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She rolls her eyes at

More snow fell during the night Away from our tra under its weight The trees nearest our campfire drip icicles

"We need to hurry," Belén says "Another snowfall like that and we’ll lose the trail"

"The ash hasworse," Waterfall says "The last tirandfather’s time--the world experienced the worst winter in known history"

"I traveled this path several ti the years when I was an ambassador," Stor iher up unless we cross the divide soon"

"At least the Deciregi will face the sauides his horse besideabout that"

"Oh?"

"They can’t have missed the eruption And Pine sensed when the sacrifice was killed He felt a lessening of power"

"Oh" I frown as understanding dawns

Hector nods "They know you’re co for them Either they will travel as quickly as possible, or--"

"Or they ait to ah Will there ever be a ti to ain? "I’ll send Belén on scouting forays Which means you must ride point so he can stay as rested as possible"

"I can scout," coirl voice

I twist in erly She rides a horse of her own finally--a dapple gray gelding with a fuzzy winter coat

"Belén is teaching me I’m very quiet Orlín said I had the softest feet he ever knew That’s why I was the one who snuck into the rooms andBut I don’t do that anylance

"If Belén says you can go with him, I won’t stop you," I say "But only if he says And you’re not going alone"

She grins triumphantly "Yes, my lady"

At some point we’ll have to tutor her in proper address Not towith utensils instead of one’s hands, or the fact that a little girl ought not expose herself by raising the hem of her shirt to wipe her nose And one of us should teach her to read and write If we ever get back hoood tutor or buy her an apprenticeship

I’m not sure when I decided that she would come home with us, but noouldn’t consider any other alternative Mara would be furious if we left her in anyone else’s care Maybe even Belén

I let thoughts of the girl continue to occupy me all day as ind up the snowyan aets a fire started, and Hector and I set up tents while the horses paw through the snow to reach the frozen grass beneath After a cold round ether with olive oil and sheep fat, I send Belén to scout He does not agree to take Mula with him, so I allow her to stand the first watch with me

As everyone else turns in, she retrieves Lucero’s Godstone from her pocket and hands it to me "I kept it safe for you," she says soleers and shove it into stow it in the box beside et a chance "Thank you, Mula"

Moain

Belén returns in thesnow fro difficult I did find a few footprints fro ahead of us, but they were old and already ht be able to catch theet really close, though I just can’t cover as round in the snow"

I shake my head "I need you sharp, Belén I won’t make the same mistake I made before and exhaust you"

"I can sleep in the saddle with Hector at point"

Hector sits on a nearby boulder, scraping one of his daggers with a whetstone "And Mara will take up the rear--she’s handy with her bow Store, with that Godstone of his I want him beside Elisa And I want Waterfall where someone can see her at all times"

"You can trust her," Stor and gives the cinch a final tug

"You really can," Waterfall echoes in her soft, syrupy voice "I have no use for any of you Joyans, and I would just as soon murder you all in your sleep, but my brother is now heir to Crooked Sequoia House and I am bound by oath to obey hi voice, "Joyans consider it is rude to express one’s true opinion unless it is unequivocally flattering"

Her brow furrows "Then how do they express anything at all?"

I roll my eyes at both of theive , stupid girl Ready to ride?" I grab the reins and lead her toward the trail A head toss sends her ridiculous h the snow

We travel in silence There is an odd, expectant hush over the world, as if the thick snow and rolling clouds de is helpless but to obey Even the footsteps of our horses are muted I ht and color that gradually separate thely uniform and barren landscape

It is almost time for our afternoon meal and rest break when Storm clicks to his mount and pulls even with me and Horse "I s out with a gloved hand to catch snow in the palet worse"

I wipe my hand on my pants "Any more will block our trail"

He nods "We are still at least a day away from the divide We should take shelter at the nearest way station"