Re-l gave herself another five minutes, enjoying the sun on her face and the wind at her back, and then nudged Gabriel with her foot.

"We should keep going," she said. "The sooner we get to the city the better."

She stood up and stretched, feeling her limbs crackle.

"I am due a great deal of pampering when we reach the city," she said, sniffing haughtily. For a moment it was easy to remember the woman inside her who had been the "princess" of Romdeau.