Moonsong Glacier Lost in the Shadows

Dutch nodded, accepting this. But, "A girl does not grow shadows in her heart because she wants them there," he said, thinking fretfully of Sulukinak. He pushed the girl from his mind; this was a different situation entirely. "If you trust them, and your leaders, then of course I will do what I can to bring her before them," he went on. It was clear he didn't like it, however. "Perhaps she can be healed, or the shadow removed — "

He wanted to lose himself in pursuit of this at once. Girls were precious and pure, and he was frightened for this stranger. Pitying, guilty, repulsed. His uneasiness showed, but in the next moment he breathed the matter out in a soft sigh. "But of course, she cannot be allowed to threaten the lives of your babes." Dutch knew this. Even if she didn't deserve whatever darkness had touched her heart. "I have learned long ago never to seek justice. Only safety and peace. It is not for me to decide what she deserves. I can only measure a life against the other lives it puts in danger."

He lifted one of the talismans with a paw.

"I hope this will help with that quest," he said, looking between this talisman and the one with which Alaric demonstrated its use. The cleverness of the mechanism tugged at his interest, drawing him out of darker thoughts. It was like magic to him, even seeing quite plainly how it worked. When his gaze lifted next to Alaric's face, he did not bother concealing his admiration.

"I am lucky to have such smart and talented friends," he said.