leaning against a support beam, arms crossed, his skull-painted face half in shadow He's late.

elbowing him, a grin splitting his scarred face Aye, but look at the line. Half the village is still outside. Reckon we got a good catch today?

from the High Table, stroking his beard A good catch, or a strange one. The scouts sent word from the north ridge.

perking up from where he was nursing a tankard Strange how?

his eyes scanning the crowd, landing on the main doors Strange enough that Laswell herself is coming down to announce it.

her voice carrying over the silent crowd We found something in the ice caves. Something we haven't seen in a hundred years.

A nest. And in it... an egg.