The singing was a mistake.

No sooner was it done than William's throat wrenched. Out of the hills came many undead, snarling in clear hatred. Jehair sprang up a hill with them behind, and at the top, they saw the sight of a town of stone and wood. A large hedge of thick thorns surrounded it, and the ground was greener. The buildings were better maintained, with strong roofs.

But no one looked up their way.

Above, the birds chirped unceasingly as the undead climbed the hill. Finally, out came William's sword, and the birds chirped all the louder. Then blood was spilled.

Claws went at William's eyes, but he bashed and cut. Jehair hewed limb and neck as Felix moved swiftly. Body after body fell to earth while Massacre breathed her flame. Skeletons began to scale up, and some had bows. These launched arrows toward Massacre.

William leaped between them and caught them on his shield as he hewed men down. Three were plunged in.

"Massacre," said William. "Move out and get the archers!"

And Massacre did, moving with immense speed away and then circling around. William caught two arrows for Jehair. Then he cleaved down two ghouls, and his sword broke the shield of a skeleton. The splinters clashed against his armor, and the bones broke under the weight, an arm coming off. Then the skeleton hit him with an axe. It rang off his helm, and he reeled back, slashing wildly.

Falling against the tree, he shielded himself from many claws as he tried to ward them off. Lashing out, his sword bit into one with a stab, and another cut them back. Inching his way up the wall, he hacked and slashed, praying to Elranor that Felix and Jehair were alive.

Yet he could see nothing past his enemies.

"Elranor, give me strength," said William, slashing as his heart fluttered. "Elranor, guide my sword." His blade cleaved down two as bodies piled up to his knees. "Elranor, grant me victory."

Soon enough, he was up to his thighs in bodies and thought it might be his fate to be entombed beneath corpses. But Felix appeared in his shadows, cloak slashed and cut all over him. He fought like a madman now, hewing back the undead, and William kicked to try and free himself from the press. Then, getting free, he charged, attacked, and saw Jehair was untouched, spinning back.

Cleaving down one after another, they saw Massacre striking in the distance. It was a bit lighter now than it had been. Yet even knowing that drew more rage, the undead came all the faster. With each one they struck down, the bodies piled up so that the hatred became almost palpable. No joy came from these corpses as their ghosts or whatever drove them departed.

Only grim determination and hatred.

"For Elranor!" cried a voice. "For the Heir of Kings!"

And over the hill came a halfling in shining armor on wolfback. With him was another, younger, with a spear on a white wolf. They stabbed with lances that struck down much undead. Massacre came before them, and soon they had broken up the undead. Then, throwing themselves from wolfback, they drew swords. The older fought with Jehair, while the younger fought with Felix. Both wore helmets that obscured their faces, but they fought well. The older was striking alongside Jehair and nearly as good. And with them came Jaina, of all people, tossing flames about to burn the undead.

William, not to be outdone, raised his sword and attacked. The undead was cringing, but he'd give them more than a stand. "Felix, Massacre, Jehair, to me! Into battle!"

And then he charged, hewing down all he could. Massacre went with him and Felix close behind. The others had no choice but to follow, and so they drove the undead before them. Down the hill they pushed them, the press of bodies turned against them. The creatures were ill-prepared for the onslaught.

So that soon they were driven in. Jehair and her companion were the finest blades on the field, leaving a path of carnage behind them. Pleasure filled William, and even satisfaction as he cut and cut and cut. Soon the undead was losing cohesion, having no idea how to deal with an onslaught. Broken and shattered, they fled.

The undead, these mindless and utterly self-destructive beasts had fled from battle.

And all saw it, even in the village far below.

"My thanks to you, gentlemen," said William. "We were hard pressed before your aid. And you as well, Jaina."

"Well met indeed," said the older, taking off his helm. "I am Sir Frederick; with me is my squire, Ronald. I don't believe we met in the Khasmir Campaign."

"Pleased to meet you," said Ronald, offering a hand. He had red hair and freckles and looked to be a nice sort of person. William did not take this for granted.

William took it. Halflings were more familiar than most nobility. "Do you walk here often?"

"More of late," said Frederick. "With the bandits driven off or pacified, we've come here. Our focus is mostly on protecting travelers who get in over their heads. You see, it doesn't count if you help a battle already in progress." Halfling standards grizzled Frederick with a noble face.

"Admiral?" asked William.

"The more undead you kill, the more of a target you become, and the more your enemies take an interest," said Jaina. "I've never seen someone deliberately seeking a fight, though. But then again, I haven't been here long.

"Sir Frederick was heading out, and I thought I'd help."

"Well, every bit of help is useful," said William. And he looked up to the tree and the hedges. Was it only his imagination, or were these hedges growing greener? The tree looking a bit healthier. There was even some green grass. "What business brings you here, milady?"

"I was sent out to observe the situation here," said Jaina, stretching in a motion that sent her bosom into motion. "Mother is concerned Neral Dinis might be making more than defensive moves. This place has gotten badly out of hand.

"This kind of attack was unheard of in a skirmish."

"How do you fight undead?" asked William.

"Well, the usual way," said Ronald before falling silent.

"Go ahead," said William.

"The usual way," said Ronald. "Is for a distraction to draw off their troops. Then you kill the leaders, and it throws the undead into chaos. The other way is to bypass them or play other undead against them.

"Undead win wars of attrition."

"Why?" asked William.

"They have no fear of death," said Jaina. "They only withdraw when they're ordered to. You can kill a thousand of them and not disorient them. Kill a hundred people, and everyone becomes miserable.

"Once an undead infestation becomes serious, full-scale extermination is backbreaking. It's usually easier to kill the leaders and let the locals hunt them." She paused. "Are you planning to make a repeat of this?

"They'll escalate if you keep prodding them. This was only a skirmish.

"Don't even think about trying to do this again. You won't get lucky forever."

William nodded. "I understand."

"On a brighter note," said Frederick. "Adrian Wrynncurth told me to look for you.

"He wishes to end this feud as much as anyone. I believe you'll receive a favorable reception when you meet."

"I fear my friend, Tanith, was half-mad when she reached Gel Carn," said William. "She has since been disciplined and saved many from demons."

"That is well," said Frederick. "But I do not think she will be welcome in Gel Carn again.""I assure you, she will not care," said William. "She had some very harsh condemnations of the defense of the realm.

"You know Jehair, of course?"

"We have met before," said Frederick. "We meet again under less hostile circumstances."

"I was simply carrying out my responsibilities as a mercenary," said Jehair. "And a druid."

Frederick's eyes narrowed. "You knew what you were doing was wrong, or you would not have bothered to take them by such roads."

"With respect, Sir Frederick, my companions and I have been taking many indirect roads. So we might heal others of the plague," said William. Or was he talking about someone else? "I seek danger and the opportunity to do good deeds and make a name for myself."

"You shall have both. This land has plenty," said Frederick. "The Tournament of Kings is being delayed a bit in light of the crisis, so you should have time to meander. Shipment problems and also a consideration for the time getting here.

"For now, I will take you to the nearest village.

"Ghouls are savage and easily killed, but they will soon return in greater numbers."

And they began to walk toward the village.

"How have they bolstered their ranks?" asked William.

"Blackfear, like Antion, is a nexus," said Jaina. "The dead rise here, but people here burn their dead. See you over there. "William saw a group of people burning bodies in a field strewn with ashes. There were also fields of wheat beyond, where men were tending to them now in preparation for harvest. "But the undead come here from many different realms. When they are killed in great numbers, the only result is that even more come to attack.

"Several attempts have been made to wholly eradicate them.

"All ended in failure. You make initial gains, but over time they just overwhelm you.

"Andoa did the best job of it and eventually handed it over to Neral Dinis. Neral Dinis historically is one of the more reasonable vampires.

"And there have been no outright invasions since. So he was a good choice up until now."

"A vampire is never a good choice," said Jehair.

"To be fair," said William. "Most of his actions have been defensive."

"You don't know his actions," said Jehair. "I saw them.

"And it was the chief reason I took up the career I did. Why else should I wander the lands, bitter and alone, working with thieves and cutthroats." Then she halted. "We're being pursued again. They're coming from the hills."

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Frederick looked back in surprise. "Again? You've certainly enraged someone, William. I'd get out of this place while you can."

"Do we fight?" asked Felix, looking over the path. "There are other hills to die on."

Jehair pointed.

William followed and saw a field of beautiful flowers. They were stretching into the distance beneath the morning sun. There were red and white and had fresh dew on them.

He knew that anyone in them would be devoured. "Wait, those will eat us alive."

"They might if you were alone," said Jehair. "But the Flower Maiden has permitted us to pass; we can cross them at will. Our enemy will have to go far around or walk across.

"Now come, and I shall make a spell."

And kneeling down, William looked to the path and the hilly country. The undead was crawling from the hills like many insects, and an eerie pale light surrounded them. As if power was pushing them forward. He guessed their numbers were now in the hundreds, perhaps far more. Instead of rage, he sensed eagerness and hunger as if anticipating a meal.

Jaina raised a hand and summoned a flame as the workers ignored them. Not one mentions or helps, or attempts to move. The sphere was hurled forward and exploded amid the swarms; many scattered on fire. More came, and another sphere of fire landed among them, but in vain.

No matter how many fireballs Jaina threw, they kept coming. And some were now on fire. A sense of joy and hope came to William from those that died. But hope for what?

"Do these creatures have emotions?" asked William, shifting to a stance.

"I read," said Ronald. "That sometimes they reflect the emotions of their master. Someone is looking forward to killing us. You have any old enemies here?"

"Neral Dinis, I suppose," said William as Jehair began to emanate light. "Although Sylvar may have manifested to send these after me. She seemed irritated at our survival." The light was getting brighter as the undead came in ever greater numbers. He guessed near a thousand, and the flowers beckoned, opening.

"What are you doing?" asked Felix.

"Summoning the energies of life into myself and projecting them," said Jehair. "Think of it as a kind of... divine light. The undead are drawn to it." She stood up as they neared.

"And we lead them across the flowers," guessed William.

Together they sprinted across the flowers.

As they did, William remembered when they had tried to devour them utterly. Kiyora had nearly been eaten, and the smell had enchanted them. Now they were racing as far as they could, yet it seemed they really were being allowed through. Behind them, William saw the undead near at hand and gaining.

Then they crossed the threshold and screams ensued. William whirled around and saw the undead being grabbed. The vines and tendrils grabbed them and pulled them down all at once. Each individual had to fight against it, and none helped the other. Soon they were torn to shreds. Soon enough, they were all pulled down into the flowers and gone from sight.

"Hardly a sporting battle, but it will make things safer for a time," said Frederick.

"I don't care as long as we're alive," said Jaina. More undead were rushing in to be devoured, yet no emotion came from this. It was as though the Flower Maiden was devouring all the life energy.

"Slaying undead allows their energies to return to the land," said Jehair. "In so doing, it increases the health of the land. The more we slay, the more life returns, and the harder it will be for them to come here.

"The land shall be restored a bit by this. Well done, all of you."

"Yes, but the dark energies of withering just pour in here anyway," said Jaina. "So it is a constant battle against decay itself. And Neral Dinis would never allow things to continue to that point. Once you start really presenting a threat, the undead all gets serious. Then they start using strategies and such, and things become a nightmare."

"What spirits do you wield power from?" asked William.

"I've got certain natural powers of my own," said Jaina. "A kinship with the elements, if you will."

The undead ceased to flow into the flowers, and some halted and then were recalled. Frederick nodded to Ronald. "...These, at least, shall harm no one else. Come, let's head to the village of Trias. It is just north of the Border Hills and stands within sight of Neral Dinis' castle.

"Are you beginning to regret coming this way?"

The wolves of Ronald and Frederick loped a little to the side. They seemed to have stayed out of the main fighting.

"We've slain many creatures that will never harm anyone again and done much good," said William. "Of course, I don't regret it."

"I'm pleased to hear as much," said Jaina. "This is a one-day bouquet of flowers I'd rather not get."

Laughter, real, genuine laughter.

But Trias did not let them in. All the doors were shut and barred against them, and they had to move on. No one said anything, and William made a mental note of it. He'd remember this welcome next time. The worst part was that it seemed like such a nice town, and the people looked well-fed.

"They don't want to be associated with undead slayers," said Jaina. "They're probably adopting a policy of living and letting live."

"We need supplies," said Felix. "Are there any merchants here?"

"Well," said Jaina. "There is Octavian De Chevlon.

"He owns an outpost that usually outfits adventurers who won't be allowed here. Their prices are high, though; can it wait."

"You never wait to resupply, Jaina," said William. "Ever.

"If you run out of supplies in the wilderness, you're dead. Or at least I will be utterly miserable for several days. And you'll be taken advantage of by anyone you buy from."

"As opposed to being taken advantage of now?" asked Jaina.

"At least we can decide to move on if his task is too important," said William.

They went to the nearby outpost.

It turned out to be an old tower with crenellations and a wooden storehouse built next to it. And it turned out that, for once, they weren't cheated in any way. All of the prices were reasonable, and nothing went wrong.

However, as they finished, a door opened. Into sight came a woman with strawberry blonde hair in a black, concealing robe. She had leather gloves on her hands, and her hair fell long over her outfit. On her back was a huge axe.

"I'm telling you, we need a buyer, Rubia," said a nondescript man.

"Baroness Saphra is fully aware you need a buyer," said Rubia, shifting her hair. "She is simply determined not to be it. The same for House Hawkthorne, the origins of these slaves are questionable. And with the attention drawn by Ascorn, it would be potentially disastrous."

"Neral Dinis needs bodies, doesn't he?" asked the man.

"This is true, Octavian," said Rubia. "But the Baroness De Chevlon is in charge of slaves. Only slaves, mind you. She controls which we buy and which we don't. She has determined that this scheme of yours is not her problem."

"She's my daughter," said Octavian. "Kith and kin."

"You forfeited your authority over here when you passed over the position as Baron," said Rubia. "You laid down your authority over Blackfear as useless territory. So now she has that authority.

"She might not be able to project power beyond the castle itself. However, she does not have to buy your product. The source is questionable. It could backfire, and she gains little by feeding Neral Dinis."

"Does family mean nothing to her?" asked Octavian. "It's my neck on the line.

"We are family."

"Saphra De Chevlon's love for family is exactly the same as yours," said Rubia. "Nonexistent. You've never taken her into any of your counsels or provided her opportunities to advance. Not once has she eaten with you or been consulted on the House she should be ruling.

"Often, you have dismissed her in private.

"Now you ask that you commit political suicide for you.

"You and your brothers can pay for your own blunders. Find a different buyer."

"But we rise or fall together in this," said Octavian.

"No, we don't," said Rubia. "Raynald De Chevlon is the most well-known member of our House, and you three have made him an outcast. Baroness De Chevlon is the leader, and you have shut her out of leadership.

"Neral Dinis is our seneschal, but you have seen him and our best subordinates imprisoned. And you three have no particular accomplishments of note. At least besides turning in your own Father."

"He was a serial killer," said Octavian.

"We do not care what he was," said Rubia. "You three brothers do cooperate, but you have no hierarchy. Nor do you treat our allies as friends or enemies as a nemesis.

"You sold your birthright for political convenience, to distance yourself from your heritage. And not content to leave your rule in the hands of lesser men, you actively hamstrung our efforts to run it. You have no respect for House De Chevlon, do not follow our ways, and treat your lineage as ink on a page.

"You're only invoking House De Chevlon now because it has become a problem.

"Raynald wants nothing to do with this House. When Sir Gabriel made peace overtures, you shut them down outright. Have you any conception of how powerful an alliance you sneered at? And for what?

"Your finances are ruined, your reputation soon to be mud.

"No, you have no right to invoke House De Chevlon.

"House De Chevlon does not exist until Baroness House De Chevlon says it exists."

"We're already in debt to Lilas," said Octavian. "He's taking over everything. He owns the rights to fields out there. They grow medical plants to deal with the plague.

"Pretty soon, he'll be selling the plants everyone needs.

"If we ask for his contacts, he'll own us. So you'll owe him too."

"Your information is antiquated," said Rubia. "Lilas has fled the city, and Rius is dead. The merchants and notable figures are all fighting for who will be appointed to the position.

"Given the nature of Harlenorian politics, he will probably soon be dead. And the healing spree by the Paladin Order will soon make his investment a waste."

"Excuse me," said William coming forward. "My name is William Gabriel.

"I do not have any ill will toward House De Chevlon. I am just trying to get to Gel Carn. My actions against your brothers were never a vendetta."

Octavian halted. "Well, that is a relief.

"Anything I can do."

"What is this about a slaving operation?" asked William.

Octavian sighed. "I run a business moving arms from the realm of Lord Tarsus to other domains. But when a horde of carnivorous plants started eating miners, the mines shut down. So I didn't have anything to sell.

"I had to take a loan from Lamech.

"Not someone you want to cross. He might send... Aklus after me." He shuddered, and William wondered who this Aklus could be to terrify him so. "Lilas said he wanted me to sell the slaves he brought in. None of them have been brought in yet, but I've been trying to get a contract."

"Who is Aklus?" asked William.

Octavian shuddered. "One of Lamech's enforcers. He came here from Walesan, a colony of the nation of Bretus in Kadan.

"He is usually left in charge of things when Lamech has to go out on business. The man is pure, brutality, and violent. You don't want to mess with him."

"Where is he now?" asked William.

"He usually operates on the coast of Antion," said Octavian. "He works as a go-between for Sorn as well. His main job is smuggling, moving slaves in from the islands of power, that sort of thing.

"Everyone is terrified of him except Garrick Estov."

"And why isn't he?" asked William.

"Garrick Estov fears nothing," said Octavian. "And he's bound for the Tournament of Kings now. So if you go there, you'll have your work cut out for beating him.

"But that has nothing to do with Aklus. I hope he never gets control of Lamech's operation. Arkan Lantan at least keeps people in power who are focused on making money. This never would have happened in the days of the Fighters Guild.

"The two-hour massacre ruined everything. Alchives was rising fast in the ranks of the Fighter's Guild. Faster than Raynald had, and that was too much.

"Next thing I hear, Raynald has killed the Guildmaster, his second in command, and the people funding it. The entire organization is absorbed into the Thieves Guild."

"Raynald has a vengeful streak," said William. "It is an undeniable trait of his, and what you describe is a matter of public knowledge. However, he did cripple the Fighter's Guilds. It may have been because of their connection to Neral Dinis.

"But there is no point in denying it happened."

"You don't take much after your mentor," said Octavian.

"I deeply respect and admire Raynald," said William. "That does not make us alike. On the contrary, we have many differing qualities."

"On a separate note, you'll be happy to know Lamech has been sent to prison," said Jaina.

"He has?" asked Octavian, horror in his tone.

"Yes, Janice, myself, and Grace took him there after William defeated him in battle," said Jaina. "I believe his organization's days are numbered. So long as you run down the clock, you should be perfectly safe."

"Well, that's a relief for me," said Octavian. "I owed him money.

"It could be very bad for many people if there's a power struggle over who will take his place. Gang wars are nasty, and Arkan was brought in to end them. A church messenger, Joffrey, came down here with many armed men. He said he was looking into some business ventures. I'm beginning to think that many people Lamech wants to be stored aren't in debt.

"But he'll throw me off a tall building if I don't get them sold. At least, that's if he gets out of prison."

"So long as you get out of Blackfear," said Jaina. "You can just wait until the problem resolves itself. I'll write a letter and get you to shelter in Magicora if you'd like." She drew out a broach from her cloak. "Take this broach to my master, Anton.

"He will know it is from me.

"But, in exchange, Lady Delenay must be respected henceforth."

"Of course," said Octavian.

Other than that, things went very well.

William was just pleased not to be scorned and shunned a third time. At least until they got to the next village and found it less fortified than Trias. And far emptier.

"...So this town was abandoned too," said Jehair sadly. "I'd hope it would stand a while longer."

"We've passed the wards. They won't come past there," said Jaina. "They're still intact.

"I remember setting these, and they hold still. Though, at one time, many people lived here. I grew up here." She paused and walked inside the building. A moment later, she came out. "All the valuables are gone.

"This wasn't done by the undead.

"It was people. Slavers likely."

"Why would there be no struggle?" asked William. "Surely, someone must have fought."

But no one had.

Not one broken window or damaged furniture; everything was as is. The shrine to Elranor was alone and ill-tended. Weeds were growing out from between the flagstones around it. From the looks of things, they had not even put up a struggle. As if some dark spell was at work. How could an entire people be taken so easily?

"People in these parts," said Frederick. "Largely, just keep their heads down. The undead don't come into the towns. And sending an army or raids out here would be suicide."

"They don't have anything all that valuable. Nothing worth the effort of raiding," said Ronald.

"No trade routes run through here. So what could be worth a raid?"

"People can be very valuable alive or dead," said Jaina. "Especially people in isolated places who could disappear without anyone knowing. All you'd need is the cooperation of someone untouchable. Someone who by his very nature must mediate between divine powers."

"Cirithil," realized William. "The High Priest."

"...As you said, William," said Jehair. "Cowardly and a poor survival strategy.

"We will miss the people of Trias soon. We shall miss their songs, memories, and what they could have told us."

"I'll look for tracks," said Frederick. "We may know which way the blackhearts. Ronald and I shall pursue them if we find them and see if we might rescue them. If they are dead, then we shall avenge them."

"Bring the word of this to King Faras when you have the chance," said Jehair. "It may be that his people have witnesses that could be brought forth."

They searched about and did find tracks and raced off at once.

So the company now sat in the old inn, drinking from ale left in barrels. William realized it was not old at all. Which meant Frederick might yet overtake them.

"My guess," said Jaina. "Is that the High Priest never came down here at all? Men who bear his seal are under the protection of all gods. His messengers could be sent across the border with a large force, enough for a raid.

"Once they arrived, they could simply take who they wanted." She drank. "But this is all speculation. We'd need witnesses and more."

"I have some evidence," said William. "But I'm not going to tell anyone without a good reason. What about Elranor? His authority is being used to enslave his subjects.

"That is a violation of unprecedented scale. Perhaps he could be used as a witness."

"Call down a god as a witness?" laughed Jaina. "That would be nice."

"Doable," said William. "Gods take direct form all the time.

"His word would be unquestionable if Elranor could appear and prove himself."

"Well, I think perhaps we should leave that judgment to him," said Jehair in amusement.

"What do we do now?" asked William finally.

"We could go to the castle of Neral Dinis?" asked Felix.

"It was merely an observation," said William, leaning back. "Maius, I don't suppose you could make a sudden and convenient appearance here."

Maius did appear, in a flash, spinning around and leaning forward to give him a very nice view. But he was too miserable to appreciate. He drank instead.

"Nice way of calling me down, handsome," said Maius. "So, what can I do for you?"

"The people who dwell in and around Blackfear have shattered their civilization. They have long labored to rebuild it," said William. "They have little hope, and as they grow, I fear their neighbors may move against them.

"I ask that you watch over them and see that the civilizations continue to grow and prosper."

Maius shifted. "Um... okay, I was hoping you'd sleep with me. Not that you'd ask me to look after one of history's most cheerless and gloomy lands."

"You are the Goddess of Revelry," said William. "Where do you think you are most needed, if not in the most cheerless places?"

Maius nodded and stood up. "Hmm. Usually, I only show up at drunken parties and formal dinners for corrupt officials.

"I could make some stops down here. Why the long face?"

William told her what had happened since their last encounter.

Maius seemed a bit disturbed. "Selling your own people into slavery isn't normal out here?"

"It's not supposed to be normal," said William. "And if you asked any ordinary person, they'd say it's not."

"Well, that's news to me," said Maius. "I thought that was just how you people did things. Themious doesn't have that tradition, so I didn't want to mess with local customs."

"I don't think any land has that tradition," said Jaina, drinking as well.

"I'll see what I can do," said Maius, smiling. "This actually sounds like fun."

And she vanished in a flash.

"...That was a waste of a favor," said Felix.

"Felix, what exactly do you think I should have done?" asked William.

"Well, I suppose there is little use for the Goddess of Revelry. So not much," said Felix.

"Do you have a grudge against her or something?" asked Jaina.

"Everyone in Calisha has one against her," said Felix. "Much of Baltoth's early career was dedicated to rooting out her drunken and savage rights. Things like this happened all the time in the old days. She'd mesmerize entire villages and drag them halfway across a continent in revelry.

"Then she'd lose interest, and they'd have to walk back. They couldn't do their jobs.

"Revelry is not good pleasure. It deadens the delights of intellect; it destroys the virtues of those who drink it. It renders your emotions unstable and distances you from who you are. Worst of all, it causes good men to lose control of their actions and drives them to commit unthinkable acts.

"Men were crucified in the old days for crimes they did not mean to commit, simply because they were drunk. Everyone knew it was not their fault, but the law had to be maintained. So the logical solution would be to outlaw all alcohol.

"We drink coffee instead. Ruscow has many coffee houses, which are local meeting spaces."

"I'll drink to that," said Jaina.

And she downed an entire tankard and refilled it. It was the first of many, and William enjoyed it despite himself. In the morning, they would set out at a breakneck pace beneath a gray sky. For now, they enjoyed themselves.