The children talked until almost dawn. It was strange for Brisa; she rarely spent time with other children. Atrus didn’t count as when they spent time together it was almost always doing chores or lessons at Autry’s. 

She fetched food for everyone and tried to be polite to all but in truth she was out of her depth. She really had no feeling of how to interact with others around her own age. As the talk continued she found herself drifting off to sleep. She wasn’t the only one but she was profoundly embarrassed when she realized what she had done. 

She covered it up by leaving the study, making her careful way through the house to her own “work room”. Her work room was mostly a desk and books but she knew she couldn’t follow her plan without some supplies. 

Autry had left her a leather satchel for carrying her books. Her spellbook, wrapped in an oil cloth, she placed carefully inside. It was her most valuable possession. She would fill the space with whatever else she thought she needed. 

Unfortunately Brisa had no clue what she would need, or any understanding of the reality of what she was planning on doing. Additionally she had no real direction. That didn’t stop the stubborn girl however. 

She returned to the study with the others, and settled to wait. She hadn’t realized she had dozed off again until Arguios started awake, then stood. He looked puzzled but Brisa didn’t ask him why. She was still not comfortable with the others in general, and him in particular. 

She sidled out of the study, as quietly as she could, and carefully opened the front door. It was not yet dawn but it was light enough to get about. 

She could hear someone yelling, in the silence it was particularly loud. Brisa jumped in excitement nearly tripping herself on her own feet. 

“There’s someone else here” she shouted to the others then raced out the front door heedless of anything beyond the fact there was another living soul out there. It wasn’t Autry she knew but maybe it was help.