They left the cooper’s yard on the morning of day1788.
Iven, Neri, Sera, and Kesh walked the public approach toward the Sill receiving house with small bags, food for the stage, and no assumption that an old friend would remain where an old report had left her.
Tavin stayed with his own work.
Jora stayed with hers.
The long journey from Rootwell had ended. This was a separate visit, chosen after a full week home.
At the Sill, the current keeper checked the latest field mark.
Mercy had moved among several feeding places over the intervening years. She had chosen the old hollow again during the previous week, eight kilometers from the Sill by the present human route. The receiving edge was not always open. The lower path had changed with water.
The mark was dated that morning.
