thank the gandy dancers for a path well worn

Malachi met her eye and did not waver, despite the urge to pull his gaze away. He refrained from curling his lip and tensing for an attack. Who was this woman to claim for herself a life that was not hers to hold? Larus belonged with Tuwawi and Njal, and with his family alone.

The youth could conjure no empathy for the woman's position, refusing to acknowledge the attachment she may have formed with the child over the months he had spent away from the Glacier's bounds. Malachi's heart remained trained on bringing Larus home, no matter the personal cost. Since it appeared Caiaphas would not return the child willingly, and since he imagined no amount of persuasion would coax Larus from her paws, Malachi turned to a different approach, one more risky and potentially as futile as those previous. But he would try. He had to.

"Then what can I give for his return?"