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“He’s for riding,” Vaelin said, turning back to the boy as Astorek translated “Not eating”

This see into a scrunch of baffle the reins and leading hihed and clapped his hands as he bounced along, the other children following in a clamour that didn’t need much translation; they all wanted a turn After an hour or so of entertainment Astorek finally shooed the children aith a few short words Although the Wolf People’s discipline of their young folk seemed lax, the instant silence that descended on the children told of an underlying authority that brooked no dissent and they had soon scampered off to find other amusements

“His description of you was not wholly accurate,” Astorek said when the children had gone “He said you would be fierce”

“Your prophet’s words? You talk as if you knew him”

“Sometimes I feel as if I did, I’ve heard his words sodown but all shae without fault”

Vaelin led Scar back to the stable, fixing a feed-bag over his snout The islands were poor in grain but rich in root vegetables and berries, harvested in the suh the winter From his contented snorts and noticeably less denuded fra of corn

“My mother and father,” Astorek said, “bade me ask as to your intentions”

“Intentions?”

“The Wolf People have awaited your arrival for as long as they can reer And yet you spend every day tending your horse, whilst your coh our stocks of pine ale”

“Alturk is atroubled ered here because Wise Bear advised venturing forth during the Long Night rateful for your hospitality”

“You talk as if you intend to leave us”

“We cauide us to hi us to our fate, whatever it -told stories, especially since you cannot have been born to this life”

Astorek gave a bitter laugh “Is that it? You deny my people aid because you still distrust me?”

“Your people require no aid, as far as I can tell As for you” Vaelin took the bag fro his nose “I’ve yet to learn how you cae without fault”

“If I were an ene warn you?”