tavi whispered his uncle 's eyes narrowed `` it 's kord `` tavi frowned `` i thought the other steadholders were supposed to be arriving later today and why would they be hiding in the trees ' '' bernard grunted , rising `` let 's go find out `` tavi followed his uncle on down the road bernard walked with quiet purpose toward the causeway , as if he had every intention of traveling past the hidden men then , without warning , he spun to his left , arrow in hand , drew back the bow and loosed a grey-feathered shaft at a clump of bushes and detritus a few paces from the near side of the small , stone footbridge that crossed a murmuring brook tavi heard a scream , and the leaves and bushes thrashed wildly a moment later a boy about tavi 's age emerged from the bushes , one hand clenched upon the seat of his breeches he had a broad , strong build and a face that would be handsome if it had been less petulant bittan , of kord-holt , kord 's youngest son `` bloody crows ' '' the boy howled `` are you insane ' '' `` bittan ' '' called bernard in obviously feigned surprise `` oh dear i had no idea that was you back there `` from further down the trail , a second young man rose out of hiding- kord 's eldest son , aric he was leaner than his brother , taller , and several years older he wore his hair pulled back into a tail , and pensive frown lines had already established themselves between his eyebrows .