“Should we stay, holy one?” asked Yudit in a low voice.

“No. Edard’s kinfolk were tipped off by some woman who married into the clan from the Green Sun clan. They’re getting out, and they’re willing to take you lot downriver with them. Eridit, there’s a passing phrase you must speak to get across the river at the ferry. ‘Flying fours lost,’ the sentry will tell you, and you reply, ‘Five cloaks won.’ ”

Eridit mouthed the words twice, then nodded. “Got it.”

“Shai, you can see them to the ford, make sure they get across safely. Then you have to come back to me.”

The children groaned, and murmured rebelliously.

“What’s happening?” asked Eridit, all saucy anger fled.

“Lord Radas’s army is attacking Toskala tonight. I don’t know the details, but I’m cursed sure there’s treachery on the wind.”

“Why does Shai have to stay behind?” Yudit and Vali asked at the same moment.

“He’s the only one of us who is protected against the demons. Veiled to their sight. That’s what both cloaks said.”

“And what in the hells do you mean to do?” asked Eridit. “The two of you can’t fight the entire cursed army.”

Bai grinned, and everyone paused to admire her because she made them all want to be able to grin like that. “The Merciless One will guide me.” She rocked back, listening to the murmur of a camp rising instead of settling. “Now get out of here.”

They walked in a tight line, four abreast with the younger ones in the center rows, Eridit and Wori in the lead and Shai and Yudit as tailmen, the ones least likely to get attacked from behind. If you acted like you were about your business, then folk did not question.

The vendors following the army had set up farthest away from the siege line, and the usual busy twilight market had gone to ground, blankets rolled up, folk hiding inside their tents or huddled in whatever scrap of protection they could find in ragged hedgerows or the remains of a lot of firewood commandeered by the army. It felt like it was about to rain, but the skies remained dry. They descended through a series of orchards, and held their noses as they skirted the edge of tanning yards before coming to the main crossing of the Lesser Istri, two sets of paired cables strung across the wide river.

The guards had lamps out at the barricade, and they considered Eridit with suspicion as she sauntered forward, playing too much, Shai thought, to their lust.

“Here, now,” said the first. “Shouldn’t you be at home with your husband, eh, verea?”

“I don’t see your red bracelet, sweetheart,” said the second. “But I’ll give you a taste of married life.”

The third man shushed them. “Flying fours lost,” he said.

“Five cloaks won,” she answered, and her posture shifted so swiftly that Shai blinked. She was another person now, someone rigid and irritated. “Didn’t think I’d have trouble here. You lot need to attend to your duty.”