Bai said, “We’ll need to string rope along those poles to give us a handhold. That’s what they’re there for. The water’s come up some with the rains, I’m guessing, so with everything we’ve got to get across I want that rope for a safe hold.”

“I can swim,” said Nallo. “I’ll help you. We’ve got enough rope to string across the ford.”

Bai grinned at her. “Good. You can strip down if you don’t want your taloos wet. Although it’ll dry quickly in this heat. And you might be cooler afterward for leaving it on.”

The young woman blushed again. “I’ll leave it on. Vish, put my pack in the boat.”

“You’re limping. What happened?” Bai asked.

“Turned my ankle on the road.”

Bai glanced at Kesh and shrugged. She waded into the river with the coiled rope. Reaching the first pole, she tied a loop and placed the line. The sun’s light flooded the horizon as true dawn raised. The two women plunged into the deeper current.

Avisha sidled over to Kesh, where he waited beside the horses. “Do you know who those soldiers were? Those locusts swarmed into the village one morning. We were lucky to escape.”

“They marched out of the north, that’s all I know,” he said reluctantly, not wanting to be drawn into this conversation.

“We hid in the woods.” She hesitated, as if waiting for him to reply, and then went on. “Our house was burned down. My father’s dead. We’re going to the Soha Hills where Nallo’s family comes from, only she doesn’t think they’ll want to take us in because they never liked her much anyway because of her bad temper. She does have a bad temper, not like my dad. He never loses his temper. He’s the kindest and gentlest man. Everyone said that’s the only way he could stand her, Nallo that is, my mother talked a lot but she never lost her temper at anyone.”

“You’ll want to consider how much you tell to strangers, who might not have your best interests at heart. That army was taking slaves. You’re a good age for it. Pretty enough to be of interest. Worth a few cheyt on the open market.”

She stepped away, then looked at the little children, measuring her chances to run.

“Eiya! My sister was a hierodule. She’d never go against the law.”

A woman shrieked. In the deepest part of the river, where the current ran hard in chest-high water, Nallo had lost her footing.

“Nallo!” screamed Avisha. She choked out wordless yelps and started to cry.

“Here, now. Bai’s got her.”

Bai hauled her into shallower water. Nallo sputtered, coughed, spat, and both women began laughing. Bai looped the rope around the farthest pole and with Nallo’s help tugged it taut, then tied it off. Holding on to the rope, they crossed back.

“That’s good-quality rope,” Bai was saying as they dripped up onto the pebbled shore beside Kesh and Avisha.

“My husband made it,” said Nallo with evident pride. “He only made best-quality rope, and for the temples, too, and for festival banners and all manner of ornament. Everyone said he was the best ropemaker on West Track.”