Following Tarkyn’s exit, feelings ran high amongst the woodfolk. One strong camp argued against heeding anything Tarkyn said, wary of anyone usurping the natural authority of the woodfolk. Another more canny camp saw him as a new weapon to humour and use, as they saw fit, without allowing him into any mental discussion about their proposed tactics. When Waterstone and Autumn Leaves attempted to explain that Tarkyn would now insist on being included, they were regarded pityingly by many of the oathfree woodfolk and it was carefully explained to them that it was the welfare of the woodfolk as a whole, not Tarkyn, that was under consideration and that Tarkyn could not force them to include him if they chose not to.
“I don’t know about that,” growled Raging Water. “If he is a woodman, he must
