Lysan's letter arrived two days later.
It came through the standard channel, the eastern correspondence runner, the same worn leather satchel, the same wax seal pressed with the flat of a thumb. Varek took it from the runner without comment and carried it into the meeting and closed the door.
He read it standing.
It was brief. Lysan asked after Ironpeak's stores ahead of winter, whether the border and raid situation had settled, and whether the hunting had been good. At the bottom, separated by a line, a single question: had Varek reconsidered.
There was no elaboration. No name attached to what he was asking about reconsidering, but he knew what Lysan was referring to.
Varek set the letter on the table.
He stood there for a moment looking at it. Outside, the clan went about its morn
