Path of Glory: Book One of Boundary's Fall

Aryn's frown deepened, and he looked up from his writing. Jeran had expected his uncle to frown, Aryn often frowned while thinking about something, but he was not ready for his uncle's reaction when his eyes settled on Dahr for the first time.

Aryn stood so quickly that his chair fell over behind him, clattering loudly as it hit the floor. In an instant, he had a knife drawn and held it toward Dahr as if expecting a fight. From the look on Aryn's face, he would have drawn his sword if it had not been locked in a trunk upstairs. Jeran had never seen his uncle's eyes so hard and expressionless, nor had he ever heard Aryn speak in a voice so cold and commanding.

"What do you want here?" demanded Aryn, his eyes never leaving Dahr's. "This is a house of peace, Hunter. I do not wish to kill you, but I will defend my own." Jeran did not understand his uncle's words, but he more than understood the tone.

Dahr looked as if he were about to bolt through the door. His eyes danced wildly, and he trembled in fear. Just then, the wind blasted through the chamber, slamming the door shut and cutting off their only means of escape.