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She grinned at him. Clearly he had never dined with wolves! Only the fastest
and fiercest ate from a kill.
Even the meat of her own hunting would be stolen if she wasn t careful. She d
learned that young enough.
Fox Hair answered her smile, but she thought there was something of fear and
uneasiness in the tang of his sweat.
WHEN the rest of the expedition returned later that afternoon, Derian was
pleased to see that their wild visitor, although clearly nervous, didn t flee.
Lightly balanced on the balls of her feet, ready to run if anything startled
her, she watched the four men file into the camp. Race carried a couple of
rabbits, Valet a string of brook trout. When they passed her, Derian noticed
again how she sniffed the air, taking in their scents.
Clad in her new shirt and nothing else (he couldn t help but remember his
embarrassment when she had stripped right in front of both him and Ox) the
young woman looked more like an untidy curly-haired urchin than the wild thing
who had first come into their camp. With that strange surge of possessiveness,
Derian realized that he was glad that Earl Kestrel s first sight of her would
be this way, rather than draped in that awkward hide. He would treat her
better, maybe even respect her a little.
 How long has she been here? the earl asked, studying the woman
speculatively.
 Since midmorning, sir.
 And has she spoken?
 No. We ve tried talking to her, but she only makes sounds whines and growls.
That had been both disappointing and a bit frightening. Derian brightened.
 She s a wonderful mimic, though. We ve been communicating a little by signs.
 Communicating? The aristocratic brow arched.
 Like about the shirt, Derian replied,  and we offered her something to eat.
 Ah!
 She eats like a wild animal, Derian admitted.  I ve seen neater pigs.
 Mm.
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Earl Kestrel s attention was only partially on the conversation. His gaze
never left the woman; however,
as hers never left him, the clinical investigation seemed less rude. She had
taken a position a few steps from the center of the camp, carefully leaving a
line of escape open behind her.
Kestrel bowed to her. The woman did not respond in kind. Indeed, Derian
fancied she looked vaguely disdainful. Kestrel may have reached something of
the same conclusion, for he frowned.
The other three men also had been studying the visitor but more covertly,
aware of the penalties for usurping the earl s rights. Derian heard Race
comment softly to Ox:
 She doesn t look much like a noblewoman. Acts like one though. There s not a
humble bone in that body.
Ox chuckled softly.  I d noticed that myself.
 She s healthy-looking, Doc said,  despite all the scars. She has a fresh cut
on her arm, but it shows no sign of festering. Someone s taught her basic
hygiene.
 She is cleaner than I d expected, Race admitted.
 I d love a chance to examine her, Jared said, raising his voice slightly to
include Derian in the implied question.  We might get a better idea of her age
then. From what I can see from here, she s not overfed, not precisely
undernourished, but there s little fat on her.
Derian, keeping his own voice soft, said,  She s very cautious about letting
anyone close. I don t think it s fear of being touched as much as fear of
being trapped.
Ox nodded agreement.  She was interested in touching us: my beard, Derian s
hair, the fabrics of our clothing, but she wouldn t accept anything but the
lightest pat in return. Even then, you could tell she was letting us out of
good manners.
 Interesting, Earl Kestrel said.  Very well, Jared, your examination will
need to wait until she trusts us more. She has accepted clothing and food, so
we are well on the way. I will not have these advances damaged.
As if, Derian thought indignantly, you had anything to do with those advances.
 Secondly, Earl Kestrel continued,  we cannot go about simply referring to
this young woman as  she.
There are very good odds that she is Lady Blysse. Address her accordingly.
  Lady Blysse,  Doc offered, the slightest of grins on his lips,  is a bit
of a mouthful for daily use. Given her father s standing with the king and her
own probable age at the time of the fire, she was most likely merely called
 Blysse. I suggest we do the same.
Earl Kestrel, who had been a stickler for protocol even on the trail, glowered
at his cousin and Doc hastened to clarify.
 I mean no disrespect, Norvin, he said, emphasizing his own point by using
the earl s given name rather than his title,  but if we hope to awaken her
memories of herself and of language, we don t want our first lesson to be too
complicated.
Norvin Norwood, Earl Kestrel, nodded.  I concede the point, Jared. She will be
addressed as Blysse.
The young woman had listened to this byplay with apparent interest, but showed
no recognition of the name. Derian sighed. As ever, Earl Kestrel had his own
best interests at heart.
 She looks well in that shirt, Jared said.  Is the hide you said she was
wearing anywhere about? I would like to examine the tailoring. It might give
us a clue as to whether she has a companion or two hidden away.
 I set it over there, Derian said.  I thought she might want it, (he
remembered the rapidity with which she had snatched the belt from his hand),
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 but she lost interest in it as soon as she had figured out how the shirt went
on.
Doc crossed to examine the hide. Blysse s jet-black gaze followed his
movements, but, though she seemed completely absorbed in watching Doc, when
the earl took a step toward her, she sprang back without turning her head,
without even apparent volition.
 Like an animal, Race muttered. Then,  My lord, I ll go get these fish ready
for the fire.
 Go, Earl Kestrel dismissed him.  The rest of you may go about your tasks as
well, but do not come near Blysse. Do not make any loud noises or sudden
motions. We wish her to feel safe.
Everyone murmured acknowledgment.
The earl continued,  Derian Carter, come stand next to me. I have noticed that
she uses you as a touchstone. If we are together, she may be willing to
approach me.
Derian did so, almost hating himself for the subliminal thrill he received
from standing shoulder to shoulder with a nobleman. Always before this, in
small ways and subtle, the earl had kept his distance from the commoners in
his expedition.
Blysse didn t seem to notice, but by now Derian was certain that she missed
little.
 What are your conclusions about her attire? Earl Kestrel asked Doc
impatiently, for his cousin was staring at Blysse rather than continuing his
examination of the hide.
 She could have done the work herself, Doc said, his deliberately soft tone
almost idle but holding beneath it a suppressed excitement.  It is the most
simple of constructions, rather like the dresses young girls make for their
dolls. The hide it s elk, by the way, and I wonder how she killed an elk has
been tanned, though badly. It is in one piece; nothing has been stitched on. A
hole has been cut in the center rather larger than her head I expect she
didn t like how the rough leather chafed her neck. The rest has been trimmed
so that the movement of her arms would be unimpeded.
 This belt, he lifted a twisted piece of leather,  must have closed it
somewhat at the sides, if poorly.
 That s right, Doc, Derian confirmed.
 Derian, Jared asked, the quiet excitement now rising into his voice,  did
you give Blysse anything other than the shirt and belt?
 No, Doc.
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