I noticed the dark shape of the surrounding wall looming up beside me and realised we had almost reached the end of the orchard. Squinting, I could just make out the backs of the outbuildings ahead. Unfortunately I would not be able to slip along behind them to the farm gate because the orchard wall ran into the back of one of the stone sheds. The only way to reach the gate would be to slip between the farm buildings and make my way to it in the open. It would be risky for the area would be full of the wagons and carriages of moon fair visitors. Of course at such an hour they were like to be snoring their heads off, but it was common practice on the farms for workers to rise before dawn.

My heart sank as I remembered that Straaka’s grim brother, Ahmedri, had chosen to stay on the farms. If I were seen, it would not take him long to hear of it. Even aside from Maruman’s warning that no one could know I was leaving, the last thing I wanted was for the dour tribesman to come galloping after me. I felt no guilt at evading him, for even aside from the fact that my quest must come before all else, I did not feel I was breaking any promise to him. When I had agreed that he might remain until he had learned the whereabouts of his brother’s bones, I could not have guessed that he would interpret this as a promise to allow him to dog my heels.

I had no doubt that the moment he heard I had left he would set out at once to find my trail. If he was half as good as Straaka, it would not take him long to find me if he knew where and how I had departed. Therefore I must not be seen leaving. Then when he did hear of my departure, hours and hours would have passed and other trails would have blotted out mine so that it would take him some time to discern my most recent trail away from Obernewtyn.

I did not know why the overguardian of the Earthtemple had been so certain that I would lead Ahmedri to his brother’s bones. Had she not foreseen that I was about to leave the Land? In truth, the part of my life connected to it had been severed the moment I set eyes on Darga. The Earthtemple overguardian must have misread her vision when she connected the finding of Straaka’s bones to me. Or more likely her words had been misunderstood, for the guardians of the Earthtemple were as fond of obscurity as any futureteller.

Maruman froze and instantly I did the same.