Chapter Two Summary

Talia and her Companion horse are travelling on a road that goes alongside the River, and Talia thinks about how she has never been very far from her father's holding. The land is rich and green, and hypnotic to Talia. The experience of riding a Companion through strange lands is a dream to Talia. The horse seems to know the route, and when he veers from the road down a path, Talia is frightened, but reassured when they arrive at a Waystation. Talia has been reading stories about the Heralds and Companions since she learned how to read, so she knows that riders use these Waystations to sleep and refresh themselves on a long journey.

Talia removes the horse's saddle and tack and cleans them thoroughly. She brushes the horse and he rolls in the sweet green grass. The two walk...