tself. The bonfire threw a spark into the sk

us," said the white-h

g to claim what he believes

ce I'd met him, smiled. It wasn't a toothy grin. It

y sunset, if they haven't crossed, we'll send a delegation.

s and truths that admit no nuan

t ask you to be at the stone if h

th wen

ant

rable laugh again. It was that I had spent too many hours o

prepare you

, corridors, women carrying children to safety. No one shouted. No

your parents died?" Kael asked, now on the path,

tchen. That he took my name. T

cites the custom of receivi

when he beat me. Where it was w

ned his

llenges me to a

zes me. If he sees me.

ked at me. "What if he begs for forgiveness

y. A laugh that bared

live in a kitchen, but in a clean

mp smelled of flour and tempered metal. M

n't strain

ed me p

ne read aloud my name, the tim

eir symbols. I left my

Mikel clenched his jaw. Eidan spat to the

oming," so

of trees, black and ochre. Argon stood in the center, tall with a broad back

u took something t

ood to his left. The camp behind us. Th

have something in your hands. And it turns

ughed hu

And perhaps I'll fo

ok at me; ther

object," he retorted. "But here, peo

beneath my feet.

ours. And I

est fel

smile

k in the languag

fall. His eyes parted, hungry for

. He didn't assume a fighting stanc

tone," he

world

rcle c

ered a ha

n Alpha can claim what h

adn't expected it; a wa

woman step

without acknowledgment is worth

head without

a storm is brewing. The s

ses," the wo

id without

huckled

sn't scream. Come

ttle further i

am

na and Íñigo, Luna and

ak. "Do you recognize Argon as the one who gave you shelter,

He gave me the floor to sleep o

th my feet igni

o not acknowledge it as a caretaker. I do

forward, hi

e was bleeding," he repl

entire Council looked at their

ruth," said the white

ain me. You used me so no one would forget that your hand was

the silence with a