The atmosphere in the camp had changed.

Tension was no longer the only issue. Distance was the cause. The kind that develops when two individuals who used to seek each other out first thing in the morning are silent for too long.

It had been days since Michael had phoned me for training. Neither had I seen him during meals. When he did show up, it was brief, his voice was flat, his eyes were clouded, and he gave short commands. He was drinking again, the rogues said.

And each murmur was like ...