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“We thought the Bear People wiped out,” Astorek explained “My father is glad to see rong”
“They warred with the Volarians,” Vaelin said “Driven across the ice to find refuge in our lands Not so with your people, I see”
Astorek’s face grew so hi “We had war,” the Volarian said “It was ugly, but short”
• • •
The settle the forest the Wolf People st the trees They were h to support the ays constructed between them, their branches liberally adorned with ropes and ladders The larger dwellings were all at ground level, wooden conical structures, part covered in rown in their shade like great est structure, an i constructed around the tallest tree, its trunk sprouting froh the multi-beamed roof The interior featured numerous low tables but no chairs, the Wolf People habitually sitting on piles of fur they carried froun to fill the space by the ti theed around the central tree
“This is your council cha on one of the fur bundles with Dahrena at his side “The place where decisions areVolarian’s baffled look
“Decisions” Astorek sighed a faint laugh, glancing over to where thefor Wise Bear to join hio And not by us”
Alturk slu further, , “My people would have fed us by now Or killed us” The Sentar war chief had lost weight on the march, as had they all, but whilst the others had mostly recovered in recent days, the depredations of the ice seerow beards and his face had a skull-like leanness, his once-bald head now sprouting a disordered ju the same thickness of muscle The depth of sorrow Vaelin had seen in him back in the mountains also hadn’t lifted and he wondered if Alturk was deliberately holding to it, allowing the sadness to reduce hi the ice could do what battle could not
“You should rejoice,” Dahrena told the Lonak “Now you have the greatest story to tell when you go home”
“Alturk never shares at the fire,” Kiral said “Though my sister once told me he has a story to shame all others For Alturk, as confirod”
Alturk slauage and glowering fiercely at Kiral Vaelin made ready to rise in her defence but the huntress just saze with a co in Lonak which she quickly translated for Vaelin and Dahrena: “A story not shared is a waste of riches”
Food was brought in shortly after, wooden platters piled with roasted meat, also bowls of nuts and berries “Tastes like seal,” Alturk observed, taking a large bite of h”
“Walrus,” Astorek explained, co to sit down at their table “Winter ave Alturk and Kiral a curious glance, his gaze switching between them and Vaelin “You are not frorowl, chewing and sing “We are Lonakhim They”—he jerked his head at Dahrena and Vaelin—“are Meri time,” Vaelin said “Noe are allies, h of annoyance but this time refused to display any offence “These are e?” Dahrena asked
Astorek glanced at Whale Killer, now engaged in animated conversation with Wise Bear “A tale to be told soon enough”
The ht, the copious ly of pine Vaelin took only a sip before setting it aside although Alturk see a rare laugh as he drained his bowl