Tad came awake suddenly.

Someone was opening the door and he nudged Zane awake as it swung aside.  It was near sunrise; the sky outside the window displayed a slightly rose-tinged gray light, but it was still too dark in the room to make out the features of the man who stood there.

"Huh?" said the half-asleep Zane as Tad fumbled to where he had put the candle.

"You won't need that," said the figure in the doorway as he held up his hand.  Suddenly light filled the room, an unnatural white glow that held a hint of blue.  Zane blinked and Tad stood up as the figure entered the room.

He matched Caleb in height and resembled the hunter, but his skin was fair and his hair was white.  He had eyes of the palest blue, but their set and expression were exactly like Caleb's.  As he entered the room another figure, McGrudder, stepped into the doorway.

Zane scrambled to get out of the way as the stranger knelt to examine Caleb.  After only a moment, the man said, "You did well to contact me.  His breathing is shallow, his heartbeat is weak, and he burns with fever.  If nothing is do he'll be dead by noon."

The man looked at Tad and said, "Who are you?"

"Tad," he answered.  "That's Zane.  We were traveling with Caleb."

"What are you to my brother?"

Zane exchanged glances with Tad, then he said, "I suppose you would say Caleb was taking us to be apprentices."

The pale man frowned and said, "I wouldn't say.  What you are to him will be sorted out later, now I must take him with me to save him.  You stay here."

"Wait a minute, Magnus," said McGrudder, coming into the room.  "You know they can't stay here."

"Why not?" asked Magnus, standing up.  "You know I can't take them with me."

"But you must," said McGrudder.  "They've seen you, and even a chance remark to the wrong person..."  He inclined his head toward the boys.  "You know."

"Put them to work," suggested Magnus.