The shortcut ended at a piece of string. It stretched between two low posts, dividing the path from a narrow bed of dark soil. Beyond the bed, a few steps led straight to the covered walk I needed.
The longer route curved around the entire garden. I looked at the string, then at the distance to the steps.
Someone had taken the trouble to keep people out. There would be a reason. There might also be enough space along the edge to avoid whatever the reason was.
I was considering that possibility when a quiet voice said, "Please use the path."
A girl knelt beside the bed with a shallow wooden box near one knee. Green hair fell over her shoulder, gathered back loosely enough that several strands had escaped. She held a small plant between her fingers with its roots still wrapped in damp cloth.
Elara Thornecroft.
I recognized her before she looked fully toward me. Of course the empty-looking garden wasn't empty.
"I'm going to the covered walk," I said.
"The path reaches it."
