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choice. Ray, I didn’t want to believe that the Machine was still powerful. I believed … I hoped that with the Gog’s death, the Machine was, for all good purposes, dead with him. All I’ve wanted is for you and the others to be safe here at Shuckstack.”
    He sighed before continuing. “But that’s changed. Bradshaw brought a piece of the Darkness, a sign of the coming threat of the Machine, to our very doorstep. It fills me with a deep and weary sadness, Ray, but I have to finally face the truth.”
    Ray was not sure if he felt relief that Nel finally agreed with him or sad that he was right all along about the Machine’s threat. “What do you want me to do?”
    “Go first and find Redfeather and Water Spider. I trust Water Spider’s counsel. He is wise, and I’m sure he has been looking into what is at the root of this Darkness. Meet with him. Then find out what’s going on in Omphalosa. Investigate the town and the Darkness. See if these agents are really Bowlers or ordinary Pinkertons. Be careful. No unnecessary risks. I want you two to come back safely—”
    Startled, Ray asked, “I’m not going alone?”
    Nel’s wooly brows lowered over his eyes. “I’m sending Marisol with you.”
    “Marisol?” Ray asked.
    “Yes. She was the one who convinced me that you two needed to go investigate the Darkness. She said you’d already discussed it, and that she was joining you.”
    Marisol! With all that had happened, Ray had forgotten about his promise to Marisol.
    “You act surprised,” Nel said.
    “I am,” Ray said as he followed Nel through the forest. “I told her I’d take her with me on a trip, but that was before Bradshaw arrived. I didn’t mean to take her on something like this. What about Buck? Why can’t he help me?”
    “Buck can’t risk leaving Shuckstack now. He’s wanted for the murder of a law man. He can’t go, not with a bounty on his head.”
    “Si, then!”
    Nel shook his head slowly as he placed the cinquefoil and wintergreen in a small pouch. “I wish she could. She’s still too weak, Ray. If she travels now, if she comes in contact with that illness from the Darkness, she might not recover. It’s too much of a risk. No, Marisol will go with you. I wish she didn’t have to, but it is the best of a bounty of bad options.”
    Ray looked down at his feet as he walked.
    “Have faith in her, Ray,” Nel said. “I think we have all underestimated Marisol. I especially have been guilty of it. She will prove herself.”
    Nel reached the ash tree. He bent to collect several of the leaves lying on the ground. Crushing them in his hand, he sprinkled them into the pouch.
    “Ray, the Nine Pound Hammer is broken. And so we have no means to destroy the Machine. You’ve become a powerful Rambler. But make no mistake, son, you cannot destroy the Gog’s Machine.”
    Ray considered this for several moments before replying, “Then who will, Nel?”
    Nel handed the pouch of protective charms to Ray. “That is an important question, isn’t it? I’ll seek Mother Salagi’s counsel. Come on. Let us get you ready for your journey.”
    “When I said you could come with me sometime, I meant
here,”
Ray said. “Just out into the mountains for a few days.”
    Marisol had her dresses and supplies spread out on her bed. Javidos coiled on her quilt and darted his tongue at Ray. In the next room, the kitchen was noisy with the voices of the children and the clattering of Ma Everett cooking supper.
    “He wouldn’t have wanted you to go otherwise,” Marisol said.
    “I don’t need Nel’s permission.”
    Marisol opened the clasps on a floral-patterned valise. “You needed his blessing. Now you’ll both feel better about your going.”
    “But why do you want to go?” Ray lowered his voice.
    Marisol cut her black almond eyes at Ray as she folded a dress to place in the valise. “Don’t you remember what we talked about?”
    “Of course, but—” Ray shifted.
    “Don’t you think