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connection between them, until a small hand reached up and patted him on the arm. Jumping slightly at
the touch, he glanced down at Owl, who was holding up her stuffed horse. Even at a distance, Suchen
saw Yozerf's lips curve into a smile, and he held up a chunk of bread to the horse's stitched mouth, as if it
might eat it.
What by Hel?
"This doesn't make any sense, Buudi said. Dragging her eyes away from Yozerf, Suchen discovered
Buudi frowning at her. With the growth of beard shaved away, Suchen saw that the lines on his face were
more deeply graven than before, as if he had aged years in the last few months. No doubt she looked the
same.
"I don't understand, either, Suchen said unhappily.
Auglar took a bite out of a hunk of bread, chewing it as though it had personally offended him. Nor do
I, he said darkly, once he had swallowed. But I will."
They ate in silence after that. The fare was simple, but filling, and for the first time in months Suchen knew
that she would be going to bed without the constant ache of hunger in her belly. The ale was dark and
rich, but, like the food, it was carefully portioned out, the rest being held in reserve against the long winter
still to come.
All around them, the hall was filled with talk and laughter. Suchen watched the crowd carefully, noting the
different people who made it up. Perhaps half of them were Aclytes, which made a certain amount of
sense. They mingled freely with the humans, and children of both races ran here and there, playing and
being reprimanded by their parents. Afwyn caught her eye from across the hall and offered her an
encouraging smile.
Once dinner was over, a crowd gathered around the newcomers. Some were no doubt curious to see
the human lord, while others wanted to welcome them to the keep and see if there was anything they
needed. Their generosity surprised Suchen, especially given that many of these people had lost everything
to the war. She had hoped that Yozerf would join them, but as she craned her neck to see around the
wall of people gathered about them, she realized that he had already left.
Although he struggled to be polite with the curious people around him, Auglar was clearly put out by
Yozerf's disappearance. He answered one question far more brusquely than necessary, and some of
those nearest him drew back, their faces showing surprise.
"Now, now, a rough voice said into the moment of silence that followed, they've had a long journey
and don't feel like answering a bunch of silly questions. Stand back and give them some air; there you
go."
The man who pushed his way through the crowd had long hair that had gone entirely gray, but his body
was still fit and strong. An easy-going smile lit his weathered face, and he looked as if he should have
been at home bouncing grandchildren on his knee. But a sword hung from his hip, and he was dressed as
a soldier. When he turned, Suchen saw that his left arm ended abruptly only a few inches below his
shoulder.
Brenwulf came to his feet, meeting the older man's eyes, and there was something in his posture that
communicated tension and uncertainty. The man continued to smile, however. It's all right, lad, he said
warmly. Yes, I'm Wolfkin, but I'm not a challenge to you."
Suchen froze at his words. Brenwulf's eyes grew wide, and he looked around frantically, for the
gray-haired man had made no effort to lower his voice. Seeing their shock, he chuckled. It still seems
odd to have it out in the open, but everyone here knows what my family and I are. And we aren't the
only ones. The Red Guard drove us out of our homes when Argannon invaded, and many of us ended up
here. We hunt for the keep and protect it, and the lord looks out for us. I'm Wulfgar, by the way."
"You're one of Yozerf's Sworn, Buudi observed guardedly.
"Aye, that I am. He sent me to bring you to him, as it happens. There was some business he had to take
care of after dinner, but he wanted to talk to you before it grew too late, seeing as you've all had a hard
time of things and would probably like your beds."
Auglar's face hardened. We want to speak with him, also."
Wulfgar gave him a sharp look but made no comment. They followed the grizzled old Wolfkin out of the
dining hall and through a series of torch-lit corridors. As she studied the brooding architecture of the
keep, Suchen found herself thinking wryly that Yozerf could not have found a place that better reflected
his temperament if he had tried.
I can't believe this is happening. He can't be the lord we've heard so much about ... can he?
How did he take Vorslava? To Hel with that how did he survive the fight in Segg? Where does
this girl, this Owl, come into it?
The study that Wulfgar took them to was a large, comfortable room. Thick carpets covered most of the
floor, and the walls were lined with books. A huge desk of some black wood hulked at one end. Yozerf
sat at it, his head bent over what looked to be a parchment scroll. The light from the well-stoked fire
touched his long hair, which he had taken down from the clip, bringing out gold highlights amidst the red.
Owl was sprawled on the carpet directly in front of the fire, an open book in front of her and a frown of
intense concentration on her face. Ji'seth stood near the door, poleax still in hand, and Londah sat in a
chair nearby, sipping something from a goblet, with a faintly amused expression on her face.
Yozerf glanced up as they entered, and Suchen caught a flash of nervousness before the mask closed
down over his features again. Auglar, he said, his deep voice calm, measured. Suchen, Buudi,
Brenwulf. I trust that you have all been treated well? Fed? Had your needs taken care of?"
"Yes, Auglar said impatiently, waving his hand. Except the need for information."
Yozerf leaned back in his ornately carved chair, and a rueful smile curved his mouth. I apologize for the
drama. I suppose that, given our previous ... association, I wanted to make a favorable impression."
"Yozerf. Suchen took a hesitant step forward. Her heart quickened slightly when he turned his attention
on her, and she swallowed and looked down. How did you escape from Segg? We we thought that
you were dead."
I'm not going to cry, damn it. I'm not.
Yozerf sighed, looking suddenly weary. I'm not entirely certain how I escaped, he admitted. I
remember being fairly sure that I was going to my death. But then ... nothing. The memories are lost to
me. Next I knew, I was in a forest in wolf form, badly hurt. Dying, I suppose."
"Then how did you survive? Buudi asked.
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