Autumn Leaves nodded reluctantly. “I suppose you had to learn it from somewhere. And it wasn’t from us because you came into the forest with it.” The woodman shifted his position against the log. “Ah, but perhaps you are the exception from your society while the traitor would be the exception in ours.”
Tarkyn could feel generations of royal heritage rearing up inside him in outrage at such a suggestion. His eyes glittered in the firelight. His voice was flat with suppressed anger when he said, “I think we have taken this discussion far enough. We must agree to disagree on how despicable my heritage is.”
Autumn Leaves’ head shot up from his contemplation of the fire. “Oh dear, I’ve offended you now, haven’t I?”
“Would you like it if I said you were the only trustworthy woodman? That all
