Justin stared at the old man. He tried to say something. His mouth moved, but no sound came out.

"You, Justin," Zechariah said, deathly quiet. "You want to know what all this is about? Well, no more lies. It's about you."

"No, it's not," said Justin.

"Yes, it is," said Zechariah. He sighed, as if resigning himself to some dirty task ahead. "And Ahlund knew it, too, though he wasn't as keen to believe it, at first. He found you out on the Gravelands, miles from any town ...