"It's not like you." Vik scowled. "If it was Barra, leaving in a temper, I could understand it, but you—"

"I'm leaving." Paks glared at him. "I am leaving. I have talked to Stammel and Arcolin and the Duke himself, and I'm leaving."

"You'll come back," said Arñe. "You have to. It won't be right." Paks shook her head and walked quickly away.

As she was leaving the camp, one of the Duke's squires caught her. "The Duke wants to see you before you go," he said. She followed him to the Duke's tent. Inside, the Duke and Aliam Halveric were talking.

"—and I think that will—Oh, Paksenarrion. The Halveric has a request to make of you."

"My lord?"

"Since you are going north—I understand you are planning to cut across the mountains?"

"Yes, my lord."

"If you'd be willing to delay your journey home long enough to carry this scroll to my steading in southern Lyonya, I will pay you well. It won't be much out of your way if you take the eastern pass."

"I would be honored, sir." Paks took the scroll, in its protective leather case, and tucked it into her belt pouch.

"Come look at this map. You should come out of the mountains near here—if you go north, you'll come to an east-west trail that runs from southern Fintha all the way to Prealith. You'll find Lyonyan rangers, if you're in Lyonya, or traders on it in Tsaia, and any of them can tell you how to find it." He pointed it out on the map. "Tell them Aliam Halveric's, or they'll send you north to my brother or uncles. You don't want to go that far out of your way. When you come there, be sure you give it to my lady: Estil, her name is, and she's several hands higher than I am. Your word will come to her sooner than a courier going back up the Immer, I think."

"Yes, sir."

"And I can trust you, I'm sure, to tell no one of this. There are those who would be glad to steal that scroll, and cause trouble with it."

"No, sir, I will tell no one."

"I thank you. Will you trust my lady to pay you, or would you take it now?"

"Of course I will trust you—your lady, sir. I have not delivered it yet, though I swear I will."

"Phelan says you may seek work in the north; is that so?" Paks nodded. "Well, then, Estil may be able to help. She will do what she can, I promise you."

"Paksenarrion," said the Duke, extending his hand. "Remember that you are welcome in my hall, and in my Company, at any time. May the gods be with you."