Gerry came to see me the day he died. I was surprised to see him standing right there, on the porch, as if waiting to be summoned inside. He used to visit me often. Then he met that girl from Combe. I won’t deny it hurt a little.
‘Well, what happened? No trip to Combe tonight?’
‘Yes. No. There is no Combe anymore. I rode and I rode, but there was nothing but fog.’
‘Oh, Gerry. You took the shortcut through the woods again? You thought I warned you out of jealousy?’
‘Jealous? You–’
‘What killed you, Gerry? Was it the bandits? Or the wolves?’
‘What? No… It’s only fog.’
‘You all come to me in the end. But I am glad to see you. Come inside. Tell me everything.’
Foxwald paused and poked the fire distractedly. ‘You must remember that day. His horse returned alone and they found the body soon after.’
‘Well, thank you for that, Fox. Now I won’t get any sleep. Might as well take first watch now. But what does that have to do with your sister?’
‘Weren’t you listening? They all go to her in the end. She told me Sammy didn’t.’
‘You base your hope on that?’
Foxwald took a long time to answer. ‘You’re right. You take first watch.’
