Chapter 13: What He Left Out

Nobody in the hall moved.

The old grey wolf was the first to find his voice.

"The Wolf Court has heard the Register," he said. "The Wolf Court has also heard its king."

He looked at the High Priest.

"Our king said it was his name, and he said it was. He did not say it is."

The High Priest's mild smile held.

"A fine distinction."

"It is the only one that matters in this room," said the old wolf. "You asked for one speech. You have had it."

"I ask the parley's three nights, then, under the Dawn's right."

"You have them. The guest house, the east gate, and not one step past the well."

The acolytes bowed.

As Sera turned to follow, she looked at Shiori one more time, and her green eyes were wet.

Then the doors shut behind them, and the hall fell quiet.

Kaedan was already moving.

He took Shiori's hand and walked her through the whole murmuring room without a word, and the court opened in front of them.

They took the tower stair in silence.

At the top he shut his door, put his back against it, and did not touch her.

"Sit," he said. "Please."

She sat on the edge of the bed.

He stayed standing by the west window with his hands behind him.

"My name was Haruto Sakimori," he said.

"I lived in Nagoya. I was nineteen and failing my second year of university.

I got on a train."

His voice was flat and careful.

"I woke up in a white room that smelled of incense. A man with mild eyes told me I was needed."

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