The Huntsman's smell is not pleasant, after days outside; and still, Teja does not flinch back.

"Orpheus was in the infirmary because of himself," he says. "He went to the woods and played out his anger over me, touching all that happened by. One that it touched was much stronger than him, and crushed his shoulder. I came between them, and then called Belar to deal with them: - Belar is a god, and well able to handle either."

Pause.

"I do not think he thinks I was wrong, merely that I am out of my depth with godlings of Orpheus' ilk. And I am. I am a mere mortal like you, and not meant to stand between a demi-god and a half-demon."

Another pause.

"Oh, and the last I knew of, Orpheus was transformed into a song-bird for a day."