48
The following morning’s departure was delayed by heavy rain that washed through the forest, weighing branches down with soggy leaves and sending rivulets of water trickling along forest paths, leaving them muddy and, in places, slippery.
The woodfolk sent out messages, asking the sorcerers to stay inside as much as possible until the rain had passed and the sun had dried the ground. By mid-afternoon, the ground was still muddy, and impatience bred the suggestion that since a patrol had already seen these sorcerers at the firesite, there was really no need to hide their footprints,
Reluctantly, the woodfolk agreed and allowed the sorcerers to emerge into the dim, cold afternoon.
“As long as we don’t head off,” said Autumn Leaves firmly. “We don’t want to have to disguise the deep mud
