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The Bonecaster slowly tilted his head ’What you are was created long ago, guided by the hand of an Elder God Yet, at its heart, Imass All that follows has run in your blood fro I am Pran Chole, of Kron T’lan Imass I stood, with K’rul, to attend your birth’

Silverfox’s answering smile was bitter ’Are you my father, then, Pran Chole? If so, this reunion has come far too late For us both’

Despair flooded Kruppe This was old anger, held back overlong, now turning the air gelid and brittle A dreadful exchange to

Pran Chole seemed to wilt at her words His desiccated face dropped, as if the Bonecaster was overcome with shame

No, Silverfox, how could you do this?

’Where you then went, daughter,’ Pran Chole whispered, ’I could not follow’

’True,’ she snapped ’After all, you had a voaiting you A ritual The ritual, the one that turned your hearts to ash All for a war But that is ar is all about, isn’t it? Leaving Leaving home Your loved ones -- indeed, the very capacity of love itself You chose to abandon it all You abandoned everything ! You abandoned-’ She cut her words off suddenly

Kruppe closed his eyes for a brief ht in his mind complete her sentence You abandoned me

Pran Chole’s head rehtly ’Summoner, ould you have us do?’

’We will get to that soon enough’

Another Bonecaster stepped forward, then The rotted fur of a large brown bear rode his shoulders and it seemed the beast itself had reared behind the shadowed eyes ’I am Okral Lorn,’ he said in a voice like distant thunder ’All the Bonecasters of Kron T’lan I Ilm, and Brold Chood Kron, as well, as chosen as War Leader at the First Gathering Unlike Pran Chole, we care nothing for your anger We played no role in your creation, in your birth None the less, you cling to a misapprehension, Summoner Pran Chole can in no way be considered your father He stands here, accepting the burden of your rage, for he is what he is If you would call anyone your father, if you so require a face upon which hatred can focus, then youus’

The blood had slowly drained from Silverfox’s face, as if she’d not been prepared for such brutal conde you?’