She hurried to catch up as Leanalham outdistanced her. Magiere firmly pushed Wynn out ahead of herself, and Osha sighed some exclamation under his breath.

Chap charged through the aspens, the white female on his heels. Wynn saw no sign of the majay-hi pack, and Chap's companion stopped short, hanging back to shift uncertainly among the trees. Before Wynn tried coaxing her closer, Sgaile urged all of them onward. Just ahead lay a settlement more diverse than that of Sgaile's clan.

A few domiciles were made of stout aspens bent toward each other overhead, with vines of spadelike leaves woven into walls between them. In the upper branches of an elm, wood platforms supported partitions of anchored fabrics as well as shaped vines. One tall building was made of planked wood, grayed with age and weather. Thin smoke rose into the air from somewhere hidden at the settlement's far end.

The elves worked at varied tasks, mostly to do with goods near the docks. Their clothing had morehide and leather than the people of Sgaile's home wore. Many wore their hair cut midlength or even short to the scalp. Dock-workers picked among barrels and bundles, taking stock of goods arriving or awaiting departure.

Few noticed the newcomers at first, but by ones and twos they paused and called or gestured to companions. Wynn saw displeasure and even hatred, as in Sgaile's enclave, but none showed initial shock upon seeing humans. This made her more anxious.

"Is this a center of commerce?" Wynn asked.

"Commerce?" Leanalham said. "I do not understand this word."

"The way you purchase… acquire with money."

Leanalham blinked twice."Money?"

"The people trade," Osha explained in Elvish, "all knowing the value of a thing, by its make and the time and effort involved. We barter, but we do not have…" He stumbled and switched to Belaskian: "Money. And An-maglahkdo not trade."

"Why not the Anmaglahk?" Wynn asked, still baffled.

"Quiet," Sgaile said.

A darker-skinned elf in matching leather breeches and tunic-style shirt rose at the head of one dock from inspecting bales of cattail heads. He appeared neither hostile nor surprised, and Wynn suspected all here somehow knew they were coming.

Leesil and Magiere hung back as Sgaile approached, but Wynn crept a little closer to listen.

The leather-clad man scanned them all, with an especially close study of Leesil and then Magiere. His blond hair was cropped semishort and stuck out in bristles. Soft lines creased his brow as if he frowned too often, and his tan skin glistened with sweat.

"Sgailsheilleache," he said. "You are always welcome."

"My thanks, Ghuvesheane," Sgaile answered.

It took Wynn some thought to discern the man's name-Black Cockerel. It matched his demeanor if not his appearance.

"I need passage to Crijheaiche," Sgaile said, "for seven and one majay-hi."

Ghuvesheane shifted his weight to settle on the other foot. "I cannot ask this of any bargemaster. Not even for you."

Sgaile's expression hardened. "Has one of mycaste passed this way?"

Ghuvesheane nodded sharply. "Three days ago.A woman, traveling fast. She took passage on Hionnahk's barge, headed downriver."

"You must try for us," Sgaile insisted."By request of Most Aged Father."

Ghuvesheane's eyesnarrowed, and he closed them.

"Ask them," Sgaile said flatly. "Ask in the name of Most Aged Father. Who among you would refuse the Anmaglahk?"

"Assisting your caste is not at issue," Ghuvesheane returned, eyes still closed."As you well know."

Several elves down the docks stopped in their labors. Two came up behind Ghuvesheane, dressed akin to him. But they looked far more offended, as if Sgaile had asked something shameful-something he should not have asked at all.

"Is it not enough that you bring humans among us"-Ghuvesheane finally opened his eyes, his steady gaze shifting toward Leesil-"let alone a murderer and traitor?"

Wynn bit her lip against a blurted denial. Osha remained passive, but an echo of the dockworkers' embarrassment filled his expression.

Urhkar licked his lips as if they had gone dry. "That charge has not been validated."

Ghuvesheane remained unconvinced."Perhaps not, but you still ask too much, and my answer is the same."

Neither Leesil nor Magiere understood what was said, but Wynn wondered what would happen if Sgaile was unable to procure passage.

A young and thin-muscled elf came up the shoreline. "I will take you," he said, ignoring Ghuvesheane. "No one need ask me." He glanced at

Leanalham, as if he knew her. "We are still loading, but there is space near the front."

Dressed in leather breeches, he wore a goatskin vest with the leather side out and no shirt beneath it. He was barefoot and gestured to a small half-loaded barge down at the end of the next dock.

Ghuvesheane turned away with an exhale tainted with disdain.

Sgaile's jaw twitched as he nodded to the young bargemaster.

The exchange was peaceful enough, yet Wynn felt that it cost Sgaile more than all the rest of the journey combined. Much of their passage seemed to have taxed the Anmaglahks pride.

They were shown to a space near the barge s front where cushions and fur hides were laid out. Wynn made more seats out of their blankets. By the time the barge pulled into the river, everyone was situated, and the settlement slipped away behind them.

Their host's name was Kante-Spoken Word. Though the young barge-master seldom issued commands to his crew, two of four elves always stood post, one rear and one forward, while the other pair rested at the barge's stern, away from the passengers.

They floated down the Hajh both day and night, and Wynn passed the time watching a strange world drift by on the shores.

Trees of various make, flowers of wild color, a small waterfall, a bright flock of birds never ceased to pull her attention this way and that. Two fra'cise drank at the river's edge, until they saw the barge and began jumping and splashing in foolish antics. Parts of the forest grew dense and dim. Then the barge would pass a large meadow spilling its vivid green to the river's shore, where a herd of speckled antelope grazed. Once, Wynn caught a glimpse of a large silver deer with tineless antlers, the same as had bellowed at them the first evening in the forest.

But eventually she grew frustrated and then weary.

All the wondrous sights passed beyond her reach. Landfall was rare. They ate cold meals, with no fire but for the large lantern hung at the bow each night. The simple fare was plentiful-fresh or dried fruit and smoked fish. The river provided clean water for drinking and basic washing. But as Wynn continued to watch the shore slip past, she began to feel slightly dizzy.

Osha remained good-natured, though he sat day after day in the same position.

He explained that this barge was loaded with raw materials. Kante would unload some in Crijheaiche, trading with skilled craftsmen in the community. He would then fill his barge with other materials or goods-pottery, spices, tools, fabric, clothing, and more-for the journey to the bay. Some would be traded with the people of the city there called Ghoivne Ajhajhe-Front of the Deep-while the rest would be bartered with ships bringing goods and materials to and from other coastal communities.

While they spoke, a high-pitched yip carried along the riverside, and Chap looked over, whining softly.

The entire majay-hi pack bolted out of the forest to run along the reedy shore, paws splashing through the shallow water. Shades of silver-blue, steel, and inky gray moved in circles along the bank.

"Magiere, look!" Wynn said. "They are following us."

The white female barked once at Chap. He whined again, and Magiere reached down to scratch his head.

And still they floated onward four more days and nights.