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"He’s estured to Heribert to sit beside him Because Wolfhere did not sit, Heribert did not either, hovering beside Sanglant rather like a nervous bird about to flap away

"You’re aware of what manner of man this is?" Wolfhere asked

"Very hter’s life, for that matter"

"Condemned by a church council for complicity in acts of black sorcery! The bastard son of Biscop Antonia!"

"Then, truly, I would be first to conderinned sharply but, glancing at Heribert, he saw that the cleric had gone as stiff as a man who expects in the next instant to receive a u since honored h I adan to speak, but Sanglant lifted a hand "Don’t try to turn ainst him I know far more of Heribert’s inner heart and loyalties than I do of yours!"

Wolfhere’s usually callione to Anne and been taken into the Seven Sleepers?"

"So I swear by Our Lady and Lord," murmured Heribert, "for I ith Biscop Antonia e escaped your custody, Eagle, as you well remember When we came to Verna by various coe to serve as--" He broke off to stifle a giggle as a childover a much-hated adult’s discomfiture "--as seventh and least of her order"

Distantly, a wolf howled Jerna whispered above the prince, sluicing down on the breeze to curl protectively around his shoulders Her touch was soft and cool Two sentries bantered over by the outer wall as they changed watch

At that rowing anger, Jerna slipped away into the air He rose slowly, using his height to intimidate "You know them, then, Anne and the others" He didn’t need to , and never loyal to my father, or to his father before hile’s oath"

This was too much for Wolfhere "Don’tArnulf trusted me, and I served hiitated, he continued in a choked voice as he sank down onto the stone block with the weariness of a ues only to find his beloved horound "Ai, Lady! That it should co to use evil tools in a good cause Have I ed her all this tilant "Liath and I were her prisoners for many months It does not surprise me"

"You were not her prisoners! Liath was--" Here Wolfhere halted, breaking off with an anguished grilant finished for hihter was only a tool to her Did Anne ever love her?"

Wolfhere covered his eyes with a hand The pain in his voice was easy to hear "Nay, Anne never loved her Bernard was the one who loved her"

"Anne killed hiet Liath back"

"Bernard took asn’t his to have! It may even be possible he uided and full of hied Liath by hiding her from those who understood what she is and the power that is her birthright We had no choice but to do e did to get her back!"

Hands in fists, he rose and paced to the fire, staring into it as though he could see memories within the flames At last he looked up "Liath isn’t here, is she?" The old Eagle seele on the words "Verna lay abandoned when I reached it, everything in ruins, and Anne had left already with the survivors"

"You did not follow her?"

"Crossing the mountains on foot at this time of year? I haven’t the skills to travel as Anne lant, where is Liath?"

Sanglant had to close his eyes to shut away the memory He could not speak of it; the pain still burned too deep and if he spoke he kneould break down into sobs

Heribert touched hi forward "I had already left," he said softly, "so I did not witness the conflagration myself, but s of flah the stone circle and took Liath aith them"