Ark watched from the side as the boar stamped and snorted at its enemy. It stood its ground. Corwenna put up her hands as if showing the beast that she had no weapons and stared at it, unblinking. “There now. Easy.” She coaxed the creature with her stare. It shuffled forward like a dog, drawn to heel.

Up close, Ark could see the creature was as frightened as he was.

Without moving, Corwenna hissed at Ark, “What are you waiting for? Find the blade in my belt. Use it.”

Ark saw the hilt peeking out from her petticoats. “You want me to —?”

“The will of the woods. Eat or be eaten. Between the eyes is most merciful.”

Ark found himself moving in slow motion, lifting the blade out as Corwenna kept control. He felt sickened by the Raven Queen’s power.

“I can’t!” he whimpered.

“If we turn away, this animal will happily deal with both of us. We need to eat. What is it to be?”

Ark made a decision. He raised the knife high above the boar’s head. The forest stilled and Ark was aware of Corwenna suddenly dropping to her knees and murmuring:

“Enter thee into the dark,
Honor to thy shape and spark!”

Before he had a chance to question what Corwenna was doing, Ark’s hand was free again, slamming down toward its target. He caught one last glimpse of the boar’s eyes, flicking toward his in terror before the blade went in.

The boar gave a sigh, before slowly toppling over on its side. Ark pulled the blade out in disgust. Blood oozed slowly over the woodway. Mucum killed the sewer rat with ease, and Petronio would have happily skewered his former schoolmate. But any sense of victory eluded Ark. Killing went against all that the Warden spoke of.

“You are shocked. But his passage to the other side will be safe now.”

“What …?” The image of Goodwoody kneeling in kirk came into his head.

“Exactly,” Corwenna answered. “Do you think we do not honor the dead?” She stood up, watching Ark closely. “Besides, it was a good lesson. You will need a strong stomach for what is to come, my child. And we only have a few days to prepare you.”

Ark watched as a raven tumbled from the sky only a few feet away. The boy backed up. Maybe Corwenna did control the ravens, but those claws could easily rip him in half.

“This is Hedd!” said Corwenna.

A pair of dark, pupil-less eyes looked down at him. Was he expected to say hello?

“You can say what you want. But it might be good to temper your fear with admiration.” Corwenna strolled toward Hedd and stroked the bird under his beak. He gave a deep, rumbling caw of pleasure. “These birds are the beating heart of this forest.”

“Well, er … thanks for rescuing me from Petronio,” Ark said, feeling rather stupid.