The Roots of the Mountains: He Went Back Without Armour

They offered Dallach food, clothes and safety. That night, he took off the new clothes and prepared to go back.

He had escaped the people who held him captive. Others were still hiding beyond the hills. He knew some of the places they might be.

The warriors of Burgdale could send men with him. Dallach refused. Armed strangers would look like another group coming to take the runaways away.

He left the fine clothes folded beside the fire and went back in a worn shift. Nothing about him should suggest he had joined the people the others feared.

He asked the camp not to light a morning fire. Smoke might give them away. Then he went into the dark without an escort.

The others waited. Dawn came without the smell of breakfast. They watched the slopes and listened for footsteps.

At last Dallach returned. Behind him came people moving carefully, as though open ground itself might be a trap.

There were forty-one of them. Some cried. Some barely looked up. Getting out had not yet taught them what would happen next.

The Burgdalers brought food. A few newcomers hid pieces of it. They had learned that a meal could be taken away before they finished.

Face-of-god had expected to welcome them with words. Seeing them, he could not find any. He helped make sure they ate.

Dallach said they must move on. The enemy was still too near. Safety would have to be carried farther than this one patch of grass.

They took the homeward road together. The new cloak could wait. Dallach walked where the others could see his face.