Chapter 32: Belasarius and Allesandra

*Gravestone*

The staircase had led to a tunnel. Which then led for miles of oppressively quiet darkness to a single porthole. That, in turn, led us into a field, far from the castle. To be safe about it, I shifted and took off, Allesandra on my back keeping Bel from falling off.

It did not take long for hunger to grip both of us, but right at that moment, seemingly by design, the smell of cooked meat wafted into my nose. Best case scenario, they’d be willing to share some food with “hungry travelers.” Worst case, their attachment to their meal would likely weaken at the sight of a hungry wolf that’s head and shoulders taller than them.

The answer turned out to be neither. When we arrived at the village, and found the house in question, we found an old man with a cooking pot, which had a small hole carved out of the side, sending the smoke, and thus the smell, out onto the wind.

Right where we just came from. “This is not an accident,” I growled.