"It is not something I can speak of," Sgaile added. "And not just because of human presence. Before now, this task has only been for the Anmaglahk. Even Leshil's involvement is unprecedented."

"Yes?" Magiere answered. "All the more reason for me to come along."

"All right," Leesil sighed. "It's settled, so leave it alone."

Sgaile slowly shook his head. "We will travel inland from here."

"How long?" Magiere asked.

"Days."

"Sgaile!" she warned.

He pursed his lips. "Three days in, three days out-considering extra precautions for your presence. The hkomas and crew will wait with the ship."

"Six days," Magiere whispered, turning away.

Chap realized he had witnessed the tail end of an extended argument, and he tried to dip into Sgaile's memory. He caught a flash of a dark place where only a glimmer like lantern light reflected off a strange sheer wall of silver. Then came a brief glimpse of a tan elven hand holding a dull black oblong of stone, perhaps ground smooth by the tides over years. For an instant, Chap thought he saw marks scratched into its surface.

The memories sank from Sgaile's thoughts and beyond Chap's awareness.

Chap's companions were not the only ones who had changed during their time among the an'Croan; Sgaile had been altered as well. The mind of a seasoned anmaglahk should have been nearly blank of rising memories. These brief glimpses showed that Sgaile's self-control was wavering. It was not a good sign.

Wynn closed on Magiere, and Chap looked them both up and down. No one had asked Wynn to pack for this journey.

The little sage had hardened much in two seasons, but not enough. A time might come when she would be left behind for more than six days. Although Chap's foremost concern was watching over Magiere and Leesil, the thought of Wynn left unguarded worried him more and more.

He had tried now and then to goad Wynn playfully, to make her assert herself. That day on the deck he had not anticipated her grabbing his tail and sending them both spinning into a tangle. In retrospect, he should have considered the crew's reaction to a human tussling with a majay-hi. What came of that was his fault-his foolishness-born of concern for Wynn. Still, it was all he could think of to continue her slow climb to greater internal strength.

"If you are going inland," Wynn said bluntly, "then I am going as well."

Sgaile finally noticed the little sage, and Osha's long face clouded over in silence.

"No," Sgaile answered flatly. "It is enough that I relented to Magiere's… request."

Magiere glanced about the ship. "We're not leaving Wynn with this crew."

"Osha will watch over her," Sgaile countered, and turned to his young companion. "Do you accept this purpose?"

Brief shock washed over Osha's face, and he nodded. "Yes, I accept."

"I do not!" Wynn retorted. "Where are you going? And why did you wait until now to tell us any of this?"

Sgaile's jaw muscles tightened as he turned back to Magiere.

"We travel swiftly. Even if I were of a mind for another outsider, the scholar would slow us. She stays… but I give my word she will be safe with Osha."

"Wynn…," Magiere began but trailed off.

Wynn's expression drained, losing even indignation. "You want to travel quickly."

"I want to get back as soon as possible," Magiere corrected. "And move on."

Leesil settled a hand on Wynn's shoulder. "I know this sounds insane, but Sgaile wouldn't ask unless it was important, and I-"

"You want to know what Brot'an arranged," Wynn finished.

"Brot'an can rot for all I care!" Leesil snapped, and then calmed himself. "But if my mother's involved in this…"

"I understand," Wynn said, looking down at the deck.

Chap sympathized with her, but he had larger issues to worry about- particularly if all this was more of Brot'an's scheming. He tried again to dip into Sgaile's memories.

This time he caught flickering images of Wynn in Crijheaiche and Ghoivne Ajhajhe, asking questions, nosing about… and then perched upon the city's shoreside embankment, scribbling in one of her journals.

Indeed, Sgaile's composure was slipping. He did not want Wynn on this journey, but not for the reason he had given. Once again, Sgaile was caught between his caste's ways and whatever Brot'an'duive had pressed him into-something Sgaile did not want Wynn recording.

I will go with them, Chap projected, stepping in beside her, and tell you everything when we return.

A bit of mischief at such a notion filled Wynn's eyes as she crouched and cupped his face in her hands. She began to say something, but Chap cut her off.

Stay with Osha.

Wynn looked up at the others. "You should get started."

Magiere frowned, as if wondering at Wynn's sudden compliance, and glared down at Chap. It was clear to Chap that she knew exactly what had passed silently between them.

Magiere turned and headed for the rail-wall. "We'll be back as soon as we can."

The hkomas crossed his arms, and Sgaile would not even look at him. Osha stepped in protectively behind Wynn as Chap trotted off behind Magiere.

A young woman with a thick braid and oversized boots gazed at him with anxious eyes. But Chap ignored her and arched up, hooking his forepaws on the rail-wall's top near the rope ladder. There he waited so he might climb onto Leesil's back.

Leesil raised his feathery eyebrows. "No, you stay here."

Chap wrinkled a jowl. Since when was he to be treated like a dog? He was the guardian of his charges, and neither of them had anything to say about it. He barked twice, loudly, for "no."

Magiere stepped through the rail-wall gate, one foot settling on the ladder. "You can't climb down by yourself, and we're not carrying you."

She swung her other leg over and began climbing down. Chap barked a succession of angry yips.

Leesil followed Magiere, and Chap considered biting the back of his breeches. Sgaile looked uncomfortable as he stepped through the rail-wall gate.

"Apologies," he said to Chap. "We will return soon."

Magiere was right about one thing. Chap could not climb down by himself. But it was time he reminded them of their position as his charges. He watched until Magiere settled in the skiff, and then backed a few feet along the deck.

"What are you doing?" Wynn called in alarm.

Chap rushed through the rail-wall gate and leaped out into the air at the last instant. He hit the water just beyond the skiff and sank amid the loud sound of his own splash. The sea was far colder than he had expected.

When he resurfaced, sucking breath through his nose, both Magiere and Leesil were shouting at him. He paddled quickly to the skiff's side. Magiere pursed her lips tight in anger, and reached for him. Leesil just looked worried and both of them hauled him in over the skiff's side.

Chap shook himself hard, spraying seawater everywhere. Both Magiere and Leesil tried to shield their faces, as Sgaile fought to steady the skiff.

"You misbegotten mutt!" Magiere shouted and grabbed for Chap's scruff.

He turned on her, snarling.

Magiere lost her footing and fell back into Leesil, seated in the skiff's prow. The skiff rocked wildly, and both their expressions turned blank with shock.

"What has gotten into you?" Leesil said.

Chap glared back with a low rumble in his throat and then spun to face Sgaile.

"Have you got him?" Wynn called from above.

Chap did not look up, and no one answered Wynn. He remained in place before Sgaile, rumbling a low threat. Elves never interfered with a majay-hi, and Sgaile's behavior had always suggested he knew Chap was much more than even that.

Sgaile slowly raised both hands, palms out. "As you wish," he whispered and reached for the oars.