‘And that,’ Marin said with calm decision, ‘is where we will go. As we journey north, we will send runners to the ravine. Kiri Ana Rea, in the ravine we have dear friends, friends that Helm did not know of.’
‘Friends of the Storm are our friends too.’ Kiri spoke as if this fact was self-evident and that saying it aloud was merely a polite refrain. ‘By all means, share the warning with all who deserve to live. But not, I beg you, not with the humachines of the Pale.’
The Storm nodded their agreement. The machine monsters of the Pale would be better off drowned. But mention of the ravine and of the Pale in the one minute had put another thought into Paolo’s mind. He gave a little gasp as an idea struck him, and then addressed the visitor.
‘Kiri Ana Rea, have your people walked much on thi
