She was not Farsighted. Even in full daylight, she could not see past the bulges and hollows of the foothills. Still, she kept her vigil. When the sun rose high enough, she was able to watch plumes of sand rise into the air like sun-gilt feathers, heaved aside by the illimitable power of Rile’s priests. They came closer every day. And every day, they seemed closer than they should have been.

They frightened her. Nevertheless she stood outside for an hour every dawn, scanning the west with Crayn as silent and grim as rock at her side. She did not need to tell him that she was hoping for some sign of her husband.

Day after day, she watched. But she did not linger. She would be told if the Farsighted had anything to report. Shivering in the cold, she went back inside.

During that time, the Repository learned that the Great God’s supply-train was gaining on his infantry. Now beasts like those the cavalry rode hauled the wagons. The need for food and water among Rile’s forces must have become acute. What other explanation could there be?

Queen Estie supposed that this was good news. It implied that the Great God’s strength did not transcend the ordinary needs of his men. But she was not comforted.

Her routine did not change until she learned that General Klamath’s army had reached the road below the cannon. After that, she was too busy for vigils—and too anxious. A new sense of urgency compelled her.

She spoke to Klamath willingly enough, although the experience left her feeling lost. Without the sight of his face and the sound of his voice, she could not gauge his reaction. It was like addressing a blank wall.

Less awkwardly, she welcomed the General’s Magisters to the Repository. More of them had survived than she expected. They were weary and drooping, stained with every kind of grime and fouler fluids. Some of them wore wounds inadequately tended. But they bowed to her uncertainly. The Amikans attempted formal homage, yet they also seemed uncertain. At first, she suspected that her presence discomfited them. They did not know how to regard Amika’s Queen as a deaf sorceress. Studying them, however, she realized that they were not troubled by her. Their clenched faces and flinching eyes betrayed a strange reluctance. For some reason that they could not explain to a deaf woman, they did not want to accept the comforts and care of the Repository.

Baffled, Queen Estie left them no choice. Hanging their heads and dragging their feet, they followed the keep’s servants.

The arrival of a rifleman bearing General Klamath’s list of needs was easier to bear. At another time, the tale of his army’s privations might have shaken her. Under the circumstances, she was simply glad to have it. She knew what to do with it.