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“Aye,” said the ferry master when it died down, “it’s lookin’ like an early winter Already had some ice floatin’ down from the north”

If their business in the west took longer than expected and the river iced over, Karigan and Fergal would have to ride south to the nearest bridge for their return crossing The river would not freeze smoothly like a lake; no, it would crack and buckle, and the layers would stack up in sharp angles,the ice impassible

Karigan was about to coled cry To her horror, Fergal no longer stood at the rail He no longer stood on the ferry at all

THE GOLDEN RUDDER

Everyone froze The only sound was the water lapping against the ferry

“Fergal!” Karigan cried and she dashed to the rail

At first she saw nothing, heard nothing, then there was another splash and his head bobbed to the surface He flailed his ar him down river

“Keep with him, lads,” the ferry ather a line to toss to Fergal

“Fergal!” Karigan cried again “Tread water—hang on!” But Fergal’s efforts to stay afloat foundered He did not kno to swial sank under and did not reappear

For five heartbeats Karigan hesitated, staring in horror at the bubbles that rose to the surface She then glanced at the ferry master and oarsmen who seemed unable to move

Without a second thought, she threw off her e satchel and coat, then unbuckled her swordbelt It clattered to the deck

The ferry o in there, sir, it’s cold! Ye’ll drown!”