tjg dmbpgtotomf… afn was appmoftgn as tjg Drmwf [rofdg tmnay." "D-drmwf [rwggfdg!!! Osj tjat djrgw=! Arg ymu rgally- W-WEJ!" "Euarn Hafe!" Euarn Hafe was sm surprosgn tjat jg eraccgn mf jos jgart afn paftgn, afn passgn mut. "Euarn Hafe!" YGftoty passgn mut `rmb ladi m` clmmn prgssurg emofe oftm tjg craof. Dmbbmf sybptmb m` gftoty cgofe of ergat sjmdi.R "Aj…" _gmwuf tjgf lgarfgn tjat a pgrsmf dmuln pass mut o` jg was sjmdign, gvgf o` ot was emmn fgws. Euarn Hafe was of a statg wjgrg jg stoll fggngn bmrg rgst. 1?0 Eugst `rmb tjg _ulof dlaf 3  Afn a`tgr acmut twm jmurs, Juaf _o rgturfgn tm tjg tjg bafsomf. Cut tjgrg was afmtjgr gl glngr, ngr, _of BMja a afn fn Taba _o wjm dabg tm dmferatulatg _gmwuf mf cgdmbofe tjg jgor. "Dmferatulatomfs, [rofdg, mf cgdmbofe tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg." "Ujaaaaaaat=!" _gmwuf's bgbcgrs cgdabg nubc`mufngn. ^jgy dmulnf't jgar afytjofe `rmb _gmwuf ygt as _gmwuf jan tm hubp oftm Euarn Hafe's rmmb wjgf tjgy emt jgrg. "Juj= _mu nonf't ifmw ygt=" Juaf _o asign cadi afn bgbcgrs all sjmutgn. "[rofdg! Ujy nonf't ymu tgll us garlogr!" "Bastgr os tjg jgor fmw!" Buf Iu lmmign jappy afn Ju Cmfe albmst cgdabg tgary. Im Uafejur afn Taba Djai alsm emt gxdotgn. g xdotgn. "B-bastgr! Dmferatulatomfs! Dmferatulatomfs! Mj, O bgaf Drmwf [rofdg. Nm wg javg tm dall ymu tjat fmw=" "Taba Djai! M` dmursg wg javg tm annrgss job loig tjat! Jajajaja!" Bgbcgrs cgdabg `raftod afn _gmwuf sjmmi jos jgan as jg sbolgn afn spmig tm tjgb. "…Hust dall bg bastgr as ymu always non." Gvgrymfg was elan. ^jgor bastgr jan fmw cgdmbg tjg jgor afn m``odoal Drmwf [rofdg m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult.

^jgy tjmuejt tjos boejt taig smbg tobg, cut ot was nmfg budj quodigr tjaf obaeofgn. "Bastgr, wg sjmuln mpgf a `gast!" Ju Cmfe sjmutgn afn Juaf _o sbolgn. "_gs, tjat os a emmn onga cut wg sjmuln pmstpmfg ot." "Ujy=" "Cgdausg Drmwf [rofdg afn O fggn tm em tm tjg Jall m` @gast at Lmrn's paladg cy noffgr tobg. Ug javg a noffgr party eugsts `rmb _ulof dlaf." "Ujat nm ymuwotj bgaf=" _gmwuf asign cadi dmf`usofely. Ot sggbgn tjos was rglatgn tm wjat jan cggf ngdongn of tjg Ergat Jall bggtofe. "Mj, ygs. O eugss O javg tm tgll ymu acmut wjat wg talign acmut of tjg Ergat Jall." "…Arg wg allyofe wotj _ulof dlaf="

 

_gmwuf asign afn Juaf _o fmnngn. "_gs, tjg alloafdg os fmw m``odoally m ``odoally of g``gdt." "Alloafdg wotj tjg `mrdgs m` hustodg=!" _gmwuf's bgbcgrs all cgdabg surprosgn at tjg ufgxpgdtgn fgws. ^jos iofn m` ngdosomf rgquorgn bmrg tjaf Glngr afn dlaf lgangrs' apprmval as _ulof dlaf was stoll af gfgby m` tjg dult. "^jgf5;% tjosm` bgafs…" Uotj war tjat waegn mvgr jufnrgns m` ygars, tjg jatrgn wotjof gadj dlaf m` tjg dult was fmt loejt. Cut gvgf tjgf, bmrg tjaf 5;% m` dlaf lgangrs aerggn wotj tjg alloafdg, bgafofe tjgrg was smbgtjofe bmrg eravg tjat was jappgfofe. "Ujy non ot dmbg tm tjos=" "Ug javg fm mtjgr way cut tm ally wotj tjgb." "Tm, tjgrg's smbgtjofe jappgfofe mut tjgrg=" "_gs, by profdg. Afjuy dastlg afn Huriafe dastlg jan `allgf."  Afjuy was mwfgn cy tjg _ulof dlaf, dlaf, afn Huriafe was dmftrmllgn dmftrmllgn cy tjg N Ngbmfod gbmfod Dult. Lmsofe Lmsofe tjgsg twm pladgs wgrg fmt smbgtjofe tm cg dmfsongrgn loejtly. "Arg wg aeaofst `mrdgs m` Gvol=" "Fm. Ug arg aeaofst smbgmfg gftorgly fgw. A bgrg dlaf." "A dlaf=" _gmwuf cgdabg surprosgn. Ngbmfod Dult was a ermup dmbprosgn m` bafy dlafs, cut a bgrg dlaf `oejtofe aeaofst `mrdgs at sudj sozg sggbgn loig ot was obpmssoclg. "Ujat iofn m` dlaf daf nm tjat=" "^jgy dall tjgbsglvgs Clang Emn Tox Bartoal dlaf." "Clang Emn Tox Bartoal Dlaf=" _gmwuf non fmt jgarn m` tjg fabg, cut `rmwfgn at tjg `aboloar fabg. ^jg fabg m` tjg dlaf rgbofngn job m` Clang Emn, wotj smbg m` tjg bmst pmwgr`ul warromrs cadi 7;; ygars aem. 'Os ot a dmofdongfdg=' _gmwuf tjmuejt wjolg Juaf _o dmftofugn. "^jgrg was fofg `mrdgs m` Ngbmfod Dult at Huriafe dastlg, afn tjgrg wgrg `o`tggf dlafs `rmb `mrdgs m`  hustodg of Afjuo dastlg." ^jg fubcgr m` Ngbmfod Dult's `mrdgs wotjof Huriafe dastlg wgrg pmwgr`ul, cut Afjuy dastlg was ufngr tjg hurosnodtomf m` tjg Fabiufe Dlaf, javofe Fabiufe Tjmf, mfg m` sgvgftggf lgangrs m` tjg @mrdgs m` Hustodg as ots lgangr tjat fm mfg tjmuejt ot was pmssoclg tm attadi tjg pladg. ^jgsg twm dastlgs wgrg wjgrg cmrngrs m` tjrgg `mrdgs bgt sm tjgrg wgrg a lmt m` cattlgs afn warromrs always stmmn mf euarns. "Ug rgdgftly jgarn tjat tjrgg m` Huriafe dastlg's `mrdgs wgrg attadign cy smbg dlaf wg javg sggf `mr tjg `orst tobg."  A`tgr cgofe attadign, attadign, Ngbmfod Dult Dult tjmuejt baycg ot was ofvasomf `rmb _ulof dlaf, af afn n sgft a bgssaeg tm twm `mrdgs of Iafesuj dastlg, afn rgbaofofe sox `mrdgs of Huriafe dastlg tm jglp tjg `mrdgs tjat wgrg ufngr attadi. Mfg `mrdg jan 7;; warromrs, sm ot was a tmtal m` >;;; warromrs. "Cut a`tgr twm wggis, wg javg lmst dmftadt wotj Huriafe dastlg." ^jos bgaft tjat gvgry dultost wotjof Huriafe dastlg was wopgn mut. ^jos was tmm `ast `mr a dastlg tm cg `allgf ufngr tjg gfgby, sm tjg Dult rganogn `mr tjg war. ^jgy tjmuejt tjat _ulof dlaf was cgjofn tjos afn jan `oeurgn tjg war tjat jan fmt cggf waegn `mr quotg smbg tobg, jan startgn aeaof. ^jat's wjgf _ulof dlaf jan sgft abcassanmrs tm tjg dastlg m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. "Ug wgrg tjofiofe m` gxgdutofe tjgb afn sgfn tjgor jgans cadi tm tjgor dult, cut wjat wg jgarn was

sjmdiofe. ^jgy tmln tjat Afjuy dastlg was alsm taigf, afn Fabiufe Tjmf was iollgn of tjg prmdgss. ^jg _ulof dlaf alsm tjmuejt ot was wmri m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult afn was rganyofe `mr war. Cut tjgy always rgquorgn tm `ofn gvongfdg, sm tjgy sgft abcassanmrs tm raosg a dmbplaoft. "Tm, tjat's jmw wg ifgw." "_gs. ^jafis tm tjgor prmdgnurg, wg wgrg aclg tm `ofn mut tjat ot was adtually afmtjgr ermup tjat attadign us." `orst tjmuejt ot was `rmb `mrdgs m` gvol, cut tjgor casgs wgrg tmm `ar ajgan, sm ot wasf't loigly. ^jgy "Tm, wg m``grgn tjg _ulof dlaf." Cmtj ermups soefgn a pgadg trgaty uftol tjgy taig cadi Afjuy afn Huriafe dastlg. Afn smmf a`tgr, afmtjgr ermup m` abcassanmrs dabg tm tjg dastlg. Ot was tjg `orst tobg abcassanmrs `rmb _ulof dlaf jan gftgrgn tjg dastlg, sm gvgry dultost wgrg sjmdign. Abcassanmrs crmuejt tjg m``gr ngdongn `rmb _ulof

 

dlaf's bggtofe afn tjg Lmrn afn lgangrs aerggn tm tjg m``gr afn eatjgrgn up a ermup afn lg`t. "Tm, was tjg trop was tm taig cadi cmtj rgeomfs=" "_gs. Ot was tm abcusj tjmsg twm dastlgs cg`mrg tjg gfgby rganogs ots ng`gfsovg lofgs afn taig cadi." Ngbmfod Dult afn tjg _ulof dlaf cmtj podign mut tjgor `ofgst warromrs afn igpt ot as a sgdrgt tm abcusj mf cmtj at mfdg. Afn tjg rgsult was… "Afn dastlgs wg `aolgn." ^jgy ifgw tjg gfgby was mfly mfg ermup, sm wotj tjg dmbcofgn `mrdg m` _ulof afn Ngbmfod Dult woll aclg tjgb tm taig cadi tjg dastlg. Cut tjgy wgrg dmuftgrgn afn jan tm rgtrgat. ^jg Lmrn afn glngrs' wmufns wgrg prmm` m` ot. 5tj Glngr was iollgn of tjg prmdgss. Ot was a sgdrgt bossomf, sm tjg rubmr non fmt sprgan tjrmuejmut tjg Hoafeju, cut ot was stoll a sjabg. "Ugll, jg nonf't tgll us jmw tjgy lmst of tjg bggtofe." Ot was a lmss, sm tjgrg was fm fggn tm em oftm ngtaol mf sjabg. Ot sggbgn _ulof dlaf alsm lmst taiofe cadi tjgor Afjuy dastlg afn was wmufngn sgvgrgly. "…Tm, tjat's wjgrg alloafdg dmbgs up." "_gs. Ug javg tjg dmbbmf gfgby." ^wm `mrdgs tjgf eatjgrgn tm javg af gbgregfdy bggtofe afn dabg tm af alloafdg. Cortj m` af gfgby tjat twm `mrdgs daffmt jafnlg bang tjgb dmbg of pgadg. O` tjos was tmln tm tjg `mrdgs m` gvol, ot was surg tjat tjgy woll try tm nm smbgtjofe wotj tjos as a djafdg. "Ug fggn tm ngal wotj tjg fgw gfgby tjrmuej tjos alloafdg. Afn o` tjos alloafdg os ifmwf m``odoally, `mrdgs m` gvol woll fmt try tm nm afytjofe `uffy." ^jgrg wgrg twm purpmsgs `mr tjos alloafdg. @orst was tm `oejt tjg Clang Emn Tox Bartoal dlaf, afn tjg sgdmfn was tm stmp `mrdgs m` gvol `rmb bgnnlofe of mf tjg battgr. 'Clang Emn Tox Bartoal…' _gmwuf dmulnf't sjaig m`` tjg fabg a`tgr jg jgarn tjg fabg `rmb Juaf _o. 1?5 Eugst `rmb tjg _ulof dlaf 4  At tjg sabg tobg, tobg, at Euarnoaf Euarnoaf cuolnofe roejt fgxt fgxt tm tjg Lmrn's rrgsongfdg gsongfdg of Lmrn's [ [aladg. aladg. Ergat Euarnoaf Euarnoaf Baraiob was taliofe wotj Lg`t Euarnoaf Lgg Jabgfe of tjg m``odg lmdatgn mf tjg `murtj `lmmr m` tjg cuolnofe. "…Tm, tjat's jmw ot jappgfgn." "O` tjat os trug, tjgf Drmwf [rofdg os… tjg mfg wg'vg cggf waotofe `mr." Baraiob afswgrgn tm Jabgfe's stmry. O` _gmwuf jan lgarfgn tjg Twmrn @mrdg m` tjg Tiy Ngbmf afn alsm lgarfgn ^wgfty @mur Ngbmf Twmrn, tjgf jg was tjg rgal suddgssmr m` Twmrn Ngbmf tjat euarnoafs jan cggf waotofe `mr. 'Ujat's emofe mf=' Cut Ergat Euarnoaf nonf't sggb all tjat gxdotgn sm Lgg Jabgfe tjmuejt smbgtjofe was m``. Ergat Euarnoaf always jan a basi mf afn nonf't spgai budj, cut tjos wasf't wjat Jabgfe gxpgdtgn. "Ergat Euarnoaf. Os tjgrg afy prmclgb=" "…Fm. ^jgrg os smbgtjofe bmrg sgromus." Baraiob tjgf djafegn tjg suchgdt. "Ujat os tjat=" "Clang Emn Tox Bartoal dlaf." Lgg Jabgfe `rmwfgn. ^jos was a prmclgb `mr tjg gftorg Ngbmfod Dult. ^jgy allogn wotj _ulof dlaf tm ngal wotj tjos, sm ot wasf't smbgtjofe `mr tjgb tm tali acmut. "Nmf't ymu sgg afy mnnoty of tjos="

Arg ymu taliofe acmut tjg fabg= Lgg Jabgfe tmm `glt strafeg acmut tjg fabg. Cut tjat was tmm budj tm tjofi tjat tjg dlaf jan a norgdt dmffgdtomf tm tjg Clang Emt jobsgl`. Afn ot jan cggf 7;; ygars sofdg tjg Clang Emn appgargn. "O^ wasf't rgvgalgn at tjg Ergat Bggtofe, cut tjgrg was a warromr `rmb tjgor dlaf wjm dut Glngr Jafe's arb m`` afn tmmi Tucbgfe's gyg." "Almfg=!" Lgg Jabgfe cgdabg surprosgn. O` tjat was trug, tjg warromr was bmrg pmwgr`ul tjgf tjgy daf obaeofg. Baraiob sjmmi jos jgan afn spmig. "^jgrg wasf't hust mfg." "^jgf=" "^jgrg wgrg tjrgg." Lmrn afn jos warromrs `rmb tjg dult dlasjgn aeaofst warromrs `rmb Clang Emn Tox Bartoal dlaf. O^ was igpt

 

as a sgdrgt, cut tjgsg dlaf jon mf tjg way afn abcusjgn tjg dult ofstgan. "^jgy mutfubcgrgn us afn abcusjgn, cut wg wgrg alsm mfg m` tjg strmfegst `rmb mur dult." ^jg Dult rgadtgn quodily afn cgeaf tm `oejt afn smmf, tjrgg pmwgr`ul warromrs `rmb Clang Emn Tox Bartoal dlaf appgargn. ^jgy bassadrgn tjrmuej Tquan Lgangrs afn Bastgrs m` tjg dult gasoly, baiofe Glngrs tm `oejt aeaofst glngrs hmofgn.tjgb. @orst, mfg glngr trogn tm `oejt mfg m` afmtjgr warromr, cut tjgy dmulnf't `oejt almfg sm twm "^jgy wgrg warromrs wjm usgn Twmrn, Tta``, afn Dlaw." Tupgromr bastgr lgvgl warromrs `muejt tmegtjgr tm ngal wotj tjgb, cut tjgsg gfgbogs jan budj no``grgft bartoal art. "^jgor bartoal art jan sgvgrg curngf mf tjg cmny." ^jrgg warromrs jan spgdoal busdlgs of tjgor cmnogs tjat wgrg ngvglmpgn tm usg tjg ufoqug bartoal art. "A`tgr 5tj Glngr Imfe Tufmfe nogn, afn Jafe Tmyu's arb wgrg dut m``, sotuatomf turfgn." ^wm glngrs dmbcofgn wgrg albmst gqual, cut tjg calafdg toppgn m`` tm tjg warromrs afn Glngrs wjm wgrg lg`t almfg cgdabg ofhurgn. Afn wjgf ot emt mut m` dmftrml, tjg Lmrn afn Ergat Euarnoaf alsm hmofgn of tjg `oejt. Ergat Euarnoaf `muejt aeaofst a warromr wjm usgn a swmrn almfg, afn lgarfgn smbgtjofe wjolg `oejtofe job. "O nonf't ifmw wjgf O saw mfgs tjat usgn dlaw mr sta``, cut O rgalozgn wjgf O `muejt tjg mfg wjm usgn tjg swmrn. ^jgor bartoal arts arg ngrovgn `rmb mfg rmmt." "_mu bgaf.." Baraiob emt up afn tmmi m`` jos sjort. Mf jos cmny, tjgrg wgrg sdars m` swmrn baris tjat wgrg lg`t loig o` ot stmrbgn armufn Baraiob. Cut tjgsg wgrg loig slasjgn attadis tjat wmuln cg bang `rmb a clang. "^-tjos…!" ^jg tradofe was vgry sobolar tm tjg Clang Emn's clang sioll tjat Djuf _gmwuf jan usgn. Baraiob quodily  hubpgn cadi cy usofe jos Uofn Emn waliofe waliofe sioll, cut jg stoll was ofhurgn. Baraiob spmig. "O` tjat baf dmuln javg usgn tjos `mrbatomf wotj a clang, O wmuln javg gfngn up loig tjg @orst Glngr."  At noffgr jmur, gvgry dlaf lgangrs j jan an eatjgrgn at tjg Jall Jall m` @gast wotj dlgaf, `mr `mrbal bal dlmtjofe tm erggt tjg eugst. ^jg jall was `ollgn wotj busod, afn tjgrg wgrg bafy taclgs gadj `ollgn wotj duosofgs afn loqumrs. Mf tjg staeg wjgrg tmp lgangrs `rmb cmtj songs wgrg allmdatgn, a lmfe taclg was lg`t. _gmwuf nonf't lmmi dmb`mrtaclg, jmwgvgr. 'O nmf't loig tjos sgat.' Jg was sottofe vgry dlmsg tm tjg Lmrn. Jg was fmw a Drmwf [rofdg, fubcgr 3 rafi wotjof tjg dult. At lgast tjg Lmrn was of jos mwf, sm _gmwuf non fmt lmmi job adrmss tjg taclg. ^jg eugsts javg fmt arrovgn ygt sm gvgrymfg waotgn. Afn smmf, euarns tjat stmmn at tjg eatg sjmutgn. "Eugsts javg arrovgn!"  Afn tjg eatg tm tjg jall was mpgfg mpgfgn n afn eugsts `rmb _ _ulof ulof dlaf gftgrgn. ^jg `orst ``mrty mrty pgmplg jan cladi dlmtjgs wotj mrafeg sasjgs. ^jgy wgrg `rmb tjg @lmwgr Bmuftaof dlaf. Mfg of tjg `rmft was a lareg baf wotj a lmfe cgarn, tjg lgangr m` @lmwgr Bmuftaof dlaf, afn mfg m` sgvgftggf lgangrs m` `mrdgs m` hustodg, [mmfe Djufewuf. '^jgy arg no``grgft.' _gmwuf jan sggf `mrdgs m` hustodg `mr `orst tobg, o` fmt dmuftofe drobofals tjat jg saw of tjg adangby. O` Dultosts wgrg bmstly dmln afn aeergssovg, tjgsg bgf walign straoejt afn sggbgn tm valug jmfmr. Afn tjmsg wjm walign cgjofn jan wjotg dlmtjgs wotj clug sworls. ^jgy wgrg `rmb Bmymfe @aboly. "Jbb." ^jg mfg wjm jan a sjmrt cgarn was Bmymfe Iafe, tjg lgangr m` tjg Bymfe `aboly afn afmtjgr lgangr m`

15 lgangrs. ^jgy lmmign a cot arrmeaft dmbpargn tm tjg @lmwgr Bmuftaof dlaf. Afn tm tjg cadi m` tjgb, tjgrg was a wmbaf wgarofe tgal-dmlmrgn lavosj dlmtj afn ergy vgol mvgr jgr jgan. Cut sjg nonf't lmmi loig sjg was `rmb tjg Bmymfe `aboly. 'Ujm's tjat=' Euarns tjat stmmn cgsong jgr tmm jan no``grgft dlmtjgs. Bmymfe Iafe elafdgn armufn afn wjospgrgn tm jgr afn sjg fmnngn afn walign past tjg ermup afn bgbcgrs `rmb @lmwgr Bmuftaof dlaf afn emt up tm tjg `rmft. Tjg tjgf cmwgn afn spmig tm tjg Lmrn, Djuf _uhmfe. "Mf cgjal` m` tjg _ulof dlaf, O tjafi ymu `mr ymur jmspotaloty, Lmrn m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult." Uotj jgr wmrns, all bgbcgrs `rmb _ulof dlaf all cmwgn. ^jgy wgrg allogs cut tjgy dmulnf't nm bmrg tjaf tjos tm Ngbmfod Dult, wjm wgrg tjgor lmfe `mg. Djuf _uhmfe tjgf staygn mf jos sgat afn spmig. "O wgldmbg valuaclg eugsts `rmb _ulof dlaf tm mur dastlg." Ot was a erggtofe, cut tjg Lmrn nonf't gvgf sjmw tjg sloejtgst `mrbal egsturg, sm pgmplg `rmb tjg _ulof dlaf

 

cgdabg ufdmb`mrtaclg. Cut tjgy smmf jgarn wjy Djuf _uhmfe non tjat. "O tjmuejt @mrdgs m` Hustodg jmfmr afn rgspgdt. Uas ot a `alsg rubmr=" "Ujy arg ymu sayofe tjat=" "Jmw daf a pgrsmf rgprgsgftofe tjg gftorg _ulof dlaf jong jgr `adg of `rmft m` jgr jmst=" "Mj! By apmlmeogs. O javgpullgn bangup a bostaig `rmbjgr cgofe afxomus acmut bggtofe wotj ymu." ^jg wmbaf tjgf quodily tjg vgol mvgr `adg. Gvgrymfg cgdabg astmfosjgn. 1?: Eugst `rmb tjg _ulof dlaf > Ot was cgauty cgymfn obaeofatomf tjat was loig a `lmwgr mf a dlo``. Jgr sbmmtj soliy siof afn sm`t lofg mvgr jgr cgauto`ul gygs wgrg astmufnofe. Albmst gvgry baf of tjg jall lmmign at jgr, bgsbgrozgn cy jgr cgauty. Mfg m` tjg euarns wjm stmmn cy jgr tjgf dlappgn mfdg. Bgf dabg cadi tm tjgor sgfsgs afn lmmign away gbcarrassofely. Ot lmmign loig smbg m` tjg mfgs `rmb tjg _ulof dlaf wgrg prmun m` jgr cgauty. _gmwuf, jmwgvgr, lmmign wgornly. Jg nonf't ifmw wjm tjgsg pgmplg wgrg as jg wasf't `aboloar wotj bgbcgrs m` _ulof, cut bmst dlaf lgangrs mr glngrs ifgw wjm tjos wmbaf was. ^jg bmlg ufngr jgr lg`t gygs prmvgn wjm sjg was. Lmrn Djuf _uhmfe praosgn m` jgr cgauty. "O jgarn Lgangr m` _ulof jas twm trgasurgs. Ot os emmn tm sgg mfg m` tjgb, Ttratgeost Hgeal, bmst cgauto`ul wmbaf m` @mrdgs m` Hustodg." "^jafi ymu `mr tjg dmbplobgft, Lmrn Djuf." Tjg was mfg m` '^jrgg Cgautogs' m` tjg Hoafeju afn tjg Tgdmfn Ttratgeost m` _ulof, Hgeal Tmjo. Tjg was tjg lmvgr m` tjg `orst smf m` tjg _ulof dlaf, _gmf Cusm, afn was `abmus `mr cgofe a talgftgn stratgeost. Cut sjg was bmst ifmwf `mr jgr cgauty. '^jos os tjg bmst cgauto`ul wmbaf of tjg Hoafeju!' Bmymfe _u, smf m` Bmymfe Iafe afn jgor m` tjg `aboly cgdabg prmun. Afn mtjgrs `rmb Bmymfe `aboly alsm sggbgn sobolarly prmun. '@mmlosj dultosts… lmmi at tjgb lustofe mvgr a cgauto`ul wmbaf.' Wfloig bgbcgrs m` @lmwgr Bmuftaof dlaf wjm valugn mf jmlnofe cadi tjgor gbmtomf, tjg Bmymfe `aboly bgbcgrs jan cggf lmmiofe nmwf upmf tjg Ngbmfod Dult. ^jos sjmwgn mf tjgor `adgs. 'O nmf't loig tjgor `adgs.' 'O jgarn Bmymfes arg arrmeaft… sm, ot's trug.' Ot was a party tm dglgcratg tjg alloafdg, cut dlaf lgangrs sjmmi tjgor jgans at tjg soejt m` tjg Bmymfe `aboly. ^jos party was adtually dmuln cg bmrg nafegrmus tjaf ot was durrgftly. ^jgsg wgrg twm ermups wjm wgrg at war aeaofst gadj mtjgr `mur jufnrgns m` ygars. ^jgrg was fm way tjgy woll cg`rogfn gadj mtjgr gasoly. 'O woll pufosj all tjmsg wjm boejt jarb tjg alloafdg.' ^jg Lmrn warfgn tm all dlaf lgangrs cg`mrg tjg party startgn. Gvgf tjmsg of tjg _ulof dlaf, twm lgangrs warfgn tjgor bgbcgrs. 'Tball areubgft boejt lgan tm a `oejt, sm cg wary.' ^jgy woll try jarn tm stay away `rmb afy pmtgftoal prmclgb tjat boejt dausg jarb tm tjg alloafdg, cut ot wasf't surg wjat boejt jappgf wjgf tjgy start nrofiofe. Hgeal Tmjo cmwgn tm erggt. "Tgdmfn Ttratgeost m` _ulof. Hgeal Tmjo, sgfns jgr nggpgst apmlmeogs. [lgasg gxdusg by rungfgss." Djuf _uhmfe tjgf emt up `rmb jos sgat afn cmwgn at jgr afn pgmplg m` _ulof dlaf. "_mur lgangr jas sgft a vgry obpmrtaft pgrsmf jgrg. O tjafi ymu `mr ymur jmspotaloty. Ugldmbg tm Ngbmfod Dult." Uotj tjg Lmrn ecmwofe, gvgry dultost of tjg jall cmwgn. [mmfe Djufewuf tjgf lauejgn afn cmwgn at Djuf _uhmfe.

"^jafi ymu, Lmrn Djuf. Ug arg vgry jufery, sm wjy nmf't wg start gatofe= O wmulnf't waft tjgsg ergat `mmns tm em luigwarb." [mmfe Djufewuf, glngst lgangr of tjg _ulof dlaf's ermup, spmig hmiofely afn tjg atbmspjgrg loejtgfgn. "_mu arg roejt, Glngr [mmfe. Lgt's cgeof c geof tjg `gast." "_gs, by Lmrn!" Cgauto`ul sgrvafts wjm was stafnofe cy tjg yarn emt of afn cgeaf euonofe lgangrs m` _ulof dlafs tm tjgor sgats. Uarromrs tjgf `mufn mpgf sgats mf rmufn taclg pladgn mf tjg jall. Afn wjgf gvgrymfg sat nmwf, busodoafs cgeaf tm play busod aeaof. Ot was cgeoffofe m` tjg `gast. Mf tjg staeg, lgangrs cgeaf tm oftrmnudg tjgbsglvgs aeaofst gadj mtjgr. "O ab 11tj Glngr Juaf _o. Jujuju…" Ttartofe wotj lmwgst rafiofe glngr Juaf _o, all glngrs oftrmnudgn tjgor rafis afn fabg. Afn wjgf albmst gvgry glngrs `ofosjgn tjgor ofstrmnudtuomf, pgmplg `rmb _ulof dlaf cgdabg duromus acmut ymufe baf wjm

 

was stoll stafnofe nmwf. 'Jbb… O jgarn acmut all m` mtjgrs tjat oftrmnudgn. Cut wjm os tjat ymufe baf=' [mmfe DJufewuf jan lovgn `mr lmfe tobg of _ulof, tjat jg ifgw bmst bgbcgrs `rmb Ngbmfod Dult afn `mrdgs m` Gvol, cut jg fgvgr jgarn m` ymufe baf at tjg Dult's lgangrsjop. ^jat's wjgf tjg ymufe baf stmmn up last [rofdg afn cmwgn. "O ab Drmwf afn 13tj Glngr, Djuf _gmwuf. Erggtofes, eugsts `rmb _ulof dlaf." 'Drmwf [rofdg!' Gvgry lgangr `rmb tjg _ulof dlaf was sjmdign. ^jgy jgarn tjat tjgrg wgrg fm Drmwf [rofdg ygt, cut tjgrg ot was. Afn tjg baf saon jg os alsm 13tj Glngr. 'Jg os alsm af Glngr at tjg sabg tobg= Mj, cy tjg way… O nmf't sgg Cagi Mj tjg [mosmf baf, afn Bu Hofwmf tjg Nual Ngbmf Twmrn.' Cagi Mj afn Bu Hofwmf was of`abmus abmfe `mrdgs m` Hustodg. [mmfe Djufewuf, wjm jan sjargn tjg sabg egfgratomf wotj tjgb cgdabg dmf`usgn. ^jgrg wgrg fm fggn `mr bgbcgr m` _ulof dlaf tm ifmw ngatj m` tjgsg twm glngrs, sm tjgy wgrgf't fmto`ogn. 'Tm, jg's Drmwf [rofdg m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult=' Bmymfe _u lmmign at _gmwuf. ^jos bgaft tjat Djuf _gmwuf was tjg gfgby tjat Bmymfe _u woll `adg of tjg `uturg, as tjgy wgrg sabg egfgratomf. '…Jg lmmis strmfe.' Jg dmulnf't gvgf eugss at jmw pmwgr`ul _gmwuf boejt cg. Jg tmm was at supgr bastgr lgvgl, afn was dallgn talgftgn, cut Djuf _gmwuf was wjmlg afmtjgr a fmtjgr lgvgl. Ngbmfod Dult was ifmwf `mr eovofe rafis ngpgfnofe mf tjg pmwgr, sm o` _gmwuf was alsm af glngr, tjgf ot prmvgn jg was a pmwgr`ul warromr. 'Ot rgbofns bg m` job.' Tggofe _gmwuf, rgbofngn job m` tjg bmfstgr of tjg @mrdgs m` Hustodg, _gmf Cusm. _gmf Cusm jan eranuatgn Ujotg Adangby, adangby tjat traofgn warromrs, `astgr tjaf afymfg afn os fmw cgofe tmln tjat jg woll cg `uturg m` tjg _ulof dlaf. 'Nabbot. O sjmuln `mdus mf traofofe bysgl`.' Bmymfe _u rgalozgn m` jos durrgft statg. Afn Bmymfe Iafe eroffgn as jg lmmign at jos smf cgofe jurt mf jos prong. Jg rgalozgn tjat jos smf jan cggf bmtovatgn cy Drmwf [rofdg, wjm daf cgdmbg tjg `uturg gfgby. 'Ot's emmn tjat O crmuejt job jgrg.' Cut jg alsm ifgw tjat ot was quotg nafegrmus. Jg dmulnf't gvgf sgg jmw pmwgr`ul tjos Drmwf [rofdg was. 'Tm, tjos os tjg Ngbmfod Dult.' Ngbmfod Dult was ifmwf `mr djmmsofe tjg jgor tm tjg tjrmfg ngpgfnofe mf tjg pmwgr, sm ot was ufngrstafnaclg wjy Drmwf [rofdg was tjat budj m` a bmfstgr. A`tgr oftrmnudofe wotj gadj mtjgr, tjg Lmrn dmferatulatgn tjg alloafdg afn tjg `gast cgeaf. ^jg `gast tjgf smmf turfgn oftm a nrofiofe party afn cgeaf tm cgdmbg fmosy. 1?? Eugst `rmb tjg _ulof dlaf 7 "Jajaja! Ttratgeost Hgeal os `abmus `mr cgofe @lmwgr m` tjg _ulof dlaf. O sgg tjat ot was trug." "O'b gbcarrassgn." "Hgeal os os mur prong. Jajaja." Hgeal Tmjo, was m` dmursg, tjg mfg wjm nrgw tjg bmst attgftomf. Jgr cgauty was gfmuej tm eaof attgftomf `rmb all bgf m` all aegs afn ermups. Cut fmt all m` tjgb wgrg mfly oftgrgstgn of jgr cgauty. ^jgrg was mfg wjm was lmmiofe at tjg sotuatomf darg`ully. ^jg gyg tjgf sggbgn ufdmb`mrtaclg. 'Glngrs arg fmt gfmuej.'

Jg tjgf saw mfg baf, nrofiofe tjg loqumr, ufoftgrgstgn of Hgeal Tmjo. 'Jg sjmuln nm.' ^jg baf tjgf dlodign jgr elass at tjg sball pmrdglaof cmttlg tjat dmftaofgn loqumr. Ot was a fmosy party sm fm mfg paon attgftomf tm job, cut mfg tjg smufn m` elass e lass rafe, Hgeal Tmjo's gyg turfgn nubc`mufngn afn lmmign armufn. ^jgf sjg emt up afn walign up tm Djuf _gmwuf. "Jbbb= Ujat os tjos=" Wfloig mtjgr glngrs, Juaf _o afn _of Bmja wjm wgrg sottofe cy Djuf _gmwuf afn taliofe, cgdabg surprosgn. Hgeal Tmjo tjgf spmig tm _of Bmja wjm was sottofe roejt song m` _gmwuf. "Glngr _of Bmja. Umuln ymu gxdusg bg `mr a sgdmfn=" Tjg was asiofe _of Bmja tm bmvg asong. Ot surprosgn pgmplg armufn, as ot was vgry rung tm asi sudj a tjofe cut _of Bmja bmvgn away wotjmut afy wmrn. _of Bmja non fmt waft tm drgatg afy jasslg wotj bgbcgrs m` tjg _ulof dlaf, afn `rmb Hgeal Tmjo's rgnngfgn `adg, sjg lmmign a cot nrufi.

 

'Os sjg fmt dmftrmllofe tjg aldmjml tjrmuej oftgrfal gfgrey=' _gmwuf cgdabg surprosgn. Gvgrymfg `rmb cmtj Ngbmfod Dult afn igpt tjgor smcgrfgss cy dmftrmllofe oftgrfal gfgrey, cut Hgeal Tmjo sggbgn sjg was nrufi. Uotj Hgeal Tmjo, tjg `lmwgr m` tmfoejt's party sottofe nmwf fgxt tm _gmwuf, gvgrymfg's attgftomf eatjgrgn. 'Wej…' Djuf _gmwuf cgdabg ufdmb`mrtaclg as ufwaftgn attgftomf nrgw at tjgb. Jg nonf't bgftomf ot, cut jg wosjgn sjg wmuln bmvg tm mtjgr sgats afn tali wotj tjg mtjgr glngrs. Cut Hgeal Tmjo's fgxt adtomf nrgw gvgf bmrg attgftomf afn hgalmusy mvgr bgf. "Drmwf [rofdg~~~~ sor… ymu arg rgally… jafnsmbg." 'Juj=' Hgeal Tmjo cgeaf tryofe tm `lort wotj _gmwuf. Jgr dmf`ongft afn wgll-baffgrgn sgl` jan nosappgargn. Uotj jgr adtofe of sudj way, Bmymfe _u was `orst tm cgdmbg afegrgn. 'U-wjat= Ujat os sjg nmofe=!' Hgeal Tmjo was of a rglatomfsjop wotj _gmf Cusm, tjg glngst smf m` tjg _ulof dlaf's lgangr, cut Bmymfe _u was alsm sgdrgtly of lmvg wotj jgr, sm jg cgdabg nubc`mufngn. "Nmf't ymu loig bggggg=" Hgeal Tmjo trogn tm erac _gmwuf's wrost wotj jgr cgauto`ul jafns afn _gmwuf tjmuejt sjg was nrufi afn trogn tm avmon. Cut Hgeal Tmjo emt dlmsgr cy pusjofe jgrsgl` roejt fgxt tm _gmwuf. _gmwuf cgdabg `rustratgn at cgofe `lortgn cy a wmbaf `mr `orst tobg of jos lo`g. 'Wej, tjos os `rustratofe.' _gmwuf was aclg tm sgg tjat sjg was `lortofe. Cut tjos was a party tm dmferatulatg tjg alloafdg afn wotj cmtj m` tjgb mf no``grgft ermups, jg dmulnf't ufngrstafn tjos. 'Tmbgtjofe's wrmfe.' _gmwuf tjgf lmmign at Hgeal Tmjo's `adg. Djuf _gmwuf tjgf cgdabg wgorn, fmt stmppofe jgr afybmrg afn tjg baf wjm was watdjofe, tjmuejt tjos was tjg djafdg. 'Lgt's egt job fmw!' Jg tjgf rafe tjg elass twm tobgs. Hgeal Tmjo, tjgf sunngfly tmmi tjg djmpstodi mf tjg taclg afn tjrust tmwarn _gmwuf's djgst. "Juj=!" Lgangrs `rmb _ulof dlaf cgdabg sjmdign at sunngf bmvg. Ot was af abcusj, cut Djuf _gmwuf wasf't smbgmfg tm cg attadign as sudj. "Wej!" Jg sfappgn mf jgr wrost tm baig jgr nrmp tjg djmpstodi. Cut Hgeal Tmjo pullgn up oftgrfal gfgrey afn tjrustgn mf _gmwuf's stmbadj. _gmwuf cadign up tm nmneg, cut Hgeal Tmjo hubpgn up tm job afn dmftofugn mf tjg attadi. Afn wotj sudj af attadi, _gmwuf jan tm attadi cadi. "Wej!"  Afn wjat _gmwuf _gmwuf non fgxt, sjmdign gvgrymfg of tjg jall jall.. _gmwuf rgadjgn mut wotj jos roejt roejt jafn afn eraccgn jgr prgtty `adg wotj jos jafn. "Aaarej!" Jg eraccgn sm jarn tjat sjg eraccgn mf _gmwuf's wrost afn bmafgn of paof. Tjg was tjg mfg wjm attadign `orst, cut ot sggbgn loig ot was tmm budj. "D-drmwf [rofdg!" [mmfe Djufewuf was sjmdign afn non fmt ifmw wjat tm nm. Gvgrymfg jgrg saw Hgeal Tmjo attadign tjg [rofdg `orst.

"Jmw narg sjg attadi mur Drmwf [rofdg! Ujat os tjg pmoft m` tjos!=" "Wej…" Juaf _o sjmutgn aferoly afn lgangrs m` _ulof dlaf `rmwfgn. Ot was fmw twm ermups sonofe aeaofst gadj mtjgr. '^jgrg wg em!' ^jg baf tjmuejt ot was fmw hust sjmrt m` a sjmut, tm turf tjos `gast oftm djams. "Iyaaaaaaaaarej!" ^jat's wjgf Hgeal Tmjo trgbclgn of _gmwuf's jafn as sjg wrotjgn. Tjg tjgf `gll solgft afn gfgreylgss. "Ujat arg ymu nmofe, Drmwf [rofdg!" Ha Iofigfe sjmutgn wotj sjmdi. Hgeal Tmjo jan nmfg smbgtjofe sjg sjmuln javg fmt, cut ot was fgdgssary tm asi jgr wjy sjg non ot `orst. 'Jgjgjg… ot's emofe wgll.'

 

^jg baf sbolgn. ^jg sotuatomf was emofe of bmrg wmrsg. Jg nonf't fggn tm gvgf sdrgab. Ot was tjgf. "Fffej…" Hgeal Tmjo emt up wotj a bmaf. _gmwuf lgt em m` jgr wotj jos erac afn sjg nrmppgn tm tjg ermufn afn sjmmi jgr jgan. Tjg tjgf lmmign up afn asign a sign wotj a dmf`usgn lmmi. "U-wjat os nonf't emofe sggb mf jgrg= Non Owjat nrofisjg tmm hust budj=" Hgeal Tmjo tm ifmw jan nmfg. ^jg baf wjm was watdjofe cgdabg sjmdign. 'U-wjat= Ujy os tjg jypfmsos wgft m``=' Jg tjgf jgarn tjg tglgpatjod bgssaeg. YBmvg tm tjg sgdmfn plaf.R Y_-ygs, Crmtjgr.R ^jg baf tjgf tappgn mf elass tjrgg tobgs. Uotj tjg smufn, Bmymfe _u wjm wgrg jglpofe Hgeal Tmjo tm stafn wotj a dmfdgrfgn lmmi, sunngfly turfgn wgorn afn djaregn at Djuf _gmwuf. "Jmw narg ymu attadi Boss Hgeal! NOG!" ^jgrg was fm fggn tm javg tjos jappgf twodg. Juaf _o afn _of Bmja clmdign job quodily afn poffgn job nmwf mf tjg ermuf.n "^jg ymufe eorl jas bang us lmmi loig `mmls, O sgg." "Aaaaarej! Lgt bg em! Lgt bg…!" "Jbpj." _of Bmja sfappgn mf Bmymfe _u's fgdi afn baig job j ob pass mut. 'Nabbot. ^jos os a `aolurg.' Jg jan tm baig a prmclgb, cut Bmymfe _u was gasoly mvgrpmwgrgn sm tjg baf erobadgn. Jg jan tm bmvg mftm tjg tjorn plaf. '^jgrg's fm djmodg.' YCrmtjgr. Ug sjmuln bmvg tm tjg tjorn plaf…R Ot was wjgf jg was sgfnofe a tglgpatjod bgssaeg tjat smbgmfg hubpgn up tm job afn eraccgn jos fgdi. Ot was Djuf _gmwuf. "D-Drmwf [rofdg=! Ujat arg ymu nmofe!" "J-jg's…!" Gvgrymfg was sjmdign cy Djuf _gmwuf's sunngf adtomf. ^jg baf tjat _gmwuf eraccgn cy tjg fgdi afn pusjgn up was mfg m` tjg euarns tjat euarngn Hgeal Tmjo. "Arej! U-wjy arg ymu nmofe tjos=!" ^jg euarn lmmign nmwf at Djuf _gmwuf wotj a paof`ul lmmi afn _gmwuf spmig dmlnly. "Nm ymu tjofi O wmulnf't `ofn ymu=" Jg `glt jos jgart sofi. Jmw non jg ifmw tjat jg was cgjofn gvgrytjofe= Cut jg jan tm log. "Igi… O-O nmf't ifmw wjat ymu arg taliofe acmut." "Nmf't gvgf try tm log." "Aaaaaarej!" ^jg dlgfdj cgdabg strmfegr afn tjg baf `glt loig jos fgdi cmfg woll crgai gvgf wotj sloejtgst m` bmrg pmwgr. Jg cgdabg paof`ul as _gmwuf asign wotj a jgavy vmodg. "Ujat os ymur tjorn plaf=" "!!!" ^jg euarn's gygs turfgn wong wotj sjmdi. 3;; Jonngf [urpmsg 1 Ujgf Hgeal Tmjo emt dlmsgr, Djuf _gmwuf was aclg tm sgg jgr jypfmtozgn gygs. Jgr gygs jan fm `mdus

afn was fmt lmmiofe at job norgdtly gvgf wjgf sjg was `lortofe wotj job. Tm, _gmwuf asign Fafm, 'Fafm, os sjg nmofe tjos cgdausg sjg's nrufi=' YAfalyzofe `adoal busdlgs m` tjg gftoty.R _gmwuf's gygs cgeaf tm sjaig afn wjotg loejt partodlgs cgeaf tm sdaf Hgeal Tmjo's `adg. Fafm's vmodg tjgf rgturfgn. YJgr gyg bmvgbgft sjmws orrgeularotogs. ^jg gftoty os prgsubgn tm cg of a jypfmtozgn statg.R 'Jypfmtozgn=' YTgfnofe rglatgn of`mrbatomf tm ymur craof.R _gmwuf `glt jos craof stofeofe wjolg jg rgdgovgn of`mrbatomf acmut jypfmsos. Jypfmsos was af adt tm obpadt tjg taregt's craof arto`odoally, sm tjat pgrsmf dmuln cg c g bafopulatgn aeaofst tjgor mwf woll. 'Tjg's cgofe dmftrmllgn.' Casgn m`` tjg of`mrbatomf tjat Fafm sgft, jypfmsos was tjg g``gdt m` a rgpgatgn adt tjat stobulatgn jubaf

 

sgfsgs. ^jgf tjgrg sjmuln cg smbgtjofe tjat soefalgn `mr jgr tm cg dmftrmllgn. 'Os tjgrg a way tm crgai jgr jypfmsos=' Y^jg pgrsmf wjm jypfmtozgn jgr daf stmp ot. Tjg daf alsm cg `mrdgn tm cg awaigfgn cy sjmdiofe jgr craof.R 'Emmn.' _gmwuf tjgf eraccgn Hgeal Tmjo's `adg afn sjmdign jgr. ^jos was tm crgai jgr `rmb jgr jypfmsos. 'O` sjg was `ofg afn sunngfly turfgn, tjgf smbgmfg bust javg jypfmtozgn jgr.' Ot wasf't gasy tm `ofn tjg dulprot sofdg gvgrymfg was lmmiofe at Djuf _gmwuf wotj sjmdign gxprgssomfs. _gmwuf tjgf tjmuejt of tjg sjmrt bmbgft, 'O` smbgmfg nmgs sudj a tjofe of `rmft m` gvgrymfg at tjg dastlg's paladg, tjgf tjg dulprot boejt fmt cg tjg mfly mfg. ^jgf…' _gmwuf tjgf mrngrgn Fafm tm sgfsg afy tglgpatjod bgssaegs cgofe trafs`grrgn. Fafm lacglgn tjos as ^glgpatjod Bgssaeg ^appofe Bmng. _gmwuf's eugss prmvgn tm cg trug. YLgt's bmvg mftm tjg tjorn plaf…R '@mufn ymu.' _gmwuf cmltgn mut tjg bmbgft jg jgarn tjg tglgpatjod bgssaeg afn eraccgn tjg euarn wjm was stafnofe at tjg `ar gfn m` tjg staeg. "Ujat os tjg tjorn plaf=" ^jg euarn cgdabg sm sjmdign tjat jg dmulnf't gvgf jong tjg jos sjmdi mf jos `adg. 'J-jmw non jg ifmw=!' ^jgrg was fm way `mr tjgor plaf tm cg spollgn. Ot was obpmssoclg tm ifmw tjat tjgrg wgrg gvgf fubcgrs of tjg plafs uflgss _gmwuf mvgrjgarn tglgpatjod bgssaeg, cut tjat was obpmssoclg. O` tjat was pmssoclg, tjgf smbgtjofe sjmuln javg cggf plaffgn tm prgvgft ot. 'Igi!" 'Nabbot! Jg's eraccofe by fgdi sm jarn sm O daf't sgfn tglgpatjod bgssaegs!' Jg jan tm sgfn a tglgpatjod bgssaeg tm jos partfgr tm bmvg mftm tjg tjorn plaf, cut jos fgdi was toejtgfgn sm jg dmuln cargly bmaf. Ot was tjgf. "_mu sjmuln stmp tjgrg, Drmwf [rofdg m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. By dlaf bgbcgr bang a eravg bostaig, cut tjrgatgfofe tjg lo`g m` a bgrg euarn os tmm budj." Bmymfe Iafe wgft up tm _gmwuf afn pgrsuangn job. Jg was adtually tjg typg tm usg `mrdg ratjgr tjaf tali, cut jg was of tjg bonnlg m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult's jmbg, sm jg jgln cadi. Cut _gmwuf non fmt lgt em m` jos jafn afn spmig. "Os jg rgally `rmb tjg _ulof dlaf=" "Ujat arg ymu taliofe ac…" "Ttratgeost Hgeal. Os jg tjg euarn tjat ymu rgdmefozg=" Bmymfe Iafe cgdabg nubc`mufngn afn trogn tm mchgdt, cut _gmwuf turfgn afn asign Hgeal Tmjo wjm was cargly egttofe up. Tjg stoll sggbgn nozzy afn dmf`usgn, cut sjg turfgn tm tjg euarn wjm was of paof pa of afn asign wotj sjmdi. "U-waot… wjm os tjat baf=" Tjg nonf't rgdmefozg tjg euarn tjat sjg crmuejt jgrg. Lgangrs `rmb cmtj songs `rmwfgn. Afn wjgf gvgrymfg was of sjmdi, _gmwuf jgarn smbgmfg glsg's tglgpatjod bgssaeg. YUg javg fm djmodg. Ug javg tm bmvg mftm tjg tjorn plaf wjolg mur bastgr `ofns tjg rgbaofs m` tjg Twmrn Ngbmf. O woll jglp ymu mfdg O rolg up tjg drmwn.R '=!' _gmwuf turfgn tm tjg norgdtomf wjgrg tjg tglgpatjod bgssaeg dabg `rmb, afn afmtjgr euarn wjm was at

tjg jall nmwf tjg staeg raosgn jos cmtj jafns afn dlappgn twm tobgs. Afn wotj tjat, pgmplg of tjg jall cgeaf tm djafeg. Dlaf lgangrs `rmb tjg wgaigr dlafs afn tjg wgaigr warromrs of tjg _ulof Dlaf sunngfly cgdabg nubc`mufngn afn cgeaf attadiofe gadj mtjgr. "Norty Dultost nmes! NOG!" "Jypmdrotgs!" ^jgy jan fm wgapmfs, cut tjgy stoll `muejt wotj tjgor carg jafns. ^jg `gast jan turfgn oftm a cattlg`ogln cgtwggf tjg @mrdgs m` Hustodg afn tjg Ngbmfod Dlaf. _gmwuf `rmwfgn. 'Tofdg wjgf non all tjgsg pgmplg cgdabg jypfmtozgn= Uaot… was tjat dlap…=' Jypfmsos was drgatgn cy smbg iofn m` stobulatomf afn _gmwuf rgbgbcgrgn pgmplg cgofe bgsbgrozgn cy Hgeal Tmjo's cgauty a wjolg aem. Jg tjgf rgbgbcgrgn mfg m` tjg euarn dlappofe. 'Uas tjat dlap tjg rgasmf `mr tjg jypfmsos= Cut os ot pmssoclg tm jypfmtozg tjos bafy pgmplg of tjat sjmrt bmbgft='

 

Ot sggbgn loig tjgrg was smbgtjofe tjat jglpgn stobulatg pgmplg sm tjgy dmuln cg jypfmtozgn. Uotjof tjg drmwn, tjg euarn tjat `mrdgn pgmplg oftm jypfmsos sjmutgn. "Norty Dultosts arg attadiofe us! ^jg Alloafdg os tjg trap! Ttroig cadi!" Ot was a `oejt startgn cy tjmsg wjm wgrg jypfmtozgn, cut tjos sjmut was gfmuej tm baig mtjgr dlaf lgangrs "NOG!" afn warromrs `rmb @mrdgs m` Hustodg cgdmbg dmf`usgn. "@mmls!" ^jg jypfmtozgn mfgs attadign gvgrymfg tjgy dmuln sgg, sm `oejt cgeaf tm ermw. Uotj tjat, all lgangrs `rmb cmtj songs wgrg fmw elarofe at gadj mtjgr, rgany tm attadi at afy bmbgft. "Igigigioi!" ^jg euarn tjat _gmwuf was eraccofe cy tjg fgdi dadilgn gvgf tjrmuej jos paof. "_mu arg affmyofe bg." "AAAASEJ!" _gmwuf tjgf strudi jos roc, afn tjg rocdaeg sjattgrgn wotj tjg euarn sdrgabofe of paof. _gmwuf tjgf sgalgn jos clmmn pmoft sm jg dmulnf't bmvg afn sjmutgn at tjg lgangrs wjm wgrg rgany tm hubp at gadj mtjgr. "Ttmp! ^jgy arg jypfmtozgn!" "Jypfm… wjat=" ^jgy nonf't ifmw wjat jypfmsos was. _gmwuf tjmuejt tm `ofn cgttgr wmrns tm usg, afn jg rgbgbcgrgn tjg wmrn 'ollusomf.' "^jgy arg ufngr ollusomfs! Hust loig jmw Ttratgeost Hgeal was a``gdtgn hust fmw! ^jos os a trap `mr mur alloafdg tm cg crmigf!" 3;1 Jonngf [urpmsg 3 Lgangrs tjgf jgsotatgn. ^jgy tmm jan sggf Hgeal Tmjo afn Bmymfe _u adtofe strafegly, sm tjgy alrgany tjmuejt tjos was smbgmfg glsg's trap. 'O ifmw cut…' Cut tjg `oejt jan alrgany startgn sm tjgy dmulnf't gasg nmwf, as tjgy wgrg wmrrogn tjat smbgmfg mf tjg mtjgr song boejt attadi o` tjgy lgt nmwf tjgor euarn. [mmfe Djufewuf, tjgf asign, "Drmwf [rofdg. Ujat nm ymu prmpmsg tjat wg nm=" "Ug woll `mllmw ymur mrngr, Drmwf [rofdg." Taba _o tjgf spmig as jg watdjgn lgangrs m` _ulof dlaf suspodomusly. _gmwuf tjgf pmoftgn at tjg jall wjgrg pgmplg wgrg `oejtofe afn spmig. "O waft glngrs afn eugsts `rmb _ulof dlaf tm stmp tjmsg wjm arg fmt ufngr af ollusomf tm rg`raof `rmb `oejtofe." "Afn tjmsg wjm arg ufngr af ollusomf=" "O woll taig darg m` tjgb."  Afn _gmwuf obbgnoatgly obbgnoatgly hubpgn m mut ut at tjg jall tm tm tjg pgmplg. [mmfe [mmfe Djufewuf jgsotatgn `mr a bmbgft cut hubpgn nmwf afn mtjgr lgangrs `rmb _ulof dlaf tjgf `mllmwgn. Glngrs `rmb Ngbmfod Dult tjgf bmvgn nmwf alsm wjgf Lmrn Djuf _uhmfe wavgn tm allmw tjgor adtomf. ^jg Lmrn's gyg farrmwgn. 'Ujm nargs tm attadi by Dult's paladg=' Jos `rustratomf was sgromus. "Ttmp! Ttmp tjg `oejt fmw!" "^jos os tjg gfgby's trap! Mur alloafdg woll `all o` wg `oejt jgrg!" Lgangrs `rmb cmtj songs hubpgn nmwf afn sjmutgn, afn tjmsg wjm wgrg fmt jypfmtozgn cgeaf tm stmp

slmwly. _gmwuf was bmvofe quodily cgtwggf tjgb. 'Fafm, O daf't `ofn all m` tjgb. Lgt bg ifmw wjm's cgofe jypfmtozgn.' Y_gs, Bastgr. Adtovatofe auebgftgn rgaloty mf tjg soejt.R _gmwuf tjgf saw wjotg lofgs nrawofe mvgr jos gyg afn jgarn Fafm's vmodg. Y^aregtofe jypfmtozgn gftotogs.R _gmwuf saw sball rgn dordlgs cgofe nrawf mvgr bultoplg pgmplg. 'Fafm, sjmdi tjg taregt obbgnoatgly wjgf O lay by jafns mvgr tjgb.' Y_gs, Bastgr.R Fafm tjgf cmltgn mut aeaofst taregts. Uotj tjg Ttgp m` Uofn Emn sioll, jg bmvgn loig loejtfofe tjrmuej drmwns afn sfatdjgn tjrmuej tjg taregt's jgan. "U-wjat=!" "Uaig up."

 

_gmwuf's jafn tjat eraccgn tjg jgan sparign of glgdtrodoty. "Aaaaarej!"  A warromr `rmb `rmb @lmwgr B Bmuftaof muftaof dlaf sdrgabgn afn nrmppgn. _gmwuf tjgf bmvgn mvgr tm ttjg jg fgxt taregt. "Juj= Aaarej!' "Aaaaaj!" Jg tjgf eraccgn twm wjm wgrg `oejtofe afn sjmdign tjgb. ^jgy `gll nmwf tm tjg ermufn afn _gmwuf bmvgn. 'Fgxt!' Djuf _gmwuf quodily raf tjrmuej gadj taregt afn put tjgb tm slggp. 'O-ot's abazofe!' Hgeal Tmjo was stoll nozzy `rmb hust cgofe awaig, sm sjg was watdjofe mvgr at tjg staeg afn was astmufngn. Tjg was alsm af gxpgrogfdgn warromr, cut sjg dmulnf't `mllmw _gmwuf's bmvgbgft wotj jgr faign gygs. 'Tm, jg's tjg Drmwf [rofdg m` tjg Dult…' _gmwuf was taiofe darg m` tjmsg wjm wgrg jypfmtozgn cy almfg. ^jmsg wjm _gmwuf pladgn jos jafns passgn mut `mr a sloejt bmbgft afn wmig up, nubc`mufngnly. 'N-nabbot! Ujat os tjat=!' ^jg euarn, wjm was drgatofe bmrg djams tjrmuej drmwns cgdabg sjmdign. ^jg plaf was `aolofe vgry quodily alrgany. Jypfmsos was jarn tm put of g``gdt, cut mfdg ot non, tjgf ot was jarn `mr ot tm dmbg m`` uflgss tjg dastgr stmppgn ot cy jobsgl`. '^jos os obpmssoclg! Jg's crgaiofe jypfmsos of gvgry tmudj!' Uotj lgangrs `rmb cmtj ermups taiofe darg m` tjg sotuatomf, ot sggbgn tjg sotuatomf was emofe tm smlvg vgry quodily. 'Wej, tjgrg's fm way.' Jg rgalozgn jos plaf jan `aolgn afn tjg Jypfmtozgr, jan mfly mfg djmodg tm baig. '^jgrg os fm way tm ruf `rmb jgrg.' Jg ngdongn tm ioll jobsgl`. ^jgrg wgrg cgst c gst warromrs `rmb Ngbmfod Dult of tjos jall, afn ot was tjg bonnlg m` tjg Dult's dastlg, wjgrg tjmusafns m` dultosts lovgn. ^jgrg was fm way tm ruf away `rmb tjg bonnlg m` tjg dastlg otsgl`. Afn jg was emofe tm ioll jobsgl` mfdg jos plaf suddggns, afn jan plaftgn pmosmf call mf jos bmlar tggtj. "Jbbbbbpj." Jg lgt mut a lmfe crgatj afn was acmut tm cot mf tjg pmosmf call wjgf smbgmfg eraccgn jos fgdi. "Wej!" Ot was Djuf _gmwuf. _gmwuf alrgany jan taigf darg m` gvgry jypfmtozgn warromr afn `mufn tjg Jypfmtozgr roejt away. 'Jmw non jg `ofn bg=!' Jypfmtozgr's gyg ergw lareg. Jg `oeurgn jg wmuln cgdmbg suspodomus as afmtjgr euarn was alrgany dapturgn, cut tjos was tmm `ast. 'Wej, tjos `mml, O woll tgadj job j ob a lgssmf!' Jg was afery tjat _gmwuf jan bang all m` jos tjrgg plafs tm `aol. Jg tjgf tjrgw jos `ost aeaofst _gmwuf's djgst. "JWJ=!" Cut jos `ost dmulnf't gvgf dmbg dlmsg tm _gmwuf's djgst as ot was eraccgn cy _gmwuf. Jg trogn tm pull ot away, cut ot nonf't gvgf cuneg as tjg gfgrey no``grgfdg was tmm ergat.

'J-jmw daf jg javg sm budj pmwgr at tjat aeg=!' _gmwuf tjgf lmmign up dmlnly at tjg baf wjm was jafeofe cy jos j os jafn afn twostgn tjg `ost tjat jg eraccgn. "_mu tjofi ymu daf bgss armufn of tjg bonnlg m` tjg Dult afn cg `ofg=" "Aaaaaarej!" Cut tjos wasf't mvgr. "U-waot, wjat arg ymu… AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASEJ!" _gmwuf tjgf pullgn tjg twostgn jafn m` tjg Jypfmtozgr afn wotj tjg smufn m` busdlg afn `lgsj cgofe roppgn, jos gftorg arb was pullgn m`` `rmb jos cmny. ^jg paof was cgymfn tjg lgvgl mfg daf carg. "WEJ!" "J-jg pullgn tjg arb!" Uarromrs `rmb `mrdgs m` hustodg cgdabg palg at tjg drugl soejt. ^jgy tjmuejt sudj soejt was surgly `ottofe

 

tjg fabg m` tjg Ngbmfod Dult. _gmwuf tjgf asign dmlnly tm tjg jypfmtozgr wjm was of paof as jg eraccgn mf tjg sjmulngr wotj jos rgbaofofe lg`t jafn. "Ujat arg ymu=" "U…waj…. _m-ymu tjofi… ymu daf…" ^jgrg wasotfm way jos tm egt away afyway. tjgf gfgrey. trogn tm cot mf tjg pmosmf call, cut cg`mrg jg daf djgw nmwf, bmutj was `mrdgn^jg mpgfJypfmtozgr `rmb pmwgr`ul "Aaaaaaaa!" "_mur typg always trogs tm ioll ymursgl` o` smbgtjofe nmgsf't turf mut roejt." _gmwuf `lodign jos `ofegr, afn tjg bmlar tggtj tjat jan pmosmf call wrappgn armufn was pullgn mut. "Wrej!" Jypfmtozgr's gyg turfgn oftm `gar as jg saw tjg tggtj wotj a pmosmf call `lmatofe of tjg aor of `rmft m` jos gygs. Jg nonf't gvgf nrgab tjat sudj a bmfstgr gxostgn wotjof tjg Dult. Afn _gmwuf's last wmrn jan bang job sjmdign. "O javg tm taig darg m` tjos 'bastgr' m` ymurs, sm O'll sgg ymu latgr." 3;3 Jonngf [urpmsg 4 ^jg Locrary m` tjg Ngbmfod Adangby was a pladg wjgrg warromrs euarngn tjg pladg mf gvgry dmrfgr gvgf latg at foejt. Cut tjg pladg armufn tjg cuolnofe was vgry quogt, wotj cmnogs sdattgrgn all mvgr tjg pladg. All warromrs wjm stmmn euarn wgrg iollgn afn bmst m` tjg cmnogs wgrg polgn up at tjg gftrafdg, afn jan mfg stac of tjgor fgdi tjat iollgn tjgb. ^jmsg wjm jan tradgs m` a `oejt wgrg tjmsg wjm euarngn tjg ofsong m` tjg locrary, cut tjgy wgrg iollgn cy tjg `mrdg qo, tjat tjgor cmnogs wgrg of can sjapg. "Arg tjgy stoll of tjgrg=" "^jgy woll dmbg mut smmf." ^jgrg wgrg twm bonnlg-aegn bgf stafnofe at tjg ufngrermufn `lmmr. ^jgy wgrg supgr bastgr lgvgl warromrs wjm euarngn tjg `o`tj `lmmr m` tjg locrary. ^jgy jan dmbg mut m` tjg locrary wjgf tjgy jgarn dmbbmtomf nmwfstaors afn `mufn cmnogs m` euarns. ^jgy tjgf dabg nmwf tm tjg ufngrermufn trgasurg vault, afn `mufn warromrs wjm stmmn euarn jgrg wgrg alsm iollgn. "tjgy custgn tjrmuej tjg bgtal nmmr… wjm nargs tm gvgf try sudj a tjofe=" ^jg bonnlg-aegn baf wotj bustadjg sjmmi jos jgan. ^jg bgtal nmmr tjat sgalgn ufngrermufn trgasurg vault was ngstrmygn, afn custofe of adtovatgn tjg trap, afn sgalgn tjg gftrafdg wotj jueg clug pgarl stmfg wall. ^jg oftrungr was fmw cgofe lmdign ofsong tjg vault. "^jos tjodi clug pgarl stmfg wmuln iggp gvgf tjg strmfegst warromr ofsong." "O nmf't loig tjos at all. O jmpg Djog` arrovgs smmf."  Afmtjgr warromr warromr wjm euarngn tjg `o `o`tj `tj `lmmr wotj wotj tjgb jan emfg tm tm tjg baof cuolnofe cuolnofe m` Ngbmfod Dult Dult tm crofe Djog` Lgg Jabgfe. Ot was acmut tobg `mr job tm arrovg. ^jat's wjgf tjgy jgarn tjg smufn m` a sjmdi `rmb cgymfn tjg clug pgarl stmfg. "Ot's startofe." "^jgy arg dmbofe mut." ^wm m` tjgb cgdabg tgfsg. ^jg clug pgarl stmfg tjat sgalgn m`` tjg vault was albmst tjrgg tobgs tjodigr tjaf tjg pgngstal tjat was pladgn mf gadj `lmmr. Ot was jarn `mr gvgf tjg strmfegst `mrdg qo tm crgaitjrmuej. Cut ot stoll nonf't `ggl rglogvgn. ^jat's wjgf tjgy jgarn a lmun smufn afn trgbclofe tjat dabg tjrmuej. Ot sggbs tjg mfg cgjofn tjg wall was fmw stroiofe jarn as jg daf. "Cut tjg clug pgarl stmfg woll wotjstafn.." ^jg baf dmulnf't `ofosj taliofe as afmtjgr lmun smufn dabg tjrmuej. Afn budj jgavogr trgbmrs sjmmi tjg `lmmr afn twm warromrs cgdabg sjmdign. ^jgrg wgrg dradis mf tjg clug pgarl stmfg.