. . .

And the wolf is young and oddly docile in those early days of its captivity and Vaenwode imagines for a time that it will serve his family; that it will be loyal to them; that it will be an asset to his line.

This he dreams for the enemy of Vaenwode; this he dreams for the enemy of the svarts:

That perhaps it will be of use to him, if only he keeps it tightly bound.

This he dreams, and this dream endures until the wolf learns the words to ask for freedom.

The look in its eyes when he says he cannot not free it; and more than that, that he will not — it cuts through him. It haunts Vaenwode all his life’s remainder, until the very day he dies.

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