CHAPTER 5
Vylkar of Ellech was the first to report to the groups around their tables. He glanced at Penrys in apology, and began to speak.
“I encountered my first chained wizard three and a half years ago.” He gestured at Penrys, so that there would be no confusion.
“It was winter then, in the north, and I was at my hunting lodge with my family in the uplands of Asuthgrata, when I heard a loud noise, here.” He tapped his forehead. “I reached for the source, and brought men with me to look for it. And we found her, naked except for her chain, and speechless.”
Penrys clenched her teeth and looked down. This was her earliest memory, the cold, wet snow on her bare skin and the torches of the riders flickering in the trees.
“By the time we got her home and warmed up, she had our language.
