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She must have drifted off to sleep because an unexpected sound startled her awake—the laughter of children

Tomis froze in his tracks

“I didn’t dream that?” she whispered

He shook his head, creeping forward silently, head cocked in the direction of the little voices

There—playing on the opposite side of the riverbank Three children Zandian children

They wore little clothing, and the simple scraps they did wear seemed to be hand-constructed from animal hide

To caught sight of theasped The other two—one male, one female—whipped their heads around to stare, as well For a , their bare feet sailing out behind them

Toe he’d first used with her—what ue

The lance over his shoulder, but none of the

“Co into the water They crossed the river and followed the children She noticed Toed along, keeping the children in sight but hanging back Hethem

The children cried out in their language

“What are they saying?”

“They’re calling for help” Toers through hers When he looked down at her, his eyes shone with excitement

She couldn’t help but smile back “It’s wonderful, isn’t it? The species lives on”

He pulled their hands to his mouth and kissed the back of hers “It’s a miracle”