CHAPTER 2THE BLACK WOLF
Kugal, chief of the Thungoda war party, felt his prestige ebb as he hesitated before the grim, dark man who blocked their path. He reined his horned horse forward, drawing his curved sword.
“Who are you, man?” he demanded harshly, letting him see naked steel.
“I am Kellory,” the stranger said in a low voice. And: “Release the girl.”
“Hai!” Kugal crowed, grinning. “One man—no steel—and you give orders to Thungoda!” He laughed, thin lips peeling back to reveal discolored tusks. Then, in the way of his Horde, his temper changed. He snarled, spitting viciously, and suddenly his narrow slitted eyes were cold with venom.
“I cut your guts out with this,” he spat, showing Kellory the sword again, “and make you eat them!”
Kellory did not move. His green eyes were wintr
