‘You told me about the scandalous out-of-Season associations between men and women in the capital. I can’t ever imagine that happening here. I have Amity, and my work. And the old saying is true – separation does make the heart ever fonder. The Season comes around faster every year, it seems, and we see each other at high days, too.’

‘The world is changing, Willow. New techne. New ideas. It may not be changing here quite as fast as in Concord, but it will change nonetheless. We didn’t have tapcode links when we were growing up. Or electricity, either. And here you are, handfasted, yet still living and working here, instead of in the Blackwater Hearth.’

‘Only because I had already started the tea business when I handfasted. Perseverance has been very understanding. His family and tribe, too. And between you and me, now that making and selling tea is doing rather better than I hoped, we have been talking about having him move here. Our tribe lacks people skilled in the forestry trade, and Perseverance has surveyed some of our woods and thinks that with the right management they could yield a useful profit.’

‘And I thought I was the radical in the family.’

‘Times are changing, as you said. We must change with them, or be left behind.’ Willow paused, then added, ‘I haven’t told Thorn yet, so this is between ourselves. Now that the tea business is established, we’re going to try for another child.’

‘I’m sure Amity would love a brother. Or a sister.’

‘Will you have time to see Amity before you leave? He has been reading your book. Well, mostly looking at the pictures. It’s all he talks about.’

‘Of course. It’s the main reason why I came here. But first, I should visit Thorn. Make peace with her.’

‘And perhaps,’ Willow said, ‘you could get her opinion about this fossil business, too.’

8.

As Pilgrim rode through the Hearth’s gate someone stepped into the road and caught hold of the bridle of his mara. It was Creed, looking up at him with a grimace that might have been meant as a smile. ‘I’ve revised my opinion of you since I heard you were planning to set out for the New Territories,’ he said, ‘and am here to offer my services as a guide.’

‘Who told you about my plans?’

‘Maybe you’ve forgotten, having spent so long in the capital, where everyone is a stranger to everyone else, that we know each other’s business here,’ Creed said. ‘As is right, seeing as we all share blood to some degree or other. When I learned you were heading out to hunt bears in wild places, I thought to myself that I would be the man to help you. I’ve seen my share of such places, and know how to handle myself in a tight spot.’