*

The Heir woke me the following light. Corel lay fast asleep on a bed of leaves, snoring lightly. The eagle led me far enough away that we wouldn’t wake the human but near enough that we could watch over him. “What will you do?” he asked.

“I need to know whether my father still is. I need to know if my mother will come with us.”

“And Corel? Is he going to your former dwelling with you?”

“He was supposed to. I wouldn’t leave him alone.” I hoped the Heir understood my meaning.

“Neither would I. I’ll stay with him while you seek your answers.”

“I hoped you would, but I didn’t dare ask.”

“Asking isn’t daring. Doing is,” the Heir said. “Go. I’...

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