Once it was decided they were going, preparations moved along quickly. Apparently on the day that Miyt had disappeared after the conversation with Cheeyt and Nuliyaa in Kachaark’s room, she had gone to a neighbor’s to discuss that neighbor taking over their apartment because the family needed more space. So the sisters left her in charge of those arrangements.

Tseetsaa packed up the apartment, setting aside everything they were leaving behind for the new family. She also threw herself into other projects, barely leaving the apartment. She repaired the worn spots on the cushions, re-stuffed the mattresses, and darned the raggedy bits of their blankets. Since she refused to tell her sisters why she was suddenly insisting on coming along, they left her to her work.

“We’re taking a barge up the river.” Nuliyaa frowned at her older sister. “Why are you saying it’ll take us so long to reach Nengmek?”

“Barges don’t move fast.” Cheeyt, standing in the bed of the wagon and barely visible in the low predawn light, scowled at the pots she’d just lifted in. She had been firm about the amount of weight that could be loaded into the wagon. The riverman whose barge they were riding on up to their first stop would charge more, possibly refuse to take them, if the wagon was overweight.

“How much did Singmij say she was bringing?” Nuliyaa asked again. Not because she needed to know, but because Cheeyt needed to be reminded of the exact amount of space needed before she worried herself into delaying their departure.

“Three crates.”

Nuliyaa pointed out where they had already decided those crates were going. “So there is plenty of space.”

Cheeyt scowled at the floorboards again.

“Don’t mind her,” Kachaark said as he appeared from the alley between their building and the neighboring one. He crossed his arms over the edge of the side rail. “She has to do this before every job.”

That scowl now directed at him. “Because someone has to concern themselves with these things.” He shrugged. She shoved at his shoulder with her foot. “And you’re the one I’m trying to help! We don’t know if this mage will charm the wagon for us, so you might be pulling it the whole way.”

“Eh.” He scratched the base of a horn. “It’s not that heavy.”

Tseetsaa came out with a stack of blankets. “That’s everything,” she said. “Miyt is closing up.”

“Well, then.” Cheeyt stared down at the floorboards between her feet. “I guess we’re ready.” Then she shook herself, took the blankets, and tucked them under the oiled canvas to protect them from the weather.

Then Miyt came out of the door and it really was time to leave.

As the wagon trundled down the courtyard toward the wider alley that was used for vehicle access and they followed behind it (except for Miyt, who was riding inside), Nuliyaa turned to watch their apartment building recede. They were doing it. They were leaving and seeking a different life. She may never see the inside of that apartment again. Swallowing back tears, she felt Tseetsaa’s hand brush against her skirt and she grabbed it, giving her sister’s fingers a reassuring squeeze.

The sun rose as they walked, washing the city in purples, blues, and pinks as the mage-light lamps dimmed. The flame torches had sputtered out hours ago, leaving gaps that told anyone who paid attention who had the money for mage-light and who didn’t. Nuliyaa and Cheeyt had decided to invest in one mage-light lamp for their supplies and Nuliyaa planned on buying another once they had the money from Chesfi’s pounce. If they got the money from Chesfi’s pounce.

The number of mage-light lamps increased as they moved into the area of the city surrounding the Nengmekian chancery. The side door Nuliyaa had become so familiar with was lit almost as brightly as it would be at noon, and Singmij was standing just outside of it, a heavy cloak over her shoulders. “This way,” she said to Kachaark when she saw the wagon and led them further down the alley to a tall, wide metal gate that was pulled open as they approached. Nuliyaa introduced her to the family as they walked.

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The gate opened onto a broad alley that had a matching gate at the other end. “We take deliveries here,” Singmij explained. She motioned to three banded boxes, each about the size of a bale of hay, just outside a door. “Those are coming.” She walked over to grab the top while Cheeyt climbed into the wagon.

Nuliyaa tried to take the second but found it much heavier than she realized. “What do you have in here?” she asked.

“Food, clothing, gifts for Chesfi’s people from the ambassador.” Singmij shrugged as she passed the box to Cheeyt. “The usual.” Then she picked up something that had been leaning against the wall and Nuliyaa squinted at it until she realized it was a long-handled axe. Singmij tucked it into a slot on the side of the wagon that Nuliyaa hadn’t even realized was there. Cheeyt just grunted at her and Singmij grinned back. “Nice to keep that at hand.”

Kachaark had grabbed the second and third crates, balancing one on each shoulder, as the door opened and a healer walked out with Chesfi walking alongside. “You look well,” Nuliyaa told the malk as she motioned to Miyt and Tseetsaa. They walked over to join her as the door opened again and two young men came out. One was Tajak, the one Singmij had brought to them, so the other had to be the mage.

Tseetsaa froze. Chesfi tracked the movement with interest.

The two young men looked at Tseetsaa. “Oh!” Tajak said after a pause. “Health and safety. We hope that man hasn’t harassed you any further.”

Tseetsaa’s face reddened as Nuliyaa, Cheeyt, and Miyt all turned to stare at her. “What man?” Miyt asked sharply. At that, Tseetsaa scowled at the young man.

“It’s nothing,” she said. “Maarp was being an eyeert at the market one day. That’s all.”

Cheeyt’s eyes narrowed. “Is that why you wanted to come along so suddenly? What did he do?”

“It’s nothing!” Tseetsaa snapped back. She spun and walked back to the wagon.

After a moment where they all stared at each other in silence, Singmij took over introductions. “Sinchach will serve as your mage,” she finished when she reached the two young men. “You have instructions for us?” she asked the healer.

“Yes.” The healer presented a bag filled with jars, vials, and bandages. “She still requires care.” This was said with a mild glare in Chesfi’s direction, who ignored it. “Her wounds are closed, but must have this salve applied every day. This is for pain.” Her hand touched the vials. “She has not needed it in days, but may hurt more as you travel.” Then she touched the bandages. “If her ribs hurt, you can wrap her in this for support.” Chesfi continued looking away, as though making it clear she didn’t think she needed any of it.

Miyt took the bag and tucked it under her littiichangs. “She will receive what she needs.” Chesfi’s ears flicked dismissively. Miyt caught her eyes and stared until Chesfi’s eyes flicked away and she gave a slight nod.

Singmij almost grinned at that, but instead turned to Chesfi and asked, “May I lift you into the wagon now?”

Chesfi started to gather herself to jump, saying, “That is hardly necessary,” but Cheeyt stepped into her way. The malk sighed as Singmij gathered her up.

Inside, Cheeyt helped Chesfi settle onto a nest of blankets that she and Miyt and created between the crates. “Sinchach,” Singmij said, motioning the mage over. “Lay the ward, please.”

“What is going on?” Tseetsaa asked Nuliyaa as Sinchach climbed up the side slightly to start doing whatever it was he was doing inside the wagon.

Voice quiet, Tajak said, “Singmij does not want anyone to see Chesfi. She is concerned that if she is seen, the poachers will try to take her again.” Tseetsaa shivered.

“Anything else?” Singmij asked the healer.

“No.” The woman disappeared inside.

“That’s it for us, then.”

Cheeyt scowled at the young men. “Where’s your things? You were supposed to provide your own supplies, remember?”

Sinchach sighed with a drama Nuliyaa had never even heard Tseetsaa match. “I am a mage,” he said. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a loaf of bread. “My belongings stay in my care.”

Cheeyt’s eyebrows shot up. “Well. That’s convenient.”

“Ready?” Kachaark asked.

“I suppose we are.” Cheeyt scanned over the assembled group. “Are you comfortable, Miyt?”

Miyt sounded amused as she answered from her seat at the corner of the wagon. “Yes, daughter.”

“Let’s go, then.”