"I'm sure you know more than you think," Sabriel says dryly, remembering the strange first days when the teachings of the Book of the Dead had sunk into her subconscious, unremembered until she needed them.

"In any case, there should be little trouble now that Spring is in full bloom. Every stream and river is flowing with snow-melt and spring rain. The days are getting longer. There are never any major threats from the Dead this late in Spring, or through the Summer. The most you'll have to deal with is a rogue Hand or pehaps a Mordaut. I have every confidence you can manage that."