The Cwge were a retainer clan of sorcerer-king Caedwghe, the one who had persecuted and dispersed coven's people. As retribution for their insult, they were driven out from the land of the capital, and Calsar- quite generously, in the general's words- allowed them the land on the opposite side of the Calmat river.

And that was all well and good; he had spent much time ignoring them, as downtrodden and pitiful as they were. But now the far king of a country across the sea wished to send ships to Calsar's capital, and the only river that passed through it was the Calmat. Obviously, the king's enemies could not be let the opportunity to watch the comings and goings of the king's allies. So even they were on the opposite side of the river, Calsar had rescinded their landright, and they could not stay.

Upon hearing this, Sif didn't have to think very hard in delivering his answer.

" I refuse," he said. " My people will not be taken as soldiers for a conflict which has nothing to do with them. As a god of the land, I abhor killing."

The armored man slammed a fist on the table, frightening Rágn's wife as she tried to deliver them tea. This irritated Sif more.

" You will reconsider," he said. " This village is the closest to the Calmat."

" I will not reconsider," Sif said. " I am the god here, and my word is law."

" Coven Yrnhold, are you going to go along with this god of yours?" the armored man asked.

" I've already told you how I feel about this," Yrnhold said. " It's a mark of Lord Hélna's wisdom that she agrees."

The man stood.

" If you abhor killing so much, let you be the ones who are killed," he spat. " I will tell Lord Calsar of your witchgod and your treachery."

He shoved one of the women as he stormed out.

Rágn, who had remained silent out of respect for his father, nearly collapsed from fear.

" This isn't right," he said, " This can't be happening."

He continued in this way, repeating himself hopelessly as his wife collected him, her hands still shaking.

Sif stood.

" Let that bastard come back with whoever he would like to bring," he said. " He shall not find it so easy to dispose of me."

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