Butcher’s morning started out as well as the rest. He woke up after sleeping through the ruckus caused by Kail’s fight with Paolo. The drink had been good, and his belly was craving something delectable. Not any of that bread stuff, but the meats that he carried in his wagon, and the cheeses that Claskan always had on hand. Bora never ate cheese, so Butcher had to get it from the neighbors.
It all started so well. Then he opened the front door, and a large grey wolf turned its head to see who was coming. The resulting bellow that escaped him was wholly involuntary and filled with fear.
“What’s wrong?” Claskan questioned, though he knew the answer. Kail and the rest of the house joined them down the hall to witness Butcher, arms stretched across the door, as though he were barring it, and
