September, 1967

Galaxidi, Greece

The sun shone unobstructed on the small rental car that drove along a narrow, winding road lined with scrubby vegetation and rocky hills. It was quite hot, but the car's two human occupants didn't mind all that much. Neither did the jet-black Egyptian cobra wrapped around the shoulders of the taller occupant.

Sam Troy had been focused intently on driving ever since he, Jack Moffitt, and Anah left the airport in Athens. He had never been in Greece before, but as the home of his ancestors, he had harbored a desire to visit and see where his grandparents grew up for some time. After saving a bit of money and getting back in contact with a Greek army lieutenant he had served alongside in several instances in North Africa prior to getting his own team, Troy had the financial means to plan a trip out to Greece. He wasn't sure what to expect, though he wasn't expecting much of anything apart from seeing the town his grandparents came from. Just in case something came up, he didn't want to be alone, so he invited Moffitt along, since Moffitt had been studying Greek as a hobby ever since learning Troy was fluent in the language.

"Are you alright, Troy?" Moffitt asked.

"Yeah. Why?" Troy replied.

"You're… quieter than usual."

Troy shrugged. "Thinking. That's all."

"Anything in particular?"

"No, not really." He glanced at his lanky British companion. "You've been brushing up on your Greek, right?"

"Of course. I've been studying every night ever since you asked me to come with you."

"So, you won't be lost if I'm not with you."

"Not at all," Moffitt said with a hint of pride.

"You can ask where the nearest toilet is?"

Moffitt sighed, his pride vanishing swiftly. "Yes, Troy, I can ask where the nearest loo is."

"Why can't you guys just say 'bathroom' or 'toilet?' Why'd you have to go and make up random words for things?"

"'Loo' is not a random word. We've been over this, Troy, just like 'pasty' and 'chips.'"

"French fries."

"Troy—"

"Save your sanity, dear," Anah said, touching Moffitt's cheek with the tip of her tail. "Troy enjoys this like a pig enjoys being wrestled in mud."

"You two are spending too much time around Dietrich if you're comparing me to a pig," Troy said.

"Oh, Dietrich is much nicer than that," Moffitt said. "Most of the time."

"Yeah. Most of the time." Troy went back to focusing on driving. "I know Vasilakis speaks pretty good English, but I'm not sure if he'll be the only person we'll talk to on our trip."

"I hope his English is better than yours," Moffitt muttered. "It's 'speaks English pretty well.'"

"Good grief, you and Dietrich just love correcting my grammar—and English isn't even Dietrich's first language!"

Moffitt smirked. "Yes, I know our wives have joked about us being 'the defenders of English grammar.'"

Troy sighed and shook his head before changing topics. "Could you two do me a favor?"

"Sure."

"Don't bring up anything that's happened with my family to anyone."

Moffitt gave him a confused look. "Troy, you know us. We would never do that. What's got you on edge?"

"I think it's because this is my first time here. I've been wanting to do this for a few years now, and I don't want anything to go wrong."

"You asked the right people to accompany you, dear," Anah said.

"Indeed," Moffitt added with a grin. "You won't have to worry about us embarrassing you."

"Thanks," Troy said.

Things went quiet for a moment, then Troy saw Anah stretching part of her body out from Moffitt's shoulder. "Oh, I do love that this is a seaside town," Anah said. "The water is quite pretty."

"I remember my grandparents saying that Galaxidi has a lot of maritime history," Troy said. "Every other person they knew was a sailor or fisherman."

"That probably means a great deal of seafood here," Moffitt said.

"Yeah, but mind what you order, because squid and octopus can be found on Greek menus. And I doubt you'll be able to get your fish and French fries here."

"It's 'chips!'"

"Dear, remember what I just said." Anah nuzzled Moffitt's face. "I am looking forward to time on the beach."

"If that's what you want to do, I'll take you. We should get settled in our hotel room first."

Troy nodded in agreement. "Vasilakis said he'd meet us there around two, so we've got time to relax." He exercised caution as the road became a bit narrower along a cliff that overlooked the Gulf of Corinth. Seabirds flew overhead, but one among them looked… different. It was larger than the rest, and it broke away from the rest of the birds to fly toward the road.

"Fascinating!" Moffitt said. "An Egyptian vulture. Neophron percnopterus. I've never seen one with such clean plumage before."

Troy glanced up at the white vulture as it soared over the cliff, then returned his focus to the road. "They were all over North Africa. Nothing special."

That wasn't entirely true. Troy remembered seeing that species of vulture in North Africa, but he also remembered something about them made him uneasy. He wondered if it was because one had followed him and Dietrich when they escaped their Arab captors with a giant chain holding them together. Several were circling Dietrich's crashed vehicle after he took a traitorous American doctor. One had also followed him and the Rats when they were stranded and trying to find their way back to base with a wounded Tully after Dietrich's forces ambushed them. Among several other instances. Vultures in general weren't good signs, and Troy was certain he disappointed the ones that followed him by not dying and becoming easy prey for them. He was uneasy back then, and uneasy now.

Vultures, like jackals, were scavengers. The quintessential scavenger. That behavior was part of the reason he wanted to dismiss the jackal side of his spirit for so long. Most of the time, he didn't even think about it unless the topic came up. He didn't embrace it the way Moffitt embraced his snake side. It was funny given that Moffitt had been distraught and stunned over it being revealed that he not only had a connection with snakes, but also a role in a prophecy for Dietrich. When Troy learned about being the jackal, he dismissed it, tried to deny it, and refused to accept it, even though all the signs had been pointing to him for a long time. It wasn't something he wanted, or something he felt he deserved.

Troy didn't think anything else about the vulture when they arrived in Galaxidi. It looked quite similar to the pictures his grandparents showed him. White buildings with red tile roofs dressed the hills that sloped down to the harbor, watched over by a Greek Orthodox church with similar colors to the other buildings in its makeup. He parked the car in a small lot outside an equally small, but pretty hotel that was situated below the church and offered a spectacular view of the water.

"I like this already," Moffitt said while getting his luggage out of the back of the car. "So far, it's very quiet."

"Well, we are near a church," Troy replied.

"Indeed." Moffitt slung a backpack over his shoulders, then handed another pack to Troy. His smile melted into a look of concern. "I thought you would've been a bit more excited to be here. Instead, you're very… reserved, which isn't like you at all."

"I'm probably going to sleep very well tonight," Troy said. "It was a long flight. That's all." He looked up the hill when Moffitt and Anah began heading to the entrance of the hotel, and spotted the white vulture slowly circling the town. You're here to explore where your grandparents came from, not worry about any magical nonsense. Stop thinking about it. Troy adjusted his grip on his backpack before following Moffitt.

They received the keys to their room, and were escorted up to where they would be staying. The room had a lovely view of the gulf, and when it was quiet, the sound of the water lapping at the marina could be heard. Troy sat by the window, deep in thought while Moffitt was using the bathroom and Anah was crawling around the bed that Moffitt had set his luggage on.

"Are you sure you are alright, dear?" Anah asked when she paused in front of one of the pillows.

"Who, me?" Troy replied.

"Well, I am not talking to the wall, am I?"

Troy rolled his eyes. "Why are you and Moffitt so concerned?"

"Because you are giving us reason to be concerned. You are normally not this somber." Anah climbed over to the nightstand separating the two beds. "We are both aware of the problems you have faced with your blood family. It is alright if that is what you are thinking about."

"That's probably it. I'm not expecting to find anyone I might be related to. I guess it's just… this is the place my grandparents left behind. They left to start a new life. Make things better for their kids and future grandkids. I doubt they left to watch everything fall apart."

"No, but I also doubt they left to watch their future generations be miserable. What you are doing now makes you happy."

Troy nodded. "It does."

"'Better' does not have to mean wealth in the monetary sense. Based on everything you have told me, I think your grandparents would be proud of you."

"Yeah. They would. I just wish it didn't have to come at the cost of ruining my relationship with my mother."

"I take it you are still not ready to talk with her again?"

"Not yet. I'm not sure when I'll be ready."

"Okay. Do not rush yourself, dear."

Moffitt left the bathroom a few minutes later, a smile on his face. "I like this hotel. It's very clean."

"Well, Vasilakis recommended this place, and I trust him," Troy said.

"You said he'd meet us around two, right?"

"Yep."

"Alright." Moffitt sat on his bed. "My father was very jealous when I told him I was going to Greece. Most of his classmates went into fields pertaining to ancient Greece."

"And I can remember the time right before much of Greece was absorbed into the Roman Empire," Anah said. "Back when magic was extremely lawless."

"This is also a place with a lot of dangerous magical critters, so we can't be roaming around the countryside at night," Troy said.

"This is also the homeland of the phoenixes," Moffitt explained. "They're a bit on the reclusive side, but this is the time of year when they start migrating to the Sahel for winter. Perhaps we'll see one."

Troy offered a weak smirk. "Geez, Moffitt, first you point out that damn vulture and now you're on about phoenixes. Did you come to Greece to birdwatch?"

"No, but that's not a bad idea. Birdwatching is fun."

"Except when you sneeze and scare off all the birds," Anah said.

Moffitt glared at her. "That happened once."

"Are you referring to the incident itself or the number of times you have sneezed while birdwatching? Because that particular incident contained far more than one sneeze, dear."

"Yes, that was the day I vowed never to go birdwatching when my allergies are bad."

"Look, if you want to go birdwatching, be my guest," Troy said. "I think it's boring."

"I think you could benefit from getting a 'patient' hobby."

"Dietrich has said the same thing for several years, and I've told him that my 'patient' hobby is hunting."

"You can only go hunting at certain points of the year, though. What you need is something you can do at any time."

Troy sighed. "Maybe. I'll think about it." He had already been thinking a lot that day, and would prefer if he could stop for a little while.

Around two in the afternoon, the three headed down to the hotel lobby, where a man around Troy's age with silver-tinged dark hair and sharp features stood from a bench to greet them. He was much taller than Troy, but still shorter than Moffitt, and more muscular than both of them. While standing, there was a grin on his face, and he opened his arms. "Ya su, Samuel, ti kánis?"

"I'm doing alright, Alekos. How are you?" Troy's breath rushed from his lungs when Vasilakis hugged him tightly.

"Wonderful, actually, especially since I get to see you again after so many years." Vasilakis let go, his smile fading a bit. "I am glad that you are not holding anything against me after… what happened."

"No, of course not. That wasn't your fault. We were ambushed. All we could do was react." Troy glanced at Moffitt and Anah. "Alekos Vasilakis and his men were with me and the Aussies when we got ambushed by Germans in North Africa, and I got captured."

"Oh." Moffitt paled. "This was when you were sent to Beckmann."

"Yeah."

"For the longest time, I thought it was my fault he was captured," Vasilakis said. "I had already ordered my men to retreat. If any had hung back, I don't think he would have been captured."

"Handling an ambush requires you to think on your feet," Moffitt said. "Which Troy is impressively good at."

Troy nodded. "Oh, yeah, Alekos, this is Jack Moffitt, and the snake is Anah."

Vasilakis shook Moffitt's hand, then looked at Anah. "This is definitely a first. Is this your… pet?"

"She's a companion. I wouldn't call her a pet," Moffitt said.

"Honestly, I would hate being called a 'nanny' more than being called a 'pet,'" Anah added.

"And she talks! Incredible." Vasilakis didn't look too sure on how to greet a snake. "Pleased to meet you, Anah. I'm not sure I have ever met a talking animal of any sort before."

"I didn't even think it was possible until meeting her," Troy said.

"I knew it was possible, but never met one." Vasilakis gestured to the door. "Please. I will gladly be your chauffeur."

"You don't have to—"

"No, no, I insist."

"Alright, alright."

"First thing, though," Vasilakis glanced at Moffitt. "Could Samuel and I have a moment, please?"

"Of course." Moffitt kept heading to the car, while Vasilakis began walking with Troy in the opposite direction.

"You know I grew up in Lefkada, so I am as much a stranger here as you are," Vasilakis said. "However, when you wrote me a few months ago, telling me that you decided you were coming here for a little while, I got curious about a few things, and… found something you might find interesting. At the same time, I am a little worried you will find this… invasive."

Troy raised an eyebrow. "What did you do?"

Vasilakis lowered his voice. "I found the family who stayed in Greece."

"Wait…" Troy resisted a nervous laugh. "Wait a minute, you went and found members of my family descended from the people who didn't leave?"

Vasilakis nodded. "I did. You have cousins. A lot of cousins, actually, but there were two in particular who expressed an interest in meeting you."

"You're being serious right now?"

"Yes. Why would I not be?" Vasilakis's face reddened with embarrassment. "I knew it was too far. I knew it. I was hoping it would be something to bring your family together after nearly a hundred years—"

"Alekos… stop." Troy took a breath. "You know I trust you. I never would've told you anything about my grandparents' history if I didn't trust you, but there's a bit more you should know. More that… I wasn't comfortable talking about back during the war. I don't have a good relationship with my blood family back home, except for my brother. When my grandparents died, my parents thought the best way to honor them was for me and David to go to college, to take advantage of all the opportunities that we have in the States. I didn't want to go to college. I was more than happy to stay in farmwork. I wanted my own ranch. That… set off a load of crap that we haven't recovered from. My grandparents' farm—the one they built from the ground up when they arrived in Wyoming—is gone. My mother claims it's my fault, and pretty much everyone except for David was sending me nasty letters after the farm went under and had to be sold. I've been disowned in every way except for legal paperwork, although by now, I'm pretty sure I've been removed from everyone's wills."

"This does explain a bit of your hesitancy to discuss your life at home. I am so sorry that happened."

"It's… fine."

"Clearly not, I think."

"Well, there's even more than that, but we'd be here all day." Troy sighed. "I'm not mad, just so you know. I never told you any of this."

"That, and your cousins have never had contact with their American relatives. They knew there was family that left Greece, but the generation after your grandparents' did not stay in contact with them."

"You make good points."

"One more thing, it will be a chance for you to connect with them without your mother's influence. You are a good man, Samuel, I know you are. How she and the rest of your relatives treated you is not how a family should behave. I would never treat my own children like that. You don't even have to tell them what happened if the topic doesn't come up."

"Oh, believe me, I won't. I'm a bit scared, but I'm also curious to see how this'll go."

"You? Scared?" Vasilakis laughed. "You always charged into battle without hesitation! I never thought it was possible for you to get scared."

"And that still doesn't scare me. Other things do." Troy managed a smirk. "So, is that where we're going first? Meeting these two cousins?"

"It can be if you want to."

"Alright, then." Troy did his best to not let his shock and nervousness show. "Let's get to it."

Moffitt paced around the car with his hands in his pockets while waiting for Troy and his friend to finish their conversation. While he certainly wasn't opposed to accompanying Troy to Greece, Moffitt was still a little surprised that he hadn't asked Dietrich. After all, they were closer, and Dietrich was generally better at, as he put it, "sorting the clutter in Troy's head whenever he needs help." This seemed like the time and place for Dietrich to be present, but Troy had chosen Moffitt, and that wasn't changing. Moffitt just hoped he was adequate to help when needed.

Anah was enjoying the Mediterranean sun on her scales, and hadn't moved much since they left the hotel. She raised her head once to nuzzle Moffitt's chin. "How are you, dear?"

"Oh, lost in thought, that's all," Moffitt replied. "I'm not mad, am I? Troy's been much quieter than usual."

"No, you are not mad," Anah said. "Troy is definitely taking this quite seriously, and I cannot blame him. This is the homeland of his ancestors, and he is curious about it."

"He's always been closer to his Greek heritage than whatever else is in his blood. I don't even know what else he is."

"His mother was not Greek. I know that much. I can also understand why Troy is not open about his heritage from his mother's side."

Moffitt nodded in agreement. He stopped his pacing when Troy and Vasilakis approached them. "Everything alright?"

"Yeah. I, um, have some news," Troy said. He looked at the ground, then up at Moffitt. "I have cousins, and they want to meet me."

Moffitt's eyes widened, and he exchanged a look with Anah. "Really? That's incredible. Is that where we're headed, then?"

"Yeah."

"You're sure you're alright with this?"

"Moffitt, I don't know these people, and they don't know anyone in my immediate family. It'll be fine."

"Alright." Moffitt followed Troy and Vasilakis to the car. Movement caught his eye, and he looked up to see the Egyptian vulture from earlier circling the town. He greatly admired the bird, having seen many in his travels to North Africa. They were significant to the ancient Egyptians, and often appeared alongside the cobra in their artwork. Egyptian vultures were quite intelligent as well, and Moffitt had observed on more than one occasion the vultures using tools to break open sources of food, like eggs or bones. He found them to be good company, and had vague memories of two vultures standing near him in the early days of the North African campaign when he suffered a seizure after unknowingly making eye contact with a well-camouflaged Saharan horned viper. Anyone else would have assumed the birds were waiting for him to expire, but he didn't have that impression. He had been alone when the seizure happened, having gone on a walk to see familiar sights from when he was younger. When he recovered, the vultures remained nearby, occasionally looking at him as if to make sure everything was okay. They didn't fly away until Moffitt felt well enough to stand and head back to camp, though he was exhausted and rattled.

That wouldn't be the last time Moffitt would see the vultures, as they turned up periodically when he was with the Rat Patrol. When he left North Africa after the campaign's end in 1943, the last time he saw an Egyptian vulture was one flying alongside the plane taking him and the other Rats to England. This was the first time he had seen one in over two decades, and there was something curious about it, but he couldn't quite tell what.

The vulture disappeared past the hills that Galaxidi sat upon. Moffitt climbed into the back of the car, with Vasilakis driving and Troy sitting in the front passenger seat. "This is going to be an interesting experience, I imagine," Moffitt said.

"I hope it'll be interesting in a good way," Troy replied.

"Knowing you, it will definitely be interesting," Anah said.

"I'll be on my best behavior. This isn't something I want to mess up."

"Your cousins are very nice people," Vasilakis said. "A lot like you. Hard-working with a good sense of humor. I know I mentioned earlier that they are very interested in meeting you."

They drove further inland, past fields of perfectly spaced olive trees and old hilltop monasteries. Moffitt found himself curious just how old some of the monasteries, homes, and farms were. Ancient Greece was quite a popular field among his peers, but he often wondered what there was to explore from the eras that followed. It was often overshadowed by the wonders of antiquity. An untapped wellspring of stories. Despite his curiosity, Moffitt's heart would remain with the vast deserts of North Africa.

Vasilakis slowed the car as they approached the wooden gates of a vast sheep farm. The fence surrounding the farm was in need of a bit of repair, as Moffitt could see there were boards splintering and cracking. He absently rubbed his hands as he thought about how much he didn't want to touch that fence. When the car came to a complete stop, he could see a thin, dark-haired boy in loose-fitting clothing who looked to be in his early teens walking among the sheep. The boy paused to look over at the gate. He then shouted to a man pumping water into a bucket near the house at the center of the property, and began moving the sheep out of the way with his crook.

The man looked toward the gate, and set the bucket down to walk over. As he got closer, Moffitt spotted a rifle slung over the man's shoulder. The man opened the gate, unslinging his rifle as he approached the car, but a smile bloomed across his face when he looked in the driver's side window. "Alekos!" he called, putting his rifle back over his shoulder. "Come! Come in! I have a spot you can park, my friend." He guided Vasilakis down a dirt road, stopping by a covered area next to a stable. There was a dusty, old car sharing the space with them, bearing some dents and dings from many years of use.

Moffitt's attention was on the horses he could see in the stable. Once the car was parked, he opened the door almost as soon as Vasilakis turned the vehicle off.

"Uh-oh," Troy said with a laugh. "Moffitt sees horses."

"Oh, you hush," Moffitt muttered. "You get excited about horses, too, you know."

"Not like you! You're like a kid seeing them for the first time!"

"What? I can't help it."

Vasilakis grinned. "Well, the horses aren't going anywhere. It would be polite to introduce yourself to the family first."

"Oh, alright." Moffitt closed the car door after getting out.

The man and the boy stepped into the shade, looking over their guests. The man spoke first. "Alekos, it is good to see you."

"And you as well, Karolos," Vasilakis replied. He turned to Troy, and put both hands on the shorter man's shoulders before gently pulling Troy over. "Karolos Andridis, your long-lost cousin from America, Samuel Troy."

Moffitt looked at Andridis, then Troy. The two men looked nothing alike, but that was to be expected with how distant they were. Andridis also looked to be a few years younger than Troy. He was taller and more leanly built, with a tan from years of working out in the Mediterranean sun. Something about his demeanor was very friendly, but he was standing still as he and Troy studied each other. Everything was still apart from everyone's hair being lightly tousled by the wind, and Anah's forked tongue flicking out in the corner of Moffitt's eye.

Finally, Andridis stepped forward, his arms open. "I cannot believe it," he said. "You… You really are family?"

Troy nodded, then he was grabbed in a tight hug. He seemed greatly surprised by the gesture at first, but then returned it, albeit less vigorously.

"Welcome home, cousin." Andridis let go of Troy, and squeezed his arms. "I thought Alekos was joking when he said you were coming. It is so good to finally meet you! Please, come inside. There is much to talk about."

"Ah, Karolos—" Vasilakis gestured to the boy and Moffitt.

"Right! Sorry, this is exciting." Andridis took the boy's shoulders. "My son, Lavrentis."

"Pleased to meet you." Lavrentis shook Troy's hand, then Moffitt's.

"I'm Jack Moffitt, and this is Anah." Moffitt let Anah crawl out to his hand. "She is a cobra, but she's harmless. Mostly." He half-expected Andridis and his son to be nervous with Anah, but instead, they both studied her with interest.

Lavrentis even touched Anah, scratching the back of her head. "I move vipers out of the field all the time."

"Yes, with your bare hands," Andridis said with a sigh. "You are going to get bitten one day."

"Fortunately, the venomous snakes native to Europe are not nearly as dangerous as in other parts of the world, but a bite from one is not exactly a pleasant experience," Moffitt said. He looked at Lavrentis. "However, I do respect that you move snakes rather than bash their heads in."

"They keep mice out of the feed. Of course I let the snakes live," Lavrentis replied.

"A cat can do the same job," Troy said.

Andridis frowned. "Lately, it has not been a good idea to keep cats outdoors, or most other animals. The sheep have nowhere else to go, so…" He shook his head. "You just arrived. Come inside."

Moffitt exchanged a confused look with Troy after Andridis started heading into the house. "That was a bit bizarre."

Lavrentis looked at the ground for a moment, his face becoming pale. "Have any of you heard of the strix?"

"Yeah. My grandparents talked about them," Troy said.

"They're the vampiric owls with stories going back centuries," Moffitt added. "They're big and quite vicious."

Lavrentis nodded. "They show up during witching hours to take a sheep. Usually, they take one and disappear back into the forest with it. Lately, the strix have gotten more aggressive. They attack the sheep in the pasture, and ravage it, drinking its blood and eating its entrails right there in the field. More strix join them, and they attack more sheep. They would have gone after the horses if Papa did not shoot at them. The strix are sloppy—on purpose. They leave some of the carcass behind to attract scavengers, and then they attack the scavengers."

"They must be stupidly bold," Moffitt said. "Ravens are scavengers, and they're extremely powerful, magically."

"The ravens will fight them. What was odd to me was that the strix once killed a wolf that found one of the sheep carcasses. They killed a fox, too. I expected them to go after this jackal that had come sniffing around the carcass, but the jackal fought back. It made off into the woods with a sheep leg as its prize. Lucky creature."

Moffitt noticed Troy paling in the corner of his eye. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Fine." Troy rubbed his face. "I'm… Think I'm getting hungry, that's all. When did we last eat?"

"Before we left London this morning," Moffitt replied. "We skipped lunch, and we could've gone out for something while we were waiting for Vasilakis. I'm surprised Anah didn't yell at us."

"I was taking in the sights of Greece, dear," Anah said. "Now I will yell at you for skipping lunch."

A grin finally returned to Lavrentis's face. "No need to yell. Papa will be happy to host you."

"Thank you," Moffitt said. He followed the others outside to get to the house, and locked eyes with one of the horses in the stables.

"Moffitt," Troy nudged the lanky Englishman forward, "Food first. Look at the horses later."

"I can introduce you to our horses after you get something to eat," Lavrentis said.

"That would be wonderful," Moffitt replied.

"You really like animals, I take it."

"As a matter of fact, I do. I've always been able to form strong bonds with animals, but I have a special connection with snakes."

"What sort of special connection?"

"I can talk to them, telepathically."

"Really?" Lavrentis's eyes lit up like those of a much younger child. "That is amazing! You must have a lot of stories to tell."

"I would be happy to tell you some." Moffitt knew not all his stories were pleasant, but he was glad for Lavrentis's sense of wonder and excitement. "I'll tell you some while we're working with the horses."

The group went inside the house, and were surrounded by a sense of coziness and warmth. Bread was baking and the savory smell of lamb being seared in a pan made Moffitt's mouth water. Herbs were drying in several of the kitchen windows, and there were jars full of preserved fruits and vegetables lining the counter. A woman whom Moffitt assumed was Andridis's wife was the one responsible for cooking the lamb. His assumption was proved correct when Andridis greeted her with a gentle hug and kiss. A man with dark blond hair was sitting at the table with a cigarette in his mouth and a book in front of him. He glanced up at Andridis, then over at the newcomers.

"Samuel," Andridis said. "My cousin, and your cousin, Loukas Kappoulis."

Kappoulis gestured toward Troy. "That's him?"

"Yes."

"Then we need to take him to the monastery immediately."

"What?" Troy asked. "I just got here. I-I don't even know you people well."

"There will be plenty of time for that." Kappoulis's expression was serious. He had yet to actually greet Troy. Instead, he leaned forward, folding his hands in front of him. "Everything will be explained at the monastery."

"What will be explained at the monastery?" Troy said. "Start making sense or I'm not following you anywhere."

"Loukas, honestly, this is no way to treat him as soon as he has arrived," Andridis said.

Moffitt folded his arms over his chest. He saw Anah's hood spread in the corner of his eye. "I'm in agreement with Troy. We're not going anywhere until we get an explanation for this."

Kappoulis sighed. "Fine." He focused on Troy, hazel eyes unblinking. "What do you know about… jackals, cousin?"

Author's Note: Moffitt's "defenders of English grammar" is based on a line in chapter 31 of TheRavenwolf's Change of Ways, where Troy jokes about Moffitt being a "defender of tea and English grammar."