Left behind, Shadith wandered through the House. She got into the study, found her papers, sat looking at them for a long time.
I ought to go now. They wouldn’t miss me.
Her hands shook.
Come on, Shadow. It’s just a long hard ride, that’s all.
A bead of sweat dropped on the parchment. She blotted it up with her sleeve, careful not to smudge the writing.
This is freedom, Shadow. All you have to do is go.
I can’t go. I’m not ready. I don’t know which horses I can take without being chased for them. Polyapo’s in charge while the Matja’s away, she’d send men after me, Tinoopa couldn’t stop her. I can’t go until Allina gets back.
She stared at the papers a moment longer, then locked them away again; they were safest here until she was ready to go.