[Gwathagor]

Crabannan had done some thinking while he and Degas searched about Scarburg for Lord Eodwine. They eventually found him near the edge of the village with Thornden and Stigend (both of whom Crabannan had labored with often during the past month), by which time Crabannan had been able to clear his mind and arrive at a number of conclusions.

Erbrand was interested in Kara - that much was clear, for Erbrand's sensitivity to Crabannan's remark about the kitchen-wench removed any doubt on that score. What had perplexed Crabannan more had been why he should have been so irritated by Erbrand's obvious interest, irritated enough to provoke the fellow, almost to the point of blows. This, above all, had concerned Crabannan, for it had made him wonder if he himself was not also falling for Kara - an instance which would have led to no good for himself, he knew. He was fond of her, certainly. She had been quick to befriend him - not any easy feat - when he had first arrived in Scarburg, and had been consistently kind to him since that day.

Crabannan had pondered this thoroughly. He was embarrassed to admit it, but it began to dawn on him that perhaps what he felt was a brotherly protectiveness towards Kara, and prickliness towards any who might be interested in her - such as Erbrand.

The notion that he might be forming attachments to these people had surprised him. He had been scared, too, at the thought that he might be going soft. He tried to remind himself: I'm a stranger, a wanderer. People don't like me, so it's no use trying to like them. He shook his head and walked faster. The less I think, the better.

At any rate, Degas and Eodwine turned out to be previously acquainted with each other, and they fell easily into conversation. His duty done, Crabannan turned to go - he hadn't eaten breakfast yet, and there was work to be done, he reckoned. Eodwine's next remark stopped him in his tracks, though.

"Degas' sister? Here? Who is she?" he asked in surprise.