Moonspear my lord: the king is dead

A voice reverberated in Sialuk's ears. It was not a voice she knew, but it called for the leader of the village. She could have sent Alaric to tend the call, but she thought it would be better for her to do so. In a day's time, she would depart for the village that Meerkat and Njord grew. It would be better to greet this stranger now than to come home to a strange face in her village.

Spring had not yet come—she was far off yet—and Sialuk felt the chill of the wind threaten to pierce her thick coat today. She smelled snow, thought it might come in a day's time, and she was eager to be on the move when that happened.

A golden woman awaited her. Younger than herself, no doubt. Sialuk smiled. You have come to village Moonspear. This woman greets you.