47
“You’re a sly old dog, Dad,” exclaimed Drakell, as soon as they were out of earshot. “Is that why you asked to see the prince? So you could pledge your allegiance to him?”
“No. Never had the least intention of it when I set out. Quite surprising, really.”
Somehow, the fact that their serious father could do something so significant in such an inconsequential manner seemed exquisitely funny to his sons. So, it was with some surprise that the first sound the woodfolk heard issuing from Harkell’s family meeting was laughter.
Harkell mopped tears of mirth from his eyes, “What were you thinking, Dad, to swear your life away on a whim?”
Sorath smiled benignly at them, “Oh, it wasn’t a whim. No, that young lad is quite extraordinary. I’ve never met anyone like him before.”
“You’ve never
