Dawnlark Plains hymn to blood

Lestan returned with only a grouse to share. Swordfish watched as his companion tucked himself away, hiding his face and slipping into dreams.

The bear-hunter did not sleep. He watched and listened. He waited for a sign that Ellie would come find them, catch up and talk sense into Lestan. The madman seemed inclined to listen to her, to accept her worries. Perhaps because she had a way of delicately voicing them where Swordfish was only capable of brash confrontation.

When he picked the meat from the grouse and ate, he was left with a burning anger in his belly - a hunger that could not be satiated.