It was some months before the Dread Barbarian sailed close to Narnian waters. In some ways they had been the happiest months of Aravis's life; she had learned to climb the rigging like a true sailor, and her knots and sword skills had improved as well. Even the helmsman had taken a liking to her, teaching her to navigate by the stars and steer through shoals. "You'd have a future with us, Ardeeb," said the captain as they sailed northward, "if you want it."

"She won't leave her brother unfound," Russum said before she had a chance to answer. Aravis opened her mouth, then closed it. She did need to find Hwin and make sure that she had found her own way home.

"Perhaps if my path crosses again with the Dread Barbarian?