Since it was winter in the Old Kingdom, Ennael and Ligir had put on their skis and were making their way across the hills and snow covered ground. Their plan was to head for Abhorsen's house and then take the Paperwing to Belisaere. That would be the fastest way but if Lirael had taken the Paperwing already which they hoped she hadn't they would have to buy some horses from a nearby town. They would head to the Long Cliffs then cross Abhorsen's Bridge. If the Paperwing was there, they'd simply be on their way but if it wasn't they would be forced to walk to Roble's Town or even Qyrre to get horses. With a Paperwing they would be in Belisaere in a about a day or two, where riding would take about two weeks. There was also the other possibility of heading to the coast, getting a boat, then sailing to Belisaere but that would only save them a couple days only if they could find a boat right away and if dead didn't attack them. No matter how hard The Abhorsen Lirael tried, the dead just wouldn't stay dead. There was always some foolish necromancer or rogue hand that wanted to cause trouble somewhere. It took them nearly the whole day to reach the Long Cliffs, cross Abhorsen's Bridge without falling into the Ratterlin, and reach the white washed walls of the House. They were greeted by sendings, taking their load off their backs then hurrying them up to their rooms for baths. Ennael and Ligir had agreed to meet for dinner in an hour. It was enough time to get thoroughly scrubbed down to remove all the sweat and mud the day's journey had grimed onto them. Ennael was just finished dressing when there was a knock on the door.

"Come in…"

Ligir entered the room a little warily. He seemed refreshed and thoroughly clean.

"Guess who I found roaming about."

A white cat then jumped up onto the bed beside Ennael. It had a leather collar but there was no bell in the centre and hadn't been for 22 years.

"Mogget!"

Mogget had once been a servant to the Abhorsen for over a thousand years but 22 years ago the Abhorsen Sabriel, Ennael and Ligir's own Grandmother, had set him free of servitude. Mogget showed up every now and then, mainly in times of need, or in times where there had been fresh fish present. Mogget nodded to Ennael in a surprisingly delightful way. Many times Mogget had tried to kill Abhorsens in his unbound form but since his release, Mogget had set aside all differences and lived how he pleased.

"So I see the two of you have finished school. Your parents must be pleased. Yours however," Mogget turned to Ligir at this, "has just been here. She was going to surprise you at the Wall but needed to fly to Estwael to deal with some dead hands terrorizing some villagers."

"Of course."

"Don't sound so enthusiastic. You're starting to sound like Prince Sameth."

The two glared at each other but then Mogget turned to Ennael.

"The sendings have prepared a feast, hurry up before it gets cold."

With this, Mogget jumped from the bed and bounced out of the room, Ligir and Ennael following. The sendings had fed them well, and on full stomachs they said their 'goodnights' and went to bed. The beds were warm and soft with the freshly-made feeling to them. Sleep soon consumed them.