"I know about it, pup. Your uncle told me everything himself." He shifted his weight, and I noticed for the first time the healing wrappings around his leg. "I was supposed to attend the ceremony as witness, but there was an ambush on the territory road. My leg was shattered. Before the healers put me under for the bone-setting, I recorded a Moon-witness statement confirming the change. Did they not show it to you?"
I stood frozen, staring at the bandages.
Elder Eamon retrieved the recording. It was brief—just a few sentences—but his voice was clear and his words left no room for doubt. The revised blood-oath will was genuine.
My mind went blank.
My gaze darted between Elder Eamon and Alaric, desperate for something that made sense.
Had Elder Eamon been bought? Had this stranger somehow corrupted even him?
The accusation spilled from my lips before I could stop it: "Elder Eamon, did he pay you off? What did he offer you? How can you betray Uncle Fenris like this? How can you dishonor my dead parents?"
The elder's expression hardened. The warmth drained from his voice entirely.