“Mistress Jana,” Merlie began again, trying unsuccessfully to keep them from venturing further into the forest, “maybe we should be heading back into town. Your father could return at any moment…”
Jana continued onward. “Nonsense, Merlie. You know as well as I do there’s war brewing to the north. The Emperor will keep the generals up all night talking war games—my father will never know we were here.”
“Where is here, exactly?” Merlie glanced around them nervously. “I fear we may be lost.”
Jana laughed. “We’re not lost. I know where we are.”
“And where is that, exactly?” Before Jana could reply, Merlie added, “And don’t say in the woods. I know that.”
Jana laughed again, but this time the light, girlish sound was drowned out by a deeper roar and Merlie started, suddenly alert. Befo
