the escalor

7/31/2019 The Escalor

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the escalor

robert e g black

Regardless of how extraordinarily it would end, Midspring Day began like most any other for

Journey Smith.

Mere roused her from bed fore sunup. Groggily, Journey went to Scurfs bowl and sprinkledsome feed into his water. Scurf was her gillbug. He didn t eat much and he didnt eat often, but

she planned on being gone all day so she made sure he had overmuch to tide him over for a

while. She tapped his bowl to be sure he noticed the feed. Then she looked about for her otherpet, Rimmer. He wasnt about, but that wasnt overstrange for him.

It was hot. And, hot inside the groundhut meant it was even hotter outside. An unseasonable

warmth, but Journey thought little of the temperature except to head out without bothering to putanything on over her chemise. She left the soil floor of her room, pushed the curtaindoor aside

and crossed the stone floored midchamber to the kitchen. Mere had already made some tea.

Journey had herself a cup seasoned with some rosesugar. Then, she left the kitchen through the

foyer, up the stairs to the ground level and headed out to row the fields.

She didnt bother with shoes. She almost never bothered with shoes, in fact. She liked thefeel of the natural ground neath her feet. For the Festival later shed wear shoes, of course. Parts

of the Parrygrounds were paved and that was no good on her bare feet.Her pere was already out in northfield, rowing the blackseed roots. Journey grabbed up a

rake and joined him. It wasnt easy work; blackseed root had a tendency to grab hold of a rakes

teeth and snap them off if one wasnt careful. But, Journey was used to it. And it was most allher pere knew. Hed been rowing fields and milking dummalo sithence he was a child. And,

now, Journey did the same. As soon as she was able to hold a rake, she had been out in the fields

rowing them. Of course, in her early years, her efforts did not really do much for the crops,

though the energy she expended in trying to help made her pere smile and made her brotere andmere laugh. Now though, coming up to her reapday, Journey was overbig to row as much as her

pere would in a given day, if not more. She didnt like the work, but she could do it and, with the

years of practice, she was good at it. If willan took, she d be a farmer her whole life like her pere.

Of course, that wasnt quite the truth. If Parrow willed it, shed have a life far from the farm, alife of adventure maybe, or a life in the royal court, not that she bothered with such trifling

fantasies mosttime.

Journey, what are you doing, Pere called from a few rows over. If your mere sees you,youll get a switchin for sure.

Journey looked up from her work. Shed barely heard her pere. What, Pere?

Coming out in just your chemise, Pere replied, shaking his head. Really, it wasnt such abig deal, though her mere might actually take the switch to her a few times for it. Journey often

did the morning rowing in nothing but her chemise. It wasnt like there were neighbors closeby

to see her and Pere had seen her in that and less plenty growing up; live in a small groundhut and

the quarters keep a family very close and familiar with one another.Journey rolled her eyes and went back to rowing. She said nothing about the issue or whether

or not Mere would take the switch to her if she saw.

Her mere wasnt overhappy when Journey and her pere came in a short time later to breakthe fast. You wash your hands for eating, she told Journey, as she was wont to do each

morning, like Journey hadnt gotten the point after a few years. And, get some clothes on, she

added as Journey went back outside to wash her hands neath the pumpwaters.


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Journey laughed a little; she wasnt getting dressed until after eating. Not thisday, what with

the Festival coming. It was the Ides of Folgenes, Midspring Day. Id probably get something onmy surcoat and get a switchin for sure, Journey said to no one in particular. All that was near

the pump was a dummalo and Loke, who, though hed once been a lively dog, a fine Iridian

Heeler, was now so far gone in years he probably couldnt even hear her talking. She finished

washing up, tossed some water on her face and pushed her hair back, then went back down intothe house.

To break the fast that morning, the Smiths had caponeggs seasoned with potherbs, shallots

and, of course, blackseed spice, blackseed rolls and the last of the salted dum. And, Journey hadtwo more cups of tea with rosesugar to drown out the blackseed in everything. The dum she ate

last to savor the taste. She knew there was no more in the larder, though she had secreted a few

strips for safekeeping, and that the last of the herd was not going to be slaughtered for a while.They didnt even belong to the family, if you took her meres version of things. The last six

dummalo, the six spared from slaughter after the oarworm infestation the previous fall, were to

be Journeys dowry. Ive not even had my reapday yet, Mere, Journey had told her mere.

What do I need a dowry for?

You know Plete Carters keen on you, Mere replied. And, his reapdays coming soon.With yours not long after Midspring Day therell be a Bannday soon aswell.

Journey put her fist to her chest in mock salute. Yes, Mere, she said.Mere slapped her then. It wasnt anything overpainful but it stung for sure. Taupish jenny,

dont you start with me. Youre not a child any more, reapday or not. Youve had your monthlies

for halfyear now.

So, you marry me off to Plete Carter and run me out of the house firstthing?

I make sure youre prepared for life, for love, for marriage and happiness.

Maybe all those things dont have to always go together, Journey replied and she braced

herself for another slap. But, none came.That conversation was a few weeks yester, and there had been several more oversame as that

one sithence. Plete Carter, who Journey certainly likedtheyd been the best of friends growing

up, afterall, and she had even put his name on her wishboat oncehad had his reapday, and with

Midspring Day hind her, Journey knew her own reapday was not far off, less a month. She dalready been working on memorizing the Old Words for her speech for somewhen and could

recite her speech entirely but not yet fluidly.

Of course, Midspring Day was not hind her, not yet othergate. And, to be fair, as much fun asthe Festival was sure to be, she dreaded it a little. She had reason to believe that Plete would

choose some point during the Festival to propose. Then, as soon as Journeys reapday had come,

thered be a Bannday planned and everyone would know of the betrothal. And, the way thingswere for the Smiths, it would be put upon Journey to marry sooner rather than later to join the

families and save the farm. Of course, that was just the melodramatic version of events, what

Journeys mere liked to call silliness.

Your bodice and surcoat are laid out on your bed, Mere said.

Wimpareren1, Journey muttered.

What?

Nothing, Mere.Journey finished chewing her last bite of salted dum fore responding. Do I have a kurt that

will match? The sides will show some. She knew she had a dark green one that would match

1 From a girls reapday speech, the Old Words for, literally,prepared woman.


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just fine with her Midspring Day outfit, and Mere surely knew she knew, but there had to be

some conversation or the two of them might never talk.

Your dark green one will go splendidly with the bright green of the surcoat, Mere said,

smiling. And, itll match your pere and me.

Pere looked up from his eggs. He hadnt been paying any attention. What about me?

Nothing dear, Mere said. Eat your eggs, then lets get ready to go.May I be excused, Journey asked. Her plate was practically licked clean. Mere nodded and

Journey took her empty plate to the sink, rinsed it and set it aside to dry then went to her room.

The curtaindoor drawn, Journey stripped out of her worn chemise and tossed it on the floor.She went to put on a clean one and noticed Rimmer was sitting on the bed looking at her.

Rimmer was her pet gapha. She was the only kid in all of Crale to have one and she liked the

idea of that. Most kids were scared to even touch hers let alone get their own. You see, gaphahave a poisonous bite usually. But, Pere took Rimmer to a man in Taven once a moontime to

have him devenned. A special pet for a special girl, hed told Journey the day he brought home

the thing. In the three years theyd had the gapha, hed bitten none of them and he was quite

playful when he wanted to be. Journey grabbed a clean chemise from the closet and put it on.

What?Rimmer stuck out his tongue and hissed a little.

Dont hiss at me, Journey said. Its not playtime.Like he knew exactly what shed said, which, Journey had learned from experience, might be

the case, his tongue retreated and he put his head down. Journey picked him up and hugged him

close to her. Oh, poor Rimmer. You should run outside and play. Ill be off at the Festival tilldark. She put Rimmer down and he stood there for a moment, looking at her, then ran from the

room, most likely to do just what shed said, go outside and play.

She put the dark green kurt over her chemise then picked up her bodice from the bed and put

it on. She thought she might need a little help tying it but got it done herself rather easily. Then,she put on her surcoat, made specially for the Midspring Day Festival. Gotta look beautiful for

the big day, Mere had said. Shed been referring most likely to the prospect of it being the day

Plete proposed, but Journey liked the idea of dressing up nice for the occasion of the Festival

itself, especially sithence this year she was to dance about Parrows Pole.The surcoat was a bright green trimmed in crimson. That trim, her mere said cost a pretty

penny. Shed likely traded some mulled wine for it rather than spend any actual pennies, of

course, but Journey didnt mention that. As far as official things went, Tailor Smith was a wifeand occasional farmer, not a maker of wines. She did that in secret for the extra money. Pere

hadnt liked the idea initially. The stills hind his shop next to the house were supposed to just be

for the family. But, when hed tasted a few of the wine recipes his wife had concocted, he knewtheyd be loved and bought regularly by a few connoisseurs in town.

Journey put on her belt and affixed her purse to it. She smiled at her purse, knowing its

contents would draw shameful shaking of the head from Mere if she were to learn what was in

there. Wimbereit2, indeed, Journey said, smiling. No proper girl would have a knife or a roll oftwine with her. No proper girl would carry a tinderbox or blackseed balm. But, Journey looked

forard to a day when, if willan took, all these things and more would come to hand. She slipped

her feet into her good sandals, took a moment to look over the map of Gardea on her wall thenwent out into the midchamber to show off her outfit.

2 From a girls reapday speech, literally ready woman.


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Beautiful, Pere said. He was dressed already in a dark green tunic and leather breeches. His

long hair was pulled back and tied loosely with thong. He looked almost a right gentleman.

Youll outspeckle all the girls, Mere said from hind Journey. Shed been in Kannons old

room, most likely sewing some finishing touch onto her own outfit; thats where Meres sewing

supplies were stored now.

Journey turned about and couldnt help but smile. You think so?Mere, dressed in a dark green surcoat, looking quite the lady herself, her hair in a beaded net,

looked Journey up and down. You will be the show and everyone will notice you.

On a clear day, Journey replied.

Oh, dont be silly. Plete Carter wont know what to do with himself.

Or with me, Journey replied with a wry smile.

Bad jenny, Mere replied, but there was laughter in her voice.

Shall we go, asked Pere.

Let me just get the farlcakes from the kitchen, Mere said. Journey, will you help?

In the kitchen, Mere took Journey aside and tied up her hair for her. Then, they grabbed the

trays of farlcakes and left. Pere grabbed a few bottles of the mulled wine and they all loaded into

the wagon. As the dummalo were unavailable, being Journeys dowry and all, the wagon waspulled by nibbanos. Though it wasnt the highest class way to travel, the nibbanos long hair kept

most of the dust low to the ground, and that was nice, especially with the three of them dressedin their Midspring Day best.

***

Shea Tiller was Journey Smiths catcousin, her best and closest friend. As the Smith s wagonreached the Parrygrounds, she came running up, excitedly. She was dressed in a dull red surcoat

over a kurt so dark brown it was nearly black. Despite a certain drabness to the color, the outfit

worked fairly well and with Sheas natural beauty, she looked quite the little lady. Journey, you

made it!Journey jumped down from the wagon and hugged Shea. You look great.

So do you. I love that surcoat. Did your mere make that?

Journey nodded.

I love the surcoat, Shea said yond Journey so Mere Smith could hear her.

Thank you much, Mere Smith replied. Journey, youll help carry the

Oh, we can handle all that, Pere said. He grabbed a tray of farlcakes and the bottles of

mulled wine to prove he could handle his part. And, Mere said nothing more as Journey ran offwith Shea with nary a farewell.

Journey and Shea went straight for the food tables and there went straight for the desserts.

There were assorted jellies, iced bannocbread, roasted plums, rosesugar cookies, blackseed rolls,destiny cakes and even several trays of farlcakes, making Journey look about and wonder how

her parents had beaten her to the tables. But, of course, these farlcakes were not her mere s

farlcakes. These had most likely been made by Wheel Carter, Pletes mere. Pletes here,

Journey said.

Well, yeah, Shea said. His peres Reeve. There was no doubt hed be here.

I mean, hes here already. I thought we were early.

I thought you liked Plete.

I do, but

But what?


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Journey shrugged and drifted yond the dessert table. She hadnt thought as much of Plete

since he had of late brought up the subject of bundling at Smithsfarm. She grabbed a cup ofcuckoofoot and drank it down in one gulp.

Careful. Dont want to drown, do you?

I dont know. Maybe. She grabbed another cup and drank it down. Wheres something

stronger? She looked back hind her for her parents and the mulled wine.Silly jenny, Shea said, grabbing a cup of cuckoofoot for herself. Lets go see whos here.

They ran off again. As they found a quiet place to sit off from the main festivities, Vakman

Waterborn got on stage and officially welcomed everyone there and welcomed Midspring Day aswas the tradition. He announced the location of the food tables for everyone who didn t already

know then pointed out the sign up for the various races and contests that would be taking place

throughout the day.

Youre dancing thisday, right, Shea asked.

Journey nodded but didnt look at her friend. Her gaze was fixed across the way.

Whats got you raptured so?

Tinkers here, Journey said, getting up and heading off.

Of course Tinkers here. Tinker was Sheas older brotere. His birthname was Adam buteveryone called him Tinker on account of his hobby, tinkering with anything and everything on

which he could get his hands. And, Shea was rightof course, Tinker was there. Hed riddenthere in the same wagon as Shea. Wait up. Shea got up and followed quickly after Journey.

Journey came up hind Tinker as he was drinking a cup of honeyale. She put her hands about

him from hind and covered his eyes. Guess who.

On a clear day, Tinker said, Princess Oenone.

No, Journey said, laughing. Its me, silly jake.

Tinker turned about and smiled. Hey Journey. She was coming up just then hind Journey.

Hey Sis.

Got anything for me, Journey asked.

Maybe. Tinker had made Journey the rather small tinderbox she carried in her purse. He d

also given her a few other contraptions here and there over the years, playthings mostly, many of

which Mere Smith did not approvethe Tillers and the Smiths had been close friends sithencefore Journey was born. Whatll you give me?

Depends what youve got. Show me.

Tinker reached deep into the pocket of his tunic and pulled something out. Whatever it was,it fit tightly in his fist. He held up his closed hand fore Journeys eyes.

What is it?

Patience jenny, Tinker replied. How bout you guess what it is.

If willan take and I guess it rightly, you give it to me for naught.

Overfair, Tinker said. But, if you dont guess it, you cant have

Oh, I can have it, Journey said.

But you have to pay for it with a

With a kiss, Shea said.

Journey turned and glared at her.

What? Thats where you two were headed othergate. Youre always flirting. My broterestrinkets are just excuses for you to kiss him. And, youre to be married off to Plete Carter. Its so

sad.

Tinker looked at his sistere. Married? Journey looked at Tinker. Married, he asked again.


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Thats the rumour. Mere thinks Pletell ask me thisday and therell be a Bannday soon as

my reapday passes. But, I dont really want to marry Plete so, cease with that. Give me a hint.

A hint?

Journey eyed Tinkers closed fist. A hint as to what that is in there. You cant expect me to

guess blindly, can I?

Tinker thought for a moment then grinned. If music be what you shall seek, then into myhand, take a peek.

Ooh, music.

If soundless Shelins way you want to miss, then guess it outright or plant your kiss.Journey laughed. Shea rolled her eyes.

It makes music, Journey asked, looking closely at Tinkers hand. But its so small. You

couldnt possibly have made a musicbox that

Dragonpiss, you guessed it. Tinker looked genuinely upset.

Dont fret, dear jake, Journey replied. And, she leaned in and kissed Tinker on his cheek.

Now, give me the musicbox thismoment.

Tinker dropped it into Journeys hand. It was tiny, so tiny one could barely make out the

individual parts without squinting. How did you The music began to play. Journey squealed.Parrows pipes, its beautiful. And, the music was really quite lovely. She wasnt just saying

that to be nice How does it work?Tinker pointed out a small handle on the side. Wind that and it will play for a time.

Thank you, Journey said, and she moved to plant another kiss on Tinkers cheek. He turned

so she would hit his mouth but she stopped herself and pulled back. She wagged her tongue athim. You wish.

Ha ha, Shea said.

That wasnt nice, Tinker said.

Well, what did you expect from a proper lady, Shea asked.

Right, Journey said. I cannot just go about kissing any ol jake that comes along. Not on

my big day.

Your big day?

Shes dancing thisday, silly, Shea replied. You knew that. To Journey, she added, heknew that. Im fairly sure hes been looking quite forard to it in fact.

Tinker blushed a little.

Journey tucked the musicbox into her purse. I really love the musicbox, she said. Thankyou. And she kissed Tinker again, still on his cheek but closer to his mouth. Now, he turned an

even deeper shade of red.

Come on, Shea said, grabbing Journeys arm. Lets leave my brotere to hisembarrassment.

Journey said bye then turned to leave with Shea. And, she ran right into none other than

Plete Carter dressed in his finest, including an embroidered jack.

Plete, hi. She offered her hand.

Journey, looking radiant on this Midspring Day. Plete took her hand and raised it to his lips

and kissed it lightly. Well met, we are this morning, he said.

Well met, indeed, Journey replied.

But, what is this business with Adam Tiller, Plete asked.

Shea groaned. Dont be jealous, jake. Shes not yours yet.

Ill never be his, Journey said.


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Jake? Plete inhaled deeply. Ill have you know my

You reapday was not a twoweek yester, Shea replied. We all know. Youre a man. Bigdeal.

And, she didnt mean anything bad calling you a jake, Tinker added, stepping up hind

Journey and Shea.

I wasnt talking to you, Plete replied.No, you werent. But, you were inquiring after me when I was not sixfeet off. My ears were

burning.

Your cheeks aswell, I see.

If I am flushed it is from seeing such a poor excuse for a man fore me, Tinker said.

Adam, stop, Shea said, getting tween her brotere and Plete.

Its alright, Tinker, Journey said. Pletes fine. To Plete she added, fancy a dance?Plete looked to Tinker then to Journey then back again at Tinker.

Come on, Plete, Journey said. Dont make a scene. Theyre playingLovers Days.

She took Plete by the hand and led him out to the dancing field by the stage. And they danced

a beautiful dance. Those watching who knew of Pletes love for Journey most likely saw it all as

so romantic but mostly it was all in fun. Journey was having a great time, though not nearly asmuch as she would later dancing about Parrows Pole in front of everyone.

Midsong, Mark Cordwan, a boy Journeys and Pletes age, waved from the stage. He wasplaying a kor horn and dancing about the stage.

Youre with me, thismoment, Plete said. You should not be waving to other jakes,

Its Mark Cordwan, Journey replied. You and I have both known him all our lives.

Still.

Still, Plete, you dont own me. Were not even betrothed.

I love you, Journey.

Dumlove. Nothing but dumlove.

Dont discount the yearnings of a mans heart.

Journey stopped dancing. Dont discount the yearnings of a mans heart? Did you make up

that line yourself? You been practicing that just in case I was hesitant to say I loved you too?

Whos making a scene, thismoment?

The scenes over, Plete. With that, Journey turned and left Plete by himself on the dancing

field.

***Journey ate midday lunch with her mere and pere. The Tillers sat nearby, Shea right next to

Journey of course, and Tinker acrosstable. They ate fish, filleted haddoc, some of the best in all

of the Pavanschall, with seasoned bannocbread, trencher stew and roasted plums as sidedishes.Journey and Shea had three more cups of cuckoofoot each. Journey also sneaked a sip of

Tinkers honeyale when her parents were both looking the other way. Midway through the meal,

Almony Marshal got up on stage and wowed the crowd with a beautiful rendition of TheDangling Strings of Time on her viele.

I wish I could play an instrument like that, Shea said, mostly aside.

You can do anything you set your mind to, Journey replied.

No I cant.

Why not? Youve not even had your reapday yet. You can still make yourself to be

whatever you want to

Dont go filling your catcousins head with idle daydreams, Journeys mere said.


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Its not daydreams to want to accomplish something with your life, Mere.

Its okay, Mere Smith, Shea said, Im realistic about my options.Tinker shook his head. Shea noticed and looked acrosstable at him. What?

Nothing.

Its something. What?

Dont mind your brotere, Journeys mere said. Idle daydreams and his constant tinkeringgo hand in hand.

Some of us dont have to resign ourselves to whatever our parents leave for us, Tinker

replied.

And some of us must marry and live how folks would have us live, Journeys mere replied.

You shouldnt be putting faroff dreams into the heads of impressionable girls.

And, you shouldnt be keeping them from any ideas of their own at all.

On a clear day, Journey said. Cant we just eat in peace?

Fine, Mere replied and turned her attention to her food.

Tinker took a drink of his honeyale then looked to Journey and mouthed, Im sorry.

Journey mouthed back, its alright.

Youll be what youll be, Tinker said to Shea.On a clear day, Shea replied.

Tinker raised his cup to toast. May all your days be clear.Shea raised her cup. May all your days be clear.

Tinker looked to Journey and she aswell raised her cup. May all your days be clear. She

added, with a laugh, and not so hot as this one.

You say true, Shea replied. Im about to just remove this surcoat and damn the

consequences.

Dont do that, Tinker replied.

I thought I could do anything I wanted.

Anything but that. Tinker grinned.

Claid Carter got up on stage then. Journey closed her eyes.

Whats wrong, Tinker asked.

Im not ready.

Youre just nervous, Shea said. Youll do fine.

Its that time, ladies and gentlemen, Claid said. Time for the dance about Parrows Pole.

May all our fine young ladies who will be dancing thisday please come forard.

You can do this, Tinker said. And, well all be cheering you on.

Or you could just not watch at all, Journey replied.

Dont be silly. You will dance flawlessly.

If willan take, Journey said. And, she picked up what was left of her seasoned bannocbread

and broke it in half. Frangobanok3, she said, mostly to herself.

Frangapas, Shea replied.

Journey got up from her seat, absentmindedly dropping a piece of her bannocbread into herpurse. She headed for the dancing field, as did a halfdozen other girls from here and there in the

crowd. A handful of young men, Plete Carter included, lifted Parrows Pole and put it in the

ground midfield. Almony Marshal took her place at the front of the stage to play her viele. Mark

3 From a girls reapday speech, literally I break bannoc (bread). Sheas

response here literally: you break the yester. In the reapday speech, the

breaking of the bannocbread symbolizes the leaving hind of childhood.


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Cordwan tripped up the steps then picked up his kor horn without incident. The rest of the band

took their places, the young men cleared the field and the seven girls took their places aboutParrows Pole.

Reeve Carter announced, let them dance.

The music began, slow at first. The seven girls, each with a goblet of honeyale in hand,

formed a circle about Parrows Pole.In order, each girl faced the pole and stepped forard, picking up a wreath of tev and placing it

upon her head. Elihe Miller went first. Then, she grabbed one of the seven ribbons hanging from

atop the pole and Jame Law stepped forard to get her wreath. Jame grabbed a ribbon, Elihestepped back into the circle and Helen Carol got her wreath. Elihe began to sway with the music,

Jame stepped back into the circle, Helen grabbed a ribbon and Tessarae Nice grabbed a wreath.

Elihe spun in place, ribbon held twisting above her head, goblet still in hand, Jame swayed,Helen stepped back into the circle, Tessarae grabbed a ribbon and Daisy White put on a wreath.

Then, Elihe and Jame spun, Helen swayed, Tessarae stepped back into the circle, Daisy grabbed

a ribbon and Tessaraes twin sistere Edlin put on a wreath. Then, last came Journey, putting on a

wreath, grabbing a ribbon, stepping back into the circle, swaying and spinning in turn.

All seven girls spun together. Not a one spilled a drop from her goblet. Then they stoppedabruptly as did the music.

Gradually the music began again. First a strumming of the viele strings, the girls slowlywalking forard, widdershins about Parrows Pole. Then the kor horn joined in, and the girls

steps turned to marching. The drummer drummed and the girls turned about to move backards.

As the baliset began to play, the girls became a blur, weaving in and out of one another, dancing,spinning, jumping, laughing. Still, not a one spilled a drop of honeyale from her goblet. They

weaved in and out. They spun. They took turns stopping, facing the audience and bowing as the

other six would keep moving.

They moved faster and faster. Their ribbons twisted about the pole, pulling the girls closerand closer to one another, closer to Parrows Pole. But, still they spun, they twisted, they weaved

and not a one bumped another or spilled a drop from her goblet. Edlin Nice did stumble once but

she recovered quickly without getting in the way of the other girls.

Journey danced flawlessly, and by the end, she was dizzy, dazed, energized, intoxicated. Ifwillan took, shed feel that way forever. And, then the dancing stopped, the music stopped, and

the seven girls, shoulder to shoulder now, faced the pole. And, each in turn, beginning with Elihe

drank from her goblet. Adding fermented drink to the dizziness blurred the world about them. Itwas all about the dance, all about Parrows Pole and those seven girls. To them, no one else

existed right then. And, each, in turn, poured the remainder of her drink onto Parrow s Pole,

dropped her ribbon and spun froard from the Pole.And, now came the choosing, for Parrows Pole was nothing if not a mating ritual, played as

a game through the ages but still a mating ritual. Each girl was to choose a boy and the seven

couples would begin the next group dance. Elihe went first, picking Baron Weaver from the

crowd. Jame Law ran to the stage and pulled Mark Cordwan down to dance with her. HelenCarol grabbed Tinker Tiller. Tinker gave Journey a look and a shrug. Tessarae was still a little

dizzy to focus so Daisy went out of turn, pulling Kelly Law to the dancing field. Edlin and

Tessarae went together to find the Miller twins, Fell and Stam. And, it came to Journey. Stilldizzy, she found Plete Carter and pulled him out onto the dancing field. Almony Marshal played

a love song, the Song of Merrik and Sereny and the couples danced. And, as the song wore on,

more dancers entered the field until it was so crowded some could hardly move anymore.


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That was wonderful, Plete told Journey. You outspeckle all the girls here.

Thank you, Journey said. She wasnt sure how beautiful she could be thismoment, unableto focus and drenched in sweat.

Youre everything, Plete said.

What?

It wasnt like Plete to stammer but he did thismoment. Y-y-youre everything to me. I dontjust want to be with you because its what our families want.

No?

No. I do love you, Journey. Ive loved you sithence we were kids.

Dumlove.

Stop that, please. Plete looked hurt. Journey actually felt a little bad belittling his affection

like that. She quieted and they finished the dance. She excused herself and found Shea gettingdessert.

Sorry Tinker got picked fore you could get to him, Shea said.

I probably wouldve picked Plete, choosehow.

Shea looked at Journey. Really?

Journey nodded.What about all that talk of doing whatever you want?

Just talk, I guess. Everyone knows Plete and I will marry. Journey got herself somefarlcake and walked froard.

She sat down on the ground neath a tree in sight of the dancing field and the stage.

Shea came and sat down next to her. She had two cups of cuckoofoot. She handed one toJourney. You grabbed some of Mere Carters farlcake, you know. Thats overdry to have

without a drink.

Thank you.

Dragonpiss, its hot, Shea said.

You should try dancing, Journey replied, pulling her sticky clothes from her skin and

fanning herself with her hand.

They sat there and ate their farlcake and drank their cuckoofoot in silence. The music from

the stage came to an end and Reeve Carter got on stage again. It is time for the race of threefeet, he said. All participants to the dancing field thismoment.

Journey looked up and sighed. Tradition said she should take part in all the contests through

the second half of the day with her Parrow Pole choice, and that meant she had to do everythingwith Plete.

You dont have to participate at all, Shea said.

I do. I agreed to dance cause I knew it would be fun, but I also knew what it meant. I got ajump on my reapday and I might aswell have announced my betrothal to Plete right then and

there as far as everyone in Crale sees it.

Shea set down her bowl and stood. Come on, she said, putting out her hand.

Journey just looked at Sheas hand.

Come on. Lets go. You and me. Piss on tradition.

Journey couldnt help but smile at that. She set down her own bowl, grabbed Sheas hand and

got up. And together they ran to the dancing field. And, Journeys right leg was lashed to Sheasleft and they raced like that in the race of three feet. Plete Carter remained on the sidelines and he

didnt look happy about it. Tinker looked down the line from where his leg was lashed to Helen

Carols and he smiled at Journey and his sistere.


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Claid Carter looked at the racers and seemed a little flustered. He shook his head and seemed

to want to throw his hands in the air and walk off the stage. But, he held it together and called theracers to their marks. Set, he said. Go.

And the couples raced across the dancing field. If willan took, Journey and Shea would have

won just to show everyone there, but that wasnt to be. Elihe Miller and Baron Weaver took an

early lead and were several lengths ahead by raceend.Journey and Shea returned to their spot neath the tree laughing the whole way. Tinker came

by to congratulate them on outspeckling even the Parrows Pole dance.

Blasphemy, Shea said to him.

On a clear day, Tinker replied, I swear you two shocked the crowd and Pletes none

oversmiling. As beautiful as that Parrows Pole dance wentand your part was flawless,

Journeythat race just made history. People will talk of you two with your legs lashed togetherfor many Midspring Days to come.

If willan took, Plete would get the message, Shea said.

Journey looked at Shea. What message is that? You think you and I racing together changed

everything? You think that was anything but an amusing footnote in this Midspring Day? We

shocked some people. We probably angered my mere overmuch. But, we didnt changeanything. I could still no more marry Tinker here than I could defeat a dragon.

Youd marry me, Tinker asked. He was serious.Journey wanted to say yes. She wanted to take him to the stage and announce her love for

him for all to hear. But, right then, right there, she wasn t sure that her feelings for Tinker were

anything more than dumlove. He was more a big brotere than anything else, especially now withKannon gone from home. She loved his contraptions, his inventions. She loved that he made

some special for her. And, in one way or another, she did love Tinker. But, she didn t want to

marry him.

She shrugged. I dont know. I dont know why everyone is so eager for me to pick ahusband already.

But, she did know. Her parents were not well off. Even with a stipend coming from

Kannons military service now, they were barely treading water. Outside of her dowry, there

were no dummalo left. And aside from the nibbanos they used to pull the wagon, the nibba ofSmithsfarm were lanky and ugly. Her meres mulled wine was overlittle and her peres shop had

nary a customer anymore. They had no reserve of any kind, not even the usual supplies families

of the Lower Pavanschall kept in case the Escalor came. Her family needed her to marrysomeone with more money, a higher standing in Crale. And, as far as fortunes and standings

went, the Carters were about as high as one could go.

On a clear day, I dont believe it, Tinker said suddenly, pulling Journey from her thoughts.

What?

Tinker was looking toard the stage. Journey looked there now. Plete was on stage, talking.

if shed come up here thismoment, he was saying, well get the festivities on their way.

Tinker looked down at Journey. He called for you.This was it. Journey rose to her feet and marched through the crowd to the stage. Plete was

up there with his pere. The band was standing by, instruments ready.

Journey went up onto the stage and faced Plete. She didnt dare look out at the crowd, thoughshe could imagine the smiles and the relief, her meres anger at her racing with Shea dissolving

into something approximating her greatest joy. Plete looked to the crowd. Here goes, he said.

He got down on one knee fore Journey. Journey Smith, would you do me the great honor of


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Word from Grey! Word from Grey! Someone was yelling from hind the crowd.

No, Plete said. Not now.Journey couldnt believe the luck. This was the greatest thing that could happen.

The crowd split down the middle. Cyrus Waterborn came running through. Word from

Grey, he screamed again. He rushed on stage and had to catch his breath. Finally he caught it

and stepped to the front of the stage, yond Plete and Journey. Word from Grey, he told thecrowd. The crowd was as quiet as Shelins Way. If one had had the mind to drop a pin, even

there on the grassy Parrygrounds, its landing could have been heard throughout Crale.

The Escalor are coming.Journey couldnt believe the luck. This was the worst thing that could happen.

There were shouts and screams. Older folk whod seen the destruction done by the Escalor

fore started telling of the horror of it. Glemere Marshal fainted. Murmurs and cries filled theParrygrounds. Then, Vakman Waterborn raised his hands. All went silent again, save for

lingering murmurs.

The Escalor are coming. Their cloud has been spotted not fourmile east of Grey. Taven is

locking her walls. Make haste, people. Gather your supplies, get into your shelters or mount up

for the ride to Sifuge. We leave within the hour.***

The ride home was rushed. Mere didnt bother to retrieve her trays from the food table.Journey barely had time to say a goodbye to Shea and Tinker. And, she didnt bother with any

goodbye to Plete.

Upon reaching Smithsfarm, Pere immediately took to unhooking the nibbanos from thewagon. The ride northard will be slow going with these two, he explained. Mere and Journey

did ken. Mere didnt even debate about using Journeys dowry dummalo for the labor of the run

to Sifuge. There would be no questioning of such things thisday. The Escalor were coming. And,

that meant you packed up what you could in safeboxes, you packed what else you could in yourwagon and you made flight for Sifuge across Oakenbrook. The Escalor never crossed the river.

Journey had had a mind to wonder once when shed first heard tell of the Escalor why

anyone bothered to live in the Lower Pavanschall at all when the Escalor would come once every

fortyyear or so and destroy or burn everything. Shed seen the Upper Pavanschall once on a tripto the City of Aeodith with Pere and it was quite lovely and far wider and opener than the Lower

Pavanschall was. Shed heard rumour the Bellroff kept most folk from living in the fields of the

Upper Pavanschall, that they defended their territory violently if need be. But, shed also heardstories of how kind the Bellroff could be, how the talking horses had even adopted a human girl

to live among them. But, maybe Leandress of the Wild Wood was just a myth and the Bellroff

were really as bad as or worse than the Escalor in making Pavanschall living hard.

Get inside and pack your things, quickly, Mere said.

You pack aswell, Pere told Mere. Bring wine.

It seemed like a strange order, at first, to Journey. Bring the wine? What need did they have

for wine? But, then she got it. If the Escalor destroyed all the crops, the blackseed, the alfaroot,the taro, there would be little of Smithsfarm of any value left. The wine, as much as they could

take with them, was all they would have. That, and whatever beastthings could manage to keep

up on the run to Sifuge.

Journey, Pere said as she headed down the stairs into the groundhut, get your things

together then gather as many capons as you can into one of the crates from hind my shop. He

slapped one of the nibba by the wagon on her rump and she ran off. If she would survive the day,


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the Smithsfarm mark on her back would find her way back home. If she didnt, this was the last

they would see of her. Go, Pere implored. Journey ran inside. She filled a bag with her clothes,her books and found herself standing fore Scurfs bowl. There was no way the glass would not

be cracked on the run north. Fortunately, gillbugs were known to be able to survive out of their

water for somewhen. Journey didnt know how long Scurf could survive out of his bowl, but it

was time to find out. She reached into the water and pulled the gillbug. Dont worry, Scurf, shesaid. Everything will be just fine. She tucked him in her pocket then grabbed her bag and ran

out of the groundhut. She tossed her bag into the wagon then headed back to Peres shop. She

found the biggest crate she could and dragged it to the caponcoop. She opened the gate to thecoop and grabbed capon after capon, stuffing them into the crate. When it was full that even with

Peres help, it would be hard to load onto the wagon, there were only a handful left in the coop

and by then, they were flitting about crazily. Journey closed the crate but left the coopgate open.

Good luck, she said to the remaining capons then she went to tell Pere the crate was ready.

Pere was tying to the wagon two of the biggest dummalo they had, one of which was nearly

twice as tall as he was with its head up. Pere, the crates ready. Ill need your help to get it on

the wagon.

Ill bring the wagon back there once these two are hitched right. He looked about the farmmomentarily. Journey looked about aswell. In a matter of hours, all the fields in sight would be

burned, trampled. The shed at the end of eastfield would be gone. Pere s shop would be gone.The caponcoop would be gone. The groundhut would probably still be there, but its grass roof

would likely be gone, the wood furniture inside might be burned or at least charred, and it would

all smell of smoke and blood. Dont dillydally, Pere said. Go help your mere.Journey went down into the groundhut to see what help she could give Mere and she found

her packing her sewing things into a box. Take the jugs, Mere said without looking up from

what she was doing. The empty onestake them and fill them with water. If the dummalo

arent overfast Her voice trailed off.

The dummalo will be overfast, Journey replied. Then, she grabbed the empty jugs from the

kitchen and carried them outside to the waterpump and proceeded to fill them all and put in their

stoppers.

When she was done, she put the jugs into the back of the wagon. The dummalo were hitchednow and Pere jumped into the front of the wagon and directed them to march. Journey grabbed

on the back and Pere took them the long way about the groundhut to his shop.

They loaded the crate of capons onto the wagon and Pere grabbed as many of the tools fromhis shop as he could. His anvil would remain hind but it wasnt likely to suffer any damage so

that was okay. He loaded hammers and swords and scythes and hoes into the back of the wagon.

He grabbed the bellows from neath the firehole and tossed that into the wagon aswell.

Go get your mere, Pere said. Again, he looked about at Smithsfarm, soon to be in ruin.

Its time to go.

Journey ran to the front of the groundhut and Mere was already coming out, hefting several

bags and her box of sewing stuff. Go in and get the wine, Mere said. Journey ran down to thecabinet in the kitchen and grabbed a crate of bottles. She carried it up and put it in the wagon.

Pere also went down to get a crate of bottles, as did Mere. They each grabbed several crates, one

at a time, hurrying though the smoke wasnt even visible yet on the horizon. In the end, they hada good dozen crates of wine in the wagon and Pere had to gets rope to tie them down. They left

space for Journey to sit at the back, hind the pile of crates and bags.


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Mere and Pere got into their seats at the front of the wagon. Pere whistled to get the attention

of the other dummalo so they would at least try to follow the wagon. Dummalo were stupid butthey were also herd beastthings. With the Escalor coming from the east and two of the dummalo

marching the wagon north, the rest of the group were likely to follow northard rather than wait

about to be eaten.

Loke and Rimmer, Journey said, remembering the other pets.Go get them, Pere said. But hurry.

Journey ran about the groundhut calling for Loke and Rimmer. Loke was asleep against the

backside of the groundhut. He raised his head slowly, looked at Journey and got up. Go toPere, she told him and Loke loped over as fast as his old legs would carry him and jumped up

onto the back of the wagon. He perched himself atop the pile of crates and bags and lay down.

Pere looked back and saw Loke was there and did something hed regret for longtime. Hold ontight, he said, thinking Journey had come to the wagon with Loke and was sitting hind the pile

of crates and bags. He grabbed the reins and yelled hyah at the dummalo, getting them going.

Journey, meanwhile had wandered into southfield calling for Rimmer. Rimmer came running

and squealing through the tall grass and he leapt into Journeys arms. Its about time, Journey

told him. Lets get to the wagon and get out of here. The Escalor are coming. Rimmer coveredhis head with his forepaws and whined. Hed heard mention of the Escalor just as Journey had.

Journey ran back toard the groundhut with Rimmer in her arms and as she approached shecould see something was wrong but it didnt immediately occur to her what it was.

And then she saw it. Or didnt see it, as the case was. The wagon was gone. A cloud of dust

was heading off into the northard distance, toard Free Road and Sifuge across Oakenbrook. Mereand Pere had left without her.

***

Journey ran after them, screaming, but they were already overfar. Mere! Pere! Wait for me!

Dont leave me! Rimmer joined in, screaming a high pitched scream. But, the dust cloud hindthe wagon, and the few dummalo that were following hind it, got smaller and smaller and

disappeared over a hill.

Journey dropped to the ground and covered her face in her hands. Why did they I wasnt

that bad. She began to cry. Im sorry I raced with Shea, she screamed. But, she knew it wasntthat. Mere and Pere hadnt left her hind on purpose. They couldnt have. They wouldnt have. No

matter how bad shed been, how much grief shed given Mere about marrying Plete. What

happened?Rimmer shrugged and stood on his hind legs and put his forelegs on Journeys arms, his

version of a hug.

Thank you, Journey said. Rimmer smiled a toothy smile and, despite everything, Journeysmiled back.

But, her smile didnt last. Mere and Pere were gone and the Escalor were coming. We have

to get out of here, Rimmer. But, where do we A thought occurred to her. Come on, she

said, leaping to her feet. To Whitefarm. The White family had the nearest farm but was nearhalfmile off. And, there was a chance the Whites had already made their run for Sifuge. But,

Journey had to try.

Journey ran through eastfield. She meant to run right yond the shed at the end of eastfield andhead through the copse of trees onto White property but something stopped her. On a clear

day, Journey said, grinning. A lone dummalo was sitting by the shed. It was a young dummalo;


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his mane had barely grown in and he was barely taller than Journey. But, if he could take

command, hed make a fine ride.She went to the shed and cracked the door. Its joint was stiff, but with a little effort she got it

open to get inside. She found a salamander wool blanket and a saddle and came back out.

Rimmer was sitting by the dummalo, waiting. Journey put the blanket and saddle on the young

dummalo and he stood right up. She fastened the strap about his chest and neath his stomach thenclimbed up onto him. Rimmer jumped up to Journeys dangling leg and crawled right up to sit in

front of her.

Lets see how you do, Journey said. And she kicked the dummalos sides. Hyah! Thedummalo started then shook and raised his head and turned to look at Journey. Come on,

dummalo, Journey pleaded. Go! He didnt move at all. In fact, he spit at her. The Escalor are

coming, dummalo, and youre about to be food. Do you want to be food? Rimmer ran up thedummalos neck and grabbed its ears. He squeezed and the dummalo jumped, bucking both

Rimmer and Journey off onto the ground. Then, finally, the dummalo took to running. Journey

and Rimmer were left hind by the shed at the end of eastfield.

Piss on this. Journey got up and dusted herself off. Come on, Rimmer. To Whitefarm.

And, together they ran into the copse of trees that marked the eastard edge of Smith property.Halfway through the copse, Journey tripped over an exposed root and fell. She scraped her

shin and thought that was all the damage done until she stood back up. The strap on her leftsandal was broken and the heel of it was cracked. On a clear day, Journey said, grimacing. She

kicked off her broken sandal then reached down and untied the other. Then, she ran again,

barefoot now and much more wary of exposed roots. Rimmer followed close hind her.They came abruptly out of the copse of trees and stood at the western edge of Whitefarm.

And, without going any further, Journey could tell that this way was hopeless. The Whites were

already gone. Two wagons, the White family had. Both were gone. Journey walked across

Whitefarms westfield toard their groundhut and could make out more obvious details of theirquick packing and leaving. Their caponcoop, like the Smiths stood open. A basket lay toppled

by the stairs down into the groundhut. A rake lay on the ground, its points up. A tattered length

of salamander wool lay on the ground, overfull of holes to be of any good use. The Whites were

gone.

We came the wrong way, Journey said. Rimmer whined. Journey laughed and Rimmer

looked up at her strangely.

Sorry, Journey said. I just realized, we not only ran to an empty farm, we ran east. Wereeven closer to the Escalor than

Journeys words caught in her throat as she looked further east. On the horizon was a cloud

of dust and smoke. The Escalor were well yond the outpost town of Gray and likely yond thewalled city of Taven. Theyd be in Crale in notime. And, Whitefarm marked the eastard edge of

Crale.

Of all the places in Gardea to be thisday, Journey said, were here at the eastard edge of

town looking at death coming for us.***

Journey stood atop the highest point in Whitefarm and looked about. To the southeast she

could see Parthen Road that led to Taven, which would have already closed her walls, and rightinto the Escalor. To the north was Childs Road that led up into the Wild Wood all the way to

Brynshaven and Hide Lake but that was overfar to go now. She looked hind her to the west. She

could go back through Crale, find a safebox overlarge to squeeze into, but the search might take


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longer than she had. If she had time, she could head west out of town, down Newborn Road to

Cross. Shed heard the people of cross all had safeboxes in their houses overlarge for wholefamilies to gather comfortably. If she could find that stray dummalo and get him to let her ride

him, she might be able to make it to Cross. But, the Escalor were getting closer by the moment.

Where do we go, Rimmer?

Rimmer stood on his hind legs and looked about. But he had no suggestions.Journey took Scurf out of her pocket. He didnt look well, but he was still alive. Any

ideas? Scurf had none.

Journey looked due south. And, there was the answer. Southard of Crale were the Hi, themountains. The closest werent very large but surely there were places to hide. Romartop, she

knew, had at least a few caves in it. Shed been to Romartop recently when Kannon married and

she and Shea and Tinker had sneaked off to explore during preparations. If none of the caveswould suffice in Romartop, or if the Escalor scoured the mountain, she could head further south.

The Southard Lookout was purported to be on the far side of Sowheap. Surely that tower would

provide safe harbor.

If willan take, Journey announced, southard it is. And, she put Scurf back into her pocket

and headed southard, toard Parthen Road and toard the mountains. Rimmer followed.***

Closer to Taven, much like any of the roads within Tavens walls, Parthen Road was pavedand overwide for two and three wagons at a time. But, at this end entering Crale was an unpaved

thing, hardly overwide for the average wagon in most places. Until she came upon the last rise

fore the road, she couldnt even see the road fore her, though she knew from maps shed seen ofthe Lower Pavanschall, the road was there. She hadnt, of course, ever been to Taven and had

never had reason to travel on Parthen Road. But, the road was there, and Journey looked down

from that last rise northard of it with good humor. All she had to do was cross the road and head

into the Hi and she would beShe glanced east and lost track of her thoughts, lost track of her hopefulness. The smoke and

dust was closer now, its base visible though Journey couldnt make out any of the individual

Escalor in the cloud. The air over the Escalor was a solid black, a terrible, fluid darkness.

Rimmer whined. He, too, was looking east. Journey looked down at her gapha then picked himup. You know, she told him as she headed down toard the edge of Parthen Road, Ive heard

that gapha like you grow to be bigger than most men off that way, in the Balkor. You think they

put up a big fight with the Escalor, and this is She knit her brow and shook her head. On aclear day, Journey, what is this, just the tip of the iceberg, dwindled down by all those wild

gapha? Thats silly.

Rimmer put his paws over her shoulders and gave her a gapha hug.

To think, Rimmer, that that horde could be even bigger. There wouldnt even be any houses

left or anything, and nevermind the safeboxes. Theyd rip right through them.

Rimmer nodded and jumped down from Journeys arms and marched ahead, across Parthen

Road. Journey followed.Aside from a rumbling to the east, all was silent.

Screeches broke the silence and a greybird swooped down over Journeys head so that she

had to duck. Journey looked up and there were thousands more above her. And not justgreybirds. There were libats and eegels and falkons and many many more. All the birdthings

from the Balkor, Journey said. Rimmer, ducked down next to her and nodded. On a clear day,

Journey added, I never thought Id see so many beastthings in one place.


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No more swooped down, but Journey was careful as she stood. She kept an arm over her

head. Rimmer, though significantly shorter than Journey was, also kept one of his forelegs overhis head. Neath different circumstance it would have been cute. But, Journey hadnt the mind to

notice thismoment.

They made it across Parthen Road and the swarm of birdthings continued west, an endless

swarm of black and grey, a few more colorful birdthings here and there but mostly lost in themass. Journey looked east again at the Escalor cloud of dust and smoke and there, not thirtyyard

down Parthen Road was the staircase up to the weddinggrounds of Romartop. Farther east was

the next hill, Prou. And, as Journey watched, the Escalor rose up the eastside of Prou andswallowed him. Then, the wave came over the rise of Prou and down toard the base of Romartop

and Journey got her first real glimpse of the Escalor.

If willan took and she survived all this, shed tell people they were dogs. Except, theywerent dogs. Where there should have been flesh and muscle and meat and gristle there was

smoke and flame and embers. Where there should have been eyes there were beads of fire. Their

mouths drooled burning oil, fire flowed from their tails and smoke poured off their backs. The

Escalor were dogs but they were like no living dogs anyone would ever want to keep. They were

fire incarnate, the heat of Higleevaret on four legs, fiery beastthings that left destruction in theirwakes simply by passing through, nevermind the horrible mouths, the terrible teeth. The Escalor

were the work of Agirathof that, Journey had no doubt. Parrow would never make for suchthings.

Rimmer grabbed the hem of Journeys surcoat and yanked her out of her fixation. The

Escalor poured down the slopes of Prou and down Parthen Road and out of the Balkreezeway.From north to east, there was nothing to be seen beyond the Escalor and their smoke, their fire.

Journey grabbed Rimmer and ran up to the weddinggrounds with him in her arms.

They came into the level, open field of the weddinggrounds as smoke overtook the north and

the east entirely. Not onemonth back Kannon had been here marrying Shilo White. It had been abeautiful affair. Thered been garlands of flowers, ribbons and bows, white chairs numbering

more than onehundred. And, thered been a crowd standing at the back. Kannon, despite his

family, had been well known, and there were plenty of those that, knowing he intended on

leaving for service in the Kings armies, wanted to wish him well in his every endeavor.Everyone had thrown rice and alfaroot seeds as Kannon and Shilo ran down the midaisle to

leave. Journey had been among those who followed after them to sing shivary. She had much to

drink and danced into the night. It was one of the highlights of recent years. Thismoment,though, the field was empty. And, the contrast of the stark whiteness of the southwestard sunny

sky and the northeastard smoky blackness made every detail of every bench, every statue and

each gazebo stand out like it was all some grotesque bestiary. It seemed more a cemetery than aplace of celebration, more a place for ending life than for beginning it.

Journey put Rimmer down. The Escalor didnt seem to be coming up Romartop just yet.

There was time to plan, time to think. But, nothing more than what she was already doing came

to Journey. She could think of little but to keep running. There were no safeboxes on Romartop.There were no buildings, certainly no stone buildings. There were scattered benches, a

quarterdozen gazebos, and numerous statues, none more than a mans height. There were no

hiding places on Romartop.Journey looked south. And, the Southard Lookout was just barely visible on the farside of

Sowheap. The distance tween Romartop and Sowheap was little of which to speak on a normal


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day but with the Escalor about, with the Lower Pavanaschall going up in flames, it might aswell

have been a chasm.

No choice, Journey said.

Rimmer looked where she was looking and responded with an exasperated sigh.

Ken, I know what you mean. But, its our only option. We have to make the Southard

Lookout.Rimmer nodded and Journey led the way across the weddinggrounds, yond the gazebos and

down the southside of Romartop. And, it was then that the Escalor topped the edge of the

weddinggrounds and came into view. There were only a small number compared to the entiretyof their mass, but with just a glance, Journey knew there were about two dozen overmany. On a

clear day, she said, unable to take her eyes off the approaching dogs. Rimmer grabbed the hem

of her surcoat and tugged. But, Journey didnt move. She couldnt move.The beads of fire that served as the eyes of the Escalor focused on Journey. A large dog near

the middle of the group opened his mouth and let slip a rumbling growl that shook the mountain.

Oily saliva dripped from his mouth and where it touched ground, grass ignited into flame. That

dog moved forard faster than his cohorts. He wanted Journey. He wanted to chew her up and

burn her inside himself. And, Journey could do nothing but stand there staring back at him, like ahart in a hunters torchlight.

Rimmer stood fore Journey, rose to his hindlegs and barked at the approaching beastthing.The dogs response could have only been described as a mindsplitting cacophony, Agiraths idea

of laughter. Rimmer turned about and shoved Journey. She stumbled backard, her heel caught on

a rock and she fell onto her hind. Rimmer barked at her then spun back about to face the Escalor.

No, Journey screamed.

But, Rimmer leapt up into the face of the closest beastthing. His fur caught fire immediately,

but he held on tight with his forepaws. He plunged his claws into the beads of fire in the dog s

eye sockets and the head exploded with a force overpowerful to knock the rest of the dogs backseveralfeet and to push Journey headoverheels backard. Rimmer was engulfed in the flames as

Journey rolled down the southside of Romartop and landed at the bottom, her head striking a

fallen tree.

***Journey thought of Aeodith, the big city far to the north, at the upper end of the Upper

Pavanschall. Shed gone there with Pere for a dummalo auction. Thered been business troubles

with Peres smithwork and he needed cashmoney quickly. He didnt mention any of this, ofcourse, but Journey knew. Officially, they were there to see about purchasing some new

dummalo and theyd just brought one to sell to be sure about getting into the auction.

Theyve got complicated rules with these things, Pere had said.Journey didnt think it made sense, the official reason for the trip, but she knew she wasn t to

speak of the real reason, so she left it alone.

As the wagon neared the crossroads tween Aeodith and West Market, Journey could make

out, amongst the distant hills to the north a twisted sort of mountain, a remarkable thing, tall,thin, deformed as if to have been twisted by the hands of a great giant. On a clear day, Journey

said, Twisted Rock.

Pere looked ahead to the hills and nodded. If willan took, and we had more time thisday, Idride this wagon up there so you could get a better look. Maybe someday.

Maybe someday, Journey echoed.


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Pere looked over at her and smiled a crooked smile. Someday youll be able to see Twisted

Rock for sure, Journey. Someday youll be able to see anyplace you see fit to see.

If Parrow wills it, Journey replied.

Parrow wills for us only what we want and deserve, child. You want to see the world, you

see the world. You want to live up to your name, you venture out where you need to venture and

you just see fit to drop your pere a letter now and again.Youre serious?

Pere nodded. I didnt name you Journey because I wanted you to grow up to eke out a living

farming blackseed and alfaroot, milking and meating dummalo and shearing nibba. You re afarmers dotere, Journey. You are not a farmer. Sithence you were only kneehigh to your pere,

youve dreamed of running off to faroff places.

Like Mullivans Pike and the Trade Lands, Journey said with a grin.

Those two places will surely be best waited until youre much older and stronger than you

are thisday, and even then, maybe you shouldnt go it alone, but yes. You want to venture into

the Wild Wood, you can do so. You want to see Mullivans Pike and all the Troll, you can do so.

You want to cross Finity Field even, you can. You can go anywhere and do anything you set

your mind to going and doing. Dont you ever forget that.I wont, Pere. I wont.

And, she hadnt. Pere hadnt chimed in much in her defense in her disputes with Mere abouther lot in life, living into oldage in Crale, marrying Plete Carter, doing what was expected. But,

there were looks from Pere here and there, looks that said, dont you fret overmuch about your

mere and the townsfolk; youll find your own way when you find your own way, and you willnever regret it.

Aeodith was like a dream. In Crale and most of the Lower Pavanschall, most buildings

hardly rose aboveground but in Aeodith there were buildings of five and six stories. And, though

she didnt get to see it directly, Journey heard tell that there was a tower of twelve stories atmidcity. The city was encircled by a wall higher than most any building Journey had ever seen

fore, with twelve towers, one at each of the twelve points of the compass. She asked Pere if they

could find a way atop the walls or into those towers to see the city from on high, but he said there

was no time thisday. But, he did find a moment to take her into a curioshop. They hadknickknacks and curiosities like Journey could hardly believe. In the end, she couldnt pick just

one thing and Pere said they needed to get on to the auction. But, on the way to the exit, Journey

spotted one item worth getting, a map of Greater Gardea that hung on the wall hind the seller scounter. Pere negotiated a price with the seller and the map was Journey s to take home. She

rolled it up and looked forard to a time she could unroll it and study it in its every detail.

On the long ride southard to Crale, Journey lay in the back of the wagon and examined hermap. The westard edge didnt go yond the Western Follow to the Trade Lands. The southard

edge didnt include the Simbalands. But, the northard edge included the Glins and the eastard

edge went as far as the Far Range and Journey loved it. She put it on her wall at home. And, near

everyday shed look at it and dream of the places on that map, Mullivans Pike, the UtukotMinelands, Parrows Peak, Shelin Pass, Ravnsfalle, and so many more, and she d wish for the

day that Parrow would show her the way.

***But, Parrow had never shown her the way out. Even thismoment, when she needed Him

most, Parrow was nowhere to be seen, nowhere to be heard.

Journey awoke coughing. The air was filled with smoke. And, it was alldark now.


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Her head ached. She put her hand to the side of it and felt wetness there. Blood. She sat up

and her rightleg felt twisted a little. With some effort she straightened it. She felt the knee and itwas swollen and scraped and bleeding. She reached into her purse and pulled out some blackseed

balm and rubbed some on her knee. Then, she rubbed some on her head. And, for good measure

she rubbed some on the scraped bottoms of her barefeet

She put the blackseed balm back into her purse and took out a phial of rosesugar water anddrank. It hurt going down. The smoke all about her had already done its damage inside. She

coughed again and choked, vomited up the water. With some effort, she drank some more and

kept it down then she replaced the phial in her purse.Then, abruptly, she thought of Rimmer. She wanted to call out for him, but she was

overscared to yell. The Escalor might hear and come running. Sides, there was no way Rimmer

had survived. Shed seen his coat on fire. The last thing shed seen fore the world turned overwas that dogs head exploding. There was no way Rimmer could make it through that. Rimmer

was dead. He died saving her. At least, hed died giving her overmore seconds to escape.

And, hed killed one of the Escalor.

That last thought made her smile.

Good going, she said and she got to her feet slowly.She staggered a little then settled herself and looked about to take in her surroundings. The

Escalor hadnt come down here yet, though the sky in all directions was black with smoke. Thetop of Romartop was burning and Prou was aflame to the east. The usual clouds over Higleevaret

to the southeast were eclipsed by such haze and darkness. Journey was tween Romartop and

another hill. Judging by the direction to Prou she guessed it was Sowheap and that she was thatmuch closer to the Southard Lookout and her chance at safety. But she guessed wrong. Sowheap

was more westard than she was facing as she started to walk. She took a strip of salted dum from

her purse and nibbled on it as she headed more eastard than she thought, froard from the

Southard Lookout, froard from safety.***

By the time the Escalor came down the southside of Romartop, Journey was well up the

northside of Lamb, which she thought was Sowheap. Journey looked down at how far hind her

the Escalor were and sat down to rest for a moment.She took another drink from her phial of rosesugar water, careful not to drink overmuch. She

pulled Scurf from her pocket and poured a few drops of the water on him. He shuddered a little

then curled up into a ball. She put him back into her pocket, replaced the phial again into herpurse and pulled out another strip of salted dum.

While she ate it, she hummed. The song she hummed was the song from her musicbox,

though she didnt realize it. It comforted her. It made her believe shed be fine after all this. TheEscalor would go froard, back from whence theyd come, just like they did every time. The

Lower Pavanschall would be burned. Crops would be destroyed. Beastthings would be dead.

But, life would go on. The world would go on turning. Empress Time would keep on.

Wilonato dimestendre a manusme a futme4, Journey announced. My future. My way.It grew darker and, when Journey looked down the hill it looked like the Escalor were not

coming herway. Small moving dots of flame below wandered aimlessly. They could have been

some other beastthings, burning but not yet dead, or they were the Escalor, nearly finished with

4 From a girls reapday speech, I ride willingly the strings of ladytime of my

volition to my morrow.


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their destruction and scouring the countryside for remaining scraps. She was tired and her head

and knee still hurt. She rubbed some more blackseed balm on them both then lay her head downand fell asleep.

***

When Journey woke, it was even darker. There were red and orange specks all over in the

distance, small fires, large fires. But, most of everything was engulfed in the smoke. And, sheguessed, it was probably yond sundown now aswell.

She took the tinderbox from her purse, gathered together some drygrass from where she lay

and struck the tinder. As soon as the first spark flew, something stirred not far down the hill.Rocks fell. Something growled. Fore Journey could get to her feet and even attempt to run, as

blindly and hopelessly as that would be, one of the Escalor was there in front of her, not twofeet

from her, its heat warming her through and through, singeing the threads of her surcoat, it s fieryeyes staring into hers.

Its oily drool burned the ground tween them.

Journey scuttled backard.

The dog stepped forard.

Journey stuck her hand in her purse and fumbled for something, anything that wouldhelp. She found the phial of rosesugar water and popped the lid with her thumb. And, just as the

dog growled at her and hunched down as if to leap, she threw the water into its face. The waterburned, there was the hissing of steam and the dog screamed and backed froard.

But, it did not give up. It was of the Escalor. It thrived and lived in the darkest recesses of

the Balkor and Hanging Shadow where no one dared venture. A little water wouldn t stop it.It growled again and Journey shook. She dropped the phial and heard it break when it hit

the ground. She reached down for the broken pieces, hoping one might be oversharp to use as a

weapon. Then, it occurred to her that she didnt need the broken phial. There was a knife in her

purse. Maybe Mere wouldnt approve, but Journey guessed Pere would and Parrow wouldprobably even be impressed. Journey pulled the knife from her purse just as the burning dog

leapt at her. She shoved the knife forard, caught the dog in its throat and her righthand and sleeve

caught fire.

Journey jumped back and patted at her righthand and sleeve with her lefthand. She pulledoff her surcoat and smothered the flames. All in all, she did quite well. She barely even

screamed. And, it was only as she reached into her purse, which was on her rightside, with her

lefthand to get the blackseed balm that she even noticed that the fire in the dog fore her had goneall but out and the beastthing was dead. Shed killed one of the Escalor. And, shed done it

without even getting up. It had cost her some flesh from her righthand and a fine surcoat but

burns healed and surcoats were replaceable. If willan took, if Parrow willed it and she got out ofthis alive, shed have a tale to tell to anyone whod hear it for years on down the line. She hadnt

even had her reapday yet and shed just killed one of the Escalor, the scourge of the Lower

Pavanschall.

But, there wasnt time to imagine the parades thismoment. There was no time todillydally. She tore off part of her ruined surcoat and wrapped it about her righthand. She got up,

used another piece of her surcoat to pick up her knife, which was hot to the touch and she headed

the direction she thought was south. It was uphill at least and that seemed an overgood direction.And, slowly, steadily, she made her way to the top of Lamb. And, it was then that she knew she

was in the wrong place.

***


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At first, she thought the Southard Lookout had been destroyed, burned to the ground by the

Escalor. But, it occurred to her that, in all the stories of the Escalor, never had she heard mentionof them doing anything to the Southard Lookout. But, when she looked about for the tower, she

could not see it. She looked to the south. She looked to the east and saw Mor, which she assumed

was Lamb. She looked to the north and saw Prou and Romartop. And, she looked to the west,

and there was another hill. But, there were no hills so large west of Sowheap. And, then sheknew it. She wasnt on Sowheap. She was on Lamb. And, Lamb wasnt the place for a girl to be.

Lamb was said to be the home of a dragon. Shed never met anyone who had seen a dragon,

certainly no one who had seen this particular dragon, but people still said they existed, said theylived in certain peaks among the Hi. And, Lamb was one of those peaks.

Journey turned westard and ran. She ran down Lamb as fast as she could, which wasn t very

fast as dark as it was and as unfamiliar as the terrain was. Her rightknee ached but still she didn tslow down anymore than she had to slow down. She had to get off of Lamb. She had to get up

Sowheap to the Southard Lookout, to safety. She had to

Suddenly, the ground gave way neath her and she fell straight down, dirt and rocks raining

down with her, near a pole to a hard, rocky surface. Looking about, she could see nothing, but

just from the sound of her fall she could tell she was in a cavern. She was in a cavern in Lamb. Ifthere was anyplace more dangerous than outside with the Escalor, she had just found it.

Parden, she said neath her breath, this is not my day.

Oh, its your day, a deep voice said out of the darkness. And mine too.

Whos there?

If an introduction must be had, then I am Beleazaz the Beautiful, Beleazaz the Bold,Beleazaz the Terrible, Beleazaz

The dragon, Journey finished.

Not polite to finish anothers sentences, jenny. Not polite at all. Tsk tsk.

With nary a thought, Journey bowed her head. I humbly apologize oh great and terribleBeleazaz.

Such proper manners after such rudeness. Its befuddling, this dichotomy. This dichotomy

like another. Another that befuddles me so thismoment.

What dichotomy is that?

You smell so tasty and yet Ive no one to talk to for somemonth now and could use a

conversation. So, do I eat you up thismoment or do we talk?

We talk, Journey said without hesitation, as would be expected.

A wise response, child. A wise response indeed.

Im no child, Journey replied.

Boldness. Beleazaz appreciates such boldness. Beleazaz appreciates such beauty as hebeholds now aswell. What thinks you, child, of Beleazaz?

I cant see you.

Oh, dear me, Beleazaz has lived in such dark places all his life. Escapes his mind, it does,

your inability to see in this black.Journey took out her tinderbox and sparked it once.

What a show, child! Do it again.

Journey sparked the tinder again.She caught a brief glimpse of something in the darkness not far off. She got little but a sense

of scales and scale.

Good show! Beleazaz clapped his hands. But, can you do this?


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Suddenly, the cavern was alight with fire, and through the heat and haze and glare of it,

Journey could see the dragon, lavid, gargantuan, bigger than anything shed ever seen, save someof the buildings in Aeodith, and here he was breathing fire. Lateks eyes, Journey said to

herself. She wanted nothing but to run, to get back outside, to deal with the Escalor over this.

Beleazaz stopped his breath and the cave went dark again.

I startled you, child. I apologize. I didnt mean to scare just then.Its alright, Journey replied. I just wasnt ready to see

A dragon is a frightening sight mosttime to those of your ilk.

Id see you better if I could.Beleazaz laughed a little, then a small flame shot from his mouth to the side of the cavern,

catching a collection of twigs and branches. Look upon me in the firelight, child, if you would,

Beleazaz said. He turned his head a little to the side and raised his snout, as if to pose.The specific shades were hard to make out by the firelight but Journey guessed he was

mostly a ruddy purple, his neathbelly a paler shade by many a degree. The dragons wings were

folded down about most of his body but the pointed tip of his tail was visible swaying back and

forth hind him. Beleazaz was lying down on his stomach, his arms crossed neath his head. His

head, which he lay back down on his arms now, was much bigger than Journey was and wastopped with a horn and a half. His lefthorn had, at somewhen, been broken off halfway. A scar

ran down the leftside of his face from that horn, over his brow, across a glossy, allwhite eye, anddown his snout, splitting one nostril open and ending at his upperlip.

Your eye, Journey said.

Not polite to jump to pointing out anothers infirmities, Beleazaz replied.

I apologize, Journey said, her head bowed. I was only I What could have possiblydone such a thing to so great a beastthing as Beleazaz?

Beleazaz laughed. A lame attempt at recovering from your rudeness, child, but I will tell

you, simply. Those beastthings from which you likely flee

The Escalor?

Is that what they call them thisday in the Pavanschall? Ive not been up in the light for

somewhen. I do not know all the new words.

I know some of the Old Words, Journey volunteered. Ive had to learn some for myAbruptly, Beleazaz changed his tone to something far less friendly. Do not speak them

here, he said. No Suwasi here. This is not their place.

Journey didnt know what to say to that. Beleazaz stared at her momentarily then settled andspoke on. The Escalor, the firedog, the scourgethey once roamed freely over these parts. The

Pavanschall was not the grassland you know. It stank of the gasses of the Balkor. It burned with

unholy fires.

We dragon pushed them back. It was a great war, a battle the likes of which no man has

seen sithence. We took riders then, human riders. And, together the human and the dragon

pushed the Escalor into what has become the Balkor. They made it their own. And, they

remained there for somewhen.

By the time they returned, things had changed tween the humanworld and the

dragonworld.

I was always told that the dragon were foralltime the enemy of the human, Journey said.

Lies, terrible lies set forth to malign the character of a noble species.

Why do you hide in the Hi?

WE DONT HIDE!


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Journey sank back. Im sorry, she said, her voice small.

I apologize for my anger, Beleazaz said. But, no one shall speak thusly of my kind in thisplace, for this is my place and no one will insult me and mine in my place.

Journey bowed her head. I apologize.

Man believed himself smarter than dragon, Beleazaz said. Man believed that when we

took him to ride upon our backs we put him over us, put him in charge. There are dragon thatjoke that we only took riders so wed have snack midflight.

Thats awful.

Men are quite tasty, child. Id find you a morsel to try if I had some about.

Thats alright.

You could eat some of that salted dum in your purse if you are hungry.

How did you

I can smell it. Your average dragon has a keen sense of smell and Beleazaz is no average

dragon. I smell the salted dum, the blackseed balm, the bannoc, the hotblood of one of those

Escalorand a hearty congratulations in that regard, childand something oiled. A small

machine object of some sort, Id expect of that last.

Wow.Right on all counts, I was?

Journey nodded.

Ive still got the knack, even in my old age.

Old age?

Youre a kind child, pretending not to notice the greying of my hair and beard, the dullingof my scales. A kind child, indeed.

In fact, Journey hadnt even noticed there was any hair on Beleazazs head or chin as it was

so thin and scattered and pale grey. And, having never seen Beleazaz the Beautiful in all his

purple glory, she had no way of judging the dulling of his scales. But, she didn t mention this tothe dragon.

Now, where was I?

You were getting to how man turned on dragon, Journey replied, smiling. And, to be

honest, her smile was almost entirely genuine. The horror of where she was and how she d cometo be there was falling to the back of her mind and the conversation, as extraordinary as it was,

had a calming effect. Beleazaz was like a friend, almost, a storyteller friend.

Oh yes, Beleazaz said. See, dragon did not push the Escalor back because we had anygreat love for humankind. We just didnt like the Escalor much. A cursed bunch, the firedog

were and are still thisday. Those beastthings were stinking up the Pavanschall, which was as

much our feeding grounds as it was theirs.

You made a deal with the human so you could keep feeding on them?

Oh, we made no deal. There was nothing in writing, not even a spoken agreement. We

simply let them ride us into warand we did most of the work, mind youand let them think

whatever they cared to think. But, when we were not tamed beastthings upon returning from theBalkor, man turned on us, fought us with spear and sword and catapult. And not just the onetime.

It was a man that broke my lefthorn, broke it with a stone from his catapult. You ve heard tell of

a Chark Inion?

Ive seen his statue in Bridge but I know ickle of him but some childnight stories.


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Tsk tsk. Lazy history in the Pavanschall. Was not even a threecentury ago, and your ilk

forgets the detail. Well, most of those stories are probably true, though certainly exaggerated.Chark Inion was a great slaughterer of my kind. Hed lead his men into battle with

Beleazaz looked up. Briefly, Journey wondered if the Escalor were near the hole through

which shed fallen and she looked up to see. Then, she realized why the dragon had trailed off. It

wouldnt be smart to mention his own weakness to her. Of course, shed just told him she knewof the childnight stories of Chark Inion and his many battles with the dragon of the Hi, so

wouldnt it stand to reason she knew what he had nearly mentioned or did Beleazaz just hope she

didnt remember that particular detail? She remembered it, alright, though she didnt let Beleazazknow this. Chark Inion had led his men into every fight with their clothes freshly cleaned, their

buttons shined. And, they would pin extra buttons all about their clothes for it was said that the

dragon of the Hi were simpleminded beastthings, oversmart and overstrong to win most battlesbut easily distracted and misled. When the dragon neared, Inions men would display all their

shiny buttons and the dragon would become fixated, unable to fight overlong that the men could

move in and cut them down. It was the great Parrows will, Inion was to have said, that the

most horrible of beastthings would have a weakness easily exploited by a man intelligent to

discover how.Journey had had some trouble believing the stories of Chark Inion, but not for the obvious

outrageousness. She wondered how so great a man could have defeated so many dragon, couldhave exploited their fascination with shiny things to such great effect and had never been able to

do anything about the Escalor. Plete had even once told her, when they were still just kids, that

Chark Inion had, in fact, been killed by the Escalor.

It was Chark Inion that catapulted the stone that took half my lefthorn, Beleazaz said,

turning his attention again to Journey. In return, I burned his tunic on his body so that he had to

strip down to his breeches, but there will be ickle tell of that in your childnight stories. No, no

one wants to hear of how the great hero had to strip off his clothes midbattle, how hecommanded the rest of his greatest victory with nary a stitch on his body.

I like that detail, Journey replied. It makes it all more believable. Childnight stories are all

so farfetched, even when rooted in truth.

Certainly, for what fascinates a child but for the tales, the outlandish, the unbelievable, thegreat fantasy that will never be for them. Childnight stories are nothing if not a way to make a

child eager to dream, eager to sleep.

I used to dream of another world, Journey said. A great world where buildings toweredhigher than the hills and great wagons crossed the skies and I didnt have to work the farm to

live.

And what happened to your dreams, child?

I left them hind, Journey replied. Forso kilding5.

Beleazaz rose up onto his haunches and extended his neck toard Journey. I told you not to

the escalor

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