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((note: this is happening while the other storyline is going on, though it may seem to have nothing to do with it.))

Sahm raced through the halls. By halls, they were more like paths through the forest, whose surrounding trees, like many in the area, had leaned over and covered the path from above, and were so crowded that it was close to impossible to go any way but that which the hall-path dictated.

Sahm's face held much worry, and thoughts kept racing through his head.

I'm glad I didn't go with Kyrre on this trip. Not this time. I hope he's at the camp, though. He'd better not be in the middle of a mission. He's got to get back here, pronto. This is not good. This is so not good!

In his mind, the events of the last half hour crept repeating themselves. Lodan had been resting. As he had, much of the last few days. Sahm hadn't known anything was going on until he saw servants gossiping in the Great Hall, and a few even left. So he had followed those who left, hearing smidgeons along the way.

"Gone to run in the White Forest." said one person he passed.
"Just thought he was tired after the trials." said another.
"... too bad. And I hear Estefan is already here." said another, further on.

Sahm was running, and only skidded to a halt outside Lodan's personal clearing. The woven door stood ajar, and he pushed it lightly. It swung easily, tied to the tree as it was. And Sahm walked in.

Estefan had just arrived, it seemed, and was already talking to Shaman Yaio. Lodan lay on his pallet, unmoving. Breath did not stir within him.

"Then it's true?" asked Sahm, to no one in particular.

Estefan turned, regarded him coldly, and responded. "Si, yes. He has left for the White Forest. We will be having his pyre tommorrow. And the coronation... soon." he said, somber at first, but with excitement in his voice in the last.

Estefan was the son of the daughter of Lodan's only brother. His elders had already left for the White Forest, and he had no other kin. He had been grand-nephew to King Lodan. Lodan had never married, and most did not believe the rumors of his having a son with a non-kitsune woman, despite such a boy growing up in the Grand Forest with Lodan until he was old enough to be Named. The rumors said the boy had left, and no one believed him a true relation to Lodan after that.

Sahm ignored Estefan, took a large breath, and left as quickly as he had come. He needed to find Kyrre and Trella, and fast.

He shuddered at what would become of them all otherwise, and again as he remembered the scene, still far from camp.