Amazingly, Marvin started coming to, wailing in pain.Bob bellowed, “Who are your men inside the Rockford Police Department, Marvin? WHAT ARE THEIR N...AMES?”“I’ll never tell you!” Marvin said defiantly, still unable to move.I picked Marvin up about 15’ and he started screaming, “AAAHHH, alright, alright, I’ll tell you! I think my back is broken! Please put me down.”Suddenly a voice from one of the rooms shouted, “If you tell them, Legba, we’re all finished. Keep your mouth shut, DAMMIT!”Marvin,. Still, it was a good thing the ride was short.Evening meal was roast goat, with some spiced melon and heavily seasoned rice, washed down with a serviceable enough wine, very fruity and with something of a weak finish. There was little in the way of talk. Tomorrow we would be traveling, and most everyone was quickly busy once the meal was over. I had nothing to do and no one expecting me to pitch in, so I sat on a rock near the fire and made sure what little gear I had was efficiently packed for. He'd tried it the firsttime he'd been allowed into the garden, thinking he could make a run forit and escape, but she'd simply laughed, caught his arm and before heknew it he'd been face down in the grass immobilized, with her kneelingon his back twisting his arm. She had made it seem so easy. He had knownhe'd been weak, having spent almost two months in bed, much of itsedated, while his surgeries had healed and his muscles had atrophied.They'd kept him that way two when they'd finally got him. Despite her best preparations and determination, she couldn't keep the tears from streaming. The smoke of the pyre was visible for many lengths.They rode. For three days they rode, saying little and trying to take solace in the silence of their own lamentations.Chewing a crisped game bird that night, Rayna felt she couldn't endure the quiet any longer. She pointed to the scroll that was tucked in Stefan's belt, "What is that and why do you read it every eve we stop?"Not only was she curious,.
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