'Ri snorts at me, which kind 'a takes me back. "I bet it ain't the openness a the town they're after. It's that this is the most prosperous town with stuff that no one else's got but the cities." I'm thinkin' there's a connection 'tween the two, but I ain't goin' t'fight on it, 'specially since I think the Tower's got somethin' t'do with it. Luke's wrinkled his nose, 'n I guess he dunt agree either. "Could be," he says. "Could be a whole load of things. Excolo's handy for moving on come spring, with the river and the road. You're right 'bout there being stuff here that ain't in other places, mind," and I nod t'that. "Why'd the Carnival stay?"

I look over at 'Ri. I dunt know if she'll tell him - heck, all I know is they can't leave town fer some reason, and half the reason I know that is 'cause Tess told me.