Sean's cousin Aedan and I slip away from the others without a word. No one yells out to wish us a safe journey or even lifts an arm in farewell. They've agreed to wait for us at what they believe to be a safe distance but only for one night. If we don't meet them, they will assume the worst and move on to the next place that may offer haven.

I put my head down and point my horse over the next hill, the next, and finally to the Plain of the Great Heart. I try not to guess what we'll find when we get there. We may just find everything and everyone just the way we left them. We may find the Niafer war band waiting for us. Or we may find the dead bodies of our loved ones and family. Aedan is quiet too, probably thinking of his wife and sons or maybe, like me, trying not to have any expectations. When we get there, we'll know.

A storm is coming and it feels like a fierce one. I throw my hood over my head while still watching the ground that passes under me for any tracks or tramplings that might warn of danger. There's a pull at my heartstrings when I recognize the trace of an old path. We don't have far to go now!

Aedan feels it too. He gives out a whoop and clicks his tongue to urge his horse to step up his pace. We race each other to the top of the last hill, not caring if the wind is throwing sleet right into our faces.