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    “talents laudable,” the queen said, smiling.


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    “Thank you.


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    “Well, that’s really the short of it. Grudgingly, Victor conceded to his wiser inner voice.


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    I have no idea what she’s talking about. “Mother, I can think of no other place I would rather be.”


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    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


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    I’m watching you. These smiles seemed genuine and personal. It all felt... wrong.


    What would it be like to know most of the people that lived around you? Shawnrik mused. He realized that these people relied on each other daily just to survive. The constant struggle against the inhabitants of this dangerous land had left little room for individuals that lived only for themselves. The walls around the city stood fifteen feet high. A few feet shorter, and the grim’le that roamed the area might be able to jump on top of it; Ashur had explained this to him as they entered the city earlier that day. Shawnrik had not seen any of the large two-legged reptiles on their journey north, and he was okay with that after hearing some of the stories from his traveling companions about their encounters with the creatures. The grim’le were only one of the many dangerous creatures that lived in the area and threatened the village on a daily basis.


    Beauty and strength wrapped up in one deadly package. His heart almost stopped beating when the girl he had been admiring winked at him.


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    “we stand.”


    And the most profound idea that I’m ever likely to hear, he thought solicitously.


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