29th of Kraal, year 991 For several days Magra had observed Kraszad run up and down the hill and then to the forest. He would remain in the forest for a good hour and a half. He would be back by sunrise for morning coffee with her and Jogr. To Magra’s eyes his uphill running technique was a thing of beauty. He would pump his arms and push his legs and defy all odds just to reach the summit. He would do this over ten times every day. At every ascent, he would stand at the top, take a few deep breaths, and run back down. He would sprint down with all his might. Magra thought it was pure recklessness. She figured that the slightest mistake would send him tumbling hard down the hill. The hill was only about forty meters high, but the slope was at least forty-five degrees. Magra had seen he

