Matt knew that he hadn’t liked the look in Thordin’s eye when he’d left him with Gwilym out in the field beyond the walls, but he also knew he couldn’t well have refused to do the smart thing and round up Thom and whoever else might have been available to deal with their visitor. There was something unsettled in his stomach as he dashed through the wide-open gates, almost running face-first into Phelan.
“The wolf,” Phelan said. “Did you find it?”
“It’s one of Daniel’s pack,” Matt said. “Thordin sent me to come get Thom and get the guy some pants.”
“He didn’t come right up to the gates?”
“The last time they showed up, we almost shot them. I don’t think I’d come right up to the gates or the hedge if I were any of them.”
Phelan grimaced, glancing away. “Maybe not. Go. I’ll meet up with Thordin.”
“Hurry,” Matt said. “I didn’t like the way Thordin was looking at him.”
“Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me.” Phelan’s eyes half lidded and he exhaled quietly. “Go. Hurry. I’ll do the same.”
Matt nodded quickly, clapping Phelan on the shoulder as the older man headed out the gates even as Matt pressed on toward the hill, toward the forge. Thom had to be there—that’s where he’d been before, when they’d heard the howl.
He wouldn’t have gone far. With any luck, his sister would be there, too. They could deal wit the visitor and figure out why he’d come.
Can’t be for anything good. Nothing like this ever happens and is good.
Well, except for Phelan showing up, and Neve and Thordin and Cameron. Nothing else, though. Matt grimaced, stumbling a few steps as his boot slipped in the snow.
Move faster. Move faster.
He dashed up the hill, yelling his brother-in-law’s name and hoping against hope that this time his gut was wrong.
