kitai sniffed `` when i return with the blessing before you , i will have defended my sire 's honor in a trial before the one i will be an adult and may choose where i live `` `` and you want to live with hashat , '' tavi said kitai blinked and looked at tavi `` yes `` tavi studied the other boy `` do you , uh are you sweet on her ' '' kitai frowned , pale brows coming together `` no but i wish to be a part of her clan to be free with her clan not to plod around with doroga and his stupid sabot '' he glanced aside , to be sure no one was close , apparently , and confided m a low voice to tavi , `` they smell '' tavi lifted his brows , but nodded `` yeah i guess they do `` `` aleran , '' kitai said `` my sire is right about one thing you have courage it will be an honor to face you in a trial but i will defeat you do not think that this will end in any other way , despite whatever spirits are yours to call `` tavi felt a scowl harden his features kitai 's eyes narrowed , and he stepped back a half pace , one hand falling to the knife at his belt `` i do n't have any , '' tavi said `` and back at my steadholt , we have a saying about counting your chickens before they 've hatched `` `` my people eat eggs before they 've hatched , '' kitai said , and stepped to ward the coiled ropes `` i thought you might make it out alive , aleran , thanks to your spirits but we will only need to use one rope before dawn `` tavi started to say something quick and heated back , but fade 's hand gripped his shoulder abruptly tavi turned to face the slave fade frowned at him , his scarred face hideous and concerned then he said , `` be careful , tavi '' and with that , he took the pack that had been slung over his shoulder and dropped it onto tavi 's the boy let out a breath at the sudden weight `` fade , uh maybe it would be better if i did n't take anything with me i 'll move faster without it `` `` marat stronger than tavi , '' fade said `` faster `` `` thank you , '' tavi said , testily `` i needed that kind of encouragement `` fade 's eyes glittered with something like good humor , and he ruffled tavi 's hair with one hand `` tavi smart there bag of tricks be smart , tavi important ' tavi tilted his head to one side , peering at the slave `` fade ' '' he asked the glitter faded from the man 's eyes , and he gave tavi his witless grin `` valleyboy , '' doroga called `` there is no time to waste `` tavi said to fade , quickly , `` if i do n't come back , fade .