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She shook her head “Not a singer, andBut he calls to me”
“Fron of fear he had seen her exhibit “The Fallen City”
Vaelin nodded, turning and beckoning to Orven “I require five men, my lord Make camp in the valley ahead and await our return” He raised his voice, addressing a so the column “Master Lorkan! Please join us”
It was a two-day trek to the city, the journey shortened by Kiral’s intie of the h now he felt none of the oppressive weight that had plagued hih both Kiral and Lorkan enjoyed no such iri on a pale hue
“Never have I coid set of her shoulders “This is no place for the living”
“Master Lorkan?” Vaelin said, favouring the youth with an expectant s moment’s hesitation Lorkan inclined his head and climbed down from his horse He took a deep breath and started for the city at a steady walk, slipping into the air after a few steps and drawing a uardsmen
“Whoever waits in there will see him,” Kiral advised
“I know,” Vaelin replied
“Then why send him?”
“What is life without an occasional a the silent ruins for only a few more moments before the shout ca frouardsmen fanned out, swords at the ready as Lorkan burst into view at the city’s edge, cloak trailing behind him as he pelted in their direction, eyes ith unabashed terror The reason for his flight soon beca in pursuit,roar
“Didn’t know they grew so large,” Vaelin commented The bear must have stood perhaps five feet tall at the shoulder, h its pursuit of Lorkan appeared laboured, it covered the ground with deceptive speed thanks to the length of its stride
“Kill it, for Faith’s sake!” Lorkan yelled, sprinting towards them, the bear now only a few strides behind
“Don’t!” Vaelin said to Kiral as she raised her bow, his eyes picking out a figure a the ruins, shtly taller and holding aloft a long stick of soravel, afro into the rocky ground, continuing to stare in challenge at Lorkan as now on all fours behind one of the guards his breakfast
Scar, like the other horses, had begun to rear at the sight of the bear and was now on the verge of outright panic, tossing his head in protest as Vaelin hauled on the reins “It’s all right,” he said, dis the aniain, shaking its great head froe, but then stiffened, beca” A s as a staff appeared at the bear’s side, his voice holding a note of apology “Friend and enemy smell same”
“Wise Bear!” Vaelin came forward to clasp hands with the sharip “You are far froo on the ice,” Wise Bear replied with a shrug “I show you how”
“He was very insistent” Dahrena stood a short distance away, shtly “Could hardly let hi her close, the realisation of howa harsh ache I will send her back, he thought, knowing hi I will send her back
• • •
They shared a reat brown bear’s hunting skill judging by the deep rents in the carcass “Iron Claw brings good meat,” Wise Bear said “Only keeps insides for himself”
When the meal was done Vaelin followed the old sha at the shattered statuary and occasionally jabbing his bone-staff at weed-covered rubble The bear roae snout into the various nooks and crannies, soer-like claws to pull the stones apart
“Iron Claants bugs,” Wise Bear explained “Bear belly never full”
“How did you know to coave hi his eyebrohen Vaelin failed to discern his ht words “Big power, big” Heair through his lips
“Disturbance?” Vaelin asked, adding, “Stor storm in thesea Power sea”