When the knock came at the door, Owen got up from where he’d been sitting on the floor. He opened it to find Asha standing there, arms laden with parcels wrapped in brown paper. She wore a new tunic, and the substantial handle of a new knife protruded from her belt. “That bad, huh?” She…

All morning, the wind cut across the mountaintop, unnoticed by the Goatherds. The sun beat down on the exposed rock, creating pockets of warmth between the cutting winds. Far below, festival preparations continued, the sounds of hammering and distant voices carried up on the air currents. Asha practiced walking on her hands back and forth…