Her innards swirling with rage, Laira nodded. She bowed her head to Slyn. "King of Requiem! Defeater of dragons!" She upended her pack, spilling the boar flanks onto the floor. "We of Sharpspear suffered under the dragons' yoke. I praise you! I bring you these gifts of gratitude, of tribute. Allow my humble tribe to serve you, oh great king."

Across the hall, the Widejaws drew nearer and sniffed.

"That's good meat," said one man, his face pierced with a hundred bronze rings. "Shame it ain't human, but boar'll fill the belly too." His nostrils flared. "Seasoned and fatty and still leaking blood. Just how I like it."

Another Widejaw approached, wide of belly, and saliva dripped from his enlarged mouth. He reached for the meat, grabbed a piece, and took it back to a campfire. When Slyn did not object, a dozen more Widejaws raced forward to grab their own meat.

Laira turned and nodded toward Jeid and the others. They too upended their packs, spilling out legs of goat, boar ribs, deer hides, mammoth steaks, and plucked geese. The Widejaws howled and hooted, grabbed the rich pieces, and brought them to the campfires.

"Wait!" Slyn howled.

At once the hall fell silent.

Widejaws froze and stared. The only sound came from the crackling fires and the wind among the birches.

Slyn turned toward Laira and leaned down. His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized her. Suspicion and lust for her flesh filled his eyes. He turned toward his men.

"Why should we fill ourselves on the meat of deer and boars?" he called out. "We have here dozens of nice, juicy men and women to feast upon." He drew his bronze apa sword. "Why don't we carve up this sorry lot for our meal?"

Maev growled, took a step forward, and raised her fist. Jeid had to grab her and tug her back. Dorvin cursed under his breath. Luckily, the Widejaws were focusing on Laira and did not seem to notice.

Laira stared into Slyn's eyes. The man was thrice her size, and his hands could easily snap her bones, but she refused to break the stare.

"Dead, we are a single meal to you. Alive, we can hunt for you. Gather berries for you. Serve you in any way you please." She allowed the edge of her cloak to fall off her shoulder. "We are not your enemies, King Slyn. We are not your meals. We will be your servants, catering to your every desire—for flesh to eat, and for flesh to claim." She took a step closer to him and placed a hand on his chest. "You slew the dragons, our tormentors. We ask only that you let us serve."

His eyes flicked down to her bare shoulders. She let the cloak fall further, revealing the top of her breasts.