It was cool and clear, and the night air had an especially crisp quality.

Baneck looked up as his father Granholm entered the house, after having hung an iron totem carved with magic runes to prevent eavesdropping, above the door of the family home.

Then he sat, joining Baneck, Amilyn, Baneck’s younger sister Lynnia, and Torsar at the table.

“Well?  Why for the secrecy, son?”

Baneck’s forearms rested heavily on the table.  “I need more of the special ingredient.”

“What ingredient is that?”

Baneck jumped with everyone else, at the sight of Honee, sitting comfortably between Torsar and Lynnia.

Granholm nearly shouted in surprise, “When did you get here?!”

“I snuck in behind Torsar, after he came back from the stable.”

“Why didn’t we notice you sitting at our table?”

She sat with her elbows on the table-top, and her chin resting on her intertwined fingers.  “Trade secret, good sir,” she said, pleased with herself.  “Now, what is this ‘special ingredient’?”

“A trade secret,” he humorlessly said.

“Don’t be that way, uncle,” she pressed.

Baneck did not want to talk above his father, as Granholm narrowed his eyes at her.  But it was useless, as all four of the girls in Fawnlum’s battle-group had grown up with Granholm as they had Torsar; and he was to them like another surrogate uncle.

As was also common knowledge, the quiet and frugal Granholm had crafted some of the small but precise knives Honee was so fond of carrying, with hardly any compensation.  Baneck doubted his stern showing would deter her in the least.

“Powerlave has the king’s ear,” she said to the table, fixing her eyes on  Baneck.  “And I have Powerlave’s.  I can convince them you’re no threat.  But you have to let me in on your secrets.

“Consider Fawnlum, my dear friend, leader, and battle-sister.  May she be blessed by Diergon.

“We all thought her mad, pursuing her training with such vigor, so she could marry you.  For years, we thought she was better suited to have a warrior as a husband.  But we followed her, because she had such faith in her path; and she inspired faith in us.  Her strength led to our strength.  And we trusted her.

“And she took us along for that grueling training.  For that hardship, our glory is written forever in Diergon’s mead hall.

“‘Sisters’ oaths, by blood we shed, strong and sure, as blood that’s bred.’  That’s our pledge,” Honee continued.

“And do you know,” she asked, “what she’s done for you?”

“Here we go,” Torsar mumbled under his breath.

“She trained harder than anyone in our generation, just to win her right from Saraty to marry you!”

“Do you think I – ?!” Baneck started, not pleased at the notion he took Fawnlum’s dedication lightly.

He never got the chance, as Honee’s sharp tongue lashed more quickly than a whip.

“There’s no foe in this land we haven’t faced together!  Because of you!  It nearly killed the four of us several times over!  And then she faced Felldrake, alone!  She’s not just protecting this land anymore; she’s protecting you.  Evil powers lurk in darkness to claim the Blood of Wintermore!

“And have you forgotten about Nepta?  Her older sister has two children now, and although she’ll never voice any regrets, she’s glad she followed Fawnlum through all this!  She and I both turned down good suitors’ proposals, so we could stay by Fawnlum’s side.  And now Nepta’s robe is gone.  Her magic is gone, thanks to you.”

“The robe can be replaced,” he said right back at her.

“Don’t pretend that makes it right!  Now Fawnlum is fixing another mistake of yours.”

If he was looking down the shaft of a dead-centered arrow, Baneck would not have known any greater peril at the moment.