61 West

Hiding in a ruined sanctuary above Parr Castle, Wulf, Mara, and Thrit surveil the regent while enduring winter cold. Lord Mansell arrives from Langarth with food and news that Robart will remain until the Feast of Early Spring; he urges securing a Virtues Council witness. Mara considers infiltrating the castle if Robart departs.

On the eve, Roland and then Lord Edrick join them with word that Ascalun faced strange, likely plague-bearing creatures and that Queen Glorian rallied the city. Edrick arranges for Lady Gladwin to come as witness and, despite fearing the haithwood’s legends, yields to Wulf’s insistence to enter. He recounts finding toddler Wulf in the wood years ago amid eerie light and wolves and admits carving witch marks to ward the supposed Lady of the Woods.

When Robart’s lamps leave Parr, the group follows to the haithwood. Inside, oppressive silence, traps, and ancient trees unsettle them. A wolf pack attacks; Wulf is wounded, servants scatter, and Edrick orders Wulf to pursue Robart. Fleeing the wolves, Wulf stumbles onto faint, silver tree marks that guide him through memories of honeyed songs and fear toward a glowing clearing.

Wulf discovers a grove of forbidden hawthorns around an immense yew hung with straw figures. Robart, wearing flowers and a bear pelt, leads masked dancers in an old tongue, casting wine at the yew. He recognizes Wulf as the “Child of the Woods,” arguing the old rites answer the land’s pain and denouncing the Saint’s legacy.

Tempted but resolute, Wulf refuses Robart’s invitation to “continue the work.” Thrit, Lady Gladwin, and a bleeding Lord Edrick arrive; the dancers flee. Confronted, Robart calmly admits his faith and asks to continue in secret. Lady Gladwin orders him bound. As markings still gleam on the trees, Robart urges Wulf to heed what he has seen while his arrest imperils his regency.