Chapter 20: The Duel

The border stone stood on the river island, a gray slab taller than two men, with the water loud on both sides.

By dawn both packs were on the banks.

Duskmoor stood on the east shore and Greywater on the west, six hundred wolves facing two hundred, with the river between.

Around the stone ran a ring of silver studs set in the turf, each as long as my finger.

Rowan stood on the Greywater bank holding the hand of Torin's housekeeper.

She carried Linnet on her other arm.

I looked at them once and then did not look again.

"Remember," Torin said at my shoulder. "Don't cross the ring in wolf shape. The silver will cut your paws to the bone."

"I remember."

"Fight on two feet until you have to."

"I know."

"Morven." He took my hand. "Come back."

Aldric stood a little apart with the old elder, in his plain shirt. He did not say anything.

He put a fist to his chest and held it there.

I stepped over the studs.

Delphine was already inside.

She wore a plain gray tunic and trousers, with her hair braided tight to her skull. She looked ten years younger than the Luna who served tea.

In her right hand she held a long knife, and its edge shone too white.

"Silver-washed," the old elder called, from the east bank. "The Lady Delphine has brought her own blade."

"Is that permitted?" a Greywater woman shouted.

"By the old law, any weapon may be brought," said the old elder grimly. "Lady Morven may do the same."

I had Torin's short sword. It was only steel.

"I don't want to do this," Delphine said conversationally, as the old elder raised his staff. "I raised you, dear. I fed you. It's sad."

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