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Once the tour was finished, the next hurdle was returning to the clearing with Midnight in tow. The boy had gradually become used to Tarkyn’s woodfolk, but he had kept up a constant barrage of poisonous looks at the mountainmen. He had a long history of derision and disregard from the mountainfolk in the clearing, and as they neared the firesite, he baulked and pulled back. If Tarkyn hadn’t kept a firm grip on his hand, he would have bolted.
Tarkyn stopped walking and knelt down in front of the boy. He put his free hand on his heart and then gave a firm instruction for Midnight to come with him into the clearing. Midnight eyed him askance for long moments, then placed his hand on his heart and bowed his head. With a shuddering, deep breath, he raised his head high, looked Tarkyn in th
