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over the mountainside to join its partner. Shanti looked at her with rising panic.
    “Now, just stand up and see how you balance,” she said to Shanti.
    “I can’t walk without heels!”
    “The important thing is, how does your ankle feel? Do you think you’ve twisted it?”
    “But my shoes!” Shanti continued.
    “If you’re really uncomfortable, we’ll swap boots,” Grace said. “I think we’re the same size.”
    “You’d do that for me? But . . . but you said you didn’t like me.”
    Grace smiled, in spite of herself. “I don’t think you like me very much either, Shanti, but we’re in this together. We have to work as a team.” Her smile faded and she looked more determinedly at Shanti. “It’s vital we get Lorcan to Sanctuary . . . for his sake and for yours. Whatever it takes.”
    Grace’s words hit their target.
    Shanti nodded gratefully.
    “I’m going to get Lorcan now. He’ll be worried about us.”
    But just as Grace set off, she saw that Lorcan was making his own way toward them. How had he negotiated that tricky and dangerous stretch of path alone? Grace had a sudden image of the shepherd who had helped them just now. Could it be?
    “Are you both okay?” Lorcan asked.
    “Yes,” said Grace. “Yes, we’re fine — aren’t we, Shanti? Shanti had a fall but she’s okay now. Aren’t you, Shanti?”
    “Yes.” Shanti nodded, somehow getting the message not to give Lorcan any further reason to be alarmed. She paused. “Thank you, Grace. Why don’t we swap places? You lead for a bit?”
    Grace nodded and went to the front of them. She glanced up the dark mountainside. How much farther did they have to climb? As the question formed in her head, she suddenly heard a familiar whisper.
    “Not far now.”
    She glanced ahead, seeing the lights flickering on the captain’s cape. He must have waited for them, or perhaps even come back for them. But if he had been so near, why hadn’t he helped? It seemed there was more than one mystery to ponder on this strange mountainside. But as Grace began thinking further about it, she heard Lorcan call out from behind her.
    “Snow!”
    For a moment, it seemed a random word. Then she felt it too as the first snowflake rested on her nose. Ordinarily, it would have thrilled her, but not here, not now. A snow flurry was the very last thing they needed if they were ever to make it to the mountaintop.
    Soon the path beneath Grace’s feet was utterly white. A shiver passed through her. She realized she was being tested to her physical limits.
    “It can’t be much farther!” she heard Shanti moan.
    “Not long now,” said Grace.
    “So you keep saying!” Shanti whined.
    “Look up ahead,” the captain’s voice whispered through the breeze.
    “Where?” said Shanti. “I can’t see anything.”
    But Grace could see it. There, in the distance, twin lights pierced the darkness. Two flaming torches stood like giant sentinels on either side of the gates. The gates to Sanctuary. They had arrived. At last.
    “About time!” sighed Shanti, as she too noticed the light.
    “What a whiner!” Lorcan whispered in Grace’s ear. Grace smiled. Her thoughts exactly.
    “Oh, Lorcan,” she said, excitedly. “We’re nearly there! What a journey it’s been . . . now we’re almost at the gates.” She looked up ahead. “Can you see?” As the words left her mouth, she could have kicked herself. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean . . .”
    “It’s okay,” Lorcan said. “Don’t upset yourself, Grace. Why don’t you describe it to me so I can borrow your eyes to see?”
    “There are gates made of iron,” she said. “They’re twice as tall as you, I’d say. There are spikes along the top and below is an intricate circular pattern, a bit like a clockface or sundial. It’s very beautiful.”
    And that was how they came to the end of their journey — Grace describing the ornate fretwork of the vast iron gates lit by