Aurelius was re-knotting his hair when the soft jingle of bells announced Ulrica’s approach. There was no doubt she was doing it on purpose. She’d run for leagues and scaled trees without so much as a ping. Given the needs of the day, Aurelius was relieved by the tiny peals. They were proof of peace, and that was progress. “Over here,” he called, voluntarily betraying his position. “I’m decent.”

She stepped into the open. “What’s taking so long?”

He indicated the brook at lay b...