it was another plateau, which amused chakliux to great end despite his misgivings.
he had forged ahead, ranging on long legs to come alone into blacktail.
it was a well-placed land, defensible in a way the seaside sprawl had not been. and yet it was lonely here without the lapping rush of a hard sea.
snow had billowed among the pines; chakliux stepped around them toward the precipice beyond, thinking for a numb moment of moonsong and ariadne.