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"I was five or six," he agreed "I rerief I recall, too, that Wolfhere vanished for so Henry could compass it But I knew Wolfhere was not dead He’s the kind that’s hardest to kill--those who h the fire, but I could not see where he was or what he was doing Then--how easily we lose track of the tiles never cast any one of us out, you see"

"I’ Henry allowed hihed "So youHenry to take hih

"I did," she replied in the voice a woman of her kind used to remind a boy that he was not permitted to pilfer from the kitchen on such an important feast day "Wolfhere was too valuable He had done soArnulf trusted no one better than Wolfhere The young prince--that would be you, Your Majesty--was old enough to be more easily protected You were not at risk But Wolfhere was indifferent to you in any case, perhaps because by then your sisters were born He was seeking someone else"

Liath nodded "Yes, he was"

"I pray you, Mistress Hedwig," said Waltharia, "I’ve heard this tale before but not, I see, all of it If you are the one who argued for Wolfhere’s return, then what made you and Wolfhere fall out later?"

It was difficult for the woet one hand off the covers, indicating Liath "This girl Wolfhere felt no loyalty to Henry, to Arnulf’s son, not as he should have He felt no loyalty to Wendar, not as he should have He returned only to discover what news he ht Of this one I soon realized that was the only reason he caer trusted him"

She coughed again, and the steward found wine, and Liath helped her drink

"Where is Wolfhere now?" asked Waltharia

"No one knows," said Sanglant "He escaped me in Sordaia Maybe he is dead"

"What does it matter what has become of Wolfhere?" Waltharia asked

Liath handed the cup back to the steward For a while, she sat with hands folded on her lap, gazing at Hedwig