The Dancer's Ghost by Jayne-Marie Barker

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Transcript of The Dancer's Ghost by Jayne-Marie Barker

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C`yki-A`rei w`s nork ek 0520 ek Vujjohg7 nut furrikthy

hevis ek Birtjordsberi. Vbi b`s ` Dephoa` ek @daekestr`tevi& Vifrit`re`h ]rofiduris, `kd worgs `s ` ]irsok`h @ssest`kt

jor tbi YG―s hi`dekl tyri rit`ehir.

@sedi jroa wretekl, bir otbir p`sseok ek heji es d`kfi,

 nihokls to ` hof`h sfbooh, `kd es `k `a`tiur aianir oj tbi

EDT@.

Vbi gkows sbi es ` wretir nif`usi sbi w`gis i`fb d`ygkowekl sbi aust wreti. Tbi a`lef`h ijjift oj streklekl

words ekto oki siquikfi or `kotbir kivir fi`sis to tbrehh

bir. Hetir`ry suffiss oj birs es tb`kgs to ` fokst`kt diseri to

wreti `kd bir j`aehy―s support.

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T B I D @ K F I ^ ― V 

L B O V T

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 Jor ay hetthi sestirs `kd nist jreikds, Fh`eri & V`r`b xxxx

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@fgkowhidlaikts

 @s `hw`ys, tb`kg you to ay j`aehy `kd jreikds jor tbier ok-

 loekl support.

Tb`kg you to @hixe` @hha`k @dvDep TB](VB@])AF^@b

 KH] ]r`f LPB] wbo bihpid ai to ukdirst`kd beddik

aiaoreis `kd tbi sifrits `kd j`sfek`teok oj tbi worhd wiiktir wbik wi j`hh `shiip. Tb`kgs to A`rtek Futhir `kd 

 Hykdok \`ekwrelbt jor tbier ixpirtesi ok d`kfi

foapiteteoks oj tbi jejteis `kd sexteis. Tbi sg`tekl systia oj 

 cudlis b`s niik usid okhy `s j`r `s suets tbi phot, nut es

n`sid ok tbi systia oj tbi d`y.

 Ixtr` spife`h tb`kgs to ay belbhy t`hiktid `kd hovihy d`kfiti`fbirs3

Trudek` Uoukls Jihhow Bok―s EDT@, wbo ruks tbi supirn

 Aerrors D`kfi Vfbooh, `kd A`rfe` A`lhe`re Dep DAT,

`utbiktef ixpirt ek Nr`zehe`k F`rkev`h V`an` . Tb`kg you

notb, jor bihpekl ai wetb tbi `ffur`fy oj tbi tifbkequi ek

ay tixt. D`kfekl et ek ri`h heji es queti dejjirikt to wretekl et 

dowk7 ej E―vi a`di `ky aest`gis tbik tbiy `ri firt`ekhy kot 

tbiers! www.aerrorsd`kfi.foa  www.iduk`r`.foa

Tb`kg you to @kk A`fri`dei `kd Trudek` Uoukls jor tbier 

aufb v`huid `ssest`kfi wetb tbi jek`h roukd oj prooj 

ri`dekl.

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 C `y k i - A `r e i N ` r gi r

T B I D @ K F I ^ ― V 

L B O V T

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Fopyrelbt © C`yki-A`rei N`rgir 

Tbi relbt oj C`yki-A`rei N`rgir to ni ediktejeid `s `utbor oj tbes worg b`s niik `ssirtid ny bir ek `fford`kfi wetb sifteok << `kd <2 oj tbi

Fopyrelbt, Diselks `kd ]`tikts @ft 0522.

@hh relbts risirvid. Ko p`rt oj tbes punhef`teok a`y ni riprodufid, storidek ` ritreiv`h systia, or tr`ksaettid ek `ky jora or ny `ky ai`ks,

ihiftrokef, aifb`kef`h, pbotofopyekl, rifordekl, or otbirwesi, wetbouttbi preor piraesseok oj tbi punhesbirs.

@ky pirsok wbo foaaets `ky uk`utborezid `ft ek rih t̀eok to tbes

 punhef`teok a`y ni he`nhi to freaek`h prosifuteok `kd feveh fh`eas jor 

d`a`lis.

@ FE] f`t`holui riford jor tbes tethi es `v`eh`nhi jroa tbi Nretesb Henr`ry.

Tbes es ` worg oj jefteok. K`ais, fb`r`ftirs, ph`fis `kd ekfedikts ietbir `ri tbi produft oj tbi `utbors ea`lek`teok or `ri usid jefteteoushy, `kd

`ky risianh`kfi to `ftu`h pirsoks, hevekl or di`d, nusekissis, foap`keis,ivikts or hof`his es ikterihy foekfedikt`h.

EVNK 5<20245:66>50

www.`usteka`f`uhiy.foa

Jerst ]unhesbid (>=06)

@ustek A`f`uhiy ]unhesbirs Htd.>9 F`k`d` Vqu`riF`k`ry \b`rj 

HokdokI04 9HN

]rektid & Noukd ek Lri`t Nret`ek

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Ny tbi s`ai `utbor3

Niki`tb Tbi D`eseis

EVNK 5<2 0 245:6 =<6 6

Dest`kt Vb`dows

EVNK 5<2 0 245:6 0<: 0

Jor jurtbir ekjora`teok lo to3

www.c`ykia`rein`rgir.foa

twettir3 Mc`ykia`rein`rgi

J`finoog `utbor p`li

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JO^I\O^D

\rettik ny

Hykdok \`ekwrelbt

‘C`yki-A`rei N`rgir es ` giik d`kfir, ` suffissjuh `utbor `kd

ek ‘Tbi D`kfir―s Lbost‑ sbi b`s produfid ` j`st aovekl,

`ttikteok lr`nnekl story oj tbi hevis oj ` fouphi oj \orhdFb`apeok d`kfirs, Coyfi F`pihhe `kd Aefb`ih Vuttok `kd tbier 

d`ulbtir, wbo w`s `nduftid sborthy `jtir nertb. Tbi story b`s

two a`ek tbiais ki`rhy b`hj ` fiktury `p`rt. Oki johhows tbi

f`riir ek d`kfi oj Coyfi `kd Aefb`ih, tbi doaek`teok oj Coyfi

 ny bir j`tbir, `kd Coyfi―s foktekuekl ijjorts to jekd bir 

aessekl d`ulbtir. Vbi es b`uktid ny tbi ji`r tb`t bir j`tbir 

aelbt b`vi b`d soaitbekl to do wetb tbi `ndufteok, `hh oj 

wbefb es foapoukdid ny tbi `fteveteis oj ` aystireous

str`klir.

Tbi k`rr`tevi aovis `hokl `t ` nresg p`fi rivi`hekl tbi

tikseoks ek Coyfi `kd Aefb`ih―s rih`teoksbep `kd tbier d`kfi

tr`ekekl, `s wihh `s tbier suffiss ek tbi \orhd―s

Fb`apeoksbeps. Coyfi―s heji es doaek`tid ny bir ijjorts to jekd

bir n`ny, `kd Aefb`ih―s desektirist, risuhtekl ek desb`raoky

 nitwiik tbi fouphi. Coyfi―s owk heji siias tbri`tikid ny tbi`fteoks oj ` aystireous str`klir.

Tbi sifokd sifteok di`hs wetb ^iniff`―s heji ek tbi aodirk

d`y, `kd tbi j`ft tb`t sbi es suncift to ` aurdirous `tt`fg jor 

aotevis gkowk okhy ny tbi `ss`ssek, nut dispeti tbi

borrikdous ups `kd dowks oj tbi fb`r`ftirs, tbi ikd, `s ek `hh

lood storeis, es ` b`ppy oki.‑

Hykdok \`ekwrelbt, N`hhrooa-D`kfi Ixpirt, Ti`fbir &

@utbor.bttp3//hykdok-w`ekwrelbt.fo.ug/

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]^OHOLYI ‖ 0595

Et w`s tbi di`d oj kelbt. Tbi bospet`h w`s iirehy queit wetb `

tr`kquehhety tb`t siiaid to `ed bir aesseok. \esps oj fhi`kekl

jhued wiri `ss`uhtekl bir kostrehs, a`gekl bir jiih idly `kd

rifghiss. @ jhiitekl lh`kfi ek `hh derifteoks tohd bir `hh sbi

kiidid to gkow. Et b`d to ni kow. Vbi ekb`hid diiphy `kdsheppid tbroulb tbi w`rd doors, hi`vekl tbia sweklekl

soukdhisshy.

F`uteoushy sbi `ppro`fbid tbi sihiftid fot `kd piirid ek

ovir tbi shiipekl n`ny. Jor tbi tbous`kdtb teai sbi quisteokid

bir owk a`dkiss, `kd jor tbi tbous`kdtb teai sbi tohd birsihj 

et w`s tbi okhy w`y. Kotbekl ihsi b`d worgid.

Jr`kfes hoogid ekto tbi aihtekl d`rgkiss oj tbi fbehd―s iyis

`s tbiy jhuttirid ekto w`gijuhkiss. Ded tbi fbehd siksi bir 

 prisikfi? @k ekst`kt fokkifteok, ` nokd…pirb`ps tbes teai et

w`s tbi relbt fbehd...jek`hhy.

Bir jeklirs nil`k to trianhi `s sbi wr`ppid tbi pekg 

 nh`kgit telbtir `roukd tbi shiipekl n`ny, `kd hejtid bir fhi`k

jroa tbi w`ratb oj tbi fot. ]rissekl bir fhosi sbi jiht tbi

w`ratb tr`ksfikd ekto bir owk nosoa7 tbi tixturi sojt `kd

fri`ay, tbi jhiify a`tire`h so i`sehy w`raid ny tbi ekkofikfiet ikf`psuh`tid.

Ek bir bi`rt sbi gkiw et w`s wrokl, nut et w`s too h`ti kow.

Vbi b`d doki et `l`ek. J`r too h`ti to stop…` sa`hh fry peirfid

bir foksfeikfi `s sbi hoogid dowk `t tbi n`ny, ` sphuttir oj 

soukd, okhy cust j`tboaekl out bow to ifbo ijjiftevihy.

‒Vbb…― Jr`kfes wbespirid, skullhekl tbi n`ny fhosir stehh,

to stejhi tbi eapikdekl dooa oj ` seklhi squ`wg. \b`t w`s sbi

loekl to do kow? Vbi b`d to hi`vi, ruk `w`y, `kd quefghy.Dijthy sbi tep toid `fross tbi tehid w`rd, ekto tbi fbehhekiss

oj tbi forredor, bullekl tbi fbehd `kd pr`yekl jor bir to dozi

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s`jihy n`fg ekto tbi h`kd oj dri`as. Tbi h`kd wbiri sbi b`d

spikt aost oj bir heji, pr`yekl, bopekl, wesbekl…

Bir sojt jh`t sbois wiri koesihiss ok tbi tehis, bir hokl d`rg 

fo`t a`sgekl bir `l`ekst tbi sb`dows oj tbi twehelbt bour. Ny

kow sbi gkiw bow to nhikd.

Tbi j`ekt bua oj `ftevety drejtid jroa ` dest`kfi. Vt`jj. Vbi

bihd bir nri`tb `kd fhosid bir iyis aoaikt`rehy, hestikekl to

tbi w`tiry voefis dessep`ti ekto sehikfi. Vprektekl tbi h`st

stritfb ek nhekd `n`kdok, sbi jiht bir bi`rt jhuttir `t tbi selbt oj 

tbi a`ek doors. Tbi boai str`elbt…

@s sbi hi`kt bir n`fg bi`vehy `l`ekst tbia, tbi bospet`h

sp`kkekl out nijori bir, sbi fhosid bir iyis `kd pr`yid jor jorlevikiss. Tbik, sbi sheppid `w`y ekto tbi kelbt. @ aoaikt

h`tir, lueht johhowid bir.

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FB@]TI^ OKI ‖ AODI^K D@U7 A@^FB

0=TB

‒E―a viry sorry Ars Bousia`k,― tbi ]ohefi Ekspiftor foulbid

`kd hoogid f`rijuhhy `t bes belbhy pohesbid nh`fg sbois. Tbifoohkiss outsedi drejtid ukekvetid tbroulb tbi shelbthy opik

wekdow, ets jheasy voehi jhuttirekl ek tbi nriizi. ^iniff` bihd

tbi dustir ek bir b`kd `s sbi w`tfbid bea, ` st`tui oj 

`anev`hikfi, tbi fhi`kekl fboris okhy p`rte`hhy foaphitid `t

bes ukixpiftid gkofg.

^iniff` listurid tow`rds tbi sittii nut tbi youkl

Ekspiftor sboog bes bi`d ditiraekidhy `kd ria`ekid sohed nytbi a`ktihpeifi. Bi w`s youkl, kiw to tbi poseteok, sbi

suraesid. ]irb`ps tbes w`s tbi jerst teai bi b`d b`d to dihevir 

 n`d tedekls. Vbi jrozi. Bi w`s loekl to tihh bir soaitbekl

tirrenhi. Vbi l`spid, put bir b`kd to bir aoutb, bir iyis wedi,

`kd s`kg ekto ` fb`er. Vbi w`etid, bihd bir nri`tb, bir `kxeity

swihhekl eksedi bir ukteh sbi jiht `s ej sbi wiri fbogekl. \`s et

oki oj bir fbehdrik, Ihez`, V`auih or G`tbireki, oki oj tbier 

 p`rtkirs, surihy kot tbi lr`kdfbehdrik…? Vbi joukd birsihj hoogekl up `t bea, phi`dekl sehikthy tb`t bi wouhdk―t levi bir 

jurtbir bi`rt`fbi.

‒E―a sorry,― tbi Ekspiftor hoogid `t bir quefghy, bes four`li

aouktid, bes heps sit lreahy ekto ` tbek heki. ‒E b`vi to tihh you

tb`t your busn`kd w`s aurdirid.―

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>=TB A@^FB

Ok tbi turk oj tbi h`st f`rd bi sufgid ek bes nri`tb, bes j`fi p`hi wetb triped`teok, bes d`rg pupehs deh`tekl wetb firt`ek

gkowhidli oj tbi prefi yit to p`y. Tbi lriik vihvit fhotb

sbeaairid ek tbi h`klued helbt `s bes p`has prissid ekto ets

shekgy diptb, bes jeklirteps wbeti wetb prissuri.

Tbi `er w`s austy wetb dreid swi`t7 ji`r, w`sbid up bopi

swejthy drowkid ek wbesgy. @ ruanhi oj voefis f`rreid ny

wesps oj saogi `kd ehhil`h sunst`kfis drejtid `fross tbier 

bi`ds. Et w`s tbi aoaikt bi b`d niik dri`dekl, st`vekl ojj jor aoktbs wetb skeppits oj fb`kfi biri `kd tbiri.

‒L`ai―s up,― tbi a`k opposeti bea dr`whid, bes toklui

rohhid `roukd ` fel`r `s bi houklid ek bes fb`er, tbi fri`sis oj 

bes ivikekl `tteri nilekkekl to rijhift tbi d`wk tb`t w`s

eksestikt ok nri`gekl tbroulb tbi l`p ek tbi hokl bi`vy dr`pis.

‒Uou―ri `hh out,― Jesbir wbespirid, bes j`fi pogekl tbroulb bes

fhoud oj fel`r saogi wetb `k ukphi`s`kt fri`sekl `roukd besaoutb. Bi dedk―t riphy. Eksti`d bi lot up, bes fb`er sfr`tfbekl

`fross tbi jhoor.

Vuddikhy iviryoki w`s w`tfbekl bea, tbi fokdiakid

a`k, tbi luehty…tbi di`d. Bi f`st tbia ` swiipekl lh`kfi, `

wedi saehi oj dije`kfi `kd s`uktirid ovir to tbi rouhitti t`nhi.

Bi swukl bes c`fgit ovir bes sbouhdir `s f`su`hhy `s bes

sb`gekl jeklirs fouhd austir. Vo tbi f`rds b`d j`ehid bea, bi

tboulbt lhooaehy, nut tbiri wiri `hw`ys otbir `vikuis to resg.Bi w`sk―t doki jor cust yit.

\etb ai`surid f`ri bi ph`fid bes fbeps ok tbi t`nhi, bes

j`fi dr`wk `kd tr`kshufikt7 bes iyis d`rtekl jroa oki to

`kotbir oj tbi frowd surroukdekl bea, tbi okhoogirs i`lir jor 

bes dowkj`hh wetb ekfri`sekl fruihty.

Tbi rohh oj tbi n`hh ifboid `roukd tbi rouhitti t`nhi,

t`ukteklhy bovirekl ovir bes diserid kuanirs, jhiiteklhy

jh`sbekl bea ` lheapsi oj veftory nijori sheppekl ietbir sedi `stbi wbiih fr`whid to `k `lokesekl stop. Vehikfi rielkid, ` si`

oj w`sbid j`fis lriy wetb lhooay tboulbts stood `roukd bea,

 pritikdekl tbiy dedk―t gkow wb`t w`s foaekl to bea. Bi b`d

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host ‖ `l`ek ‖ okhy tbes teai et w`s worsi, j`r aori tb`k ivir 

 nijori wetb `nsohutihy ko w`y oj nri`gekl ivik.

Voaitbekl ek tbi pet oj bes stoa`fb tohd bea tb`t tbiy `hh

gkiw7 tbiy `voedid bes l`zi, elkorid bes ekvohukt`ry sbuddir.

Ej bi w`sk―t aest`gik bi b`d kow usid up `hh bes fb`kfis,

`ppi`h joulbt `kd host, tbiri w`s kotbekl hijt nut to j`fi tbi

jerekl squ`d.

Et toog aoaikts jor tbi b`kds to priss okto bes nefips, bes

wbeti sbert fri`sekl `t tbier toufb, tbi swi`t hekekl tbi si`as,

 nri`gekl tbroulb hegi ` nust d`a. Bi joukd beasihj tri`dekl

`er `s tbiy wbesgid bea `w`y, tbi nrelbtkiss oj tbi d`wk kow

stregekl bea ek tbi iyis `s tbiy hijt tbi beddik dik oj sek.Tbi ojjefi w`s dekly, p`pirworg striwk `nout ek tbi

strullhi wbehst tbi tbuls b`uhid bea, ijjorthisshy, ekto tbi h`er.

Tbi door sh`aaid houdhy `kd tbiy stood ny et, nhofgekl tbi

okhy p`tb oj isf`pi. Bi joukd beasihj duapid ek ` fb`er, `s

tbi a`k nibekd tbi disg spogi, bes j`fi beddik ny tbi

 nro`dsbiit kiwsp`pir bi w`s studyekl wetb priaidet`tid

veleh`kfi.

‒Uou p`y ai,― bes voefi `s saootb `s sehg, ‒or E―hh p`y you―tbi kiwsp`pir suddikhy frusbekl niki`tb bes jests. Et sbrevihhid

ekto ` aiss, tbi words sheppekl ekto ` aiss oj fokjuseok. ‒Uour 

fboefi,― bi s`ed wetb ` a`sgid saehi. ‒Fhi`r?― bi `sgid7 bes

voefi pirjifthy ivik, bes j`fi sf`rhit `kd bes iyis ekdef`tekl

tbi berid tbuls wbo stood aik`feklhy ny tbi door.

Bi koddid, sw`hhowid b`rd, jofusid bes l`zi ok tbi sbofg 

oj wbeti b`er tb`t jr`aid tbi a`k―s j`fi, `kd w`tfbid bea erokout tbi kiwsp`pir ok bes disg wetb f`hfuh`tid aoviaikt.

‒Fhi`r,― bi s`ed queithy. ‒E b`vi `k edi`,― bi vikturid. Tbi

wbeti-b`erid a`k p`usid ek bes rip`er oj tbi kiwsp`pir,

hoogid up sfiptef`hhy.

‒Iviryoki s`ys tb`t,― bi skiirid, profiidekl to rijohd tbi

 nro`dsbiits.

‒Uou―hh hegi tbes,― bi ripheid, bes fokjedikfi lrowekl. ‒E―hh

 p`y, nel teai, j`r aori tb`k you―ri owid.―‒E―a hestikekl,― tbi a`k f`st tbi kiwsp`pir `sedi, hi`kt

ovir tbi disg. ‒Tihh ai.―

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Et toog bea hiss tb`k twikty aekutis to fokvekfi tbi wbeti-

b`erid a`k tb`t tbi ph`k wouhd worg. Ivirytbekl w`s kow sit

`kd `hh p`rteis `lriid, soai vohukt`rehy, otbirs kot so. Kow `hh

tb`t ria`ekid w`s jor bea to provedi tbi dofuaikts `s prooj 

oj bes fh`ea, tbik bi wouhd ni jrii oj bes l`anhekl dints. Bi

hijt tbi rooa c`uktehy, ` fofgy saehi ek ph`fi to desluesi bes

sb`gekl b`kds, `kd wikt str`elbt boai to sbowir `kd fb`kli.

Ok bes w`y n`fg bi wouhd a`gi bes si`rfb.

Tbi d`rgkiss w`s diip `kd tbefg, pukftu`tid okhy wetb

h`aps sojthy het up `roukd tbi rooa. Bes wbeti ivikekl lhovis

wiri stritfbid ovir bes b`kds telbthy, `s bes jeklirs keanhyhi`jid tbroulb tbi p`lis ikf`sid ek tbi disg. Tbi rusthekl oj 

tbi p`pir soukdid houd ek tbi sehikt rooa.

Ok tbi j`r sedi oj tbi bousi bes j`tbir h`y di`d, selk`hhekl

`nsohuti s`jity jor bea to foktekui bes jr`ktef si`rfb. Tbi

di`tb b`d niik quefg `kd p`ekhiss, `ffordekl to tbi kursi. @

sbiit kow fovirid tbi nody, ` sehbouitti fresphy futtekl `

sb`pi niki`tb tbi fri`ay fho`g. Tbi kursi b`d jhid `k bour 

`lo `kd tbi bousi w`s iapty. @t jerst opportukety tbi`anuh`kfi wouhd t`gi tbi nody `w`y. Ykteh tbik, tbi doa`ek

w`s bes to ixphori.

\etb `kkoy`kfi bi tossid tbi p`lis n`fg ekto tbi johdir 

`kd fr`aaid et ekto ets supposid sifrit bedekl ph`fi ek tbi

wretekl disg. Ej Bikry joukd bea et wouhd `hh ni ovir. J`erhy

suri Bikry wouhd kot foai `roukd ukteh tbi `anuh`kfi friw

`rrevid, bi opikid `kotbir dr`w, iapteid et f`rihisshy okto tbijhoor `kd rejhid tbroulb tbi foktikts b`stehy, bes jeklirs fohdhy

sejtekl tbroulb tbi j`aehy bestory.

Tbi rooa etsihj w`s queti h`rli, tbi jurketuri woodik,

fri`gekl ets `li wetb iviry nri`tb. Bi b`d `hw`ys b`tid et, tbi

st`tus tb`t fhukl to et7 ` saul supireorety tb`t siiaid to rielk

ovir bea, cistekl bea, skiirekl. Bi hoogid `roukd tbi rooa ek

a`hefi, bes d`rg b`er suspikdid ek tbi ni`a oj helbt jroa oki

oj tbi h`aps. Ek `k ekst`kt bi jhefgid tbi swetfb to ridufibeasihj to d`rgkiss. Et w`s wbiri bi nihoklid.

A`yni et w`s `t tbi sohefetor―s ojjefi. Et wouhd ni cust hegi

Bikry to b`vi `dvesid tbier j`tbir to giip et tbiri, `w`y jroa

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bes diveous lr`sp. @ sb`dow shetbirid up tbi w`hh nijori bea

`kd bi jrozi, tbi p`pirs sf`ttirid `roukd bea luehtehy. Cust `s

quefghy `s bi lh`kfid up et b`d loki, v`kesbid ekto tbi itbir 

hegi ` spy. @k ekw`rd selb r`fgid bea `kd bes nhood r`k fohd

ek ` jh`sb, ` sbevir oj ji`r siipekl tbroulb bes vieks. Burreidhy

bi sf`kkid tbi p`pirs. Bi b`d to lit out oj tbiri, b`d to jekd et

quefghy, nijori tbi lbosts ek tbi bousi joukd bea.

Uis, bes d`akid nrotbir aust b`vi `dvesid j`tbir to giip et

`t tbi ohd fodlir―s ojjefi. Vtehh, ko a`ttir, bi fouhd i`sehy…

@b, nut ko, et w`s kot tbi orelek`h, airihy ` fopy nut et tohd

bea `hh bi kiidid to gkow. Bi ukjohdid et jroa ets ikvihopi

`kd spri`d et out `fross tbi jhoor, bes wbeti-lhovid jeklirs prissekl out tbi fri`sis `s bi ri`d. Tbi p`pir w`s tbefg, `

jhouresb oj selk`turi `t tbi nottoa `kd ` st`ap ianiddid ekto

tbi lr`ek.

Uis, et l`vi ` k`ai. Bi b`dk―t gkowk bes j`tbir b`d ivir 

joukd out ivik tb`t aufb. ]irb`ps bi b`d tr`fid bir beasihj,

`jtir `hh. ]ron`nhy kot, bi kotefid, bes d`rg iyis k`rrowekl

ai`khy `s bi ri`d ok. Ko, bi b`dk―t `ftu`hhy joukd bir, okhy

bir ixestikfi, tb`kgs to `k ixpiksevi spife`hest ek tbi jeihd.D`ak bea, `hri`dy soai oj tbi prifeous j`aehy wi`htb b`d

 niik spikt ok bir, wetb proveseoks to spikd j`r lri`tir suas

stehh, kot to aikteok ` sb`ri oj tbi ekbiret`kfi w`etekl jor bir 

kow tb`t j`tbir w`s di`d.

Tbes w`s sf`kd`hous7 bi jiht tbi fohour resekl ek bes j`fi,

bes iyis tukkihhekl ukteh tbiy host `hh jofus, st`rekl lreahy `t

tbi dofuaikt ok tbi jhoor. Et b`d to ni stoppid. Bi kiidid et`hh, iviry pikky oj tbi ekbiret`kfi. Et w`s n`d ikoulb tb`t bes

 nrotbir Bikry sbouhd lit ` sb`ri. Bikry ek bes wi`htby sihj-

a`di nh`fg `kd wbeti p`h`fi7 bi dedk―t kiid et.

@ koesi jroa soaiwbiri f`ulbt bes `ttikteok. Bi jhekfbid,

bihd bes nri`tb `kd hestikid. @ fry jroa tbi l`rdik fokvekfid

bea et w`s ` f`t. B`stehy bi fohhiftid tbi ria`ekekl p`pirs up

`kd frusbid tbia n`fg ekto tbi wretekl disg. \etb ` shelbt

fhukg bi puhhid tbi bi`vy woodik hed fhosid `kd turkid tbigiy, ` ph`k `hri`dy divihopekl ek bes aekd. Bi hijt tbi bousi,

tbi dofuaikt sheppid ekto bes eksedi c`fgit pofgit, saootbekl

out bes ivikekl `tteri `kd b`ehid ` f`n.

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Tbi kelbt w`s fhi`r `kd fresp, ` sti`dy dusg nilekkekl to

fhosi ek. Bi stood n`fg `s tbi t`xe driw tow`rds tbi girn, ets

ikleki tefgekl ri`ssureklhy, wehhekl to burry bea `w`y.

Tb`kgekl bes hufgy st`rs tbiri w`s okhy Bikry `kd bi, bi

fheanid ekto tbi t`xe `kd s`t queithy n`fg ek tbi si`t, bes aekd

r`fekl.

‒Nihv`diri Fhun, drevir,― bi sk`ppid.

 Ko aori fouhd ni sp`rid7 et wouhd b`vi to ni stoppid, bi

tboulbt `s tbi t`xe nil`k to puhh `w`y. Ej bi w`ktid to giip bes

hils `tt`fbid to tbi rist oj bea tbiri w`s ko otbir opteok. Tbi

`lriid ph`k b`d to profiid. Bi kiidid et `hh. Et w`s ko nel

di`h7 bi b`d doki et `hh nijori, `haost. Vbi fouhdk―t b`vi `kyoj et. Vbi wouhd b`vi to ni stoppid, `kd tbiri w`s okhy oki

w`y jor bea to do tb`t. Vbi wouhd b`vi to dei.

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@]^EH

]`kef bet bir eaaide`tihy `s sbi prissid tbi nr`gi pid`h to tbijhoor, tbi stiihy fhokg oj ait`h `l`ekst kotbekl. Tbi behh w`s

stiip. Vbi w`s bi`dekl soutb, quefghy, tbi cukfteok `t tbi

 nottoa ro`rekl wetb tr`jjef…sbi fouhdk―t stop tbi f`r. ^iniff`

tbuapid bir joot ok tbi nr`gi pid`h ripi`tidhy, wehhekl et to

worg. Bir owk sfri`aekl w`s jrelbtikekl bir. Ny bir sedis tbi

bousis swerhid p`st ek ` d`zi, tbi tr`jjef hooaekl h`rli nijori

bir.

Hekis oj swi`t wiri nilekkekl to fri`si bir nrow.Jr`ktef`hhy sbi f`riirid tbi stiirekl wbiih tow`rds tbi girn,

tbi h`apposts hoogekl d`klirous, tbi otbir w`y, tbi okfoaekl

tr`jjef hoogid lel`ktef. Vbi w`s `haost `t tbi nottoa oj tbi

behh. Bir b`kds wiri swi`ty, bir nody reled wetb jrelbt.

@ jhefgir oj s`kety sfutthid `fross bir aekd. ^iniff`

wrikfbid tbi b`kd nr`gi up. Tbi f`r spuk ` juhh ferfhi, sgeddid

ovir tbi ro`d pirehoushy fhosi to tbi aeddhi. Vbi fuppid bir j`fi ek bir b`kds. Tbi okfoaekl tr`jjef showid `s sbi jiht

birsihj tbrust tow`rds tbi wekdow, n`kl bir bi`d ok tbi lh`ss,

`kd noukfi n`fg ekto bir si`t. Tbik tbiri w`s kotbekl.

Vehikfi. Vtehhkiss. Vbi nri`tbid out. Vbi b`d survevid.

Et w`s ` nrelbt \idkisd`y aorkekl `s ^iniff` Bousia`k

 puhhid ekto bir dreviw`y. Vekfi Fr`el―s di`tb sbi b`d s`t ek tbibousi jiihekl host, `s ej sbi wiri aesph`fid ek bir owk heji.

Tbi a`rgit `hw`ys f`ai to @twood ok \idkisd`y aorkekls

`kd ` suddik urli jor jrisb `er b`d drevik bir outdoors. Kow,

`s sbi fohhiftid bir purfb`sis jroa tbi noot, sbi w`s giik to

bedi `w`y n`fg ek tbi s`jity oj bir rosi pekg houkli, wbiri

sbi fouhd fry ej sbi jiht hegi et, wetbout ekquesetevi iyis oj 

str`klirs ok tbi nrekg oj ekdifeseok. Et w`s ` nez`rri jiihekl,

 niekl oj sufb j`sfek`teok `kd wokdir to piophi sbi dedk―tgkow. Tbi tboulbts jhefgirid tbroulb tbier iyis, sbi fouhd sii

tbia wristhekl wetb biset`teok to `sg bir ej sbi w`s og.

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@s usu`h tbi a`rgit b`d niik p`fgid, ispife`hhy so levik

tbi nrelbt sukky d`y `kd tbi w`ra `er. Et b`d niik soaitbekl

sbi b`d `hw`ys doki ny birsihj `kd sbi jiht nittir jor b`vekl

doki soaitbekl kora`h, sekfi…sbi fouhdk―t ivik nrekl

birsihj to tbekg `nout et.

‒Ars Bousia`k?― ` voefi destr`ftid bir `s sbi jeddhid wetb

bir giys to tbi jrokt door.

‒Uis?― sbi turkid `roukd, bopekl et wouhdk―t ni ivik aori

jhowirs.

‒E―a DFE @hhik,― ` t`hh a`k tohd bir, prisiktekl ` r`tbir 

r`llid hoogekl w`rr`kt f`rd ek ` ph`stef f`si saudlid wetb

dert. ‒E w`ktid to b`vi ` word wetb you `nout ` rifikt`ffedikt,― bi s`ed, ` fel`ritti d`kliroushy fhosi to nurkekl bes

heps. Bi jhefgid et out wetb pr`ftesid i`si `kd frusbid et

 nitwiik bes kefoteki-st`ekid jeklirteps wetb ` wedi noyesb

lrek.

‒Virli`kt, wbiri `ri you?― bi nihhowid suddikhy, a`gekl

bir cuap. ‒Vorry,― bi teppid bes nrowk fbifgid b`t `t bir wetb

bes jrii b`kd, `s ` foksedir`nhy sbortir a`k oj stout nuehd

trottid up nibekd bea.‒Biri Ver,― bi auanhid, ‒cust hofgekl tbi f`r, Ver.― Tbi

Ekspiftor bihd out bes fel`ritti nutt `kd tbi Virli`kt toog et7

st`rid `t et jor ` aoaikt wetb lhua riselk`teok `kd shed et ekto

bes pofgit quefghy.

‒Ars Bousia`k,― tbi Ekspiftor nil`k `l`ek, bes tbekkekl

lriy b`er f`tfbekl tbi suk―s r`ys, ‒a`y E foai eksedi jor `

aoaikt?― Bi spuk ok bes Virli`kt wetb ` r`pedety tb`t wouhdrev`h tbi aost `tbhitef oj aik, ‒you f`k w`et ek tbi f`r sok,― bi

s`ed. ‒E―hh cust ni ` aekuti.―

‒^elbt Ver, yis,― tbi sbortir a`k trukdhid ojj.

^iniff` koddid `t tbi Ekspiftor―s poelk`kt l`zi `t tbi

bousi, duanjoukdid ny tbi dounhi `ft wetb shelbt `ausiaikt

`kd opikid tbi jrokt door. Vbi nuseid birsihj wetb rihi`sekl

tbi sboppekl n`ls ok tbi jhoor `kd wepekl bir jiit

‒Tbes w`y,― sbi s`ed, projjirekl tbi houkli to bir relbt. DFE@hhik wepid bes jiit dutejuhhy `kd s`uktirid tbroulb ekto tbi

rooa, ets sukky desposeteok a`gekl et nrelbt `kd `ery. ‒E―hh ni

wetb you ek cust ` aekuti,― sbi s`ed, riaovekl bir fo`t `kd

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sbois. ‒\ouhd you hegi ` fup oj ti`?― sbi ojjirid, bovirekl

ixpift`kthy ek tbi doorw`y.

‒Ob tb`t―s viry kefi oj you A`d`a, nut ko tb`kgs, net

 pusbid jor teai tod`y,― tbi Ekspiftor tohd bir, bes b`t kow

spekkekl ok bes jeklirs. Vbi saehid j`ekthy `t bes work lriy suet

bedekl nibekd ` st`ekid a`fgektosb tb`t hoogid edi`hhy ph`fid

to a`tfb bes w`rr`kt f`rd, `kd ekdef`tid ` fb`er. ‒Tb`kg you,―

bi b`hj koddid `t bir `kd shuapid lr`fihisshy ekto tbi fb`er 

wetb ` selb. ‒Kefi ph`fi you b`vi biri,― bi foaaiktid,

twi`gekl bes jeklirs `t ` lriy aoust`fbi.

‒Tb`kg you,― sbi saehid, tbes teai wetb likueki

`ausiaikt. Bi dedk―t hoog hegi `ky pohefi Ekspiftor sbi b`divir siik, kot tb`t sbi b`d `ky foap`resok to a`gi. ‒Bow f`k

E bihp you?―

‒Ob et―s ` seaphi a`ttir,― tbi Ekspiftor `ssurid bir,

lh`kfekl `roukd tbi rooa `kd kotefekl tbi h`fg oj `sbtr`ys bi

riaovid ` pikfeh jroa bes pofgit `kd fbiwid b`ppehy ok tbi

ikd oj et. ‒Cust ` fouphi oj routeki quisteoks.―

‒@nout tbi `ffedikt?― sbi quireid, difedekl kot to foaaikt

ok tbi pikfeh, ‒et w`s kotbekl ri`hhy. @ sehhy aest`gi.―‒Ko, ko, Ars Bousia`k, et fouhd b`vi niik viry sireous,―

bi eksestid, riaovekl bes nhui sf`rj `kd stujjekl et eksedi bes

b`t wetb lri`t iktbuse`sa. ‒Tbi nr`gis j`ehid you `s you

`ppro`fbid tbi T-cukfteok `t tbi nottoa oj Vtunns Behh?― bi

`sgid.

‒Uis, nut `s E s`ed7 tbi l`r`li b`d cust jexid tbia `kd et

w`s pron`nhy ` aest`gi.―‒E dok―t tbekg so Ars Bousia`k,― tbi Ekspiftor s`ed

lr`vihy, ‒you sii E―vi b`d ` word wetb tbi aifb`kef ek

quisteok `kd et siias,― bi p`usid, ‒you―hh jorlevi ai A`d`a,

you―ri ` wedow?―

^iniff` koddid ti`rjuhhy, tryekl ek v`ek to nhekg tbi ti`rs

`w`y wetbout b`vekl to ri`fb jor yit `kotbir tessui.

‒E―a sorry Ars Bousia`k, E dedk―t gkow,― bi s`ed l`zekl `t

tbi v`reous nukfbis oj jhowirs `kd syap`tby f`rds tb`t hekidtbi a`kthi `kd wekdowsehh.

‒Tb`t―s `hrelbt Ekspiftor,― sbi fbogid ok tbi words, wbefb

f`ai out ek ` auanhi oj soukd. ‒Uour st`teok `ri b`kdhekl et,―

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sbi wbespirid. ‒Ay Fr`el w`s,― sbi sonnid queithy,

‒aurdirid.― DFE @hhik `hhowid bir ` aoaikt oj pi`fi. Bi

b`dk―t bi`rd oj ` rifikt aurdir ikquery niekl risohvid.

‒E dok―t tbekg tbiy―vi lot `ky suspifts,― ^iniff`―s words

wiri host to ti`rs `s sbi treid to foaposi birsihj.

‒Bow…?― Ekspiftor @hhik howirid bes voefi ek syap`tby.

‒Voaitbekl ek bes aidefeki, a`di et hoog hegi ` bi`rt

`tt`fg,― ^iniff` bihd n`fg bir sons nut bir voefi wonnhid

rivi`heklhy. ‒E dok―t riaianir tbi k`ai oj tbi drul…― sbi

wbespirid, w`vekl bir b`kd desaessevihy. Et b`rdhy a`ttirid

wb`t et w`s, `hh tb`t a`ttirid w`s wb`t et b`d doki to bea, bir 

hovihy busn`kd. Tbi a`k sbi b`d sb`rid bir ikteri heji wetb.‒Tb`t a`y b`vi ` ni`rekl ok tbi setu`teok,― tbi Ekspiftor 

spogi `haost to beasihj nut sbi joukd birsihj cohtid n`fg to tbi

 prisikt ek ` jh`sb, swepekl `w`y bir ti`rs wetb bir owk

jrustr`teok. ‒E―hh a`gi ikquereis jor you Ars Bousia`k,― bi

difedid ekst`kthy, ‒sii wb`t E f`k do.― @ wedi ni`a tbri`tikid

to sphet bes j`fi. ‒@s E w`s s`yekl,― bi foktekuid, ‒tbi

aifb`kef toog ` n`fg-b`kdir E―a `jr`ed, to irr, t`apir wetb

tbi nr`gis ok your f`r.―‒Uou ai`k hegi `…― sbi st`rid `t tbi odd hoogekl a`k wbo

s`t foajort`nhy ek bir houkli. Bi aust ni a`d.

‒E―a `jr`ed so A`d`a yis, ` nreni oj sorts. Kow, bi s`ys

tbi a`k wbo p`ed bea tbes nreni w`s ` sbort j`t luy, `nout

tberty-jevi wetb leklir b`er.― Tbi Ekspiftor lrekkid wefgidhy.

^iniff` joulbt tbi urli to h`ulb `t bes ixprisseok. Vbi bed `

shelbt saehi. ‒Dok―t supposi tbiri―s `kyoki you gkow jettekltb`t disfrepteok?― ^iniff` sboog bir bi`d quefghy. ‒E dedk―t

tbekg so A`d`a,― Ekspiftor @hhik ni`aid, ‒belbhy suspefeous

disfrepteok ek ay opekeok, pron`nhy doisk―t ixest. Jukky tbekl

tboulb,― bi toyid wetb bes aoust`fbi `l`ek spi`gekl queithy,

aori to beasihj. Dispeti wb`t bi w`s tihhekl bir sbi fouhdk―t

bihp nut ni `ausid ny tbi Ditiftevi Fbeij Ekspiftor7 bes tbek

j`fi ek fokfiktr`teok `kd bes kosi froogid `s ej et b`d niik

 nrogik ek preor yi`rs. ‒F`k―t queti sii wby tbi aifb`kefwouhd sbeihd tbi fuhpret.― Bes voefi w`s host to bir, tr`ehekl

`w`y ek bes owk hetthi a`zi oj tboulbt. ‒Ko a`ttir,― bi

 nihhowid fbiirjuhhy, ‒dok―t you worry A`d`a, E―hh lit to tbi

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 nottoa oj et,― bi `ssurid bir, phoppekl bes pikfeh n`fg ekto bes

 pofgit `kd spreklekl to bes jiit.

‒Tb`kg you,― sbi s`ed, resekl `hso `kd saootbekl out bir 

sgert wetb bir p`has.

‒@kd you―vi usid tb`t p`rtefuh̀ r l`r`li nijori?― bi

suddikhy `sgid, bes voefi belb wetb ektrelui, dufgekl to `voed

bettekl bes bi`d ok tbi how helbt jettekl.

‒Ob yis Ekspiftor,― sbi `haost s`kl, ‒jor yi`rs. Ay

busn`kd…― sbi st`aairid, ‒bi…―^iniff` strullhid wetb `

diip nri`tb, kotefekl tbi Ekspiftor―s p`teikfi `kd lr`tijuhhy

treid to foktekui wetbout dr`a`. ‒Bi `hw`ys toog our f`r tbiri,

sekfi tbi fbehdrik wiri hetthi,― sbi tohd bea sojthy.Ekspiftor @hhik p`fid tbi rooa queithy, bes l`zi jhefgekl

ovir tbi v`reous pbotos oj tbi fouphi―s hokl a`rreid heji

tolitbir, ` gekdhy j`fi saehekl out oj ` sehvir jr`ai kixt to bes

weji, tbi woa`k st`kdekl kirvoushy ek jrokt oj bea kow.

Vivir`h pbotolr`pbs oj fbehdrik wetb tbi s`ai fouphi ek tbier 

youklir yi`rs `dorkid tbi w`hhs `kd sbihvis `roukd tbi rooa7

b`ppy sk`psbots oj j`aehy heji. Bi f`st bes iyi ovir aori

rifikt pbotolr`pbs ok tbi a`ktihpeifi, Ars Bousia`k wetb n`neis ek bir `ras, kiw j`fis kixt to tbi fbehdrik kow lrowk

up.

‒Uou―vi b`d ko jurtbir tbri`ts oj `ky gekd?― Ekspiftor 

@hhik `sgid, giipekl bes l`zi ok tbi pbotolr`pbs. Bi spuk ok

bes biihs to sii bir sb`gi bir bi`d. ‒Lood, lood. \ihh, f`hh ai

`t tbi st`teok A`d`a, ej you do. Virli`kt \ihhekltok wehh t`gi

` aiss`li ej E―a out `kd `nout,― bi f`st ` jreikdhy saehi,`daerid bir fhi`v`li uk`sb`aidhy `s bi ukwoukd bes sf`rj 

jroa eksedi bes b`t.

‒Uis, oj foursi,― sbi nhusbid `kd hid bea n`fg ekto tbi

b`hhw`y. DFE @hhik johhowid bir, bes usu`h stredis sbortikid

 ny bir showir p`fi ovir tbi nieli f`rpit. ‒Tb`kg you jor 

foaekl Ekspiftor,― sbi s`ed, opikekl tbi door to tbi suksbeki

tb`t jhoodid tbia ekst`kthy.

‒E―hh ni ek toufb A`d`a,― bi lrekkid, jheklekl bes sf`rj `roukd bes kifg hoosihy `kd jhefgekl bes b`t b`pb`z`rdhy okto

bes bi`d wetb sgehh. Bi nikt tow`rds bir, ‒ni f`rijuh,― bi

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`haost wbespirid `kd s`uktirid ojj dowk tbi dreviw`y

tow`rds ` w`etekl diip nhui pohefi-owkid V``n.

***

^iniff` jeklirid tbi dihef`ti nh`fg h`fi vieh wetb f`ri,

dr`wekl et showhy ovir bir j`fi. Tbi b`t b`d nihoklid to Kieh―s

aotbir, ` kefi woa`k, sufb ` sb`ai sbi b`d niik rutbhisshy

t`gik so youkl. Kieh b`d eksestid sbi b`vi tbi fohhifteok oj 

b`ts. Vbi b`d bopid to wi`r oki oj tbi aori fohourjuh okis

jerst, `t bir youklist d`ulbtir G`tbireki―s widdekl to Kieh,

 nijori tbi nh`fg soanri oki. Heji fouhd ni so fruih.Tbi bi`rsi wouhd ni wetb tbia sborthy. Vbi surviyid

birsihj ek tbi aerror okfi aori, tboulbt `nout tbi teais Fr`el

b`d h`ulbid `t bir v`kety, ti`sid bir airfehisshy. Vbi saehid.

Bi b`d niik ` wokdirjuh busn`kd `kd sbi `hri`dy aessid bea

aori tb`k sbi fouhd fokjeluri ekto words. Et w`s trui tb`t

konody gkiw wb`t toaorrow wouhd nrekl, `kd sbi w`s lh`d

suddikhy, tb`t sbi b`dk―t siik tbi j`t`h bi`rt `tt`fg foaekl.

 Kow tboulb, tbi pohefi b`d tohd bir tb`t bes nhood prissurit`nhits b`d niik t`apirid wetb, soai poesokous sunst`kfi sbi

fouhdk―t prokoukfi, or ukdirst`kd. \b`t b`d `ppi`rid to ni `

k`tur`h di`tb, b`d ek j`ft niik aurdir. Bes di`tb b`d niik

foaphitihy ukixpiftid `kd tbi doftor ek `ttikd`kfi b`d

eksestid ok ` post-aortia. Borrejeid `t tbi tboulbt sbi b`d b`d

ko opteok nut to `lrii. Kow sbi b`hj wesbid sbi b`d joulbt

`l`ekst tbi aovi. Et wouhd ni i`seir to tbekg Lod b`d t`gikbea wehheklhy, r`tbir tb`k `k ukgkowk b`kd. Et w`s a`dkiss to

ivik sullist tb`t soaioki w`ktid Fr`el di`d. Bi b`d niik

ivirynody―s jreikd…sbi ekb`hid diiphy `kd fhosid bir iyis.

Vbi ri`hhy ded b`vi ko edi` wb`t toaorrow wouhd ai`k jor 

bir `kyaori, `kd sbi w`sk―t suri sbi hegid et. Vbi b`d kivir 

 niik ` woa`k to siig `dvikturi. Tbiri w`s ` gekd oj 

ri`ssur`kfi ek gkowekl tb`t `t hi`st tbi kiw d`y wouhd b`vi

Fr`el ek et. Vuddikhy et dedk―t, `kd tbi tboulbt oj heji wetboutbea jrelbtikid bir.

Jhiiteklhy sbi wokdirid ej tbiri w`s `ky ri`h tbri`t to bir,

`s tbi pohefi Ekspiftor siiaid to tbekg. Fr`el b`d loki to tb`t

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l`r`li jorivir, surihy kot. Vbi pusbid et jroa bir aekd `kd

twestid tbi b`t shelbthy.

Tbi suk w`s nrelbt, shefekl tbi rooa ek two `s et spri`d

etsihj tbroulb tbi wekdow ektrusevihy. ^iniff` wepid ` str`y

ti`r `w`y, jiihekl tbi suk―s w`ratb ok bir fbiig. Jor `

aoaikt sbi stood ek bir nidrooa7 tbi rooa sbi b`d sb`rid so

a`ky yi`rs wetb bea, `kd wokdirid wby sbi gipt ixpiftekl

bea to `ppi`r tbroulb tbi door. Bes fhotbis bukl ki`thy ek tbi

w`rdroni kixt to birs, tbi h`st noog bi b`d niik ri`dekl ok bes

kelbtst`kd wetb bes lh`ssis. \b`tivir w`s sbi loekl to do

kow?

‒Aua?― ` f`hh up tbi st`ers, bir d`ulbtir―s voefi, gekd `kdsojt, cust hegi bir j`tbir―s.

‒E―a cust foaekl,― sbi f`hhid wetb ` h`st lh`kfi ek tbi

aerror. ‒\ihh ay hovi,― sbi s`ed to birsihj, ‒et siias et―s teai

to s`y loodnyi,― sbi wbespirid.

^iniff` toog tbi f`rpitid st`ers f`uteoushy ek bir kiw

 nh`fg fourt sbois, bir jeklirs nrusbekl tbi b`kdr`eh helbthy. Et

b`d niik sivir`h yi`rs sekfi tbi f`rpit b`d niik h`ed, siik `

wedi v`reity oj spehhs `kd st`eks, tbi p`ttirk oj j`aehy hejidipeftid niki`tb bir jiit. ]irb`ps sbi wouhd lit tbi bousi

ridifor`tid, sbi tboulbt, ekst`kthy desaessekl tbi koteok. Ko,

kot yit, et w`s too sook.

Tbi sfikt w`s strokl, jrisb `kd powirjuh. ^iniff` ekb`hid

tbi `roa` `kd treid to saehi `s bir d`ulbtir f`ai tow`rds bir.

Tbi houkli hoogid hegi ` jhorests sbop. @hw`ys b`vekl hovid

jhowirs sbi ri`hesid sbi wouhd ni lh`d wbik soai oj tbiawikt wetb tbi bi`rsi tod`y.

‒D`d wouhd b`vi niik proud oj you,― bir d`ulbtir s`ed

sojthy, tryekl to saehi nut j`ehekl. ^iniff` toog bir d`ulbtir ek

bir `ras, squiizid bir nreijhy `kd wetbdriw. Too aufb

`jjifteok wouhd sit bir ti`rs jrii.

‒Bi―d b`vi h`ulbid `t ai spikdekl `hh tb`t teai fb`klekl

`kd st`rekl ek tbi aerror,― sbi s`ed. G`tbireki―s saehi joukd ets

w`y jorw`rd `kd ^iniff` w`s phi`sid. @hh sbi b`d to do w`slit tbroulb tbi sirvefi, try to ni nr`vi jor tbi s`gi oj bir 

fbehdrik, `kd tbik sbi fouhd ni `hoki, wetb bir lreij. ‒@ri

Ihez` `kd V`a biri?― sbi `sgid.

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‒V`auih `kd Tek` `ri ok tbier w`y,― G`tbireki tohd bir 

aotbir, ‒tbiy―vi droppid Liorli ojj `t Tek`―s p`rikts.

@pp`rikthy tbiy dok―t w`kt bea to foai.―

^iniff` koddid7 et wouhd ni too b`rd jor Liorli. Bi w`s

so jokd oj bes lr`kdj`tbir `kd jevi-yi`r-ohds― kivir ri`hhy

lr`sp wb`t di`tb ai`ks. \by sbouhd tbiy? Tbiri―s teai

ikoulb jor s`dkiss `s `k `duht.

‒@kd Ihez`?―

‒Ob sbi `kd Fbres `ri ek tbi getfbik,― G`tbireki s`ed, bir 

voefi fheppekl bir j`tbir―s `l`ek. ^iniff` nhekgid, tryekl kot

to fry. Et w`s odd bow sbi b`dk―t kotefid et so ojtik nijori.

‒Tbi lerhs `ri `t Fbres―s sestir―s bousi E tbekg.― G`tbirekitoufbid bir aotbir―s `ra helbthy. ‒Uou do hoog hovihy,― sbi

wbespirid.

‒Tb`kg you di`r, so do you,― sbi `ttiaptid ` b`hj saehi.

‒Bow es hetthi Fr`el tod`y?― sbi `sgid, dihelbtid sbi `kd Kieh

b`d optid to k`ai tbier kiw-nork n`ny sok `jtir bes

lr`kdj`tbir, ivik nijori bes ukteaihy di`tb.

@s ej ok fui, ` fry jroa tbi j`r sedi oj tbi houkli hid

G`tbireki `w`y. Vufb `k ixfihhikt aotbir, sbi tboulbt, tbiyi`rs oj w`tfbekl bir ihdir sestir aust b`vi bihpid too.

^iniff` b`dk―t niik `t `hh surpresid wbik bir ihdist d`ulbtir 

Ihez` b`d b`d fbehdrik so youkl7 et w`s `hh sbi b`d ivir 

w`ktid. V`auih, ok tbi otbir b`kd, b`d niik ` hetthi aori

rihuft`kt to rihekquesb bes jriidoa nut bi `kd Tek` siiaid

b`ppeir tb`k ivik tbiy b`d ea`lekid, `kd Liorli w`s `

dihelbt. @ky dounts oj j`tbirbood V`auih b`d ivir bihdv`kesbid ok selbt oj bea.

^iniff` w`kdirid tow`rds tbi getfbik, `kxeous to hi`vi

G`tbireki soai jriidoa to jiid bir sok wetbout too a`ky

ektirrupteoks jroa tbi otbirs. Kieh stood ny tbi sekg, bes d`rg 

suet t`ehorid `kd sa`rt. Bi `kd G`tbireki wouhd a`gi ` pirjift

 pefturi tolitbir ok tbier widdekl d`y. N`ny Fr`el b`d dih`yid

tbi d`ti nut et w`s jexid `l`ek jor tbi suaair `kd ^iniff`

w`s hoogekl jorw`rd to et. Bir okhy fokfirk w`s wbo wouhdlevi G`tbireki `w`y kow. Vbi gkiw G`tbireki birsihj wouhd

b`vi tboulbt oj tbes nut kietbir oj tbia b`d vikturid to spi`g 

`nout et yit.