Daughter Of The Wind -- Southern Wind

Chapter 1

Bella's nerveless hands clenched the silver horn. Her knuckles whitened, she refused to loosen her grip for fear somebody else would hear the message.

For a second time a unicorn had called her a Daughter of the Wind. She thought nervously of Dalanor’s word’s, insisting King Thale was desperate to capture just that person.

The scent of burned flesh hung heavy over the embers. The fire had blazed hot and Bella suspected the magic of the unicorn was responsible for the complete immolation. With the removal of the horn there was no way to tell which ashes had been human and which unicorn or any of the multitude of other creatures that had perished two hundred years ago, yet only died today.

With his dying thought, First Sergeant Horaud, had unknowingly unraveled the biggest part of Conall's curse. Bella knew who he was...and she was afraid that knowledge would tear him from her.

Conall glanced at her curiously. She had shielded herself from him and that attracted his attention. She carefully constructed a shield around her new knowledge, and tucked it unobtrusively in a corner of her mind then she dropped the shields and allowed him normal access to her thoughts.

Angel, she asked aloud, what is a 'Daughter of the Wind'?

I don't know. The first time I heard it used was when my sire named you such. This is the second time, but still it makes no sense. Without even a pause to warn her of the change in direction his thoughts were running Angel asked, Will you not tell him?

Bella twisted to see if Conall was paying attention. She shielded the conversation. You know then?

I touched the horn before it's magic was gone. It's message was attuned to you, but I'm part unicorn, therefore privy to the words as well. His eyes held judgment. For the first time in their acquaintance he gave her the impression he found her wanting.

If I tell him, he will leave me. How could a prince be with a woman who is nothing more than a runaway slave?

If you think so little of yourself, or have so little faith in his emotions, then perhaps you do not belong together, Angel scolded. I do not approve, but I will keep this knowledge, until you tell him.

He responded to Bella’s gratitude by turning away from her. He has not been a prince for many years, and the country does not wish for, or need, a two hundred year old claimant to the throne. Even when he lived he was the youngest son of four in line of succession.

Bella defended her reasoning. Tradition would not allow it.

Angel became irate. Tradition be hanged. Like Torel, he most likely had no desire to rule. You must tell him, but I'll allow you to choose the time and place.

He stomped a hoof and swished his tail. Conall watched this display and Bella felt him asking what the problem was. He battered on her shields. Trying unsuccessfully to insinuate himself past her and Angel’s defenses.

"Know this," Angel continued, if you delay, something could happen and you'll lose the chance. If he finds out on his own and discovers that you knew and did not tell him, then he'll have no faith in you. It's my counsel you tell him this evening at the latest.

Bella walked towards him. You have given me much to think about.

Angel walked away, starting back to the Lodge. "As long as you are willing to think, not hide."

Conall came over and sat at her feet. He looked up at her and she could see the questions in his gray eyes. He was hurt that she had excluded him twice in such a short period of time, but when she dropped the shields all she could feel was his love. He did not begrudge her the need of a private conversation with Angel.

They returned to the Lodge, passing without notice through the stone doorway that pretended to be solid.

Bella seated herself in one of the chairs near the pantry and stared at the horn. Conall nudged at her hand and in the background she heard Buck and Angel crunching hay. She wrapped the horn in leather to prevent it from slicing through her pack, then buried it in the bottom, under all her other belongings. It was the only thing she carried that was not absolutely essential, but it did not seem right to leave behind what had been intended as a gift.

Chapter 2

What is wrong Bellana? Conall knew her well enough to know she was distressed. It's your right to shut me out, but it troubles me to see you sad. Please tell me what's on your mind. I can't see anything that would cause this distress. You must have reasons to shield it from me

Bella sat against the wall, elbows resting on upraised knees, fists under her chin. I learned something this afternoon, it's important, and exciting, but I'm afraid it may change things between us. She sat up straighter and laid a hand between his shoulders. Not quite comfortable with petting him, but wanting to be close.

She felt his anxiety flooding through the link. Nothing could change my feelings, Bellana. Unless you plan to stop caring for me, you must tell me what it is that troubles you. It's not killing that monster is it? He pushed closer, putting his shoulder next to hers, forcing her arm around his body, offering comfort.

Partially, she said, squeezing him tightly. The gift of the horn proves to me that they regained their identities before they died. It might have been possible to save them.

"We could have done nothing different. They should have died many years ago, except possibly the unicorn. They are long-lived."

Bella was aware of motion around her, but her thoughts were turned inward. The unicorn left a message keyed to be released when I touched the horn. If they were that aware of themselves as individuals we might have been able to save them.

Tensely he asked, What was the message?

She thanked us for releasing them from the curse.

He relaxed, they had not blamed her. Then you shouldn't be sad. If they were aware of themselves while part of the monster, controlled by the madness of such a transformation, they would have welcomed death. At least the unicorn had been relieved to die.

The tightness in Bella’s shoulders, sent pain shooting through her neck and back. The arm wrapped around Conall tightened possessively. She called me, 'Daughter of the Wind'. Angel's sire also called me that. The soldier from Telgar thought the Daughter of the Wind was a changeling, but I don't know for certain what it means.

Conall raised his head and licked her cheek. A tentative touch, then he turned his head away, embarrassed. That can't be causing this much stress. We'll figure it out.

Bella vacillated, but Angel had convinced her Conall had to be told.

If she was ever to have a chance at a relationship with him he would have to be released from his curse. Whether she told him now, or he found out later, the consequences would be the same. Far better to get it over with. At least she would not then live in dread of the day he discovered his identity.

There is one other who asked her to leave a message.

Conall was alert now; there was only one other intelligent mind in the construct. First Sergeant Horaud? he guessed. I don't believe he would blame you for his death.

Before she could let cowardice win, she blurted out, "He wanted to thank you for his freedom."

His tension returned. He wanted to thank me? As a wolf, as he would thank Angel, or anybody else who helped? She could hear the question in his thoughts.

No. He recognized you.

He recognized me... In this body... he recognized me? Conall's thoughts were suddenly fraught with expectation, How could he possibly have recognized me?

You said it yourself. He was a good man. And most importantly, your friend. Perhaps as he recognized himself in his final moments, his spirit was able to connect with yours and see his friend.

When she didn't go on, he nudged her leg, forcing her to look at him. Why won't you tell me, Bellana? It can't be that bad, we were Guardsmen, the First Sergeant and I. I don't believe anybody in the Guard would be guilty of anything which should frighten you

Resignation flowed through her thoughts. It's not something you did, but who you are, that frightens me--and that only because many will feel we shouldn't be together. Angel gave me the courage to have faith in your love, but public opinion will be against us

If Conall had been a human he would have snorted indignantly. Bella caught that image from his mind and nearly laughed despite her fears.

His tone was very serious when he thought to her, Bellana, for two hundred years I had nothing, no one, not even myself. Now I have you and some of my memories. I'll never again let go of anything I want. We need not tell the public who I am. I wouldn't let them turn my love. There's nobody alive whose opinion matters to me, more than you do.

If we complete this mission, and manage to get rid of your curse, some will recognize you.

Conall leaned on her heavily. Bella was certain this was meant to be reassuring. If nothing else the effort of remaining balanced distracted her.

How can you be so positive? he asked. Two hundred years is a very long time to be remembered.

She pushed him back, hard, and sat up straight. Because the First Sergeant asked me to thank his Captain. That could only be you, and the Captain of the missing unit of Guardsmen was, Prince Connor.

Bella stood and moved to the doorway, then turned back to him. When I was preparing for this mission, I was shown the Hall of Portraits in the King's Palace so we would be able to identify Lorun. I looked at all the portraits there. They went back hundreds of years. Each one gave the name, lineage, and age of the subject when painted.

She looked deeply into his eyes searching for the man she knew was trapped there.

"I searched for Prince Connor because he was on the roster we gathered of the missing. The portrait had been painted at a very young age. But now that the First Sergeant has connected it for me, I can see that it was the same person we viewed in that moment when Johann shielded Captain Torel's office."

She sat beside him again, but being still kept her on edge. That must have come from your mind. It must be what you looked like before you were cursed. Others will see the similarity, between you and that young boy in the portrait. We didn't exactly keep your tale a secret."

Conall remained quiet throughout this speech. His pensive mood lightened with this last statement.

So you don't believe the similarity will be great enough it would be noticed, unless somebody was looking for it who knew to look at all?

No. As I said, the portrait in the hall is of a young boy, maybe ten years old. But others will look. We've involved too many in the hunt for your identity. Hopelessness washed over Bella. They have seen your name on the roster of missing. It is one of only sixty left on the list as possibilities. Somebody will be sure to check. She did not share his calm.

Bellana, I love you. You must stop inventing problems for us. The only people who know are King's Guards. They would take the knowledge to their graves, even if they did figure it out. It is not part of their job to enter into the affairs of Royals, except as their protectors. Joy suffused Conall‘s mind. If we wish anybody to know, we will tell them. Otherwise nobody outside the Guard will put it together.

What about Captain Torel?

Conall laughed in her mind, Torel is the most likely to put the pieces in the correct order. He is also the least likely to say anything to anyone. Conall brought forth an image from Bella’s own mind. It was Captain Torel, telling Captain Farren that if Lorun was alive, Torel would never have to become King. He has been the heir apparent for two years now, with his brother missing, and he refused to accept the responsibility of that position. Instead he sends us on a desperate mission to save the man who will rule, where he could. Conall laid his head in Bella’s lap, contentment radiated from his mind. Torel would just as soon be in my position of anonymity. He will not expose our secret. He will be far too sympathetic with the situation.

Bella was quiet for some time; absorbed in her own thoughts and concerns. She felt him there with her, following every twist her mind took but he did not respond to her thoughts. He let her work it through and see the truth of what he was telling her on her own.

Does knowing who you are bring back any memories? she asked.

I have not yet had time to dwell on it, he answered. You are my first concern Bellana. Do not doubt that I love you. I don't care if I'm a prince or a pauper, you were destined to be my queen and we have a future king to rescue. Those are the only things important right now.

She pulled on his shoulders and he happily wriggled closer, his front paws slid into her lap.

We know who you were, she said. We know what you looked like. We even know the specifics of why you were cursed. What more do we need to break this curse? Is the shield still in place in your mind?

After a moment of self-examination, he said, Yes. But I don't even know for certain that shield is related to the curse. I don't know what else it could be, but it doesn't have the feel of Dorang’s magic. It is not malevolent. He turned his thoughts inward, then said to her, I only hope, the only way to break the curse is not the way Benal was released.

First Sergeant Horaud? Bella asked.

Yes.

She confidently told him, We will find another way. She felt there was a solution; she only had to look at it in the right way.

Just then Angel stuck his head out of the stable and looked at the two of them. He did not say anything to her, but he looked decidedly smug. That was, ‘I told you so’, if she'd ever seen, ‘I told you so’.

Trace had been quiet during this time. When Bella looked for him, he was not in the Lodge. She remembered being aware of him moving about, but not what he’d been doing. She called back to the stables but didn’t get a response. Conall got up and walked to the entrance and stuck his head outside. Trace was nowhere to be seen.

Looking around the Lodge, Bella noted that his bow was missing, He’s probably gone hunting. I’m afraid we were a bit wrapped up in ourselves, maybe he decided to get out for awhile.

"Hopefully that's all, it will be getting dark soon, he shouldn’t have gone far."

Half an hour later, as the sun was setting, Trace came back into camp, dragging a deer. This was the first large game they’d killed since leaving Relante. While traveling, it was more economical to use small game so they didn’t waste what wouldn't be consumed.

The caretakers told me the two of you needed time, he said. They suggested I retrieve some venison to be dried and left in the pantry. They even pointed me in the direction of the nearest herd of deer. I don’t suppose you could help me skin it?

They worked together to get the job done as quickly as possible. Bella cut the loin out and roasted it. She threw a couple of tubers in the fire. Along with the leftover mushrooms from earlier, this would be the best meal they’d had in a long time. They wrapped several more pieces of venison in hide and set them aside to take along. The cold of the mountains would keep it fresh for many days. The rest they cut into strips and Bella applied spices and then cured them using magic.

When this task was done they all lay down to sleep. They wanted to get an early start; they had a mission to complete.

Bella, could not sleep. Conall was restless too. He was recovering memories from long ago, she could see the changes flicker through his mind. She ignored the link between them. She had decided that he needed to come to terms with his previous life, before she invaded it.

It was he who pulled her in through the link and invited her to be a part of his thoughts.

"I know your mind and life as though it were my own. You have the same right to my thoughts and past," he said, drawing her into his mind. Without you I would not have memories.

The earliest remembrances were those of childhood in the palace which still stood in the center of Relante. Some of the places from these memories were familiar. Some, like the room where the King heard petitioners, she had never been in, because she was not to be exposed to the public while preparing for this mission. He remembered banquets and she saw the grandeur he had grown up amidst, would he truly be happy with her, living as a nobody?

"Living with you would hardly make me a nobody. I would be the happiest person on earth, if I could be your husband. I suspect I could easily gain a position as a King’s Guard, Torel would not begrudge me that." He pushed his head against her chest. Not all my memories of this time are happy. I joined the Guard for many of the same reasons as Torel. Our families had plans for us we did not want to be a party to.

More memories flashed into her mind and she saw a raven haired beauty with a darkly tanned complexion seated beside Connor at a banquet, both of them appeared very uncomfortable. His father, King Caralon, gave a toast welcoming the King of Swadan and his daughter. She could tell from Conall’s thoughts that this was the first meeting of many between the two rulers. They had gathered to negotiate for peace and mutual support. Both Kings seemed to think the union of their children would seal this agreement in a grand way.

Bella knew about marriages of state. Children were used as pawns in the game of politics. Generally these unions were loveless and only served to produce a child cementing the relationship between two countries.

The next memory was of Connor, signing a contract to enlist as a King’s Guard.

As a member of the Guard I was no longer so much the King’s son, as I was a soldier. I had no problem with duty to my King and country, but I did not desire to express that duty through a loveless marriage. He paused; confusion overwhelmed him as more memories sifted through. He rubbed at his ear with a paw trying to settle them into an orderly mass. I did not even know this girl, perhaps we would have liked each other, but I was fifteen years old and not about to be told whom to marry. I had no desire to marry anyone.

"What happened to the negotiations?" Bella asked.

"They went on as planned. The difference was that she wedded my second oldest brother. He helped me plan my escape because he himself, desired marriage to Effie. They had two children." Bella caught just the slightest wistfulness in his mind when he thought of his niece and nephew. He wouldn’t have seen them grow up. He wouldn’t have any way of knowing what had happened to them. When Dorang captured me, my eldest brother had not yet produced an heir, even though he’d been married for eight years. It is possible that Mikael and Effie’s eldest child inherited the crown.

"Something to occupy Bethany when we return," Bella said with a smile.

"Perhaps my joining the Guard is responsible for the succession of rulers through the history of Relante," Conall said. Lorth could be Effie’s great, great, great grandchild. If her children had been mine, they would never have achieved status as rulers. I had too many older brothers.

Jealousy struck Bella at some of the memories that were now in Conall's head. He had run from a royally sanctioned marriage, but he had fit in very well with the Guard. And then, as now while strong relationships were discouraged, casual affairs were rife within the unit.

"Do not worry, Bellana," he told her. None of those women, were they alive today, could draw me away from you. I'm sorry I am more experienced than you, but surely two hundred years time is sufficient to make me innocent again. Conall’s mind became a tumble of emotion and she withdrew as he begged, "Bellana, please do not dig through those memories any longer. I wish not to dwell on them, and I have little choice but to follow you in my own mind."

"Is there something you don't wish me to see then?" She raised one eyebrow and looked at him with a smile.

"Not at all. But all my memories of women who briefly shared my life in that way will be the same, and it is close to driving me insane with my need for you. Never have I wanted somebody more, and been less able to fulfill that need. Do not torture me, Bellana."

She relented, dismayed by his outburst. She turned back to the less erotic parts of his life now filling his mind. His training as part of the Guard, and his rise through the ranks to become Captain of the Unit. She had often wondered if Torel was Captain because he was a prince, or if he had earned his rank. Unless things had changed, the rank had been earned. And every new stripe had been paid for in sweat and effort, and sometimes, even in blood.

The memories were all there. Including the final ones before his transformation. He had seen all those who survived the battle with Torant transformed before him. Then the transformation itself had caused immense pain and horror. The symbols drawn on the floor of the room where Dorang worked his spellcasting were seared into Connor’s mind. In the future those might be useful to know, if they were ever to reverse this spell.

Bella said, I’m not sure what to call you now.

"Conall is the name you gave me, I prefer to keep it.

They were lying on the bed and she reached out and laid a hand on his side. We will finish the riddle. I have seen the symbols of spellcasting used to lay this guise on you. Johann can most likely figure out the answer. She quieted, contemplating the symbols of the transformation spell. Johann had never taught her the symbol’s and runes of spellcasting. He had concentrated on taming her power in the months they were together. She would look in the book tomorrow and see if it could tell her anything, but for tonight they needed sleep. Rest now, she said. We must finish this mission and get back to Johann.

They lay there, minds and memories intertwined. She shielded the link between their minds. They remained connected by a fine thread, but she allowed him the privacy of getting comfortable with himself.

She had seen all she needed to. More than she needed to. Now she felt a sense of urgency that had never truly been there before. No longer the simple need of companionship, but the desire of lust. She had been the object of desire in many men’s eyes. This was the first time she had ever felt an equal desire in herself.

Sleep did not come for a long time. When it did, it was restless. Midway through the night Conall got up and moved away, she didn’t know if she was bothering him with her tossing, or if he was trying to calm the same demons she was wrestling with. At any rate, with distance came sleep. Daylight brightened the entrance of the Lodge, long before she was ready to rise.

Chapter 3

The rising sun found them already packed. Angel and Buck were saddled, and the Lodge had been returned to the state it had been in when they arrived. As they stood in readiness, a shimmering occurred in the center of the Lodge. Trace noticed it first. Then everybody saw it. A female form began to take shape. Long blonde hair framed fine high cheekbones and a long straight nose. She wore a skin tight suit of forest green clothes. When she was half formed, a dulcet voice was heard clearly reverberating from the walls of the cavern.

You have performed a great service for us. The pain of those souls caused torment among our kind whenever they were close to our Lodges. We hope you are pleased with the gifts we have given in exchange. Bellana, your debt is clear. The way you travel will be difficult. The mountains rise to the north for quite some distance. When you descend the northern side of the range there is another Lodge, seek it out.

I was under the impression that the Lodges ran only lengthwise of the range, Trace said.

This is true but most mountain ranges are so wide there are Lodges on both faces. We cannot assist you in between but the caretakers on the other side of this range will know what you have done. You will be honored guests. May your Gods grant you good travel. And she was gone.

Trace led Buck outside the Lodge and mounted. Angel and Bella followed suit. Conall appeared, his eyes searched the ridges ahead of them. He found what he was looking for and took off at a ground-covering trot. Their course took them steadily upward, the change in elevation caused the temperature to grow continually colder. Conall dropped his nose to the ground occasionally and more than once Bella saw him lift his head and give it a shake. A touch to his mind told her he was confused.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

He turned and looked at her. It is all different, he said.

"Different how?"

Despair flooded his mind. Scents are not as strong. My senses have changed. This is not a good time for this to happen. I know the mountains by scent, as well as sight. My perception in both senses has changed, weakened, it must be my human self overlying and interfering with the self that is a wolf.

"Perhaps I can help. I should be able to shield your mind as well as if it were my own," Bella said.

"I don't want to lose the part of me that I have just regained," Conall said doubtfully.

"I wouldn't take that away from you. This is a trick Angel’s sire showed me. One part of your mind will not disappear, I'll compartmentalize both parts. Separate them from each other but they will remain part of you. Hopefully they will just not confuse each other so much."

"That sounds like it would work."

"We must stop then," she said.

Trace, she called, we need to stop. Conall is having a problem I must help him with.

What’s wrong? Trace called back.

Yesterday, when we returned to the funeral pyre and Angel gave me the unicorn horn, the unicorn left a message embedded in it. She and First Sergeant Horaud left their thanks for their release, but First Sergeant Horaud recognized Conall. She waved a hand to silence Trace’s questions. We know who he was and he has his memory back. But the new memories are interfering with the old memories and senses. He’s not certain of the trail we need to take. I’m going to try to separate the two personalities into compartments so they may coexist side by side but not interfere with each other.

Trace looked incredulous, You discovered who he was? And you didn’t tell me this because?

Trace I love you as though you truly were my brother, but Conall and I are soulmates. It never even crossed our minds to tell you. This has changed a lot between us and I’m afraid we have been too absorbed in each other to acknowledge the rest of the world. Bella smiled an apology. I’m sorry. It wasn’t intentional that we left you out. It takes some getting used to. There is a whole other life in Conall's head now and we’re still struggling with coming to terms with it.

Well I’ll forgive you for not telling me, but now you must, he said with a grin.

Smiling back at him, she said, He outranks you, are you sure you want to know.

If you don’t tell me, I’ll just have to ride on without you.

You figure it out. First Sergeant Horaud wanted to thank his Captain for his freedom. You’ve read the book. Who does that make him?

She could see the thoughts flash across Trace’s eyes as he struggled to remember the unit roster of the book. She could tell the exact moment he had it. His eyes widened, and his head spun to look at Conall. Your Majesty, he said in an awed tone of voice.

Just Conall, Bella said. If he had lived a normal lifespan he would never have become king. An extra two hundred years changes nothing. She sensed unease from Conall but he did not stop her. He doesn’t want anything more than a human body and a position in the Guard. For now, we have agreed the most important thing is our current task of rescuing Lorun.

Agreed, Trace said. Then let’s do whatever it is you must, and get on with it. If we stand here talking, we’ll freeze to death.

Bella walked over to Conall, placed a hand on either side of his head and sorted the memories into boxes. She did not shut them away from him, simply placed a divider to keep them separate.

This took a good deal longer than she anticipated. She was unaware of the passing of time as they stood locked in a trance. Nearly an hour later she removed her hands from the sides of his head and with a shake he grinned at her and said, Thank you, that’s better. Now let’s see if I can find that trail.

It began to snow while she worked with Conall. She had not even noticed. Trace had dismounted to give Buck a break, but there was a path worn through the new snow where he had paced to keep warm.

Bella stood up, the cold making her stiff. For the first time since she had learned to mount with out help, Angel laid down for her to get her numb body back into the saddle. She wrapped her cloak tighter around herself and left Angel to follow Conall without guidance. The motion warmed her a bit, but as Conall led them ever higher into the mountains her shaking became nearly uncontrollable.

As darkness fell, Conall disappeared around a bend in the animal trail they traveled on. He came anxiously back to get them.

"There’s a cave just ahead. We’ll stay there for the night. If Angel can control Buck, there will be space for the animals as well," he thought to her.

She relayed this news to Trace. He looked pleased to hear it. Bella knew he’d rushed to catch her more than once in the past hour, afraid she would fall from Angel. She had shaken so violently a couple of times, had she been riding a normal horse she would have. There had been no help but to go on, they could not camp in the open in these temperatures.

Angel took Bella in the cave and then lay down for her to slide off. Trace brought Buck in and untacked both horses. He went back outside to gather firewood. Conall sat beside Bella and she leaned back on him. As soon as Trace had a reasonable pile of firewood collected, she roused herself to light it. The cave was too small to have the fire inside, he built it right in the entrance. Every gust of wind brought smoke in, but it also brought warmth from the flames. Trace brought a few small very dry pieces of wood inside and she lit these too. The dry wood did not create as much smoke and it provided a better source of heat.

The numbness started easing away. The relief was short lived. A stinging, burning, sensation, in her fingers and toes replaced it.

Trace looked concerned. He got her blankets out of her pack and laid them out for her. She lay down and covered up and then he threw his blankets on her as well. Conall lay down beside her and she turned to her side and clutched him close. Gradually the shaking eased, and when Trace had supper ready she was able to eat.

She dug in her pack and got out some mint, then heated water and made herself and Trace tea. The tea and hot stew finished warming her.

As soon as she was done eating, she cleaned and oiled her tack and lay down to sleep. She rolled Trace’s blanket out beside hers; it was too cold not to use body warmth.

Trace followed her motions and saw her plan. Nervously he glanced at Conall, sleeping this close to her didn‘t seem a particularly good idea. Not when she plainly belonged to someone who at least at this time was considerably larger and tougher than he was.

Don’t be afraid, she said, it was his idea. We’ll need to keep each other warm. I’m exhausted. I wish Johann had taught me a way to warm a cave like the Lodges but I haven’t got a clue, so yes, get over here and sleep.

Very early in the morning, Bella felt Trace move closer. Conall lifted his head and turned to stare, but it was getting colder as the fire died down in front of the cave. She was awake now, sandwiched between Trace and Conall, unable to move, but feeling a strong need to do so. Trying hard not to awaken Trace she stood up to go outside.

There were several inches of fresh snow.

While it was fresh it would not make traveling too hard but they would need to get moving early before the