"The Dar cannot spare ten swords for your journey, Voran," said Mirnían, visiting Otchigen's house unexpectedly the day before Voran’s journey. "Recent scouting reports from Nebesta suggest we may have been remiss in ignoring the rumors about nomad marauders. The Dar is reassigning eight of them to increase the number of scouts patrolling the Nebestan wilds."
Liar, thought Voran. You could find no other way to pay me back for your failure in the ordeal. But he bit his tongue. Mirnían--emotionless but for an ironic half-smile--sat back in the carved high-chair Voran had offered him.
Dar Antomír had assigned Voran and nine older warriors to protect a convoy of supplies--new parchment for mapmaking, rope, furs, axes, knives, and other necessities--for the outpost of the Warriors of the Word
