Chapter 27: The Star

Zeb walked quickly toward the bridge to the north. Agony accompanied every step, but he refused to give in to the weakness of his flesh. The pain in his spirit was harder to ignore. He regretted leaving Joan after giving her such hope, but it was too dangerous. He thought of Lamb, and of Joan in Lamb's place, torn by the wolves. Just the image was enough to make him clench his hand on the staff. He was going to walk until the pain made him fall, then he would crawl; when he could no longer crawl, he would lie and wait for death to claim him.

Whether man or a devil, he was not the plaything of the mage. He would not willingly serve any such master. So deep was he in his thoughts that he didn't see the group of men in front of him.