"Debran," Kira said, deliberately misstating her destination. "But we need to see someone in Denkerk on the way, so if you can take us there that would be great. We can pay."

"No need for money if we're going the same way. Wouldn't mind the company." The man jerked his thumb to indicate the bed of the wagon, where some bales and barrels were lashed in place. "There's enough space for one of you to ride back there and the other up here."

Despite Jason's obvious distrust of the wagon driver, Kira got Jason into the back where he could recline against one of the bales, then pulled herself up next to the driver. He flicked the reins, the horses ambled back into motion, and the wagon began rattling down the dirt road again. It was a rough ride, but far better than walking.

"Where you going in Debran?" the driver asked.

"Family," Kira said, thinking that since she was actually heading for Danalee Aunt Alli and Uncle Calu sort of qualified for that description, though she had no intention of contacting them even if they had gotten back from Pacta Servanda. She indicated Jason, making up a story as she talked. "He's my step-brother. We were down in Tiae seeing some people on his side."

"Oh. Down in Tiae? When I was a boy nobody went to Tiae for fun. No, sir. It was worth your life to go south of the Glenca. That was before the daughter fixed things. I guess you're too young to remember that."

"No," Kira said. "I was born after that."

"Did you see her when you were down in Tiae? The daughter? No? That's a shame. I've always wanted to." The driver gestured vaguely toward the west. "My sister now, she's older. She was in the daughter's army and saw her a lot. Still proud of it, too, I tell you. If the daughter called right now, my sister would come running, ready to fight for her again."

Kira nodded wordlessly, imagining the proud veterans of her mother's army facing whatever weapons the ship from Urth had.

"I don't know how many young folks would answer, though," the driver said. "If the daughter called, I mean. They don't know what it was like before."

"I'd answer," Kira said. She had never really thought about it before, but the moment the driver spoke of it Kira had known what she would do.

"Good for you." The driver gave her a sidelong look. "You got people looking for you?"

Kira hoped her expression hadn't frozen too obviously. This man didn't seem to be the sort who would have access to a far-talker. "Why would anyone be looking for us?"

"Don't know, but I passed some folks in a hurry a ways back who was looking for a boy and girl. That's not you?"

"None of our friends should be looking for us," Kira said.