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"And before that?"

She gestures toward the lass The Invierno woes baubles on a table "I ith her for two years But she had a bad season and had to sell lare at the Invierno "And before that?"

"I don’t reirl has six years of memory, she is probably nine or ten

"Do you have a name besides Mula?"

"Sometimes Orlín callson" Her mouth freezes open "But I don’t do that anyirl deserves a proper name," I say

"Like what?"

I think for acomes to mind "How about you naape "For true?"

"For true"

"Anything?"

"Anything you want"

She looks down at the ground and kicks a clue to pull my bedroll frorave matter," Storm says

She looks back and forth between us, her tiny features screwed into a mask of utter seriousness "I will think hard about this," she says

"Let me knohen you’ve decided" I suppose Mula will do for now

Belén barrels out of the inn and high-steps down the stairs, swinging his pack over his shoulder "Where’s Mara?" he asks "We should leave at once"

"What happened?"

"I’ But Orlín hardly looked atwas too quiet I have a bad feeling"

I trust Belén’s instincts more than just about anyone’s I hand hi our laundry Then we’ll ride hard until we’re well away" Most of theup their booths now, and the courtyard fills with people They eye us warily as they go about their business

Belén stares down at Mula, frowning "And the girl?"

"We’ll figure so out"

"What happened to your eye?" Mula asks, pointing at his patch

He is saved having to respond as Mara hurries up, her are me double," she says "Word is out that we have coin"

Quickly we divvy up the linens and shove them inside our packs Mara shakes out her blouse and hands it to Mula "Put this on"

Mula does, and the he off one shoulder, but the girl doesn’t seely Then she lifts the he all the parts we just took such pains to cover

"Mara, you’re in charge of the girl She’ll ride with you"

"Of course"

Horse lips my braid as I move around her to ive her muzzle a quick scratch

Mara scoots back in her new saddle to make room Storm lifts Mula as if she is no heavier than a fallen leaf, and Mara wraps a steadying arirl’s waist Mula clutches the pommel like her life depends on it "I’ve never been on a horse before," she breathes

"They’re not so bad," I say, giving Horse a kick We ride out of the village at a leisurely walk, not wanting to attract attention, but the horses sense our nervousness and step high, flicking their tails The allop

10

HECTOR