whims like the other girls in the village, and that fills me with great pride, although it will cause us some hardship.”

Mina moved closer as the wind swept through the cave, fanning the flames of the fire.  Her mother pulled her cloak partially over Mina’s legs to give her a double layer, and then fell into dreams of the past and merciful sleep.

Mina’s mother paused on the rocky slope.  In the valley below her village looked like black dots among the greens and browns.  They had taken a twisting course as they made their escape, first directly north, then south-west, and now due west in an attempt to throw off any possible pursuit.

The pine forests had given way to sparse open country, and the crispness in t...

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