At the Queen_s command

But all that was before he'd come to Mystria. Just the experience of the winding path pointed to more magick being alive in the world than he'd ever before imagined. Maybe it was just the land, with magick bubbling up like warm water from a spring. Maybe it was nothing at all, an illusion, but whenever he thought that, he recalled Kamiskwa's repairing the canoe and use of other magicks far more powerful than he'd been taught were possible.

He woke for the final time just after dawn and breakfasted on maize gruel. His hosts ground some maple sugar and mixed it into the gruel, turning the ordinary into a delight. The little girl sat next to him, eating as he did, smiling when he did, and giggling contentedly at nothing at all.

In the light of a cook-fire he wrote a letter to the Prince. He described the circumstances around the discovery of the journal and ring. He included his speculation that the circles represented phases of the moon. He added material on the background of Pierre Ilsavont, though found it difficult to code the name using A Continent's Calling.

Once that note had been completed, he wrote to the Frosts. He didn't want to alarm anyone so he stressed the amazing things he'd seen. He described the beauty of the falls and the friendliness of the Altashee. He refrained from mentioning much about magick. Given that the Frosts were members of Bishop Bumble's congregation, he wasn't certain how news that the Altashee could be so magickally powerful would go over. He thought Bethany would marvel at the fact, but others might not be so inclined.

He finished the note less because he was finished writing than that the village began to liven and he had to prepare to travel. He thanked Bethany for her help in obtaining the journals and pens, her father for A Continent's Calling, then folded and sealed the note. He addressed it to them and tucked it into the Ryngian journal.

As the three men packed, Owen discovered that Msitazi's family had worked through the night to prepare two gifts: a leather sheath for his musket and one for his pistol. Each had a long strap so he could carry the weapons across his chest, and a separate thong allowed him to bind the pistol to his belt so it wouldn't flap about while running.

Msitazi embraced Owen at the edge of the village, still proudly wearing the red coat. "May your walks be effortless, and may more Ungarakii die to build your legend."

Owen withdrew and gave him a salute. "I shall sing the praises of Great Chief Msitazi of the Altashee to my Queen."

Owen entrusted the journal, ring, and notes to Msitazi. "I will take your messages myself, Aodaga." The Chieftain nodded toward the eldest of Nathaniel's sons. "I shall have William accompany me. It is time he ventured out."

"Are you certain, Msitazi?"

The elder man laughed. "You now sound like all my children. I am old, I am not dead. And there is much magick left in me." His milky left eye sparkled as if it were not truly dead. "We will deliver your messages and I shall thank the Prince for his gifts."

Owen raised an eyebrow. "You want another look at Mugwump."

"The great warrior sees past the obvious." Msitazi slapped him on the arm. "When you next return, we shall share great stories of our adventures."

They each said their good-byes to those they were leaving behind. Nathaniel, who had not slept in the long house, hugged and kissed his children and their mothers. Kamiskwa made the rounds of the village.

The little girl came to Owen and offered him one of her dolls, the one she had given him when he seemed sad. He made ready to refuse it as politely as he could, but she remained adamant.

Kamiskwa intervened to explain. "She is giving you this to keep you safe. You will have to return it to her when you come back."

Owen crouched and gave the girl a kiss on the forehead. "Thank you, sweetheart."

Kamiskwa likewise crouched and gave the girl a hug and kiss. He spoke to her softly. She smiled, took a step back, stared at Owen for a moment, then ran off giggling.

"Who is she?"

Kamiskwa smiled. "Agaskan, my youngest sister."

Owen tucked the doll into the bag that had once contained his clothes and found himself smiling. It occurred to him then that Doctor Frost, Prince Vlad, and now an Altashee child had each given him a gift to speed him on his journey.

And that no one from Norisle had even made a pretense at doing the same.

Kamiskwa, Nathaniel, and Owen departed Saint Luke for Hattersburg by mid-morning. They traveled lightly laden with little more than guns, powder, shot, and supplies. The Altashee provided them with pemikan -dried meat combined with tallow and pressed into cakes. The food was packed into one pouch and the three of them alternated carrying it as they went.