She studied me a moment with thoughtful, but warm brown eyes before she nodded decisively and declared, “I will be forthcoming with Chu about my desires.”

“Good,” I murmured.

“And now I will express my gratitude to you for your training.”

I started laughing, but through it said, “You are most welcome.”

She again faced forward, remarking, “She has given me much I do not deserve.”

“Who?” I asked.

“Elena.”

I was perplexed. “What has she given you that you don’t deserve?”

“You. Silence. Farah. Herself.”

It was this time that I stared.

“Serena, she has not given you this,” I told her.

She gave me her eyes.

“You earned it,” I said.

A becoming pink tinged her cheeks that had nothing to do with the chill air coming off the sea.

And again, I lost her gaze.

But I left it at that, wishing her to think on it, and understand it, as we came upon a part of the lane that was, on one side, nothing but craggy black rock that inclined so steeply, no houses or building could be built upon it.

It did not take much time for us to reach Lowgate, which was named thus as it was at sea level. But the gate was not low, nor was it small. As was Highgate, Lowgate was most tall and it was very wide. It was made up of thick wood painted a glistening black, and it was elaborately ornate with wrought iron in a way that was both splendid to look at and forbidding.

Last, it was opened for us before our arrival.

We rode through, our grand procession, with the guards at the gate standing at attention and saluting Cassius as we did.

I noted often, my husband, some ways in front of me, riding next to True, looked back as if I might disappear into thin air.

Each time he did, I gave him a reassuring smile.

As for me, I took heart in the sea as we traversed the track beside it, feeling, and glorying in the mist striking the skin of my face as the waves struck the rocks at our sides.

As the road curved inland, the guards at the front of the procession took a narrower path that would keep us traversing alongside the sea.

And in some time, they guided their mounts up along the cliffs. Mars and Cassius were at the lead, Jorie and Chu behind them, my husband and True behind them, then Elena and Silence, Farah and Melisse, and myself and Serena broke off from them to ride low.

I saw the small outcropping, that formed a kind of bowl, which Melisse had referred to as “The Cauldron.”

And when I saw it, a shiver stole through me.

This was where, in times gone by, the women of Airen would steal away to meet to discuss their plight and make plans to alleviate it, many of these being petitions to the king.