[Firefoot]

Thornden’s words burned in Léof’s ears as he again took his place at the rear of the column of soldiers. Get back into the line! What do you think you’re doing? You, too, Léofric!” Léof had counted Thornden as a friend, but the last time Léof had heard his full name pronounced so harshly had been from his father. Granted, Thornden was neither so unjust nor so cruel as his father, but just now his words had held the ring of authority and not of friendship. Léof had forgotten how poorly the two matched each other.

And how poorly Thornden had greeted Falco! Mischief making? In what way was the meeting of old friends and the exchange of news mischief making? Surely there had been time for a short conversation? He had thought that the others would want to greet Falco, especially Thornden who knew him already.

“Make no mistake, that plainly didn’t go over like I thought it would,” muttered Léof to himself.