“Let that not be a concern. There is another way out of Buckkeep,” I told him, thinking of my wolf’s way. “We have another problem also, and that is Kettricken. She will act on her own if she does not soon know we have a plan. Her own thoughts have taken her in the same direction as yours. Tonight she proposed herself taking Shrewd to the Mountains for safety.”
“A pregnant woman and a sick old man in midwinter? Ridiculous.” Chade paused. “But. It would never be expected. They would never look for them on that road. And with all the flow of folk that Regal has created going up the Buck River, one more woman and her ailing father would scarcely be marked.”
“It’s still ridiculous,” I protested. I did not like the sparks of interest I had seen kindle in Chade’s eyes. “Who could go with them?”
“Burrich. It would save him from drinking himself to death from boredom, and he could manage their animals for them. And likely much else they would need. Would he go?”
“You know he would,” I said unwillingly. “But Shrewd would never survive such a trip.”
“He is more likely to survive such a trip than to survive going with Regal. That which eats at him will continue to devour his life, wherever he is.” He frowned more darkly.
“But why it eats at him so much more swiftly these days is beyond me to say.”
“The cold. The privation. It will not help him.”
“There are inns for part of the way. I can find some coin for them yet. Shrewd looks so little like he used to, we almost need not fear him being recognized. The Queen would be trickier. There are few women with her coloring and height. Still, clothed heavily, we could increase her girth. Hood her hair, and-”