I know his presence by the crackle of dry wood and the brush of mountain wind. At length I pick him out, almost invisible against the flow. He poles towards me, hands wet with black water, wiping them on his robe as he steps ashore and drags the ferry up on to the bank. I offer to trade fish for passage, and when he takes a mouthful to test the goods, he laughs aloud. He asks my name, and I go to tell him it is Athenais, but when I try I simply say "Alkahest" and he nods and brings my fingers to his lips. He is handsome, in an alien way.