Ehelar seats himself on the chair Lui vacated, watching me as if he thinks me the feral stray the Speaker once called me.
Then he says, “Lui hasn’t thought to ask how you’ve been safe from the Darkness, given that you were held prisoner the same as Fastu, but someone ought to. I’d like to see to your hand, and perhaps when we’re done, you might tell me.”
I consider him and appreciate that he is seated where he is, that I don’t feel closed in with him before me, my back against the wall with nowhere to go. I suppose I am a bit feral. Or I’ve just had enough things done to me that being backed into a corner would bring out my claws.
amI cross the room to sit before him and hold out my hand in silence. I’m not agreeing to answer, not until I’ve figured out why he wants to know. The wooden
