#debukefarmhold

"I've never seen him so ashamed"

"Aye."

"He kept this a secret from Agnes and Clem? How the heck does he justify.." A mutter

"Who is he protecting?"

"If I knew..." A frustrated sigh.

"But if I know one thing of thy kith... this is an act of protection. Likely one of love. Even if it seems to make no sense..."

"Yes. But i'm not sure who ever deserves protection. Not after this"

"There might be an oath involved."

"He's already mentioned two - it might be a damn mess. And this is why I do not Oath."

"Well, of course there's an oath involved. we're trolls." A sigh "Sometimes I think we do it too lightly. Though... " A smile "A few I do not regret." Thoguhtful again' We drop this and move on?"

Her mouth twists. "I... I do not like that. How can I se that wound and turn away?"

"He will fight to shield his wound from poking even if it's for his good" A frown "DeBuke stubobrn mixed with troll stubborn is a special kind of stubborn"

"Iowa stubborn."

A nod

"What do we tell Clem? Nothing about Wildheart I'm guessing?"

"But all I see are two who are injured. One, my teacher, and one, who saved a kithmate."

"Aye."

A sigh "Okay. let's go report and..try to look happier than we are"

"Indeed."

The report goes smoothly. Zara does have the books to draw geniune happiness from, and Clem? Clem is too excited about this new lodge and helping it to notice her cousin is ommitting anything or that her friend is not as 'chipper' as she seems.

Zara feels she has set one book down, only to discover the cliffhanger far more sober than she expected. Still, there is a sense of accomplishment. The Varich have been cheated. New trods are open. She has books. She gathers these victories, they will bring strength for the fight and search to come.

(End Scene)