A murdered guardian. A stolen sapphire. A raven with opinions.

Brie must gather the Jewels of Tambor—learning courage, cunning, and a strength she never knew she possessed—all while braving a twisted foot, a lack of trust, and impossible odds. Meanwhile, Dogmar, known as Jackal, will do anything to claim the throne…until a stolen jewel begins to unravel everything she believes about strength and survival.

Chapter 10, Jackal.

2

I crouch next to the sea cliff

and watch the ship sail away.

3

It's been some time since

anything has made me happier.

4

For now, at least I am free of my father.

5

Of course, if I come across any

dragons that recognize me, my

6

whereabouts will be sent to my

father in Ultan via carrier pigeon.

7

still, I don't have to see the man

or hear him bellow for the next few

8

weeks, at least, my nostrils flare.

9

All I have to do is find those stones.

10

The men searched into the night,

but didn't locate the girl.

11

Now it's up to me.

12

I look around with disgust

at the dingy forest.

13

By the jewels.

14

The girl has scampered

like a rodent into a hole.

15

I grip my teeth and wonder

how best to catch a rodent.

16

brie.

17

I lean against a tree with my cloak

tight around my shoulders and stare

18

out to the sea through the morning fog

gray sits slumped elbows on his knees,

19

his hands buried in his thick red hair.

20

When I see the dragon

ship, I nudge him silently.

21

We watch it go after some time?

22

Grace speaks.

23

What shall we do?

24

Good question.

25

I've been wondering the same thing.

26

I could gather the chickens and

goats manage at the dugout alone.

27

I know I could, but when the

dragons return a what then?

28

I think of the leather bound envelope

in Nona's bundle of all the years she

29

spent gathering information about the

jewels, and now that that knowledge

30

is mine, can I find them without her?

31

The question weighs me down until it

dawns on me that my ability to complete

32

the task has nothing to do with it.

33

I can't just sit here, succeed or not.

34

I've got to try.

35

I'm going to ultan.

36

I blurt out.

37

Gray looks at me like I'm crazy.

38

Come on, Raven.

39

Ultan is miles from here.

40

Your foot will never make it.

41

I'm annoyed that Greg keeps calling

me Raven, but the idea that he thinks

42

I can't get to Ultan is infuriating.

43

I will too.

44

Make it, but as I say the

words, I feel slightly sick.

45

One bad infection in my foot,

and I'll lose my whole leg.

46

Literally, if the infection

were to spread, it could kill

47

me, but I hold my resolve.

48

I'm perfectly capable of

taking care of myself.

49

Do you even know how to get to Ultan?

50

I have known as Map I Snap.

51

Once again, I feel a paying

of doubt for the love of rats?

52

Can I get there?

53

With just the map, I groan

knowing I should have paid more

54

attention to Nona's lessons.

55

Even still, I jet out my jaw.

56

Nona and I were on our way to

find the jewels of Tambor so

57

that we could stop Reagan thorn.

58

Now that she's gone, it's up to me.

59

Gray looks confused.

60

What are you talking about?

61

I explained about the jewels and how Nona

believed they could prevent Reagan thorn

62

from putting a puppet queen on the throne

And when exactly is this Coronation?

63

Gray asks On the next full moon,

he shakes his head but doesn't

64

comment about the lack of time.

65

And do you believe anyone who finds these

gems and lives by their whatever it is,

66

vibration will have some kind of power?

67

Gray asks with obvious skepticism.

68

don't act like I'm crazy.

69

Nona was the one who told me,

and she didn't exactly say power.

70

She said you could

commune with the whisper.

71

I mean, the hesperian

72

Grace sits silently and I see

him trying to work things out.

73

Ma and PA must have believed

all this, or they wouldn't have

74

been willing to follow Nona.

75

But why didn't they ever tell me?

76

I feel some satisfaction knowing

I'm not the only one that was

77

kept in the dark, probably because

they didn't want me to find out.

78

There's some connection between

the stones and my parents.

79

Nona refused as usual to

give me an explanation.

80

Come on, Raven.

81

I've worked in the gem pits.

82

All my don't call me raven.

83

I snap.

84

gray holds out his hand

in a placating fashion.

85

Look, I've heard that some of the old

digger wives use crystals in healing

86

remedies, and I think most diggers would

agree gems have special properties.

87

But this vibration thing, I don't think

I'm going to find the jewels of tambo.

88

I cut in and I'll get them to

ultan no matter what you think.

89

Gray's eyes flick towards my foot.

90

I know what he's thinking in a huff.

91

I stock towards the bundles there.

92

I pull out Nona's map.

93

It's drawn in black ink

on brownish oil skin.

94

I kneel to unroll it on the ground.

95

I am here.

96

I mumble pointing to a small X on

the northern coast and Ultan is.

97

I run my finger down the coastline here.

98

I stop beside the largest harbor in

Tambor, devastated by the distance.

99

Gray comes up beside me quickly.

100

I roll up the map, not wanting

him to know just how far it is.

101

I'm going with you, he says.

102

Why I demand gray crosses his arms

over his chest because someone has

103

got to keep you out of trouble.

104

I glare at him until the stern

line of his lips turns into a

105

sheep dog grin, gray's grin.

106

I turn away before

relief shows on my face.

107

Well, I would never admit it.

108

Gray has gotten me out

of more scrapes than one.

109

I would be glad to have him

along, even if I don't like it.

110

Come if you want.

111

I say just don't slow me down.

112

I glance around.

113

First, we need to lighten Nona's bundle.

114

Gray kneels beside me as I

rummage through the contents.

115

I hate leaving anything of Nona's

behind, but taking all of her

116

belongings isn't practical.

117

I question a heavy book

covered in Kaf skin.

118

I remember when Nona bought

it from the Banjara Pedler.

119

I'd like to leave this.

120

It's written in the ancient language,

which is gibberish to anyone except Nona.

121

That's not true.

122

Grace says some of the

older Banjara can read it.

123

He's right.

124

Nona used to discuss the

translation of certain words with

125

the Pedler when he passed through.

126

While not all of the words are the

same as the Banjara native tongue,

127

he was able to clarify some of

the meanings in the LXi gloss.

128

The book Nona used as a

translation reference.

129

Still, I don't see the point in

lugging such a heavy book when

130

it's nearly impossible to read Yet.

131

What about Nona's reason for everything

As I'm pondering the question, I

132

notice the symbol embossed on the

cover and my mouth drops open.

133

It's the strange moon symbol, the

one inked on Reagan thorn's forearm.

134

I flip open the cover.

135

I can't read the ancient language,

let alone pronounce it, but the word

136

written on the first page stands

out like a blister on a big toe.

137

Corvex corona.

138

I say astonished.

139

That's what Reagan Thorn said.

140

After picking up the ruby, I wet my lips.

141

Could I translate this

book if I really tried?

142

no doubt.

143

Nona's LXi Gloss is in the

envelope, but I hate translation.

144

there's a twinge in my gut, and once

again, I know that I should have paid

145

more attention to Nona's lessons.

146

I slammed the book closed.

147

We're keeping this, I go back

to searching Nona's bundle,

148

her pouch of flint and steel.

149

I drop into my own bag.

150

Next I find 16 beeswax candles.

151

keeping to, I put the rest aside.

152

Sure.

153

I won't need more.

154

I find an exceptionally

heavy pair of stockings.

155

To my amazement, I discovered that one

of them is filled with silver shekels.

156

Where did she get those gray asks?

157

I shake my head in disbelief.

158

There seems to be no end to the

things Nona kept hidden, and

159

I thought I knew her so well.

160

I put the stockings aside and

continue searching her bundle.

161

Nona has an extra tunic and shirt.

162

I'm wondering if I should trade

them for my own worn clothing.

163

When I find Nona's Red Paisley shawl,

my eyes sting at the side of it.

164

The shawl was Nona's favorite.

165

I lifted to my face, but instead

of soft folds, I find a hard lump.

166

Startled.

167

I shake it out, something drops

to the forest floor, my lips part

168

and my eyes open wide Beside me

in the leaves is another stone,

169

chapter 11, Brie.

170

I pick up the honey colored jewel.

171

Nona had two.

172

I gasp.

173

Gray leans close.

174

What are you talking about?

175

Look, I show him the stone.

176

It's uncut like the ruby, but larger.

177

I clutch it to my chest, wondering

if it will speak to me, if it

178

will help me know what to do.

179

Gray must be sufficiently impressed

because he doesn't say a word.

180

I wait but hear nothing sense, nothing.

181

I let my hands drop to those

who can feel its power.

182

I suppose this jewel is of incredible

worth, but to me it's just another stone.

183

I'm disappointed, but not surprised.

184

This isn't the first time I've

waited for inspiration and gotten

185

nothing yet as I hold the gem,

I feel a surge of determination.

186

Just because I can't feel the

vibrations doesn't mean I'm useless.

187

Surely a little of known as preparation

has rubbed off staring at the envelope.

188

I set my jaw.

189

I'll study, I mean, really study

anything to keep Reagan thorn from

190

destroying more of what I love.

191

Wondering what Nona would do.

192

I glance around.

193

An idea comes to me with a

small knife hanging at my waist.

194

I carve a notch in my staff.

195

gray, looked surprised.

196

What'd you do that for?

197

Last night was the full moon.

198

I've only got 28 days until it's full

again, I'm going to keep track of time

199

by cutting a notch for every day that

passes Can't you just watch the moon?

200

yes, but sometimes it's hard to tell an

almost full moon from the real thing.

201

This will ensure that I get it right.

202

I'm confident Nona would approve.

203

I return my attention to her bundle

and find her old wooden comb.

204

It's of no use to me with all

the trinkets tied in my hair.

205

I am setting it aside.

206

When a noise causes me to grab my

staff, I'm in a fighting stance.

207

When the sound registers and I

snort, show yourself you Manji, bird.

208

There's a rustle of feathers.

209

as grim swoops out of the

tree landing in front of me.

210

Despite the fright he caused,

I'm elated to see him.

211

He must be happy to see me as well

because he bows his head and lets

212

me dig my fingers into the rough of

feathers at the back of his neck.

213

I should have known you to escape.

214

I say as I scratch.

215

I hope he poked old Reagan thorn

in the eyes before he left.

216

Sh I cut gray off.

217

Something in the forest

has caught my attention.

218

I wait.

219

Then I see it.

220

A lone figure walking through

the trees some distance off.

221

One of the dragons has stayed

behind fear coils in my gut.

222

I hope our voices haven't carried.

223

Let's go.

224

I mouth gray nods.

225

I tie the stone in Nona shawl

and stuff it into my bundle.

226

There's no time for sorting now,

so I gather everything, even the

227

items I already plan to leave behind

and cram them into Grazes bundle.

228

It makes his load huge, but he'll manage.

229

Now what I want to study the map,

read some of Nona's papers, make

230

a plan, but we have to move now.

231

With a blink.

232

I recall Nona heading northeast.

233

She must have known of a jewel in

that direction with a quick motion.

234

I signal gray to follow me and

take off on an animal track

235

through the thick underbrush.

236

Hoping it will make us hard to follow

237

jackal, curse the rodent, I think

as I crawl through another thicket.

238

While I learn to track with

the dragons, it isn't my forte.

239

Only the long strands of blonde hair

snagged in the bushes assure me I'm on

240

the right course when late afternoon

proves to be more of the same.

241

I wise up to her game.

242

There must be an easier way.

243

I check the course of the sun.

244

So far she's been heading northeast.

245

The only thing in that

direction is the village of ska.

246

Even if she's going somewhere else,

she'll need to stop there to resupply.

247

I could take a more direct

route and arrive first.

248

Then the Dragon Station there

could enlist his men to find her.

249

Of course, it may take some persuasion

to convince the dragon he should help.

250

But persuasion is my specialty.

251

I leave the thicket and blaze my own way.

252

Brie just before dark.

253

I stop to watch our trail.

254

When I'm satisfied we

aren't being followed.

255

I find an opening in the thicket

big enough to camp and sag.

256

Wey gray drops his bundle and

runs an arm across his face.

257

Was taking all those animal

trails really necessary?

258

Only if you don't want to get caught.

259

I reply gray flops to the ground.

260

It was miserable.

261

He groans.

262

Let's hope the dragon feels the same way.

263

I say while digging in Gray's bundle.

264

There I find Nona's Small Cook Pot.

265

If you're not too tired, we

need some water for supper.

266

I hold out the pot.

267

We are beside a small rocky

stream in a part of the

268

Norwood I've never been before.

269

Under normal circumstances,

I'd be elated to be here.

270

But tonight it makes me despondent.

271

Soon we'll be out of the Norwood for good.

272

with a grunt.

273

Gray gets to his feet.

274

I knew he could rouse himself

for food while he's gone.

275

I light a small fire with only the driest

twigs to keep the smoke at a minimum.

276

When gray returns, I place a

flat rock on each side of the

277

flame and balance the pot on top.

278

As the water heats, I drop in

sun dried mushrooms and zucchini.

279

Then add carrots, onions, and a

little salted fish Grim arrives,

280

obviously wanting supper.

281

Shoo, I say flinging a hand at him.

282

There isn't enough for you.

283

He flops into a tree and looks down on us.

284

as we wait for the stew to cook.

285

I remove my boot and

begin rubbing my foot.

286

The inside edge is so painful.

287

I suck in a breath as I touch it.

288

Easy does it?

289

Girl, I whisper.

290

If I were at the dugout, I'd

stay off of it for a day or

291

two, but that isn't an option.

292

Tomorrow will be more of the same.

293

Soon the stew is bubbling

like a little bird.

294

I prefer small meals throughout

the day, but as I've hardly eaten

295

recently, I'm certain I could

eat the whole pot by myself.

296

I remove the stew from the fire and

hand gray, a wooden spoon with relish.

297

He digs in.

298

I follow suit, but

pause and smack my lips.

299

needs a little spice, don't you think?

300

Tastes fine to me.

301

Grace says and shovels

in another spoonful.

302

Slow down.

303

This is all the food

we have for the night.

304

Make it last.

305

He stops with the spoon

halfway to his mouth.

306

This is it.

307

I don't answer as I dig in his bundle.

308

Ah, here we go.

309

I unie the string on a large linen bag

and sprinkle a good amount of reddish

310

orange capsicum powder into the pot.

311

That should do I taste the soup again?

312

Hmm.

313

Much better.

314

Gray resumes, his greedy eating,

but stops after a couple of

315

bites to grab his water skin.

316

I watch an amusement after a few gulps.

317

He forces a laugh.

318

Did you set fire to my mouth on purpose?

319

Maybe it will teach

you not to eat so fast.

320

Grace Snorts still up to

your old Raven Tricks.

321

I see.

322

I know Gray is referring to the pranks

I used to play on him when we were kids.

323

I roll my eyes.

324

I'm not a Raven.

325

I say and continue eating.

326

after a couple more bites, the burning

in my own mouth is quite intense as well.

327

Maybe I did put in too much capsicum.

328

I say drawing a cooling

breath across my tongue.

329

gray, sees the beads of sweat

forming on my forehead, and

330

gives me his sheep dog grin.

331

You better watch out, or one day

you'll kill someone with that stuff.

332

I stifle a laugh and almost choke.

333

I don't think so.

334

Well, who knows?

335

Maybe and just like that, despite

my resolve to never trust him again.

336

I'm being all chummy with gray.

337

Grim still sitting in the tree, makes

a T totalling sound as if he approves.

338

I glance at the bird, don't comment

on things that aren't your business, I

339

want to say, but I keep my mouth shut

After we've eaten, I would like nothing

340

more than to lie down, but I can't.

341

Not yet.

342

Chapter 12, Brie, I

open known as en envelope.

343

There has got to be something here that

will tell me where to find the jewels.

344

I search the stack of parchments ignoring

anything written in the ancient language,

345

which is more than half the documents.

346

when I come across a parchment

penned in Nona's hand, I get

347

excited, Look, here's a list.

348

I'm about to read it out loud,

but the first word stops me

349

while my reading isn't bad.

350

It's not that great either.

351

After a moment, I figure it out Sapphire.

352

I say golden yellow as the sun.

353

I look at gray.

354

Who's more familiar with gems than I am.

355

Aren't sapphires blue?

356

Gray nods usually, but they

come in other colors as well.

357

I unie the stone from Nona Shawl,

so this must be the sapphire I

358

say rolling it in my fingers.

359

After a moment, I drop it into the folds

of my skirt and look back at the parchment

360

Characteristics I read carefully to

get the words correct, wisdom, balance,

361

knowledge, spiritual development.

362

Intellect stimulates

concentration and peace of mind.

363

I pause and look at gray.

364

Those words describe Nona,

don't you think he nods?

365

Do you suppose with the stone in her

possession, she absorbed its essence.

366

Gray looks doubtful.

367

I've worked in the gem pits all my life.

368

I don't think I've absorbed anything

from the stones, but if the jewels

369

of Tambo are flawless, that

would make them more powerful than

370

ordinary gems, don't you think?

371

Gray shrugs.

372

I look back at the stone in my lap.

373

I don't know why, but

it makes sense to me.

374

At these words I blink,

375

Is it a coincidence that I feel as if,

if understand I pick up the sapphire

376

and roll it in my fingers again, or

am I under the influence of the stone?

377

It beats me, but anything that

makes you smarter is a good thing.

378

Grace says, his eyes twinkling.

379

very funny.

380

I reply after returning

the sapphire to my lap.

381

I look at Nona's list again,

Ruby, I continue reading.

382

Beat red Characteristics, encourages

passion and a zest for life.

383

Balances the heart and instills

confidence and goodness.

384

Pero Green as new grass.

385

Characteristics, unknown location.

386

See Porras letter.

387

I stare at the last word, what

letter and who is Zipporah?

388

I flip through the papers until

I find a yellowed parchment

389

signed with the name Zipporah.

390

The body of the letter is written

by an inexperienced hand, so it's

391

hard to decipher, but I scan the

lines for anything that stands out.

392

One particular word catches my

attention, partly because there is

393

a large ink splat next to it, and

partly because it seems familiar.

394

Naja, I say aloud looking at gray.

395

Do you know that word?

396

Yeah.

397

He says Fremont told us about a Ram

wa where the mabu worship a snake.

398

God called Naja.

399

I frown.

400

What's a ram?

401

Wat gray scratches his head.

402

Do you know the word monastery?

403

Everything snaps together then.

404

Yes.

405

And now I remember Fremont's story.

406

Let's see if the Ram Wat

is marked on the map.

407

I unroll the oil skin while gray stirs

the dying embers to produce more light.

408

Together we scan for the Ram Wat of na.

409

There it is.

410

I point to the barely legible

words that have been written above

411

the village labeled Sir Pesca.

412

Nona wrote it in herself.

413

Grace says, must mean

the Ram Wat is important.

414

I draw an excited breath and look.

415

It's in a northeasterly direction.

416

From the dugout, I run my finger

from the ex to Nona scribbled word.

417

My mind races like a swallow after a gnat.

418

Does this mean the Pero

is at the Ram Wat of Naja?

419

Gray looks thoughtful.

420

It's possible, but why wouldn't she just

write the location on the parchment?

421

Maybe she wasn't sure.

422

I hold my finger to the map.

423

Guessing at the distance we travel today

and figuring how far we would have to go.

424

It will take us two days to get there.

425

I say.

426

Three minimum gray

replies giving me a look.

427

let me worry about my foot.

428

I snap gray size and changes the subject.

429

Do we have enough food?

430

I am not sure.

431

Let's see.

432

Gray and I dig through our bundles

until we find all the food.

433

Three days worth, I say No way,

a day and a half at the most.

434

Grace says with a frown,

how much do you eat?

435

Clearly more than you think.

436

He glares at me until finally

the glare turns to a grin.

437

I roll my eyes.

438

This may be a long trip.

439

We seem to have picked up our bickering

right where we left off in the old days.

440

Gray must be remembering those

days as well, or he wouldn't

441

have such a bemused expression.

442

Great eyesight.

443

We better be on the lookout for

mushrooms and berries or we'll go hungry.

444

Don't worry.

445

If there's anything edible

along our way, I'll find it.

446

Grace says, I sigh again.

447

Every part of my body is tired and I wish

with all my heart that Nona was here.

448

The longing must show on my face.

449

What is it?

450

Gray asks Nona is all I can say.

451

Gray reaches out and

puts his arm around me.

452

I stiffen at his touch,

but don't pull away.

453

What would Nona do if she was here?

454

He asks.

455

I think of Nona.

456

Nona, who always knew what to do.

457

She would tell us a story.

458

I say in a whisper, then do it.

459

Grace says, squeezing my shoulders.

460

I push him away.

461

No, Come on, you can recite

all of Nona's stories by heart.

462

You've heard them a million times.

463

I close my eyes.

464

Yes, I know Nona's stories.

465

She made sure of that,

but I'm not a teller.

466

That's Nona's job.

467

Come on, Raven.

468

It will do you good.

469

I'm about to rail on him for

calling me Raven, but the look in

470

his eyes reminds me that I'm not

the only one who lost someone.

471

Maybe a story would take both

our minds off what has happened.

472

I give a slight nod.

473

I'll try.

474

Gray leans against a tree and

pulls me back against his chest.

475

He's warm and a part of me wants to relax

against him, but I refuse pushing away.

476

I wrap my cloak around

my shoulders instead.

477

It takes some time to get the first

words out, but slowly I begin the tale.

478

I know the best.

479

The story, Nona always made sound a

little bit different from the others.

480

Noona was the only child

of an elderly couple.

481

The husband and wife were overjoyed

when she came into their lives.

482

I begin.

483

The words feel strange in my mouth.

484

Nona should be here.

485

She's the one that makes

the story sound right.

486

I close my eyes and try to

hear her to use the same voice.

487

When Noona was only a few weeks old,

Malta, her father wrapped her in a fox

488

pelt and took her out to the giant oak in

the center of the village for a blessing.

489

I bless you with wisdom and discernment.

490

He said in his rough voice.

491

I also bless you to be strong

and persuasive of men, but most

492

important, I bless you with a heart

that can hear the voice of the His

493

Kona's father was a very wise man.

494

If a dispute over a goat or a

piece of land arose, the villagers

495

would ask Malta for his counsel.

496

but they were troubled by the blessing

and mumbled as Malta finished and

497

held noona up for the people to see.

498

As I speak, the words

begin to flow more easily.

499

The story feels warm and

comfortable, and I find myself

500

relaxing just a little towards gray.

501

When father and baby returned

home, Malta's wife, RA, put her

502

hands in the air and wailed, what

have you done to our daughter?

503

Malta was surprised.

504

He had merely given his

daughter a blessing.

505

RA was beside herself, exclaiming

that Malta had cursed their

506

daughter, not given her a blessing.

507

Daughters should be blessed

to help their mothers and to

508

bring children into the world.

509

Not to be persuasive of men.

510

Ra said Malta frowned and reminded

his wife that he had also blessed

511

their daughter to be strong.

512

This only brought more whales from

RA, who insisted that men wanted

513

beautiful wives, not strong ones.

514

Malta grabbed RA around the waist

and pulled her down on his lap.

515

in his gentle way, he assured

her that Nama was already

516

beautiful just like her mother.

517

And he explained that he didn't choose

the words of the blessing, but spoke

518

the words given to him by the hesperian.

519

I hear gray's breathing,

grow slow and deep.

520

I think he may have fallen asleep,

but when I look at him, he gazes back

521

at me expectantly, so I continue.

522

Ra knew her husband could

hear the voice of the Hesper.

523

When other people were baffled by a

problem, Malta would retire to his

524

room and always return with a solution.

525

She had learned to trust her husband's

word yet this time it seemed he had gone

526

too far and she sobbed on his shoulder.

527

When Malta found there was no consoling,

his wife, he stood and told Ra.

528

He would give her a blessing as well.

529

With his hands on her head.

530

He told her that she would raise a

wise and industrious daughter that

531

someday in the eternities would

become a goddess in the blessing.

532

Malta told his wife to have

peace and know that through her

533

influence, OMA would be wonderful.

534

I glance at Gray again to see that

his eyes are closed, but the moment

535

I stop talking, they pop open.

536

So I go on.

537

When Malta finished the blessing, he

kissed his wife on the cray of her

538

head and left to attend his duties.

539

RA sat still for a time and

pondered what her husband had said.

540

How could she raise a daughter

that would become a goddess?

541

Yet Malta had said she could.

542

Oma began to fuss in her basket.

543

RA picked her up and held

the child to her breast.

544

Feeling the infant in her arms

filled her with so much love.

545

It overflowed

546

And tears began to roll down her

cheeks and splash on Kona's face.

547

The baby looked up at her mother

and RA saw deep into her eyes.

548

She knew at that moment that Nicona

would indeed become a goddess one day.

549

ra, whispered in the baby's

ear that she wouldn't tell the

550

other women about the blessing.

551

They would just be jealous

and think her a fool.

552

Malta's words would be a secret.

553

I only know how to be

a mother and a friend.

554

RA said, I don't know how to be

a goddess, but Malta says, I can

555

teach you what you need to know.

556

I'll do my best.

557

I stop at the rasp of Gray's breath.

558

This time he has fallen asleep.

559

I give him a push and he

topples over onto his bed.

560

Roll there.

561

He grumbles and starts to snore.

562

I wrap my cloak tighter

and lie down myself.

563

I'm so tired.

564

I should fall straight

to sleep, but I don't.

565

One particular worry keeps

circulating in my mind.

566

What will I do when I

reach the Ram Wat of Naja?