The term normally used, in polite company, for the region that lay inland of East Cloven, south of the Backhaul and north of the mountains, was the Lake Land, and so this was what everyone had been calling it up to this point. “The Bewilderment” referred to exactly the same place. But it was generally used only in old poetry of a grim temper, or when trying to scare children, or to dissuade loved ones from going to any part of it other than its outermost fringes. If that was their next destination, then, in Prim’s opinion, Corvus might have done well to avoid using that term for it.

“A pretty place in some ways,” Corvus went on, “but a labyrinth of waterways all hooked up to one another in some pattern not even Pluto could sort out. As a giant talking raven I am in possession of certain advantages, but if I could not fly, I would never venture into it without a knowledgeable guide. Ferhuul here is one such.”

“Thank you for going to the trouble of crossing the Shiver, Ferhuul,” said Brindle. “I daresay you could have saved yourself the trouble and met us in East Cloven tomorrow!”

Ferhuul acknowledged Brindle’s courtesy with a nod, but then glanced away.

“Not all of you will be crossing over, exactly,” Corvus announced. “At least, not tomorrow. So this was the only way to get everyone together for a few moments.”

Prim could tell that Brindle was angered by this, but he bridled his temper. “Perhaps you might tell us a little more of what you are proposing, then. Since I was under the impression that our quest was taking us over to the mainland.”

“That much is true,” said Corvus, “but there is one other member of the quest whose services, I am pretty sure, we are going to require. He’ll need to be fetched from south of here. An easy enough voyage by sea. But it makes no sense for all of us to go.”

Weaver, who hated being on the boat, heaved a great sigh of appreciation. Burr too seemed relieved to hear it; there was little use for him on the water, and he became intolerably restless. “Perhaps on land I could serve some purpose other than ballast,” said Edda.

“Your thinking aligns with mine,” said Corvus. “Our absent hosts own a ship, a cargo carrier much bigger than the boat of Robst, onto which you could discreetly embark without drawing much notice or arousing the superstitions of the crew. Weaver, Burr, and Ferhuul can sail over with you, and once you are on dry land you can begin journeying east—Ferhuul is in command of the specifics—and get a head start on certain aspects of the Quest. Acquiring legendary weapons. Delving into cryptic archives. Meanwhile, the rest of us can board Firkin, if Robst is willing, and fetch the chap from down south.”