The summons came the next afternoon, delivered by a young pack runner who looked nervous to even be carrying it.
"Elder Magnus wants to see you," the boy said, shifting his weight from foot to foot like he'd been asked to deliver something dangerous. "He said to come alone, and to come before sundown. He lives out past the east ridge, the old stone cottage near the creek. Everyone knows the path."
Elena had heard of Elder Magnus in passing, the blind healer who lived apart from the rest of the pack by choice, older than anyone could quite agree on, respected and a little feared in the way people respected things they didn't fully understand. She had never once considered that he might want anything to do with her.
"Did he say why?" she asked.
The boy only shook his head and left quickl
