the way ghelan had learned. the way he had begun to teach c'ede'. the way that he would have shown caan, fa'liya, and ghe'naya. the way in which ghaden would have been taught.
to hear sharadoii now opened the old rejection between father and son. the ugly, pitiful words beneath the accusing eyes worn by red leaf. "if it is ishmira, you would not know the truth."
he teased fangtip with his tongue. "my weakness was morwenna. she gathered against me and i do not know what she told the glacier ones. only that they meant to come. she would not allow me to touch my children, only those loyal to her. yes, my son, i gave that girl the scar. she did not give me caan. instead she dropped him, ghelan."
kusaxasaa stared at his son with flint-gaze. over and again ghelan had questioned, refusing to fit himself among the lanzadoii. "do you ask me not to defend our blood?"
his own challenge, etched inky crimson at the end.
