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Aditu nodded。 〃The Leavetaking Stone。〃
The abstraction finally made real； Simon felt as though he were stepping from one dream into another。 〃But how will I get there？ Am I supposed to swim？〃
Aditu said nothing； but led him down the slope to where the river rushed into the gray water； spilling across the rocks with a roar。 A little distance along the shoreline； out of the way of the river's turbulent inflow； a small； silvery boat bobbed at anchor。 〃Once every hundred or so winters；〃 she said； 〃when the rains are particularly fierce； the lands around Sesuad'ra flood…although this is certainly the first time it has ever happened when Reniku the Summer…Lantern was in the sky。〃 She turned away； unwilling to share thoughts written on her face so that even a mortal could understand。 〃We keep these hiyanha…these boats…here and there； so that Sesuad'ra will not be denied to those who wish to visit it。〃
Simon put his hand on the little boat； feeling the smooth grain of the wood beneath his fingers。 A paddle of the same silvery stuff lay in the hull。 〃And you're sure that's where I go？〃 he asked； suddenly unwilling to say good…bye。
Aditu nodded。 〃Yes； Seoman。〃 She shrugged off the bag she had been carrying on her shoulder and handed it to him。 〃This is for you…no；〃 she corrected herself； 〃not for you。 It is for you to take to your Prince Josua； from Amerasu。 She said she believed he would know what to do with it…if not now； then soon。〃
〃Amerasu？ She sent this。。。 ？〃
Aditu put a hand on his cheek。 〃Not exactly； Seoman。 First Grandmother had asked me to take it if your imprisonment did not end。 Since you have been released； I give it to you。〃 She stroked his face。 〃I am glad for your sake that you are free。 It pained me to see you so unhappy。 It was good to know of you…a rare thing。〃 She leaned forward and kissed him。 Despite all that had happened； he still felt a quickening of his heart as her mouth touched his。 Her lips were warm and dry and tasted of mint。
Aditu stepped away。 〃Farewell； Snowlock。 I must go back and mourn。〃
Before he could even lift his hand to wave； she turned and disappeared among the trees。 He watched for some moments； looking for some sign of her slender form； but she was gone。 He turned and clambered into the small boat and set the sack she had given him down in the hull。 It was of good weight； but he was too weary and sore…hearted even to look at what might be inside。 He thought it might be peaceful to fall asleep here in the boat； at the edge of the great forest。 It would be a blessing to sleep and not wake for a year and a day。 Instead； he picked up his paddle and pushed himself out onto the still water。
The afternoon fell away and the deep chill of evening came on。 As Simon floated toward the growing shadow of Sesuad'ra； he felt the silence of the winter world envelop him； until he thought he might be the only living； moving thing upon the face of Osten Ard。
For a long time he did not notice that there were torches bobbing before him on the twilit shoreline。 When he saw them at last； he was already close enough to hear the voices。 His arms were cold and numb。 He felt as though he had no more strength left to paddle； but managed to push himself a few last strokes； until a large； splashing shape…Sludig？…waded out from the rocky verge and pulled him into shore。 He was lifted from the boat and half…carried up the bank； then surrounded by an army of torchlit； laughing faces。 They seemed familiar； but the sensation of dream was upon him again。 It was not until he saw the smallest figure that he remembered where he was。 He staggered forward and swept Binabik into his arms； crying unashamedly。
〃Simon…friend！〃 Binabik chortled； thumping him on the back with his small hands。 〃Qinkipa is good！ Joyful！ This is joyful！ In the days since I was ing here I had almost lost my hope to see you。〃
Simon wept； unable to speak。 At last； when he had cried himself dry； he set the little man down。 〃Binabik；〃 he said； voice raw。 〃Oh； Binabik。 I have seen terrible things。〃
〃Not now； Simon； not now。〃 The troll took his hand firmly。 〃e。 e up to the hilltop。 Fires have been built there and I am sure there is something cooking。 e。〃
The little man led him。 The crowd of familiar strangers fell in behind； talking and laughing among themselves。 The flames of the torches hissed beneath a soft fall of snow； and sparks rose into the sky to drift and fade。 Soon one of them began to sing； a good； homely sound。 As darkness crept over the drowned valley； the sweet； clear voice rose through the trees and echoed out over the black water。