Beneath the sky, they stood together, side by side, not speaking, because what was there to say? He did not try to touch her, and she was content to be close enough to feel his presence beside her, whatever it meant. How could anyone know what would come to pass in this world? That he and she had met at all was a wonder beyond imagining. That they would part, she knew. He’d already told her so.

Why dwell on what had not yet come? Why wrestle with a future no one could predict? It was enough to be here, in this place, on this night, as the clouds ran on the winds above, and the Pall lay motionless, and the Vigil slept. The world held them in its tenderest embrace. Life is so brief, the wind murmured. Let your heart swell to fill the moments you have.

56 THE PULSE OF THE EMPIRE

They set off as the sun’s rim cut the horizon. Its rising light gleamed along the east-facing wall of the holystone tower, bright enough to be seen for a great distance, which was another reason Vigils were built from holystone. They acted as beacons to people crossing a Pall, a reminder there was an end to their fear.

Wardens traveled in various types of conveyance. Captain Cweles had given them the use of two light carriages, called Sun Chasers because of a famous incident from the reign of the Azalea Emperor when a pair of wardens had outraced a slow-moving Spore irruption by never letting the sun set on their path.

A driver’s bench and a back bench were fixed over what was little more than a shrive-steel framework holding together four big wheels. The Sun Chaser was built for speed, not safety nor comfort nor cargo. Chief Menial Navru buckled panniers of food and drink into each carriage. Everyone’s packs were wedged into wire cages beneath their feet.

Simo took charge of the first carriage. “Your Highness,” he said, indicating the driver’s bench beside him. The haunt glanced toward Elen, his sly half smile an invitation for her to join him. But Luviara was already pulling herself up into the back bench next to Jirvy and his bow. It would have been exceedingly awkward to throw Luviara out once she’d settled in. So Elen dipped her chin, and the haunt sighed resignedly and turned to look forward.

Xilsi jumped up to the driver’s seat of the second carriage. She was all smiles as she called down, “Elen, up with me! Let the young ones crowd into the back. I should have been a coachman!”

“As if a Manor-born scion like yourself would ever have become a coachman,” Elen retorted as she climbed up beside Xilsi, who laughed.