"I've seen this symbol a number of times," you say, gesturing to the brooch clipped to Matthais's chest. "What is it?"
"The sigil of the Eight," replies Matthais. He unclips the brooch from his robe and holds it in the palm of his hand. "Each point represents one of their number. Are you religious yourself, Basileios?"
He raises his hand quickly before you can answer. "I'm sorry, it was wrong of me to pry, and I can think of no answer you could give that would not rouse me to evangelism. Believe me, that is not what you want after a ride across the tundra."
You glance up at the falling snow as you contemplate Matthais's words. "We are heading north," you say, "to a place called the Valley of the North Wind. Do you know it?"
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