"I helped to save the children. I saved the ship." "And you were always the world's greatest opportunist." Flenser's flanking heads shifted back. "[That's a kind of dismissing shrug.] You have the advantage, Parent, but some of my power is left in the north. Make peace, or you will have more decades of maneuvering and war." Woodcarver's response was a piercing shriek. "[And that's a sign of irritation, in case you didn't guess.] Impudence,
复件 (24) air max! I can kill you here and now, and have a century of certain peace." "I've bet that you won't harm me. You gave me safe passage, separately and in the whole. And one of the strongest things in your soul is your hate for lies." The back members of Woodcarver's pack hunkered down, and the little ones at the front took several quick steps toward the Flenser. "It's been many decades since we last met, Flenser! If you can change, might not I?" For an instant every one of Flenser's members was frozen. Then part of him came slowly to its feet, and slowly, slowly edged toward Woodcarver. The crossbow packs on either side of the meeting ground raised their weapons, tracking him. Flenser stopped six or seven meters from Woodcarver. His heads weaved from side to side, all attention on the Queen. Finally,
复件 (7) 复件 air max2, a wondering voice, almost abashed: "Yes, you might. Woodcarver,
mbt sini white, after all the centuries ... you've given up yourself? These new ones are ..." "Not all mine. Quite right." For some reason, Pilgrim was chuckling in Ravna's ear. "Oh. Well...." The Flenser backed to its previous position,
mbt tunisha, "I still want peace." "[Woodcarver looks surprised.] You sound changed, too. How many of you are really of Flenser?" A long pause. "Two." "... Very well. Depending on the terms, there will be peace." Maps were brought out. Woodcarver demanded the location of Flenser's main troops. She wanted them disarmed, with two or three of her packs assigned to each unit, reporting by heliograph. Flenser would give up the radio cloaks, and submit to observation. Hidden Island and Starship Hill would be ceded to Woodcarver. The two sketched new borders, and wrangled on the oversight the Queen would have in his remaining lands. The sun reached its noon point in the southern sky. In the fields below, the peasants had long since given up their angry vigil. The only tensely watchful people left were the Queen's crossbow packs. Finally Flenser stepped back from his end of the maps. "Yes, yes, your folk can watch all my work. No more ... ghastly experiments. I will be a gentle gatherer of knowledge [is this sarcasm?], like yourself." Woodcarver's heads bobbed in rippling synchrony. "Perhaps so; with the Two-Legs on my side, I'm willing to chance it." Flenser rose again from his seated posture. He turned to help his crippled member back on the cart. Then he paused. "Ah, one last thing, dear Woodcarver. A detail. I killed two of Steel when he tried to destroy Jefri's starship. [Squashed them like bugs, actually. Now we know how Flenser hurt himself.] Do you have the rest of him?" "Yes." Ravna had seen what was left of Steel. She and Johanna had visited most of the wounded. It should be possible to adapt OOB first aid for the Tines. But in the case of Steel,
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mbt bomoa black, there had been a bit of vengeful curiosity; that creature had been responsible for so much unnecessary death. What was left of Steel didn't really need medical attention: There were some bloody scratches (self-inflicted, Johanna guessed), and one twisted leg. But the pack was a pitiable, almost an unnerving, thing. It had cowered at the back of its pen, all shivering in terror, heads shifting this way and that.