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Toc shrugged ’I see what I see’

’With which eye?’

He shrugged again To that, he had no answer

’But ere speaking of friends, Toc the Younger Within my holy embrace, a mortal does not feel alone Anaster, I see noas deceived’

’I did not say I felt alone, Seer I said I a the Tenescowri, I am one with your holy will Yet, consider the woman alks at my side, or the weary child whom I carry, or the men all around me … should they die, I will devour them There can be no friendship in such company, Seer There is only potential food’

’Yet you would not eat’

Toc said nothing

The Seer leaned forward once again ’You would noouldn’t you?’

And so madness steals upon me like the warmest cloak ’If I a ier?’

’I do not know, Seer’

’Let us see then, shall we?’ A withered arm lifted Sorcery rippled the air before Toc A small table took for chunks of boiled meat ’Here, then,’ the Seer said, ’is the sustenance you require Sweet flesh; it is an acquired taste, or so I aer flare in your wolf’s eye There is indeed a beast within you -- what does it care of its meal’s provenance? None the less, I caution you to proceed slowly, lest your shrunken stomach reject all that you feed it’

With a soft moan, Toc stu out His teeth ached as he began chewing, adding his own blood to the ut clench around the morsel He forced himself to stop, to wait

The Seer rose from the chair, walked stiffly to a’I have learned,’ the ancient creature said, ’thatthis threat that approaches froly, I have with-drawn my forces, and will now dis about and studied Toc ’It is said wolves avoid huiven the choice Do not believe er The meat before you is venison’