15/03/2026 10:32

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Too close, Hal thought. As HisMajesty's confessor, perhaps you could lead me to his court. He sauntered down to the beach and hired a skiff to row him out to thefrigate. You did the brave and wise thing, Hal said.

Then Sir Francis threw back his head and laughed. The great bronze barrels on their trains were swayed aloft. When van de Velde feltthe cold touch of steel and the sting of the razor edge, his strugglesceased. He looked down intothe smoky eyes of Aboli, who crouched beside Hal.