[Envinyatar]

Derufin squinted against the sun, trying to see who Cook was with. ‘Don’t know who that is,’ he said, throwing his armful of wood onto the pile. He moved into the shade of the woodshed, letting the small shadow of the eaves cut the glare of the bright light.

‘She looks as if she has it well in hand,’ he said, taking the dipper of water Anyopâ offered him. He took a long, slow drink of the cool liquid, enjoying the feel of the water against his parched throat.

‘Let’s keep her in sight, though . . .’ He sat down on the back of the wagon, motioning for Anyopâ to sit with him. Derufin fished about in his vest and pulled out his pouch of pipeweed. He filled his own pipe; then, offered the pouch to Anyopâ.