"THIS HOUSE BELONGS to whose family?”

“Relax, Ti. Gareth is a friend.”

“I still don’t trust him!”

“You know you are in no shape to go anywhere, so stop trying to get up.”

Gareth stood in the hall, listening by the slightly ajar door. He sighed heavily, closing his eyes. He felt a light tugging on his sleeve and smiled at a little girl the color of dark honey, her sightless eyes turned up towards him. “Hello, Cara.”

She tilted her head in puzzlement. “What’s the matter, Uncle Gareth? Why are you so sad?”

Gareth smiled sadly, patting her hair lightly. “I’m afraid your uncle made an enemy when he was trying to make a friend.” He looked towards the door. “The woman I brought here hates me. A lot.”

Cara pursed her lips. “Is she blind like me? You said she has no problems with her friend Doom, and everyone says he is really ugly.” Sensing his chiding expression, she held her hands out. “No one is being mean. He said so himself first!”

The man chuckled, albeit sadly. “It is a long story.” He looked down sharply when she let go of his sleeve and pushed the door open. “Cara! What are you—?” he hissed, trying to catch the girl, but years of rough housing with sighted siblings and cousins enabled her to avoid his reaching hand.

She paused a few steps in, saying over her shoulder. “Well, someone has to talk to her so she understands. You are a nice man!” Gareth closed his eyes at Tiwaz’s exclamation of surprise at the intrusion. He sighed in relief when the irritation did not change into greater anger.

Doom followed Tiwaz’s stare and smiled a little, taking the girl’s extended hand to guide her over. “Hello, Cara. What are you doing in here?”

“Hello, Uncle Doom!” she greeted brightly, then looked more serious. “I wanted to know why your friend doesn’t like Uncle Gareth. He is really nice, you know,” she said towards Tiwaz. “And he is really, really sorry he made you mad and everything and he would really like to apologize. He just wants to be your friend. Honest.”

Tiwaz stared at the girl, her stricken expression worrying Doom. “Ti?”

The woman tentatively touched the girl’s cheek lightly. “You are blind?” Her voice reflected absolute despair on the child’s plight.

Cara tilted her head to the side, puzzled. “Why are you so sad? I was blind since I was a baby. Mama said I had gotten really sick and my eyes didn’t work after that. But it’s okay!” She smiled brightly. “My uncle tells me the most wonderful stories. Maybe he can tell you a story that will cheer you up, too.” The tiny face became troubled. “You will talk to him, won’t you? Please? He is really sad because he says you don’t like him.”

Tiwaz sighed. “All right. I will talk to him.” Doom smiled and looked towards the door, nodding. Gareth entered, and stood, uncertain, unable to meet her vivid green eyes. Doom stood and picked up the little girl.

“Uncle Doom, would you tell me about gromeks again?” she asked brightly. Doom chuckled as he agreed, walking out to let Gareth and Tiwaz talk in private. He shut the door quietly behind him.

Tiwaz glared at Gareth as he sat down where Doom had been moments before. They remained that way for quite a while, Tiwaz refusing to speak first. The bard sighed. “Look, Ti, I’m sorry.”

Her expression darkened. “Only Doom calls me ‘Ti.’”

“All right, then. Tiwaz.” He looked at her with a quizzical expression. “Why are you so hostile towards me? I have not done anything to hurt you. In fact, I helped Doom find you in time and brought you both here so you would both be safe. He might be great in the forest, but he’s terrible with civilization. Civilization such as it is where we found you.”

“Why I am the way I am is no business of yours or anyone else’s.” She paused a moment then demanded, “Why were you following us? Tracking us for Alimar?”

Gareth frowned in deep insulted. “If I had wanted to turn you and Doom over to that…that…” He could think of no suitable insulting term for the sorcerer, so skipped it with an inarticulate sound of disgust. “I could have done it back in Dramaden. But I didn’t. So, get the damned chip off of your shoulder and calm down.”

She glared at him. “Alimar is not the only one with other motives. What do you want with Doom?”

The question took the bard by surprise. He blinked, dumbfounded for several heartbeats. “With Doom? You don’t ask what I want with you?”

“I don’t need to ask. There are few reasons men want women.” She fixed her suspicious glare on him. “I won’t let you hurt him.”

Gareth was silent, thoughtful. “What did that bastard do to you?” he asked himself aloud. Her eyes narrowed sharply, but she refused to speak. Exhaling, he spoke in calm, neutral tones. “All I want is to be a friend to you, Tiwaz. And to Doom. I have always liked non-humans better than humans. Humans tend to be so close-minded.”

Tiwaz’s eyes went wide in shock, her pupils dilating until the iris nearly vanished, her voice barely a whisper. “You know. You know what I am.” There was real fear in her voice. “Everyone fears shape-shifters. All they want is death for them all.”

“Yes,” he said slowly, calmly. “I know. I was with Doom when he found you. I saw your panther form, and I saw you change back to human form.” He leaned forward a little. “I will agree with you that people don’t react well to shape-shifters most times. They see no difference between them and lycanthropes. You are right and justified to be cautious.” His voice emphasized the vow he made to her. “But I would never betray your secret.”

“There are others here. I have heard them. Does anyone else know what I am?” She relaxed when he shook his head.

“No. I promised Doom I wouldn’t say a word. No one in my family knows. And believe me, I am very good at keeping secrets. My aunt gives me enough to keep.” His irritation drew a chuckle from the young gladiator, which made him smile in return. “That’s better. It is always best to be relaxed when you have to heal up. It helps.”

Grudgingly, Tiwaz stated, “I was wrong about you, Gareth Tavarius. I’m sorry.”

He shrugged. “Hey, I understand. It is hard to trust anyone when you have so much you could lose. You just focus on getting better.” He put his hand near hers on the bed, not touching her. “And I just want to be a friend. Honest. I like you and Doom. You’re interesting. And not just because both of you have been kind enough to allow me to live.” Tiwaz chuckled, shaking her head slightly in bemusement.