The iron-banded door to William’s private study opened as Kaelen stepped inside.

He stood in the center of the small, stone-walled room, his frame blocking out the light from the single tallow lamp sitting on the corner of the desk. His hazel eyes scanned around, until they found William and remained focused on him.

William sat behind the low cedar table, a small oilstone in his hand as he worked the edge of a short skinning knife. He didn't look up when the door slammed nor when he felt Kaelen's gaze on him. He took one long, deliberate stroke down the steel, the dry scrape of the metal loud in...