Huh, Han thought hazily. White was the color of mourning in the camps. Had somebody died?

She was trailed by a dozen young children.

Han’s vision swam, and Willo became a smear of motion. He swayed, shaking his head to clear it, and then she was right in front of him.

Willo extended her hand and took hold of Ragger’s bridle, murmuring a greeting to him. Instead of laying back his ears and baring his teeth, the gelding snuffled gently at her hand.

Willo looked up at Han. “What’s the matter, Hunts Alone?” she asked. “What’s happened?”

Beyond her, like an echo, he could hear the children chattering in Clan.

“It’s Hunts Alone!”

“Hunts Alone? He looks different.”

“His hair’s the same.”

“What’s that he’s got around his neck?”

“Is he sick?”

“Who’s that girl?”

Willo put her hand on his arm, and power flowed into him, steadying him, clearing his head enough to speak.

Han forced the words past his numb lips. “This girl’s been poisoned, Willo. An arrow-point daub, and the tip’s still in her.”

“Whose?” She snapped out the question, but he understood.

“Not…not clan. S…soldiers. Upland soldiers, I believe. I don’t know what poisons they use.”

“Who is she?” Willo asked, craning her neck, trying to get a look at Rebecca’s face.

“R-Rebecca Morley. She lives in the Vale, but she has clan blood.” Maybe Willo wouldn’t treat a flatlander.

The matriarch kept her hand on his arm. Han had the odd sense that her touch was all that was keeping him upright. She was looking at him oddly. “Did you take an arrow also?”

He shook his head. “I…I tried to save her. But I’m no healer.”

“You used high magic?”

Han nodded. “I tried.” He waved his hand dispiritedly. “Didn’t work. I…”

Han felt the flow of energy change, filling some void within him. “Oh,” Willo breathed, her eyes going wide and pooling with tears. “Oh, Hunts Alone…” Her voice broke.

“I’m sorry,” he said. Saliva seemed to be building up in his mouth, and he had no way to swallow it. His body no longer reliably followed his commands.

Breathe.

“Will you give the girl to me?” she said. “Will you let me try?”

He nodded, dizzy with relief. “Please, Willo. Please. Save her. It doesn’t matter…what happens to me.”

“Release her,” Willo said. “Let go of your amulet and release her to me.”

In his head, Han could hear Crow shouting in his ear. He ignored it. He released his death grip on the amulet.

Willo extended her arms, and Han leaned forward, easing the girl into them. Willo looked down into Rebecca’s face and gasped, going pale under her bronze skin. “Blood of Hanalea!” she whispered.