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the travesty about to occurand to stop it. "Tell him it's about Thorn. I need to talk to him right away." |
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The guard hurried across the bridge and in moments was replaced by an older soldier who said, "Private Root went to find the sergeant, miss. I'm here filling in." |
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Mariah looked around nervously. Thorn was striding up the mud path, nearly at the base of the ravelin. "See the man behind me? I need to get inside the fort without his following. Can you help?" |
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"Is he bothering you, miss?" |
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"Miss Walker! Welcome." Ainsley came to the bridge to greet her, a broad smile revealing his uneven teeth and crinkling his small, deep-set eyes. His uniform looked perfect, as though he'd just donned it for a special occasion: red coat, beige breeches, high black boots and a tricornered hat. "Thorn!" Ainsley cried, spotting his friend at the far end of the bridge. Thorn hurried toward them, and Ainsley grasped Thorn's shoulder as they shook hands. |
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Will Shepherd, also in full uniform, joined them at the end of the bridge. He did not meet her eye, or Thorn's, either. The young, bearded man stared straight ahead or at the ground, and he had apparently whipped himself into a fury, judging by the fetal glint in his pale green eyes as he cast furious sidelong glances at Thorn. |
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Ainsley glanced behind him at Will. "My impulsive young subordinate, here, tells me" |
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"I told him it was time!" Will broke in. "I am recuperated from the Indian attack and fully prepared to do what is necessary." |
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"What's necessary is" Mariah began, |
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"Perhaps we should discuss things first," Ainsley interrupted, putting an arm around Thorn. He steered him through the gap in the fort's earthen walls and into the protected area. |
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"Good idea," Mariah called after them. "Maybe you can talk some sense into him." She planted herself in front of Will, who'd begun to follow. "Will, you can't go through with this. Thorn saved your life." |
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