23

THOUGH Charles wanted to pelt down the hill as soon as the witch was gone, he led the way in a slow, controlled jog that Anna could easily keep up with in her snowshoes.

As they got closer, the trees and underbrush obscured the place where Asil and his father waited. Cautiously, Charles slowed and stopped.

He looked at her and then at Walter. She nodded silently and crouched where she was. Walter settled in like the old soldier he was. If it weren’t for him, Charles would have stayed right where he was. He would not chance Anna’s life on a hunch. But Walter would take care of her if something happened, so Charles was free to take a risk.

When Charles walked out into the open, Asil had finished his prayer, but just knelt where he was, with his head bowed—as if he were trying very hard not to give offense to the Marrok.