"Never a bad idea," Alain observes, dry. He tilts his head toward the forest where Cord disappeared and raises his eyebrows at Cuthbert, who gives a small shrug in return. Both gunslingers holster their weapons in the same moment.

As they do, Susan pulls away from the birch-woman's gentle embrace, wiping her eyes. She murmurs soft words of thanks to the tree-sisters, dropping a curtsey, then comes back to join the others. "I'm sorry ye had to see her like that," she says, rueful.