This was an observation as cold as the water under our feet, and for a moment I felt numbed by the sombre truth of his words. But life was not a sum of apples or potatoes to be added up so easily. If all that had been wanted from me was mindless faith and obedience, Cassy would never have left such cryptic clues and messages. That she had done so told me that she had expected me to think and make decisions. As with the obfuscations and evasions of the futuretellers, I knew there must be a reason for the secrecy that surrounded my quest, but perhaps that reason had something to do with free will and choice. For no matter what, I felt sure those things would be required of me, ere the end.

But I kept these thoughts to myself.

The rift cut east and west and east again before moving decisively north-west. It widened enough for me to walk beside Gahltha, but Maruman bade me ride so that we could move more quickly. Once mounted, I looked up at the crack of sky visible high above. The only time sun would strike down through it would be for a brief period in the middle of the day. I hoped we would not still be in the rift then. I dug out my hat and gloves, took off the sandals and hung them down to let them drip dry, but still I was cold. Gahltha suggested I put my feet on his bare back to warm them, adding drily that the sound of my teeth chattering was making him nervous. I was glad to obey and clung to the webbing loops to keep my balance.