He gave a short half laugh. "If the Prophet wills it." He caught himself and responded to her frown. "I'm sorry," he said, lifting one hand. "I don't mean to mock. The truth is, I really don't know. All I know is that I have to find the Principal and his party. There is something that doesn't sit right, and for some reason, I have a duty to see if I can do something about it. I don't expect you to understand."
Instead of protesting, she nodded. "I will be sorry to see you go."
He met her gaze, and was surprised to see that she really meant it.
"You know," he said thoughtfully. "I really will be sorry to leave. I do enjoy spending time with you."
She held his gaze, searching his face. "With me, or with us, Sandon?"
"With you, with all of you, I suppose. But particularly with you."
"I am glad," she said. She turned her face away again, but her slight half smile didn't escape his notice.
An hour later, the marks of settlement appeared ahead. Traces of smoke rose to haze the sky, and the road upon which they traveled became rutted and grooved with the passage of many wagons. Proper buildings huddled together across gently rolling fields. A large barn dominated, and beside it, another barn-like building. For a few moments, Sandon couldn't tell what it was that felt wrong about the structures in front of him, and then he realized. They were all made of a kind of mud brick, rather than the characteristic stone he was used to seeing, all except for the barn-like structures, which were built from wood. What advantage could they have from building out of such materials? It must be far more vulnerable to the vagaries of the shifting landscape. A profusion of wagons and carts sat between and beside the buildings, and between it all, in and out walked people, all decked in the traditional Atavist garb. He looked down at his own homespun. He could be at home here, just as much as any of them, except for a few fundamental problems that would be easily dealt with in time. He pushed the thought aside; he couldn't allow himself to forget why it was he was here.
The wagons fanned out, finding places out of the central roadway and the family members dismounted, moving to see to their animals and their equipment. Sandon sat where he was, watching, observing the greetings and keeping an eye out for Badrae and the other elders. They seemed to have moved to another area of the town, or they had pulled in somewhere that Sandon couldn't see. Alise disappeared into the wagon itself. He heard her moving about inside.
"What now, Alise?" he said back behind his shoulder.
"Well, we make ready. There will be a service, and then we will all get together for the evening meal."
"Uh-huh. And what can I do?"
"That depends what you want to do, Sandon."
"Hmm. I don't know. I'd really like to find Badrae, or at least someone who can give me some directions."
"But you said you were familiar with the area." She poked her head outside again.
"Yes, generally. But I don't know where we are now."
She shook her head and sighed. "Sometimes you are like a small child, Sandon."
She lowered herself from the front of the wagon, and then reached up a hand to him. "Come down. Come with me. We will find you what you need."
He looked at her blankly. "But...?"
"But what? You need directions, and no doubt some mode of transport. If you are determined to leave us here, there is very little I can do but help you in whatever way I am able. So, come."
He clambered down and stood before her as she pursed her lips, looking at him. Now she really was making him feel like a child.
"This way," she said.
Sandon tagged along behind her as she walked quickly in and out of parked carts and wagons, and between buildings. He barely had time to take in his surroundings as she led him to the front of a small mud brick cottage and knocked.
The door opened, and a grizzled old man stepped out.
"Alise, welcome," he said. "May the Prophet be with you."
"And with you, Manais. This is Sandon. He is in need of our help."
The old man looked at him appraisingly. "So, Sandon, if the Prophet wills it, I might be able to help you. What is it you need?"
