[Orual]

"You look the sort not to be afraid of heights. Care to join me?"

Rie laughed. "Not afraid of heights indeed!" she said. "Though I might be better off if I was." She grinned at the memory of her near-disaster, and her close save. She saw Derufin looking at her, puzzled, and she laughed again. "A long story. Suffice to say that my last expedition into the heavens ended in a close scrape with serious injury. But never mind, I've not the sense to learn from my mistakes, and I'd love to help you. Because you're right, and I don't doubt that Pio would take it upon herself. With those miyât, those baby twins of hers, they'd probably decide it was their time as soon as she got up on the roof!" Rie chuckled. "Twins can be very contrary, you know," she said sagely. "Oh! The ladder and hammer. My apologies! I lost sight of my mission. Yes, I think I do know where they've gone. Follow me, I'll go get them."

Rie went into the kitchen. "There!" she said. Leaning in the corner--just where she'd left it last time--was the old ladder. "I'll get the hammer now," she said. "You can get the ladder. If I take too long, just start out for the stable, and I'll meet you out there. I hope I haven't been chattering too much!" Without waiting for an answer, Rie took off to find the hammer.