I forget that when the sun goes down these sunlovers ponies might as well not have eyes. They still stroll through the fields and have their friendly little talks. They really do have no idea do they?
I know the princess sees it. She’s been leading us straight to it since before moonrise. She’s probably been seeing it since we crossed the border. There’s only one thing that can make that much black smoke and we’ll reach it well before dawn.
They may stay up all day having their chats with the princess but a single glance is all the conversation we need. ‘Don’t tell them,’ it says ‘it will only frighten them.’
With a small gesture I ask about Morning who is talking Cross and Lyra through some spells. She stares at him for a moment and ponders. Finally her head gives a barely perceivable shake. ‘He doesn’t need to know either.’
MS