The dusty stable grew quietly. The doors behind him creaked and whispered as the winds outside grew stronger.
Lucen narrowed his eyes. "What did they say about Otherworlders?"
"They said many things, like how their coming—" Hiru's raspy voice broke into loud coughs.
Lucen watched his little body shudder like he was going to fall apart, and sighed. "When was the last time you ate, or drank water?"
Hiru's face turned red as he took ragged breaths. His eyes flicked to the trough on the other end of the stable filled with water.
Grimacing, Lucen turned and walked to the doors, waving at him. "Follow me."
The boy staggered behind Lucen. They left the stable, walking along the polished stone walls of the Keep to the courtyard.
Lucen noticed the wary looks people gave him, and the halfbreed, as they approached the center of the Keep, so he took off the white cloak and gave it to the boy.
"Here, cover your head."
