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The Beyondand lever hiht with his staff At least he can see the object of his faith

They ht at first, horses and ponies laden with supplies and dragging the sleds Wise Bear had theorse branches skidding along on runners fashioned from seal-bone Scar, like all the horses, had shied the first ti in alar to venture further at Vaelin’s gentle insistence Even after several days the anis, as if understanding the gri Wise Bear imparted when they set off: “Horses won’t last Have to eat therew shorter the shae of luht to see by as they htly fires were s which burned well but birthed a foul stench, cloying at clothes and hair

“What a grand adventure you lead us on, , his red-nosed face scarcely visible a icicles on the hem of his hood “Cold that cuts to the bone and the stink of shit froht If I have failed to say so before, please accept ratitude for the opportunity to partake of such momentous history”

“Shut up,” Cara told him wearily She sat as close to the fire as she could, her face a worrying shade of white The past days had been harder on her than any other in their co her stu her head at Dahrena’s entreaties that she ride her pony for a while I should have sent her back to the Reaches, Vaelin thought, a pang of guilt prickling his chest as Cara held her leah at Alltor

Wise Bear appeared at Cara’s side, stooping to peer into her face with a critical frown before straightening, his expression one of hard reproach as he looked from Dahrena to Marken “Why you not share?” he de in bafflement “Share what? She is welcome to my rations”

“Cah!” Wise Bear pointed his bone-staff at the large Gifted, sweeping it round to point at Lorkan, Dahrena and Kiral in turn “Not entle hand on Cara’s head, his voice softening with a faint tone of regret “She is needed”

Dahrena leaned forward, her expression intent “Hoe share?”

Wise Bear stared at her for a moment then uttered a cackle of realisation “Know so little,” he said, shaking his head He bent down to guide Cara to her feet and took her hand, holding his other out to Dahrena “All share”

Dahrena rose to take his hand, soon joined by a cautious but clearly intrigued Kiral Marken hesitated then went to take the huntress’s outstretched hand Lorkan, however, sat still and stared at theave hiot slowly to his feet but kept his ar on Cara as she swayed a little froue “Hoe knoon’t hurt her?” he asked

“No hurting,” Wise Bear assured hiht, Lorkan,” Cara said, s a little as she held out her hand “If I trust him, so should you”

Vaelin stood as Lorkan co a careful eye over the Lonak, sensing their sudden unease Some murered, shuffling in discoht of the Gifted, or the palpable change in the air around them; a nearmth that prickled the skin and drew a thin mist from the ice beneath their feet They stood in utter stillness, hands clasped and silent, their features placid, even content, a s on Cara’s lips as the warmth deepened and they beca about their fur-wrapped feet