By the time they neared the remote camp, Dark's legs were barely able to hold him. Chardin called to the others to come help. Dark felt the heat of someone's torch, arms lifting him, carrying him to the fire. There they made him a bed from a soft pile of pine boughs and hides, and wrapped him in a blanket.

They had no healer, but one of the rebels had some ointment that he rubbed on Dark's burned hands and eyes, and a potion that he made Dark swallow. It alleviated the pain somewhat, and gave him strength.

Through pantomime, nods, and shakes of the head, the camp learned the fate of the other men.

"We'll never recover from these losses," Renze said despondently. "The rebellion is over."

Dark shook his head, motioning Chardin to tell what she'd learned.

"Are you certain?" Renze asked.

Both Dark and Chardin nodded. "I heard the baron himself speak of it," Chardin added.

"I'll cross the border and warn them," Renze said.

Dark shook his head, pointed to himself, then leaned forward, hands extended and groping the air, implying that if caught he might be dismissed as having simply lost his way in the forest.

"I understand," Renze said. "But you'll never make it alone."

Dark pointed toward Renze, then held his hand closer to the ground. "Chardin?" Renze asked after a moment.

Dark nodded. He felt the girl move close to him, and take his arm again.

"He's right, Papa," she said. "If we're stopped, I can say I'm his daughter.

Dark shook his head, pointed to his ears, then pushed his hand away.

"All right," Chardin said. "If you hear the soldiers coming, I'll run and hide."

"I see why you want her," Renze commented. "She understands you, and like all our children, she knows how to be invisible when necessary. We'll escort you as far as we dare, then leave you two to go on alone. But I'm not going to rely entirely on you. I'll try to make the mountain crossing to the south and send another party through Freeman's Pass. First rest a day longer. Go tomorrow night."