It was a long walk to the Crystal Empire, still, but the miles passed quickly. Out of the Crystal Mountains, a vast snowy plain spread out before Bitterroot and Amanita, the only thing between them and the Empire. With every step they took, the green border grew just a little bit closer. Circe had given up straining against her fetters and seemed resigned to her fate. She didn’t even struggle. Perhaps because of her lichdom, her coat grew back at a far faster rate than was ordinary. Bitterroot carried her through the snow without complaint — she was tireless, after all.