Chapter 40

• Uri arrived early the next morning. His beard was longer than the last time we saw him. It was trimmed and shaped to a rounded point at the end. The hair was coarse and moved with his chin as one as he spoke. It was a disconcerting image. More statue-like than real.
• The formal greetings were held in the main bailey since the weather allowed. Our colors and the Bear's were present, troops shined and banners waved. It would have been preferable if we took knees to each other and renewed the alliance there and then. His short words of greeting made me think he would not be receptive. The whole ceremony looked to annoy him. I thought it best not to try, for if it failed it would have been worse than not happening at all. I could see some concerned faces from the representatives of court. They would have to wait.
• "I do not see Mylle or the other," Uri said rudely when Angelica and I were finally alone with him. At least he waited until there was privacy. I would have preferred he not refer to Alia as the other.