On the road to Gwen Ystrat

[most_generous]

On the snow-clad slope north of the cleared road a dog barked, sharp and carrying in the cold air. And then as the High King [Aileron], moved by some instinct, signaled the halt, they heard the dog bark three times more, and every man in that company who knew dogs heard frantic joy in the sound

Comments

[bannion_sight]

"I can tell you where he received those," Loren says quietly, as he comes beside Kim, facing the two kings.

"In battle, with Galadan. He defended Pwyll Twiceborn on the Summer Tree, against the Wolflord."

[most_generous]

Arthur, scratching Cavall's ears with one hand, watches Loren intently. "Before the Summer Tree?" Although the name of the tree has resonances from Arthur's other life, Arthur knows the tree of which Loren speaks. "You mean the battle named by Macha and Nemain?"

[bannion_sight]

This time, it's Kim who answers, drawing on that inner well of knowledge.

"Yes."

[most_generous]

"And I had more than enough reasons already to hate Galadan." Arthur touches the hilt of his sword. "We are hunting his wolves, are we not?"

[bannion_sight]

She knows. Oh, she knows-- how could she not?

She had been the one who had to tell him that Galadan had delivered Jennifer--
Guinevere-- up unto Rakoth Maugrim, after all.

"They are," she says, steadily.

Her voice doesn't tremble or alter in pitch, even as she remembers the Wolflord's cold snarl and colder eyes, the roughness of fingers at her throat. Distantly, Kim is glad of it.

[most_generous]

Then it is fitting that Arthur and Cavall should face Galadan's wolves together.

"My lord King," Arthur addresses Aileron, "is there room in your hunting pack for another dog?"

[bannion_sight]

"There is pride of place," Aileron tells him.

Wait, Kim thinks, hearing another possible meaning in the words, and risks a quick glance at the High King of Brennin. Did he just--?

Whatever Aileron is thinking, his voice is deep and certain.

"Will you lead us now?"

[most_generous]

"No," Arthur (first among equals, in all the worlds) answers, smiling at the other king as he mounts his horse. "Cavall will."

And the grey dog runs ahead of the company, all the way to Gwen Ystrat.