At the Queen_s command

"Kamiskwa is a prince not just because his father is a great chieftain, but because he's proven himself to be strong in magick. They have contests every two-three years for to pick princes. Then the matriarchs start horse-trading with other families and tribes for their services."

Owen shook his head, not quite sure of what he was hearing. "So he will then have a wife chosen for him by tribal elders?"

"Not a wife." Woods took out his tomahawk and chopped some branches off a maple tree to roof over his smokehouse. "It's whoring according to Reverend Bumble."

Owen looked at Kamiskwa. "Is he having me on again?"

"He exaggerates." The Altashee, almost invisible in the growing gloom, looked up. "We have marriage guaranteeing that two people have children together exclusively, or with others by permission of the spouse. If I were to marry, my wife would join my household. Sharing seed keeps all tribes equal in power. It ties us together. No one wishes to go to war against his father's people."

"I see."

Nathaniel laughed. "You will, inside the week, I'm thinking."

Owen left to gather firewood and later, after they'd eaten, he pulled out his journal and began writing. He recorded the information about the Altashee marriage custom and the knife, covering a page. He included a rough sketch of the knife and tucked one of the small turkey feathers into the pages. Though not a great artist, his various drawings looked closer to reality than not.

He realized that he was including a lot more detail than he had expected, especially some concerning his reactions. He mentioned his surprise concerning the Altashee marriage custom, and his great joy at Woods' turkey-killing shot. None of that had any value to his mission, but it pleased him to write it down.

He knew it would please Bethany, too. She was a lovely woman and smart. She was clearly a product of the land of her birth. He found it very easy to imagine her faring well were she with them. She'd tirelessly pitch in, doing a fair share of the work.

Catherine, on the other hand, would be lost completely. She would hate being out here. She would have little interest in the flora or fauna, and would be completely useless doing any work around camp. Even trying to collect firewood would likely inspire the vapors, necessitating a long rest. And we'd need another three canoes for her wardrobe.

The realization that he was writing for Bethany did not displease him. He would be clinical in the details he transferred into his official transcript, but in his private notes he wanted to record all his thoughts and feelings. Owen felt certain Bethany would appreciate them and, unlike his wife, would not become anxious just reading them.

Having a confidante, even in absentia, made the trip much easier. Nathaniel and Kamiskwa clearly had quite a history together, as well as a certain disdain for things Norillian. He'd never fit perfectly with them. This didn't bother him too much. He was well used to being an outsider. Having someone to explain things to eased his isolation.

After cleaning up all sign of their campsite the next morning, they got back on the river. Owen got to see another moose and, later, watched a black bear clawing a bee-tree open to harvest honey. None of the creatures paid them any mind. Owen marveled at their lack of concern and, consequently, felt no fear.

Most often they traveled in silence, mostly out of a reverence for the land and its beauty. The sun dawned and painted the clouds red and blue. The setting sun could flood the sky with gold and deep scarlet. Once an eagle swooped down and plucked a salmon from the river, screaming victoriously and flew off to a nest high atop a tree.

Owen remained silent for fear of breaking whatever spell enabled him witness such wonders. Woods and Kamiskwa would share a silent glance, smiles splitting their faces, as they marveled at things like the eagle. They had so much wilderness experience, and yet the land still surprised them.

This pleased Owen, and scared him. If he were to be successful, he'd have to communicate a sense of Mystria to his superiors. Yet their attitude-based on birth, wealth, and rank-insulated them from understanding. They were already at the pinnacle of society, therefore at the pinnacle of the world. There could be nothing bigger or grander than what they already knew. To suggest otherwise would incite them to doubt their reality. It would be easier to convince them that wurms could fly than get them to see the true nature of Mystria.

On the fourth day they came to Grand Falls. The land rose abruptly for three hundred feet and the water traveled through a narrow gorge above a fantastic waterfall. They unloaded their gear just before noon and rested before beginning the trek through the woods to the upper river.

"We done walked the river 'bout as far as possible. Rest up here, start on foot tomorrow."