King Elk Forest He is not one of us.

germanicus was filled with a silent fury as he attended his king. and returned her look. their contract had been for her protection, not extension over his personal choices. and yet he was not only her guard but her subject; still, the eaglebound found the shocked anger hard to bury underfoot for now.

célnes remained his focus. he split himself into cold halves and thought of the story she had told their wretched joiner before leading them to this place. germanicus knew now that he never could have brought ico to kingslend, and felt bitterly that it was good he had not found the vestal in his travels.

moving to the position célnes noted, in the air of a man striding with heel of hand upon the hilt of his sword, the centurion took up his observation while frustrated echoes warred within his soul. she had spoken of this; he had not expected her to truly ask it of him. a mistake, and now — he held his tongue and faced frontward.