*Soleil* I walk along the wheel track that me and Gudrun had driven down to get to the desolate farm. It contradicts my better judgment to leave my sister with a fully transformed hamram, but Gudrun had insisted. I decide to stop as I round the nearest corner, seeking refuge under the bare branches of the pine trees that stand close along the road and form a fair cover. As long as I keep quiet, I can at least listen to what is going on in the courtyard without revealing my presence.  It was Marta who had found the desolate farm.   After the night's outsitting, where we found Luca and the others, Marta had sought through her contact with the creatures of the earth. Because her kin is a troll, her abilities are stronger than the rest of us, when it c

  *Soleil* I forget all about my anger when I see Luca lying lifeless in the grass. His eyes are closed, he is barely breathing and does not react when I shake him.  “No, oh, no ! What have I done ?"  I try to lift his head, but my hands slips in the fur, and I can not get hold due to all the sticky blood,he is smeared into.  “Luca, can you hear me ? I'm laying my hands on you now. It should be okay, let me help you heal”.  I close my eyes and begin to sing the healing song that Gudrun had taught me after my own fatal encounter with the hamram in the house. 

  *Gudrun* It has gradually become dark as we roll into the courtyard in front of the hut. Soleil is about to step out, but I stop her.  "What do we say to them ?"  "What do you want to say ?"  "We tried to talk to the Pugh boys, but we had a falling out. They ended up in a fight and we had to save them ?”  "It's okay, Gudrun. It is my fault. I will telI them that I attacked Luca and Martin stopped us. We patched them up and no more than that”.  "Precisely. There is no more than that. It may be that the runes tell of an alliance between them and us, bu

  *Gudrun* I turn hesitantly, ready to go. Suddenly I feel a cold breath on my neck. I turn around and see the huge body rise to its full height in front of me. He holds a paw out to me, and with a strained snarl he pulls the wolf's features back. He does not manage to fully transform before I, driven by an impulse I can not control, throws myself around his neck and presses my lips against his.   He freezes and pulls his face back.  "I ... hurt you". His dark voice rumbles. He narrows his eyes, and when he opens them again, the last remnant of the wolf is driven away. "I'm talking like a caveman".  "Martin, you're a caveman". I laugh. My fingers curiously follow the powerful jaw line.

  *Lefu* I am led into a large throne room and the doors are closed behind me.  The castle is officially a museum, but inside the historical exhibitions is the Matelli clan's headquarters. It is here, I am to retire when my age no longer matches my appearance. In the past, we could move to a new land immediately and take over the place from one of the others. But now it is impossible not to get ones picture in one or other media, so you have to retreat here, and get an anonymous identity until you can safely appear on the surface again somewhere else in the world.  I am sorry to have to leave my clubs, but Celine will find someone among the royals who are worthy enough to take them over. She has taken over more and more lately and is accountable for part