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"Addled," he said at last, turning to look at the river "That’s all it was That thing of Rosethorn’s plain scra tapped his shoulder He looked It was one of the snakes Slowly he turned The naga queen leaned forward from her boulder and kissed his forehead

"Real," Briar whispered

The queen and all of her snakes nodded

"Have a good day," he said, entirely unsure of what else to tell her

She smiled as they all retreated back to their flat, painted selves As flued uphill to the camp He couldn’t even tell Rosethorn She had too much on her mind for him to worry her more

When they took the road, Briar carefully did not look at the stones until they had safely crossed the river Only then did he turn to gaze at thee-red, bright green, and deep blue sat on top of the stones, waving at hia swayed as she stood on her hbors or the air The crowned head blew a kiss at Briar Gingerly, trying to do it so no one else would see, he waved at her

A hard hand s today?" Rosethorn deo says we should reach the junction of the To you there"

Briar frowned "You didn’t see --"

"I’ve had visions till my eyes want to pop So what?"

He looked at the toe of his boot A handful of sparkling snake scales lay on the leather He would let them serve as a reminder that what he’d seen weren’t visions in the least

"I should go with you," he said, once he collected his thoughts "There are strange creatures up here, Rosethorn --"