Then as they passed an enormous sycamore with large roots reaching from the bank into the river, Wynn saw an archway in the base of its trunk. She almost missed it, mistaking its gray curtain for part of its bark.

"We are close to Crijheaiche," Leanalham said.

Wynn went numb. She did not know what to feel-relief or anxiety?

"How close?" Leesil asked, craning his head around.

Leanalham pointed to two broad elms.

Wynn saw more doorways as the barge drifted by. Soon, every other oak, cedar, and fir was larger than the last, and the spaces between them broadened.

Sgaile stood up when five long docks appeared on the shore ahead, with barges and smaller boats moored along them. Wynn caught a hint of joy on his face.

From what she understood, they would enter one of the largest communities in all the elvenTerritories. But Sgaile did not appear nervous. Was he not worried about their reception?

He put two fingers in this mouth and let out a long whistle.

Kante stood in the barge's prow and dipped his pole into the water. All four of his crew around the vessel did likewise, and the barge turned smoothly toward the docks. Where the docks met land, no trees blocked the view, and Wynn took her first glimpse of Crijheaiche.

The doorways in these trees were larger than those she'd seen elsewhere, and some trunks bulged to impossible size at their bases. She saw stalls of planked wood and shaped flora and colored fabrics. Inside these, occupants were busy at many kinds of work. One place appeared dedicated to the purification of beeswax. She heard rhythmic metallic clanks but could not spot anything like a smithy. There were fishmongers nearer the river, or the elven equivalent of such.

As the barge slowed in order to make harbor, a wild tangle of aromas filled Wynn's head. Beneath the scent of baked and roasted foods were rich spices and the powerful scent of herbs she had only known in the gardens of her guild on another continent.

For all the industry here, everything was still interwoven with the natural world.

Kante set his pole to stop the barge as four Anmaglahk trotted through the open bazaar and down the dock. Their long hair of sandy to white blond blew free in the breeze. None wore his or her cloak tied the way the few Wynn had seen beyond this land.

At first, only a few other elves turned and stared at the new arrivals, for barges landing here would be a common sight. From a distance, Leesil and even Magiere appeared to escape scrutiny. Perhaps their elven clothing obscured their true nature until an onlooker peered more closely. But a few eyes widened at Chap. Apparently, a majay-hl riding a barge was not a common sight.

The first of the four Anmaglahk to reach the barge's side was young, with blunt but prominent cheekbones.

"Sgailsheilleache, well met," he said in Elvish. "Frethfare hoped you would arrive by today."

He did not look at Wynn or Magiere. In fact, he seemed determined to cast his eyes anywhere but in their direction.

"Where is she?" Sgaile asked without greeting.

"With Most Aged Father," the young one answered. "I will tell her you have arrived."

"Has anyone seen En’nish?" Urhkar added.

The young Anmaglahk became rigidly formal at the sight of him and bowed his head in a reverent fashion.

"Yes, Greimasg'ah.She arrived two nights ago."

That one strange word eluded Wynn.A "holder" of something? Perhaps a title, as it certainly was not part of Urhkar s full name.

Sgaile nodded. "Have the quarters been prepared?"

"Yes, of course," the young elf answered.

Sgaile turned to Leesil, switching to Belaskian. "My caste has prepared a comfortable place for all of you. Please follow, but first… you must relinquish your weapons once more."

Leesil snorted. "You want to get us out of sight? Then where is my mother?"

"In truth, I cannot say," Sgaile answered and looked away. "You will soon speak to Most Aged Father, and he will answer in good faith. Nowplease, your weapons."

Wynn unbuckled the dagger, uncertain whether or not she was relieved to be rid of it. She was about to hand it to Sgaile, but turned instead to Osha. He took it with surprise and bowed his head as he tucked it in his belt.

"All right," Leesil said, unstrapping his punching blades. "But I want to see this leader of yours, and soon.Today."

He held out his blades and his stilettos. Sgaile took them with a hint of relief in his eyes. Once again, Magiere was last to relinquish her falchion, but she handed it over without a word. Leesil placed his hand on the back of her neck, combing his fingers through her dangling black hair.

Throughout the community up the slope, and across the other docks, numerous elves in bright clothing went about their business. Wynn noticed the Anmaglahk among them. They stood out like dark pebbles in a clear stream's bed.

Kante picked up Leanalham's bundle before she could do so and held it out to her. The gesture made the girl fidget nervously, and she would not look him in the eyes.

"You have my thanks…" Sgaile said to the bargemaster, but trailed off, unable to say more.

Kante raised a hand in polite dismissal. "No need. You always have my service."

He offered his hand to Leanalham. This made the girl even more uneasy, but she took it as he helped her onto the dock. Leesil lifted the chest of skulls and slipped his arms into its rope harness. Osha and Urhkar handed baggage off to their newly arrived comrades.

As Wynn stepped from the barge behind the others, the first young an-maglahk glared at Leesil and pointed insistently to the chest. When Leesil returned only a silent stare, the young one's expression hardened. Two of his companions dropped their baggage and closed in as he reached out.

Before Leesil could strike, Magiere stepped in front of him, shielding him from any assault. Sgaile shifted instantly between her and the others.

"No!" he snapped. "Move on!"

The young anmaglahk looked at Sgaile as if he had committed some violation. Osha, who had always kept silent behind his elders, startled Wynn with his harsh tone.

"He is bearer of the dead," Osha said in Elvish to the others."Leshil, descendant of Eillean."

The young anmaglahk before Sgaile blinked twice. He glanced once at Leesil and Magiere, both still poised for a fight.

"I beg forgiveness," he said.

"Attend your duty," Urhkar added flatly.

The four anmaglahk quickly took up the baggage. Not one of them said anything more.

Solid wood of the dock and then sound earth beneathWynns feet were quite welcome, but Sgaile rushed them all onward. Perhaps he was not so confident of their reception; or he neared the end of his mission and longed for it to be over.

Wynn wanted to study this new place, to poke about the stalls and observe how exchanges were made, but she found herself jogging half the time just to keep up. All around them, elves paused at the sight of Magiere's dark hair and pale skin-and Wynn's own short stature and round olive-toned face.The four anmaglahk with the baggage split into twos, a pair walking at each side of their passage. No one questioned or challenged them for bringing humans into this place.

A way past the shoreside bazaar, Sgaile halted before an enormous elm. He pulled aside the door hanging and motioned them inside. Only Wynn, Magiere, Leesil, and Chap entered, and Sgaile remained in the doorway.

"Be comfortable," he said. "You are safe and my caste will make certain of it. But do not leave this dwelling without Osha or another I designate. I will send food and drink as quickly as possible."

Leesil stepped toward him, and his mouth was taut in anger. Before he uttered a word, Sgaile cut him off.

"Soon," he said, and his expression seemed troubled. "You will speak to Most Aged Father soon. But heed me, Leshil. Do not leave this dwelling until I come for you."