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“Ice,” Dawsyn says simply, and with the toe of her boot, she nudges the thin layer of powder aside to reveal the clean pane below. They are too close to the lip. Mere feet. Plenty have slipped into the Chasm from a distance far greater. “Careful,” Dawsyn calls to them all.

Ruby, however, awed by the towering mountain face and ghostly pine wood, gives no sign at having heard. Her mouth agape, she curses lowly, eyes wide, stepping forward.

And she does not tilt to the Face, the way a person of the Ledge would. She does not spear her toe into the ice to find safer purchase. Instead, her boot hits the deception of powder, the ice waiting below it, the ravenous chasm behind, and she slips.

“No!” Dawsyn shouts.

Ruby’s hands hit the ground before her, and she slides, and slides, her face stricken with terror, scrambling to slow.

And the Chasm awaits, insatiable, impatient.

Dawsyn dives, one hand outstretched toward Ruby, the ice carrying them both to the edge. Dawsyn lifts her ax and throws it with as much force as she can into the frozen ground, and her fingers graze the captain’s as the woman’s body falls over the lip – first her feet, and then her waist, and then the rest.

Ruby falls.

But Ryon follows.

Dawsyn looks over her shoulder in horror as Ruby’s fingertips vanish into the white, and a great dark mass of wings follows her, diving down into the Chasm. It is only a moment. One moment of consuming terror as Ruby’s scream splits the air in two, and Dawsyn shouts Ryon’s name.

And then relief.

Ryon suddenly rises over the lip, Ruby in his arms. This time, he gives the ice a fair breadth, only putting Ruby on her feet when they reach the treeline.

Dawsyn drops her forehead onto the ice, ignoring the sting of the cold, her gasps slowing.Thank the Mother.

Rivdan bends to her hand on the ax, grasping her wrist carefully. “Come on, prishmyr,” he says softly. “Careful now.” Rivdan’s talons pierce the ice, and she uses him like an anchor to heave herself toward him, only bending to retrieve her ax once she has regained her footing.

“Quite hysterical,” Baltisse remarks casually. “The diving, I mean. Almost as though there weren’t a clutch of winged persons on hand to save the dear captain.”

Dawsyn, for once, says nothing. She feels her blood heat at the collar, lifts her hood back over her head. Embarrassment overcomes her, a feeling altogether unfamiliar.

It was an overreaction. That was all. She has seen too many people slip toward the Chasm. An instinctive response. Many would do the same.

“Weird of you to yell outRyon’sname, of the two, though. Wouldn’t you say? Almost like it was an unconscious th–”

“We have more important matters before us,” Dawsyn says loudly, spearing the mage with a foreboding glare. Dawsyn’s skin prickles with discomfort. “Do watch your feet, witch. I wouldn’t want you to slip away.”

“At least I know there’s someone nearby who will dive to my rescue. Notyou, of course, Dawsyn. I’d likely opt for one of these hulking louts with the means to fly.”

Tasheem chortles, and Dawsyn’s glare falls to her too. She immediately sobers.

“Just watch the fucking Chasm,” Dawsyn grumbles, and moves off with careful strides, digging the toe of her boot into the ground with each step until the powder thickens, and her feet sink with ease. She doesn’t look back to note if the others follow.

Before they reach the treeline, Baltisse, persistent as ever, appears at her shoulder. “When will you admit it, Dawsyn Sabar?”

Dawsyn groans internally. At this rate, she may just push the witch over the edge herself. “Admit what?”

She chuckles darkly. “You called his name to the wind like you were possessed. You care for him still.” The superiority in her smile is almost too much.

Dawsyn grits her teeth. “An ailment I aim to be rid of, I assure you.”

“It is hardly up to you, sweet,” she tsks.

Ryon is ahead, watching Dawsyn approach, his eyes steadfast on her feet.

“You called his name because love forfeits sense.”

“Fearforfeits sense,” Dawsyn says between her teeth. “I need his help. The people here need his help.”