Severed Ties: Rise of the Silver Wolf novel · Chapter 34 of 48

Chapter 34: The Heron Seal

I read the letter aloud that night in the great hall, in front of the fire.

Ewan sat at my right with his arm on the table. Brigid sat at my left with her stick between her knees.

The Elder of Pinecrest had come in his good coat on the back of a hay wagon, because Brigid had sent a boy for him at noon.

He sat at the end of the table with the cracked seal laid on a napkin in front of him.

Two hundred of the wolves who had stayed filled the benches.

My father stood by the door with his hat in his hands, and nobody had asked him to sit.

"Read it," said the Elder.

I unfolded the paper.

"Mr. Corvane. I write regarding your elder daughter, as arranged with your wife."

My voice was steady. I was proud of that, and a little sick.

"Mrs. Corvane tells me that the girl's eyes go silver in firelight. I do not wish her harm."

A low sound moved through the benches.

"I wish her at Greywater, alive and unmarked, before the Council can learn of her. For that reason, I ask you to write to the Council in January. Tell them that a wolf of your house may wake silver at her ceremony."

I stopped.

"Go on," Ewan said, very quietly.

"That will turn every eye toward the Hold and away from my door. My own man will meet her at the ceremony and bring her to me."

I turned the page.

"The fee is twice what the Council pays. Your house will be cleared of debt on delivery."

The fire cracked.

I read the last paragraph slowly.

"My daughter will be glad of a sister. Your wife has shown me what she has done for your younger girl, and I expect the same method to serve me. Burn this. H.G."

Nobody breathed.

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