Sect Year 2 · sixth month · day 5 · the milestone road above Sallow Basin
The grey was only just coming into the sky when Su brought the horse up to the fire. The rider was already mounted on the far side of the camp with the lead rope of a pack mule wound twice around his fist. The mule carried two water skins, a sack of dried millet, and a small leather case of the Deacon’s papers, which was tied flat across its back with cord. On Su’s own saddle, under the roll of her blanket, the bound book was wrapped in more oilcloth and buckled in place. She had checked the buckle twice. Lin had watched her do it.
Pei was awake. She hadn’t slept much since the packet came, and she sat on the base of the milestone with her knees up and her blanket around her. She watched the horse as though it might take her with it if she looked away.
Su did not get down. She leaned from the saddle, and Lin came across the trampled ground to her stirrup. For a moment neither of them spoke. Then she reached into the saddlebag and drew out a bundle of paper tied with string, and under it a brush with a split bamboo handle and bristles worn to a point. She held them down to him.
