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Come forward, Stefan, requested Waterstone silently.
Spinifex frowned at Stefan. After a moment, he shook his head. “No. You’re mistaken. He’s not a woodman. This is the son of Ivan the innkeeper. He has lived there all his life. He is just shorter than the rest of his family and happens to have green eyes.”
Before anyone could stop him, Ivan surged to his feet and stomped forward. “You’re right. He is my son and always will be.” He put his arm around Stefan before saying, “But Stefan was not born into our family. He was found near the river after the great flood.” He smiled at his son and gave him a squeeze before continuing, “I have worked at the inn for nearly fifty years, ever since I was a lad. In that time, I have seen hundreds, possibly thousands of people pass through our inn
