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Rafe shook his head. He sat there for some time, remembering. The preposterous notion nearly made Tristan laugh. There-58-was a big swagbel ied stove burning in the station waiting room.

“Even though you have become a traitor, whathappened to you was not your fault,” he said. “I feel fine!” he said. “But as the Recluse became untenable, the Pon Q’tar knew that itwould be far better for Serena and Clarice to perish, rather than to fall into the hands of theConclave. “All you need know for now is that you and certainof your fellow Valrenkians are here because you possess skills and knowled