the engineer swallowed and then inclined his head to her in a bow `` as you wish , countess `` the man turned and hurried away amara turned to face isana , the slim girl 's expression quiet , calm then she glanced past isana , to where the water witch still stood , wrapped in her blanket , her expression distant , and hissed a quiet curse she reached for her sword `` wait , '' isana said , stepping close and putting a hand over amara 's `` do n't '' `` but she's- '' `` i know who she is , '' isana said `` she is n't going to hurt anyone now she saved my life-and a slaver put a discipline collar on her `` `` you ca n't trust her , ' amara insisted `` she should be locked up `` `` but- '' `` she 's a knight herself a mercenary a murderer '' the cursor 's voice snapped with anger `` by all rights i should kill her right now '' `` i will not allow that , '' isana said , lifting her chin amara faced her quietly `` i 'm not sure it 's your decision to make , holder `` just then , a tall , dark-skinned man with the look of a parcian , his armor magnificent but stained with smoke and blood , stepped over to them `` countess , '' he said , calmly `` the horde is nearly here i 'd like you to stand with me see if you can spot their hordemaster `` amara glared at isana and turned to the parcian `` do you think killing him will do us any good now , pirellus ' '' he smiled , a sudden flash of white teeth `` as i see it , it can hardly hurt and in any case , i 'd rather make sure that whatever animal is responsible for this , '' he gestured around vaguely , `` does n't go back home to brag about it '' isana withdrew a pair of steps , then calmly turned and led odiana away from the pair `` come on , '' she murmured to the collared woman , though she knew that odiana could not hear her `` they 're terrified and angry they would n't treat you fairly let 's find someplace for you to be out of sight until we can get through this `` she hurried through the courtyard to one of the large warehouse buildings at the far side even as she opened the door and hurried in , a group of holders , bundled up in their homemade winter cloaks but wearing legion steel , went tramping by in neat files , heading for the gates another file , led by bernard and the engineer , speaking in hushed , intent tones , went past right behind them .