Hawk took a moment to respond, rubbing one eye. He grinned breathlessly. "It's nothin', just--strickly speakin', that makes us enemies, is all," he explained.

Teige blinked, taken aback. "Er, does it?"

Hawk lurched forward onto his feet, wings folded heavy and tired against his back. "But y'know what?" he asked. He offered Teige his hand. "You're right. I don't have anythin' to lose."

Teige looked at the outstretched hand, and then up at Hawk skeptically. "See, now I'm a mite concerned," he said. "Not sure I think much of bringin' an assassin with me to Enodia, if that's what you are."

He paused, and then shook Hawk's hand firmly. "But I suppose I can't be too choosy, eh?" he said lightly. "To our future enmity, then."