"That seems the only course of action available to us," Tynan said, frowning seriously. He reached into his saddle bag and pulled out a map. We should be able to strike north through the woods to a village and from there, we can take the road north, then southwest and enter the city of Pyxis from the northeast. That way if anyone's asking questions about the travellers from the southwest highway, no one will think of us. Besides," he winced in distaste. "I don't think I'd like to run into the Four on the road, do you?"

"Probably not." Arum agreed mildly.

"We'll ride as before, but you'll have to more or less steer the horses for us, Feather. Arum will be reading and I'll be scouting ahead." Tynan folded his map. It seemed strange to Feather that someone of such a take charge bearing was a mere druid in some godsforsaken mining camp. "We'll leave once Adam's eaten our breakfasts." He glanced at the boy. "Oh he's done. Silly me. Lets pack up then."

They scruffed out any traces that they had made camp there and headed off north through the woods with Tynan running ahead as a wolf once more.