"The despots are searching for us. They were looking for hoofprints, but realized that we are together. Their minions spied us by midmorning, and they came in force to capture us. We were traveling under the water toward what Nona calls the East Filament, but they dived down and intercepted us. They had thought that Nona was our captive, but she showed her magic in her effort to save us, and they knew her for what she is, and killed her."
Colene looked at Nona, who was staring in horror at Proves. Any resentment Colene had had of the lovely woman evaporated. Colene thought of killing herself-but Nona faced involuntary death. That was worse.
Darius looked thoughtful. "This is not what must happen," he said. "This is a warning. You saved the two of us from similar mischief when we traveled
