“I do not leave of my own choosing,” the Mistress told Anna, and her tone was one of sorrow mingled with anger. “I leave out of necessity. For the first time in many hundreds of years, our kingdom faces a threat that we cannot fight alone. I must seek the aid of an ally, our sister kingdom.”

Anna was amazed. “Sister kingdom? Mistress, forgive my ignorance, but I never knew—”

“None in Seth know of it. And none would know of it now, if events in the harsh world beyond our mountains had not forced me to seek help.”

The High Priestess was helping the Mistress pack for her journey, carefully folding the ceremonial robe, which she would not wear during her journey, for fear of spoiling it. Anna remembered the feel of the rich, soft woollen cloth beneath her hands as she pressed the garment into the leather scrip the Mistress would carry with her on horseback. The Mistress was preoccupied and little interested in the packing. She paced the room, beating the heels of her palms together in an absent manner, lost in thought. Occasionally she cast a sharp glance at Anna, as if taking her measure, but she did not speak.

When Anna finished, she turned to see the Mistress staring out the window. Anna received the impression that in spirit, the Mistress was already far away.

“The packing is complete, Mistress,” Anna said to her. “By your leave, I will go make certain that your escort is in readiness—”

“There will be no escort,” the Mistress said sharply. “I travel alone.”

Anna had never before questioned any of the Mistress’s decisions, but now she could not help it. “Mistress, do you think that is wise?”

“Are you implying I act foolishly?” the Mistress responded. She did not turn, but continued to gaze out the window.

“Forgive me, Mistress, I meant no disrespect,” Anna replied. “If, as you say, there is danger beyond our valley, then you should have an escort that is armed and prepared to defend you. Please, let me inform the guard—”

The Mistress’s tone softened. “It is I who should ask your forgiveness, Daughter. I did not mean to snap at you. I am worried, that is all. Worried and afraid. Not for myself,” she was quick to add. “But for my people. I must travel swiftly and in secret, so as not to alert the enemy to the fact that I have left Seth. An escort would only slow me down and draw unwanted attention. Besides, the fewer who know I have left, the better. Tell no one that I have gone. Keep up the pretense that I am here “

“I understand, Mistress,” Anna said, though she was troubled. She was not very good at keeping secrets, and she wondered how she would manage.