Moonsong Glacier rises the moon

News, she said. Valiant was always wary of news. The woman carried it only for her sister's ears, however — and Valiant could not decide whether or not he found this ignorance to be bliss. He kept his questions and worries to himself as he returned the woman's smile.

"Valiant," he said in introduction. "I am only visiting — but perhaps I will stay with Moontide."

He gestured for them to walk — "If your sister is Ariadne, I left her not long ago," he said, leading the way back in that direction. "I have a question, though. I hope you won't think too poorly of me for it."

He leaned over to whisper, sotto voce, in her ear:

"What is a moonwoman?"

And then, innocently, eagerly, but with a gleam of mischief in his eye: "Shall I bow?"